"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
.
Known as one of their signature tunes, "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 fourteen, and hit number two on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.
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 an empowering plea to a lover to show compassion and respect.
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A LITTLE RESPECT TICKETS
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Track listings
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 Bears"
Chart performance
| Chart (1988)
| Peak
position
|
| Canadian Singles Chart
| 42
|
| German Singles Chart
| 34
|
| Irish Singles Chart
| 7
|
| New Zealand Singles Chart
| 24
|
| Singapore Singles Chart
| 6
|
| Swiss Singles Chart
| 28
|
| UK Singles Chart
| 4
|
| U.S. Billboard
Hot 100
| 14
|
| U.S. Billboard
Hot Dance Club Play
| 2
|
Cover versions
"A Little Respect" is arguably Erasure's most
covered song, having been remade by artists such as:
- Almighty Allstars, a hi-NRG/eurodance cover released through Almighty Records
- ABBA-tribute group Björn Again, for their 1992 EP Erasure-ish
, a collection of Erasure songs re-done in ABBA style
- Argentine band Attaque 77, which recorded a Spanish version: "Un Poco de Respeto", for their 1997 album Otras Canciones
- Alternative rock group Wheatus, which had the most success with a cover version of "A Little Respect" (in 2001 their version out-did Erasure's on the UK singles chart by peaking at number three)
- Portuguese band Silence 4
- American band Tilly and the Wall have covered the song live, and on Colin Murray's BBC Radio 1 show.
- Puerto Rican band Circo covered the song for the soundtrack of local movie "Party Time".
- Kim Wilde performed this song live during her European tour in March/April 2009.
Appearances in other media
- The song was featured on the American sitcom Scrubs
, in the episode "My Best Friend's Mistake" when the cast have the song stuck in their heads and sing it repeatedly.
- It has also featured in the American film D.E.B.S.
, and appears on the soundtrack.
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