Respect
Redding (Otis) 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

The lyrics to Otis Redding's "Respect" are a plea for mutual understanding and appreciation in a relationship. The singer expresses that his significant other has everything he wants and needs, but all he asks for in return is a little respect when he comes home. He acknowledges that she can do him wrong while he's gone but asks for her to show him respect when he returns. The mention of "little girl" could be seen as a term of endearment or as demonstrating the gender dynamics present in relationships during that time.


Throughout the song, the repetition of the phrase "hey now" and "hey hey hey" creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the singer's desire for respect. The lyrics also touch on the idea of material possessions, with the singer willing to give his significant other all his money but still wanting to be respected.


Otis Redding's version of "Respect" was later made famous by Aretha Franklin, who re-recorded the song with revised lyrics that emphasized the importance of respect for women's rights and empowerment. Franklin's version became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement and is widely recognized as her signature song.


Line by Line Meaning

What you want, honey, you got it
I understand your wishes and will fulfill them


And what you need, baby, you've got it
I know your requirements and I'll make sure you have them


All I'm asking
My request is simple


For a little respect when I come home, hey now
Just show me some appreciation and regard when I get home


Hey hey hey, yeah now
Emphasizing the importance of respect


Do me wrong, honey, if you wanna to
If you want to deceive me, go ahead


You can do me wrong honey, while I'm gone
You can cheat on me while I'm not around


But all I'm asking
But even with that freedom, all I want is


Is for a little respect when I come home, ooh, yeah now
Some admiration when I return home is all I ask for


Hey hey hey, yeah now
Stressing the significance of respect


Hey little girl, you're so sweet, little honey
Addressing the lady affectionately


And I'm about to, just give you all of my money
I feel so fond of you that I want to give you all my wealth


And all I'm asking, hey
However, all I want is


A little respect when I come home, hey hey
Just some esteem when I return home will suffice


Hey hey hey, yeah now
Reinforcing the importance of respect


Hey little girl, you're sweeter then honey
Addressing the lady affectionately again


And I'm about to give you all of my money
I genuinely admire and treasure you so much that I'm willing to give you all I have


But all I want you to do
In return, all I expect from you is


Is just give it, give it
Simply offer me


Respect when I come home, hey hey now
Some consideration and deference when I return home


Respect is what I want from you
I desire your appreciation and esteem


Respect is what I need
I require your admiration and regard


Respect is what I want
I want your consideration and deference


Respect is what I need
I need your appreciation and esteem


Got to, got to have it
I must have it


Got to, got to have it
It is a necessity for me


Got to, got to have it
I cannot do without it


Got to, got to have it
It is vitally crucial for me


Talkin'
Speaking out


Give us, give us, give us, give us
I plead with you to offer


Give us, give us, give us, give us
I ask again for you to offer


Give us, give us some baby, everything I need
Please show me some admiration, as that's all I need


Give us, give us some baby, everything I want
Offering me admiration is all I desire




Lyrics © 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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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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