Aretha Franklin - Think [1968] (original Version) May 2026

Co-written by Aretha and her then-husband/manager , the lyrics are often viewed through the lens of their turbulent marriage.

Critics consistently rank it among the greatest songs of the 1960s, with Pitchfork placing it at #15 on its list of the decade's top tracks. It remains a definitive statement of Franklin’s status as the . Aretha Franklin - Think [1968] (Original Version)

Musically, the original version is a "pulsating swinger" built on a foundation of Southern soul. Co-written by Aretha and her then-husband/manager , the

Aretha Franklin's is more than just a soul classic; it is a three-minute masterclass in musical defiance. Released in May 1968 as the lead single from her album Aretha Now , the song reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the R&B charts for three weeks. Musical Composition and Vocal Performance Musically, the original version is a "pulsating swinger"

The song’s emotional climax occurs during the call-and-response bridge, where Franklin belts out "Freedom!" alongside the Sweet Inspirations (featuring Cissy Houston). Lyrical Themes and Cultural Impact

Backed by the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section —including Jimmy Johnson on guitar and Roger Hawkins on drums—the track features a driving, propulsive beat that bridges the gap between gospel and emerging funk.

Aretha’s delivery is characterized by "fiery intensity". Unlike the more polished 1980 Blues Brothers re-recording, the 1968 original has a raw, urgent quality.