50 years ago: Aretha Franklin hit #1 with “Respect”

Respect Aretha Franklin

Writer(s): Otis Redding (see lyrics here) Released: April 10, 1967 First Charted: April 21, 1967 Peak: 12 US, 12 CB, 2 GR, 13 HR, 18 RB, 10 UK, 3 CN, 14 AU, 1 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.) Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.14 UK, 1.14 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 2.0 radio, 72.0 video, 374.22 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: “Respect” was first recorded by Otis Redding backed by Booker T. & the MG’s along with the Memphis Horns. “His strong and gritty style of singing gave this raw version of a gospel-type chorus song a particularly macho feel.” LW It was a 1965 top five R&B hit and “considered among the best Southern blues-soul records of the era,” TB but Aretha Franklin transformed it into an anthem “for black Americans and for women’s political and sexual liberation.” LW It became her signature song in launching her reign as the Queen of Soul. Aretha had recorded with Columbia Records from 1960-1966. In her years there, she developed neither a signature sound nor much commercial success. When she jumped to Atlantic Records, she was paired with producer Jerry Wexler, who had worked with Wilson Pickett and Dusty Springfield. He backed her with the Muscle Shoals rhythm section, which would become legendary, but was then in their infancy. For “Respect,” initially comprised only of verses and no bridge, Wexler blended a King Curtis’ tenor-sax solo with the studio band playing the chord changes from Sam and Dave’s “When Something Is Wrong with My Baby.” RS500 Also giving the song heft was Aretha‘s addition of the “sock it to me” lines SF and the spelling out of the title, an idea which engineer Tom Dowd attributed to Aretha‘s sister Carolyn, who sang backup on the album. “I fell off my chair when I heard that!” RS500 Aretha defiantly demands respect without playing the part of a victim. As Wexler said, “Aretha would never play the part of the scorned woman.” RS500 Mix that with the gospel flavor of the call-and-response vocal arrangement, and a classic was born. Wexler reported Otis’ reaction to Aretha’s version: “He looked at me with a big grin and said, ‘That girl done stole my song.’” TC Resources: TC Toby Creswell (2005). 1001 Songs: The Great Songs of All Time. Thunder’s Mouth Press: New York, NY. Page 455. JA David A. Jasen (2002). A Century of American Popular Music: 2000 Best-Loved and Remembered Songs (1899-1999). Routledge: Taylor & Francis, Inc. Page 164. LW Alan Lewens (2001). Popular Song – Soundtrack of the Century. Billboard Books: New York, NY. Page 122. RS500 Rolling Stone (12/04). “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” SF Songfacts.com TB Thunder Bay Press (2006). Singles: Six Decades of Hot Hits & Classic Cuts. Outline Press Ltd.: San Diego, CA. Page 99. Related Links: First posted 6/3/2012; last updated 11/24/2022.