Soul Music for the Soul

The song was written by and originally recorded by Otis Redding in 1965. However, “Respect,” with its title spelled out and the refrain of “sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me,” which Aretha Franklin added to her 1967 cover is the best-known version of the song. It became an anthem of the feminist movement and is a signature song for the Queen of Soul. In 1967, “Respect” was #1 in the U.S. on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, R&B Chart, and Cash Box. It went to #3 in Canada, #10 in the U.K., and #14 in Australia. And the accolades are many. Franklin was awarded two Grammy’s in 1968 for “Best Rhythm & Blues Recording” and “Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female.” She was inducted in to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1987. Her version was added to the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress. The song is on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” It is also on the Recording Industry of American and the National Endowment of the Arts list of Songs of the Century (the 20th, that is).

The inspiration for the song for Redding was his desire to be treated well when he got home from being on the road performing. Franklin’s version tells of a woman who knows what she’s worth and wants her man to respect her. Franklin’s sisters Erma and Carolyn helped to come up with the spelling of the title word and the “sock it to me” refrain. It was released as a single and also on Franklin’s 1967 album I Never Loved a Man the Way I love You. Personnel also includes King Curtis on tenor saxophone and Cissy Houston on background vocals along with Erma and Carolyn Franklin.

Here are the lyrics to “Respect” by Aretha Franklin:

“(oo) What you want (oo)
Baby, I got (oo)
What you need (oo)
Do you know I got it? (oo)
All I’m askin’ (oo) 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 (oo) ’cause I don’t wanna (oo)
All I’m askin’ (oo)
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 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)

[instrumental break]

Ooo, your kisses (oo)
Sweeter than honey (oo)
And guess what? (oo)
So is my money (oo) A
ll I want you to do (oo) 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 foolin’ (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)”

For another song by Aretha Franklin: “Chain of Fools.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Respect” by Aretha Franklin.