In the year 1965, Otis Redding released the song, Respect, which became a smash hit for Aretha Franklin two years later. Aretha Franklin’s version of Respect gained popularity for the catchy, upbeat music as well as the empowering lyrics. She was able to achieve this success by making significant revisions to the music, the delivery, and the lyrics. Franklin’s revisions to the music focused on the melody and the usage of different instruments on the recording in order to have Respect become more captivating and memorable. Aretha Franklin’s delivery of Respect uses more power and soul than Otis Redding’s version, creating an inspirational and thrilling performance. Her revisions to the lyrics include rewording several of the lead vocalists’ …show more content…
lines as well as the addition of phrases for background vocalists. Reddings' Respect tells the story of a man who will give anything to his woman, as long as he gets respect in return. Franklins’ cover differs significantly as she demands respect not only from her man as well as the man. She creates a character that is financially independent, powerful and demands respect that forms an inspiring message for the different social movements at the time. Flash forward to today, and Respect is still relevant as people continue to fight for basic human rights. Aretha Franklin’s Respect proved to be more than just a pop song, as it connects to larger issues not only during the time of the release, but that are still pertinent today. Aretha Franklin reinvented the song, “Respect” with notable revisions to the music, lyrics and delivery.
Victoria Malawey, an Associate Professor at Macalester College, wrote an article from Popular Music that Franklin’s revisions to the music focused on the melody and the usage of different instruments on the recording. Blue notes are a flatted note, especially the third or the seventh degree of the scale, recurring frequently in blues and jazz as a characteristic feature. Franklin used blue notes more distinctly than Redding, causing the melodic structure to shift in regards to pitch and rhythm. Additionally, she used background vocalists and guitar to feature syncopation throughout the song, while Otis Redding used vocals and horns. Revisions to the lyrics include the addition of phrases for background vocalists as well as rewording several of the lead vocalists’ lines. In Malawey’s article from Popular Music, she suggests that Aretha is responding to the original lyrics with her revisions. For example, the original lyrics portray the woman as financially dependent when Redding says, “Hey little girl, you’re sweeter than honey. And I’m about to give you all of my money.” However, Franklin modifies the line to portray a character that is financially independent when she states, “Ooh, your kisses, sweeter than honey. And guess what? So is my money.” Her revisions to the lyrics create a powerful message of an independent woman who stands up for what she believes in, unlike …show more content…
Redding’s original version. Furthermore, Franklin’s delivery of “Respect” uses more power and soul that created a bigger emphasis on the lyrics than Otis Redding’s version. Throughout the song, Aretha Franklin is accompanied by background vocalists who help deliver the songs’ message. These alterations to the music, lyrics and delivery show how Aretha Franklin reinvented “Respect” and created an anthem for different social movements at the time. These revisions are well shown on February 16, 1968; Aretha Franklin led a performance at Detroit’s Cobo Hall, where she was also recognized for her music and success in the previous year.
More than 12,000 people watched a lively performance by Franklin, which the Mayor of Detroit, Jerome P. Cavanagh, later declared the date as “Aretha Franklin Day.” During the show, “the Queen of Soul” received an award from the Southern Christian Leadership Council presented by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum wrote an article on this performance as well as Franklin’s influence, stating, “King and Franklin's father were friends and shared a mutual admiration fostered during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, making King's presentation to Aretha both personal and declarative, recognizing the female performer's role in defining African-American identity.” Franklin’s award presented by King is significant as not only does it show her musical talent, but also that she was more than just a musical artist. Martin Luther King Jr. presenting Aretha Franklin the award shows that their friendship is strengthened by the goals of the civil rights movement. Additionally, throughout the performance Aretha Franklin and the background singers had a tremendous amount of energy on stage in order to successfully excite and inspire the
crowd. Initially, hearing “Respect”, countless people assume that the song itself is only about relationships. Due to certain lyrics, for example “sock it to me,” the song is believed to be sexually suggestive. However, last year in an interview in Rolling Stone, Franklin states that she did not intend for the line to be sexual. Instead, the song focuses on the mutual respect expected between the couple. At the time she recorded the song, Aretha Franklin was married to Ted White who abused her. Aretha Franklin made several noteworthy revisions to the lyrics, which not only shows her desire to receive respect from her man, but that she feels powerful and strong when it comes to the relationship. In the original, the lyrics say, “What you want, honey you’ve got it, and what you need, baby you’ve got it.” Franklin revises the lyrics and says, “What you want, baby I got, what you need, do you know I got it?” This demonstrates that she feels empowered and knows she is what her man desires. Additionally, Franklin says phrases such as “All I’m askin’ is for a little respect when you come home,” and “Ain’t gonna do you wrong.” This is different from Redding’s lyrics “All I'm askin' is for a little respect when I come home” and “You can do me wrong, honey, while I'm gone.” Otis Redding depicts a relationship that expects respect only when both parties are present. Franklins’ lines are not particularly assertive as she believes mutual respect and commitment should be a given in each relationship. Additionally, the background vocalists repeat the phrase “sock it to me” during the middle of the song. This is a saying from the late 60s/early 70s that means to give your best effort. Aretha Franklin also includes the lyrics “TCB” which stands for taking care of business. Franklin chose to include these phrases in order to show not only the desire, but also the need for their men to give them respect and their best effort into the relationship. Furthermore, at the end of the song, Aretha threatens to leave when she sings, “When you come home, or you might walk in, and find out I'm gone.” These lines are not only able to reference Franklin’s own abusive relationship, but it has also successfully demonstrated that she feels empowered and is not afraid to leave. Throughout the world, “Respect” became a rapid success not only for its empowering lyrics, but also for the catchy, upbeat music. The song became a mainstream success as the soulful music energized numerous people as it reached #1 on both R&B and pop charts as well as earn Aretha Franklin two Grammy Awards. However, “Respect” became a hit not only as a result of the music itself, but also for what the music meant during the time. At this moment in history, African Americans and women were fighting for a social revolution in a world that was slowly evolving in addition to Americans fighting in the Vietnam War. In the 1970s, Franklin’s song became an anthem for both the feminist movement and the civil-rights movement. Aretha Franklin was seen as empowering woman around the world for her hit songs and her influence in the civil rights and feminist movements. As a strong, black woman she was an inspiration for her strong lyrics in “Respect.” Throughout the song, there is a considerable amount of background vocal usage that interplays with Aretha’s voice. Franklin as the lead vocalist can be seen as a leader not only in the song, but also during a time of social change. Additionally, “Respect” shows a group of women coming together to provide an anthem for feminists. Aretha Franklin, along with sisters, inspired young activists to be strong and demand for basic human rights. They accomplished this by using phrases such as “TCB” in the song. TCB stands for taking care of business, which Franklin added into the song. This phrase was included in order to show that individuals involved in the feminist movement and civil-rights movement need to work together for a revolution. “Respect” provided a great statement for young activists opposed to segregation and a lack of respect at home since Aretha Franklin became an unexpected leader for both social movements. John Soeder, a writer for The Cleveland Plain Dealer, wrote in an article focusing on Aretha Franklin achievements, “‘It was the need of a nation, the need of the average man and woman in the street, the businessman, the mother, the fireman, the teacher -- everyone wanted respect. It was also one of the battle cries of the civil rights movement. The song took on monumental significance. It became the 'Respect' women expected from men and men expected from women, the inherent right of all human beings.’” From 1967 to present day, Aretha Franklin has been an inspiration to everyone as she fights against the lack of respect and for basic human rights to be granted to everyone. In 1965, Otis Redding wrote and released the song “Respect” which two years later became a smash hit for Aretha Franklin. The stories within the song told by Franklin’s version are significantly different from Otis Redding’s original. Otis Redding’s version describes a man who will give anything to his woman as long as he gets respect. However, Aretha Franklin’s cover demands respect not only from her man as well as the man. “Respect” is not only a catchy song about relationships, but has an underlying meaning that focused on the social movements at the time. The song was able to have multiple meanings due to Aretha Franklin making noteworthy revisions to the music, lyrics, and delivery.
“Death is the only pure, beautiful conclusion of a great passion” (David Herbert Lawrence). Coretta Scott King was an inspiring person to women of all ages and races. However her death had an impact on everyone, she was seen as an idol, more importantly as a leader. Malcom X’s daughter Attallah Shabazz who is also Mrs. King’s most pride supporter addresses her remarks in her eulogy and engages the people at the funeral service for Mrs. King on the sorrowful day of February 7th, 2006 in Atlanta, Georgia. With hundreds of people, (mainly women) watching on TV or listening in the stands during this depressing time reflect and honor on the achievements and positive attitude she had on the community for others. Attallah Shabazz hoped that this event
I was reluctant to have our music alienate anyone.” (Gordy, 2011). According to Boyce (2008), the image and sound of Motown was all about the promotion of “cross over” music without the involvement of politics, but Gordy ended up showing some support for the civil rights movement as he recorded and distributed Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘The Great March to Freedom’ speech in 1963, later founding a Black Forum label which allowed the speeches from civil rights leaders and various Motown songs available to everyone. Religion, especially Christianity, played a huge role in black peoples’ lives at the time, leading to the expansion of black churches in South America. In the 1960s, the proportion of blacks going to church increased as segregation and racial discrimination divided the two cultures in America.
Coretta Scott King was one of the most important women leaders in the world. Working side-by-side with her husband, she took part in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and worked to pass the Civil Rights Act. After King's death, she founded The King Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta. Mrs. King traveled around the world speaking out on behalf of racial and economic justice, women’s and children’s rights, religious freedom, the needs of the poor and homeless, full-employment, health care, educational opportunities, and environmental justice.
Joan Baez, a famous folk singer, sang her most famous song “Oh Freedom” during the civil rights movement. She expressed her want and need for equality and freedom f...
“All I’m asking is for a little respect when you get home. R-e-s-p-e-c-t, find out what it means to me. R-e-s-p-e-c-t, take care TCB.” The notorious, veracious lyrics of Aretha Franklin’s song “Respect” probably ring in everyone’s ears as soon as they hear the word respect. Through the power of music, Aretha Franklin recognized the importance of instilling necessary words into everyone’s head. Hopefully everyone understood the lyrics well enough so the words pop into their head at the most essential times. It’s important for everyone to be respectful to everyone, including being respectful to oneself. That means holding aplomb, being truthful, and holding a healthy sense of self-worth. In addition, respect teaches a person to stay out of trouble because they value others thoughts and considerations as highly as their own. Respect controls a person’s temper. Respect builds up a society to become a better place. It relates to a person’s values and actions. The five reasons stated are just a few of the several reasons why everyone should exhibit respect.
Aretha Franklin is a well known pop, R&B, and gospel singer. She has been nicknamed “The Queen of Soul” and is an internationally known artist and a symbol of pride in the African American community. Her popularity soared in 1967 when she released an album containing songs “I Never Loved a Man”, “Respect”, and “Baby I Love You.” Throughout her career she has achieved fifteen Grammy Awards, Lifetime Achievement Award, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Legend Awards, and many Grammy Hall of Fame Awards. In 1987 she became the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Time magazine chose her as one of the most influential artists and entertainers of the 20th century. She sang at Dr. Martin Luther King’s funeral and at former President Bill Clinton’s inaugural party. Although she has all these accomplishments and awards there are other reasons that have driven Franklin to fame and landed her on the front cover of Time magazine on June 28, 1968. The reasons I believe allowed Aretha Franklin to become so successful are the following: Her family’s involvement with religion, the inspiring people that surrounded her, and the pain she suffered.
...her King's fervor towards justice because of the stand he chose to make. He didn't just give a speech. King was the leader of many marches in several different states, and his passion and emotion for ending racial discrimination will not be forgotten.
had become a leader, and he had found his group of supporters, or in other words, his social group. In this case, my formula only works because of the parentheses surrounding the first three parts of the equation. From my perspective, Martin Luther King Jr. became a symbol of a general group of African American Civil Rights Activists, before they found him as an actual leader. While others may figure that there is more than one specific leader that had an impact on the Civil Rights Movement, I really cannot deny that way of thinking, rather I can only say that it is of my belief that he was the most important of all in this process. Others may also present the counter argument that there may have been more than one leader and that all of them were equally important in the process of this. I cannot deny that opinion either, as it is valid. I can present my opinion and only my opinion here, which presents that Martin Luther King Jr. deserves to be the leader of all leaders. Possibly, the best example of his leadership came on a day in August, at “The March of Washington,” when he presented a speech of dynamic poetry. My favorite lines from this “I Have a Dream Speech” go, “I have a dream that one day in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.” (King Jr. 5) After this line, the audio recording presents the roar of the crowd. In my opinion, it was not just the words of this speech and this specific quote that made him a leader. I perceive that words are just words, as they need substance, this substance is created with a charismatic attitude. Martin Luther King Jr. had this, and it is possibly the biggest indicator that he was a leader of his group. It is possible that there were other
In the song “When Will We Be Paid for the Work We’ve Done?” by the Staple Singers, they use pop music and culture to spread their message. The song talks about how African Americans have done all this work for the white men but they don’t receive any repayment for it. The Staples Singers focus on many different aspects of African American history throughout the song. They used this song to reflect on African American history during the times of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. They also used the catchy tune to engage people and unite them by singing along in protest. The catchy tune that made the song easy to sing along irritated the officers that had to control the protests. This song was an easy way to express the thoughts of unequal
"Martin Luther King Jr." - Acceptance Speech. The Novel Foundation, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. .
King’s historical speech in 1963 has held great symbolic value not only for the African Americans, but also for all of the equal rights supporters of every age and race. He was the first one who really fought for the same rights of African Americans and therefore inspired other people to live his dream and to continue his work for racial equality.
Scott King, Coretta. My Life With Martin Luther King, Jr. New York: Holt, Rinehart and
This is a strong example of how he started to fuse logos and use of pathos together. There isn’t any doubt that Dr. King is a powerful speaker. Although his acceptance speech is often only messages of appreciation toward the awarder. His time on the stage was to release awareness and to motivate people to take action. King would not be able to do this speech without manipulation of pathos, pathos and logos and as well as his great rhetorical skills. he used techniques like anaphora and personification to keep people interested and make connections personally, that would remembered for
Aretha Louise Franklin also known as the Queen of Soul was born on March 25, 1942 in Memphis Tennessee. She is known for being a solo singer, and also a very talented pianist. Soul, R&B, Jazz, and Gospel are genres that she sings. Throughout her career she signed with Colombia Records, along with some others, and has released many popular singles that would now be considered classical. Aretha was the first female artist to be introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. She also had to grow up sooner than many other girls because she had her first child at a very young age. Up until this day Aretha is still alive living at age seventy-two and has won many Grammy awards and is considered one of the most honored artist.
Martin Luther King Jr. was the most influential leader of the American Civil Rights Movement as he fought for the freedom of African Americans. King’s most influential speech is his “I Have a Dream” given on August 28, 1963.1 King himself was a man whom thousands of people admired. Martin Luther King Jr. uses an expressive tone in his speeches by using verbal powerful imagery toward his audience, reminding them of the challenges facing them and defeating racism. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired others to take action, lead by example, as shown in his speeches and promoted non-violence as a method for change.