When Aretha Franklin transitioned from Columbia Records to Atlantic in 1966, it marked a pivotal moment not just for her career, but for music history. Atlantic’s vice president, Jerry Wexler, armed with song suggestions like Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” and Ray Charles’ “Drown in My Own Tears,” approached the burgeoning artist. However, Franklin had her own vision – “Respect,” a track already in her live repertoire. As Wexler recounted to Franklin’s manager Ted White, anticipating a unique rendition, “Long as she changes it up.” White’s confident reply, “You don’t gotta worry about that. She changes it up all right,” proved to be an understatement.
Otis Redding originally penned and recorded “Respect” for Stax/Volt in 1965. Yet, it was Franklin’s rendition, recorded at Atlantic’s New York studio on Valentine’s Day 1967, that cemented the song’s place in the cultural lexicon. “Respect” became her first Number One hit, instantaneously establishing her as the undisputed Queen of Soul. This powerful track is not just a song; it’s a statement, a cultural touchstone, and undoubtedly, one of the quintessential Rolling Stone Songs that continues to resonate across generations.
Redding’s version of “Respect” was a robust, almost pleading demand for equal treatment, delivered with palpable force. Franklin’s interpretation, however, ascended to a different plane. She wasn’t pleading; she was commanding. Her powerful vocals articulated a woman’s declaration against exploitation, transforming the song into an anthem of sexual authority and self-respect. Wexler himself noted in his autobiography, Rhythm and the Blues: A Life in American Music, “For Otis, ‘respect’ had the traditional connotation, the more abstract meaning of esteem. The fervor in Aretha’s magnificent voice demanded that respect and more: Respect also involved sexual attention of the highest order. What else could ‘Sock it to me’ mean?”
Alt text: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, passionately performing live, showcasing her powerful vocal presence and stage charisma.
The iconic “Sock it to me” refrain was a stroke of genius cooked up by Aretha and her sister Carolyn, adding an electrifying dimension to the track. Performed by her sisters, Carolyn and Erma, as backup singers, this chant became instantly recognizable. Engineer Tom Dowd was astounded by another of Carolyn’s contributions – the sassy breakdown where Aretha spells out “R-E-S-P-E-C-T,” exclaiming, “I fell off my chair when I heard that!” Furthermore, lacking a bridge in Redding’s original, Wexler ingeniously directed the Muscle Shoals studio band to incorporate chord changes from Sam and Dave’s “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby” beneath King Curtis’s blistering tenor saxophone solo, adding another layer of musical depth.
The raw emotion embedded within Franklin’s disciplined delivery is undeniable, fueled perhaps by the turbulence of her personal life at the time. “If she didn’t live it,” Wexler astutely observed, “she couldn’t give it.” Yet, he emphasized, “Aretha would never play the part of the scorned woman.… Her middle name was Respect.” This wasn’t just a performance; it was an embodiment of the song’s very essence, making it one of the most impactful rolling stone songs ever recorded.
“Respect” spearheaded her Atlantic debut album, I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, and became a catalyst, fusing rock & roll, gospel, and blues into the quintessential soul music blueprint that continues to inspire artists today. Mariah Carey, among countless others, has cited Franklin as “my mentor.” Beyond its musical innovation, the song’s unapologetic demands for respect deeply resonated with the burgeoning civil rights movement and feminist revolution. Franklin’s support for the Black Panther Party and her performance at Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral underscored her commitment to these causes. In her 1999 memoir, Franklin reflected that “Respect” mirrored “the need of the average man and woman in the street, the businessman, the mother, the fireman, the teacher — everyone wanted respect.” Decades later, this anthem remains profoundly relevant. “Respect” is more than just a hit song; it’s a timeless declaration, a cornerstone of American music, and indisputably, one of the greatest rolling stone songs of all time, echoing through generations and continuing to inspire calls for dignity and equality.
Alt text: Iconic image of Aretha Franklin in a recording studio, capturing her intense focus and dedication to crafting her legendary music.
