I could never really choose, but Aretha's is...iconic for a reason.

I've never heard the Otis version, sadly.

It sounds off to me, and I guess it's because when it's sung by a woman it's reactionary and trying to tip things towards balance, whereas by a man it's more likely to be status quo.

Yeah, but I wish it didn't, so therefore I support both men and women in looking for a little respect.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T as sung by a man vs. as sung by a woman?

Not Jesse, but I think it would kind of depend on who was singing it.

I think it would kind of depend on who was singing it.

Otis v. Aretha.

Of course, my all time "No, gender was important to the meaning" is If I Was Your Girlfriend (see how it comes back to TLC? They jumped my shark with Waterfalls).

Matisyahu

I've been hearing him on the local indie/folk station (WTMD) for about a month now. Of course, until maybe a week ago, I thought it was "Modest Yahoo" because...well, it sounds awfully close, damnit.

I think the Otis one makes me think "Woman, I pay you too well for you to act this way!" and the Aretha makes me think "After all I do, how can you treat me that way when I get home?"

As I type that, I fully realise that if, say, late-era TLC had sung it, I'd have filed them with Otis (who I love, honest) and not Aretha, probably, so it's not gender -- it's vibe.

I alternately hate and love the TLC version of If I Was Your Girlfriend because T-Boz manages to do such a spot on Prince impersonation and yet. . .so wholly unnecessary. If I want Prince, I'll listen to Prince. But that doesn't mean that a female version couldn't potentially be good. Just not that one. Why is gender important to the meaning of that song for you?

Anyway, I've moved on to Born to Run. And it is good.

Otis v. Aretha.

I see that now. I think I tend toward Aretha, though I haven't heard Otis's. I think if it were sung pleading and bluesy as opposed to loud and soulfully it would be ok.

Why is gender important to the meaning of that song for you?

Because without the "this is how far I'd go for you" component (I'm unfortunately besieged with "subverting the dominant paradigm" and "thinking outside the box" sound-bites -- side effect of being dazed at work) -- it's just some nice words on a nice tune. It's not deep anymore.

I like Creep. And Groovin On You.

I also like Thunder Road.