Respect Yourself

The Staple Singers

About Respect Yourself

"Respect Yourself" is the name of a classic soul song by American R&B/gospel group The Staple Singers. Released in late 1971 from their album Be Altitude: Respect Yourself, the song became a crossover hit. The Staple Singers' version peaked at #12 on the Hot 100, #2 on the Hot Soul Singles chart, and is one of the group's most recognizable hits. In 2002, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and in 2010 it was ranked #468 on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.  


Year:
2001
3:34
112 
#2

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If you disrespect anybody that you run in to
How in the world do you think anybody's s'posed to respect you
If you don't give a heck 'bout the man with the bible in his hand, y'all
Just get out the way, and let the gentleman do his thing
You the kind of gentleman that want everything your way, yeah
Take the sheet off your face, boy, it's a brand new day
      
Respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself
If you don't respect yourself
Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot, na na na na
Respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself

If you're walking 'round think'n that the world owes you something 'cause you're here 
You goin' out the world backwards like you did when you first come here yeah 
Keep talkin' bout the president, won't stop air pollution
Put your hand on your mouth when you cough, that'll help the solution
Oh, you cuss around women and you don't even know their names, no
Then you're dumb enough to think that'll make you a big ol' man

Respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself
If you don't respect yourself
Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot, na na na na
Respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself

Respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself, respect yourself
Respect yourself, yeah yeah respect yourself, respect yourself yeah, respect yourself
You oughta you oughta respect yourself yeah, respect yourself

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The Staple Singers

The Staple Singers were an American gospel, soul, and R&B singing group. Roebuck "Pops" Staples (1914–2000), the patriarch of the family, formed the group with his children Cleotha (b. 1934), Pervis (b. 1935), Yvonne (b. 1936), and Mavis (b. 1939). They are best known for their 1970s hits "I'll Take You There", "Respect Yourself", and "Let's Do It Again". more »

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Written by: Luther Thomas Ingram, Mack Rice

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Originality
"Respect Yourself" was originally recorded by The Staple Singers and released in late 1971.
Chart Performance
The song became a huge hit, reaching number two on the Billboard R&B chart and number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1972.
Songwriters
The song was written by Luther Ingram and Mack Rice. Luther Ingram is best known for his song "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right."
Inspirational Theme
The song is known for its message of self-respect and self-empowerment, imparting a social message that was common in many of The Staple Singers' songs.
Popular Cover
It has been covered by various artists over the years, including Bruce Willis, whose version reached the top five on the UK Singles Chart in 1987.
Music Awards
The Staple Singers' version of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002.
Unique Song Structure
Unlike most popular songs, "Respect Yourself" doesn't have a traditional chorus. Instead, each verse ends with the line "Respect yourself," which acts as a refrain.
Critical Acclaim
Rolling Stone ranked the song number 468 on its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list in 2004.
Cultural Impact
In 2011, the song was added to the National Recording Registry, which selects recordings annually that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Band Legacy
The Staple Singers, consisting of patriarch Roebuck "Pops" Staples and his children Cleotha, Mavis, and Pervis Staples, are often remembered for this song, marking it as a signature number in their discography.

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    Respect Yourself

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1971

    Billboard #12


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