Learn English Through Song
Respect - By Aretha Franklin
1 Informal Expressions
"respect" (n) is 'the quality or state of being regarded, considered, esteemed or honored'
2 (oo) What you want, (oo) Baby, I got. (oo) What you need, (oo) do you know I got it?
(oo)
"What you need" (advice) means 'something that would be good for you' "What you
need is a job to make some money."
3 All I'm askin' (oo) Is for a little respect when you come home. (just a little bit) Hey
baby, (just a little bit) when you get home (just a little bit) mister. (just a little bit)
"All I'm asking' " means 'the only thing I ask of you' "All I’m asking is for your respect."
4 I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone. Ain't gonna do you wrong (oo) 'cause I
don't (oo) wanna. (oo)
"disrespect", also a noun, is the opposite of "respect." It means 'not showing proper
respect' "He showed disrespect for his mate."
5 All I'm askin' (oo) 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)
"a little bit" means 'only a very small amount' "He has to show her a little bit of respect."
6 I'm about to give you all of my money and all I'm askin' in return honey, is to give me
my profits when you get home. (just a, just a, just a, just a)
"in return" is 'to give back something for something given' "I want respect in return."
7 Yeah baby, (just a, just a, just a, just a) when you get home. (just a little bit) Yeah.
(just a little bit)
"just" (adv) means 'simply, only or really' "In return for all her money, she wishes to have
just a little respect from her husband."
8 A person who has respect for other people could be called 'respectful.' (adj) "Both
husband and wife should be "respectful."
9 Oooo, your kisses, (oo) sweeter than honey. (oo) And guess what? (oo) So is my
money.
(oo) "guess what?" (informal question) = '(Can you) estimate or suppose (something)
with little facts(?)' "Guess what I think?"
TeacherFrankPrograms© – www.learn-to-speak-english-esl.com
10 All I want you to do (oo) for me Is give it to me when you get home, (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)
"Whip it too me." is uncommon and informal slang for 'give it (i.e. respect) to me quickly'
11 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)
"TCB" (acronym) for 'take, or taking care of business' Here, the wife wants the husband
to take care of the business of giving her respect.
12 A little respect. (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me) Whoa, baby
(just a little bit) A little respect. (just a little bit)
"sock it to me" This informal slang-like expression was made popular by US TV. It
means 'Tell me now!' or 'Let me know now!'
13 I get tired. (just a little bit) Keep on tryin'. (just a little bit) You're runnin' out of foolin'
(just a little bit) and I ain't lyin'. (just a little bit)
"fooling" (gerund) 'acting in a manner that lacks good sense; silly or unwise behavior'
"She's tired of her husband's fooling."
14 (re, re, re, re)'spect When you come home (re, re, re,re) or you might walk in
(respect, just a little bit) and find out I'm gone. (just a ittle bit) I got to have (just a little
bit) a little respect. (a little bit)
EXERCISE
Fill in the correct word(s) from the list below:
What you need respect fooling disrespect
in return respectful just Guess what
All I'm asking
respectful
1 He showed a little bit of ________________ to his wife.
3 ________________ is a job so you will have an income.
4 He should have some ________________ for his partner.
5 _________? She would even give even money _________ for his respect when he
comes home.
6 All she wants is ________________ a little bit.
7 She said, "________________ is for a little respect."
8 Always be ________________ of family and loved ones.
TeacherFrankPrograms© – www.learn-to-speak-english-esl.com