Respect
Freedom Sounds 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 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)

Overall Meaning

In the song "Respect," the singer (presumably a woman) is asking for a little respect from her partner. She acknowledges that she has what he wants and needs, but all she asks for in return is for him to treat her with the respect she deserves. She pledges not to do him wrong while he's gone and hopes that he'll give her the same consideration when he comes home. She's about to give him all of her money, but all she asks for is for him to acknowledge her worth and give her the respect she deserves.


The song is a powerful message about the importance of respect in any relationship, particularly between men and women. The singer is asserting her own value and demanding that her partner treats her accordingly. The song was first made popular by Aretha Franklin in the 1960s and became a feminist anthem.


Line by Line Meaning

What you want, baby, I got it
I have what you want, my dear


What you need, do you know I got it?
I also have what you need, do you realize that?


All I'm askin' is for a little respect when you get home
I'm just asking for a bit of respect from you when you return home


(Just a little bit) hey baby
Just a little bit of respect is all I need, darling


(Just a little bit) when you get home
I'm hoping you'll give me this little respect when you come back


(Just a little bit) mister
Even if it's just a little bit, sir


I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone
I won't do anything to hurt you while you're away


Ain't gon' do you wrong 'cause I don't wanna
I'll avoid doing you wrong because I don't want to hurt you


All I'm askin' is for a little respect when you come home
Again, all I'm hoping for is for your little bit of respect when you return home


(Just a little bit) baby
You don't even have to give me a lot of respect, baby


(Just a little bit) when you get home
Just give me a tiny bit of respect when you come back


(Just a little bit) yeah
Yes, that would be great


I'm about to give you all of my money
I'm willing to give you all of my money


And all I'm askin' in return, honey
All I'm expecting in exchange, dear


Is to give me my propers when you get home
Is just for you to respect me a little bit when you come home


(Just a, just a, just a, just a) yeah, baby
Please give me this little bit of respect, dear


(Just a, just a, just a, just a) when you get home
Once you come back, please show me this tiny bit of respect


(Just a little bit) yeah
That's all I'm asking


(Just a little bit)
Just a little bit


Ooh, your kisses, sweeter than honey
Your kisses are incredibly sweet like honey


And guess what? So is my money
And, by the way, my money is also sweet like honey


All I want you to do for me, is give it to me when you get home
All I want from you is for you to give me that little bit of respect when you return home


(Re, re, re, re) yeah baby
Please, darling, respect me even if it's only a little bit


(Re, re, re, re) whip it to me
Come, show me that little bit of respect


(Respect, just a little bit) when you get home, now
Please show me this tiny bit of respect when you get back


(Just a little bit)
Please, just a little bit


R-e-s-p-e-c-t, find out what it means to me
Take a moment to understand what respect means to me


R-e-s-p-e-c-t, take care, tcb, oh
Remember to take care of things, including me, and the acronym tcb (taking care of business) comes to mind


(Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
Please direct this bit of respect my way


A little respect
I only require a small amount of respect


(Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
I need you to show me this little bit of respect


Whoa, babe
Oh, dear


(Just a little bit) a little respect
Please, just a small bit of respect


(Just a little bit) I get tired
I'm getting tired of surpressing my need for respect


(Just a little bit) keep on tryin'
Still, I need this little bit of respect


(Just a little bit) you're runnin' out of fools
You might lose someone if you're not giving even a small bit of respect


(Just a little bit) and I ain't lyin'
I'm not lying about this, all I want is a tiny bit of respect


(Re, re, re, re) start when you come home
Respect me right after you come home


(Re, re, re, respect) or you might walk in
If you don't, I might have left


(Just a little bit) and find out I'm gone
Hoping for your little bit of respect so that it won't come to this


(Just a little bit) I gotta have
I absolutely need this small amount of respect


(Just a little bit) a little respect
Once again, just a tiny bit of respect is all I'm asking for




Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Otis Redding

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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