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These 8 Aretha Franklin Performances Will Remind You Why She's the Queen of Soul

Aug 19 2018 - 12:50pm

There are some artists who will always be remembered for their great music. Then there are the legends, musicians who will be remembered for all of time because of how they changed the face of the industry every time they opened their mouths. The late Aretha Franklin [1] was one such musician. She wasn't called the "Queen of Soul" for nothing, after all. Everybody who's anybody knows that no one could bring a house down like she could. Whether she was singing "Amazing Grace [2]" or any other song [3] from her 42 studio albums, she was guaranteed to make you feel something. Seeing her live and in the flesh was a privilege because she always put on a show. In celebration of the premiere of Respect [4], her incomparable talent, and magnetic presence on stage, ahead are some of her most iconic live performances.

"Chain of Fools" Live at the Olympia Theater in 1968

From her 14th studio album, Lady Soul, "Chain of Fools" reached number one on the US R&B chart and stayed there for four weeks — which makes sense since Franklin sings the heck out of this song.

"Respect" Live on the MDA Telethon in 1980

If you didn't learn how to spell respect by listening to this song, who are you? Franklin does every note of this song justice and has me wanting to do a quickstep in my seat.

"The Party's Over" on This Is Tom Jones in 1970

The live performance of this hit has such a soulful quality to it. The queen always knows how to bring emotion in every note.

"Bridge Over Troubled Water" at Fillmore West in 1971

This performance of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is so worth the listen. You'll have it on repeat.

"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995

Franklin was the first female performer to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and this video shows exactly why!

"My Country 'Tis of Thee" at Barack Obama's Inauguration in 2009

Pretty sure there wasn't a single dry eye in the house during this live performance of "My Country 'Tis of Thee."

"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2015

Everything about this performance is amazing. Franklin's voice, Carole King's reactions, Barack Obama about to cry, and that dress!

"I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" at In Performance at The White House: Women of Soul in 2014

Franklin more than proves she's the Queen of Soul in this live performance at the White House.


Source URL
https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/Best-Aretha-Franklin-Performances-45172232