Don't Stop Playing That Song Aretha

8/22/2018

For Love Of Covers and Ben E. King

I have always loved covers, both as an excuse to hear a favorite song again and to hear what other artists bring to something I know. A cover can allow us to fall in love with parts of a song that were not as present in the original artists arrangement, while showcasing what makes the person performing it unique. Whether reviving standards or putting a new spin on a typically out-of-genre gem, some artists have a unique ability to breathe life into a song that did not need more life in the first place.

No one has ever been better at this than Aretha Franklin.

If you want to see the ultimate performance, skip to the end. Otherwise follow the evolution of one of my favorite songs, "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)", originally recorded by Ben E. King. Interestingly, or at least of interest to me when I learned this during writing, the song was co-written by Ben E. King's wife and the co-founder of Atlantic Records, Ahmet Ertegün.

Ben E. King - 1962
I could not find a live performance. I do not apologize for the hilarious video. I also did not watch the whole thing...because I know what is to come.

An all-time Favorite - Ruby Johnson
I found Ruby Johnson when I was digging into Stax, one of my all-time favorite records labels. I came for Otis Redding and stayed for the MGs, plus a long line of musicians they backed. Ruby Johnson never had commercial success and stopped singing professionally in 1974, but her sole soul album is one of the best I have ever heard. Written and produced by Isaac Hayes, and backed by Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn, she still steals the show.

Ruby Johnson - 1968ish?
No live performances to be found, but no goofy videos either.

If anyone can find a live performance video, send it to me and I will give you a sweet reward!

Kelly Clarkson and The John Mayer Conundrum

I am including this as an example of how hard it is to do something compelling with a cover, even if you have the talent. Kelly Clarkson sounds great, and the band is as professional as it gets, but somehow the soul is stripped out of the song when compared to other versions. You can't do much when you cut a song short and need to reach a mass-audience, so we can put the blame on Fox (which is always fun anyway).

Kelly Clarkson - 2002
This is a good example of the John Mayer Condumdrum: How much soul do you need to strip out of music in order to expose more people to soulful music?

Hopefully not this much.

The Master Of Masters, Aretha Franklin

No-one is better at a cover than Aretha, and like a lot of singers her greatest hits were written by other people. Unlike other artists, she was often not the first person to record them or make them famous. The songs may have been classics if she did do them first, but familiarity with them does not take away from what she brings to the table. If anything it gives her a well-tread canvas to make her masterpiece.

The list of songwriters on Aretha Franklin's greatest hits is impressive, and it is amazing her versions stand out next to their's. Included: Paul Simon, Otis Redding, Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach, John Lennon, Ahmet Ertegün, Phil Spector, Jerry Wexler, Carole King. She always sounds like herself, but takes a cue from earlier versions.

As my brother once said, "Covering the Beatles is tough. You either need to play it spot on or bring something they didn't".

She always did.

Aretha Franklin - 1970
This is one of my favorite performances of any song, ever. As I am writing this, we are close to losing one of the greats. I feel sorry for her friends and family, but grateful for what she is leaving behind. A legacy that puts her at the center of American Music, forever, and brought her to the Capital for momentumus presidential inaguarations.

I will admit, I got choked up watching this, and i have heard this many, many times.

Bonus Cover - "The Weight"
The Band is at the top of the list for my favorite bands, and the "The Weight" is at the top of my list of 'Song's I Have Heard So Many Times That I Could Never Hear Them Again And Be Happy" list.

Unless of course Duane Allman is playing and Aretha Franklin is singing, backed by the band at Muscle Shoals.