In Otis Redding’s song “R-E-S-P-E-C-T”, what exactly does “take out T-C-P” mean? If we follow this directive literally, the title becomes “R-E-S-E”, which makes no sense. To confuse the issue further, the backup singers then come in with “Re-re-re-re”, apparently having taken out “S” on their own initiative.
I ask with tongue in cheek, yet this is one of those annoying little pop-music mysteries that just won’t let me be. Can anyone answer this question and help me get more sleep at night, or should I turn to Sominex?
(“R-E-S-P-E-C-T”: ©1965 Irving Music Inc [BMI] & Cotillion Music Inc. Copyright renewed & assigned to Irving Music Inc [BMI] in the USA and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp [BMI] elsewhere throughout the world.)
(Sominex is a registered trademark.)
<yawn>
Life’s a disease… enjoy the symptoms.