"Your Little Secret" is the first single and title track from American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge's fifth studio albumof the same name (1995). The song was produced by Hugh Padgham and released to US radio stations on October 9, 1995 by Island Records. It became a top-10 hit in Canada, peaking at number six on the RPM Top Singles chart. In the US, it reached number four on the BillboardMainstream Rock chart. The music video for the song was directed by David Hogan and shot in black-and-white, depicting people climbing on what appears to be a human wall of models.
The song was written by Melissa Etheridge. "Your Little Secret" (as well as the album) was produced by British record producerHugh Padgham, who had also produced Etheridge's breakthrough 1993 album, Yes I Am.[1] After the pop music success of singles from Yes I Am, "Your Little Secret" was marketed as a single for the alternative and modern rock music genres.[1]
The single was released to US radio stations on October 9, 1995, with an emphasis on alternative and modern rock format stations.[1]
Critical reception
Steve Baltin from Cash Box named the song Pick of the Week in November 1995, noting that "this fiery rocker with the blues base has been immediately embraced at all formats of radio, successfully continuing the singles success she had with her breakthrough album, last year's Yes I Am." He added, "Featuring the singer/songwriter's infamous snarl on the song's seductive chonis, 'Your Little Secret' encapsulates all of the traits that have catapulted Etheridge into the best-bet category among pop/rock acts. And with VH1 all over this track, and two upcoming specials on the channel, expect this album to break out big."[2] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "Acclaim and sales still grow with each CD, and her songs get covered by other artists too. Chord progression and vibe of this rocker are like the Black Crowes version of 'Hard to Handle'."[3] In a separate review, the song was named "a sturdy and rocky number that sports an infectious chorus, bound to push Etheridge high up the EHR charts."[4]
Music video
The accompanying music video for "Your Little Secret" was directed by David Hogan.[1][5][6] The black and white video features Etheridge performing with her band against a white background. Etheridge, as well as the video's dancers, are seen through a keyhole, a recurring theme for the Your Little Secret album.[6] In addition to the music video, the keyhole imagery was also utilized on the CD single cover art, the album cover, and the marketing campaign for the album.[1]
The video depicts a woman, as well as other men and women, scaling and climbing a human wall of attractive male and female models.[1][6] Etheridge and Hogan had become personal and professional friends. Hogan conceived the concept of a wall after listening to "You Little Secret" on repeat. In a 2015 interview, Hogan explained, "We [he and Etheridge] had met at a party through mutual friends and did our first video. We've remained friends ever since. She just called me about that one and I sat and listened to the song ['Your Little Secret'] over and over, as usual. It just kind of popped into my head. 'Little secrets, I've got a whole wall of little secrets.' So that's kind of where it came from."[5] Two women kiss on screen, while other men and women get intimately close with each other.[1][5]
According to Steve Reeds, the then Vice President of video and alternative radio, the music video's themes were positively received by MTV and VH1.[1] The music video received a VH1 Fashion Awards nomination in 1996 for "Most Stylish Video."[6]
↑ Your Little Secret (Australian CD single liner notes). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1995. 854 453-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
↑ Your Little Secret (European CD single liner notes). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1995. 854 452-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
↑ Your Little Secret (UK CD single liner notes). Melissa Etheridge. Island Records. 1995. CID608, 854 451-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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