Meaning of the song Respect by Otis Redding, which was made famous by Aretha Franklin. The inimitable Aretha Franklin became the universally recognized “Queen of Soul” after she released her cover version of Otis Redding’s Respect (“Respect”). This composition, performed by her, triumphantly went through the charts in many countries, received two Grammy awards and was included in various lists of the greatest tracks. However, Respect also played an important role in Redding’s career, but more on that later.
The story of the creation of the song “Respect” by Otis Reading
The song opened with drummer Al Jackson Jr., who allegedly said to Otis after the tour, “What are you complaining about? You are constantly on the move. All you need is a little respect when you get home.” Inspired by these words, Redding wrote the ballad Respect. As he himself recalled, it took him “a day to compose, twenty minutes to arrange and one attempt to record.”
The song was intended for another musician, but it didn’t work for him, so Otis decided to perform it himself. He included Respect on the Otis Blue album released in 1965. As a result, the song became one of Redding’s most successful compositions, which he even performed at the legendary Monterey Rock Festival.
Respect song by Aretha Franklin
But this success is incomparable to the achievements that Aretha Franklin managed to achieve with her version of Respect. She changed the music, added some lyrics, but the main thing she managed to achieve was to create a completely unique atmosphere. If Otis Redding asked for respect, Aretha Franklin demanded it, and there is not the slightest doubt that she sought it.
Respect climbed to the top of the R&B Singles Chart, Billboard Hot 100 and Australian Singles Chart, as well as high chart positions in other countries. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it number five on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In addition, Respect is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Interesting Facts
- They say that at the Monterey Rock Festival, after the release of Aretha Franklin’s single, Otis Redding, before performing Respect, introduced it as a song that “this girl stole” from him.
- Recording engineer Tom Dowd worked on the song Respect with both Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin.
- In Respect Arete, her sisters Carolyn and Erma sing along.
- The abbreviation TCB stands for “take care of business”. This phrase is especially popular among black Americans.
- Some believe that Aretha sings about her own marriage in Respect, but there is no evidence for this.
- The song Respect performed by Aretha Franklin has become a feminist anthem.
Respect Aretha Franklin Lyrics
what do you want,
Baby, I got
What do you need
Do you know I got it?
All I’m asking
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 gone
Ain’t gonna do you wrong ’cause I don’t wanna
All I’m asking
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 money
And all I’m askin’ in return, honey
Is to give me my profits
When 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)
your kisses
sweeter than honey
And guess what?
So is my money
All I want you to do for me
Is give it to me when you get home
yeah baby
Whip it to me (respect, just a little bit)
When you get home, now (just a little bit)
RESPECT
Find out what it means to me
RESPECT
Take care, TCB
Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me,
sock it to me, sock it to me)
A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to me,
sock 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)
‘spect
when you come home
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)
Respect Aretha Franklin Lyrics
What do you want,
Baby I have
What do you need
Do you know what I have?
All I ask
It’s a little respect when you come home (Just a little)
Hey baby (just a little) when you come home
(Just a little) Mr. (Just a little)
I’m not going to do bad things to you when you’re gone
I’m not going to do bad things to you because I don’t want to.
All I ask
It’s a little respect when you come home (Just a little)
Baby (just a little) when you come home (just a little)
Yes (just a little bit)
I’m ready to give you all my money
And in return, darling, I only ask
Pay with me
When you get home (quite, absolutely, absolutely, absolutely)
Yes, baby (quite, absolutely, absolutely, absolutely)
When you get home (Just a little bit)
Yes (just a little bit)
your kisses
Sweeter than honey
And you know what?
That’s my money
All I want from you
Give it to me when you get home
Yes baby
Give it to me (respect, just a little bit)
When you get home now (just a little bit)
RESPECT
Understand what it means to me
RESPECT
Get it, get it
Oh (come on, come on,
Come on, come on)
A little respect (come on, come on,
Come on, come on)
Oh baby (just a little bit)
A little respect (Just a little)
I’m tired (just a little bit)
Keep trying (Just a little bit)
After all, you are not stupid (just a little bit)
And I’m not lying (just a little bit)
Respect
When you get home
Or maybe you walk in (respect, just a little bit)
And you see that I’m gone (just a little bit)
I have to feel (just a little bit)
A little respect (Just a little)
Song quote
If it hadn’t happened to her personally, she wouldn’t have been able to convey it… Aretha would never have played the role of a woman suffering from self-neglect… Her middle name was Respect
Jerry Wexler
