Is With Everything I Feel in Me a good place to start with Aretha Franklin?

Yes, With Everything I Feel in Me is recommended as a starting point for new Aretha Franklin listeners. Soulful melodies intertwine with funk grooves, showcasing Aretha's powerful vocals and emotional depth across every track. Released in early 1974, With Everything I Feel in Me was Aretha Franklin's 18th studio album, coming after her acclaimed record Young, Gifted and Black. At this point in her career, she was solidifying her status as the 'Queen of Soul' while experimenting more with funk and pop influences, reflecting a shift in the musical landscape of the time.

Who is With Everything I Feel in Me for?

With Everything I Feel in Me works well if you're into steady mid-tempo groove throughout, emotive sing-along moments and for afternoon relaxation.

How many songs are on With Everything I Feel in Me?

With Everything I Feel in Me has 9 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

With Everything I Feel in Me

Aretha Franklin · 1974

35 min · 9 tracks · funk

Soulful melodies intertwine with funk grooves, showcasing Aretha's powerful vocals and emotional depth across every track.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Without Love Start here — As the album's lead single, this track exemplifies Franklin's powerful vocal delivery paired with an upbeat arrangement that perfectly blends soul and pop elements.
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I Love Every Little Thing About You — This song captures an infectious joy and intimacy through its lively rhythm and heartfelt lyrics, showcasing Franklin’s versatility and charm.
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You’ll Never Get to Heaven — A poignant cover that combines lush instrumentation with emotional depth, it highlights Franklin's ability to reinterpret classic songs while maintaining her unique style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong vocal performances and well-crafted funk arrangements, solidifying Franklin's appeal.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of layered backing vocals that complement Aretha's lead, creating a rich harmonic texture.
Each track maintains a strong rhythmic groove, with prominent bass lines and brass arrangements driving the funk elements.
The tempo varies across the tracks, with several songs starting slow and building to more energetic choruses, particularly in 'Without Love'.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

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

steady mid-tempo groove throughout
emotive sing-along moments
for afternoon relaxation
heartfelt expressions of love
warm background for gatherings

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy tracks
prefer standalone singles only

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Showcases Aretha's vocal prowess and blend of soul with pop, enhancing her established reputation.
Themes: 1970s funk revival· soulful intimacy· emotional resilience
Moods: Melancholy· Uplifting
Career context: Released in early 1974, With Everything I Feel in Me was Aretha Franklin's 18th studio album, coming after her acclaimed record Young, Gifted and Black. At this point in her career, she was solidifying her status as the 'Queen of Soul' while experimenting more with funk and pop influences, reflecting a shift in the musical landscape of the time.
Stylistic neighbors: Gladys Knight· Etta James· Nina Simone