Respect
Otis Redding Lyrics


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What you want, honey, you got it
And what you need, baby, you've got it
All I'm asking
For a little respect when I come home, hey now
Hey hey hey, yeah now

Do me wrong, honey, if you wanna to
You can do me wrong honey, while I'm gone
But all I'm asking
Is for a little respect when I come home, ooh, yeah now
Hey hey hey, yeah now

Hey little girl, you're so sweet, little honey
And I'm about to, just give you all of my money
And all I'm asking, hey
A little respect when I come home, hey hey
Hey hey hey, yeah now

Hey little girl, you're sweeter then honey
And I'm about to give you all of my money
But all I want you to do
Is just give it, give it
Respect when I come home, hey hey now
Hey hey hey, yeah now

Respect is what I want from you
Respect is what I need
Respect is what I want
Respect is what I need

Got to, got to have it
Got to, got to have it
Got to, got to have it
Got to, got to have it

Talkin'
Give us, give us, give us, give us
Give us, give us, give us, give us




Give us, give us some baby, everything I need
Give us, give us some baby, everything I want

Overall Meaning

Otis Redding's song "Respect" is about a man who works hard for his lover and all he asks is for a little appreciation and recognition when he comes home. The lyrics express his desire for respect in his romantic relationship. The song starts with the phrase "What you want, honey, you got it and what you need, baby, you've got it," indicating that he is willing to provide everything that his lover wants and needs. However, he also expresses his need for reciprocity in the relationship. The repetition of the phrase "All I'm asking is for a little respect when I come home" reiterates his plea for appreciation.


In the second verse, the man acknowledges that his lover may do him wrong while he is away, but he still expects respect when he comes home. The bridge of the song features the man referring to his lover as a "little girl" and saying that she is sweeter than honey. He is willing to give her all of his money, but all he wants in return is respect. The repetition of the phrase "hey hey hey, yeah now" adds emphasis to his request.


The final verse repeats the message of the previous verses, emphasizing the importance of respect in the relationship. The song ends with a call-and-response section where the man asks for respect and the backup singers respond with "give us some."


Overall, the lyrics of "Respect" convey a powerful message about the importance of mutual respect in a romantic relationship. Through his lyrics, Otis Redding expressed his desire for recognition and appreciation from his lover.


Line by Line Meaning

What you want, honey, you got it
You already have what you desire, my dear


And what you need, baby, you've got it
You possess all that you require, my love


All I'm asking
I only have one request


For a little respect when I come home, hey now
Please treat me with some regard when I return, right now


Hey hey hey, yeah now
An expression of enthusiasm


Do me wrong, honey, if you wanna to
If you wish to mistreat me, feel free


You can do me wrong honey, while I'm gone
You're free to be unfaithful while I'm absent


But all I'm asking
However, my request remains the same


Is for a little respect when I come home, ooh, yeah now
I'm seeking only some esteem when I return, oh yes, right now


Hey hey hey, yeah now
An expression of enthusiasm


Hey little girl, you're so sweet, little honey
Dear child, you're lovely, my darling


And I'm about to, just give you all of my money
I'm almost ready to provide you with all of my wealth


And all I'm asking, hey
And the only thing that I want, hey


A little respect when I come home, hey hey
Is some regard when I come back, hey hey


Hey hey hey, yeah now
An expression of enthusiasm


Hey little girl, you're sweeter then honey
Dear child, you're more delightful than honey


And I'm about to give you all of my money
I'm almost delivering all my wealth to you


But all I want you to do
Nevertheless, what I desire from you is


Is just give it, give it
Simply offer me, offer me


Respect when I come home, hey hey now
Some esteem when I return, hey hey right now


Hey hey hey, yeah now
An expression of enthusiasm


Respect is what I want from you
All I'm seeking from you is some regard


Respect is what I need
Some esteem is what I require


Respect is what I want
Some regard is what I desire


Respect is what I need
Some esteem is what I require


Got to, got to have it
I must, I must possess it


Got to, got to have it
I must, I must possess it


Got to, got to have it
I must, I must possess it


Got to, got to have it
I must, I must possess it


Talkin'
Speaking


Give us, give us, give us, give us
Offer us, offer us, offer us, offer us


Give us, give us, give us, give us
Offer us, offer us, offer us, offer us


Give us, give us some baby, everything I need
Provide me, provide me with everything I require, darling


Give us, give us some baby, everything I want
Provide me, provide me with everything I desire, darling




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@chocolatecitygemini3832

Those background instruments set it off on this song nd that's why I say Aretha's remake was good.

But Otis with that soulful pleading voice backed up by those instruments gives him IMO, the nod over RE RE for the best version of Respect.

Str8 like that!!

BTW, RE RE nd Otis are among others, 2 of America's greatest Soul Singers IMO.
🗣I'M PUT N RESPECK ON BOTH OF THEIR NAMES!!!
Lls!!
🗣♊️👤



All comments from YouTube:

@MrChristian

Holy effin’ crap. Took me 57 years to discover that Aretha’s version was a frickin’ cover? And that Otis wrote it? WTFF!!??

@freshtapcoke

I’m right behind you, man 😭

@ahmad.tillery.1987

Otis Redding was so young but he had this old soul in his voice. This blows my mind RIP Otis Redding.

@uncoverthetruth8365

I always thought that when I found out all these singers were basically kids 😩🤣🤣

Like they sound like they been through decades of pain

@NowandDen83

Died so young at 26…crazy true legend!

@sharonjensen3016

Should have taken the bus. Just like many others who died in plane crashes.

@vashna3799

Totally different perspectives. Aretha’s is about female empowerment but Otis’ original was about him getting a bit of respect from the wife.

@bodycenteredwisdom

By calling her a little girl … lol

@Keemthedream404

They saying the same damn thing

@hellochannel6344

@@bodycenteredwisdom Listen to Ike and Tina's version at the Beat Club and you'll be at peace ✌️ 😊

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