Aretha Franklin, March 25, 1942, Memphis, Tennessee, was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist known as the “Queen of Soul.” She was the daughter of Clarence LaVaughn Franklin, an influential Baptist preacher, and Barbara Siggers Franklin, the gospel singer and pianist.
She grew up affected by an exceedingly devout and musically blessed home life as a child. When her parents did divorce in 1948, Aretha’s mother passed away soon after, and Aretha was raised primarily in Detroit, with her father being the New Bethel Baptist Church’s preacher.
Aretha grew among the gospel greats and figures of the civil rights movement and began to sing in church and play the piano by ear. Although she began in public school, during her second year of secondary school, Aretha dropped out to focus on music.
Aretha, at 14, made her first gospel album, named Songs of Faith. Upon recognizing her talent, her father represented her during her initial career, and at 18, she changed gears and did secular music, signing with Columbia Records in 1960. However, it was not until she transferred to Atlantic Records in 1966 that Aretha’s true voice emanated, blending the gospel fervor with soul, R&B, and pop styles.
Aretha’s first breakthrough hit was in 1967 with the song “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),” and immediately followed with all-time favorites like “Respect,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and “Think.” Her music, being anthems of freedom and civil rights, defined an entire generation.
Aretha rebounded during the 1980s at Arista Records with massive singles like “Freeway of Love” and “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” with George Michael. During her six-decade-spanning career, Franklin won 18 Grammy Awards and was the first female to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
She sold over 75 million records worldwide and embodied the spirit of both aesthetic superiority and societal influence. An ardent civil rights and women’s rights activist, Franklin twice married and gave birth to four children. Though she faced health issues during the latter phase of her life, Franklin kept on performing until 2017.
Her later years witnessed country-wide tributes, with her performance in the inauguration of President Barack Obama among them. Aretha Franklin died on August 16, 2018, at the age of 76, after struggling with pancreatic cancer.
Her legacy continues to endure with her eternal voice, pop culture influence, and unparalleled contribution to the rich heritage of America’s music.
Contents
Top Songs
- “Respect” (1967) – A soul anthem and civil rights rallying cry.
- “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (1967) – A powerful tribute to womanhood.
- “Chain of Fools” (1967) – A bluesy soul classic.
- “Think” (1968) – Fierce and funky with feminist overtones.
- “I Say a Little Prayer” (1968) – A stunning rendition of the Bacharach-David hit.
- “Freeway of Love” (1985) – A dance-floor favorite from her Arista years.
- “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” (1987) – A duet with George Michael that topped global charts.
- “Day Dreaming” (1972) – A dreamy, jazz-tinged hit.
- “Until You Come Back to Me” (1973) – A Motown-flavored ballad of longing.
- “A Rose Is Still a Rose” (1998) – A late-career hit blending classic soul with modern R&B.
Discography (Studio Albums)
Aretha Franklin released over 40 studio albums. Highlights include:
- Aretha: With the Ray Bryant Combo (1961)
- I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967)
- Lady Soul (1968)
- Aretha Now (1968)
- Young, Gifted and Black (1972)
- Amazing Grace (1972)
- Sparkle (1976)
- Jump to It (1982)
- Who’s Zoomin’ Who? (1985)
- A Rose Is Still a Rose (1998)
- Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics (2014)
Top Albums
- I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You – Her breakout album with “Respect.”
- Lady Soul – Includes “Chain of Fools” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
- Aretha Now – Home to “Think” and “I Say a Little Prayer.”
- Amazing Grace – Her gospel masterpiece, a best-seller in its genre.
- Who’s Zoomin’ Who? – A vibrant 1980s comeback with platinum success.
- A Rose Is Still a Rose – A graceful bridge between old-school soul and 1990s R&B.
Awards and Honors
- 18 Grammy Awards, including the first eight for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance (1968–1975)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee (1987) – First female inductee
- Pulitzer Prize Special Citation (2019) – For contribution to American music and culture
- Kennedy Center Honors (1994)
- Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
- Honorary degrees from Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and more
Aretha Franklin Song List
| # | Song Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | Never Grow Old |
| 2 | You Grow Closer |
| 3 | Precious Lord (Part One) |
| 4 | Precious Lord (Part Two) |
| 5 | There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood |
| 6 | Today I Sing the Blues |
| 7 | Won’t Be Long |
| 8 | Love Is the Only Thing |
| 9 | Right Now |
| 10 | Are You Sure |
| 11 | Maybe I’m a Fool |
| 12 | Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody |
| 13 | Operation Heartbreak |
| 14 | I Surrender, Dear |
| 15 | Runnin’ Out of Fools |
| 16 | One Step Ahead |
| 17 | Cry Like a Baby |
| 18 | You Made Me Love You |
| 19 | It Ain’t Necessarily So |
| 20 | Mockingbird |
| 21 | God Bless the Child |
| 22 | I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) |
| 23 | Do Right Woman, Do Right Man |
| 24 | Respect |
| 25 | (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman |
| 26 | Chain of Fools |
| 27 | Ain’t No Way |
| 28 | Think |
| 29 | I Say a Little Prayer |
| 30 | The House That Jack Built |
| 31 | See Saw |
| 32 | Share Your Love with Me |
| 33 | Call Me |
| 34 | Don’t Play That Song (You Lied) |
| 35 | Spirit in the Dark |
| 36 | You’re All I Need to Get By |
| 37 | Bridge Over Troubled Water |
| 38 | Spanish Harlem |
| 39 | Rock Steady |
| 40 | Oh Me Oh My (I’m a Fool for You Baby) |
| 41 | Day Dreaming |
| 42 | All the King’s Horses |
| 43 | Wholy Holy |
| 44 | Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do) |
| 45 | Something He Can Feel |
| 46 | Jump to It |
| 47 | Love Me Right |
| 48 | Get It Right |
| 49 | Freeway of Love |
| 50 | Who’s Zoomin’ Who |
| 51 | Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves |
| 52 | A Deeper Love |
| 53 | Willing to Forgive |
| 54 | A Rose Is Still a Rose |
| 55 | Wonderful |
| 56 | Rolling in the Deep (The Aretha Version) |
| 57 | Never Gonna Break My Faith |