Music Review: Jessica Simpson "A Little Bit"

A Little Bit
Album: Irresistable
Year: 2001

Jessica Simpson hopes to fix her imbalanced relationship in the tactful “Little Bit.”

Tapping keyboards open the single, setting a frank tone. In the first verse, she says she’s upfront and likes to be involved in what’s going on. She tells her boyfriend that she has something she needs to tell him. However, she’s not going to be passive-aggressive girlfriend who ignores him when he calls out of spite. She takes their relationship seriously. They are close and someone she trusts with her deepest secrets. But there’s a flaw in their relationship that needs to be corrected: he’s assuming her wants and needs.

“ I'm not the kind of girl to sit out on sidelines/The kind of girl who doesn't say it straight from her mind/You're gonna know all that I'm feeling on the inside/I ain't into games, I don't wanna waste/Any time and all the energy we could spend/Being together boy forever you're my best friend/Got a little problem that I can't mend/You been taking me for granted you.”

In the pre-chorus, she says she doesn’t want to break up nor is trying to starting a fight. She doesn’t intend to moralize or turn it into a power issue. She thinks a talk is the way to ensure they are on the same page.

“I don't wanna walk away from what we have, and you know it/I'm not telling you all of this to make you mad/It's not about who's right or wrong/It's not about who's weak or strong/It's about what I need to make this last.”

In the chorus, she thinks he should make some extra time for her instead of making her wait for him. He should bring her flowers once in a while. He doesn’t have to take her to an expensive restrurant once a week, just show her that he loves her. She no longer wants hear promises that they will go to the ballet. She wants to actually go. She would like him to take an interest in her hobbies as well. It could save their relationship.

“A little more time, a little less wait/A little more heart, a little less break/Simple and true, what they say/A little bit goes a long way/A little less talk, a little more do/A little more me, a little less you/Baby at the end of the day/A little bit goes a long way.”

In between the chorus and the verse, she adds that she has to have him care about her completely.

“I need your heart/I need your love.”

In the second verse, she says she prefers to straighten the issue out now than not say anything a year from now. By then, she will be faced with it having to be a dealbreaker and take in other things in consideration. She tells him it’s solvable and it will end the little fights they’ve been having lately. She asks him to put himself in her position and think of her feelings. She says that she’s giving her all and it’s time for him to do the same for her.

“Don't wanna end up in a tricky situation/So I'm giving you my every indication/We can work it out together stop the tension/Try to understand, baby where I stand/I love you and I'm trying to be gentle/So let me break it down for you and make it simple/I gave my heart and soul to you now it's essential/That you show a little love for me.”

In the pre-chorus, she says none of the talk is meant to upset him. She says relationships aren’t about hurting one another but being empathetic to the person.

“I don't wanna walk away or let you go, and you know it/I'm not telling you all of this to make you sad/It's not about the tears we cry/It's about how hard we try/To give a little more and see the other side.”

The chorus is sung again.

In the bridge, she says his treatment of her has been bothering for a while now and she’s been crying over it. She pleads with him, asking that once every so often he should do something special for her.

“And it hurts me, 'cause I care and I'm telling you why/I'm unhappy so if you love me/A little bit is not that much to ask to make things right/Oh yeah, oh yeah, a little bit goes a long, long way.”

The chorus is sung twice to close the single.

Something hasn’t been right with them for a couple months. It seems like after he captured her heart, he stopped asking where she’d like to go for dinner or if he minded hanging out with his friends. Not too soon afterwards, she had to cancel with her friends in order to cater to his already made plans. She likes him and doesn’t want to give up just yet. She thinks it’s he’s unaware of his behavior and he will change it right away.

Simpson’s hearty, forgiving vocals are gentle and straightforward. She is careful how to approaches the topic, thinking it may alienate him. However, if she’s not direct, then her point will be lost. It’s unfortunate she whispers now. She used to be really bring out a song.

The fidgety arrangement clacks and heaves a tearful sigh (at the bridge) during the talk. It complements Simpson’s vocals well.

The underrated “Little Bit” is Simpson at her best.

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