THE MEANING BEHIND ARETHA FRANKLIN'S MOST POPULAR SONGS!

I've always been a fan of Aretha Franklin and her voice. Not only could she sing like an angel, she was also bigger than many of the singers of her time, making her a great role model for women who can sing, but aren't a size 2!

I found out about her death during a very busy work day, and I haven't really had a chance to reflect on her life. But, I knew when I had the chance, I didn't want to do what everyone else would do. Instead, I thought it would be great to highlight some of the messages Aretha left behind in her music!

​In this blog, I will post a video with a recording of the song (from YouTube) and analyze it's meaning! But first, I wanted to explain who Aretha is and a little bit about her death as a tribute.

THE LIFE OF ARETHA FRANKLIN

Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1942. Her father was a pastor, and she traveled with him in a revival show to showcase her talents. She visited New York and signed with Columbia Records.

Franklin was the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and she won her 18th Grammy Award in 2008. She is the third top Grammy-winning female artist, rivaled only by Alison Krauss and Beyonce.

On August 12, 2018, Franklin was bedridden in 

her home and Detroit, where she was surrounded by family and friends. She passed away on August 16 from pancreatic cancer, which was seemingly kept away from the public eye.

RESPECT 

Respect is probably one of the most famous Aretha Franklin songs to date. But, what does it really mean, and what is the story behind it?

She recorded the song on Valentine's Day in 1967, but that wasn't the first time the song had hit the airwaves. Otis Redding, famous for the song "Dock of the Bay," sang a similar version of the song and it caught Aretha's attention.

The song seemingly became a song about respect between a man and woman in a relationship. However, many people related the lyrics to the time. Segregation ended in 1964 but, as we know from the struggles faced by the black community even today, hatred and disrespect toward the black community ran rampant, so the song became an anthem to many at that time.

I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER FOR YOU

The song has been featured in several films, including Sister Act with Whoopi Goldberg. 

The song isn't originally Franklin's it was sung by Dionne Warwick in 1967. A year later, it is said that Franklin was having fun with the song during rehearsals, but it caught the attention of many and she re-recorded her own rendition of the song.

The song follows a woman who is diligent in her prayers for her partner. 

The song is iconic because it highlights the importance of prayer in a relationship. The song not only shows dedication to religious practices popular among the community, it also shows a dedication and love for a real relationship.

Aretha's version is a classic now, and continues to be a favorite of Aretha's fans!

(YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A) NATURAL WOMAN

Love is one of the most popular song topics among artists of all generations, and Natural Woman is no different.

The song describes how a woman felt before and after her love came into her life. She says "I felt so uninspired" but "you make me feel like a natural woman."

The song has become an anthem of sorts for women everywhere, as it showcases the power of love and its ability to draw out the true power of womanhood!

CHAIN OF FOOLS

While some songs are about love, others are about the opposite: the realization of being fooled into loving someone. Chain of Fools is a powerful and soulful song all about being a link in the chain of fools.

The song is seemingly about a woman who is being cheated by a man she thought she loved. As it turns out, she is only one of several women who have been fooled by the man. This forms the chain of fools. 

The song was written in 1953 by Don Covay. Although she didn't write the song, Aretha's sister Carolyn says she could have with her life experiences.

"It was her story. When we were in the studio putting on the backgrounds with Ree doing lead, I knew she was singing about Ted," Carolyn said. Ted White was her husband, but the couple had many problems, including domestic violence. They were divorced in 1969 before Franklin met her second husband, Glynn Turman, and married him in her father's church in 1978. They divorced in 1984 and Aretha was not married again, although she was engaged for a short period of time. 

CONCLUSION

These are only a few of Aretha's chart-topping hits. I encourage anyone who hasn't heard songs by Aretha to look them up on YouTube and enjoy a day of easy listening!

​What's your favorite Aretha Franklin song? Let me know in the comments below!

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