ON THIS DATE (49 YEARS AGO) Otis Redding: Respect b/w Ole Man Trouble (Volt 45-128) 45 single is released in the US. Respect is a song written and originally released by Otis Redding in 1965. The song became a 1967 hit and signature song for R&B singer Aretha Franklin. The music in the two versions is significantly different, and through a few minor changes in the lyrics, the stories told by the songs have a different flavor. Reddings version is a plea from a desperate man, who will give his woman anything she wants. He wont care if she does him wrong, as long as he gets his due respect, when he comes home (respect being a euphemism). However, Franklins version is a declaration from a strong, confident woman, who knows that she has everything her man wants. She never does him wrong, and demands his respect. Franklins version adds the R-E-S-P-E-C-T chorus and the backup singers refrain of Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me... Essentially a ballad, it was written by Redding for Speedo Sims, who intended to record it with his band, the Singing Demons. Redding rewrote the lyrics and sped up the rhythm. Speedo then went with band to the Muscle Shoals studios, but was unable to produce a good version. Redding then decided to sing the song himself, which Speedo agreed to. Redding also promised to credit Speedo on the liner notes, but this never happened; Speedo, however, never charged him for not doing so. The song was included on Reddings third studio album, Otis Blue (1965). The album became widely successful, even outside of his largely R&B and blues fan base. When released in the summer of 1965, the song reached the top five on Billboards Black Singles Chart, and crossed over to pop radios white audience, peaking at number thirty-five there. At the time, the song became Reddings second largest crossover hit (after Ive Been Loving You Too Long) and paved the way to future presence on American radio. Redding performed it at the Monterey Pop Festival. The inspiration for the song had come when, in response to Reddings complaints after a hard tour, MGs drummer Al Jackson reportedly said, What are you griping about? Youre on the road all the time. All you can look for is a little respect when you come home. Otis Redding
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 01:40:01 +0000