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

Both Songs Were Hits, But Franklin’s Left A Lasting Impact

Photo Credit: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

Otis Redding’s rendition of “Respect” did find success, reaching the top five of the Billboard Black Singles chart, but it was quickly eclipsed by Aretha Franklin’s version. Franklin’s “Respect” spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard Pop Singles chart, while also spending eight weeks on the Black Singles chart.

Redding was originally upset that Franklin took his song and did it better, but later on in life, he would go on to add Franklin’s “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” portion of her rendition as a salute to the soul icon.