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lyrics

Respect Baby
© Penelope Swales 
1998

Why listen to me, why try anything new
When you can sit there looking at your own point of view?
Why talk to me, why try to work it through?
You've already got someone who perfectly understands you!

And every thing I say to you
You stand it on its head
Every point I make, you bend it 'round
And send it back my way instead

And respect, baby, is a two-way street
You scream for respect do you think you deserve it?
In a tantrum you complain I treat you like a child
And when I try to point it out, you just get all riled

But people will judge you on what you do
Not on what you intend to do
The road to my personal hell
Will be paved with your intentions, I can tell

You're awful fussy 'bout the way I talk to you
But when you talk to me, monosyllables will do
I'm only tryin' to get you to see my side
Still, you say you're so considerate, but you won't say why

And respect, baby, is a two-way street
You scream for respect do you think that you've earned it?
In a tantrum you complain I treat you like a child
And when I try to point it out, you just get all riled

You don't wanna be treated like a babe
But you require encouragement every step of the way
A gold star here, a brownie point there
But I get no thanks for my wear and tear

Vocal ad lib.......................

Respect, baby, ah da-ha...................

And if I get angry, that's my fault
for not having enough self-control
And if you get angry, that's my fault
for getting you on a roll

Why even bother trying to make some sense
when you can sit there rushing to your own defence?
One day I'll turn around and say goodbye
And I bet you never even know why

And respect, baby, is a two-way street
When you scream for respect do you think you command it?
In a tantrum you complain I treat you like a child
And when I try to point it out, you just get all riled

You just get all riled
You just get all riled -----------
Get all riled ------------------
Get all riled -------------------

credits

from Justifying your Longings to the Doctor, released January 7, 1998
Penelope Swales - vocals, guitar, stomp box

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all rights reserved

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about

Penelope Swales Boolarra, Australia

Penelope Swales has been articulating the human condition with passion and humour for 30+ years. She sings about politics, love, friendship, the unbreakable bond between us and dogs and the impact of the Internet on society. She won the 2019 Alistair Hulett Songs for Social Justice Award with “Cambridge Analytica”. “The Ides of March in Christchurch" was short-listed for the same award in 2020. ... more

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