Perfect (Exceeder)

"Perfect (Exceeder)" is a collaboration between Dutch musician Mason and American rapper Princess Superstar. The track is a mashup of Mason's 2006 instrumental dance track "Exceeder" and Princess Superstar's 2005 single "Perfect". It was included on the soundtrack for the 2023 film Saltburn, causing a resurgence of popularity in early 2024.^[2][3]

"Perfect (Exceeder)"
Original 12-inch vinyl cover
Single by Mason vs Princess Superstar
Released	2006
Genre	Electro house[1]
Length	2:41
Label	Data Armada Music
Songwriters	Coen Berrier Iason Chronis Concetta Kirschner Milo Berger
Mason singles chronology
"Exceeder" (2006) "Perfect (Exceeder)" (2006)
Princess Superstar singles chronology
"My Machine" (2005) "Perfect (Exceeder)" (2007) "Licky" (2008)

In February 2024, French DJ David Guetta released a remix of "Perfect (Exceeder)".^[4]

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 not Princess Superstar know who it was.^[5]

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.^[6]

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.^[7]

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.^[8]

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.^[9]

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 Chart (2006–2007) Peak position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[10] 18 Belgium Dance (Ultratop Flanders)[11] 1 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[12] 8 Belgium Dance (Ultratop Wallonia)[13] 1 CIS Airplay (TopHit)[14] 47 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[15] 12 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[16] 5 Germany (GfK)[17] 69 Hungary (Dance Top 40)[18] 20 Ireland (IRMA)[19] 11 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[20] 17 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[21] 11 Scotland (OCC)[22] 3 Spain (PROMUSICAE)[23] 10 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[24] 60 UK Singles (OCC)[25] 3 UK Dance (OCC)[26] 1 Chart (2024) Peak position Latvia Airplay (LAIPA)[27] (David Guetta Remix) 18 Lithuania (AGATA)[28] 48 Netherlands (Tipparade)[29] 10 UK Singles (OCC)[7] 26 UK Dance (OCC)[30] 9 UK Indie (OCC)[31] 2 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[32] 10

Year-end charts Chart (2007) Position CIS (TopHit)[33] 175 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[34] 90 UK Singles (OCC)[35] 44

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[36]	Gold	15,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[37]	Platinum	600,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Usage in media

"Perfect (Exceeder)" was featured in the 2023 film Saltburn, leading to renewed interest in the song.^[38] 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".^[39]