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Respect is a 1967 soul song performed by Aretha Franklin.

It is heard on Married... with Children in the Season 3 (1988/89) episode, "Her Cups Runneth Over".

Background[]

The song was originally written and performed by musician, Otis Redding in 1965. The lyrics can be viewed as a man being the breadwinner of the house and doing all the hard work, asking his wife to cut him some slack and give him a little bit of respect for all that he has done. In one account, the lyrics were specifically about Redding's wife, who would complain about him being on tour and recording and him just wanting some respect upon coming home.[1]

Two years later, in 1967, Aretha Franklin, along with her sisters, re-arranged the song, changing up some of the lyrics and musical arrangements. The newer version served more as an anthem for both the feminist and civil rights movement, with the lyrics depicting a strong woman who wouldn't do her man wrong (in contrast to the Redding version, which implies that she could), but just wants to be respected.[2]

The Franklin version became the more well known version among music listeners (and the one performed in this episode), becoming a staple in her music setlist and overshadowing Redding's version. Redding later commented jokingly at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 just before performing "Respect", by saying, ā€œThis next song is a song that a girl took away from me. A good friend of mine, this girl, she just took the song, but Iā€™m still going to do it anyway.ā€. It was also noted that he acknowledged that the song was essentially Franklin's song after it became the more popular version and was happy for her.

On MWC[]

In the Season 3 episode, "Her Cups Runneth Over", Peggy Bundy is shown lip syncing to the song as it plays on the radio in the kitchen, as Bud Bundy and Kelly Bundy watch from upstairs. As Peg continues singing and strutting around the kitchen, the kids note how sad it is to see their mom do this, noting that it is a birthday tradition for her to turn on the oldies station and sing and dance.

As the song finishes up, a DJ asks the listeners if they like the song and if so, they must be over 100 years old, which upsets Peg. The Dj then goes on to say that the song is now over 20 years old, causing Peg to abruptly turn off the radio.

Trivia[]

Lyrics[]

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

References[]

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