Born around 1960 in Paterson, New Jersey, Daniels was the youngest of six children. She developed her voice as a member, and later director and vocal coach, of her church choir. She began singing professionally in the mid-1980s, releasing the single "In and Out of My Life" in 1988 on Easy Street Records. Immediately after this, she signed with the UK label Cooltempo (a subsidiary of EMI) later in 1988 and released a house rendition of the Otis Redding hit "Respect" that reached #17 in the UK,. Her debut album, Adeva!, was released in August 1989, which peaked at number 6 in the UK Albums Chart and was certified Platinum. In addition to "Respect", the album contained several other hit singles including "Warning!" and "I Thank You", both of which also reached #17 in the UK, and "Musical Freedom" which reached #22. The album was released in the United States in 1990 via EMI's Capitol Records, where "Warning!" had become a Top 10 Dance Chart hit.
Her second album, 1991's Love or Lust? failed to chart in either the UK or the US despite featuring two hit singles on the US Dance chart, "Independent Woman" (US Dance #7) and "It Should Have Been Me" (US Dance #1), and she was dropped by Cooltempo in 1992.
Adeva collaborated with house-music pioneer Frankie Knuckles in 1995, with whom she released two UK Top 40 singles, and an album, Welcome to the Real World. Those song are "Too Many Fish" (UK Singles Chart #34, U.S. Hot Dance Club Songs #1) and "Whadda U Want (From Me)" (UK Singles Chart #36, U.S. Hot Dance Club Songs #3).
In 1997, Adeva released another album, New Direction, on Distinct'ive Records, but this was unsuccessful. It included the moderate hit ""Where Is The Love? / The Way That You Feel" which reached number 54 on the UK Singles Chart. It was her last album to date, though she was featured on various singles in 2003-04 with other artists including Radical Noiz and Eric Prydz who both sampled Adeva's 1988 single "In and Out of My Life" (the track had also been sampled by OnePhatDeeva in 1999). She was also featured on the 2004 single "Wish I Never Knew" by the Scandinavian dance act Slippery People. Adeva still occasionally performs live in concert.
Respect
Adeva Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got to give me, got to give me a little
Yes, all I want is, all I want is a little
What all I need is a little respect
What you want, baby I got
And what you need, you know that I've got it
All I'm askin' for is a little respect
Your heart should go when you come on
Respect me, oh i, I-I-I
I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone
I ain't gonna do you wrong because I don't wanna
All I'm askin' for is a little respect
Respect me, I-I
Respect me
(Gotta have a little bit) respect me, I-I-I
(I need a little bit) respect me (respect) I-I-I-I
I'm out to give you all my money
But all I'm askin' in return honey
Is to give me my proper, my proper respect
When you come home bring it to me, give it to me
Your heart should go when you come on
Respect me, woo woo woo woo woo woo
Ooh your kisses sweeter than honey
So guess what, here is all o' my money
All I'm askin' for is a little respect
(Gotta have a little bit) respect me, I-I
(I need a little bit) respect me (respect)
(Gotta have a little bit) respect me, I-I-I
(I need a little bit) respect me (respect)
Break it down
Respect me baby when we're all alone
Respect me sugar when you come home
Respect me baby when you know it's oh so good
Respect me baby like I know you could
Respect me, respect me me
Respect me, oh I I-I-I
(Gotta have a little bit, just a little bit)
(I need a little bit, respect)
(Gotta have a little bit, just a little bit)
(I need a little bit, respect)
Come on, respect me when I'm cookin'
Come on, respect me when I'm cleanin'
Come on, respect me when I'm workin'
I-I-I-I, I-I-I-I
I-I-I-I, I-I-I-I
Shoo doo doo, shoo doo doo
You've got to show me, got to show me a little
You've got to give me, got to give me a little
Yes, all I want is, all I want is a little
What all I need is a little (respect) I-I-I-I
The song "Respect" by Adeva is about demanding respect from a romantic partner. The lyrics emphasize the singer's desire for respect and how it is a necessary aspect of a fulfilling relationship. The chorus repeats that all the singer wants and needs is "a little respect" from her partner. She asks for this respect in various situations, including when her partner comes home, when they are alone, and when they are working.
Throughout the song, the singer highlights the importance of treating each other with respect in a relationship. She expresses that she won't do her partner wrong because she doesn't want to, indicating that their mutual respect and commitment to each other is what will keep the relationship strong. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody make a clear statement about the importance of respect in relationships, while also being musically enjoyable to listen to.
Overall, "Respect" by Adeva is a powerful anthem about the value of respect in romantic relationships. With its catchy melody and straightforward lyrics, the song encourages listeners to demand the respect they deserve in all aspects of their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got to show me, got to show me a little
You need to demonstrate to me that you value and appreciate me by your actions.
You've got to give me, got to give me a little
You have to give me the recognition and consideration I deserve.
Yes, all I want is, all I want is a little
All I need is a small amount of acknowledgement and admiration.
What all I need is a little respect
What I truly need is your respect and esteem towards me.
What you want, baby I got
I have what you desire and yearn for.
And what you need, you know that I've got it
You are aware that I have what you require and necessitate.
All I'm askin' for is a little respect
I am simply requesting a small amount of admiration and recognition.
When you come home bring it to me, give it to me
When you return, give me the respect and appreciation that I deserve.
Your heart should go when you come on
Express your love and admiration for me when you arrive.
Respect me, oh i, I-I-I
Show me your absolute respect and high opinion of me.
I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone
I will not deceive or mistreat you while you are away.
I ain't gonna do you wrong because I don't wanna
I have no desire to cause you harm or act disrespectfully towards you.
Respect me, I-I
Demonstrate esteem and admiration for me.
Respect me
Treat me with kind regard and honor.
(Gotta have a little bit) respect me, I-I-I
I need a bit of admiration and recognition from you.
(I need a little bit) respect me (respect) I-I-I-I
I require some recognition and appreciation for my worth as a person.
I'm out to give you all my money
I am willing to give all my wealth and resources to you.
But all I'm askin' in return honey
In exchange, all I request is that you show me respect and honor.
Is to give me my proper, my proper respect
Give me the admiration and esteem that I truly deserve.
Ooh your kisses sweeter than honey
Your affection and love are more gratifying than anything else.
So guess what, here is all o' my money
As a token of my love and appreciation, I am willing to give you all my resources.
(Gotta have a little bit) respect me, I-I
I need a small portion of admiration and recognition from you.
(I need a little bit) respect me (respect)
I require some esteem and honor for my worth as an individual.
(Gotta have a little bit) respect me, I-I-I
I need a bit of admiration and recognition from you.
(I need a little bit) respect me (respect)
I desire some recognition and appreciation for my value as a person.
Respect me baby when we're all alone
Demonstrate esteem and admiration for me even when we are alone.
Respect me sugar when you come home
Show me your admiration and high opinion of me when you return.
Respect me baby when you know it's oh so good
Show me respect even when things are going well between us.
Respect me baby like I know you could
Demonstrate the high regard and admiration that I know you possess.
Respect me, respect me me
Show me esteem and honor multiple times to confirm your deep admiration towards me.
Respect me, oh I I-I-I
Demonstrate respect and admiration towards me in a deep and meaningful way.
(Gotta have a little bit, just a little bit)
I require only a small amount of admiration and recognition.
(I need a little bit, respect)
I desire a small amount of esteem and honor for my value as an individual.
(Gotta have a little bit, just a little bit)
I need only a small amount of admiration and recognition.
(I need a little bit, respect)
I desire a small amount of esteem and honor for my worth and value as a person.
Come on, respect me when I'm cookin'
Show me your admiration and esteem even when I am doing household chores like cooking.
Come on, respect me when I'm cleanin'
Demonstrate your high regard and appreciation for me even when I am doing chores like cleaning.
Come on, respect me when I'm workin'
Show me your admiration and high opinion of me even when I am working.
I-I-I-I, I-I-I-I
I am worthy and deserving of esteem and admiration.
Shoo doo doo, shoo doo doo
This is a vocalization break in the song with no direct meaning related to the lyrics.
What all I need is a little (respect) I-I-I-I
What I truly need is your respect and esteem towards me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Otis Redding
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@scottthomassmith609
A pure classic. What a pure talent . Under credited in voice in music history. Late 80's soul funk. Now we have steps & one direction. No comparison. Bring quality musicians back. like the legendary voice of Adeva.
@JasonMaximHall
She left the music industry and went teaching I gather.
@hazy78
Amazing voice, and an absolute classic. I'd class this as more Soulful House though.
@katieolden1652
@@JasonMaximHallq
@samppaankka2197
Well said mate.
@JamesT65
The golden decades. Its all manufactured shite now
@sk-sb6yx
2023 and its still a banger!!!
@soundseeker63
A true VOCAL house classic right here! Still a bop over 30 years later. Adeva never got the props she deserved, she pretty much owned this genre in the late 80s and early 90s. She really was culturally significant especially in the clubs.
@nicholasogwang4372
ooh yeah
@trudirosie4186
Such a classy rendition. I love her voice