I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

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.

“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

Now I get it.

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.

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.

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

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

A performance for me to doze off and fall asleep midway through, only to be woken up when it ends by everybody else clapping, and I start clapping too because I feel like I have to. I respect Aretha Franklin's singing ability, but this record lacks the vigor to keep me engaged.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Other than respect, it’s ok.

Wife didn't like it after the second song

DAMN URETHRA

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.

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 insists upon itself.

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

Wow

"I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" by Aretha Franklin - where do you even start with an album that not only redefined soul music but also captured the essence of an era? This isn’t just an album; it's a revelation, a soul-stirring journey led by the Queen of Soul herself. From the opening notes of "Respect," Aretha doesn't just perform; she commands, turning a simple demand for respect into a cultural anthem that resonates through the ages. Then there’s "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man," where her voice, rich with emotion and depth, navigates the complexities of love and respect with the ease of a master. Each track is a testament to her unparalleled ability to convey the deepest human emotions, transforming the personal into the universal. The production? Flawless. The emotion? Palpable. The impact? Immeasurable. Aretha’s voice, infused with power, grace, and vulnerability, elevates this album from merely great to transcendental. "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" is not just an album; it’s an experience, a masterpiece painted with the hues of soul, gospel, and R&B. It's no exaggeration to say that this album is a cornerstone of American music, a beacon that shines brightly in the pantheon of the greatest recordings of all time. Five stars don’t seem enough for an album that continues to inspire and awe listeners with its raw power and beauty. This isn’t just music; it’s Aretha Franklin at her most sublime, and it doesn’t get better than this.

had some soul to it, but it kinda just felt like background noise.

It is hard to say anything new about Aretha. She is at the height of her amazing powers here, finally escaped from an unfulfilling contract with Columbia to Atlantic Records. Atlantic totally knew what to do with her; step away from polished jazz-pop arrangements and unleash her soul. And she re-writes the book of what soul could be. Even the filler tracks are funky and she sings the hell out of every song. There is a reason the standout tracks from this record are absolute classics; Respect, I Never Loved a Man, Dr Feelgood, Do Right Woman. She owns everything she sings. Rolling Stone apparently thought the band tracks were "unpolished", but the rough edges are a feature not a bug. This is band with considerable power, chemistry and feel, especially when Aretha leads from the piano. Backing vocals from Aretha's sisters Carolyn and Erma are strong and tight. It's hard to imagine that anyone else could possibly hold their own with Aretha on lead. (BTW, check out Erma's 1969 solo album Soul Sister. It's also great!) An unambiguous five-million-star all-time classic album. I could listen to this every day. Damn it, I _should_ listen to this every day.

Magic on tape

Not sure why spotify repeats 3 songs?

She's lady soul babyyyyyyyyyy

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...

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

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.

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.

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

Love Aretha...

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

Brilliant! She should be famous!

I mean it’s Aretha ... So...yes

Don’t let me lose this dream

She's a Queen

Beautiful feeling and voice

Impossible to not be 5 stars

Love!

Respect

Classic. And great listening for family foosball tournament!

Nr. 56/1001 Respect 5/5 Drown in My Own Tears 3/5 I Never Loved a Man 3/5 Soul Serenade 5/5 Don't Let Me Lose This Dream 4/5 Baby, Baby, Baby 4/5 Dr. Feelgood 3/5 Good Times 4/5 Do Right Woman, Do Right Man 4/5 Save Me 4/5 A Change Is Gonna Come 4/5 Average: 3,91 Incredible voice and great selection of songs.

Another banger all the way through just like Lady Soul

Typical of the Motown sound, very formulaic in the musical composition. Beyond her words, you can hear some of the pain of her life, and with it, the optimism she had to get through it. Aretha deserves her place as a household name for her strong voice. For me, the harmonizing backup singers and simplistic catchy tunes bring it down.

Aretha and Urethra are very similar words, but there are vas deferens. — | — Listen to 'I’ve Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You' and agree with me — a standard UTI doesn't evoke as much pain as Aretha does on this album. There’s this incredible feeling of a heartbroken innocence that runs from beginning to end. The first track worth mentioning, “Drown in My Own Tears” wraps you in the warmth of a dark, desolate dive bar where Aretha’s voice is the only thing you can feel after hours of drinking alone. And that holds true for most of the songs. This album could’ve been the soundtrack to every B movie made in the 80’s. The title track, 'I Never Loved a Man…’ could easily be set to the scene of a lonely bride hiding her face at the altar in an empty church. Queue up the song, close your eyes and imagine the scene. The camera, focused on the bride, slowly backs away up the aisle, gently pulling out of a small Baptist church, out the doors, down the steps and then, just as slowly, points to the blue sky as a single black bird crosses the frame. The credits start to roll. Through all of this, the undercurrent of an organ and backup singers evoke possible redemption through faith. However, everyone knows only time will heal a broken heart, and antibiotics ease pain caused by gonorrhea and even the worst UTIs.

Respect is overplayed, but fine. Drown In My Own Tears is overwrought. I expect this to be a trend. I Never Loved A Man signals a worrying trend of complaining about being done wrong by significant others. I get it, but I don't care. Jennifer Hudson and Adele and 1000 other over-singers have beaten this to death since. And that's where I stop song-by-song. Aretha is an incredible talent with a great voice and a pioneer, maybe THE pioneer, in a style of music I can't possibly give less of a shit about. This album is boring and I just don't like it. Thankfully, I can skip the last 3 tracks, being merely repeats of previous songs on the album. So, overall, it's a mercifully short listen. Musically, it's competent. Maybe I'm a victim of my era, but these are just boilerplate soul standards at this point and I've heard all of these moves and choices countless times now, 60+ years later. Vocally, it's Aretha Franklin. Expertly sung with the same tone/emotion/emphasis as every other song in this style. You've heard Aretha Franklin before. You know what these songs sound like. There are no surprises.

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

Great voice. Not my cuppa. A whole album of strident soul wailing - however superb the delivery - isn't my thing. R-E-S-P-E-C-T is of course the highlight.

9/10 Aretha the goat

Hard sometimes to place classic albums in their context. I.e. how did the world listen to this in 1967? In 2025 music has built on this, been inspired by this, and so while I have never listened to the whole album, it feels very familiar. Was it ground breaking in 1967? Did it change things? Perhaps, perhaps not. I have no intention of doing the research to find out. Listening to it today with a song like 'Respect' firmly in the global consciousness, I cannot imagine a world without this. Perhaps thats worth a 5.

Great. Especially Do right woman, do right man and Respect

Respect!!!

Not a lot to say here. It’s a classic. One of the best soul albums ever made… and the voice of Aretha when she at the top of her game

Quality music. *Chef's kiss* 5/5 stars

The Queen of Soul. YES!!!

Just incredible

Straight fire

Great album from a great singer. Her voice is so so good throughout. Even though I had just heard Respect before the other songs are just as good.

Even with the poor production and inconsistent mix. Aretha's voice is the star here on this amazing classic album.

Beautiful album. Truly loved how you can hear the emotion and passion in her voice in each song. My favorites were probably I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) and Respect. I will definitely be listening to more Soul albums after this masterpiece!

loved it

It’s my 200th album. The generator clearly thought that deserved a little R.E.S.P.E.C.T and threw me a soul classic.

What more can I add to the discussion around Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul? Such an iconic voice who proved to be influential across decades of popular music for her emotional yet powerful delivery. There was never a doubt as to how I would feel about her vocals. As for the album itself, I Never Loved a Man the Way I Loved You boasts original compositions that are genuine bops, as well as covers that can go toe-to-toe with their original artists, and at times even transcend and transform the work into her own. Seriously, "Respect" has become more synonymous with her than Otis Redding, and her version of "A Change Is Gonna Come" rivals Sam Cooke's. There are several go-for-broke, boastful performances from Aretha and the accompanying musicians on this record, from the title track to "Dr. Feelgood (Love is a Serious Business)", from King Curtis's "Soul Serenade" to her own "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man", and so on. This album is a certified soul classic that has withstood the test of time, and I'm glad to have enjoyed it from start to finish.

ARETHA FRONKILN!!!!

Aretha love it.

What do you want me to say. It pure, raw, unadulterated, soul. It’s what music should be. And while she’s not as raw as other artists that’s just not her sound and that’s okay. if you were to strip away all the innovation in music over the last 100 years this would still remain because its beyond music as an art form It’s a 5, it was always going to be a 5, Aretha fucked me up and down with this one

Ts is gas. I love that I don't feel like I'm listening to the same song over and over again. Her voice is beautiful and she does amazing renditions of some classics.

WILL be added to the rotation

This was awesome. This isn't the typical music that I like, but I'm glad I listened to it. I've heard her sing before but I don't think I really got it until just now. Obviously, I've heard "Respect" before but the whole album just hits different. It's not the music I'd listen to on a road trip, but it's the music I'd listen to while cooking dinner with the family. And I don't mean that background music is a bad thing, it can elevate a mood and set a tone which is awesome. I just listened to it while working and it made my monotonous task much more enjoyable. So much is made about her voice and it's certainly one of a kind, but the band/music here is just as good. The Swampers are just excellent on this album...what this album is, is a perfect blend of an amazing vocalist and amazing musicians. 5/5 for sure.

A wonderful album - I didn't realize I liked Aretha Franklin this much!

Already reviewed! Legendary album

As weird as this sounds. She will always be ahead of her time. Favorite Track: Do Right Woman, Do Right Man

Truly one of the greatest to ever do it

I'm mesmerized by her voice.

If you give this album anything lower than 4 stars, you’re just a troll. Franklin is using this record to cement her position in history as the greatest to ever do it.

One of the finest, if not the finest, albums in Aretha Franklin's extensive discography and one of the greatest, if not the greatest, soul records to emerge from the 1960s.

great — and YOUNG vocals!

Aretha me ha acompañado desde la infancia y ha sido un álbum muy escuchado en casa , siempre que la escucho es maravillosa. Una media hora muy amena

Really good

Nog een easy vijf sterren. Misschien wel het beste Aretha-album.

Highs: Soul Serenade, A Change is Gonna Come

There is nothing bad I could possibly say about this album. It’s perfect. Aretha will forever be the greatest female vocalist of all time. Automatic 5 stars.

This was really good, iconic even, but also really short. Today it'd be an ep. Do I take points off for being so short? Nah.

iconic

Beautiful voice! 5/5

Peerfect

Opens with an all time classic, Respect. Really good song. We've all heard it before, but we've heard it for a reason. And the album keeps rolling from there, grooving and moving along really smoothly. Lol, and I love the bossa nova of Don't let me lose this Dream. OOhh, and I love the call and response in Save Me, along with the chugging guitar. Lol, and does it really have two iterations of the exact same track Respect on the album... or is that just spotify? Ah, that's unique to the 1995 reissue, where they did a stereo recording.

a lot of the songs could have been longer ngl (this is a good thing btw). i hate to glaze “respect” since it is the most mainstream track BUT it’s popular for a reason. easily her catchiest and most vocally impressive track. aretha franklin is just a beast. 5/5.

Fricking classic

just one of those albums that speaks for itself. surprised by how much I loved the slower gospelly piano tracks highs: respect, soul serenade, a change is gonna come lows: nothing

MASTERPIECE GOD DAMN Now I understand. Aretha's vocals are incredible, they take you somewhere new. Definitely worth it. Top 3: 1) A Change is Gonna Come 2) Do Right Woman, Do Right Man 3) Respect

La mejor voz en su mejor momento

She kills it

Fave Songs: Respect, Drown In My Own Tears, Soul Serenade, Baby, Baby, Baby, Good Times, Do Right Woman, Do Right Man, A Change Is Gonna Come

The Queen

The Voice.

The Queen of Soul. I bow down to you. One of the all-time greats.