Best Aretha Franklin Songs – Top 10 All-Time
Last Updated: June 8, 2022 | Written by Matthew Campbell
Aretha Franklin is an American (from Tennessee) R&B, Soul musician. Aretha’s nickname is the “Queen of Soul”. Aretha has had seventy-seven (77) charted songs making her the most charted female in music history. Aretha Franklin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Did you know Aretha Franklin was also in feature films? She was in The Blues Brothers released in 1980 and release in 1998 among other documentaries. Aretha’s number one song started in 1967 with “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” and the last to date is “Here We Go Again” in 1998.
Best Aretha Franklin Songs
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#1 Respect
Released in 1967
On Album I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
The song was originally released by Otis Redding in 1965. Aretha’s version of the song tells a story about how a woman who demands respect from her man.
All I want you to do for me
Is give it to me when you get home
#2 Chain of Fools
Released in 1967
On Album Lady Soul
Chain of Fools is one of the greatest songs of all-time and proven by its Grammy Hall of Fame Award.
Every chain, has got a weak link
I might be weak yeah
But I’ll give you strength
#3 (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
Released in 1967
On Album Lady Soul
The song peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.
When my soul was in the lost and found
You came along to claim it
I didn’t know just what was wrong with me
‘Til your kiss helped me name it
#4 Think
Released in 1968
On Album Aretha Now
Did you know this Sixties song is a feminist anthem?
Think about what you’re trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think)
Let your mind go, let yourself be free
#5 I Say a Little Prayer
Released in 1967
On Album The Windows of the World
The song tells a story about a woman’s concern for her beau who’s serving in the Vietnam War.
Forever, and ever,
(You’ll stay in my heart and I will love you)
(Forever) Forever, and ever,
(We never will part Oh, how I love you)
#6 I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)
Released in 1967
On Album I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
This song was Aretha’s first big hit and reached number nine.
And I’m stuck like glue
Cause I ain’t never
I ain’t never, I ain’t never, no, no (loved a man)
(The way that I, I love you)
#7 Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)
Released in 1973
On Album Let Me in Your Life
The song tells a story of trying to get a lover back after leaving them.
I’m gonna beg you to please, baby please see me (you never want to see me)
I’m gonna walk by meself
Just to prove that my love is true
#8 Rock Steady
Released in 1971
On Album Young, Gifted and Black
The song peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.
Move your hips from left to right (what it is)
What it is, is I might be doin’ this funky dance all night
#9 Baby, I Love You
Released in 1967
On Album Aretha Arrives
The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
Stretch out your arms little boy
You’re gonna get it
‘Cause I love you
#10 Ain’t No Way
Released in 1968
On Album Lady Soul
Did you know the song was written by Aretha’s sister Carolyn Franklin?
I know that a woman’s duty
Is to help and love the man
And that’s the way it was for me
Do you have a favorite Aretha Franklin song, not on our list? Please share your song below so that we can add it!
Added fan-favorite…
Day Dreaming
1972, Young, Gifted and Black
He’s the kind of guy that you give your everything
And trust your heart, share all of your love, ’til death do you part
Aretha Frankin Highest-Charting Songs – U.S. R&B
- #1 I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You), 1967
- #1 Respect, 1967
- #1 Baby I Love You, 1967
- #1 Chain of Fools, 1967
- #1 (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone, 1968
- #1 Think, 1968
- #1 Share Your Love with Me, 1969
- #1 Call Me, 1970
- #1 Don’t Play That Song (You Lied), 1970
- #1 Bridge Over Troubled Water, 1971
- #1 Spanish Harlem, 1971
- #1 Day Dreaming, 1972
- #1 Angel, 1973
- #1 Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do), 1973
- #1 I’m in Love, 1974
- #1 Something He Can Feel, 1976
- #1 Break It to Me Gently, 1977
- #1 Jump to It, 1982
- #1 Get It Right, 1983
- #1 Freeway of Love, 1985
- #2 (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, 1967
- #2 The House That Jack Built, 1968
- #2 Rock Steady, 1971
- #2 Who’s Zoomin’ Who, 1985
- #2 Jimmy Lee, 1986
- #3 I Say a Little Prayer, 1968
- #3 The Weight, 1969
- #3 I Can’t See Myself Leaving You, 1969
- #3 Spirit in the Dark, 1970
- #3 You’re All I Need to Get By, 1971
- #3 United Together, 1980
- #5 Eleanor Rigby, 1969
- #5 Border Song (Holy Moses), 1970
- #5 I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (with George Michael), 1987
- #5 It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be (with Whitney Houston), 1989
- #5 Willing to Forgive, 1994
- #5 A Rose Is Still a Rose, 1998
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Daydreaming ??
Thank you Peggy. We added your suggestion to the list.