Respect
Various Artists Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

What you want
Baby, I got it
What you need
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 gonna 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)

Oh, 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)

Are E S P E C T
Find out what it means to me
Are 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 fool
(Just a little bit)
And I ain't lyin'
(Just a little bit)
Respect
(Re, re, re, re)
When you come home
(Re, re, re, re)
Or you might walk in




(Just a little bit)
And find out I'm gone

Overall Meaning

"Respect" is a song that was originally written and performed by Otis Redding, but it became Aretha Franklin's signature song after she released her own version. The song is about a woman asking for respect from her partner, and it became an anthem for the feminist movement in the 1960s. In the first verse, the woman lets her partner know that she has what he wants and needs, but she is asking for a little respect. In the second verse, she tells him that she won't do him wrong while he's away, but she expects him to treat her with respect when he comes home. In the third verse, she tells him that her kisses are sweeter than honey, and so is her money, but all she wants is for him to give her respect when he comes home.


Line by Line Meaning

What you want
Tell me what you desire


Baby, I got it
Don't worry, I have what you need


What you need
Tell me your necessities


You know I got it
I possess everything you require


All I'm askin'
My only request is


Is for a little respect when you get home
To treat me with honor and value upon your arrival home


(Just a little bit)
Only a small measure is needed


Hey baby
Hey there, dear


When you get home
After you return to our house


Mister
Hey, sir


I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone
I won't wrong you while you're away


Ain't gonna do you wrong 'cause I don't wanna
I refuse to do you wrong as I don't want to


Yeah
Yes


I'm about to give you all of my money
I'm going to give you all my earnings


And all I'm askin' in return, honey
And in exchange, I'm simply asking


Is to give me my propers when you get home
To give me the recognition I deserve when you come back


(Just a, just a, just a, just a)
(only a small amount)


Oh, your kisses
Your affectionate kisses


Sweeter than honey
Sweeter than the sugary substance honey


And guess what?
You know what else?


So is my money
My revenue is just as sweet


All I want you to do for me
All I'm requesting from you


Is give it to me when you get home
Is to hand the money to me when you return


(Re, re, re, re)
(the sound of singing)


Whip it to me
Give it to me quick


(Respect, just a little bit)
(I only need a small amount of) respect


When you get home, now
As soon as you arrive home


Are E S P E C T
The spelling of the word 'respect'


Find out what it means to me
Discover what the concept means to me personally


Take care, tcb
Take care, remain true to The Chairman of the Board (Frank Sinatra)


(Oh)
(expression of emotion)


Sock it to me, sock it to me
Express the importance to me, clearly


(A little respect)
(A small measure of respect)


I get tired
I become weary


Keep on tryin'
Continue to put forth an effort


You're runnin' out of fool
You are quickly losing foolishness


And I ain't lyin'
And I am not telling a falsehood


(Re, re, re, re)
(the sound of singing)


Or you might walk in
Otherwise, you may walk in


And find out I'm gone
Discover that I have left


(Just a little bit)
(only a small amount)


Yeah baby
Yes, dear




Contributed by Claire I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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