R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Aretha Franklin Lyrics


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What you want
Baby, I got it
What you need
Do you know I got it
All I'm askin'
Is for a little respect when you get 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 cause I don't wanna
All I'm askin'
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)
Ooo, 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, 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 fools (just a little bit)
And I ain't lyin' (just a little bit)
(re, re, re, re) When you come home
(re, re, re ,re) 'spect
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)

Overall Meaning

Aretha Franklin's "Respect" is a song asking for respect. In the opening lyrics, the song begins talking to her partner by stating that she will do everything it takes to make sure her partner is happy while he is away from home, and all she asks is for "a little respect" upon his return. Aretha is reminding her partner that she is a strong, independent woman who deserves equality and mutual respect in their relationship. She emphasizes her demand by spelling out "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" and commands her partner to "find out what it means to me."


The song is empowering and emphasizes the message about the importance of respect in a relationship. It's a statement to society, especially women, to demand the respect that they deserve. The lyrics, combined with Franklin's powerful voice and the song's upbeat and danceable rhythm, make it an anthem of empowerment and call to action for respect.


Line by Line Meaning

What you want
Tell me what you need


Baby, I got it
I have what you are asking for


What you need
I am here to fulfill your needs


Do you know I got it
Just ask me, I have it


All I'm askin'
I only want


Is for a little respect when you get home (just a little bit)
Show me some appreciation when you come home (not a lot, just a little)


Hey baby (just a little bit) when you get home
Hello, baby, show me a little respect when you arrive


(just a little bit) mister (just a little bit)
Respect me a little, mister


I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone
I won't cheat on you while you're away


Ain't gonna do you wrong cause I don't wanna
I don't want to wrong you


Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)
Please show me some appreciation when you return (not a lot, just a little)


Baby (just a little bit) when you get home (just a little bit)
Please respect me a little, baby, when you arrive home


Yeah (just a little bit)
Yes, just a little respect


I'm about to give you all of my money
I am going to give you all of my money


And all I'm askin' in return, honey
All I want in return, my dear


Is to give me my propers
Is for you to show me the respect I deserve


When you get home (just a, just a, just a, just a)
When you arrive home (just a little, just a little)


Yeah baby (just a, just a, just a, just a)
Yes, darling (just a little, just a little)


When you get home (just a little bit)
When you come home (just a little respect)


Yeah (just a little bit)
Yes (just a little bit)


Ooo, your kisses
Your kisses


Sweeter than honey
Are sweeter than honey


And guess what?
And you know what?


So is my money
So is my money


All I want you to do for me
All I want from you


Is give it to me when you get home (re, re, re ,re)
Is to give me what I am owed when you come home (respectfully)


Yeah baby (re, re, re ,re)
Yes, darling (respectfully)


Whip it to me (respect, just a little bit)
Give me what I deserve (just a little respect)


When you get home, now (just a little bit)
When you come home (just a little respect)


R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Respect


Find out what it means to me
Discover what respect means to me


Take care, TCB
Take care, and do it with style (Taking Care of Business)


Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
Oh (give it to me, give it to me, give it to me, give it to me)


A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
Just a little bit of respect (give it to me, give it to me, give it to me, give it to me)


Whoa, babe (just a little bit)
Whoa, darling (just a little bit of respect)


A little respect (just a little bit)
Just a little bit of respect


I get tired (just a little bit)
I get tired (just a little bit)


Keep on tryin' (just a little bit)
Keep on trying (just a little bit)


You're runnin' out of fools (just a little bit)
You're running out of people to take advantage of (just a little bit)


And I ain't lyin' (just a little bit)
And I'm not lying (just a little bit)


(re, re, re, re) When you come home
Respectfully, when you come home


(re, re, re ,re) 'spect
Show me some respect


Or you might walk in (respect, just a little bit)
Otherwise, you might be disappointed when you come home (just a little respect)


And find out I'm gone (just a little bit)
And realize that I am no longer there (just a little bit of respect)


I got to have (just a little bit)
I need (just a little bit)


A little respect (just a little bit)
Just a little bit of respect




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: OTIS REDDING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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