Chords + Lyrics | Respect
Intro
||: C7 | F7 :||
Verse 1
||: G7 | F7 :||
(Oh) What you want, (Oh) Baby, I got it.
(Oh) What you need, (Oh) Do you know I got it?
(Oh) All I’m askin’, (Oh) Is for a little
Chorus 1
||: C7 | F7 :||
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).
Verse 2
I ain’t gonna do you wrong, while you’re gone.
Ain’t gonna do you wrong, (Oh) ‘Cause I don’t wanna.
(Oh) All I’m askin’, (Oh) Is for a little
Chorus 2
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).
Verse 3
I’m about to give you, all of my money.
And all I’m askin’, in return honey.
Is to give me my propers, when you get home.
Chorus 3
(Just a, just a, just a, just a) Yeah baby.
(Just a, just a, just a, just a) When you get home.
(Just a little bit) Yeah (just a little bit).
Solo
| F#m | F#m | B7 | B7 |
| F#m | F#m | G7 | G7 |
Verse 4
Ooh, your kisses, (Oh) Sweeter than honey.
(Oh) And guess what? (Oh) So is my money.
(Oh) All I want you to do (oh) for me, is give it to me when you get home
Chorus 4
(Re, 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).
Breakdown
| C N.C Bb | F N.C Bb |
R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me.
| C N.C Bb5 | F N.C |
R-E-S-P-E-C-T, take care TCB.
Outro (as chorus)
Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me).
A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me).
Whoa babe (just a little bit),
a little respect (just a little bit).
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).
‘Spect (re, re, re, re),
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 little bit).
Respect Backing Track | Chord Analysis
Above is a live band backing track I recorded in the studio. Use it as you prepare to play Respect with a full band setting.
In the course, we loop each section to help you fine-tune your part and build confidence across the fretboard.
Chord Progression – What’s Going On?
Aretha Franklin’s version of Respect is the ultimate soul tune to learn.
Since this is a staple in every soul band’s setlist, we practise all sections in multiple positions, so you can play Respect freely and improvisationally for years to come.
Verse + Chorus
In the key of C, the verse uses just two chords: G7 and F7 (V – IV).
The chorus alternates between C7 and F7 (I – IV).
To create meaningful guitar parts over these simple changes, we explore chord shapes across the neck and mimic the rhythmic phrasing of the original recording.
In the video below, you’ll hear how I took inspiration from the horn section, original guitar part, and background vocals to build a rhythm guitar arrangement. These ideas become the foundation for the six verse examples included in the course.
We do the same with the chorus, making this lesson a great workout in mapping dominant 7 chords across the fretboard. This habit of building rhythm parts—anywhere on the neck—is essential when playing this style.
Because the chords are so straightforward, you may only need a quick glance at a chart—especially if you’re asked to change key and can’t remember where the solo starts.
Solo
Speaking of the solo, it breaks away from the blues-like structure. Instead of using just C7, F7, and G7 (I – IV – V), we begin with F#m moving to B7—a II–V in the key of E. You’ll only find a minor chord followed by a major a fourth above in that context.
It’s unusual to modulate from C to E, but the II–V motion smooths the transition. We return to F#m, then pivot back to G7 to reintroduce the verse.
Breakdown
The breakdown (R–E–S–P–E–C–T) moves from chord I to IV but briefly uses a Bb chord. This is a bVIIx—or “backdoor dominant”—and adds a soulful twist to the turnaround.
Here’s a chord chart to guide your practice.
Respect Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
Here’s the PDF if you’d like to download the chart: Respect chord chart PDF
This chart was made using iReal Pro—get the file here: Respect iReal Pro
One reason to use iReal Pro is to easily change key at the last minute—especially useful when your singer isn’t at full strength and wants the song in a more comfortable register.
In fact, most of the time I play Respect, it’s in the key of Bb, which means the solo starts on an Em chord.
But what if the band calls it in A? Will you still hit the right chord tones when the solo starts?
Having a clear, simple chord chart in the correct key always relaxes me—even if I just glance at it for a second before we start.
Below, you’ll hear me playing Respect using the same live band backing track, followed by a preview of a lesson form the course.
Respect TAB | Course Preview
As fun as it is to build rhythm parts and improvise around Respect’s simple chords, the real thrill is learning to play the sax solo on guitar.
There’s so much to unpack in this short phrase. In the course, we go into real depth—leaving no detail untouched.
Here’s the first half of the sax solo arranged for guitar in TAB:
Here’s a link to the 8 step-by-step guitar lessons: Respect – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
The world’s most famous Soul tune
The most famous Soul tune of them all, Respect by Aretha Franklin was released in 1967 and became her signature song.
Two years earlier, Otis Redding had written and recorded it with Booker T. & the M.G.’s in a different key.
There are many differences between the two recordings, perhaps most notably the breakdown section (R-E-S-P-E-C-T) and the key change with that legendary Sax solo.
The more you learn about how to play Respect, the more enjoyable it will be to play. As a professional working guitarist, this is most likely the first tune you’ll get asked to play if there is a female singer on a Soul gig.
In my experience, 9 times out of 10, they’ll ask it to be in the key of Bb as well. I would recommend you learn how to play it fluently in this key too, but to begin with, you could use the Digitech drop pedal.
Respect Chords: Continue Learning
The ultimate soul song to learn is Aretha’s version of Respect. To create our guitar part, we draw inspiration from the horns, backing vocals, and the original guitar.
For the solo, we replicate the saxophone note for note—a serious challenge, but with methodical practice, we’ll get there.
Start learning with the full lesson series: Respect – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy:
