Thread by @FreedomFriesInc

(1) My Top Ten Aretha Franklin hits.

No politics tonight. Only soul.🕶️🌟

(2) At the age of 10 I was introduced to the Queen of Soul through this scene in the classic 1980 movie The Blues Brothers.

If for some reason you haven't seen this movie, you know what to do.

#Think

(3) Then I found out Aretha Franklin sang R.E.S.P.E.C.T. in 1967. One of her biggest hits.

(4) Another memorable movie soundtrack from way back was The Big Chill in 1983.

Aretha's (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman was on it. Also played at the first dance at an untold number of weddings in 51 years.💍

(5) Aretha-Gospel⛪️ is a genre so out of this world, I can't describe how good it is. You have to listen:

(6) There's so many great Aretha duets. This one ended up being her biggest chart success, as well as little taste of 1987 that takes me right back to when I first heard it.

I don't remember any other No.1 duets by a 45yo woman & a 27yo man. Epic.

(7) These lyrics, man:

When the river was deep I didn't falter
When the mountain was high I still believed
When the valley was low it didn't stop me, no no
I knew you were waiting.
I knew you were waiting for me

(8)

With an endless desire
I kept on searching
Sure in time our eyes would meet
Like the bridge is on fire
The hurt is over,
One touch and you set me free

(9) If you build a playlist for your road trip and it does not include Aretha's 1985 Freeway Of Love, then you are doing it very wrong.🚗

(10) I would be remiss not to include this other 1985 hit song.

"Now we ain't makin' stories
And we ain't layin' plans
'cause a man still loves a woman
And a woman still loves a man
Just the same"

(11) I haven't heard Through The Storm in years, had forgotten about it. Musically, it's a triumph. Has that real 1989 Elton John sound, too.

Wasn't a big hit, but worth another listen, esp. the ending from 3m45s:

(11) It's getting hard to limit myself to just 10 favorite Aretha songs. My list is in no particular order.

The 9th is You're All I Need To Get By, 1971:

(13) I like this orchestral version better than the 1971 version.

An instant mood lifter. Better than Xanax.

(14) One of the most uplifting songs ever written:

"There's no, no looking back for us
We got love sure 'nough, that's enough
You're all, You're all I need to get by."

Aretha Franklin's lyrics were slightly different but the below was easier to copy.

(15) I decided 20 years ago to have the Simon & Garfunkel version of this played at my funeral but on second thoughts, I might just have an hour's worth of Aretha Franklin songs and nothing else.

Thank you for the memories, Aretha. Fly free.

END

(12) Just noticed some kind of threading fail. Sorry.

Thread continues here:

https://twitter.com/GodlessNZ/status/1028917829188251648

(16) More: Can you imagine a 22 year old playing and singing this well in 2018? I can't.