Respect

Otis Redding

About Respect

"Respect" is a song written and originally released by American recording artist Otis Redding in 1965. The song became a 1967 hit and signature song for soul singer Aretha Franklin. The music in the two versions is significantly different, and through a few changes in the lyrics, the stories told by the songs have a different flavor. Redding's version is a plea from a desperate man, who will give his woman anything she wants. He won't care if she does him wrong, as long as he gets his due respect when he brings money home. However, Franklin's version is a declaration from a strong, confident woman, who knows that she has everything her man wants. She never does him wrong, and demands his "respect". Franklin's version adds the "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" chorus and the backup singers' refrain of "Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me...". Franklin's cover was a landmark for the feminist movement, and is often considered one of the best songs of the R&B era, earning her two Grammy Awards in 1968 for "Best Rhythm & Blues Recording" and "Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female", and was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2002, the Library of Congress honored Franklin's version by adding it to the National Recording Registry. It was placed number five on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". It was also included in the list of "Songs of the Century", by the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. Franklin included a live recording on the album Aretha in Paris (1968). 


Year:
2007
2:12
25 
#1

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(Ooh) What you want
(Ooh) Baby, I got
(Ooh) What you need
(Ooh) Do you know I've got it
(Ooh) All I'm askin'
(Ooh) 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 (ooh) 'cause I don't want to (ooh)
All I'm askin' (ooh)
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)

Ooh, your kisses  (ooh)
Sweeter than honey (ooh)
And guess what (ooh)
So is my money (ooh)
All I want you to do (ooh) for me
Is 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-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
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 fools (just a little bit)
And I ain't lyin'  (just a little bit)
(Re, re, re, re) 'spect
When 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)

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Otis Redding

Otis Ray Redding, Jr. (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was an American singer and songwriter, record producer, arranger, and talent scout. Considered one of the major figures in soul music and rhythm and blues, and one of the greatest singers in the history of popular music, his singing style influenced other soul artists of the 1960s, and he helped to craft the short-living and powerful style of R&B that formed the basis of the Stax Sound. After appearing at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, he wrote and recorded "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" with Steve Cropper, which became the first posthumous number-one record on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts after his death in a plane crash. The Dock of the Bay reached number one on the UK A… more »

2 fans

Written by: Otis Redding

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Origin
"Respect" didn't initially originate from Otis Redding. He actually wrote and recorded the song in 1965 for Stax Records.
Initial Popularity
The song initially reached number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on the R&B chart in the United States.
Style Classification
"Respect" is classified as a southern soul song.
Cover Versions
One of the most famous cover versions of "Respect" was performed by Aretha Franklin in 1967, two years after Redding's original release.
Song Message
The song communicates a message of a man demanding 'respect' when he comes home from work.
Transition Aspect
With Aretha Franklin's cover, the song transitioned from a soul ballad into an anthem for the civil rights and feminist movements.
Distribution and Licensing
The song spread in popularity because Stax Records had an agreement with Atlantic Records for distribution and licensing.
Redding's Reaction to the Cover
Redding is reported to have loved Franklin's cover and even joked that she had taken the song away from him.
Legacy
"Respect" has been covered by many artists and has been referenced in numerous songs, TV shows, and movies since its release.
Recognition
Rolling Stone placed "Respect" at No. 244 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004.
Cultural Impact
The song is considered a significant milestone in the crossover of black popular music into mainstream pop.
Posthumous Recognition
The song gained even more recognition following Otis Redding's death in a plane crash in 1967.

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    Respect

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1965

    Billboard #35


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    Stax/Volt: The Complete Singles 1959-1968

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