Introduction
“Respect” is a soul song originally written and recorded by Otis Redding in 1965. It was released as a single from his third album, “Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul,” and achieved crossover success. In 1967, Aretha Franklin covered and rearranged the song, turning it into a massive hit and her signature song.
Aretha Franklin’s rendition of “Respect” differed significantly from Redding’s original, featuring distinct musical arrangements. The lyrics underwent changes that resulted in different narratives surrounding the theme of human dignity, often interpreted as commentaries on traditional gender roles.
Franklin’s interpretation of “Respect” became a feminist anthem during the second-wave feminism movement in the 1970s. Widely regarded as one of the best R&B songs of its era, Franklin’s version earned her two Grammy Awards in 1968 for “Best Rhythm & Blues Recording” and “Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female.” The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1987 and added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2002.
“Respect” holds a prominent place in music history and was ranked number five on Rolling Stone magazine’s 2004 list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” In the 2021 version of the list, it claimed the top spot. Additionally, the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts included the song in the “Songs of the Century” list.
Video
Lyrics
Hey, what you want(Oo) Baby, I got(Oo) What you need(Oo) Do you know I got it?(Oo) All I’m askin’(Oo) Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)Hey baby (just a little bit) when you get home(Just a little bit) mister (just a little bit)I ain’t gonna do you wrong while you’re goneAin’t gonna do you wrong (oo) ’cause I don’t wanna (oo)All I’m askin’ (oo)Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)Baby (just a little bit) when you get home (just a little bit)Yeah (just a little bit)I’m about to give you all of my moneyAnd all I’m askin’ in return, honeyIs to give me my profitsWhen you get home (just a, just a, just a, just a)Yeah baby (just a, just a, just a, just a)When you get home (just a little bit)Yeah (just a little bit) Do it for me now, just a little bitOoo, your kisses (oo)Sweeter than honey (oo)And guess what? (oo)So is my money (oo)All I want you to do (oo) for meIs give it to me when you get home (re, re, re, re)Yeah baby (re, re, re, re)Whip it to me (respect, just a little bit)When you get home, now (just a little bit)R-E-S-P-E-C-TFind out what it means to meR-E-S-P-E-C-TTake care, TCBOh (sock it to me, sock it to meSock it to me, sock it to me)A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to meSock it to me, sock it to me)Whoa, babe (just a little bit)A little respect (just a little bit)I get tired (just a little bit)Keep on tryin’ (just a little bit)You’re runnin’ out of foolin’ (just a little bit)And I ain’t lyin’ (just a little bit)‘spectWhen you come home (re, re, re, re)Or you might walk in (respect, just a little bit)And find out I’m gone (just a little bit)I got to have (just a little bit)A little respect (just a little bit)