Love All the Hurt Away
Aretha Franklin · 1981
45 min · 10 tracks · funk
A blend of soulful ballads and funk-infused grooves, showcasing Aretha's powerful vocals over polished arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Love All the Hurt Away Start here — The title track serves as an emotional centerpiece, encapsulating the album's themes of healing and resilience through Franklin's soaring vocal delivery.
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You Can’t Always Get What You Want — Franklin's rendition transforms this Rolling Stones classic into a soulful anthem, highlighting her extraordinary vocal prowess and emotional depth.
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It’s My Turn — This track stands out for its introspective lyrics and lush production, showcasing a more personal side of Franklin's artistry during a pivotal time.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends soul and funk effectively but lacks standout compositions throughout.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo title track that sets a soulful tone, followed by a cover that shifts to a more upbeat groove.
- Several tracks feature layered backing vocals and brass arrangements, enhancing the funk elements while supporting Franklin's lead.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- steady emotional journey throughout
- empowering anthems for resilience
- soulful melodies for reflection
- uplifting vibes for group listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced listening experiences
- seek standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Represents a shift in sound after leaving Atlantic, blending soul with funk.
- Themes
- gospel roots· post-Atlantic transition· soulful resilience
- Career context
- Released in 1981, Love All the Hurt Away was Aretha Franklin's first album for Arista Records after leaving Atlantic. At this point in her career, she was transitioning into a new sound that incorporated more contemporary pop and R&B elements, seeking to reach a wider audience while retaining her gospel roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Gladys Knight· Etta James· Nina Simone
Tracklist
- 1 Love All the Hurt Away Start here 4:09
- 2 Hold On I’m Comin’ 5:14
- 3 Living in the Streets 3:55
- 4 There’s a Star for Everyone 4:28
- 5 You Can’t Always Get What You Want 5:18
- 6 It’s My Turn 5:30
- 7 Truth and Honesty 4:17
- 8 Search On 4:49
- 9 Whole Lot of Me 3:25
- 10 Kind of Man 4:19
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
I Feel for You
Chaka Khan
Similar blend of funk and soul, emphasizing powerful vocals with contemporary pop production.
I'm in Love Again
Patti LaBelle
Shares themes of resilience and emotional depth, with rich vocal performances over polished arrangements.
Hotter than July
Stevie Wonder
Combines funk grooves with soulful balladry, reflecting a similar era and uplifting themes.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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