Respect
Rotary Connection 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

The lyrics of Rotary Connection's song "Respect" is a plea for mutual respect in a relationship. The first stanza is the singer assuring their partner that they have all they need and want. However, when they come home, they only ask for a little respect. The second stanza is an assurance that the singer will not cheat on their partner, but they only ask for respect in return when they come home. In the third stanza, the singer tries to give their partner all their money, and all they ask in return is respect. The chorus then follows, with the singer spelling out the word "respect" and asking their partner to find out what it means to them. The song concludes with the singer imploring their partner to give them a little respect when they come home.


The lyrics of "Respect" speaks to the common human desire for mutual respect in a relationship. It expresses the need to be treated with dignity and acknowledgment, regardless of gender or social status. The song became a feminist anthem in the late 1960s and was symbolic of the civil rights and women's rights movements of the era.


Line by Line Meaning

What you want, baby, I got it
I have what you're looking for, my love


What you need, do you know I got it?
You don't even know that I have what you need


All I'm askin' is for a little respect when you get home
When you arrive, I'd like you to treat me with dignity


(Just a little bit) hey baby
Not too much to ask, my love


(Just a little bit) when you get home
That's all I'm asking for


(Just a little bit) mister
Even you, sir, can give me a little respect


I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone
I won't betray you when you're not here with me


Ain't gon' do you wrong 'cause I don't wanna
Because I don't want to, I won't do anything wrong to you


All I'm askin' is for a little respect when you come home
Please show me some regard once you're back home


(Just a little bit) baby
I know you can give me a bit of that


(Just a little bit) when you get home
Once you're back, that's all I want from you


(Just a little bit) yeah
Yes, you heard me, just a little bit


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


And all I'm askin' in return, honey
All I'm requesting is respect, my love


Is to give me my propers when you get home
Once you're here, all I want is for you to show me respect


(Just a, just a, just a, just a) yeah, baby
That's all I'm hoping for, baby


(Just a, just a, just a, just a) when you get home
Once you're home, please show me some respect


(Just a little bit) yeah
Just a small amount, yes


(Just a little bit)
It's not a big request


Ooh, your kisses, sweeter than honey
Your kisses are as sweet as honey


And guess what? So is my money
And do you know what else is as sweet as honey? My money


All I want you to do for me, is give it to me when you get home
All I want is for you to give me my respects when you're back


(Re, re, re ,re) yeah baby
Yes, that's right, baby


(Re, re, re ,re) whip it to me
Show it to me, give it to me


(Respect, just a little bit) when you get home, now
Once you're back, please show me a bit of respect


(Just a little bit)
Not a lot, just a little


R-e-s-p-e-c-t, find out what it means to me
I want you to understand what respect means to me


R-e-s-p-e-c-t, take care, tcb, oh
Please take care of my respect, baby


(Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
Give it to me, my love


A little respect
I want a small amount of respect


(Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
Please give it to me


Whoa, babe
Wow, my love


(Just a little bit) a little respect
All I want is for you to treat me with some dignity


(Just a little bit) I get tired
I'm overwhelmed and need some respect


(Just a little bit) keep on tryin'
Keep working on it, baby


(Just a little bit) you're runnin' out of fools
You're almost out of options for foolish behavior


(Just a little bit) and I ain't lyin'
I'm not deceiving you, just being honest


(Re, re, re, re) start when you come home
As soon as you're back, please give me respect


(Re, re, re, respect) or you might walk in
If you don't, you may be in for a surprise


(Just a little bit) and find out I'm gone
And realize that I've left you


(Just a little bit) I gotta have
I need a bit of it


(Just a little bit) a little respect
A small amount of dignity is all I ask for




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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