Aretha Franklin

funk, gospel music, jazz, pop music, pop rock, rhythm and blues, soul

United States

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Sound in a sentence: "With a commanding presence, her music pulses with a steady groove that blends rhythmic intricacy and soulful depth, creating an atmosphere charged with emotion."

Aretha Franklin matters not only for her unparalleled vocal prowess but for her role as a cultural icon who reshaped the landscape of soul and gospel music. Her music transcended mere entertainment, becoming anthems of empowerment and social change during a pivotal era in American history. Franklin's ability to weave personal narrative into universal themes allowed her to connect deeply with listeners, forging a bond that echoed far beyond the stage. Franklin's approach to music was both visceral and spiritual, drawing from her gospel roots while embracing the rhythmic complexities of funk. She often infused her performances with a raw emotional authenticity, creating a space where joy and sorrow coexist. This unique fusion of genres enabled her to craft songs that feel both sacred and celebratory, offering a rich tapestry of sound that invites listeners to experience the full spectrum of human emotion. In her songwriting, Franklin frequently explores themes of love, resilience, and self-identity, employing a storytelling voice that ranges from confessional to declarative. Her lyrics strike a balance between sincerity and irony, reflecting the complexities of relationships and societal expectations. Each song becomes a powerful narrative that resonates with the struggles and triumphs faced by many.

Aretha Franklin

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Discography

Albums ()

A Brand New Me (Aretha Franklin album)

Amazing Grace

Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics

A Woman Falling Out of Love

A Deeper Love: The Best of Aretha Franklin

This Christmas Aretha

Jewels in the Crown: All-Star Duets with the Queen

Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul

So Damn Happy

The Queen in Waiting: The Columbia Years

Respect – The Very Best of Aretha Franklin

Aretha's Best

A Rose Is Still a Rose

The Delta Meets Detroit: Aretha's Blues

Love Songs

Aretha Sings Standards

Greatest Hits: 1980-1995

Queen of Soul: The Atlantic Recordings

What You See Is What You Sweat

Through the Storm

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

Platoon

Aretha

Soul Survivors

Who's Zoomin' Who?

First Lady of Soul

Never Grow Old

Get It Right

Jump to It

Love All the Hurt Away

Aretha

Aretha Sings the Blues

La Diva

Almighty Fire

Sweet Passion

Sparkle

You

Let Me in Your Life

With Everything I Feel in Me

Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky)

Young, Gifted and Black

Aretha's Greatest Hits

Aretha Live at Fillmore West

Spirit in the Dark

This Girl's in Love with You

Aretha Franklin - Greatest Hits

30 Greatest Hits

The Best of Aretha Franklin

Greatest Hits: 1980–1994

The Atlantic Singles Collection 1967–1970

The Very Best of Aretha Franklin, Vol. 1

Soft and Beautiful

Soul '69

Aretha's Gold

Aretha in Paris

Aretha Now

Lady Soul

Take a Look

Aretha Arrives

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

Sweet Bitter Love

Take It Like You Give It

Soul Sister

Yeah!: Aretha Franklin in Person

Songs of Faith

Once in a Lifetime

Runnin' Out of Fools

Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington

Laughing on the Outside

The Tender, the Moving, the Swinging Aretha Franklin

The Electrifying Aretha Franklin

Aretha: With The Ray Bryant Combo

The Gospel Soul of Aretha Franklin

Singles ()