"Letter Perfect" by Al Jarreau is a song that explores the theme of loneliness and the need for connection. The lyrics speak about a person who has achieved success and is admired by others, portrayed as having "golden stars in school." However, despite this outer appearance of happiness, they are brokenhearted and longing for love and understanding. The song implies that the person is living by the "Golden Rule," treating others with kindness and respect, but they themselves are not receiving the same treatment in return. They feel invisible and unseen by those around them, as expressed in the line "No suffering, see nobody, you can't see nobody." The chorus of the song urges the person to let love and kindness shine through them, suggesting that by embracing these qualities, they can find happiness and fulfillment. The narrator of the song pleads with the person to open their eyes and see their own needs and the love that is being offered to them. The repeated line "You can't see nobody" emphasizes the feeling of isolation and the longing for connection. The protagonist of the song is reaching out for love and care, but feels invisible and ignored, symbolized by their inability to see anyone. Ultimately, "Letter Perfect" is a plea for empathy and understanding, reminding us of the importance of seeing and acknowledging the needs of others, even when they may appear to have it all. It highlights the deep human need for connection and suggests that by embracing love and kindness, we can truly live by the "Golden Rule" and find happiness.
