Respect Yourself

The song argues that respect begins with how a person treats others. Its speaker criticizes people who expect consideration while acting rudely, selfishly, or carelessly. The mood is direct and scolding, but the repeated chorus turns the criticism into a simple piece of advice: value yourself, and behave in ways that make respect possible.

Several examples make that advice concrete. The person who ignores someone holding a Bible is told to “let the gentleman do his thing,” suggesting basic courtesy even when people differ. The line about thinking the world “owes you something” challenges entitlement: being alive does not mean others must meet your demands. Everyday actions, such as covering your mouth when you cough, are presented as small ways to help solve a shared problem. The lyrics also criticize rude behavior toward women, especially when someone mistakes it for proof of manliness.

“Respect yourself” may mean both having self-respect and showing self-control, fairness, and regard for other people. The chorus’s claim that nobody will respect you if you do not respect yourself is a forceful generalization, not necessarily a universal rule. Still, the song suggests that self-respect is more than feeling important: it is reflected in how you act.