Respect – The Unity Coalition is a left wing political party in England and Wales founded on 25 January, 2004 in London. Its name is a backronym standing for Respect, Equality, Socialism, Peace, Environmentalism, Community, and Trade Unionism. It is often referred to simply as Respect or as the Respect Party.
"Respect" is a 1967 hit and the signature song of the R&B singer Aretha Franklin, written and originally released by Volt recording artist Otis Redding in 1965. While Redding wrote the song as a man's plea for respect and recognition from a woman, the roles were reversed for Franklin's version. Aretha Franklin's cover was a landmark for the feminist movement, and is often considered as one of the best songs of the Rock & Roll era, earning her two Grammy Award in 1968 for "Best Rhythm & Blues Recording" and "Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female", and was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2002, the Library of Congress honored Franklins version by adding it to the National Recording Registry. It is number five on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It was also included in the list of Songs of the Century, by the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.
"R.E.S.P.E.C.T." is the first single released by 4th Avenue Jones on December 5th, 2000, from the CD Respect.
"Respect" is the fourth single from Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets' self-titled debut album. The verses are performed by the Modern Day Poets (MDP), with Turner contributing the chorus, bass and beatbox backing. A piano riff was supplied by Mefi Puni and Brian Bouro.
The song is essentially a social comment on the lack of respect that exists within the hip-hop community. It also alludes to the gang wars that have claimed the lives of several American rappers, and is a warning and a plea that the Australian hip-hop scene does not follow suit.
On release, the single's video caused a slight controversy, as some people criticized the use of images of murdered rapper Tupac Shakur, which were interspersed with old footage of Turner and the Modern Day Poets. Additionally, ABC video show Rage censored the lyric "When peeps knock on your door / And force you to the floor / Put a gun in your mouth / Blow your brains out all over the wall". Shortly after, a second clip for the song emerged in which Shakur’s likeness was replaced with current footage of MDP performing the lyrics.
"Respect" was released in Australia on October 17, 2005. It debuted in the top 40 of the ARIA singles chart, peaking at #29 and reaching #2 on the Queensland charts.
