A 1967 Aretha Franklin recording of an Otis Redding song, rearranged into a feminist anthem with a spelled-out title refrain and a sax solo by King Curtis.
Composition
Respect was written and originally recorded by Otis Redding in 1965. Aretha Franklin’s 1967 version, recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York, reworked the song’s perspective and added the spelled “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” refrain and the “sock it to me” backing vocal.
Recording
The recording features Franklin on piano, her sisters Erma and Carolyn on backing vocals, and saxophonist King Curtis on the solo. The arrangement was produced by Jerry Wexler with input from Franklin.
Reception
Released in April 1967, the single reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and won two Grammy Awards at the 1968 ceremony. The song became an anthem of the civil rights and women’s liberation movements.
Find more songs by letter
Respect starts with R and ends with T. Browse other songs along the same letter.
Songs that contain a letter from "Respect":