Aretha adds some pure gospel into her 2008 Christmas LP.
Day 56: Bridge Over Troubled Water
Aretha stormed the gates and seized ownership of this classic before Simon & Garfunkel could even get their hands on their Grammys.
Day 55: Look To The Rainbow
Aretha takes a page from Dinah Washington & the composer of “Over The Rainbow” on this 1986 cover.
Day 54: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Aretha’s take on this Christmas staple is a slow-paced, melismatic vocal show out.
Day 53: O Christmas Tree/ O Tannenbaum
Aretha gets into the Christmas spirit with this classic, and surprises an audience with an impromptu version in 2015
Day 52: Jimmy Lee
This retro groove gave 80’s Aretha a nostalgic 60’s feel.
Day 51: Until You Come Back To Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)
Stevie Wonder brought Aretha one of her most enduring hits. Stevie sang it first, but Aretha’s version is the standard, and made chart history.
Day 50: Laughing On The Outside (Crying On The Inside)
The title cut to Aretha Franklin’s fourth album at Columbia Records, Laughing On The Outside, is another cover. Shocking, right? Aretha? A cover? As I’ve
Day 49: A Mother’s Love
Subtle, yet powerful, Aretha describes the love of a mother.
Day 48: If I Lose
Aretha returns to jazz on this beautiful, little-known 1992 cut from the soundtrack to White Men Can’t Jump
Day 47: If She Don’t Want Your Lovin’
Sugar Ray Aretha steps into the ring on this 1982 cut.
Day 46: Lee Cross
The quantity of songwriting Aretha Franklin’s first husband did is debatable, but he did compose this song, recorded in 1964 & released in 1967.
Day 45: Only Star
This is one of those Aretha disco records that people warn you about.
Day 44: No One
Aretha gives an island feel to Alicia Keys’ 2007 smash.
Day 43: I’m Sitting On Top Of The World
Aretha takes on Al Jolson’s classic “I’m Sitting On Top Of The World” on her third album, 1962’s The Tender, The Moving, The Swinging Aretha
Day 42: Don’t Play That Song (You Lied)
My favorite Aretha song, including some exclusive audio from 2008.
Day 41: Springtime in New York
One of Aretha’s rarest unreleased recordings surfaced this year. It’s a unique must-listen.
Day 40: Gimme Your Love
It should have gained a lot more traction than it did. In 1989, the Godfather & Queen of Soul joined forces just once on record
