Otis Redding recorded the blues version in 1965 on Volt records from a man's point of view, Aretha Franklin's version recorded in 1967 on Atlantic records from a woman's point of view became a mainstay of the feminist movement. Otis Redding (1941-1967) was born in Georgia and performed gospel before going to Memphis and recording for Stax/Volt records, usually with Booker T and the M.G.s in recording sessions. Redding wrote many of his songs, including "Respect", and was successful as a cross over artist to 'white' audiences, especially with his appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival with Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, etc. during the Summer of Love 1967. Tragically, Otis Redding was killed in a plane crash near Madison, Wisconsin. Three days earlier he recorded "Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay", which was recorded posthumously in Jan 1968 and went on to win two Grammy Awards.

Aretha Franklin (1942-   ) was born the daughter of a Baptist minister, Rev. C/.L. Franklin, grew up in Detroit and was a talented gospel singer and pianist. Aretha began recording gospel and jazz at age 14. Eventually, she signed with Atlantic records and launched a pop/soul career. She won a Grammy Award in 1967 for her version of "Respect" and has become known as the "Queen of Soul". "Respect" has been covered by many performers, but was revived again by Aretha in the film, "The Blues Brothers" (1980).