Respect
Miss Kat Ween Lyrics


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(Oo) What You Want
(Oo) Baby, I got it
(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 bitno)
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)
Hey Baby (Just a little bit)
When You come 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 come 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)
All 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).

Overall Meaning

"Respect" is a soulful anthem that was originally written and recorded in 1965 by Otis Redding. However, it was Aretha Franklin's 1967 rendition that made it an iconic song about the need for love and acknowledgment in a relationship. The opening lines of the song go, "What you want, baby, I got it; what you need, you know I got it." Franklin is telling her partner that her devotion to him is unwavering and that she is willing to do anything to satisfy him just as long as she gets a little respect in return.


The titular phrase is repeated throughout the song, and each time it becomes less of a request and more of a demand. Franklin sings that she isn't going to do her partner wrong, but she expects the same treatment from him. She wants recognition for her worth and dedication in the relationship. The wordplay also features the letters R-E-S-P-E-C-T at the end of the chorus. It spells out the song's theme, calling on the listeners to find out what it means to her. The song's instrumental break is soulful, featuring a groovy bassline with gospel-like backing vocals, and it leads to a climactic finish where Franklin repeats the phrase "just a little bit" and concludes that without giving her respect, her partner may just walk in and find her gone.


Line by Line Meaning

Oo, What You Want
I understand that you have needs and desires that need to be met.


Oo, Baby, I got it
I have the capability to meet those needs and desires.


Oo, What You Need
Please let me know what it is that you require.


Oo, Do You know I got it
I want you to be aware that I am capable of fulfilling those needs and desires.


Oo, All I'm askin', Is for a little Respect.
In return for my willingness to help you with your needs, all I am asking for is a little respect.


When You come home (Just a little bit)
When you return from your travels, I only ask for a small amount of your respect.


Hey Baby (Just a little bit)
I am addressing you affectionately, and reiterating my request for a small amount of respect.


When You get home (Just a little bit), Mister (Just a little bit).
When you return to our home, all I ask for once again is a small amount of respect.


I ain't gonna do You wrong, While You're gone
I will not be unfaithful to you while you are away.


Ain't gonna do You wrong (Oo), 'Cause I don't wanna (Oo)
I have no desire to cheat on you, and therefore I will not.


All I'm askin' (oo), Is for a little Respect
I do not require expensive gifts or grand gestures from you--only a small amount of respect as your partner.


I'm about to give You all of My money
I am willing to be financially generous with you.


And all I'm askin' in return, Honey, Is to give Me My propers
All I request is that you acknowledge and respect that I have contributed financially to our relationship.


Your kisses (Oo), Sweeter than honey (Oo), And guess what? (Oo). So is My money (Oo)
Your romantic gestures are sweet, but so is the money I provide for our relationship.


All 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)
I am requesting that you repay my generosity with respect and acknowledgement of my contributions to our relationship.


Whip it to Me (Respect, Just a little bit), When You get home, Now (Just a little bit).
Please give me the respect I request when you return home.


R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Find out what it means to Me
I cannot stress enough how important respect is to our relationship.


R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Take care, TCB.
Please take care to remember the importance of respect, and handle it responsibly.


Oh (Sock it to Me, Sock it to Me, Sock it to Me, Sock it to Me)
I am feeling excited and passionate about this topic at hand.


A little Respect (Sock it to Me, Sock it to Me, Sock it to Me, Sock it to Me)
I am returning once again to my request for a small amount of respect.


Whoa, Babe (Just a little bit), A little Respect (Just a little bit)
Once again, I reiterate my request for only a small amount of respect.


I get tired (Just a little bit), Keep on tryin' (Just a little bit)
It does feel tiring to constantly request only a small amount of respect, but I will continue to try.


You're runnin' out of foolin' (Just a little bit), And I ain't lyin' (Just a little bit)
You need to stop being silly and acknowledge the importance of respect to our relationship.


(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)
Once again, I make it very clear that respect is important or else our relationship may be in jeopardy.


I got to have (Just a little bit), A little Respect (Just a little bit).
One final time, I repeat my request for a small amount of respect so that we can have a healthy and harmonious relationship.




Writer(s): Otis Redding, Anquette Corte Allen

Contributed by Elizabeth Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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