Happy International Women’s Day! ❤

A few years ago, I came across this really empowering song released for International Women’s Day called “One Woman.” You can check out my post, “Songs That Move Me- ‘One Woman,’ to learn more about that song.

Today, I wanted to write about another empowering song, Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.” 

Check out this version of “Respect” with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra:

Isn’t it fantastic?

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 gonna do you wrong while you’re gone
Ain’t gonna 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)
Ooo, 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) when you come home
(Re, re, re ,re) ‘spect
Or you might walk in (respect, just a little bit)
And find out I’m gone (just a little bit)
I got to have (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit)

This song is about being frustrated with your partner because you are putting everything into the relationship, but he/she is not giving you the respect that you deserve. You are not asking for a lot; you merely want to be treated the way that people in healthy relationships treat their partner. Aretha’s voice is so powerful in this song, and she inspires the listener to demand respect from his/her partner. My favorite part of the song is when Aretha sings, “Or you might walk in/And find out I’m gone.” She is expressing that if she does not get treated the way that she knows she deserves to be treated, she will leave her partner. This part empowers the listener to have the courage to leave an unhealthy relationship.

Respect is something I greatly value. I wrote the song “Grow Up”  about not getting treated appropriately in a relationship and having the strength to vocalize your feelings and leave it if necessary. (You can read more about the song in my post “Grow Up.”)

When I hear Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” I not only apply her message to romantic relationships, but I apply it to all relationships.

I wrote the song, “Where Did you Go?”  about leaving a friendship when you recognize that your friend has become someone you no longer know and trust and someone who no longer treats you as you should be treated.  (You can read more about the song in my post, “Behind the Song: ‘Where Did You Go?'”)

On this International Women’s Day, I hope you feel inspired by Aretha’s message. You deserve respect, and you have every right to refuse to tolerate someone who does not give it to you. ❤