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

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Someone needs to write a song about what's happening today

Man, we be making all this money
Yeah, all the hoes like this
Yeah, buy the teachers too
So I wouldn't have to go to school no more
Tease people too
Yeah, make them my friend then

And I'll tease them with the money
They'll be my friends more often also
Yeah, we can have all this
We can be rich
We'll be going around teasing women and stuff

Yeah, selling candy, getting money
Just selling candy, getting money and making the greenbacks

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Miss R-E-S-P-E-C-T's song "Respect" depict a narrative that reflects the materialistic and shallow mindset of certain individuals in today's society. The song begins by acknowledging the desire for someone to write a song about the current state of affairs.

The subsequent lines express a focus on making money and gaining attention from others, particularly women. The use of derogatory language and objectification of women ("hoes") suggests a lack of respect towards them. The lyrics also mention buying off teachers in order to avoid attending school, highlighting a disregard for education and personal growth.

Furthermore, the lyrics highlight the notion of using money and material possessions as a means of gaining influence and popularity. The act of teasing and manipulating others with wealth and resources is suggested as a way to form fake friendships and gain social superiority. The pursuit of wealth is emphasized, with a mention of selling candy as a means of making money and accumulating "greenbacks" (dollars).

Overall, the lyrics of "Respect" shed light on the negative and superficial aspects of contemporary society, depicting a world where material gain and social status take precedence over genuine respect and meaningful connections.

Line by Line Meaning

Someone needs to write a song about what's happening today
There is a need for a song that reflects the current events and issues

Man, we be making all this money
We are earning a significant amount of money

Yeah, all the hoes like this
Many people are attracted to this lifestyle

Yeah, buy the teachers too
Even the teachers can be influenced or controlled with money

So I wouldn't have to go to school no more
To avoid attending school by using financial power

Tease people too
Playfully manipulate or taunt others

Yeah, make them my friend then
Gain their friendship through manipulation

And I'll tease them with the money
Continue to manipulate and tease them using financial means

They'll be my friends more often also
They will become more friendly towards me due to the money

Yeah, we can have all this
We can obtain all these materialistic possessions

We can be rich
We can achieve financial wealth