Respect – Aretha Franklin
The R&B singer, Aretha Franklin earned herself the title ‘The Queen of Soul’ following the release of Respect. The song which is now listed as 5th on the Rolling Stones list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, was Aretha’s first number one hit. Although the song is a cover version of the track previously performed by Otis Redding, Respect is known to be Franklin’s signature song.
Respect was originally featured on Aretha Franklin’s album, I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, but was released as a single shortly after, owing to its popularity. It has received two Grammy Awards for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording and Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female. Additionally, it has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and is listed in the Songs of the Century. If you haven’t yet heard the single, you should definitely grab a music download of the track.
Otis Redding’s recording in 1965 saw great success, however it was Aretha Franklin’s cover version that received unanimous and increased popularity amongst audiences, climbing to number one on both the Billboard Pop Singles Chart and the Billboard Black Singles Chart. The original recording by Redding, told of a man who beseeches for acceptance and respect from a woman. Franklin however, reversed the words to speak of a woman who appealed of her desire to be respected, honored and recognized by her man. As quoted from a Jesvs Christvs music blog, Redding had “a pretty good version, but Aretha’s one is just an untouchable classic gem”.
There have been many other cover versions of the song by bands including The Rationals, Janis Joplin and Ike and Tina Turner, however none of these have soared as high in popularity as did Aretha Franklin’s. It was this song that allowed for Aretha to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Till this day, Respect still receives continual play on certain radio stations.
Check out this live version of Aretha Franklin singing Respect:
The songwriter and pianist is considered to be a legendary singer, being ranked Number 1 on the Rolling Stone’s magazine, The Greatest Singers of All Time. As quoted from Brooklyn Paper, “What voice in American music is more powerful, more soulful, more joyful than Aretha Franklin’s?” She is considered to be
“one of the most important representatives of SOULmusic. She defined a style associated with Ray Charles—a rousing mixture of gospel and rhythm and blues—and raised it to new heights”. Source: MusicRoom
Aretha Franklin is also known for her charity work, having played at a concert earlier this year in order to raise money for urban children and awareness for music and the arts. Source: The Associated Press. Aretha was also set to sing at two free concerts in Brooklyn in August 2010, however she was forced to cancel the show after breaking a couple of her ribs after falling in her home.
Tags: aretha franklin, first lady of soul, lady soul, otis redding, queen of soul, respect, the queen of soul