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I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

Aretha Franklin

1967
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
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.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.95

Votes

7075
Genres
Soul

Reviews

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Mon Feb 15 2021
5

I 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.

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Mon Mar 22 2021
5

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

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Tue Jan 19 2021
5

Smooth and soulful, I feel everything. A beautiful album, well paced and intentional.

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Thu Apr 08 2021
5

The kind of voice and lyricist that illustrates why music is an art form.

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Sat Feb 06 2021
5

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.

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Sun Mar 07 2021
2

“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

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Sat Jul 10 2021
5

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.\"

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Sat Oct 16 2021
5

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.

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Wed Nov 17 2021
5

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.

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Sat Mar 06 2021
5

Impossible to not be 5 stars

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Wed Jan 13 2021
5

Don’t let me lose this dream

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Wed Jan 27 2021
5

I mean it’s Aretha ... So...yes

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Sat Jan 23 2021
5

Brilliant! She should be famous!

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Tue Feb 02 2021
5

Classic soul album She has such a great voice and so much of the blues is in this. 10/10

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Mon Feb 15 2021
5

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.

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Sat Nov 13 2021
5

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

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Wed Nov 17 2021
5

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...

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Tue Dec 14 2021
5

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.

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Mon Jan 03 2022
5

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.

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Thu May 18 2023
4

Another banger all the way through just like Lady Soul

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Mon Apr 19 2021
3

Other than respect, it’s ok.

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Sun Sep 11 2022
3

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.

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Wed Apr 07 2021
2

Wife didn't like it after the second song

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Wed Jun 02 2021
2

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

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Tue Aug 24 2021
2

We love Aretha but outside of the major hits I was not vibing.

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Wed Mar 01 2023
2

It's just a load of covers right? Obviously a great voice and some really good versions but still hard to go higher in the ratings

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Tue Apr 27 2021
5

When Respect is the first song on the album, you know it's gonna be good.

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Mon Jan 18 2021
5

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.

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Fri Jun 04 2021
5

"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.

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Fri Jan 29 2021
5

R.E.S.P.E.C.T! I wanted that album like 15 more times on repeat. fabulous all the way through

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Mon Feb 15 2021
5

“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.

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Mon Feb 15 2021
5

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.

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Mon Apr 05 2021
5

So chilling, so uplifting, so awesome.

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Fri Apr 09 2021
5

One of the best soul albums of all time - my favourite cover of a change is gonna come

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Fri Mar 05 2021
5

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

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Tue Mar 16 2021
5

Wow! Hammer Album, hammer Frau. Immer noch schön, thematisch (tlw. leider) immernoch aktuell.

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Sat Mar 27 2021
5

Great vocals. Well-produced. Did not feel like a chore to listen to this.

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Thu May 06 2021
5

Have nothing bad to say about this, a pretty perfect soul album with some classic bangers.

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Mon May 10 2021
5

Aretha is the Queen of Soul. 5/5. 10/10. 100/100. Listening to this is a soul serenade. Save Me!

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Thu Jul 01 2021
5

Obviously 5 stars, it’s Aretha.

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Wed May 26 2021
5

She's the Queen for a reason. If you ever needed to explain soul for someone, just play them this album.

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Sat Jun 05 2021
5

Absolute classic. Could put this on any time.

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Sun Jun 20 2021
5

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

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Mon Sep 13 2021
5

Всегда Арету Франклин слушаю с удовольствием, альбом прекрасен

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Thu Sep 23 2021
5

5/5 un classique tout simplememt

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Fri Sep 24 2021
5

Didn't realise just how many of the belters she released on that one record

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Sat Sep 25 2021
5

Hard not to give it a five based on Respect alone. Visionary, trail blazer, infinitely talented.

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Sun Sep 26 2021
5

Just a perfect album. Very emotional.

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Tue Oct 05 2021
5

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.

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Wed Oct 06 2021
5

Is there any possibility to give less than 5 stars to it? I don't think so...

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Fri Oct 08 2021
5

Simply amazing. Possibly not quite as powerful as Soul Lady, but still brilliant. I'm blown away once again. 5/5.

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Mon Oct 11 2021
5

I mean c'mon....listen to that wondrous voice

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Thu Nov 11 2021
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.

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Tue Nov 23 2021
5

Surprised how much I like this album. Makes me feel like Christmas for some reason.

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Sat Nov 27 2021
5

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

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Wed Dec 08 2021
5

Respect for her great voice and her wonderful songs

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Fri Dec 17 2021
5

Beautiful album. Slow and powerful.

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Fri Dec 24 2021
5

A turning point for her and soul music

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Tue Jan 04 2022
5

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.

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Thu Jan 06 2022
5

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.

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Thu Jan 06 2022
5

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

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Wed Jan 12 2022
5

I think this might be a perfect album.

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Wed Jan 12 2022
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.

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Tue Jan 18 2022
5

Taking Care of Business. How it took 10 albums until they found what Aretha was best at? Still the Queen of Soul.

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Sun Jan 30 2022
5

i mean this is the money right? It's Phenomenal.

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Wed Feb 09 2022
5

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.

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