Women In Music: Artists Who Paved The Way - Aretha Franklin
“As women, we do have it. We have the power.”
Aretha Franklin’s brilliant, emotional and empowering version of Respect remains an iconic and inspirational song. It's no surprise it won 2 Grammys.
Franklin's artistic choices and delivery propelled the song and its popularity. It embodied the anger and emotions of Civil Rights and feminist activists fighting for justice and equality. Aretha Franklin's dedication and support to the Civil Rights Movement and feminism ignited social and political change through music, inspiring artists to come.
BRIEF HISTORY
Aretha was born in Tennessee in 1942, but grew up between Buffalo, New York and Detroit when her parents divorced. Aretha Franklin's father, Clarence Franklin, was a renowned Baptist Preacher who toured America giving emotive and passionate sermons.
His work as a minister earned him a celebratory status, building friendships with famous gospel singers and Civil Rights activists including Martin Luther King, Jr. Aretha Franklin's mother was an accomplished pianist and vocalist who remained close with Aretha after the divorce.
At the age of 12 Aretha began performing in churches all over the country working alongside her father, who was regularly on tour. Her father ended up managing her and her musical career, getting Franklin her first record deal and 9 gospel tracks recorded.
At 18, Aretha decided to focus her attention on pop music and was subsequently signed to Columbia Records in 1960. Establishing a name for herself within the music industry, Franklin earned thousands performing in nightclubs, on TV shows and through records revenue.
In 1966, Franklin signed to Atlantic Records, who promised they would take into account her gospel background. Through merging gospel and pop, Franklin was beginning to see progress in her career.
Aretha released the iconic Respect in 1967, hitting number one in both R&B and Pop charts. Respect was originally sung by Ottis Redding in 1965, however, it was Franklin's iconic adaptation that really excelled it to success.
Aretha’s artistic choice of spelling out Respect brought a new significance and underlining of the empowering lyrics. This brilliant and significant adaption led to Respect being named a Civil Rights and feminist anthem.
THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND FEMINISM
Aretha Franklin grew up surrounded by Civil Rights activists and throughout her career and life used her platform for awareness. Yonette Joseph writes in her article ‘Aretha Franklin was The Personification of Black Women Magic’ that Franklin was “the embodiment of the feminist paean”.
Aretha's father organised the Civil Rights Detroit Walk in 1963 and Martin Luther King Jr. was a frequent visitor at their home. Franklin told Elle Magazine in 2016 that her 1960s contract had a clause stipulating she would not perform for segregated audiences. This dedication continued into her stardom and flourishing career.
Aretha Franklin continually gave financial aid for Civil Rights tours and campaigns. The artist, who won The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, vocally encouraged people to vote and stand up for indecency. She was a huge supporter of Angela Davis and participated in Civil Rights protests and demonstrations throughout her career.
Sylvia Buzzfeed wrote in ‘Aretha Franklin Gave Black Women Something We Could All Feel’:
“One of my favorite Aretha stories is the time she offered to post Angela Davis’s bond, “whether it’s $100,000 or $250,000.” I especially love that last part because she had it — the financial freedom to help another black woman fighting the fight for us. She was at the height of her fame then, and instead of being fearful of losing her audience, she used her platform to change hearts and minds. And in doing so, Franklin demonstrated that whether it was about music or social change, she was ours, and she put us first.”
Aretha Franklin created a new space through singing Respect, a song which doesn’t ask but demands respect. In her interview with Elle Aretha Franklin said:
“As women, we do have it. We have the power. We are very resourceful. Women absolutely deserve respect. I think women and children and older people are the three least-respected groups in our society.”
Multiple female artists today have shared the huge influence Aretha Franklin had on them, including Beyonce and Alicia Keys. Franklin's dedication to using her platform as a form of activism for the Civil Rights Movement and feminism has inspired artists of today to use their art and platform as a means of activism for justice and inequality.
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Written by Bronwen Latham
