A tribute to the one of the greatest of all. With the passing of Memphis-born Aretha Louise Franklin (25 March 25, 1942 – 16 August 2018), we say farewell to far more than soul singing at its best. She lifted songs to a new level, made them her own, transcended race, culture and continent, gave a voice to generations. Soaring range, emotional power, control, she had it all. First up, 1967's I Say A Little Prayer, written by by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, originally for Dionne Warwick.
I say a little prayer for you
The moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup (makeup)
I say a little prayer for you
While combing my hair now
And wondering what dress to wear now (wear now)
I say a little prayer for you
[Chorus]
Forever and ever, you'll stay in my heart
And I will love you
Forever and ever, we never will part
Oh, how I love you
Together, forever, that's how it must be
To live without you
Would only mean heartbreak for me
[Verse 2]
I run for the bus, dear
While riding I think of us, dear (us, dear)
I say a little prayer for you
At work I just take time
And all through my coffee break time (break time)
I say a little prayer for you
[Chorus]
Forever and ever, you'll stay in my heart
And I will love you
Forever and ever we never will part
Oh, how I'll love you
Together, forever, that's how it must be
To live without you
Would only mean heartbreak for me
[Bridge]
My darling, believe me (Believe me)
For me there is no one but you
Please love me too
I'm in love with you (Answer my prayer)
Answer my prayer, baby (Answer my prayer)
Say you love me too (Answer my prayer)
Answer my prayer, baby (Answer my prayer)
[Chorus]
Forever and ever, you'll stay in my heart
And I will love you
Forever and ever, we never will part
Oh, how I'll love you
Together, forever, that's how it must be
To live without you
Would only mean heartbreak for me
[Bridge]
My darling, believe me (Believe me)
For me there is no one but you
Please love me too
This is my prayer (Answer my prayer)
Answer it right now, baby (Answer my prayer)
Say you love me too (Answer my prayer)
This is my prayer (Answer my prayer)
I'm in love with you (Answer my prayer)
Next up, Otis Redding's 1965 which was a hit for Aretha in 1967, when she added the key R-E-S-P-E-C-T, spelling out a civil rights message for women and for a whole generation:
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 (just a little bit)
Hey baby (just a little bit) when you get home
(just a little bit) mister (just a little bit)
I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone
Ain't gonna do you wrong 'cause I don't wanna
All I'm askin'
Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)
Baby (just a little bit) when you get home (just a little bit)
Yeah (just a little bit)
I'm about to give you all of my money
And all I'm askin' in return, honey
Is to give me my propers
When you get home (just a, just a, just a, just a)
Yeah baby (just a, just a, just a, just a)
When you get home (just a little bit)
Yeah (just a little bit)
Ooo, your kisses
Sweeter than honey
And guess what?
So is my money
All I want you to do for me
Is give it to me when you get home (re, re, re ,re)
Yeah baby (re, re, re ,re)
Whip it to me (respect, just a little bit)
When you get home, now (just a little bit)
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, TCB
Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me
Sock it to me, sock it to me)
A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to me
Sock it to me, sock it to me)
Whoa, babe (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit)
I get tired (just a little bit)
Keep on tryin' (just a little bit)
You're runnin' out of fools (just a little bit)
And I ain't lyin' (just a little bit)
(re, re, re, re) When you come home
(re, re, re ,re) 'spect
Or you might walk in (respect, just a little bit)
And find out I'm gone (just a little bit)
I got to have (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit)
And finally, from so many other choices, Carole King and Gerry Goffin's classic, also from 1967, with also a tearjerking live version in 2015 in a tribute to the songwriter, showing how a senior Franklin has lost none of her power. Watching this shows how much we have lost in the past three years.
[Verse 1]
Looking out on the morning rain
I used to feel so uninspired
And when I knew I had to face another day
Lord, it made me feel so tired
Before the day I met you
Life was so unkind
You're the key to my piece of mind
[Chorus]
Because you make me feel
You make me feel
You make me feel
Like a natural woman
[Verse 2]
When my soul was in the lost and found
You came along to claim it
I didn't know just what was wrong with me
Till your kiss helped me name it
Now I'm no longer doubtful
Of what I'm living for
And if I make you happy
I don't need to do more
[Chorus]
Because you make me feel
You make me feel
You make me feel
Like a natural woman
[Verse 3]
Oh baby, what you done to me
What you have done to me
Made me feel so good inside
Good inside
And I just want to be close to you
Want to be
You make me feel so alive
[Chorus]
Because you make me feel
You make me feel
You make me feel
Like a natural woman
Because you make me feel
You make me feel
You make me feel
Like a natural woman
Because you make me feel
You make me feel
You make me feel
Like a natural woman.
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