5

ArethaFranklin,'Respect'

Writer:OtisRedding
Producer:JerryWexler
Released:April'67,Atlantic
12weeks;No.1
OtisReddingwrote"Respect"andrecordeditfirst,fortheVoltlabelin1965.ButArethaFranklintook
possessionofthesongforalltimewithherdefinitivecover,madeatAtlantic'sNewYorkstudioon
Valentine'sDay1967."Respect"washerfirstNumberOnehitandthesinglethatestablishedherasthe
QueenofSoul.InRedding'sreading,abrawnymarch,hecalledforequalfavorwithvolcanicforce.
Franklinwasn'taskingforanything.Shesangfromhigherground:awomancallinganendtothe
exhaustionandsacrificeofarawdealwithscorchingsexualauthority.Inshort,ifyouwantsome,you
willearnit.
"ForOtis,respecthadthetraditionalconnotation,themoreabstractmeaningofesteem,"Franklin's
producer,JerryWexler,saidinhisautobiography,RhythmandtheBlues:ALifeinAmericanMusic."The
fervorinAretha'svoicedemandedthatrespect;andmorerespectalsoinvolvedsexualattentionofthe
highestorder.Whatelsewould'Sockittome'mean?"
HewasreferringtotheknockoutsoundofFranklin'sbackupsingershersistersCarolynandErma
chanting"Sockittome"athighspeed,whichArethaandCarolyncookedupforthesession.Thelate
TomDowd,whoengineeredthedate,creditedCarolynwiththesaucybreakdowninwhichAretha
spelledoutthetitle:"IfelloffmychairwhenIheardthat!"AndsinceRedding'sversionhadnobridge,
WexlerhadthebandthelegendarystudiocrewfromMuscleShoals,Alabamaplaythechord

changesfromSamandDave's"WhenSomethingIsWrongWithMyBaby"underKingCurtis'tenorsax
solo.
ThereisnomistakingthepassioninsidethedisciplineofFranklin'sdelivery;shewassurelydrawingon
herowntumultuousmarriageatthetimeforinspiration."Ifshedidn'tliveit,"Wexlersaid,"shecouldn't
giveit."But,headded,"Arethawouldneverplaythepartofthescornedwoman....Hermiddlenamewas
Respect."
Appearson:INeverLovedaMantheWayILoveYou(Atlantic)
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