Price of Perfection ORIGINAL SONG

Music by Katherine Lynn-Rose and Lilianne Coeverden.
Lyrics by Katherine Lynn-Rose.
Arranged by Lilianne Coeverden.
Piano: Joshua Turchin
Clarinet: Lilianne Coeverden
Note: The instrumental break is inspired by a live-streamed improv session with Katherine, Lilianne, Joshua, and Luke Naphat.

Romelo Urbi as David
Justine M as Mom
Gabriel Tiongson as Dad

Ensemble: Amanda Angeles, Saara Sastry, Sydney Nicholson, Erica Faye Tubera, Rylynn Davis, Megan Macfarlane, Joshua Turchin, Jonah Sussman, James Ives, Kyler Tunnell, Eddie Lacson, Noah Meeboer

Album cover art by Rory Haltmaier.

LYRICS:
David has a bachelor’s and master's degree
David’s married, soon to have a family of three
David makes six figures, and what about me?
Yeah, call me a wannabe

Mom says, “Ditch the hobbies, find a job to pursue”
Dad says, “Don’t go chasing dreams if you can’t go through”
“David couldn’t do it, so neither could you”
Now I’ve got something to prove

‘Cause I’m so sick of “second best”
I’m so sick of “not impressed”
This family’s obsessed
With validation
And reputation

American dream
Tell me, what’s the price of perfection?
Tell me why I crave your affection
When excellence is expected
Praise is a luxury

American dream
Why do my achievements define me?
Why does life feel so damn confining?
When success is respected
There’s no room for mediocrity

I overcompensate in everything that I do
I bring home all the trophies that I won just for you
You see a starving musician in debt from tuition
I’m never enough for you

‘Cause I’m so sick of being stressed
Working hard at your request
This family’s obsessed
With validation
And reputation

American dream
Tell me, what’s the price of perfection?
Tell me why I crave your affection
When excellence is expected
Praise is a luxury

American dream
Why do my achievements define me?
Why does life feel so damn confining?
When success is respected
There’s no room for mediocrity

You’ve lived a life of sacrifice
Nothing I do could dare suffice
I’ll never stop trying and trying to be enough
Enough for you

American dream
Tell me, what’s the price of perfection?
Tell me why I crave your affection
When excellence is expected
Praise is a luxury

American dream
Why do my achievements define me?
Why does life feel so damn confining?
When success is respected
There’s no room for mediocrity

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Twitter: @katherinelynnro

[katherinelynnrose]

Stream "Price of Perfection" on Spotify and Apple Music:

[gabbyfelicetti]

I love that even the ‘perfect’ brother sings some of the parts. It drives home to idea that just because he was successful doesn’t mean he didn’t struggle with the high expectations from his parents as well. It’s HER story, but also acknowledges that he struggled too.

[Emirichu]

KATHERINE You and Romelo sound incredible in this song Q_Q the "you've lived a life of sacrifice" line hits like a truck for any American-born child of immigrant parents 😭
Excellent job with this, it's gonna be on repeat.

[waverlyaltis]

God the lines “when excellence is expected praise is a luxury” and “when success is respected there’s no room for mediocrity” hit so hard. As a straight A honors student, getting 100% on a test is no longer some great achievement, it’s just what is expected. It’s gotten to the point where I get disappointed in myself if I get a score in the low 90s. Absolute hard hitting song

[beetheaxolotl]

i like how the first time 'when excellence is expected, praise is a luxury', david just closes his eyes as if he knows and accepts this as a fact, while katherine looks as if she's just realized this.

it's a really brilliant move

also, david just looks tired and exasperated this entire time, like he knows all this already

another brilliant move

[JustinesMic]

thank you so much for having me on your song! it was a pleasure playing your mom (and i swear i am nicer in person lol) 💗

[andressimonestrada]

I love the "top of my school" song
So having high expectation for this.

love your voice by the way

[chaotic_andromeda]

this song slapped me in my face, told me i'm a burnt out gifted kid who's a perfectionist, and i played it on loop for an hour lmao

[rebma]

This feels like it should be a Disney song...
Seriously, good job! This song is amazing, and I love it as always!

[pancakeandwaffle]

"you've lived a life of sacrifice", this hit so hard, despite how demanding and exhausting my parents could be I can't deny that they have sacrificed their entire life and all their dreams to raise me so a part of me felt responsible for being the best daughter i could be as well

[tylertheemancipator]

Somebody call up Lin Manuel Miranda on the scene, because the high notes and the scats are SICK

[audriantan]

Damn, Katherine really said 'imma call out all the asian folks' huh. This song reached into my insecurities and ripped out my soul. Keep it up!! Don't be too hard on yourself :)

[efthalia]

This should be in a Disney movie representing all try-hard “gifted” and naturally gifted students alike.

[itzmari]

"Why do my achievements define me?"

The girl sings that question as a whole, shes asking why.

David sings "Achievements define me" like he's come to terms with it.

He's accepted it while she's asking and realising.

[caseofkc]

EVERY. NOTE. HIT. HOME.
_This_ is perfection, and if the price of it is having this song stuck on loop in my head for days, it's a price I would gladly pay









...excuse me while I blast this to my perfection-seeking no-you-cannot-be-second-best family--

[lovewamen]

i cant even begin to describe the chills i got from this. this experience is shared among a lot of first gen children of immigrants, but the way you capture it with your own personal spin is just... stunning. im really blown away. and those high notes are something i could never DARE to hit. wonderful song and i cant wait to see more from you!! <3

[RebakaChan]

holy crap this is so good! it really punches hard. great work!

[j._]

Super awesome song! Love it! The perfect prequel to Encanto’s What Else Can I Do.

[allisonmccollum]

"When excellence is expected praise is a luxury" hit hard

[mariamendoza]

I know I’m not the only one who relates to this song 😭 but it is an absolute bop