I’ve been doing a deep dive into the lyrics and the background of this mega-hit by the Queen of Soul. “Respect” has always been seen as a strong statement of a strong woman who’s insisting that her man treat her right. But is that view of the song really true? I have to admit that I was surprised when I actually looked at the words. It didn’t seem to me that the woman in the song was laying down a demand—more that she was begging for the bare minimum. (Her plea reminded me of something my mother said to me once about my room, “All I’m asking is that you at least quit throwing your clothes on the floor.”)