☝️ Key Points
- The song 'A Little Respect' addresses the deep longing for respect and recognition in a relationship.
- The singer expresses both deep love and disappointment towards their partner, as they have to work hard to gain recognition and love.
- A recurring theme is the plea for respect, which is expressed in the line 'Give a little respect to me.'
- The singer not only seeks respect but also support and openness, as portrayed in the line 'And if I should falter, Would you open your arms out to me?'
- The song questions reasons that could drive someone to abandon their lover, as evident in the line 'What religion or reason could drive a man to forsake his lover?'
Interpretation
The song 'A Little Respect' by
Erasure is primarily about a person who longs for respect and recognition in a relationship. The repeated lines 'I'm so in love with you, I'll be forever blue. That you gimme no reason why you make me work so hard.' express the singer's deep love and devotion to their partner, while also expressing their disappointment and sadness about having to work hard to receive recognition and love. The singer repeatedly asks for respect from their partner, as reflected in the lines 'Give a little respect to me.' They also ask for support and openness in case they stumble, as in the lines 'And if I should falter, would you open your arms out to me?'. The song also seems to question the validity of reasons that could cause someone to forsake their lover, as in the line 'What religion or reason could drive a man to forsake his lover?'. Overall, the song is about the longing for love, respect, and support in a relationship.