Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” single cover

Did you know that Aretha Franklin’s signature song, “Respect”, topped the Billboard Hot 100 exactly 46 years ago today?

Originally recorded by Otis Redding, Franklin’s cover of “Respect” was released in April 1967 and rose to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the week of June 3rd of the year. The song lead the chart for 2 weeks and later earned Franklin a pair of Grammy Awards in 1968 – Best R&B Recording and Best R&B Solo Vocal Performance, Female.

However, beyond is commercial success and praise from critics, “Respect” was an anthem for several sectors of the Civil Rights movement. In fact, Martin Luther King Jr. reportedly declared that song was the definitive hit of its era when African-Americans and other minority groups demanding social reform.

The impact of “Respect” was also observable on an international scale as the Black Power movement gained popularity throughout the West Indies and Second Wave Feminism took form in the early 1970s. With her voice heralding the arrival of a new generation of leaders, Franklin became a one of the most important global figures of our time and her influence was further recognised when “Respect” was also honored with Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1987.

Watch Franklin perform “Respect” live in 1968 below:

Now you know!