Erasure, “A Little Respect” | LGBTQ Bopz

On the 2^nd edition of LGBTQ Bopz (2022), we highlight the song, “A Little Respect” performed by Erasure.  

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ring on the B-O-P-Z, like #SLAYYY! LGBTQ Bopz is a column t that embraces, highlights, and celebrates singles and tracks by LGBTQIA musicians.  On LGBTQ Bopz we provide background info and insight into the respective musician(s), as well as analyze + go gaga over the bops being served up.  Furthermore, when the music dictates deeper, more transcendent discussion, we ensure the point is articulated to the fullest.  All styles of music are welcome and the BOPZ can be classics or brand-spanking new. So, without further ado, on the X edition of LGBTQ Bopz (2022), we highlight “A Little Respect” performed by Erasure.

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Theme & Lyrics

Hayden Manders of Nylon describes the Erasure classic, “A Little Respect,” as “a strikingly strong lesson in what it means to be queer and in love.” That is a great characterization of this beloved, surefire LGBTQ bop .  Manders concludes his insightful article asserting that the song, “sounds like … the triumph of queer people falling in love together and singing out about love’s glory.” Important to note, Andy Bell, the singer in the British synthpop duo (also including Vince Clarke) is openly gay. Also, worth noting, “A Little Respect” arrived in the 1980s, where ‘openly gay’ pop stars were rarer.  The bop opens the duo’s 1988 album, The Innocents.

“I try to discover

A little something to make me sweeter

Oh, baby, refrain

From breaking my heart.”

Clearly, Andy Bell is deeply in love. In the first verse, he goes on to say, “I’m so in love with you / I’ll be blue forever / That you give me no reason / Why you make me work so hard.” Man, does that hit like a brick! The second verse is like the first, as Bell sings, “What religion or reason / Could drive a man to forsake his lover?” It’s that line that helps solidify the queerness of this pop hit without revealing too many cards (for the times).  Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, which shines over the brilliant production:

“Soul, I hear you calling

Oh, baby, please

Give a little respect to me.”

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Final Thoughts

“A Little Respect” is one killer song – it kicks substantial a$$! Woo! The vocals are superb, particularly that ripe falsetto.  The production ( Stephen Hague) is bright and ear-catching, set in a major key – good old C major to be precise!  Furthermore, there’s a fine music video to accompany this 80s classic and staple of the LGBTQ community.

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Erasure • The Innocents • Sire • 1988
Erasure, “A Little Respect”: LGBTQ Bopz No. 2 (2022) [: Anna Shvets, Brent Faulkner, Kurious, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, Sire]

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