I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

“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

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.

Now I get it.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

This queen deserves no less than five stars.

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

Another good album from an artist that I'm kicking myself for never having properly explored prior. This one is perhaps a bit more laid back and subtle than Lady Soul, but depending on my mood, there's equal chance I'd run with this one over the latter. The bass guitar work of Tommy Cogbill and Aretha's piano playing are nothing short of great. Also, I've already said this on my last Aretha review, but what a voice.

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

Solid album. I enjoyed her voice more than Sarah Vaughan's (which I had immediately before this one) but the music less. Again, not something I'd go out of my way to listen to, though.

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.

awesome - hard to believe it was 1967

All Hail the Queen. I gave "Lady Soul" five stars and I just gotta give this one five too. What a difference a year makes. While "Lady Soul" was a slammin' - funky album, this one has a much more open, vulnerable, yet confident sound. This is, in my opinion, peak Aretha. So many good songs! "Baby, Baby, Baby," the title track, "Dr. Feelgood." But my favorite is probably the extra-groovy "Don't Let Me Lose This Dream."

Classic soul at its best. All hail Queen Aretha.

I love Aretha Franklin, what a stunning voice she has, so I was really looking forward to listening to I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You today. What a way to open an album. “Respect” is such a phenomenal song, and the quality doesn’t dip from there. The whole record has this warm, effortless soul sound that just draws you in. It’s one of those albums that feels easy to listen to but still completely commanding. I really enjoyed it. Favourite track: “Respect” it would be very hard for anything else to top that. Least favourite track: Honestly, there isn’t a bad song here. Album artwork: A fairly standard cover, but it does the job.

An album that starts with R-E-S-P-E-C-T has got be be something worth listening to. Fantastic and powerful with a plethora of notable songs. It is everything i expected and more, with elements of Jazz and big band and even some electric guitar. Aretha Franklin was such an important icon in music. this is very close to 5 stars for me. In fact it is. 5 stars

Heartfelt soul

All-killer, no filler. You get used to albums from this era being three singles and a bunch of leftovers but this is outstanding throughout. Perfect pairing of the Muscle Shoals sound and the Queen of Soul. Wonderful stuff.

As a general rule, i believe everyone has the right to be wrong. But not in this case. If you gave this album one star, you need to stop listening to music. I get it if this isn’t your cup of tea and you go with three stars. Maybe even two, which is still questionable. But one? You’re the reason bad music exists and the rest of us have to suffer for your poor choices.

Perfection etched in vinyl

Top ! Superbe voix, et j’aime le style ! Une icône

The Queen of Soul at the height of her powers. Chef's kiss. Perfection. No notes. Influence 5. Hits 4. Quality 5. Intangibles 5. This is amazing 5.

Fantastic!!

One of my favorite voices of all time! I have so much respect for her generation and for how she inspired young women across the world of music. Every song on this album carries a voice that deserves to be heard and a message meant to make a statement. Some tracks are calls to action (“Respect”), others are love songs, and yes, there are songs about passion too. Favorite track? “Respect.” It’s more than a song—it’s a statement. And “A Change Is Gonna Come”? Almost perfect. A bit of fascinating trivia: two years after Otis Redding originally released “Respect,” Aretha put her own spin on it — rearranging, reinterpreting, and ultimately transforming it. Her version didn’t just top charts; it became her defining hit and a rallying cry for feminism’s second wave throughout the 1970s.

A classic LP from the Queen...

Oops, all bangers.

Aretha Franklin is like a bottomless well of talent; her piano playing would make her a legend, if only for her eternal voice. This is her first record with Jerry Wexler and Atlantic Records, and as I've read, she came to the table with most of these songs written and even arranged. Her take on "Respect" is literally hers; she brought it with her when she showed up.

5 star all the way

There's nothing bad to even say about Aretha Franklin. The album set me up for a good day 😌

This album is flawless. Lot of hits and great performances from Aretha and her stellar backing musicians. What a voice!

Breakout album by one of the GOATs

The queen of soul. Incomparable vocals what a legend

Yus

The Queen Slays

Genial oui oui baguette

This was great, as I expect from Aretha Franklin. I listened to it later in the day, but really enjoyed it and hummed along the whole time. Five stars.

I love Aretha's voice. it is so pure and clear and strong. The album is smooth and soulful.

OG soul album. Amazing.

A classic must have LP. Aretha at her best with some really great songs.

#156/1001. R.e.s.p.e.c.t.

9/10

Wow. Really just front to back heat, not a weak song on it. Favorites: Drown In My Own Tears, Soul Serenade, Save Me

Aretha’s got that dawg in her!

Infinite stars for the way it feels to listen to Baby Baby Baby in the morning light with coffee at the Prospect Park boathouse

FINALLY A DIVA!! I wish I could have select amnesia just to hear Respect for the first time. Do Right Woman, Save Me, A Change Is Gonna Come, there are just so many phenomenal songs on this album.

Are you kidding me? Six stars.

What a classic! Es erinnert mich an ein gemütliches Aufwachen an einem Sonntagmorgen: die Sonne scheint mir warm ins Gesicht, der Duft von frischem Zopf liegt in der Luft, «Respect» dröhnt aus dem Wohnzimmer – und ich sehe vor mir, wie mein Papi tanzend durch die Stube wirbelt.

was fuer ein klassiker. dieses album tut der seele, den ohren, dem hirni, den elementen und der menschheit gut. zünftig r e s p e c t vor dieser queen👸 a change is gonna come einer meiner favs.

great soul, raspy voice, iconic songs that have stood the test of time

Just the best. Sumptuous.

Pure joy to listen to

Hard to deliver a bad album when you open with Respect. But every song here is killer. What a voice (and props to the backing band who generate the excitement Aretha feeds off).

Soulful and Loving. She had such a gorgeous voice, there was so much passion in everything she did.

Amazing!

Aretha, Sing One For Me! The Queen of Soul deserves nothing short of 10.

Respect alone would make this album 5 stars, ranked as one of the top songs of all time. Favorite track: respect other picks: drown in my own tears, i never loved a man, change is gonna come

20.10.25 klo 9, duuni, koss, qobuz naurettavan hyvä levy. skaala on mieletön tällä listalla