MUSIC MONDAY: “Respect” for the Queen – Aretha Franklin Playlists (LISTEN)

by Lori Lakin Hutcherson (@lakinhutcherson)

While our #MusicMonday main man and selector Marlon West takes a well-earned break from creating thoughtful and unique playlists exploring the musical diaspora, I’m stepping in to post two curations honoring the woman of the weekend, Aretha Franklin.

Respect, the MGM biopic starring Jennifer Hudson as the Queen of Soul, was released exclusively in theaters this past Friday and earned almost $9 million in its first weekend. In addition to being a satisfying film experience, Respect makes you appreciate even more how creative and intelligent Aretha was in her musical expression across all genres.

In addition to being an unparalleled singer who could turn tunes by other artists into her own signature songs, Franklin also composed, arranged and produced several of her biggest hits.

In honor of those aspects of her genius, I offer the playlists “How I Got Over”: Aretha Franklin’s Cover Songs, which includes (of course) “Respect,” by Otis Redding, “Until You Come Back To Me” by Stevie Wonder and “Spanish Harlem” originally recorded by Ben E. King:

and “Rock Steady”: Songs Aretha Franklin Wrote which includes classic compositions such as “Think,” “Rock Steady” and “Day Dreaming”:

Until next time, I’ll bid you farewell as Mr. West always (and lovingly) does:

Enjoy, and please, be safe, sane and kind.