About the song
Background on Alabama – Close Enough to Perfect
“Close Enough to Perfect” was a hit song by the American country music band Alabama, released in 1982. It was the third single from their album Mountain Music and became their eighth No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
The song’s writer, Carl Chambers, got the inspiration for the title from a frustrating experience while working on the road. He found himself constantly trying to find the perfect piece of wood for a project, only to have his then-wife point out flaws in each one. The frustration led him to say, “It’s close enough to perfect for me!” which later became the song’s title.
However, the song itself took on a different meaning. Chambers wrote it out of concern for his new wife who was being treated poorly back home. The song became a love song about appreciating someone for who they are, imperfections and all.
Themes in Close Enough to Perfect
- Imperfection in love: The central theme is accepting and loving someone despite their flaws. The song celebrates the beauty of finding someone “close enough to perfect” for you.
- Appreciation: The lyrics express gratitude for the simple joys of being with a loved one.
- Longing: There’s a subtle undercurrent of longing in the song, with the singer expressing a desire to protect their partner.
These themes resonated with audiences and helped make “Close Enough to Perfect” a classic country love song.