Respect (Daniel Johnston album)

Respect is a 1985 album by American singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston. It was primarily recorded on a consumer-grade tape recorder, characteristic of Johnston's early lo-fi aesthetic. The album showcases Johnston's raw, emotionally vulnerable songwriting, addressing themes of unrequited love, loneliness, and mental health.

Respect features several of Johnston's signature songs, often cited as among his best and most representative work. While sonically simple, featuring primarily Johnston's voice and piano or organ, the album's strength lies in its direct and unfiltered emotional honesty.

The album's title track, "Respect," is a plea for recognition and understanding. The lyrics express a longing for acceptance and validation, a recurring theme in Johnston's music.

Respect is considered an important document in Johnston's extensive discography and a prime example of outsider music. It provides an intimate and often heartbreaking glimpse into the artist's inner world and has resonated with listeners drawn to his sincerity and vulnerability. It has been released and re-released by various labels, further solidifying its place in independent music history.