I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
1967
Album Summary
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You is the tenth studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin released on March 10, 1967, by Atlantic Records. It was Franklin's first release under her contract with the label, following her departure from Columbia Records after nine unsuccessful Jazz standard albums, and marked a commercial breakthrough for her, becoming her first top 10 album in the United States, reaching number 2 on the Billboard 200. Two singles were released to promote the album: "Respect" and "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)". The former topped the Billboard Hot 100, while latter reached the top 10. Although released to mixed critical response, the album over the years has been reappraised and is now regarded amongst one of the greatest and most influential albums, being included in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, as well as in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. The second single from the album "Respect" became Franklin's signature song and is ranked by the Rolling Stone as the greatest song of all-time.
WikipediaI mean... I feel like just having Respect on here automatically gives this a 4. What is interesting to me is how many of the songs are actually covers, and moreso, how common this was back in the 1950s-1970s. One song would be done by multiple artists. You can see it here too: Respect (Otis Redding), Good Times and A Change is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke) among others on the album. I think it's really interesting to think about: this album is considered one of the GOATs, it wasn't about HER songwriting, but her singing, music, and conceptions of these songs. It reminds me of Patti Smith and Gloria. Adding their own flair to male contemporaries' songs and revolutionizing them.
Incredible album, I loved being able to hear Aretha, and got me into listening to more of her music. Such a powerful voice and the music she has backing her is so lovely to listen to. I will definitely be adding more of her stuff to the rotation! Highlights: -Respect -Soul Serenade -Dr. Feelgood -Do Right Woman, Do Right Man -A Change is Gonna Come
While the inclusion of "Respect" -- one of the truly seminal singles in pop history -- is in and of itself sufficient to earn I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You classic status, Aretha Franklin's Atlantic label debut is an indisputable masterpiece from start to finish. Much of the credit is due to producer Jerry Wexler, who finally unleashed the soulful intensity so long kept under wraps during her Columbia tenure; assembling a crack Muscle Shoals backing band along with an abundance of impeccable material, Wexler creates the ideal setting to allow Aretha to ascend to the throne of Queen of Soul, and she responds with the strongest performances of her career.
The kind of voice and lyricist that illustrates why music is an art form.
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You started Aretha's incredible run at Atlantic under the aegis of producer Jerry Wexler, and it's an indisputable soul classic in it's own right. For the first time, Aretha peerless gospel, blues and soul stylings are properly matched with production, instrumentation, and arrangements that accentuate rather than dull her edge. This album is every bit as much Jerry Wexler's triumph as it is Aretha's. I find it amazing that Wexler hit the sweet spot on his first attempt. Respect and I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Loved You) have a gutbucket soul feel, but aren't so raw that they couldn't be sold to the mainstream. But Wexler is flexible enough to arrange the pop soul of Don't Let Me Lose This Dream as well. But I don't want to shortchange Aretha's role in this. She wasn't just a great singer. She was a supremely tasteful keyboard player as well. And you can bet that she had a lot of say in the songs that were chosen along with Wexler, and there isn't a weak one in the bunch. Just how good are these renditions? When Otis Redding heard Aretha's cover of Respect, he hung his head and muttered \"She done stole my song.\"
It’s everything I want and more. Consistently incredible and never a dull moment. I had my eyes closed, face scrunched, and head bobbing for the entire listen. I can go on for way too long, so I’ll cut it here and just say that it’s one of my favorite albums ever. Aretha Franklin is one of the best to ever do it and she deserves all the respect you have and more. Perfection.
Smooth and soulful, I feel everything. A beautiful album, well paced and intentional.
Classic soul album She has such a great voice and so much of the blues is in this. 10/10
What a voice. You cannot deny the power and soul that this woman always had. Incredible sound. This had me dancing around my apartment with some tracks, and with others just sitting floored by the way she fills every word with emotion! Also, RESPECT. So yeah its a 5 from me dawg.
Aretha Franklin is perhaps the greatest singer in American popular music. Not only is she supremely talented, having superhuman control, dynamic, and range, she is one of the most expressive and ecstatic singers to ever record. Her studio records are brimming with energy as though she may burst out of the speakers at any time. This record is her Atlantic debut and leads with the career defining ‘Respect’. Her vocal performance throughout is exquisite and intimate
This album is good for the soul. I can't help but feel the music and want to join in. Aretha's powerful and adept vocals are first and foremost the glorious centerpiece of every track. But when I listen to songs like "A Change is Gonna Come" I also realize that her performances enhance the movement and the emotions of the underlying music as well. Every pause and flourish beautifully embelishes the solid framing that the band provides. The songs don't just reference the range of human emotion, they evoke them, and that is one of the truest measures of art that I can think of.
Is "Respect" a Toploader? Yes, but only in the sense that it is one of the ten best songs of the twentieth century (and probably the best cover). Everything pales beside it...
Easily a solid five without RESPECT (one of the very few songs that is a cover very much better than the original, all due apologies to Otis Redding who even thought the same). Aretha Franklin blending pop, funk, soul, and gospe are fantastic. Her cover of Sam Cooke's 'A Change is Gonna Come' is just hauntingly beautiful.
This woman is a monster of a performer. There hasn't been another voice like hers since she left this earth. Raw power harnessed by perfect control combine to create unforgettable performances that leave you with no doubt as to her meaning, feelings, or desires. Perfection.
Aretha's talent really carries this album because while she delivers a great performance on every song the music and lyrics are for the most part boring and kind of repetive.
“I Never Loved a Man the Way I Loved You” by Aretha Franklin (1967) Never listened to this album, but familiar with Aretha Franklin through hits and radio airplay. Powerful vocals across the tonal range. The performances here are impressive and unquestionably influential, lacking only the stylistic variety that would be discovered and developed by those following in her considerable wake. Backing vocals, however, are weak, lacking tonal blend, and are much too prominent in the mix. Backing instrumentals lack density and are recorded with too much of a ‘small studio’ sound. Somebody please tune that damn piano (especially on “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man”). The mix is too simple, frequently ‘stuck’ on an inappropriately dominant feed of certain instruments, which distracts from the real music—Franklin’s wonderful voice. But what a voice. A better cover of Sam Cooke’s classic “A Change Is Gonna Come” is to be found on “Suitable for Framing” (1969) by Three Dog Night. Much better. In every way. I recommend that you listen to this album for its historical importance, but to 2021 ears (begging indulgence, your majesty), the Queen lacks soul. 2/5
Starts with a bona fuse classic but very quickly loses steam. No questioning her voice but each song sounds like the one before and I found myself bored very very quickly
When Respect is the first song on the album, you know it's gonna be good.
This album is truly a classic. Admittedly, I had never listened to it before. It starts with one of the greatest anthems of all time in RESPECT. I was worried it might fall flat from there, but it did not disappoint. The album was solid all the way through and after one listen convinced me it belongs in my vinyl collection.
"Respect" opens the album - a classic. "Drown in my own tears" (Ray Charles) and "A Change is Gonna Come" covers are great too. So many great songs - very underrated. 9/10.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T! I wanted that album like 15 more times on repeat. fabulous all the way through
“When she starts singing she blows people’s minds! Everybody wants to party with Aretha”. Great album - and I keep wondering why it’s been decade since I intentionally played one of her albums. Great songs and great singing on the rest. 5 easy.
Not sure why Respect is on here twice but I think they know that they were doing. Loved just having Aretha belting in the background as I went about my day.
One of the best soul albums of all time - my favourite cover of a change is gonna come
Amazing. More in line w/ what I’d expect out of an Aretha Franklin album than Lady Soul, but that is not a bad thing at all, for either album. This is an incredible album. It’s got that more boozy, old blues club sound
Wow! Hammer Album, hammer Frau. Immer noch schön, thematisch (tlw. leider) immernoch aktuell.
Great vocals. Well-produced. Did not feel like a chore to listen to this.
Have nothing bad to say about this, a pretty perfect soul album with some classic bangers.
Aretha is the Queen of Soul. 5/5. 10/10. 100/100. Listening to this is a soul serenade. Save Me!
She's the Queen for a reason. If you ever needed to explain soul for someone, just play them this album.
Respect-10 Drown in My Own Tears-10 I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)-10 Soul Serenade-9 Don't Let Me Lose This Dream-8 Baby, Baby, Baby-9 Dr. Feelgood (Love Is a Serious Business)-8 Good Times-8 Do Right Woman, Do Right Man-9 Save Me-9 A Change Is Gonna Come-9
Didn't realise just how many of the belters she released on that one record
Hard not to give it a five based on Respect alone. Visionary, trail blazer, infinitely talented.
Aretha! This is a lot of covers (but Respect is kind of a clever pseudo-cover), but it really captures the best of what made her so great. The vocal range, the easy transitions between soul, motown, funk, and gospel.
Is there any possibility to give less than 5 stars to it? I don't think so...
Simply amazing. Possibly not quite as powerful as Soul Lady, but still brilliant. I'm blown away once again. 5/5.
True classic, funky, swinging to mellow and slow. Arethas voice captivates you and just makes you wan tag along and ride to wherever she goes, singing along to Respect.
Surprised how much I like this album. Makes me feel like Christmas for some reason.
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Respect, Drown in my own tears, I never loved a man, Do right woman,do right man, Save me, A change is gonna come
3rd December 2021 Listened on my phone while doing a bit of work and showering. Seb, Charlie and Joe came round in the evening for food and games. One of the greatest voices of all time.
5.0 - Damn near flawless. Aretha is queen diva without needing to constantly rub it in your face. She sounds both earthy and ethereal and, goddamn, does she sing with soul. The arrangements and composition are professional but they’ve got swing with just enough negative space so the songs can breathe. Technically, this record sounds razor sharp.
111. I never loved a Man the way I loved You - Aretha 14 tracks. Wow! What a woman. What a voice. What an album. I have spent a lot of time listening to her since the 1st time I pressed play on this album. I knew I liked here but didn't know how much. Amazing! 5/5
Oh Boy, what a classic soul record this is. Superb Throughout Aretha at her hottest with that Atlantic Memphis sound. "Respect" "Good Times" "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" and "A Change Is Gonna Come" make this a classic. If I could afford it I would have this in my collection. Well worthy of it's place in this list.
Taking Care of Business. How it took 10 albums until they found what Aretha was best at? Still the Queen of Soul.
A Classic Soul Album with a classic voice and classic songs. What more can I say? This is "The Queen of Soul" at her finest.
What a piece of music! Four amazing songs that are a great as anything ever released. Five songs that are much more than filler. Then...a truly terrible version of "A Change Is Gonna Come." It almost made me stop the rating from five to four stars. It sounds like a bad attempt at the national anthem by a wannabe. Not the Queen of Soul. But this album placed her at the absolute top. Magnificent!
Before getting through 2 songs I can already rate this a 5 star album. So much talent! Absolutely incredible album. I love her soul and it comes through in her songs
Not much I can say about this that hasn’t already been said. Amazing voice, musicians, production and songs. Uplifting and joyous with a slightly bitter-sweet edge. Love the fact you can hear everything so clearly. Knew a few of the songs already, but need to give the whole album a spin again soon.
oh my god this album was stunning from end to end. Aretha's voice in unparalleled. The backing band is so tight. Every song hits you. Loved it
Damn, there's some amazing talent on display here - a great listen! Many of the tracks may be covers but Aretha really makes them her own. Fave track - "Respect" is an all time classic, obviously - really liked the blues-saturated "Drown in My Own Tears", too...
Before I discovered Billy and Ella and Nina, I sung along to Aretha in The Blues Brothers. What a winner. This album bangs out hit after hit, with all the force of Aretha's almighty lungs and beautiful vocal chords. Great backing, great tunes; loved it!
Perfect voice. Not sure I can think of a more iconic singer in all of music history. Her voice is constantly on display, front and centre through this entire album, as it should be. My only critique would be that I don't think she needs backup vocalists at any point.
Loved this album. I love Aretha's voice, it's so beautiful and soulful. My favourite track is Do Right Woman, Do Right Man.
She's the Queen. The Queen of Soul. Queen of MoTown (the genre and the city). The original Diva. Aretha is a goddamn rock star, and this is probably one of the sexiest albums ever recorded. Note 1: I had never heard her version of "A Change Gonna Come" - which was a beautiful tribute. Note 2: I didn't know Whitney Houston's mom sang back up on this. That's cool.
Consistent all time classics all the way through. Although a couple of songs duplicated towards the end.
30 minute album. The voice. The backing. The soul The songs I'm pretty tight giving my 5s but let's face it she is the queen. The is apex Franklin. No messing.. Incredible. Five.
Well. What a remarkable album. One hell of a set of pipes, and she knows. Confident, capable, what isn't to like?
Aretha is as soulful as you can get. For enjoyment purposes, this would probably just get a 4 for me (this isn't an album I would put on repeat necessarily and it doesn't emotionally change me too much), but because of the significance of the artist / record, it gets pushed to a 5.
Genre: R&B, Soul Liked every song; easy listening Favorite songs: "Good Times", "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man"
The title track says it all. Aretha put it all on display here. This album clearly isn't about the songwriting, the instrumentals or the production. This album is all about Aretha's voice. Her spin on several of her male counterparts' songs, and it's arguable that she does them better. This is southern soul at it's finest. Aretha is one of the GOATs - easily. It's hard to pick highlights because every performance is gold. "Drown" is one I didn't know very well before this listen, but it was an unexpected favorite during this listen. "A Change is Gonna Come" is such a powerful song, and while Aretha didn't write it, she perfected its delivery.
Another album that was in regular rotation throughout my entire upbringing as my parents had and listened to this regularly. Easy to see how this cemented Aretha’s place as the Queen of Soul! Love this album.
I don't know how I could possibly rate the Queen of Soul at anything other than a 5, even if she was just singing the alphabet.
I never loved an album the way I love this. Well, not quite true, but I couldn't resist, and it's not mightily far off. I've listened to "Respect" about 476,000,000 times in my life, but I've never listened to this whole album, which is a shame. This seems to be the album that made Aretha Aretha. This is truly when the Queen of Soul debuted, and I love the variety of wonderful songs here. Spectacular!
One of the most powerful voices of all time belts some of her greatest hits. Love my Detroit divas. I particularly enjoyed the songs I *hadn't* heard before. This album is real sexy! Don't tell Aretha's momma she's singing like this.
Ha! How do you review an album that has had so much written about it before? What a voice! Really, I think Aretha could sing the Yellow Pages and make you feel it. It's the first time I have sat down and listened to this album in its entirety. There are so many well known songs on here, it's hard to believe that this is a single studio album and not some kind of early greatest hits. 5/5 (what else could it be)
Classic. She’s got an incredible voice and it was good to hear some of the songs from the early days of Aretha that weren’t “Respect”.
So I knew this was gonna be great, obviously. After all, we’re talking about Aretha singing her greatest hit here But a part of me was a tiny bit skeptical: I generally think that Motown got better the closer we get to ‘72 or so. Take Marvin, one of Aretha’s contemporaries, who didn’t really make his best work until 1970 (though his ‘60s resume was immaculate nevertheless). Boy was I wrong. This is a great record that hasn’t aged a day. This is one of the albums that elevated not just Motown, but American popular music as a whole from good to great. I think 1965-1975 might be the greatest decade in popular music, and this record is right in the upper pantheon.
Beautiful; very different from previous Aretha albums after she got with Wexler Soulful, emotional voice, with great lyrics and stellar backing
Amazing and I want to listen to more Aretha. This is another review I wish I the time to write more
This is Aretha Franklin's 10th studio album, and is her first with Atlantic Records. From what I understand, in her time with Columbia, they were trying to mold her into a pop star, forcing her to try and fit into a mold of what was popular at the time, and that just wasn't her. Atlantic gave her artistic freedom to just be herself, and man does it show on this record. Her vocal runs and creative freedom shines bright here! Her backing band on this record, Muscle Shoals Sound Rhythm Section, were super tight, melding seamlessly with Aretha's huge voice. It was with this record, that she blew the top off of the soul/blues genres and paved the way for future acts to aspire to. Every song on this album is phenomenal, and just makes ya wanna move. On an unrelated note: Every time I hear Aretha's name, I think of the part of School of Rock, where Dewey is trying to convince Tomika that she can sing in front of people, even though she's a bigger girl. "You've heard of Aretha Franklin right? She's a big lady. But when she sings, she blows peoples minds! Everyone wants to party with Aretha!!" Favourite songs: Respect, Good Times, Save Me, A Change Is Gonna Come, Soul Serenade, I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) Least favourite song: if forced to choose, "Baby, Baby, Baby" 5/5
Really excellent, voice of the century. I've loved this album for years. Never Loved a Man (the track) is wonderful as is Do Right. Brilliant, evocative, soulful - very gospel inspired, beautifully arranged. Just really really good
Hot take: Aretha Franklin's voice is good. Favorite track: Soul Serenade
Aretha. Just say her name and we're there. What I didn't realize until this album came up in the rotation is this is her tenth studio album and it's 1967. Wow. She blazed trails in so many ways. What an album. What songs! What a voice. What a performer. Aretha.
If this album consisted of Respect, the title track and Yoko Ono singing over geese honking for the rest of the album it still would be 4 stars. Add in songs like Soul Serenade, Do Right Woman and Drown in my Tears it's hard not to bump it 5. Sure a few songs don't hit, her version of Change is Gonna Come is ok but only because Sam Cooke made it untouchable.
Absolutely incredible. So perfect from start to finish, I listened to it twice in a row. How I got this far in life & had never listened to one of her albums in full is a shock. It's no wonder she's The Queen of Soul.
Aretha's the Queen of Soul, and if you can't figure out why after listening to this album then you're probably a lost cause. Not only is it solid from start to finish, but it's got two of my Top 4 Aretha songs, "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" and (my personal favorite) "Baby, Baby, Baby" (the other two songs being "Chain of Fools" and the "Blues Brothers" version of "Think"). An easy 5 stars.
Love Aretha. Love the Sam Cooke tributes on here. "Good Times" was a great choice and her version of "A Change is Gonna Come" is fantastic, soulful, and spiritual. Favorite tracks: "Respect", "A Change is Gonna Come", "Drown in My Own Tears"
I only knew Respect on the album but you always gotta show respect to the queen of soul
Classic, never listened in full, but this seems like the epitome of soul from that time
Fave Track: "Good Times" (Written by Sam Cooke) Fun Fact: "Respect" was originally written/performed by Otis Redding Preferred the upbeat tracks. Mostly bluesy-soul numbers. Her TENTH album already by 1967, gives you pause to think how much music she's made over the years.
It was great, such a beautiful voice. Certainly not something I'd listen to every day though
It's a beautiful, soulful album, literally. I could really use some more repeated listens.
Album good, voice better. Aretha is a legend. Too tired to write more!
Aretha's powerful vocals give buoyancy to the entire band, including the backup singers! Tracks like "Respect", "Drown in My Own Tears", and "A Change is Gonna Come" truly showcase the soul of Aretha Franklin and her ability to sing freely around beat while still landing in time with the band, which allows her to put further inflection on top of her already emotional delivery. It should also be noted that her band that accompanies her on this album does a great job and bring life to the song arrangements, however they are overshadowed by the power that is Aretha's voice. The only thing holding this album back from being 5 stars is a lack of variety in the track listing, but the individual tracks that I previously named are all worthy of 5 stars by themselves.
Wie Malo schon schrieb: diese Frau könnte ein schwarzes Loch zu einem saftigen Steak zersingen. Und sie kann es mit der Backröhre genauso wie mit dem Dampfgarer und dem Niedrigtemperaturberfahren. Und wie sie es kann! Bin gar kein so riesiger Fan von Soul Music, aber das hier: immer gern und immer mehr.
Not something I'd listen to all the time - but an enjoyable album. Good to listen to a full Aretha album instead of just the few famous songs I've previously heard.
A great Sunday Morning album, but I keep wanting the Sam Cooke versions of Good Times and A Change Is Gonna Come... Do Right Woman... is a total tyuuune though.
YES ARETHA! I'd only ever heard Respect before but this whole album is jamming. Good stuff, definitely will come back
Ein Album für Einsame, Hausfrauen, sexuell Frustrierte, Feministinnen, Leute mit Liebeskummer, Fernweh und Hummeln im Hintern. Eins davon war jeder schon Mal.
Incredible. Timeless. One of the best displays of soul onto wax I've ever heard. The B side is a little weaker than the A side, but still very very nice.
Holding some of the most powerful and iconic soul tracks of all time its no wonder that this album has massive staying power. Both sonically and socially relevant as the day it produced this album has a though line of soul that you can't help but shout a few bars our yourself.
A beautiful soul album with the unforgettable voice of one of the best, Aretha.
- best song: Do Right Woman, Do Right Man - saved - really good, very "exciting" for an album of its time for me
1. good stuff 7/10 2. good 6/10 3. nice 7.5/10 4. great 8/10 5. okay 5.5/10 6. really good 8.5/10 7. decent 6/10 8. cool 6.5/10 9. wow 9/10 10. so so 6.5/10 11. decent 7/10