Respect Yourself
"Respect Yourself" is a soul and gospel song written by Luther Ingram and Mack Rice, first recorded and released by the American family group the Staple Singers in October 1971 as the lead single from their album Be Altitude: Respect Yourself on Stax Records.[1][2] The track, produced by Al Bell, features Pops Staples on guitar and lead vocals shared among family members, blending rhythmic funk with inspirational lyrics urging self-dignity amid social challenges of the era.[1][3] It achieved crossover commercial success, peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1971 and number 2 on the Hot Soul Singles chart, where it held the runner-up position for three weeks behind Jean Knight's "Mr. Big Stuff."[1][4] The song's empowering message of personal responsibility and resilience, encapsulated in lines like "If you don't respect yourself / Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot," resonated widely, contributing to the album's gold certification and cementing the Staple Singers' transition from gospel roots to mainstream soul appeal.[5][3] Its enduring influence is evident in numerous covers by artists including the Kane Gang, Robert Palmer, and Bruce Willis, as well as samples in hip-hop and its frequent use in media soundtracks promoting self-empowerment.[1]Origins
Songwriting
"Respect Yourself" was written in 1971 by Luther Ingram, a Stax Records artist known for his 1972 hit "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right," and Mack Rice, a Stax house songwriter who co-wrote the 1965 hit "Mustang Sally."[1][6] The song originated from a conversation between Ingram and Rice, during which Ingram remarked that "Black folk need to respect themselves," prompting Rice to compose a quick demo.[1] Rice then suggested offering the song to The Staple Singers for recording, recognizing its alignment with their gospel-influenced style and messages of empowerment.[7] The lyrics emphasize self-respect and personal dignity, with lines such as "If you don't respect yourself / Ain't nobody gonna give a good cahoot," reflecting the era's civil rights themes without overt political rhetoric.[1] Rice's demo featured a more driving, funk-oriented arrangement akin to Stax contemporaries like The Bar-Kays, but The Staple Singers' version incorporated gospel elements, including scat singing originally intended as horn lines and Mavis Staples' emphatic vocal delivery.[8][1] This adaptation transformed the track into a soul-gospel anthem, credited under Ingram and Rice on the single release.[9]Recording and production
"Respect Yourself" was produced by Al Bell, a Stax Records executive who had previously helmed the Staple Singers' 1971 album The Staple Swingers and sought to elevate their sound by pairing them with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.[10] The rhythm tracks for the song were recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama, utilizing the studio's renowned house band, including Barry Beckett on keyboards, Roger Hawkins on drums, David Hood on bass, Jimmy Johnson on guitar, and Eddie Hinton contributing lead guitar.[11][12] Vocals were overdubbed in Memphis at Stax Studios following the instrumental sessions, a common practice for Stax productions to blend regional expertise.[13] Terry Manning served as Al Bell's assistant producer and mixing engineer, handling the integration of the elements and noted for his microphone techniques that captured the vocal intensity of Mavis Staples.[14][15] Additional engineering credits included Jerry Masters, with the sessions emphasizing a funk-infused soul groove to align with the song's empowering message.[16] The production approach marked a shift for the Staple Singers from their gospel roots toward broader commercial appeal, with Bell's direction incorporating tight rhythm sections and layered harmonies without diluting the family's raw energy.[17] Sessions for the parent album Be Altitude: Respect Yourself occurred primarily in late 1971, yielding the single's release that year ahead of the full LP in February 1972.[11]Release and commercial performance
Chart performance
"Respect Yourself" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 82 on the chart dated October 16, 1971. The single reached a peak position of number 12 on December 25, 1971, holding that spot for one week, and spent 15 weeks on the Hot 100 overall.[1] On the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart (now Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs), it peaked at number 2 for three consecutive weeks.[1]| Chart (1971–1972) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 12 [1] |
| US Billboard Hot Soul Singles | 2 [1] |