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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Wife didn't like it after the second song

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.\"

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.

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.

It insists upon itself.

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.

Don’t let me lose this dream

She's lady soul babyyyyyyyyyy

Respect

Brilliant! She should be famous!

Love Aretha...

Not sure why spotify repeats 3 songs?

Wow

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.

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

Love!

Impossible to not be 5 stars

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

She's a Queen

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

Magic on tape

Beautiful feeling and voice

"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.

DAMN URETHRA

I mean it’s Aretha ... So...yes

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

Classic. And great listening for family foosball tournament!

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Absolute classic. Could put this on any time.

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

I think this might be a perfect album.

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.

I mean, it's Aretha...

A turning point for her and soul music

Beautiful album. Slow and powerful.

Diva

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.

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.

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

Obviously 5 stars, it’s Aretha.

Chingonazo

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

awesome! Adding to library.

Long live the Queen.

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

Good stuff

Perfect. A perfect album.

“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.

All time fav album

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.

Respect for her great voice and her wonderful songs

I enjoyed it.

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

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

Seminal work of excellence.

Great

Amazing in every way

It was great

Overall not any bad songs on the album

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

10/10

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

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

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

So chilling, so uplifting, so awesome.

she’s perfect 10/10

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

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

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

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

Amazing nothing more to say

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.

yes yes yes

Just a perfect album. Very emotional.

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

Okok

It's Aretha. Nuff said.

Another great Aretha Album