Aretha sits down at the piano and gets a new set of lyrics to take on Dinah Washington’s “Evil Gal Blues”
Tag: Columbia Records
Operation Heartbreak
Today, it’s a little-known b-side. But “Operation Heartbreak” was one of Aretha’s most successful songs at Columbia Records.
You Made Me Love You
Aretha gives two very distinct readings of this Al Jolsen song, made a hit by Bing Crosby.
How Glad I Am
Aretha takes on a Nancy Wilson hit, and for once largely leaves the arrangement as is.
Tiny Sparrow
One of an album’s worth of material recorded in 1963 that wasn’t first released until 2002.
Day 69: Winter Wonderland
Aretha grooves by the fire in this 1964 take on the Christmas classic.
Day 66: Blue Holiday
One of Aretha’s early holiday cuts overflows with emotion.
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 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 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 37: Unforgettable
Leave it to Aretha to not only rearrange “Unforgettable”, but also end it with a rousing vocal show-out.
Day 29: If I Had A Hammer
As Aretha Franklin’s days at Columbia Records wound down, the label continued to try new tricks to turn her floundering career around. In 1965, they
Day 23: I Told You So
Jazz, blues, and big band come together on this 1962 cut, with a killer vocal closing.
Day 19: Swanee
“Swanee” was legendary composer George Gershwin’s first big hit. With the music composed by Gershwin and lyrics written by Irving Casear, the song was born
Day 17: Make Someone Happy
Aretha demonstrates power and restraint on this Broadway cut.
Day 13: Every Little Bit Hurts
in 1964, Aretha eyed the hits in hopes of having her own.
