Aretha Franklin’s hit single 'Respect' was released in April 1967 and became her signature song W hen Aretha Franklin shouted out at the conclusion of her number-one hit, ‘R-ES-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me/R-E-S-P-E-C-T, take care, tcb…’ it wasn’t a request to ‘take care of business’ – in the phrase popular at the time among black Americans – it was a demand.
Respect – released 53 years ago this week – was the record that made Franklin a star and which galvanised America at a time of unparalleled social and cultural upheaval.
The song, written by Otis Redding, was originally recorded by him in 1965. His version was the lament of a working man – pleading that he be given the respect in his home that he believes is his due, but
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