Anthem Lights - Aretha Medley: Respect / Think / Say a Little Prayer Lyrics
Lyrics
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, TCB
You better think (think)
Think about what you're trying to do to me
Think (think, think)
Let your mind go, let yourself be free
What you want, baby, I got it
What you need, do you know I got it?
All I'm asking is for a little
Oh, freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom)
Oh, freedom, yeah, freedom
Forever, and ever
You'll stay in my heart and I will love you
(Forever) Forever, and ever
We never will part Oh, how I love you
(Together) Together, forever
That's how it must be to live without you
Would only mean heartbreak for me, ooh
Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom)
Freedom, freedom
Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom)
Freedom, oh freedom
(Just a little bit) baby
(Just a little bit) when you get home
(Just a little bit) yeah
(Just a little bit)
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Video
Respect / Think / Say A Little Prayer - Aretha Franklin (Anthem Lights Cover) on Spotify & Apple
Meaning & Inspiration
The Anthem Lights rendition of "Respect / Think / Say a Little Prayer," released on August 16, 2021, is a compelling fusion that draws deeply from the iconic voices of Aretha Franklin, offering a fresh perspective on timeless calls for dignity, introspection, and enduring love. While the original songs are secular anthems, Anthem Lights’ arrangement, imbued with their signature vocal harmonies and a spirit of earnestness, allows for a powerful re-examination of their core messages through a lens of spiritual understanding. The medley begins with "Respect," a fervent demand for equitable treatment and recognition. This resonates deeply with the biblical principle of valuing every individual as created in God's image, as stated in Genesis 1:27, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." The song’s insistence on "Find out what it means to me" mirrors the scriptural call to understand and honor the inherent worth of others, not merely as a social contract but as a divine mandate.
The transition to "Think" invites a profound moment of self-reflection. The plea to "Think about what you're trying to do to me" echoes the wisdom found in Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Anthem Lights’ delivery here encourages a pause, a consideration of our actions and their impact on ourselves and those around us, aligning with the biblical encouragement to examine our motives and intentions before the Lord. This segment calls us to exercise discernment and to ensure our actions are guided by love and righteousness, rather than by impulsive or selfish desires. The repeated emphasis on freeing one's mind, "Let your mind go, let yourself be free," can be understood as a spiritual liberation, casting off anxieties and worldly concerns to embrace the peace that comes from surrendering to a higher purpose, much like Philippians 4:7 assures us, "and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Finally, the inclusion of "Say a Little Prayer" introduces a profound testament to the power and endurance of love. While originally a plea for a love that is consistently present, the Anthem Lights’ interpretation lends itself to the spiritual practice of constant communion with God. The lyrics, "Forever, and ever, You'll stay in my heart and I will love you," speak to the unwavering devotion Christians are called to have for their Creator, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:8, "Love never fails." The promise that "We never will part" is a beautiful parallel to the promise of eternal fellowship with God for believers, offering solace and hope in the face of life’s inevitable separations. The essence of needing "just a little bit" of this prayer, this connection, underscores the scriptural reminder to "pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), highlighting that even small, consistent acts of devotion build a strong and lasting relationship with the divine. Anthem Lights masterfully weave these songs together, creating a spiritual reflection on the importance of mutual respect, thoughtful living, and the enduring strength found in continuous devotion, ultimately enriching the listener's understanding of these powerful themes through a spiritual lens.