If You Want Respect

Slow, stately rock anthem with a dense, full-band arrangement: steady drums, weighty bass, layered electric guitars, and broad keyboard chords; commanding lead vocal rises from restrained verses to forceful choruses, with stacked backing vocals and a spacious, polished mix

# If You Want Respect

**[Verse 1]**
You want me quiet, you want me small,
You want me smiling through it all,
You want obedience dressed as care,
Then act surprised when I say it’s unfair.

You want my trust, but don’t hear my voice,
You talk about me like I’ve got no choice,
You say “respect” like it only goes one way,
But respect isn’t something you order me to pay.

**[Pre-Chorus]**
Don’t demand what you won’t give,
Don’t tell me how I’m meant to live,
You want kindness? Show me some.
You want respect? Then here it comes—

**[Chorus]**
If you want respect,
Then give respect back.
Don’t push me down
Then blame me when I crack.

If you want trust,
Then listen when I speak,
Don’t call me difficult
Just because I’m not weak.

Respect goes both ways,
That’s how it has to be,
You don’t get to control me
Then demand respect from me.

If you want respect—
Start treating me with respect.

**[Verse 2]**
Don’t make decisions while I’m outside the room,
Then hand me the answer like it’s already doomed,
Don’t say “we know best” and expect me to smile,
While nobody’s listened to me for a while.

I know my own mind, I know what I feel,
My voice and my choices are bloody well real,
Help isn’t help when you take over everything,
And care without listening doesn’t mean a thing.

**[Pre-Chorus]**
I’m not asking for a throne,
I’m asking to be heard,
You don’t need fancy promises,
Just stand behind your word.

**[Chorus]**
If you want respect,
Then give respect back.
Don’t push me down
Then blame me when I crack.

If you want trust,
Then listen when I speak,
Don’t call me difficult
Just because I’m not weak.

Respect goes both ways,
That’s how it has to be,
You don’t get to control me
Then demand respect from me.

If you want respect—
Start treating me with respect.

**[Bridge]**
I can be loud.
I can be angry.
I can say, “No, that’s not okay.”

I can ask questions.
I can set boundaries.
I can disagree and still deserve a say.

My frustration doesn’t erase my rights.
My emotions don’t make your actions right.
And raising my voice after being ignored
Doesn’t mean my words should matter less than yours.

**[Breakdown]**
Want respect?
LISTEN.

Want trust?
BE HONEST.

Want kindness?
SHOW IT.

Want cooperation?
STOP TRYING TO CONTROL IT.

Respect isn’t fear.
Respect isn’t silence.
Respect isn’t “do what I say.”

It’s hearing each other.
It’s dignity.
It’s treating people like people
EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

**[Final Chorus]**
If you want respect,
Then give respect back,
Stand beside me,
Don’t force me off the track.

If you want trust,
Then prove your words are true,
Because respect isn’t something
I automatically owe you.

It’s built through listening,
Through honesty and care,
Through letting me have choices
And treating me as fair.

So if you want respect,
Here’s something you can do—

Treat me like a person,
And I’ll give the same to you.

**[Outro]**
Respect isn’t control.
Respect isn’t fear.
Respect is knowing
My voice matters here.

If you want respect…

**Give respect too.**

3010/7500

# If You Want Respect **[Verse 1]** You want me quiet, you want me small, You want me smiling through it all, You want obedience dressed as care, Then act surprised when I say it’s unfair. You want my trust, but don’t hear my voice, You talk about me like I’ve got no choice, You say “respect” like it only goes one way, But respect isn’t something you order me to pay. **[Pre-Chorus]** Don’t demand what you won’t give, Don’t tell me how I’m meant to live, You want kindness? Show me some. You want respect? Then here it comes— **[Chorus]** If you want respect, Then give respect back. Don’t push me down Then blame me when I crack. If you want trust, Then listen when I speak, Don’t call me difficult Just because I’m not weak. Respect goes both ways, That’s how it has to be, You don’t get to control me Then demand respect from me. If you want respect— Start treating me with respect. **[Verse 2]** Don’t make decisions while I’m outside the room, Then hand me the answer like it’s already doomed, Don’t say “we know best” and expect me to smile, While nobody’s listened to me for a while. I know my own mind, I know what I feel, My voice and my choices are bloody well real, Help isn’t help when you take over everything, And care without listening doesn’t mean a thing. **[Pre-Chorus]** I’m not asking for a throne, I’m asking to be heard, You don’t need fancy promises, Just stand behind your word. **[Chorus]** If you want respect, Then give respect back. Don’t push me down Then blame me when I crack. If you want trust, Then listen when I speak, Don’t call me difficult Just because I’m not weak. Respect goes both ways, That’s how it has to be, You don’t get to control me Then demand respect from me. If you want respect— Start treating me with respect. **[Bridge]** I can be loud. I can be angry. I can say, “No, that’s not okay.” I can ask questions. I can set boundaries. I can disagree and still deserve a say. My frustration doesn’t erase my rights. My emotions don’t make your actions right. And raising my voice after being ignored Doesn’t mean my words should matter less than yours. **[Breakdown]** Want respect? LISTEN. Want trust? BE HONEST. Want kindness? SHOW IT. Want cooperation? STOP TRYING TO CONTROL IT. Respect isn’t fear. Respect isn’t silence. Respect isn’t “do what I say.” It’s hearing each other. It’s dignity. It’s treating people like people EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. **[Final Chorus]** If you want respect, Then give respect back, Stand beside me, Don’t force me off the track. If you want trust, Then prove your words are true, Because respect isn’t something I automatically owe you. It’s built through listening, Through honesty and care, Through letting me have choices And treating me as fair. So if you want respect, Here’s something you can do— Treat me like a person, And I’ll give the same to you. **[Outro]** Respect isn’t control. Respect isn’t fear. Respect is knowing My voice matters here. If you want respect… **Give respect too.**

0/500