Little Things (Ella Mai song)

"Little Things"
Single by Ella Mai
from the EP 3 and the album Do You Still Love Me?
Released3 November 2024
GenreR&B
Length2:52
Label
Songwriters
Producers
Ella Mai singles chronology
"Jealous"
(2023)
"Little Things"
(2024)
"Tell Her"
(2025)
Music video
"Little Things" on YouTube

"Little Things" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ella Mai from her EP, 3 (2024) and her third studio album, Do You Still Love Me? (2026). It was produced by Mustard and co-produced by Gylttryp.

Content

The song centers on the notion that even small gestures of kindness can convey love[1] and help maintain strong healthy relationships.[2] The lyrics focus on Ella Mai consciously putting effort into a relationship through these actions, such as preparing a bath, a movie to entertain,[2] and breakfast for her partner.[3] Like the other songs from 3, "Little Things" is believed to be addressing her boyfriend, basketball player Jayson Tatum.[2][3]

Critics recepiton

Reviewing the album, Kearse Stephen of Pitchfork described the song as a "innocent successor" of Destiny's Child's "Cater 2 U" (2005), pointig out that "where Destiny’s Child depicted small acts of service as intimate foreplay, Mai drops the come-ons and finds pleasure in the favors themselves; [...] a strong current of devotion, but her conviction here is ironclad, her voice clarion rather than yearning".[4]

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Little Things"
Chart (2024–2025) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[5] 11
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 81
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[7] 22
US Rhythmic Airplay (Billboard)[8] 37

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Little Things"
Chart (2025) Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[9] 45

Certifications

Certifications for "Little Things"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[10] Gold 15,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Abraham, Mya (11 November 2024). "Ella Mai, Jorja Smith, Mario, And More New R&B For The Little Things". Vibe. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Okechukwu, Nmesoma (8 November 2024). "Ella Mai — Little Things". Euphoria Magazine. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  3. ^ a b Pointer, Flisadam (3 November 2024). "Ella Mai Dropped A Surprise EP '3,' And Fans Believe It Is An Adorable Tribute To Her Boyfriend Jayson Tatum". Uproxx. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  4. ^ Stephen, Kearse (11 February 2026). "Ella Mai – Do You Still Love Me: Review". Pitichfork. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  5. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  6. ^ "Ella Mai Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  7. ^ "Ella Mai Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  8. ^ "Ella Mai Chart History (Rhythmic Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  9. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2025". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  10. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Ella Mai – Little Things". Radioscope. Retrieved 23 January 2026. Type Little Things in the "Search:" field and press Enter.