| Perfect Gentleman | |
| Cover: | Wyclef jean-perfect gentleman.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Wyclef Jean |
| Studio: | The Hit Factory (New York City) |
| Length: | 4:09 |
| Label: | Columbia |
| Prev Title: | 911 |
| Prev Year: | 2000 |
| Next Title: | Wish You Were Here |
| Next Year: | 2001 |
"Perfect Gentleman" is the third single released from Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean's second studio album, . It features a guest verse by rapper and co-writer Hope Harris. The song cites Chris Rock's spoken-word piece "No Sex (In the Champagne Room)".
"Perfect Gentleman" was released in the United States on 30 January 2001 and reached number 21 on the Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 chart; it failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, the song peaked within the top 10 in Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In the latter country, the song was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
In the United Kingdom, "Perfect Gentleman" peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart and spent a total of 20 weeks on the chart. In 2013, the song re-appeared on the chart at number 70. In December 2017, the single was certified platinum by the BPI, denoting sales and streams of 600,000 units in Britain. The song is certified gold in Sweden, where it reached number four as well.
The music video was shot in Washington, D.C., and features a scene outside The White House. The video shows Wyclef Jean in a large ballroom, performing the song to the crowd. It later features Jean as a college dean, outlining his plans for being the Perfect Gentleman. One of the songwriters, Harry Tait, makes a guest appearance in the video.
UK CD single [1]
UK 12-inch single [2]
A1. "Perfect Gentleman" (remix—vinyl mix featuring Xzibit and King Yellowman) – 4:38
A2. "Perfect Gentleman" (remix instrumental) – 4:38
B1. "Perfect Gentleman" (Kelly G House Mix) – 8:25
B2. "Perfect Gentleman" (Kelly G House Mix instrumental) – 8:25
UK cassette single [3]
European CD single [4]
Australian CD single [5]
Credits and personnel are taken from album booklet.[6]
Studios
Personnel
| Chart (2001) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[8] | 75 | |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[9] | 84 | |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[10] | 52 | |
| Ireland (IRMA)[11] | 41 | |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[12] | 32 | |
| UK Singles (OCC)[13] | 26 | |
| US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[14] | 80 |
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 30 January 2001 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | Columbia | [15] |
| 27 March 2001 | Urban radio | [16] | ||
| United Kingdom | 9 July 2001 | [17] | ||
| Australia | 29 October 2001 | CD | [18] |
"Perfect Gentleman" was covered by the reggae rock band Slightly Stoopid on their 2003 LP Everything You Need. Harry Tait also covered this on his acoustic album named All the Things I Love and More, which debuted at number 99 on the UK Albums Chart.