As far back as I can remember listening to music, Aretha Franklin has been part of my life. She was my first idol. She made me feel like a natural woman at 15. No one ever surpassed her effect on me as a vocalist. Amy is a close second. But Aretha, she is a goddess.
Her piano playing, her gospel singing, her infinite coolness, her strength, her femininity, her dignity, her furs, what more could you ask for?
The last record of hers I actually spent cash money on was Young, Gifted and Black, a fucking masterpiece, but I have spent many happy hours listening to her on our digital files of a billion songs. Just like everyone, I feel like she is singing to me personally, one sister to another.
I’m writing now because I don’t want to say goodbye. Long live my darling first love and may we all think of her at every stage, young, old, fat, thin, fully alive and blessed with that commanding, singular, phenomenal voice. Our Queen forever and ever.
I’m not ready to let go either. I need her to stick around. She’s one of the few people I’d give a free pass to live forever (if I had any say over that.)
Obama wasn’t the only one with tears in his eyes. That performance really moved me, in part, because I’d just watched the absolutely awful and ill advised Adele cover she did. I stupidly thought the best of Aretha was already gone…then bam! The Kennedy Centre Honours. She marched in there with her fur coat and hand-bag and went to church, and tore the house down. What a talent.
I have this weird feeling that if Aretha goes it will set the ball rolling for important fragments of my life to start slipping away. An odd feeling that’s new to me, and really isn’t rational. I’ve been checking the news everyday even though I know there isn’t going to be any good news.
I want her to stay, but I don’t want her to hang around and suffer.
Oh yes, Sister Wolf.
I remember the very first time I ever heard her voice when I was a kid, I couldn’t believe it. Just knocked me slap out. After I read your post I had to go listen to “Ain’t No Way,” a tune that puts her magnificence on full display, for me. At 3:10 into it she gives out with such an immaculate cascade of notes that I almost feel hopeful, or something.
I’ll love her forever and ever.
The Queen has left the building.
R.I.P Miss Franklin.
Suspended – You express things so much better than I can, and you are speaking straight from my heart. Yes to every word.
Bevitron – Yes. I used to play “Prove It”, a B-side to something, over and over, and just swoon. Thank you for sharing everything with me.
JK – Yes! xoxo
Suspended – I’m glad I heard it from you, that’s kind of a blessing in itself.