About the song
Background
- Written by Chips Moman and Dan Penn in 1967.
- Released by Aretha Franklin as the A-side to her iconic single “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” on February 10, 1967.
- The song marked a turning point in Franklin’s career, showcasing her powerful vocals and soulful style with a band unlike the one she had worked with previously at Columbia Records.
- The success of “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” helped establish Franklin as the “Queen of Soul.”
- Rolling Stone ranked the song number 476 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Lyrics
The lyrics are a call for mutual respect and faithfulness in a romantic relationship.
- Franklin sings from the perspective of a woman who is tired of being mistreated by her partner.
- She demands that he treat her right, just as she would treat him.
- The song includes powerful lines like “What you gonna do when your cheatin’ days are through?”
Themes
- Empowerment: The song is an anthem for women who are tired of being taken for granted.
- Respect: Franklin demands respect from her partner, both emotionally and physically.
- Equality: The lyrics promote the idea of a balanced relationship where both partners treat each other fairly.
- Love: Despite the strong message, the song ultimately expresses a desire for lasting love based on mutual respect.
Video
Lyrics
Take me to heartAnd I’ll always love youAnd nobody can make me do wrongTake me for granted, leaving love unsureMakes will power weakAnd temptation strong
A woman’s only humanYou should understandShe’s not just a playthingShe’s flesh and blood just like her manIf you want a do-right-all-day woman (woman)You’ve got to be a do-right-all-night man (man)
Yeah yeahThey say that it’s a man’s worldBut you can’t prove that by meAnd as long as we’re together babyShow some respect for me
If you want a do-right-all-day woman (woman)You’ve got to be a do-right-all-night man (man)
A woman’s only humanYes, you should understandShe’s not just a playthingShe’s flesh and blood just like her manIf you want a do-right-all-day woman (woman)You’ve got to be a do-right-all-night man (man)You’ve got to be a do-right-all-night man (man)