Friday February 19, 2021 “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman” Aretha Franklin

An unbelievable late in life performance by the Queen of Soul that reduced President Obama and Clive Davis to tears, me too.

 In the late '60s, Franklin became one of the biggest international recording stars in all of pop. Many also saw Franklin as a symbol of black America itself, reflecting the increased confidence and pride of African-Americans in the decade of the civil rights movement and other triumphs for the black community. 

 Aretha Franklin recorded 112 charted singles on Billboard, including 17 top-ten pop singles, 100 R&B entries, and 20 number-one R&B singles.  She was awarded the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1987, she became the first female performer to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

 She also was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005 and into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2010, Rolling Stone magazine ranked her number one on its list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

 Very definitely a legend and absolutely the Queen.

 Stay safe and well...and it has always amazed me that the stunning lyric for “Natural Woman” was written by a man, Gerry Goffin, songwriter Carole King's then husband.

Looking out on the morning rain

I used to feel so uninspired

And when I knew I had to face another day

Lord, it made me feel so tired

Before the day I met you, life was so unkind

But you're the key to my peace of mind

 'Cause you make me feel

You make me feel

You make me feel like a natural woman (woman)

 When my soul was in the lost and found

You came along to claim it

I didn't know just what was wrong with me

'Til your kiss helped me name it

Now I'm no longer doubtful, of what I'm living for

And if I make you happy I don't need to do more

 'Cause you make me feel

You make me feel

You make me feel like a natural woman (woman)

 

Oh, baby, what you've done to me (what you've done to me)

You make me feel so good inside (good inside)

And I just want to be (want to be)

Close to you, you make me feel so alive

 You make me feel

You make me feel

You make me feel like a natural woman (woman)

 You make me feel

You make me feel

You make me feel like a natural woman (woman)

 You make me feel

You make me feel

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Saturday February 20, 2021 “Lean on Me” Bill Withers

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Thursday February 18, 2021 “People Get Ready” The Impressions/Curtis Mayfield