Perfect (Exceeder)

Background

"Perfect" was released in 2005 and despite remixes from the likes of Armand Van Helden and Todd Terry, was not a success. Mason, meanwhile, composed "Exceeder" in 2006 as a B-side to an Italo disco track. A mash-up of the two tracks was created at some point in 2006, though neither Mason nor Princess Superstar know who created it. After hearing the original mash-up, Mason reached out to Princess Superstar, who was up for re-recording her vocals for the new track and it was released through Ministry of Sound in 2006.

Critical reception

At the 23rd Annual International Dance Music Awards, "Perfect (Exceeder)" was nominated in the category "Best Breaks/Electro Track", but lost to "Love Is Gone" by David Guetta.

Chart performance

The track became a big hit in the club scene in late 2006, especially across Europe and Brazil. The track was officially released via Data Records on 22 January 2007 in the UK. The track entered the chart at number 11 one week before the physical release, based on downloads. Upon the week of its physical release, the track moved up eight spots to number three. In the Netherlands, the song entered the Dutch Top 40 at number 54 (eventually peaking at number 11) and was the DanceSmash of the week. In 2024, following the song's appearance on the soundtrack to the film Saltburn (2023), the song reappeared on the UK Singles Chart, climbing to number 26 on the chart dated 12 January 2024.

Music video

The music video was directed by Marcus Adams. It stars Lauren Ridealgh, Casey Batchelor and Lisa Shepley as gymnasts who mime to the lyrics performed by Princess Superstar. Valentina Bodorova appears as a genuine rhythmic gymnast acting as body double. Princess Superstar revealed that she did not know of the music video's existence until she saw it on YouTube, having been told by Ministry of Sound that she would feature in it. She instructed lawyers to take legal action against Ministry of Sound, but by the time they tried to, the video already had millions of views and the song had become a hit.

Track listings

UK CD1

1. "Perfect (Exceeder)" (Radio Edit)
2. "Perfect (Exceeder)" (Vocal Club Mix)

UK CD2

1. "Perfect (Exceeder)" (Radio Edit)
2. "Perfect (Exceeder)" (Vocal Club Mix)
3. "Exceeder" (Instrumental Club Mix)
4. "Exceeder" (Martijn ten Velden Instrumental Remix)
5. "Perfect (Exceeder)" (Tomcraft Remix)
6. "The Fanfare" (Hidden Track)

UK 12-inch vinyl

1. "Perfect (Exceeder)" (Vocal Club Mix)
2. "Exceeder" (Instrumental Club Mix)
3. "Perfect (Exceeder)" (Outwork Remix)

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Usage in media

"Perfect (Exceeder)" was featured in the 2023 film Saltburn, leading to renewed interest in the song. It was also used by Marks & Spencer for its Autumn 2025 campaign, in a pair of adverts titled "She's Back" and "Let's Go Autumn".

Perfect by Princess Superstar

• Coen Berrier
• Iason Chronis
• Concetta Kirschner
• Milo Berger "Perfect" is a song by American rapper Princess Superstar. It was released in Germany on July 19, 2005, in the UK on August 29, 2005, in the US and Japan on August 30, 2005, and in Australia on October 10, 2006. It is the only single from her album My Machine with a music video.

Music video

The music video features Princess Superstar in a variety of locations, which includes what looks like a roller disco and a 1980s spoof.

Track listing

1. "Perfect" (Album Version / Dirty)
2. "Perfect" (Michi Lange's Sidekick Remix)
3. "Perfect" (Mr No & Alexander Technique Mix)
4. "Perfect" (Michi Lange's Sidekick Dub)
5. "Perfect" (A Capella)
6. "Perfect" (E-Thunder Chicas Locas Tribal Mix)

Charts

Song usage

Miss Kittin used "Perfect (A Capella)" on her mix album A Bugged Out Mix.

References

References

1. Martin, Felicity. (23 July 2024). "Watch me work it, I'm perfect! The return of electro-house, pop's trashiest, brattiest sound". The Guardian.
2. Cleal, Sam. (12 January 2024). "Another Saltburn Song Is Climbing The Charts Thanks To TikTok".
3. Kirschner, Concetta. (5 October 2025). "TikTok Made Me a Pop Star After 50". The New York Times.
4. (9 February 2024). "David Guetta releases rework of 'Perfect (Exceeder)' by Mason vs Princess Superstar: Listen".
5. (29 April 2024). "Mason vs Princess Superstar 'Perfect (Exceeder)' | The Making Of A Dance Anthem".
6. (19 December 2020). "The story behind "Exceeder" by Mason | Muzikxpress 128".
7. "The Top 10 Trance DJs".
8. (15 March 2007). "Behind The Scenes of Mason Vs. Princess Superstar - Perfect".
9. Blonde Highlights Podcast. (2 September 2025). "The Iconic Journey of Princess Superstar".
10. (10 February 2007). "Hits of the World – Eurocharts".
11. "Perfect (Exceeder): Niles Mason & Princess Superstar". [[TopHit]].
12. "Perfect (Exceeder): Niles Mason & Princess Superstar". TopHit.
13. (April 15, 2024). "Latvijas spēlētāko dziesmu Radio Top 2024. gads – 12. nedēļa". [[Latvian Music Producers Association.
14. (19 January 2024). "2024 3-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)". [[AGATA (organization).
15. "Tipparade-lijst van week 11, 2024". [[Dutch Top 40]].
16. "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs: Week of January 20, 2024".
17. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2007". [[MegaCharts]].
18. "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2007". [[Official Charts Company]].
19. Roberts, Rachel. (8 February 2024). "The Saltburn Effect: Princess Superstar and Mason on the conception and rebirth of Perfect (Exceeder)".
20. (18 September 2025). "M&S Aims To Make The Everyday Iconic This Autumn".
21. (February 5, 2007). "Princess Superstar - Perfect".
22. {{cite Ryan
23. [http://www.discogs.com/Miss-Kittin-A-Bugged-Out-Mix-By-Miss-Kittin/release/674304 Miss Kittin - A Bugged Out Mix By Miss Kittin (CD)] [[Discogs]]. Retrieved 2010-07-16.