To understand why, it's worth looking at what had to happen for her to record the song that made more difference for her-and the country-than any other.
Aretha had taken a wrong turn-into the persona of a nightclub singer, recording such bland, mismatched standards as "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody"-during six lost years with Columbia Records.
On every song on the record, Aretha played piano, her blues/gospel rhythms driving every song; her piano-playing combined an incredible range of influences, from Ray Charles to Clara Ward to Art Tatum.
"Respect" became an iconic statement of feminist empowerment, but it required Aretha to understand that she could transform a song actually written by a man.
Redding sang as the breadwinner demanding respect, in the form perhaps of sexual gratification, for his "Propers when I get home." Aretha turned the song on its head, telling her partner and the world that she could be a breadwinner, too.
In the years that followed the breakthrough of "Respect," Franklin's music would, like that of Wexler's other great recording project, Ray Charles, embody the full spectrum of American and American-influenced music.
Truly appreciating Aretha takes one to the deep emotional level of her blues, as in "Good to Me as I Am to You", "Dr. Feelgood," and "Drown in My Own Tears." Bringing the powerful combination of black gospel and blues to American popular music, she changed popular music around the world.
https://www.city-journal.org/html/aretha-franklin-16118.html
Aretha had taken a wrong turn-into the persona of a nightclub singer, recording such bland, mismatched standards as "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody"-during six lost years with Columbia Records.
On every song on the record, Aretha played piano, her blues/gospel rhythms driving every song; her piano-playing combined an incredible range of influences, from Ray Charles to Clara Ward to Art Tatum.
"Respect" became an iconic statement of feminist empowerment, but it required Aretha to understand that she could transform a song actually written by a man.
Redding sang as the breadwinner demanding respect, in the form perhaps of sexual gratification, for his "Propers when I get home." Aretha turned the song on its head, telling her partner and the world that she could be a breadwinner, too.
In the years that followed the breakthrough of "Respect," Franklin's music would, like that of Wexler's other great recording project, Ray Charles, embody the full spectrum of American and American-influenced music.
Truly appreciating Aretha takes one to the deep emotional level of her blues, as in "Good to Me as I Am to You", "Dr. Feelgood," and "Drown in My Own Tears." Bringing the powerful combination of black gospel and blues to American popular music, she changed popular music around the world.
https://www.city-journal.org/html/aretha-franklin-16118.html
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