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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

DAMN URETHRA

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

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

This album made excellent Saturday morning music and then outdid itself on Sunday, where it felt even better suited. Probably got five potential.

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

Aretha Franklin delivers a brilliant vocal performance on every single track here, and there's no doubt it's an album full of soul with some classic tracks epitomised by Respect as a killer opening song. I can't help but feel slightly bored by the middle to end part of the album though. There's nothing wrong with any of the songs, I just find them a bit middling at times. Still a decent 7/10 album for me though.

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.

Superb, lovely to hear Aretha with her charm and beautiful harmonies - great album, some real bangers on here

I was already familiar with this album. It is excellent. Respect is the best known song, but every track on here is great. Her voice is spectacular and the instrumentation is on point, giving her voice a great showcase. I appreciate how the songs touch on other genres, like Bossa Nova and Rock with Save Me. This album has been in my rotation for years and will continue to be, as I would listen to this album any time.

Bliss

Full of soul and talent! Amazing album

All timeless crackers.

Fantastic. One of my favourite vocalists and the songs are classics. Like this soul period better than her earlier stuff.

Tout simplement excellent !

Respect you know what that means to me!!!! Amazing album

One of the best soul records ever.

Gotta give it the respect it deserves

I've heard it said that Aretha doesn't sing her songs, she inhabits them. I would add that her songs inhabit you. As strong as her voice was, her piano playing shone through on multiple tracks. The strength of the Muscle Shoals musicians is also undeniable. Respect is one of the best and most well-known songs of all time, and even the original artist, Otis Redding, said Aretha owns it. Beyond that, there's not a throwaway track on the entire album. Blues, gospel, soul—this one's got it all. I listened to Lady Soul some time ago on this list, and the way it moved me—a rhythmless, middle-aged white guy—is just as strong here. She earned the Queen of Soul moniker, hands down, and she gets 5 stars plus here!

Woohoo! Some songs here I already knew, are FIRE: 'Respect' is the stand-out. Some songs I didn't know, turn out to be mighty fine, eg 'Drown In My Own Tears'. Nothing here I don't like. 10/10 :-)

Powerful, beautiful and just a really nice listen. I didn’t expect to give this five stars but a mix of pace with different sound and just a powerful and talented singer make this a great album

I loved Aretha as a little girl, and I think I’ll love her my whole life. Such a beautifully perfect voice. I love this album with all my heart. “Do right woman, Do right man” is one of the best songs of all time.

Yup this is perfect

Five stars. Fight me. No, didn't think you would.

A rare album to be sure. Her vocal talent is undeniable - she could outsing anyone on this list. But she doesn’t just sing these songs - she inhabits them and you can’t escape without feeling them deeply. This album shaped the direction of music in so many genres for decades to come. It is remarkable. You don’t need to love every note to recognize that it is of the highest level.

Iconic songs, iconic voice. Aretha Franklin. The more I listen to her the more I love her. I don't have anything more to add, just tap play and enjoy her gift.

great

What an absolute classic. Incredible stuff.

P-e-r-f-e-c-t

Respect by itself nearly gets this album a 5. But everything else on the album, while not quite as hard hitting, is just as good. Aretha has a legendary voice.

A delight. Franklin is as incredible as always, and this is a flawless collection of songs, with a range of styles and feelings behind them. Cannot fault it in any way. 5* by default.

this a banger

I had never listened to this full album before but I’m glad I did now. Every song is so good and full of soul, so easy to listen to. Favorite Song(s): The full album.

A banger from start to finish. I’ve heard respect one too many times in my life. It’s still of course amazing but damn I love this album. I think I should buy it on vinyl.

There's a reason why she's The Queen of Soul. Her best album EVER!

Hard to give this album anything less than a 5 when it opens with the best version of Respect.

The Queen of Soul never got it wrong. Nothing but respect for the best.

While only just over 30mins long, this album is why Aretha is the Queen of Soul.

I LOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEEE THİS AŞBUM SO MUCH. A little bir of jazz a little bit of everything. Most of the songs moved me in the first go. Love this

I’ll be damned if this isn’t one of the most soulful albums I’ve ever heard. Aretha Franklin is simply electric on all of these southern soul bangers. It’s super groovy, fun, charming and an instant classic. “Respect” obviously demands its title from the listener—being an all time classic soul song for good reason. But the other tracks on here also deliver the goods, with each bringing something creatives to the table. From the dramatic and bluesy “Drown in My Own Tears” to the rocking “Save Me”, and even the samba-esque “Don’t Let Me Lose This dream”, this album never fails to impress.

Review - So many classic songs, often covers that have become the best known version. And at barely over 30 minutes long you can listen to it a few times in a row and not get bored. Rating - 9.5/10 Need to hear? YES

An amazing listening experience. Obvious "Respect" is a standout, but the whole album is nothing but amazing songs. I loved it so much, I had to listen to more Aretha to satiate my craving for more of her voice. 9/10

Gorgeous, beautiful, extraordinary l. Aretha Franklin truly is one of the best vocalists of all time (if not the best). Love her and I always will

Really good soul album, certainly one of the best of all time.

Iconic songs and one of the greatest voices in popular music, hard not to give it a five despite the majority of songs being covers.

Loving this album. Perfect amount of trumpets

Aretha Franklin is THE greatest singer in American history. This record is one of several reasons why that is the case.

Fabulous. Opened and closed with classics

So good. I'm usually not a fan of covers, but damn that version of A Change Is Gonne Come was almost better than the original. 5/5 Highlights: Respect Drown in My Own Tears A Change Is Gonna Come

One of my favourite 60s albums

Imagine being the Rolling Stone reviewer, one of the first mainstream critics to hear Franklin at full power, who sniped about the drummer not being particularly good...

I absolutely loved it, Aretha Franklin is another jazz queen that I truly adore and this album is amazing.