Robert Smith of The Cure was going through a period of depression when writing the songs for Wish, and he said that "A Letter to Elise" is about "resignation." He was inspired by the Jean Cocteau novel The Holy Terrors and by the David Bowie song "A Letter to Hermione." Smith says the song is a "'stream of consciousness' piece," with many personal references, and adds that "the mood is generally resignation in the face of inevitable change."
This was the album's third single, following "High" and "Friday I'm In Love." It peaked at #2 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in the US.
Wish remains The Cure's highest-charting album in both the US (#2) and UK (#1).
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