What is the meaning to the song Respect by Aretha Franklin?

Answer 1

She is saying "If you treat me right, I'll treat you right." That's a good definition of respect.Her point was simple. Respect her and she will respect you. Treat people how you want to be treated. Basically she's saying that "As long as you do right by me I'll make you a happy man." treat any one who you mee with even more respect than they give you. it proves that you are the better man.

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When Aretha Franklin covered this Otis Redding song, she put a bit of a sexual spin to it. "What you want, baby I got it." Phrases such as "Sock it to me" and "Whip it to me" had sexual connotations in the 60's. She sang the song as a woman who goes out and works all day to support her man and she expects a little "attention" when she comes home. So "Respect" can be anything the singer expects in return as part of a relationship.MP

Answer 2

Actually the song "Respect" was written by Otis Redding although Aretha Franklin's version is more famous. The song was widely used in both the Civil Rights Movement and the women's lib movement although the adoption of the song by the women's lib movement did not occur until after AF's version was released.

Answer 3

In the 1960's war on poverty, a woman could not receive welfare if there was a man living in the house. This song is about a welfare queen who is receiving money from the state. When her man comes around she gives him all her money. All she asks is for a little respect. Listen to the whole song and you'll get it.

Answer 4

Otis Redding, Jr. wrote and first sang it. Aretha's Fraklin version is a cover.

Answer 5

The original song, by Otis Redding, was about women respecting men; but Aretha changed the lyrics slightly, and turned the song around to being about men respecting women.

Answer 6

Otis Redding