They are best-known during the late 1960s and early 1970s for popularizing the hits "Up, Up and Away", "Wedding Bell Blues", "Stoned Soul Picnic", "One Less Bell to Answer", "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All", and "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In", as well as the eponymous 5th Dimension and The Magic Garden LP recordings.
The five original members were Billy Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue, Marilyn McCoo, Lamonte McLemore, and Ron Townson. They have recorded for several different labels over their long careers. Their first work appeared on the Soul City label, which was started by Imperial Records/United Artists Records recording artist Johnny Rivers. The group would later record for Bell/Arista Records, ABC Records, and Motown Records.
Some of the songwriters popularized by The 5th Dimension later went on to careers of their own, especially Ashford & Simpson, who wrote "California Soul". The group is also notable for having more success with the songs of Laura Nyro than Nyro did herself, particularly in the cases of "Wedding Bell Blues", "Stoned Soul Picnic", and "Save the Country" The group also covered music by well known songwriters such as the song "One Less Bell to Answer", written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. And perhaps best of all, they became great interpreters of the songs and music of Jimmy Webb, who penned their original mega-hit "Up, Up, and Away", including an entire recording of memorable Webb songs called The Magic Garden.
Respect
The 5th Dimension Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How in the world do you think everybody's 'sposed to respect you?
If you don't give a heck about the man with the Bible in his hand
Just get out of the way and let the gentleman do his thing.
You the kind of gentleman want everything your way.
Take the sheet off your face boy, it's a brand new day.
Respect yourself, respect yourself.
Ain't nobody gonna give a good, good hootenanny boy.
Respect yourself.
If you're walking around thinking that the world owes you
Something 'cause you're here
You're going out the world backward like you did when you first
Came 'ere.
Keep talking about the president won't stop air pollution.
Put your hand over your mouth when you cough, that'll help the
Solution.
You cuss around women folk, don't even know their name,
Then you're dumb enough to think it makes you a big ole man.
Respect yourself, respect yourself.
'Cause if you don't respect yourself
Ain't nobody gonna give a good, good hootenanny boy.
Respect yourself.
Respect yourself
The 5th Dimension's song "Respect" is all about asking for respect in a relationship. The singer goes on to say that they will give their partner everything they need and want, but all they are asking for in return is a little respect when they come home. The tone of the song is confident and assertive, as the singer stands up for themselves and demands the respect they deserve.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of trust and loyalty in a relationship. The singer says that their partner can "do [them] wrong honey, while [they're] gone", but they still expect to receive respect when they return. This suggests that they trust their partner to behave appropriately in their absence, but they still need to feel respected when they are back together.
Overall, the message of the song is clear - respect is an important aspect of any successful relationship. While the singer is willing to give their partner everything they want and need, they make it clear that they expect to be treated with respect in return.
Line by Line Meaning
What you want, honey, you got it
I acknowledge that you have what you want, honey.
And what you need, baby, you've got it.
I recognize that you have what you need, baby.
All I'm asking, is for a little respect
I am requesting for some respect.
When I come home, hey now
When I arrive home, hey now.
Hey hey hey, yeah now
Hey hey hey, yeah now.
Do me wrong, honey, if you want to
It's okay if you do me wrong, honey, while I'm not there.
You can do me wrong honey, while I'm gone.
I won't hold it against you if you do me wrong, honey, while I'm away.
When I come home, ooh, yeah now
When I get home, ooh, yeah now.
Hey hey hey, yeah now
Hey hey hey, yeah now.
Hey little girl, you're so sweet, little honey
You, little girl, are sweet like honey.
And I'm about to, just give you all of my money
I am willing to give you all of my money.
And all I'm asking, hey, is a little respect
All I am requesting is a little respect.
Hey hey hey, yeah now
Hey hey hey, yeah now.
Hey little girl, you're sweeter then honey
You, little girl, are even sweeter than honey.
And I'm about to give you all of my money
I am prepared to give you all of my money.
But all I want you to do
However, all I want you to do is:
Is just give it, give it, respect
Just give me respect.
When I come home, hey hey
When I get home, hey hey.
Hey hey hey, yeah now, respect
Hey hey hey, yeah now, give me respect.
It's what I want from you
Respect is what I desire from you.
Respect is what I need
Respect is what I require.
Respect is what I want
Respect is what I want.
Respect is what I need
Respect is what I need.
Got to, got to have it
I must have it.
Got to, got to have it
I must have it.
Got to, got to have it
I must have it.
Got to, got to have it
I must have it.
Give us, give us, give us, give us
Please give us, give us, give us, give us.
Give us, give us, give us, give us
Please give us, give us, give us, give us.
Give us some baby, everything I need
Please give us what I need, baby, everything.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Luther Thomas Ingram, Mack Rice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind