Mel & Kim – Respectable
An unapologetic anthem dressed in synths
Released on 18 February 1987, “Respectable” wasn’t just Mel & Kim’s second single—it was the moment they truly arrived. Pulled from their debut album F.L.M., the track was crafted by hit-making powerhouse Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) and delivered with unfiltered confidence by British sisters Melanie and Kim Appleby. It fused club-ready beats with an empowering message that landed like glitter-coated truth.
Sound: tay-tay-tay and Eurobeat fire
From its iconic stuttering hook—“tay-tay-tay-tay-tay-tay-tay…”—to its house-influenced rhythms, “Respectable” crackles with late-’80s dancefloor electricity. Produced by SAW and mixed by Pete Hammond, it blends dance-pop, Eurobeat, and touches of Chicago house, hitting around 121 BPM.
Mel & Kim’s sampled studio banter and laughter give the track a loose, playful feel—like the sisters are in on the joke while flipping the script on tabloid culture.
Extended club edits like the Extra Beats version and Tabloid mix pumped it deeper into DJ sets, while the slick radio version kept it fresh on airwaves.
Lyrics: take or leave us, but believe us
The lyrics land like a shot of confidence for anyone who’s ever felt dismissed or judged: “Take or leave us, only please believe us We ain’t never gonna be respectable.”
Sparked by a tabloid scandal over old photos of Mel, the song pushed back—boldly. Written by Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, and Pete Waterman, it defied expectations of how pop stars should behave. It’s about owning your story, standing tall, and dancing straight through the noise.
Chart climb: global sass goes platinum
Released in February 1987, “Respectable” stormed the UK Singles Chart, debuting at No. 25 and climbing to No. 1 by 22 March, where it held the top spot for a week and remained in the Top 40 for 16 weeks. The single became a massive hit across Europe, reaching No. 1 in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Finland, Australia, and New Zealand. It also landed at No. 2 in Ireland, Italy, Norway, and South Africa. In the United States, although it didn’t chart on the Billboard Hot 100, it dominated the club scene—hitting No. 1 on both the Dance Club Songs and Dance Singles Sales charts. The song’s widespread success cemented Mel & Kim’s status as international pop stars and gave Stock Aitken Waterman their first UK No. 1 as songwriters.
Legacy: defiance in a mini skirt
“Respectable” isn’t just a banger—it’s a statement. The song’s bold attitude, radio domination, and infectious hook helped define an era of dance-pop with teeth. It was ranked #6 in Classic Pop’s Top 40 SAW Songs and #6 by The Guardian among SAW’s top tracks.
It’s been sampled and covered by artists from Pop Will Eat Itself to Girls@Play, and it still hits hard wherever vintage sass is required. Mel & Kim didn’t just make hits—they made a sound that stood up and stood out.