“Respect” by Aretha Franklin is one of the most powerful soul and R&B songs ever recorded, and one of the defining anthems of the 1960s. The song was originally written and recorded by Otis Redding in 1965 for his album Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul, released through Volt Records. In 1967, Aretha Franklin transformed the song into a completely new statement of confidence, dignity, and empowerment. Her version was released on April 10, 1967 by Atlantic Records as part of her breakthrough album I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You.

Musically, Franklin’s “Respect” is a driving soul and R&B recording built around a tight rhythm section, gospel-influenced vocals, brass, saxophones, guitar, bass, drums, Hammond organ, and piano. Aretha Franklin herself played piano on the track, while the recording also featured Spooner Oldham on Hammond organ, Chips Moman and Jimmy Johnson on guitar, Tommy Cogbill on bass, Roger Hawkins on drums, King Curtis on tenor saxophone, Charles Chalmers on tenor saxophone, Willie Bridges on baritone saxophone, Melvin Lastie on cornet, and Carolyn and Erma Franklin on backing vocals.

The meaning of the song changed dramatically between versions. Otis Redding’s original was sung from the perspective of a man asking for respect when he comes home. Franklin’s version flipped the gender perspective and turned the song into a bold declaration from a strong woman demanding recognition, equality, and dignity. This change helped the song become closely associated with the civil rights movement, women’s liberation, and feminist culture.

“Respect” became a major hit for Aretha Franklin, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and spending eight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart. It also helped turn Franklin from a major R&B talent into an international star and became her most famous recording.

One of the most famous curiosities about the song is that several of its most iconic elements were added by Franklin and her sisters. The spelling of “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” and the backing-vocal phrase “sock it to me” were not part of Otis Redding’s original version. These additions gave the song its unforgettable hook and helped make it feel more direct, playful, and powerful.

Another interesting detail is that Aretha Franklin recorded “Respect” on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1967, at Atlantic Studios in New York City. Producer Jerry Wexler and arranger Arif Mardin helped shape the final recording, but Franklin brought many of the key arrangement ideas herself, including the rhythmic feel and vocal structure.

The song’s legacy is enormous. Franklin’s “Respect” won two Grammy Awards in 1968, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1987, and was added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2002. It has also been ranked among the greatest songs of all time, including being placed at No. 1 on Rolling Stone’s 2021 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

What you want
Baby, I got it
What 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 gon' 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 asking
In return, honey
Is to give me my propers 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)

Oh, 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
(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 of T-C-B

(Sock it to me, sock it to me) a little respect
(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 trying
(Just a little bit) you're running out of fools
(Just a little bit) and I ain't lying
(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)

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