Respect – English Lyrics

• By: Aretha Franklin
• Album: I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the empowering message of Aretha Franklin's "Respect," a timeless anthem of equality and strength. Learn how this song ignited social change and continues to inspire generations to demand the respect they deserve. A must-know song for anyone interested in American history and the power of music.

[English]

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 gon' 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

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - to have a desire for something noun - a desire for something
need /niːd/ A1	verb - to require something because it is essential or very important noun - a thing that is essential or very important
respect /rɪˈspekt/ B1	noun - a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements verb - to admire someone or something deeply
home /hoʊm/ A1	noun - the place where one lives adverb - to or at one's home
wrong /rɔːŋ/ A2	adjective - not correct or true; incorrect
money /ˈmʌni/ A1	noun - a current medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes
return /rɪˈtɜːrn/ B1	noun - an act of coming or going back to a place or person verb - to go or come back to a place or person
honey /ˈhʌni/ A2	noun - a sweet, sticky yellowish-brown fluid made by bees and other insects from the nectar of flowers noun - a term of endearment
propers /ˈprɒpərz/ C2	noun - one's due; what is rightfully deserved or expected
kisses /ˈkɪsɪz/ A2	noun - an act of touching with the lips as a sign of love, sexual desire, or greeting verb - to touch with the lips as a sign of love, sexual desire, or greeting
sweeter /ˈswiːtər/ A2	adjective - having a pleasant taste like that of sugar; more sweet
tired /ˈtaɪərd/ A2	adjective - in need of sleep or rest; weary
find /faɪnd/ A1	verb - to discover or perceive by chance or unexpectedly
gone /ɡɔːn/ A2	adjective - having left or departed

Key Grammar Structures

• All I'm askin' is for a little respect when you get home

  ➔ Present Continuous Tense (I'm askin')

  ➔ The present continuous tense is used here in its shortened form (I'm = I am) to emphasize the ongoing nature of the request. "Askin'" is a colloquial form of "asking." The structure is 'All + [clause with be verb] + is + [noun phrase]'.

• I ain't gon' do you wrong while you're gone

  ➔ Future tense (gon' = going to) with a negative contraction (ain't = am not/is not/are not/have not/has not). Subordinate clause with 'while'.

  ➔ "Ain't" is a non-standard contraction used in colloquial speech. "Gon'" is a shortened form of "going to," indicating future intention. The 'while' clause indicates the time frame when the speaker will not do the person wrong.

• Ain't gon' do you wrong 'cause I don't wanna

  ➔ Negative contraction (ain't = am not/is not/are not/have not/has not), Future tense (gon' = going to), Contraction ('cause = because), Negative present simple ('don't wanna' = do not want to).

  ➔ This line uses multiple contractions typical of informal speech. 'Cause is a shortened version of 'because,' and 'wanna' is a shortened version of 'want to.' The 'ain't gon' do' structure demonstrates a double negative, which, while grammatically incorrect in standard English, is common in certain dialects.

• All I want you to do for me, is give it to me when you get home

  ➔ Cleft sentence using 'All...is' structure, relative clause ('you to do for me'), and adverbial clause of time ('when you get home').

  ➔ This sentence emphasizes what the speaker wants by using the 'All...is' construction. The 'you to do for me' functions as a relative clause describing what is wanted, even though it's not introduced by a relative pronoun. The 'when you get home' clause provides the timing for the requested action.

• Find out what it means to me

  ➔ Imperative mood ('Find out'), Indirect question ('what it means to me').

  ➔ The phrase 'Find out' is in the imperative mood, a direct command or instruction. 'What it means to me' is an indirect question functioning as the object of the verb 'find out.'