A Little Bit
Encyclopedia
"A Little Bit" is a song recorded by American recording artist Jessica Simpson
. It was written by Kara DioGuardi
, Steve Morales and David Siegel
, and was produced by Morales along with Ric Wake
. The song was released as the second and final single from Simpson's second studio album Irresistible
(2001), on October 29, 2001 through Columbia Records
. Musically, the song is a mid-tempo dance-pop
song and the lyrics speak about the protagonist wanting changes in a relationship she is in.
The song received mostly positive reviews from music critics; most of them appreciated the song's production. It failed to chart in the United States, but reached number sixty-two on Australian Singles Chart
. An accompanying music video, directed by Hype Williams
, shows Simpson dancing on a futuristic dance floor, along with her backup dancers. Simpson performed the song on her DreamChaser Tour (2001), the 2001 Jingle Bell Bash and a few televised shows.
"A Little Bit" was covered by English singer Rosie Ribbons
for her unreleased album Misbehaving. Her version was released as a single through Telstar Records
and peaked at number nineteen on the UK Singles Chart
. The single was promoted through a promotional music video, which shows Ribbons performing dance routines with her dancers, and live performances on various televised appearances like CD:UK
and Top of the Pops
and Smile.
, Steve Morales and David Siegal
, and was produced by Morales and Ric Wake
. The song became DioGuardi's first writing credit for an artist from her native country. Simpson's vocals were recorded by Dan Hetzel at Sony Music Studios
, New York City, and the track was mixed by Hetzel along with Richie Jones at Cove City Sound Studios, Glen Cove, New York
. Keyboard
programming
was done by Eric Kupper
. According to Simpson, "the message behind the song is for guys to listen to the girl". "A guy needs to give a little bit more of himself, a little bit more of his time. It's about the love going so much further, the guy would actually be selfless," she expanded on the song's theme. In the United States, "A Little Bit" was released as the second single from Irresistible
. The song saw an airplay-only release there, while in Australia, a physical single was issued on October 29, 2001. "A Little Bit" was used to promote Bally Total Fitness
and thus, a limited CD single pressing was made available to people who joined the club.
"A Little Bit" is a dance-pop
song, composed in a "medium pop" tempo. According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Music Publishing, it is written in the key
of E minor
. Its beat is set in common time
, and moves at a tempo of 94 beats per minute. It also has the sequence of Em–C–B/D as its chord progression
. Simpson's voice in the song spans from the note of G3 to the high note of D5. Following the same beat-oriented pattern as "Irresistible", "A Little Bit" features piano instrumentation. Simpson sings the lyrics as rapid-fire verses and with start-and-stop hook
s. Simpson adopts breathy vocals for the song, and the lyrics talk about what she expects from her partner: "A little more time, a little less wait / A little more heart, a little less break". She also demands healthy changes in the relationship.
gave a positive review, writing "with pop star sass, she belts out [...] proving that she's a girl with attitude — and fierce rhyming ability." Stephen Thomas Erlewine
of Allmusic wrote that the song and "Irresistible" were "double-punch" on the album. Chuck Taylor of Billboard
praised the song's production, writing that it "locks [this one] inside the head long after it's faded from the speakers." Larry Printz of The Morning Call
also gave a favorable review, writing that the song "benefit[s]" from the start-and-stop hooks. However, Chuck Campbell of Daily News noted Simpson's singing as "breathless whispers" and deemed the song as being "heavily processed." The song debuted at number sixty-two on the Australian Singles Chart
, on the week dated November 5, 2001, which became its peak position. The single fell to number ninety-six the following week, and dropped out of the chart the week after.
for "A Little Bit" was filmed under the direction of Hype Williams
to promote the single. The dance sequence was choreographed by George Hubela (known as GEO) and the video takes place in a futuristic spaceship-like setting where Simpson performs an intricate dance choreography with four male and four female dancers. She wears a rainbow-colored tank top and a mini skirt in the video. At one part, the dancers perform in pairs with Simpson in front of them. Later, Simpson dances beside a male dancer while wearing sunglasses and a white top with a bedazzled
American flag. In the video's final scene, Simpson, accompanied by the same dancers from the beginning, perform choreography in a red room, and dance with futuristic pole-stands.
Simpson further promoted the song through live performances on various appearances. She included the song on the set-list of her DreamChaser Tour (2001). For the performance on the tour, Simpson was accented by a white top and plaid
pants, and also wore a red hat and a red tie. Her performance also made use of poles similar to the one used in music video. She also performed the song on MuchMusic
Canada. and the sketch comedy
show MADtv
. The song was performed along with "Irresistible", "I Wanna Love You Forever
", and "I Think I'm in Love with You
", at the Jingle Bell Bash, organized by KBKS-FM
, in December 2001. The same month, she sang the song on the 2001 Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, along with "Irresistible".
Remix credits
runner-up Rosie Ribbons
, for her debut studio album Misbehaving. Her version has an "American vibe" and derives from the genres of pop
and R&B
. The song was released on January 13, 2003 through Telstar Records
, as the second single from the album. It reached number nineteen on the UK Singles Chart
, and was also accompanied by a music video, which showed Ribbons dancing with her backup dancers. She performed the song on various televised appearances such as CD:UK
and Top of the Pops
. She also toured with Liberty X
and promoted the song.
. The album was recorded, but due to Telstar going bankrupt, it was never released.
A staff of Tourdates.co.uk gave a favorable review commending Ribbons' vocal display. The reviewer added "[so] often we are bombarded with wannabes with weak vocals and insipid songs, [Rosie] shows us that there is life after pop idol and with 'a little bit' of cred." Music Week
also gave a psotive review, noting the song was "catchy". but The single debuted at number nineteen on the UK Singles Chart
, the week dated January 25, 2003. The position became its peak position. The following week, the song dropped to number thirty-seven and the week after exited the top forty.
on December 7, 2002.
"A Little Bit" was performed on various televised appearances such as the British chart show Top of the Pops
, Smile and CD:UK. She also appeared on Smash Hits' chart countdown and promoted the song. In March 2003, she toured with British pop group Liberty X
.
Jessica Simpson
Jessica Ann Simpson is an American recording artist, actress, television personality, and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials, launched a line of hair and...
. It was written by Kara DioGuardi
Kara DioGuardi
Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, music publisher, A&R executive, composer and TV personality. She writes music primarily in the light pop-rock, dance, and R&B genres. DioGuardi has worked with many popular artists; her songs have appeared on more than 159...
, Steve Morales and David Siegel
David Siegel (musician)
David Siegel is an American producer, songwriter and musician based in South Beach, Florida. He is best known for co-writing Escape recorded by Enrique Iglesias in 2002, as well as co-writing a three-times certified platinum song by the RIAA. Whatever You Like recorded by T.I...
, and was produced by Morales along with Ric Wake
Ric Wake
Ric Wake is a record producer who has won an Academy Award and two Grammy Awards. During his tenure as staff producer with Sony Music Entertainment he has worked with vocalists such as Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Barry Manilow, and Marc Anthony...
. The song was released as the second and final single from Simpson's second studio album Irresistible
Irresistible (Jessica Simpson album)
Irresistible is the second studio album by American recording artist Jessica Simpson, released on May 25, 2001, through Columbia Records. Simpson, who began working on the project in July 2000, contacted already established writers and producers to collaborate on the project,...
(2001), on October 29, 2001 through Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. Musically, the song is a mid-tempo dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
song and the lyrics speak about the protagonist wanting changes in a relationship she is in.
The song received mostly positive reviews from music critics; most of them appreciated the song's production. It failed to chart in the United States, but reached number sixty-two on Australian Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
. An accompanying music video, directed by Hype Williams
Hype Williams
Harold "Hype" Williams , previously known as HYPE, is an American music video and film director of African-American and Honduran descent. His nickname "Hype" comes from his hyperactive nature as a child....
, shows Simpson dancing on a futuristic dance floor, along with her backup dancers. Simpson performed the song on her DreamChaser Tour (2001), the 2001 Jingle Bell Bash and a few televised shows.
"A Little Bit" was covered by English singer Rosie Ribbons
Rosie Ribbons
Rosemary "Rosie" Ribbons is an Australian-born, UK-raised singer. In the early 1980s, her English father , Ronald, visited Australia...
for her unreleased album Misbehaving. Her version was released as a single through Telstar Records
Telstar Records
Telstar Records was a record label founded in 1982 by Sean O'Brien and Neil Palmer with a government loan of £120,000. It was founded as a specialist compilation marketing label and had hits with a range of compilation franchises such as the Deep Heat, Kaos Theory and 100% ranges...
and peaked at number nineteen on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The single was promoted through a promotional music video, which shows Ribbons performing dance routines with her dancers, and live performances on various televised appearances like CD:UK
CD:UK
CD:UK was a British music television programme. Originally run in conjunction with SMTV Live, the programme was first aired on ITV on 29 August 1998 to rival the BBC's Live & Kicking and was the replacement for The Chart Show, which had been airing on the network for nine and a half years.In...
and Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
and Smile.
Background and composition
"A Little Bit" was written by Kara DioGuardiKara DioGuardi
Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, music publisher, A&R executive, composer and TV personality. She writes music primarily in the light pop-rock, dance, and R&B genres. DioGuardi has worked with many popular artists; her songs have appeared on more than 159...
, Steve Morales and David Siegal
David Siegel (musician)
David Siegel is an American producer, songwriter and musician based in South Beach, Florida. He is best known for co-writing Escape recorded by Enrique Iglesias in 2002, as well as co-writing a three-times certified platinum song by the RIAA. Whatever You Like recorded by T.I...
, and was produced by Morales and Ric Wake
Ric Wake
Ric Wake is a record producer who has won an Academy Award and two Grammy Awards. During his tenure as staff producer with Sony Music Entertainment he has worked with vocalists such as Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Barry Manilow, and Marc Anthony...
. The song became DioGuardi's first writing credit for an artist from her native country. Simpson's vocals were recorded by Dan Hetzel at Sony Music Studios
Sony Music Studios
Sony Music Studios was a well-known former music recording and mastering facility in New York City. The music and broadcasting complex was located at 460 W. 54th St., at 10th Avenue, in the Hell's Kitchen section of Manhattan...
, New York City, and the track was mixed by Hetzel along with Richie Jones at Cove City Sound Studios, Glen Cove, New York
Glen Cove, New York
Glen Cove is a city in Nassau County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 26,964....
. Keyboard
Musical keyboard
A musical keyboard is the set of adjacent depressible levers or keys on a musical instrument, particularly the piano. Keyboards typically contain keys for playing the twelve notes of the Western musical scale, with a combination of larger, longer keys and smaller, shorter keys that repeats at the...
programming
Programming (music)
Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices, often sequencers or computer programs, to generate music. Programming is used in nearly all forms of electronic music and in most hip hop music since the 1990s. It is also frequently used in modern pop and rock...
was done by Eric Kupper
Eric Kupper
Eric Kupper is an American keyboardist, arranger, songwriter, remix artist, DJ and record producer of French descent. Playing in bands in his formative years, he got his real start in the mid-1980s working as a keyboardist, guitarist, and songwriter for such producer/remixers as David Morales,...
. According to Simpson, "the message behind the song is for guys to listen to the girl". "A guy needs to give a little bit more of himself, a little bit more of his time. It's about the love going so much further, the guy would actually be selfless," she expanded on the song's theme. In the United States, "A Little Bit" was released as the second single from Irresistible
Irresistible (Jessica Simpson album)
Irresistible is the second studio album by American recording artist Jessica Simpson, released on May 25, 2001, through Columbia Records. Simpson, who began working on the project in July 2000, contacted already established writers and producers to collaborate on the project,...
. The song saw an airplay-only release there, while in Australia, a physical single was issued on October 29, 2001. "A Little Bit" was used to promote Bally Total Fitness
Bally Total Fitness
Bally Total Fitness is an American fitness club chain which operates 100 gyms, in several U.S. states. In November of 2011, competitor L.A. Fitness took over operation of 171 former Bally locations...
and thus, a limited CD single pressing was made available to people who joined the club.
"A Little Bit" is a dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
song, composed in a "medium pop" tempo. According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Music Publishing, it is written in the key
Key (music)
In music theory, the term key is used in many different and sometimes contradictory ways. A common use is to speak of music as being "in" a specific key, such as in the key of C major or in the key of F-sharp. Sometimes the terms "major" or "minor" are appended, as in the key of A minor or in the...
of E minor
E minor
E minor is a minor scale based on the note E. The E natural minor scale consists of the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. The E harmonic minor scale contains the natural 7, D, rather than the flatted 7, D – to align with the major dominant chord, B7 .Its key signature has one sharp, F .Its...
. Its beat is set in common time
Common Time
"Common Time" is a science fiction short story written by James Blish. It first appeared in the August 1953 issue of Science Fiction Quarterly and has been reprinted several times: in the 1959 short-story collection Galactic Cluster; in The Testament of Andros ; in The Penguin Science Fiction...
, and moves at a tempo of 94 beats per minute. It also has the sequence of Em–C–B/D as its chord progression
Chord progression
A chord progression is a series of musical chords, or chord changes that "aims for a definite goal" of establishing a tonality founded on a key, root or tonic chord. In other words, the succession of root relationships...
. Simpson's voice in the song spans from the note of G3 to the high note of D5. Following the same beat-oriented pattern as "Irresistible", "A Little Bit" features piano instrumentation. Simpson sings the lyrics as rapid-fire verses and with start-and-stop hook
Hook (music)
A hook is a musical idea, often a short riff, passage, or phrase, that is used in popular music to make a song appealing and to "catch the ear of the listener". The term generally applies to popular music, especially rock music, hip hop, dance music, and pop. In these genres, the hook is often...
s. Simpson adopts breathy vocals for the song, and the lyrics talk about what she expects from her partner: "A little more time, a little less wait / A little more heart, a little less break". She also demands healthy changes in the relationship.
Reception
"A Little Bit" garnered mostly positive reviews from music critics. Kirsten Koba of PopMattersPopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
gave a positive review, writing "with pop star sass, she belts out [...] proving that she's a girl with attitude — and fierce rhyming ability." Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine is a senior editor for Allmusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for Allmusic, as well as a freelance writer, occasionally contributing liner notes. He is also frontman and guitarist for the Ann Arbor-based band Who Dat?Erlewine is the nephew...
of Allmusic wrote that the song and "Irresistible" were "double-punch" on the album. Chuck Taylor of Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
praised the song's production, writing that it "locks [this one] inside the head long after it's faded from the speakers." Larry Printz of The Morning Call
The Morning Call
The Morning Call is a daily newspaper based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The newspaper is owned by the Tribune Company, whose other publications include the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and Baltimore Sun....
also gave a favorable review, writing that the song "benefit[s]" from the start-and-stop hooks. However, Chuck Campbell of Daily News noted Simpson's singing as "breathless whispers" and deemed the song as being "heavily processed." The song debuted at number sixty-two on the Australian Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
, on the week dated November 5, 2001, which became its peak position. The single fell to number ninety-six the following week, and dropped out of the chart the week after.
Promotion
A music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "A Little Bit" was filmed under the direction of Hype Williams
Hype Williams
Harold "Hype" Williams , previously known as HYPE, is an American music video and film director of African-American and Honduran descent. His nickname "Hype" comes from his hyperactive nature as a child....
to promote the single. The dance sequence was choreographed by George Hubela (known as GEO) and the video takes place in a futuristic spaceship-like setting where Simpson performs an intricate dance choreography with four male and four female dancers. She wears a rainbow-colored tank top and a mini skirt in the video. At one part, the dancers perform in pairs with Simpson in front of them. Later, Simpson dances beside a male dancer while wearing sunglasses and a white top with a bedazzled
Bedazzler
The Bedazzler is a home appliance which is used to fasten rhinestones, studs, hunks, and patches to material, clothes and accessories.- History:...
American flag. In the video's final scene, Simpson, accompanied by the same dancers from the beginning, perform choreography in a red room, and dance with futuristic pole-stands.
Simpson further promoted the song through live performances on various appearances. She included the song on the set-list of her DreamChaser Tour (2001). For the performance on the tour, Simpson was accented by a white top and plaid
Full plaid
A full plaid is a long piece of tartan fabric, traditionally worn as part of a full highland dress uniform. It usually matches the tartan of the kilt. A full plaid is pleated the whole way, with half of its length sewn shut...
pants, and also wore a red hat and a red tie. Her performance also made use of poles similar to the one used in music video. She also performed the song on MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
Canada. and the sketch comedy
Sketch comedy
A sketch comedy consists of a series of short comedy scenes or vignettes, called "sketches," commonly between one and ten minutes long. Such sketches are performed by a group of comic actors or comedians, either on stage or through an audio and/or visual medium such as broadcasting...
show MADtv
MADtv
MADtv is an American sketch comedy television series. It licensed the name and logo of Mad, but otherwise had no connection with the humor magazine outside the animated Spy vs. Spy and Don Martin cartoon shorts and images of Alfred E. Neuman that the show featured during the late 1990s. Its first...
. The song was performed along with "Irresistible", "I Wanna Love You Forever
I Wanna Love You Forever
"I Wanna Love You Forever" is the first single from Jessica Simpson's debut album Sweet Kisses. The song is her debut single and was released in 1999, the single peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Simpson's first, and to date last, top ten single. The song also peaked at...
", and "I Think I'm in Love with You
I Think I'm in Love with You
"I Think I'm in Love with You" is a song written and produced by Cory Rooney and Dan Shea for Jessica Simpson's debut album Sweet Kisses . It contains a sample of singer-songwriter John Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane" and was released as the album's third and final single in summer 2000...
", at the Jingle Bell Bash, organized by KBKS-FM
KBKS-FM
KBKS-FM , better known as "106.1 KISS FM", is a radio station in the Seattle, Washington area that plays current popular music. The Clear Channel outlet broadcasts at 106.1 MHz with an ERP of 68 kW and is licensed to Tacoma, Washington.-History:KBKS signed on the air in 1959 as KLAY-FM,...
, in December 2001. The same month, she sang the song on the 2001 Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, along with "Irresistible".
Track listing
- AUS CD single
- "A Little Bit" – 3:47
- "A Little Bit" (Chris 'The Greek' & Guido Club Mix) – 7:54
- "A Little Bit" (Chris 'The Greek' & Guido Radio Mix) – 4:29
- "Irresistible" (Hex HectorHex HectorHex Hector , is an American dance remixer. He won a Grammy in 2001 for "Best Remixer".-Biography:Hector was born in in Manhattan, New York, of a Puerto Rican mother and Cuban father, and was raised in the Washington Heights neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan...
Radio Mix) – 3:32
Credits and personnel
Credits for "A Little Bit" are adapted from Irresistible liner notes. Credits for the remixes are adapted from "A Little Bit" CD single liner notes.- Steve Morales – writerLyricistA lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
, co-producer - Kara DioGuardi – writer, background vocals
- David Siegal – writer
- Ric Wake – producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- Janie Barnett – background vocals
- Margaret Dorn – background vocals
- Ted Jensen – masteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
- Jessica Simpson – vocals
- Chieli Minucci – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Dan Hetzel – EngineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
- Richie Jones – mixerMix engineerA mix engineer, also referred to as "mixing engineer", is a person who, once all instruments, voices, and sounds, etc., have been recorded, creates what is called the final version of a song, hence the term "mix engineer"...
, percussion
Remix credits
- Chris "The Greek" Panaghi – re-mixer
- Guido Osorio – re-mixer
Rosie Ribbons version
"A Little Bit" was recorded by English singer and Pop IdolPop Idol (series 1)
The first series of British reality television show Pop Idol was broadcast on ITV in the United Kingdom during the winter months of 2001 and 2002. The show was a singing competition open to people aged between 16 and 26 years old, with the winner receiving a £1million recording contract to release...
runner-up Rosie Ribbons
Rosie Ribbons
Rosemary "Rosie" Ribbons is an Australian-born, UK-raised singer. In the early 1980s, her English father , Ronald, visited Australia...
, for her debut studio album Misbehaving. Her version has an "American vibe" and derives from the genres of pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
. The song was released on January 13, 2003 through Telstar Records
Telstar Records
Telstar Records was a record label founded in 1982 by Sean O'Brien and Neil Palmer with a government loan of £120,000. It was founded as a specialist compilation marketing label and had hits with a range of compilation franchises such as the Deep Heat, Kaos Theory and 100% ranges...
, as the second single from the album. It reached number nineteen on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, and was also accompanied by a music video, which showed Ribbons dancing with her backup dancers. She performed the song on various televised appearances such as CD:UK
CD:UK
CD:UK was a British music television programme. Originally run in conjunction with SMTV Live, the programme was first aired on ITV on 29 August 1998 to rival the BBC's Live & Kicking and was the replacement for The Chart Show, which had been airing on the network for nine and a half years.In...
and Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
. She also toured with Liberty X
Liberty X
Liberty X were a British pop vocal group formed by the five contestants eliminated from the final ten qualifiers from the 2001 ITV show Popstars. The group consisted of Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, Kelli Young and Jessica Taylor...
and promoted the song.
Release and reception
Ribbons' version of "A Little Bit" was released as the second single from her debut album titled Misbehaving, on January 13, 2003, through Telstar RecordsTelstar Records
Telstar Records was a record label founded in 1982 by Sean O'Brien and Neil Palmer with a government loan of £120,000. It was founded as a specialist compilation marketing label and had hits with a range of compilation franchises such as the Deep Heat, Kaos Theory and 100% ranges...
. The album was recorded, but due to Telstar going bankrupt, it was never released.
A staff of Tourdates.co.uk gave a favorable review commending Ribbons' vocal display. The reviewer added "[so] often we are bombarded with wannabes with weak vocals and insipid songs, [Rosie] shows us that there is life after pop idol and with 'a little bit' of cred." Music Week
Music Week
Music Week is a trade paper for the UK record industry.Founded in 1959 as Record Retailer, it was relaunched on 18 March 1972 as Music Week . On 17 January 1981 the title was again changed, owing to the increasing importance of sell-through videos, to Music & Video Week...
also gave a psotive review, noting the song was "catchy". but The single debuted at number nineteen on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, the week dated January 25, 2003. The position became its peak position. The following week, the song dropped to number thirty-seven and the week after exited the top forty.
Promotion
A promotional music video for the song was filmed, which showed Ribbons wearing heavy makeup and donning a stylish costume. The first scene of the music video takes place in a elevator-like set. Ribbons is shown singing in the elevator. Then, as the video progresses she is shown dancing with her backup dancers, in a set with the lyrics of the song inscribed on its walls. Then, Ribbons is shown seducing a man in the elevator. In the last scene Ribbons, along with the backup dancers, dance on a parking lot like set. The music video premiered on CD:UKCD:UK
CD:UK was a British music television programme. Originally run in conjunction with SMTV Live, the programme was first aired on ITV on 29 August 1998 to rival the BBC's Live & Kicking and was the replacement for The Chart Show, which had been airing on the network for nine and a half years.In...
on December 7, 2002.
"A Little Bit" was performed on various televised appearances such as the British chart show Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
, Smile and CD:UK. She also appeared on Smash Hits' chart countdown and promoted the song. In March 2003, she toured with British pop group Liberty X
Liberty X
Liberty X were a British pop vocal group formed by the five contestants eliminated from the final ten qualifiers from the 2001 ITV show Popstars. The group consisted of Tony Lundon, Kevin Simm, Michelle Heaton, Kelli Young and Jessica Taylor...
.
Track listing
- UK Enhanced CD Single
- "A Little Bit" (Radio edit) – 3:44
- "A Little Bit" (Rishi 'Smooth' Rich remix) – 4:27
- "A Little Bit" (M*A*S*H Main Vocal mix) – 6:34
- "A Little Bit" (Rishi Rich remix) – 3:35
- "A Little Bit" (Video)
- UK 12" Vinyl Single
- "A Little Bit" (Bini & Martini High Pressure Mix)
- "A Little Bit" (Bini & Martini High Pressure Dub)
Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from "A Little Bit" CD single.- Steve Morales – writer
- Kara DioGuardi – writer
- David Siegal – writer
- ICON – producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- Rishi RichRishi RichRishpal Singh Rekhi better known by his stage name Rishi Rich is a British Indian music producer born in Croydon, England and based in London...
– re-mixer - M*A*S*H – re-mixer
- Bini & MartiniBini & MartiniBini & Martini is a duo composed of house music producers and DJs Gianni Bini and Paolo Martini, from Italy. They are known under a variety of pseudonyms, including House of Glass, Eclipse, The Goodfellas and The Groovelines.-Career:...
– re-mixer - Joanna Barnes – rap
- Tanya Scarborough – rap
External links
- Jessica Simpson "A Little Bit" music video at MTV.com