Released 37 years ago this November
It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be
Aretha Franklin · 1989
26 min · 5 tracks · funk
A vibrant fusion of New Jack Swing beats and classic soul elements creates a fresh yet nostalgic soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be (extended radio mix) Start here — This extended mix exemplifies the album's innovative approach, combining infectious grooves with Franklin's powerful delivery, making it a staple in dance clubs.
-
→
It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be (House radio mix) — The House radio mix showcases how Franklin embraced contemporary production techniques while retaining her signature style, appealing to a younger audience.
-
→
Think (1989) — Originally made famous in the 1960s, this reimagined version demonstrates Franklin's enduring relevance and capacity to infuse classic material with new energy.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Aretha's adaptability through varied remixes but lacks strong cohesion as a standalone work.
What we noticed
- Each remix maintains a consistent vocal performance from Aretha Franklin while altering the instrumental backdrop significantly.
- The inclusion of 'Think' as a bonus track provides a contrast to the contemporary sound of the remixes, highlighting Franklin's versatility.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- vibrant danceable party energy
- uplifting sing-along moments
- steady progression with resolution
- head-nodding groove throughout
- short bursts of joy
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of long epics
- prefer slow, introspective pieces
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — The title track solidified Aretha's relevance in the late '80s music landscape.
- Themes
- New Jack Swing evolution· dance floor empowerment· urban groove revival
- Career context
- Released on November 27, 1989, this album came during Aretha Franklin's period of reinvention. It marked her first studio release since the mid-1980s and sought to re-establish her presence in the evolving landscape of pop and R&B music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Gladys Knight· Etta James· Nina Simone
Tracklist
- 1 It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be (extended radio mix) Start here 6:12
- 2 It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be (House radio mix) 5:05
- 3 It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be (Hip Hop radio mix) 4:57
- 4 It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be (New Jack Swing dub mix) 6:20
- 5 Think (1989) 3:36
What to play next
Through the Storm
1989
Continues the blend of soul and contemporary sounds with emotional depth.
Who's Zoomin' Who?
1985
Sets the stage with a mix of upbeat tracks and strong vocal performances.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.