Aretha Franklin started her career singing gospel as a young child in the same Detroit, Michigan, church where her father was a minister. When she was 18 years old, Columbia offered her a record deal. She wasn’t an immediate sensation, but in 1966, when she switched labels to Atlantic, her career took off.
I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You), Respect, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Chain of Fools, Think, and I Say a Little Prayer are just a few of the popular singles that were released and received both critical and commercial success.
With hit record after hit record, she solidified her position as the Queen of Soul during the following ten years. One of the best-selling performers of all time, she had sold over 75 million records at the time of her passing in 2018. Here are our top ten, ranked, Aretha Franklin albums.
1. I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin, an American singer, and songwriter issued her album with the title “I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You” in 1967. The album was released in the United States.
This collection has a number of her most well-known songs, including “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” and the album’s title tune, “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You).” The album is widely regarded as a watershed moment in the development of soul music and was instrumental in establishing Franklin as the “Queen of Soul.”
2. Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin, an American soul singer, released an album in 1968 named “Lady Soul,” which also serves as the album’s title. This album comprises a number of Aretha Franklin’s most well-known songs, including “Chain of Fools,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and “Since You’ve Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby).”
“Lady Soul,” the follow-up to her album “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You,” is also widely regarded as a masterpiece of the soul music genre and is frequently named one of the best albums of all time.
3. Young, Gifted, and Black
The American singer-songwriter Nina Simone gave both her song and her album released in 1970 the title “Young, Gifted, and Black.” Both the song and the album are revered as anthems of the civil rights movement because they celebrate the achievements and possibilities of African Americans living in the United States.
Since then, a great number of artists have given their own interpretations of the song, and it has evolved into a symbol of black pride and success. The album highlights Simone’s powerful voice and distinctive approach, and it includes both original songs and covers of other artists’ work.
4. Aretha Now
Aretha Franklin, an American singer, and songwriter published her album with the name “Aretha Now” in the year 1968. This album includes some of Franklin’s most well-known songs, including “Think,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” and “See Saw,” among others.
Aretha Franklin’s status as one of the best soul singers of all time was helped along by her most recent album, “Aretha Now,” just as it was by her two preceding albums, “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You” and “Lady Soul.” In addition, Franklin’s songwriting abilities are highlighted in this album, which includes several of Franklin’s original works.
5. This Girl’s In Love With You
The American singer Dionne Warwick released a song and album with the same name in 1969. “This Girl’s In Love With You” is the title of the song and album. Warwick’s rendition of the song became a hit, propelling it all the way up to number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. This album is a showcase of Warwick’s soulful voice as well as her versatility as a performer.
It contains a mixture of original compositions and covers of songs by other artists. This album features a number of additional hit songs, including “The Windows of the World” and “Who Is Gonna Love Me?” in addition to the title track, “This Girl’s In Love With You.”
6. Spirit in the Dark
Aretha Franklin, an American soul singer, released an album in 1970 named “Spirit in the Dark,” which also serves as the album’s title. The album includes several of Franklin’s most well-known songs, including the title track, “Spirit in the Dark,” as well as “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied)” and “Pullin’.”
In addition, the album has a mix of original compositions and cover versions of songs by other artists. This album demonstrates Franklin’s formidable vocal abilities as well as her talent for fusing gospel, soul, and rock influences into a sound that is distinctive and appealing.
Franklin’s album “Spirit in the Dark” is widely regarded as one of the artist’s finest works and is revered as a classic example of the soul music genre.
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7. Sparkle
Aretha Franklin, an American singer, and songwriter named her 1976 soundtrack album “Sparkle.” Franklin also starred in the movie “Sparkle,” which has music from that movie on it.
Along with original songs written by Curtis Mayfield, the CD also has renditions of well-known tunes like “Giving Him Something He Can Feel” and “Hooked On Your Love.”
Franklin’s ability to sing in various musical genres, from soul to disco, is demonstrated in the album. One of Franklin’s best albums from the 1970s, the soundtrack was a financial triumph.
8. Almighty Fire
It was released in 1979, and Johnny “Guitar” Watson, an American singer, gave his album released in 1979 the title “Almighty Fire.” The album comprises a variety of songs influenced by funk, soul, and disco, and it is highlighted by the chart-topping single “Miss Frisco (Queen of the Disco)”.
This CD demonstrates Watson’s prowess on the guitar as well as his ability to combine sounds from a variety of musical genres into a single, cohesive whole.
The album “Almighty Fire” was a critical and commercial triumph for Watson, and it is frequently ranked as one of his most impressive works.
9. Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky)
Aretha Franklin is an American singer and songwriter. In 1973, she released an album with the title “Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky)” as the title track.
The album includes both original songs as well as cover versions of other songs, and some of the tracks include “Angel,” “Somewhere,” and “Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky),” among others.
This CD demonstrates Franklin’s range as a singer and her ability to combine various musical styles, including jazz, rock, and soul. The album “Hey Now Hey” was well regarded by critics upon its initial release and is frequently mentioned as being one of Franklin’s most underrated works.
10. So Damn Happy
Aretha Franklin, an American singer, and songwriter released an album in 2003 under the name “So Damn Happy,” which also serves as the album’s title.
The album includes both original songs as well as cover versions of songs, and some of the songs included are “The Only Thing Missin‘,” “Good News,” and “You Are My Joy (Reprise),” among others.
This CD demonstrates Franklin’s formidable vocal range as well as her talent for incorporating elements of soul, R&B, and gospel music into her work. Franklin was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best R&B Album for her album “So Damn Happy,” which earned excellent reviews from music critics and was a commercial success.