Aretha Franklin was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist who is often referred to as the “Queen of Soul.” Born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee, Franklin began her music career singing gospel music in her father’s church. She gained fame in the 1960s with hits such as “Respect,” “Think,” “Chain of Fools,” and “Natural Woman.” Franklin’s powerful voice, emotional delivery, and ability to blend gospel, soul, and R&B influences made her one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of her time. Throughout her career, she received numerous awards and accolades, including 18 Grammy Awards. Franklin’s music not only topped the charts but also became anthems for the civil rights and feminist movements. She passed away on August 16, 2018, leaving behind a rich musical legacy that continues to inspire generations of artists and fans worldwide.
1. “We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It’s our basic human right.”
― Aretha Franklin
2. “Be your own artist, and always be confident in what you’re doing. If you’re not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it.”
― Aretha Franklin
3. “Sometimes, what you’re looking for is already there.”
― Aretha Franklin
4. “You cannot define a person on just one thing. You can’t just forget all these wonderful and good things that a person has done because one thing didn’t come off the way you thought it should come off.”
― Aretha Franklin
5. “Being the Queen is not all about singing, and being a diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people. And your social contributions to your community and your civic contributions as well.”
― Aretha Franklin
6. “Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, years back, to the very moment certain things happened in your life. It’s uplifting, it’s encouraging, it’s strengthening.”
― Aretha Franklin
7. “I think it would be a far greater world if people were kinder and more respectful to each other.”
― Aretha Franklin
8. “Falling out of love is like losing weight. It’s a lot easier putting it on than taking it off.”
― Aretha Franklin
9. “People really don’t have to give you anything, so appreciate what people give you.”
― Aretha Franklin
10. “The man who gets me is getting one hell of a woman.”
― Aretha Franklin
11. “It’s hard. When you love food, and when you’ve done a high-energy concert, you know, a carrot is not gonna work.”
― Aretha Franklin
12. “Music changes, and I’m gonna change right along with it.”
― Aretha Franklin
13. “I’ve never recorded anything I didn’t like.”
― Aretha Franklin
14. “I’ve always felt that rock and roll was very, very wholesome.”
― Aretha Franklin
15. “I am doing what I love to do, and you cannot beat that, especially when the audience appreciates what you prepare for them. It’s very, very gratifying.”
― Aretha Franklin
16. “If a song’s about something I’ve experienced or that could’ve happened to me it’s good. But if it’s alien to me, I couldn’t lend anything to it. Because that’s what soul is all about.”
― Aretha Franklin
17. “I sing to the realists. People who accept it like it is.”
― Aretha Franklin
18. “I think women and children and older people are the three least-respected groups in our society.”
― Aretha Franklin
19. “It really is an honor if I can be inspirational to a younger singer or person. It means I’ve done my job.”
― Aretha Franklin
20. “I’ve been around long enough for people to know who I am and what my contributions are. They know me as more than just an artist. I think they know me as a woman as well.”
― Aretha Franklin
21. “Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I’m using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I’m happy with that.”
― Aretha Franklin
22. “We didn’t have music videos. You weren’t an overnight sensation. You had to work at it and learn your craft: how to take care of your voice, how to pace your concerts, all that trial and error.”
― Aretha Franklin
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