Founded in 1978 by former singer of the Killjoys, Kevin Rowland, and guitarist Kevin "Al" Archer, in Birmingham (United Kingdom), the band was unique in that musically, they seemed best suited to the budding Mod/Skinhead Revival scene in the United Kingdom, but in many ways, especially fashion, they came off as rather hard to 'sell' to any particular scene. Musically, they've always been a sort of "soul-fusion."
An early single, "Geno" (written as an ode to American Northern Soul singer, Geno Washington), was immensely popular, despite being repeatedly bad-mouthed by the NME. In fact, "Geno" remains their biggest-selling single in the UK, thanks in part to at least one re-issue.
The following album, Searching for the Young Soul Rebels (1980), was an interesting punk and soul fusion, and despite (or perhaps because of) decidedly mixed reviews by the press, it was extremely well-received by the public.
Their second album, Too Rye Aye (1982), had a decidedly different sound, thanks largely to an immense line-up change, most notable for the fact that the horn section of ...Young Soul Rebels had been replaced by "the Emerald Express," the band's Celtic folk section (featuring violinist Helen O'Hara). The sound was still obviously soul influenced, at the very least, but this time it was Celtic soul. The album's first UK single was even titled "Celtic Soul Brothers."
Too-Rye-Aye was the most popular Dexys album Stateside, in fact it was the only one to break US charts, (though the album itself was only a modest to intermediate success in the US). This is largely because the US a-side single for "Come On Eileen" was debatably too popular (the single has been re-issued at least once in the UK; despite this, "Geno" was still their biggest-selling UK single). Undoubtedly the most "pop radio"-oriented song of the entire Dexys Midnight Runners catalogue.
A third album, Don't Stand Me Down was released in 1985 ending a three year silence from the band. It featured a noticeably different line-up. The ever-experimental Rowland abandoned the Too-Rye-Ay Celtic Soul/New Wave formula in favor of a more laidback Van Morrison conversational album. The previous album was a "Big Band" sound when compared to the new one (though, amusingly, the number of guest musicians featured on Don't Stand Me Down, plus the credited band members, seemed to outnumber all previous members of Dexys combined, including ex-Dexys who had recorded only song before leaving).
Don't Stand Me Down was well-received by critics though universally ignored by the music-buying public due in large part to Rowland stubbornly refusing to release any song from the album as a single, until considerably "late" after its release, as well as confusing listeners who may have been expecting a sequel to Too-Rye-Ay's Dance Pop. Sales of the album were sparse and it was considered a failure by the label. In the 20-plus years since it's original release it has come to be viewed by many as Rowland's magnum opus.
After Rowland's first solo endeavor in 1988, Dexys was briefly reformed in 1993, by Rowland with Big Jim Patterson, though this endeavor resulted in little, if anything more than a television performance.
In 2003, the career retrospective album ('don't call it a "greatest hits" collection'), Let's Make This Precious was released, featuring two new tracks, "Manhood" and "My Life In England, Part One." The new tracks were touted as singles and received regular radio play in the UK, though never commercially released outside the album.
Rowland officially announced in June 2005 that Dexys were back in the studio, recording and seeking a new contract. The current line-up includes Rowland Mick Talbot (former member of Merton Parkas and Hammond player for Paul Weller).
In the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, notably, Dexys Midnight Runners are the only band to have all of their albums listed, and with a full page review for each album (understandably, most albums only get a half-page review). All three albums received glowing reviews, save Too-Rye-Aye, wherein it was noted "[[i]Too-Rye-Aye] is the worst of the three Dexys albums; but if this is the worst album in your collection, pat yourself on the back."
Respect
Dexys Midnight Runners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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)
Ain't gon' 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)
Ooh, 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) 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)
The song "Respect" by Dexys Midnight Runners is a cover of Aretha Franklin's 1967 hit song of the same name with some alterations in lyrics and tempo. The song talks about a relationship where the singer asks for respect from their partner. They have been faithful and provided their partner with everything they need, including money, but all they want is a little recognition and appreciation. The repeated phrase "just a little bit" emphasizes that they do not ask for much, just a little respect. The lyrics also highlight that the singer is strong and independent and that they should be appreciated for who they are.
Through the lyrics, the singer showcases the struggles of women, who often fail to get the respect they deserve in their relationships. The lyrics emphasize the need for mutual respect in relationships and how it mostly lacks in society. In this song, the singer asks for respect and warns their partner that they might leave if they don't get it. This song has an upbeat tempo and a catchy chorus that makes it a classic hit.
Line by Line Meaning
What you want, baby, I got it
I have what you desire
What you need, do you know I got it?
I also have what you truly require
All I'm askin' is for a little respect when you get home
Please show me a minimum amount of appreciation when you come back
(Just a little bit) hey baby
I don't need much, just a little
(Just a little bit) when you get home
I only need it when you return
(Just a little bit) mister
Even you, sir, must show me respect
I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone
I won't mistreat you while you're absent
Ain't gon' do you wrong 'cause I don't wanna
I have no intention to harm you
All I'm askin' is for a little respect when you come home
All I'm asking in return is for a small amount of appreciation when you return
(Just a little bit) baby
Once again, I don't require much
(Just a little bit) when you get home
It'll be enough if you only show it when you return
(Just a little bit) yeah
Yes, that minimal amount is sufficient
I'm about to give you all of my money
I am going to hand over all of my money
And all I'm askin' in return, honey
The only thing I need is for you to give me back what I deserve
Is to give me my propers when you get home
Please return with my due respect when you come back
(Just a, just a, just a, just a) yeah, baby
Once again, I don't require much
(Just a, just a, just a, just a) when you get home
I'll be pleased if you only show it when you return
(Just a little bit) yeah
That amount of respect will suffice
Ooh, your kisses, sweeter than honey
Your kisses are so sweet, they're comparable to honey
And guess what? So is my money
And coincidentally, my money is just as sweet
All I want you to do for me, is give it to me when you get home
All I require from you is managing my money and giving it back on your return
(Re, re, re, re) yeah baby
Show me how it's done
(Re, re, re, re) whip it to me
Be quick to give it to me
(Respect, just a little bit) when you get home, now
And in exchange, please give me my fair share of respect on your return
(Just a little bit)
However, the same minimal amount of respect is all I ask for
R-e-s-p-e-c-t, find out what it means to me
Respect is incredibly important to me, and I hope you discover what it means to me
R-e-s-p-e-c-t, take care, tcb, oh
Let me share my motto with you: take care of business
(Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
Give me what I need
A little respect
All I truly need is a small amount of respect
(Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
Please deliver it to me
Whoa, babe
Wow, just that small amount of respect would make me feel better
(Just a little bit) a little respect
Again, I don't require much
(Just a little bit) I get tired
I grow weary from giving but not receiving the respect I deserve in return
(Just a little bit) keep on tryin'
However, I will continue to hope that you will try to change that pattern
(Just a little bit) you're runnin' out of fools
You're running out of people who will continue to put up with being disrespected
(Just a little bit) and I ain't lyin'
And I'm not merely making this up
(Re, re, re, re) start when you come home
Begin your return by showing me some respect
(Re, re, re, respect) or you might walk in
Or else you may find yourself walking in on an empty house
(Just a little bit) and find out I'm gone
Since I'll be gone if my fair share of respect is not granted
(Just a little bit) I gotta have
I cannot live with receiving no respect at all
(Just a little bit) a little respect
Once again, all I need is a little bit of respect
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Otis Redding
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind