You Little Thief Explained

"You Little Thief" is a song by Northern Irish singer Feargal Sharkey, released in December 1985 as the second single from his self-titled debut album. It was written by Benmont Tench and produced by David A. Stewart. The song reached 5 in the United Kingdom and was a hit in several other countries, including Australia, Belgium, and Ireland.

A music video was filmed to promote the single. The B-side, "The Living Actor", was exclusive to the single. It was written by Anthony Moore and Sharkey, and produced by Sharkey. The extended version of "You Little Thief" was created by Sharkey.

Critical reception

On its release, Dave Henderson of Sounds was critical of the song, writing, "More hits for men with quiffs. Sure, it's crap, with a dreadful melody line and rhythm lifted from many a moon ago, but, what's new?"^[2] Armond White at Spin said "the line 'There's no feeling at all' is belted so powerfully that shtick replaces irony" and called it "oily drivel".^[3]

Personnel

• Feargal Sharkey – lead vocals, producer of "The Living Actor", arranger
• David A. Stewart – producer and arranger on "You Little Thief", arranger on "The Living Actor"
• Shelly Yakus – mixing on "You Little Thief"
• David Rose – guitar on "The Living Actor"

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1986)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[4]	4
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[5]	18

Year-end charts

Notes and References

1. Smith . Robin . 21 December 1985 . Index: Fearg Single . . 3 . 0144-5804.
2. Henderson . Dave . 4 January 1986 . Singles . . 18.
3. . Spins. Armond White. April 1986. 12. 41.
4. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 270.
5. European Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 3. 8. 13. 1 March 1986.
6. Web site: Kent Music Report No 650 – 29 December 1986 > National Top 100 Singles for 1986. Kent Music Report. Imgur. 16 December 2019.