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Following the death of icon Aretha Franklin, we sort through some of her best songs ever, including “Respect,” “Natural Woman,” and “Chain of Fools.”

Disclaimer: this is not a definitive list.  Picking only 10 favorite soul classics by 18-time Grammy winner Aretha Franklin (1942 – 2018) is incredibly hard.  But, because I’m going to keep things short and sweet, here are 10 of my favorites by the late, great Queen of Soul.

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1. “Respect”

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You • Atlantic • 1967

“What you want, baby, I got it / What you need, do you know I got it? / All I’m askin’ is for a little respect when you get home.” C’mon, could anything else possibly be no. 1 on this list? Amazingly, another soul legend, Otis Redding wrote and recorded “Respect” first. Of course, Redding is better known for “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay.”

Clearly, the funky, gospel-infused Aretha Franklin version, which commences her classic 1967 LP, I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, is the definitive version.  Notably, “Respect” won two Grammys (Best Rhythm & Blues Recording and Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female).

 

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2. “You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman)”

Lady Soul • Atlantic • 1968

“Before the day I met you / Life was so unkind / And you’re the key to my piece of mind / ‘Cause you make me feel / You make me feel / You make me feel like a natural woman (woman).”  Where Otis Redding was the original songwriter and performer of “Respect,” “You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman)” was written specifically for Aretha Franklin by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, and Jerry Wexler. Perhaps had “Respect” not been such an iconic number, “You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman)” would’ve easily solidified the top-spot. Hard to tell, because, Franklin has numerous hits worthy of no. 1.  Here, her powerful pipes are chocked full of the church as she sings this fantastic secular soul classic.  “A Natural Woman” was nominated for the now defunct Best Contemporary Female Solo Vocal Performance category.

 

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3. “Chain of Fools”

Lady Soul • Atlantic • 1968

“Chain, chain, chain / Chain of fools.” Arguably, I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You is the most important album of the Aretha Franklin discography (“Respect” alone earns it such honors).  Still, Lady Soul is another one of her top offerings.  In addition to the aforementioned “You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman),” listeners are also given the attitude-filled, funky “Chain of Fools.”

Here, Franklin sings about being treated like a fool by a man who made her believe he truly loved her while he was unfaithful, not to mention cruel and mean.  “You got me where you want me / I ain’t nothing but your fool / You treated me mean / Oh, you treated me cruel.”  “Chain of Fools” won the Grammy award for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance, female.

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4. “I Never Loved A Man [The Way I Love You]”

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You • Atlantic • 1967

“You’re a no-good heart breaker / You’re a liar and you’re a cheat / And I don’t know why / I let you do these things to me.” “Respect” is the record to beat from the fabulous I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, but the title track is no slouch.  Aretha Franklin is deeply in love this a man that’s clearly no good, just like the aforementioned “Chain of Fools.”  In fact, on the second verse she sings, “Some time ago I thought / You had run out of fools / But I was so wrong / You got one that you’ll never lose.”

 

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5. “Rock Steady”

Young, Gifted and Black • Atlantic • 1972

“Let’s call this song exactly what it is (What it is – what it is – what it is) / It’s a funky and low-down feeling / (What it is) / In my hips from left to right / (What it is) / What it is, is I might be doing / (What it is) / This funky dance all night.” After four songs that appear between two classic Aretha Franklin albums, we expand the discography to include a third.  Young, Gifted and Black is a classic from the early 1970s as opposed to the late 60s.  This is where we pick up one of Franklin’s funkiest, most infectious gems of all time, “Rock Steady.”  What more can you say but, “What it is!”

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6. “Ain’t No Way”

Lady Soul • Atlantic • 1968

“I know that a woman’s duty / Is to help and love a man / And that’s the way it was planned.” “Ain’t No Way” marks the third song on this playlist from the album Lady Soul.  Note: don’t get the original version of “Ain’t No Way” mixed up with a completely different adult contemporary R&B record that appears on her 2003 album, So Damn Happy.  This “Ain’t No Way” is steeped in classic soul balladry, borrowing cues directly from Sunday morning services.  “Ain’t no way, baby / (Ain’t no way) / It ain’t no way for me to love you / If you won’t let me.”

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7. “Don’t Play That Song”

Spirit in the Dark • Atlantic • 1970

Some of Aretha Franklin’s best songs are covers.  Why? Because any time that Aretha touched a song, she made it her own.  Once again, she brings some of her own magic to a Ben E. King classic, “Don’t Play That Song.” Interestingly, “Don’t Play That Song” served as the opener on his 1962 album of the same title.  That said, as the opener on the 1970 Aretha Franklin album, Spirit in the Dark, it sounds starkly different.  Again, the gospel, deep, southern soul sound is in full force.  Horns, strings, and punchy, supportive background vocals also strengthen Franklin’s cause.  Franklin would win the Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, female.

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8. “Bridge Over Troubled Water”

Aretha Live at the Fillmore West • Atlantic • 1971

The Very Best of Aretha Franklin – The 70’s • Atlantic • 1972

As much of this list has shown time and time again, some of Aretha Franklin’s best songs are covers – reinterpretations. Why? Because any time that Aretha touched a song, she made it her own.  “Bridge Over Trouble Water” is a perfect example, originally performed by Simon & Garfunkel.  By the way, Simon & Garfunkel definitely didn’t do too badly with the classic, earning five Grammys associated with the song (Record of the year, album of the year, Song of the year, arrangement, best contemporary song).  Nonetheless, Franklin put her own spin, amping up the gospel and soul brilliantly.  It was good enough to earn her the Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, female.

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9. “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)

Ft. George Michael

Aretha • RCA • 1986

Vintage Aretha Franklin is the best Aretha Franklin.  That said, “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” shows that the soul icon could thrive as a pop artist in the mid 80s with this fantastic duet with George Michael.  It’s a starkly different sound from her 60s and 70s work, but Franklin continues cut through with her powerful, untouchable pipes.  Franklin and Michael earned a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1987.  The parent album, Aretha, was awarded Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female.

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10. “The Long and Winding Road”

Young, Gifted and Black • Atlantic • 1972

Again, some of Aretha Franklin’s best songs are covers.  She made her 1972 cover of The Beatles’ classic, “The Long and Winding Road,” truly her own. While The Beatles own the definitive version, Franklin adds mad deep, southern soul, completely transforming it.  While “The Long and Winding Road” is the second song to appear on this list from Young, Gifted and Black, another Franklin album is stacked with gems.  We didn’t even include “Day Dreaming,” and y’all know that’s a classic!

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Photo Credits: Atlantic, RCA

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