CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

THE TOP 100

#42 RESPECT

ARETHA FRANKLIN

(1967)

Writers: Otis Redding
 

Otis Redding wrote the soul classic "Respect" and recorded the original version. It was issued as a single in 1965 and reached #4 on the US R&B chart and #35 Pop. This version would soon be completely overshadowed by a remake from Aretha Franklin. With Jerry Wexler at the helm in the studio, the Queen of Soul transformed the track into her signature song. 
A man demanding respect was 1 thing; but a woman approaching this theme was radical for its time. Even more significant was that the protagonist was an African - American woman. This recording therefore marked a fundamental shift in popular culture, reflecting the civil rights struggles as well as the progress in the women's liberation movement. Franklin's demand for respect was a new approach to Redding's lyrics. Her vocal delivery was another factor in its enduring quality. Each word is belted out by the singer as if they were terms of a contract. The Muscle Shoals rhythm musicians help complement her non-negotiable requirements. King Curtis augmented the track with his mighty tenor sax solo. Aretha was supported by her sister Carolyn Franklin on backup vocals. 
The single proved extremely popular, peaking at #1 on both the American R&B and Pop charts. "Respect" was her 1st chart topper on the latter. The disc also reached #3 in Canada and #10 on the British chart. In Australia, the disc made the Top 15. The track was featured on Franklin's 'I Never Loved A Man The Way I Loved You' album, also dropped that year.
In 1998, Franklin revisited the song with The Blues Brothers. As she had done with "Think" in the 1st film, the performer sang it during her guest appearance in the film 'Blues Brothers 2000'. Franklin incorporated "Respect" into her cover of "I'm Every Woman" for her 2014 album 'Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics'.

This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites. 
Each weekday, a new song from the remaining Top 100 is added, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000. Check back here  for an update of the 2000.