Aretha Louise Franklin, an American singer, was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in the United States. She was born on March 25, 1942, and succumbed on August 16, 2018; the artist was a songwriter, a pianist, and the first to introduce soul music (Etinde-Crompton 2019). Franklin’s mother, Barbara, was also a gospel singer and a pianist. The artist’s father was a minter of national influence and administered in Bethel Baptist church. Franklin’s parents separated, and her father raised her from the age of six. Aretha attended public school in Detroit, later joined Northern High School for her first year, and dropped out in her sophomore year (A&E Networks Television, 2021). The artist began her career as a child performing with her father in his gospel ministries. Aretha Franklin was also identified as a vocal prodigy. Rolling Stone Magazine voted twice for Franklin as the greatest singer (Gilmore, 2021). Hence, the artist was ambitious and successful in her music career and influenced other music artists.
Franklin began singing as a soloist, delegating with the hymn identified as “Jesus, Be a Fence around Me.” Franklin’s father managed the artist’s work and supported her in achieving her goals in music. The artist started her journey by recording her songs with Joe Von Battle, where she was recommended for piano skills and vocals. She was fourteen years old when her songs of faith, such as “Never Grow Old” and “Precious Lord,” were recorded (Gilmore, 2021). Moreover, Franklin recorded pop music and migrated to New York. Together with Clarence La Vaughn Franklin, she produced a two-song demo recorded at Colombia Records when she turned eighteen years old (Holland, 2019). Franklin performed in diverse genres, standards, and blues in Colombia. In the 1960s, WVON radio personality crowned Franklin as the “Queen of Soul.” In 1968, the artist went on a tour with Dr. Martin Luther, and she sold more than two million copies of her debut gospel album (Gilmore, 2021). Therefore, Franklin started recording different types of music and was ranked top ten on the rhythm and blues charts.
Producer Jerry Wexler persuaded Franklin to join Atlantic Records, but after leaving Atlantic Records, Franklin joined Clive Davis’ Arista Record label (Franklin, 2018). “Unified Together” from Franklin’s debut Arista album was a top-three R&B smash. She also contributed vocals to the theme songs for the television series A Different World and Together during that time (A&E Networks Television, 2021). As of 2014, Franklin was signed to RCA Records, a sister company of Columbia Records, owner of the Arista library, and a division of Sony Music Entertainment (Denise, 2019). Therefore, throughout Franklin’s singing journey, she has exemplified the acoustic power with minimal pressure on the vocal folds.
Aretha Franklin was widely known as American pop and the giant of soul music. At its most gospel charge, she incorporated many souls. She was also identified as the best musician and a great singer among American artists because of her interpretive voice and skillful piano playing. Franklin had a mezzo-soprano and was recognized for her arrangement and interpretations of songs by other performers (Denise, 2019). In her art form, Aretha was known for her musical understanding, conveying emotion in three-minute songs and singing below the rhythm.
Franklin’s father highly inspired her songs of faith, such as “Precious Lord”. The artist’s involvement in the civil rights movement inspired her to write songs such as “You Make Me Feel like a Natural Woman.” Franklin was influenced by Clara Ward in music, while Albertina Walker and Jackie Verdell assisted in shaping Franklin’s styles (Denise, 2019). Franklin looked up to C.L. Franklin, and Sam Cooke was her good friend. Hence, family and friends’ support and motivation influenced Franklin to develop an interest in music.
Franklin fought for environmental protection, the women’s movement, and the rights of the disabled. She greatly influenced society by fighting for Black people’s rights. Franklin supported the indigenous by engaging in the First Nation Cultural Rights and Native Americans’ activities (Gilmore, 2021). According to Denise (2021), Aretha also influenced many artists who followed her foot into music, including George Michael, Elton John, Annie Lennox of the Eurhythmics, and John and Whitney Houston. Franklin’s artistic performance was not just about the voice but everything about music. She was talented and very skillful when applying tempo and dynamic. Franklin reminds society of the artist Donnie McClurkin, a gospel singer born and raised in a violent family.
Franklin plays both the organ and the piano through overdubbing. The artist recorded the song “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” in the beginning and sang a gospel-inspired song that proceeded through the bridge. Moreover, the song contrasts the power of rewards of fidelity and temptation; its melody is also soothing (Gilmore, 2021). Therefore, the performance of this song was heartfelt, and it was a symbol of hope and peace in the society
The reason for choosing Aretha Franklin for this analysis is because she was the best female singer and a good songwriter. The artist remained the most influential female musician in history; she also sang different songs that inspired and helped many. The artist fought for humanity and was the voice of the people. Therefore, she influenced indigenous communities and women to understand their rights; hence, she taught people to live harmonious lives.
References
A&E Networks Television. (2021). Aretha Franklin. Web.
Denise, D. L. (2019). The afterlife of Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady:” A case study in DJ scholarship. The Black Scholar, 49(3), 62-72.
Etinde-Crompton, C., & Crompton, S. W. (2019). Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul. Enslow Publishing, LLC
Franklin, A. (2018). Faà di Bruno, Giovanni Matteo [Horatio, Orazio] Fabbri, Anna Maria.
Gilmore, M. (2021). The queen: Aretha Franklin. Rolling Stone. Web.
Holland, K. (2019). Transference: What it means and how it may be used in therapy. Healthline. Web.