ABOUT
Aretha Franklin is an iconic soul-R&B singer who became famous in the late 1960s. Along with her sisters Carolyn (May 13, 1944 - April 25, 1988) and Erma (March 13, 1938 - September 7, 2002), who would later also become recording artists, Franklin grew up singing gospel at Detroit's New Bethel Baptist Church where her father, Reverend C. L. Franklin, was the minister. Her early musical influences included such luminaries as Albertina Walker, Mahalia Jackson and Clara Ward who were frequent guests at the Franklin's home.
In 1960, Aretha Franklin made her first appearance on the national charts scoring a Top 10 R&B hit with "Today I Sing The Blues." This song was followed by a very long string of hits that continued on the Pop/Rock, R&B and Adult Contemporary charts through the late 1990s. She had her first Top 10 pop hit in 1967 with "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)," and shortly thereafter, her fame soared with her anthemic signature song, "Respect," which topped both the R&B and Pop/Rock charts. Her many top hits also include "Chain Of Fools" (1968), "Think" (1968), "Day Dreaming" (1972), "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me" (1987), and "A Rose Is Still A Rose" (1998). In most of her songs, Franklin's delivery is generally fiery and passionate, but she also shows a softer side in "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" and other ballads.
Dubbed the "Queen Of Soul," Aretha Franklin was the top female soul artist of the 1960s, and her rich and powerful vocals have brought her much critical acclaim. She was ranked by Rolling Stone magazine as being one of the greatest singers of all time, and over the years, she has received numerous honors and accolades that include being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2009, she sang at the 56th Presidential Inauguration, and she will remain a national institution for years to come.
MERCHANDISE
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- Aretha Franklin - CDs, vinyl, & more - Amazon.com
- Aretha Franklin - Digital music - Amazon.com
- Aretha Franklin - Rare vinyl, CDs, & more - MusicStack.com
- Aretha Franklin - Sheet Music - SheetMusicPlus.com
SONGS
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Aretha Franklin
- Ain't No Way 1968
- All The King's Horses 1972
- Angel 1973
- Baby I Love You 1967
(This soulful song, which was written by Ronny Shannon, is completely different from the more upbeat Andy Kim/Ronettes song with the same title.) - Border Song (Holy Moses) 1970
(This song also became a hit for Elton John (1970).) - Bridge Over Troubled Water 1971
(This song previously topped the charts for Simon & Garfunkel (1970) and later also became a hit for Linda Clifford (1979).) - Call Me 1970
- Chain Of Fools 1967
(This song later also became a hit for Jimmy Smith (1968) and Little Caesar (1990).) - Day Dreaming 1972
- Don't Play That Song 1970
(This song was previously a hit for Ben E. King (1962).) - Eleanor Rigby 1969
(This Beatles-penned song was previously a hit for the Beatles (1966) and Ray Charles (1968). In this version, the lyrics have been changed slightly so that the song's narrator is the title character herself (Eleanor Rigby) singing in the first person.) - The House That Jack Built 1968
- I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You) 1967
- I Say A Little Prayer 1968
(This song was previously a hit for Dionne Warwick (1967) and it later also became a hit for Glen Campbell & Anne Murray (1971, as a medley) and Diana King (1997).) - I'm In Love 1974
(This song was previously a hit for Wilson Pickett (1967).) - Master Of Eyes (The Deepness Of Your Eyes) 1973
- A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like) 1967
- Respect 1967
("Respect" was written by Otis Redding who first had a hit with this song in 1965. The Rationals followed soon thereafter with a version of this song which became a minor hit in 1966. Aretha Franklin's powerful and impassioned version, which topped both the R&B and Pop/Rock charts in 1967, became a battle cry for civil rights, sexual liberation, and the feminist movement in the late 1960s, and it is considered to be the most definitive version of this timeless oldies classic. This song has received numerous honors over the years and is ranked at #5 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time.) - Rock Steady 1971
- See Saw 1968
(This song was previously a hit for Don Covay (1965).) - Share Your Love With Me 1969
(This song was previously a hit for Bobby Bland (1964) and later also became a hit for Kenny Rogers (1981).) - (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone 1968
(This song also became a hit for Ramsey Lewis (1968).) - Son Of A Preacher Man 1970
(This song was previously a hit for Dusty Springfield (1969).) - Spanish Harlem 1971
(This song was previously a hit for Ben E. King (1961) and King Curtis (1966).) - Spirit In The Dark 1970
- Think 1968
- Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do) 1973
(This song later also became a hit for Luther Vandross (1984, as a medley).) - The Weight 1969
(This song was previously a hit for Jackie DeShannon (1968) and the Band (1968) and also became a hit for the Supremes & the Temptations (1969).) - You're All I Need To Get By 1971
(This song was previously a hit for Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (1968) and later also became a hit for Dawn (1975), Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams (1978), Chris Christian (1982, as a medley), and Method Man (1995, as a medley).)
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