The “Queen Of Soul” Aretha Franklin Had A Career That Deserves Your Respect

“Respect Wasn’t Actually Her Song”

Photo Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

While “Respect” is the song most associated with Aretha Franklin, it wasn’t actually her own song. Franklin adapted an Otis Redding song of the same name, and turned it into a worldwide hit.

Redding originally recorded the hit in 1965, and his song “Respect” was originally written by Redding for Speedo Sims. The original song was actually a demand for respect from women for a man after he spent a long day at work. Of course, Franklin’s adapted cover instead turned into a demand from a woman looking for equality.