When you think of soul music from the 60s, the image of Aretha Franklin inevitably springs to mind, with her powerful, vibrant voice. Born in Memphis in 1942, but raised in Detroit, she was immersed in a rich musical universe from an early age, marked by the gospel music she listened to and sang in church with her father, the Reverend C.L. Franklin.

It was in this same church that the young Aretha gave her first performances, and it was this gospel training that would deeply influence her interpretation of soul. Fun fact, did you know that it was Sam Cooke, another gospel and soul icon, who encouraged Aretha to take the plunge into pop music?

But the road to recognition was fraught with obstacles. In the years leading up to 1967, Aretha recorded a series of albums for Columbia Records, but success remained modest. It was her transition to Atlantic Records, and her collaboration with producer Jerry Wexler, that proved to be the turning point in her career.

The album: I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

Recorded largely at the famous Muscle Shoals studios in Alabama, “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You” is a revelation. The eponymous track, with its sensual chords and visceral interpretation, stands out instantly. But it's “Respect”, an Otis Redding cover, that will become an intergenerational anthem, sung as a rallying cry for the feminist cause and civil rights.

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me” – a simple refrain, but one whose political and social message still resonates today.

What's more, this album marks the apogee of Aretha's association with the Muscle Shoals musicians, considered some of the finest instrumentalists of the era.

The magic of this album lies not only in Aretha's voice, but also in her ability to appropriate songs and transform them. She infuses them with her experiences, her struggles and her passion.

“I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You” propelled Aretha Franklin to the pinnacle of fame, making her the “Queen of Soul”. Her influence is palpable, with artists such as Beyoncé, Adele and Alicia Keys claiming her legacy as their own.

Looking back on this golden era of soul, it's impossible not to be swept away by Aretha's haunting voice. As President Obama so aptly put it at her tribute: “In her voice, we could feel our history, all our beauty and pain, strength and fragility, power and struggle.

The song Respect

Before it became synonymous with Aretha, “Respect” was originally created by Otis Redding in 1965. In his version, the song takes the perspective of a man demanding respect from his wife in exchange for the money he brings home. However, it's when Aretha takes it on in 1967, with a subtle rewrite, that the song is transformed into a powerful declaration of independence and feminism.

“R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me”.

This simple phrase, passionately chanted by Franklin, became the mantra of all those demanding recognition and equality.

With Aretha at the helm, “Respect” became a universal demand for dignity, transcending gender, race and class. Every “sock it to me” shouted in the song reinforces this idea of claiming one's own worth. Beyond the quest for respect in a loving relationship, the song quickly became an anthem for the civil rights and women's rights movements in the United States.

The intensity with which Aretha sings each word, each note, gives it an almost spiritual dimension. She doesn't beg: she demands. And in the midst of social turbulence in the United States, these lyrics resonated – and still resonate – as a universal truth.

Such an iconic song was bound to inspire artists across the generations. From Diana Ross to Kelly Clarkson, via the rockers of The Rationals, many voices have attempted to pay tribute to “Respect”.

But whatever the version, the essence of the message remains unshakeable. Aretha Franklin's “Respect” remains a powerful reminder of the universal quest for dignity, self-respect and recognition.

Where to listen I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You ?

• Listen I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You on Spotify
• Listen I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You on Deezer
• Listen I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You on Youtube

Useful links for Aretha Franklin

• Aretha Franklin official website
• Aretha Franklin Official Facebook Page
• Aretha Franklin Official Instagram Account
• Aretha Franklin Official Youtube Channel

Cet article I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You – Aretha Franklin est apparu en premier sur 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.