#86 Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin
The 100 Greatest Albums of All Time
- 2025 Album Rank
- 86
- 2011 Album Rank
- 71
- Total Points
- 765.5
- Year Released
- 1968
- Billboard 200 Chart Peak
- 2
- Weeks at #1
- N/A
- RIAA Sales Certification
- 500,000 (Gold)
- Buy Album
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Lady Soul Album Details
Released in January 1968, Lady Soul was Aretha Franklin's third studio album for Atlantic Records and a defining statement of her artistry and influence. Riding the momentum of her breakthrough success the year prior, Franklin delivered a powerhouse collection of gospel-rooted soul, infused with emotional intensity, social confidence, and vocal mastery. Produced by Jerry Wexler, the album features the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and backing vocals from Cissy Houston, along with guitarist Eric Clapton on one track.
The album opens with the timeless Chain of Fools and includes the empowering anthem (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, written for Franklin by Carole King, Gerry Goffin, and Wexler. Other standout tracks include the fiery Since You've Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby) and her transformative version of Curtis Mayfield's People Get Ready. Lady Soul blends raw emotion with polished arrangements and remains one of the most vital expressions of soul music's golden age.
Other albums by Aretha Franklin on the chart: I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You.
Interesting Facts about Lady Soul
- Aretha was only 25 years old when she recorded Lady Soul, yet she was already being hailed as the "Queen of Soul", a title that stuck for the rest of her career.
- Eric Clapton played guitar on the track Good to Me as I Am to You. He was still with Cream at the time and flew in for the session at Jerry Wexler's request.
- (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman was written in a single day after Wexler told Carole King he wanted a song celebrating black womanhood. Franklin turned it into a landmark of female empowerment.
- The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section was largely responsible for the album's warm, tight groove. Their work on this album further established them as a go-to unit for soul recordings.
- Backing vocals on several tracks were provided by The Sweet Inspirations, which included Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston's mother, who helped shape the gospel-inspired harmonies behind Franklin's lead.
- The gospel feel of Ain't No Way was amplified by Franklin's sister Carolyn, who not only wrote the song but also arranged its complex backing vocals.
- The success of Lady Soul helped cement Atlantic Records as the premier label for soul music in the late 1960s.
- The album hit number 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and number 2 on the pop chart, a rare achievement for a soul record at the time.
- Franklin's version of People Get Ready was praised by Curtis Mayfield himself, who admired the spiritual intensity she brought to the song.
- Though it was only 28 minutes long, Lady Soul packed a cultural and emotional punch that continues to resonate with listeners across generations.
Lady Soul Track List
- Chain of Fools - Reached #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart
- Money Won't Change You
- People Get Ready
- Niki Hoeky
- (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman - Reached #8 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart
- (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone - Reached #5 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart
- Good to Me As I Am to You
- Come Back Baby
- Groovin
- Ain't No Way - Reached #16 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart
