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56 Aretha Franklin Quotes & Sayings

Famous As: One of the Best-Selling Music Artists in the World & 'Queen of Soul'
Born On: March 25, 1942
Died On: August 16, 2018
Born In: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Died At Age: 76

Aretha Franklin, better known as the ‘Queen of Soul’, was a cultural and musical icon. She was one of the best classic singing divas. Aretha showed her love towards music at an early age and started to learn piano and songs. Having a musical background, signing came naturally to her. When Aretha was 14, her father recognized her passion for singing and her talent and helped her in getting her first recording deal. Her first song ‘Songs of Faith’ was released in 1956. She was later signed by Columbia Records and started recording pop music. It didn’t take much time for her music to be recognized, as her debut album ‘Aretha: With the Ray Bryant Combo’ was an instant hit. After releasing few more albums, she earned the crown of ‘new star female vocalist’ by many A-listed magazines. Her powerful singing has influenced many music producers ‘Chain of Fools’, ‘Freeway of Love’ and ‘I Know You Were Waiting (For Me)’ are some of the best songs of this eighteen Grammy Award winning singer. Aretha’s sayings on life, music and women are really thought-provoking. We have collected some of her quotes from her songs, observations, and life.

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Sometimes, what you're looking for is already there.

Sometimes, what you're looking for is already there.

Aretha Franklin
The man who gets me is getting one hell of a woman.

The man who gets me is getting one hell of a woman.

Aretha Franklin
Be your own artist, and always be confident in what you're doing. If you're not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it.

Be your own artist, and always be confident in what you're doing. If you're not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it.

Aretha Franklin
I love all music.

I love all music.

Aretha Franklin
We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It's our basic human right.

We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It's our basic human right.

Aretha Franklin
Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I'm using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I'm happy with that.

Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I'm using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I'm happy with that.

Aretha Franklin

Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It's transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, years back, to the very moment certain things happened in your life. It's uplifting, it's encouraging, it's strengthening.

Aretha Franklin
I think women and children and older people are the three least-respected groups in our society.

I think women and children and older people are the three least-respected groups in our society.

Aretha Franklin
Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift.

Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift.

Aretha Franklin
I sing to the realists .People who accept it like it is .

I sing to the realists .People who accept it like it is .

Aretha Franklin
Who hasn't had a weight issue? If not the body, certainly the big head!

Who hasn't had a weight issue? If not the body, certainly the big head!

Aretha Franklin
I've been around long enough for people to know who I am and what my contributions are. They know me as more than just an artist. I think they know me as a woman as well.

I've been around long enough for people to know who I am and what my contributions are. They know me as more than just an artist. I think they know me as a woman as well.

Aretha Franklin
I'm a big woman. I need big hair.

I'm a big woman. I need big hair.

Aretha Franklin
My faith always has been and always will be important to me.

My faith always has been and always will be important to me.

Aretha Franklin
If a song's about something I've experienced or that could've happened to me it's good. But if it's alien to me, I couldn't lend anything to it. Because that's what soul is all about.

If a song's about something I've experienced or that could've happened to me it's good. But if it's alien to me, I couldn't lend anything to it. Because that's what soul is all about.

Aretha Franklin
I've always felt that rock & roll was very, very wholesome.

I've always felt that rock & roll was very, very wholesome.

Aretha Franklin
Everybody wants respect. In their own way, three-year-olds would like respect, and acknowledgment, in their terms.

Everybody wants respect. In their own way, three-year-olds would like respect, and acknowledgment, in their terms.

Aretha Franklin
The love of my life? I'm much too young to answer that question.

The love of my life? I'm much too young to answer that question.

Aretha Franklin
Being the Queen is not all about singing, and being a diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people. And your social contributions to your community and your civic contributions as well.

Being the Queen is not all about singing, and being a diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people. And your social contributions to your community and your civic contributions as well.

Aretha Franklin
We didn't have music videos. You weren't an overnight sensation. You had to work at it and learn your craft: how to take care of your voice, how to pace your concerts, all that trial and error.

We didn't have music videos. You weren't an overnight sensation. You had to work at it and learn your craft: how to take care of your voice, how to pace your concerts, all that trial and error.

Aretha Franklin
It really is an honor if I can be inspirational to a younger singer or person. It means I've done my job.

It really is an honor if I can be inspirational to a younger singer or person. It means I've done my job.

Aretha Franklin
It's very satisfying. To perform the way you want to. And the way you know that you can.

It's very satisfying. To perform the way you want to. And the way you know that you can.

Aretha Franklin
Parents have to really talk to their children before they leave home.

Parents have to really talk to their children before they leave home.

Aretha Franklin
Gospel goes with me wherever I go. Gospel is a constant with me.

Gospel goes with me wherever I go. Gospel is a constant with me.

Aretha Franklin
People really don't have to give you anything, so appreciate what people give you.

People really don't have to give you anything, so appreciate what people give you.

Aretha Franklin
Women absolutely deserve respect.

Women absolutely deserve respect.

Aretha Franklin
I love 'Anne of Green Gables.' I have for years. That's one of my favourite things. She's such a can-do kind of girl; that's why I'm crazy about her.

I love 'Anne of Green Gables.' I have for years. That's one of my favourite things. She's such a can-do kind of girl; that's why I'm crazy about her.

Aretha Franklin
When God loves you, what can be better than that?

When God loves you, what can be better than that?

Aretha Franklin
Don't say Aretha is making a comeback, because I've never been away!

Don't say Aretha is making a comeback, because I've never been away!

Aretha Franklin
I don't think I was a catalyst for the women's movement.

I don't think I was a catalyst for the women's movement.

Aretha Franklin