What is the best Aretha Franklin album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Lady Soul" (1968). It's the most representative of what makes Aretha Franklin worth hearing.

What are the best Aretha Franklin albums?

The essential Aretha Franklin albums include "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" (1967), "Aretha Arrives" (1967), "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" (1967), "Lady Soul" (1968) and "Spirit in the Dark" (1970).

How many albums does Aretha Franklin have?

Aretha Franklin has 95 releases in their discography, including 72 albums.

Photo: Atlantic Records (Life time: Published before 1978 without a copyright notice) · Public domain

Aretha Franklin

Q: Who is Aretha Franklin for?

If you're into funk and jazz, Aretha Franklin is worth your time. With a commanding presence, her music pulses with a steady groove that blends rhythmic intricacy and soulful depth, creating an atmosphere charged with emotion.

With a commanding presence, her music pulses with a steady groove that blends rhythmic intricacy and soulful depth, creating an atmosphere charged with emotion.

funk · jazz · pop rock

United States

Read about Aretha Franklin on Bookshop

Start here

The album

Lady Soul (1968)

Represents Aretha's signature blend of soul, funk, and gospel with a cohesive listening experience that showcases her vocal prowess.

The song

“(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”

An immediate classic that captures Aretha's emotive delivery and soulful style, making it a strong introduction to her work.

See the full guide

About Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin matters not only for her unparalleled vocal prowess but for her role as a cultural icon who reshaped the landscape of soul and gospel music.

Her music transcended mere entertainment, becoming anthems of empowerment and social change during a pivotal era in American history.

Her music transcended mere entertainment, becoming anthems of empowerment and social change during a pivotal era in American history. Franklin's ability to weave personal narrative into universal themes allowed her to connect deeply with listeners, forging a bond that echoed far beyond the stage. Franklin's approach to music was both visceral and spiritual, drawing from her gospel roots while embracing the rhythmic complexities of funk. She often infused her performances with a raw emotional authenticity, creating a space where joy and sorrow coexist. This unique fusion of genres enabled her to craft songs that feel both sacred and celebratory, offering a rich tapestry of sound that invites listeners to experience the full spectrum of human emotion. In her songwriting, Franklin frequently explores themes of love, resilience, and self-identity, employing a storytelling voice that ranges from confessional to declarative. Her lyrics strike a balance between sincerity and irony, reflecting the complexities of relationships and societal expectations. Each song becomes a powerful narrative that resonates with the struggles and triumphs faced by many.

72 studio albums· 95 total releases· 6 decades· United States

Full discography

Aretha Franklin's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

95 releases • 72 albums • 1956–2017

Type:

Studio albums (64)

Grouped by decade — 8 eras.

2010s ()

2000s ()

A Deeper Love: The Best of Aretha Franklin album by Aretha Franklin

1990s ()

A Rose Is Still a Rose album by Aretha Franklin

1980s ()

Through the Storm album by Aretha Franklin

1970s ()

1960s ()

Soft and Beautiful album by Aretha Franklin

1950s ()

The Gospel Soul of Aretha Franklin

1956

Undated ()

The Atlantic Singles Collection 1967–1970

The Very Best of Aretha Franklin, Vol. 1

Live ()

Aretha Live at Fillmore West

1971

Compilations ()

Greatest Hits: 1980-1995 album by Aretha Franklin

Singles ()

Put You Up on Game album by Aretha Franklin

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

1

"Don’t Play That Song" — from Spirit in the Dark (1970)

accessible entry with immediate hook
2

"Son of a Preacher Man" — from This Girl's in Love with You (1970)

accessible entry with immediate hook
3

"Satisfaction" — from Aretha Arrives (1967)

accessible entry with immediate hook
4

"Respect" — from I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967)

accessible entry with immediate hook

Continue your journey

If you liked Aretha Franklin, start with Nina Simone

A guided entry point we think you'll like.

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Reference

Official site Wikipedia MusicBrainz Wikidata

Aretha Franklin

About Aretha Franklin

Full discography

Studio albums (64)

2010s ()

A Brand New Me (Aretha Franklin album)

Amazing Grace

Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics

A Woman Falling Out of Love

2000s ()

A Deeper Love: The Best of Aretha Franklin

This Christmas Aretha

Jewels in the Crown: All-Star Duets with the Queen

Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul

So Damn Happy

The Queen in Waiting: The Columbia Years

Respect – The Very Best of Aretha Franklin

Aretha's Best

1990s ()

A Rose Is Still a Rose

The Delta Meets Detroit: Aretha's Blues

Love Songs

Aretha Sings Standards

Queen of Soul: The Atlantic Recordings

What You See Is What You Sweat

1980s ()

Through the Storm

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

Aretha

Soul Survivors

Who's Zoomin' Who?

First Lady of Soul

Never Grow Old

Get It Right

Jump to It

Love All the Hurt Away

Aretha

Aretha Sings the Blues

1970s ()

La Diva

Almighty Fire

Sweet Passion

Sparkle

You

Let Me in Your Life

With Everything I Feel in Me

Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky)

Young, Gifted and Black

Spirit in the Dark

This Girl's in Love with You

1960s ()

Soft and Beautiful

Soul '69

Aretha's Gold

Aretha in Paris

Aretha Now

Lady Soul

Take a Look

Aretha Arrives

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

Take It Like You Give It

Sweet Bitter Love

Soul Sister

Yeah!: Aretha Franklin in Person

Once in a Lifetime

Runnin' Out of Fools

Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington

Laughing on the Outside

The Tender, the Moving, the Swinging Aretha Franklin

The Electrifying Aretha Franklin

Aretha: With The Ray Bryant Combo