The Perfect Year Explained

The Perfect Year
Cover:Dina_Carroll-The_Perfect_Year.jpg
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Dina Carroll
Album:Only Human
B-Side:Here
Length:3:45
Label:
Producer:Nigel Lowis
Prev Title:Don't Be a Stranger
Prev Year:1993
Next Title:Escaping
Next Year:1996

"The Perfect Year" is a song performed by English singer-songwriter Dina Carroll, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton. It is taken from the 1993 musical Sunset Boulevard, produced by Nigel Lowis, and was released as a single on 29 November 1993 by A&M and 1st Avenue. Later, it was included on Carroll's second album, Only Human (1996). Becoming one of her most successful songs, it peaked at number five in the United Kingdom and number four in Ireland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached number 17 in January 1994. In 2001, the song was included on Carroll's first compilation album, The Very Best of Dina Carroll.

Critical reception

Hannsjörg Riemann from German Bravo gave the song two out of five, stating that Carroll "can sing really well." He viewed it as a "tearjerker" that "doesn't tear me off my stool despite the noble design."[1] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton described the song as a "Christmassy ballad".[2] Alan Jones from Music Week gave it five out of five and named it Pick of the Week, writing, "This heartwarming ballad from Sunset Boulevard with sweeping strings, a powerful vocal and optimistic, seasonal lyrics could easily end Carroll's perfect year by becoming her first number one single."[3] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update complimented it as a "gorgeous Lloyd Webber radio ballad".[4] German band Culture Beat reviewed it for Smash Hits, giving it four out of five. Jay Supreme said, "This is a real sweet song though and a great song if the mood is right." Tania Evans stated, "I'd say this is the best she's done so far. Dina is brilliant."[5]

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single. It has a sepia tone and was filmed in Dublin, Ireland.[6]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1993–1994)Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[7] 17
Europe (European AC Radio)[8] 13
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[9] 2
UK Airplay (Music Week)[10] 7

Year-end charts

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
United Kingdom29 November 1993[12]
Japan26 January 1994Mini-CDA&M[13]

Notes and References

  1. Hannsjörg. Riemann. Platten News: Maxi-CDs. Bravo. January 1994. 56. 14 January 2023.
  2. Web site: Masterton. James. Week Ending December 11th 1993. Chart Watch UK. 5 December 1993. 12 September 2021. James Masterton.
  3. Alan . Jones . Market Preview: Mainstream – Singles – Pick of the Week . . 4 December 1993 . 12 . 5 April 2021 .
  4. James . Hamilton . Dj directory . Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) . 4 December 1993 . 7 . 5 April 2021 . James Hamilton (DJ and journalist).
  5. "New Singles". Smash Hits. p. 51. 24 November 1993.
  6. Web site: 6. Classic Dublin music videos: Dina Carrol – The Perfect Year (1993). Come Here To Me!. 28 March 2011. 12 September 2021.
  7. Eurochart Hot 100. Music & Media. 11. 5. 29 January 1994. 21. 27 January 2020.
  8. Adult Contemporary Europe Top 25. Music & Media. 11. 9. 26 February 1994. 22. 28 May 2023.
  9. Web site: Dina Carroll – The Perfect Year. top40.nl. nl. 22 January 2020.
  10. The Airplay Chart. Music Week. 22 January 1994. 26. 4 May 2024.
  11. Top 100 Singles 1993. Music Week. 24. 15 January 1994.
  12. Single Releases. Music Week. 27. 27 November 1993. 24 June 2021.
  13. Web site: パーフェクト・イヤー ディナ・キャロル. Perfect Year Dina Carroll. Oricon. ja. 28 November 2023.