Released September 19, 1988 Recorded 1988 Length 3:32 | Format 12", 7", CD Genre Synthpop | |
B-side "Like Zsa Zsa Zsa Gabor", "Love Is Colder Than Death" |
"A Little Respect" is a song written and recorded by British synthpop duo Erasure, released in September 1988 as their tenth single. It was issued as the third European (and second American) single from their album The Innocents.
Contents
- 7 single MUTE85
- 12 single 12MUTE85
- Limited 12 single L12MUTE85
- CD single CDMUTE85
- US 12 single Sire 21059 0
- US cassette single Sire 927738 4
- Wheatus version
- Critical reception
- Music video
- Audio Playground version
- Track list
- Other cover versions
- Popular culture
- References
Known as one of their signature songs, "A Little Respect" continued Erasure's success on the UK Singles Chart, where it hit number four to become the band's fifth Top 10 single. It was also Erasure's second consecutive Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, where it climbed to number 14, and hit number two on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Songs chart. In the U.K. Mark Saunders and Phil Legg provided the remixes, for the U.S. the remixes were made by Justin Strauss.
Written by Erasure members Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, the heavily synthesized instrumentation is accentuated by acoustic guitar and Bell's use of falsetto in the chorus. The lyrics are a plea to a lover to show compassion and respect.
An acoustic version of "A Little Respect" is featured on the Moon & the Sky Plus EP in the UK. The song was remixed in 2006 by Jaded Alliance for the Future Retro compilation, and again in 2009 by Avantara for the Pop! Remixed album and EP and by Wayne G & Andy Allder for inclusion on the Phantom Bride EP.
Erasure remixed and re-released the track in December 2010 as a digital download-only single for charity. Proceeds from the sale of the single benefit the Hetrick-Martin Institute, the home of the Harvey Milk High School in New York, and the True Colors Fund. Called the "HMI Redux", it includes additional vocals from the Hetrick-Martin Institute youth chorus. Numerous HMI youth were featured in the "HMI Redux" music video that accompanied the track. Produced by Laundry Service Media and directed by Jason Stein, the video premiered on the Huffington Post and was featured on Perez Hilton.
7" single (MUTE85)
- "A Little Respect"
- "Like Zsa Zsa Zsa Gabor"
12" single (12MUTE85)
- "A Little Respect" (extended mix)
- "Like Zsa Zsa Zsa Gabor" (Mark Freegard mix)
- "Love Is Colder Than Death"
Limited 12" single (L12MUTE85)
- "A Little Respect" (Big Train mix)
- "Like Zsa Zsa Zsa Gabor" (Rico Conning mix)
- "Love Is Colder Than Death"
CD single (CDMUTE85)
- "A Little Respect"
- "A Little Respect" (extended mix)
- "Like Zsa Zsa Zsa Gabor" (Rico Conning mix)
- "Love Is Colder Than Death"
US 12" single (Sire 21059-0)
- "A Little Respect" (12″ vocal)
- "A Little Respect" (12″ house mix)
- "A Little Respect" (extended mix)
- "A Little Respect" (Big Train mix)
- "Like Zsa Zsa Gabor" (Rico Conning mix)
US cassette single (Sire 927738-4)
- "A Little Respect"
- "Like Zsa Zsa Gabor"
Wheatus version
American band Wheatus released the song in July 2001 as their second single from their debut album. The single peaked at number three in the United Kingdom, while reaching number 19 in Austria and number 41 in New Zealand.
Critical reception
Ayhan Sahin, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, saying that the version is "surprisingly polished, paying serious homage to Brit synth popsters Andy Bell and Vince Clark." He goes on to say that the structure of the song stays "intact, as does that super-sticky chorus, with acoustic and electric guitars playing back and forth in place of the '80s electronic beats."
Music video
The music video was directed by The Malloys and premiered in July 2001. It featured actor Shawn Hatosy and actress Brittany Murphy.
Audio Playground version
In 2009, Canadian dance act Audio Playground released a cover of the song titled "(A Little) Respect". It peaked at number 77 on the Canadian Hot 100.
Track list
The Radio Collection – EP
- "(A Little) Respect" (Rhythm radio edit) (3:16)
- "(A Little) Respect" (Vocal Electro radio edit) (3:05)
- "(A Little) Respect" (ballad version) (3:43)
CD Maxi-Single – EP
- "(A Little) Respect" (Rhythm radio edit) (3:16)
- "(A Little) Respect" (Mike Rizzo Funk Generation radio edit) (3:15)
- "(A Little) Respect" (Vocal Electro radio edit)" (3:05)
- "(A Little) Respect" (Carlos Berrios Afterdark Radio) (3:21)
- "(A Little) Respect" (Party mix radio edit) (3:24)
- "(A Little) Respect" (Rhythm extended mix) (5:00)
- "(A Little) Respect" (Mike Rizzo Funk Generation club mix) (5:35)
- "(A Little) Respect" (Vocal Electro mix extended) (5:37)
- "(A Little) Respect" (Carlos Berrios Afterdark mix) (4:15)
- "(A Little) Respect" (Party extended mix) (4:50)
- "(A Little) Respect" (L7K Electro dub mix) (7:07)
- "(A Little) Respect" (Anders Urban Slice mix) (3:39)
- "(A Little) Respect" (Ballad Version) (3:43)