2. I KNEW YOU WERE WAITING (FOR ME) (1986)
This duet with George Michael is the Queen of Soul’s best-performing song on the charts in both the US and the UK. Peaking at No. 1 in both countries, surprisingly, it’s still her only song to reach the top of the charts in the UK. In the US, it was her second and last No. 1 hit afterRespect. In his autobiography, George Michael wrote about being awestruck when working with Franklin. The song went on to become his first No. 1 hit as a solo artist and his first Grammy win.
3. I NEVER LOVED A MAN (THE WAY I LOVED YOU) (1967)
This is regarded as the song that established Franklin as a legend. The album with the same name, her 11th studio album, was produced by Atlantic Records, which she joined in 1966 after leaving Columbia. The move proved to be instrumental in establishing her career. The record company allowed her to write her own music, play the piano while her sisters sang backup, and encouraged the gospel influences from her childhood.
4. (YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE) A NATURAL WOMAN (1968)
Every other musical legend seems to have done a cover of this song. Bonnie Tyler, Celine Dion, Mary J Blige and Adele have all taken a stab at it. Rod Stewart even explored what it meant to feel like “a natural man” in 1974. However, not many can reach the soaring heights of Franklin’s original. Carole King, who not only wrote the song with Gerry Goffin, but also released her own version in 1971, would attest to this. During Franklin’s performance at a tribute ceremony, King couldn’t contain her excitement, jumping up and down in her seat next to a tear-shedding Barack Obama.
5. SISTERS ARE DOIN' IT FOR THEMSELVES (1985)