Respect
by Aretha Franklin
What is “Respect” really about?
If you’ve ever wondered what “Respect” by Aretha Franklin is really about, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down.
Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' is a powerful demand for recognition and dignity, particularly emphasizing a woman's struggle for equality and self-worth in her personal relationships.
So… what’s this song really about?
Aretha Franklin’s iconic rendition of 'Respect' translates into a fervent demand for esteem and equality, striking a chord with broader societal and feminist themes. The song encapsulates the yearning for recognition and respect in both personal and broader societal contexts, especially from a woman's perspective. By utilizing a simple, repetitive lyric structure combined with Franklin's emphatic delivery, the song underscores the urgency and relentless pursuit for dignity, which transcends personal boundaries and resonates as a universal human aspiration. The command 'R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me' goes beyond the surface, hinting at deeper layers where individual definition and understanding of respect could vary, yet the foundational desire for it remains unyielded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who wrote 'Respect' originally and how did Aretha Franklin's version differ?
Otis Redding originally wrote 'Respect', but Aretha Franklin's version added a female perspective and became an anthem for women's rights.
Q: What year was Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' released?
Aretha Franklin's version of 'Respect' was released in 1967.
Lyrics to “Respect”
82 Contributors
[Refrain]
(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)
[Instrumental]
[Verse 4]
Ooh, your kisses, sweeter than honey
And guess what? So is my money
[Chorus]
All I want you to do 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)
[Verse 5]
R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T, take care of T-C-B
[Outro]
(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)
Woah, 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) Start when you come home
(Re, re, re, respect) Or you might walk in
(Just a little bit) And find out I'm gone
(Just a little bit) I gotta have
(Just a little bit) A little respect
(Just a little bit)