lady soul

Aretha Franklin found her crowning achievement with the passionate performances of this landmark soul classic.  'Lady Soul' was the proper follow-up to her Atlantic Records debut 'I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)' with her signature hit song 'Respect'.  Atlantic had quickly thrown together 'Aretha Arrives' in the meantime with another hit 'Baby I Love You'.  

Franklin considered the success of her move from Colombia to Atlantic:   "I started off there with more powerful material – very similar to the kind of thing I'm recording now with Atlantic – and went on to slower music. But I can say that my big records and my success have been due to the backing which Atlantic have put behind me. I can say that I wouldn't have had these hit records if it wasn't for Atlantic, and their organisation...Oh, we had good times right enough. I was in a group, a gospel group with my sisters Erma and Carolyn. Carolyn is with me here as part of my backing group. We split up and went our separate ways, to do different things. My big ambition later on, when I was with Columbia, was to have a big record. Ted and I have written quite a few songs – but the name on the label credits would be 'White' – we write under my married name. I like writing, and don't confine myself to just the words, or just the music. But I don't particularly write songs with myself in mind."

'Lady Soul' was recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York City with producer Jerry Wexler and featured Aretha Franklin on vocals and piano; Jimmy Johnson, Joe South, Bobby Womack on guitars; Spooner Oldham on electric piano and organ; Tommy Cogbill on bass; Roger Hawkins and Gene Chrisman on drums; plus Eric Clapton on guitar obbligato; Warren Smith on vibraharp; Melvin Lastie, Joe Newman, and Bernie Glow on trumpet; Tony Studd on bass trombone; King Curtis and Seldon Powell on tenor saxophone; Frank Wess on tenor saxophone and flute; Haywood Henry on baritone saxophone; and The Sweet Inspirations: Carole & Erma Franklin with Ellie Greenwich on background vocals; with Cissy Houston on vocal obbligato.  Arif Mardin did the horn arrangements and the strings were conducted by Ralph Burns.  

With its energetic mix of rock, soul, gospel, and funk, 'Lady Soul' went to number twenty-five in the UK, three on the US jazz chart, two on the US pop chart, and number one on the US R&B album chart.  It sold over a million copies and has been certified gold.  









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"(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman" felt its way to thirty-six in Australia, eleven in Canada, eight on the US pop chart, and number two on the US R&B chart.  

Looking out on the morning rain
I used to feel 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 were the key to my peace of mind
'Cause you make me feel, 
You make me feel, 
You make me feel like
A natural 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
Till your kiss helped me name it
Now I'm no longer doubtful of what I'm living for
'Cause if I make you happy I don't need no more
'Cause you make me feel, 
You make me feel, 
You make me feel like
A natural woman
Oh, baby, what you've done to me
You make me feel so good inside
And I just want to be close to you
You make me fell so alive
'Cause you make me feel, 
You make me feel, 
You make me feel like
A natural woman






"Chain Of Fools" broke through to fifty-one in Australia, forty-three in the UK, four in Canada, two on the US pop chart, and number one on the US R&B chart. The song won her the second of eight consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.  

Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain of fools
For five long years
I thought you were my man
But I found out
I'm just a link in your chain
You got me where you want me
I ain't nothin' but your fool
Ya treated me mean
Oh you treated me cruel
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain of fools
Every chain, has got a weak link
I might be weak yeah
But I'll give you strength
Oh, hey
You told me to leave you alone
My father said, "Come on home"
My doctor said, "Take it easy"
Oh but your lovin' is much too strong
I'm added to your
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chai-i-in
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain of fools
One of these mornings
The chain is gonna break
But up until the day
I'm gonna take all I can take, oh hey
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chai-i-in
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain of fools
Chain, chain, chai-i-in
Chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chai-i-in
Chain of fools






"Since You've Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby)" ran up to seventy-six in Australia, forty-seven in the UK, six in Canada, five on the US pop chart, and became her fifth number one on the US R&B chart in just over a year. 

Baby baby, sweet babyThere's something that I just got to say
Baby baby, sweet baby
You left me hurtin' in a real cold way
Speak your name
And I'll feel a thrill
You said I do
And I said I will
I tell you that I'll stay true
and give you just a little time
Wait on me baby,
I want you to be all mine
I just get so blue
Since you've been gone, baby
(why'd you do it? why'd you have to do it?)
Since you've been gone
(why'd you do it? why'd you have to do it?)
Baby baby, sweet baby
I didn't mean to run you away
It was pride on my lips,
But not in my heart
To say the things that made you stray
But ah, babe
Hear me now
(hear me)
I don't know what I'm gonna do
(hear me)
Got to get you back somehow
(hear me now)
Oooh, take me back,
consider me please
If you walk in that door,
I can get up off my knees
I just been so blue
Since you've been gone
(why'd you do it? why'd you have to do it?)
Since you've been gone
(why'd you do it? why'd you have to do it?)
Well I've been so lonely
(sweet sweet - sweet sweet baby)
Baby, since you've been gone
(sweet sweet - sweet sweet baby)
I've been so lonely
(why'd you do it? why'd you have to do it?)
Since you've been gone
(why'd you do it? why'd you have to do it?)
Baby baby baby been so lonely
(sweet sweet - sweet sweet baby)





'Lady Soul'

full album:




Side One
1. "Chain of Fools" (Don Covay) 2:46
2. "Money Won't Change You" (James Brown, Nat Jones) 2:09
3. "People Get Ready" (Curtis Mayfield) 3:42
4. "Niki Hoeky" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas, Pat Vegas) 2:31
5. "(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman" (Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Jerry Wexler) 2:44
Side Two
1. "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone" (Aretha Franklin, Ted White) 2:25
2. "Good to Me As I Am to You" (Aretha Franklin, Ted White) 3:56
3. "Come Back Baby" (Walter Davis) 2:25
4. "Groovin'" (Felix Cavaliere, Eddie Brigati) 2:57
5. "Ain't No Way" (Carolyn Franklin) 4:17