"Big When I Was Little" is a song by British recording artist
Eliza Doolittle
Eliza Doolittle is a fictional character and the protagonist in George Bernard Shaw's play ''Pygmalion'' (1913) and its 1956 musical adaptation, ''My Fair Lady''.
Eliza (from Lisson Grove, London) is a Cockney flower woman, who comes to Profe ...
. The song was released as a digital download in the United Kingdom on 28 July 2013 as the lead single from her second studio album, ''
In Your Hands'' (2013). It joined
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 15 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the station broadcasts a wide range of content. ...
's playlist in June.
It debuted at number 12 on the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
on 4 August 2013, making it her third solo UK top 40 hit following "
Pack Up
"Pack Up" is the second single by British recording artist Eliza Doolittle, taken from her debut album, ''Eliza Doolittle''. It was released on 5 July 2010. The song lyrics contain the title of the 1915 song "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old K ...
" and "
Skinny Genes".
Background
Talking about the song Doolittle said: "I was in the studio and I was rambling on about something saying 'that was big when I was little' and Steve goes 'that's a great song title!'" She also talked about the track's conception, saying: "So I wrote down some ideas and references and we wrote the song. It's the first song off of the new record and I can't wait for the whole album to be in your ears."
On BBC Radio 1 Chart Show on 4 August 2013 she described the song as "nostalgic" and "looking back at her childhood".
Live performances
On 28 July 2013 Doolittle performed the song live on British television series ''
Sunday Brunch
''Sunday Brunch'' is a British television programme presented by Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer. It is broadcast live on Channel 4 on Sunday mornings and features cookery and interviews with celebrity guests.
Format
The programme began on 25 ...
''.
Doolittle performed the song on 4 October 2013 alongside Dionne Bromfield on CBBC show Friday Download.
Critical reception
Lewis Corner of
Digital Spy
Digital Spy (DS) is a British-based entertainment, television and film website and brand and is the largest digital property at Hearst UK. Since its launch in 1999, Digital Spy has focused on entertainment news related to television programmes, ...
gave the song a positive review, describing it as:
"reminiscing of a time when cassettes were the music format of choice, Malcolm In The Middle was everyone's favourite tea time viewing and Posh Spice was still a popstar ..as she daydreams over her trademark blend of jazzy brass and swaying melodies. ..It's a charming celebration of hazy days past, but suffers from Eliza Doolittle barely moving forward." .
However Dan Johnson of The Bastard Lounge was less than complimentary, calling it an "infuriating throwback to The Days of Yore", "a warbling playground ditty" and "devoid of any form of meaning or emotion".
Music video
A music video to accompany the release of "Big When I Was Little" was first released onto YouTube on 16 June 2013 at a total length of three minutes and fifty-nine seconds.
Track listing
Charts
Release history
References
{{authority control
2013 songs
Eliza Doolittle (singer) songs
Parlophone singles
2013 singles
Songs written by Eliza Doolittle (singer)
Songs written by Wayne Hector
Songs written by Steve Robson