In my most humble opinion, Aretha Franklin is simply one the greatest...if not the greatest...female singers that the good Lord ever graced us with here on earth. She can sing anything and make you feel the passion of each word, right to the very core of your heart. She just get's inside your soul and smashes it to bit's! All Hail The Queen!
@deeway1963 Yes All hail the Queen she is forever phenomenal, and another great singer is Oleta Adams the Emperess.- Her voice soaks into your soul like rain. Have you ever heard her sing Holy is the Lamb? and When love comes to the rescue?- two extraordinary songs - check them out on her playlist for a real treat - I would love to hear these two together- My, My, My...
Aretha's voice sounds odd here, not as refined as on a lot of her classics. Her vibrato especially isn't as strong. But then if she was still in her early 20's that might explain it. I think after hearing the vocal excellence that is Donny's version it's really hard for anyone to come behind that. I will say this, Billie's version is DIVINE. Not nearly as polished as the others technically, but the extremely sentimental.
@midnitehour1 There is nothing odd about Aretha's voice here, this is a very young Aretha but still an amazing and Aretha and an amazing interpretation. I like Donny's as well but this version has a very special place in my heart.
@TheQueenAretha2 You're right...written by J. Fred Coots and Sam M. Lewis in 1934...and it is a classic no matter who sings it...It had been performed by many! I have not heard a version that I did not like!!
This is simply stunningly beautiful....i like the purity of it. Her vocie was so clear and innocent. Aretha has really done them all. Although i love Donny's version too....i respect the way they both put their signature on it. I was recently told that singing styles change over time and Donny did it much later then Aretha, so to me they both did it appropriate to the era. Aretha was told to tone down the soulful gospel sound to her singing style so that she could attract a broader audience.
Aretha was still in her twenties when she sang this!!!! This is mature material and the way she sang it I knew she knew the agony and the ecstasy that this song was about. That's a blessing AND a curse! You hear me??
@TheAulegend Aretha's voice sounds odd here, not as refined as on a lot of her classics. Her vibrato especially isn't as strong. But then if she was still in her early 20's that might explain it. I think after hearing the vocal excellence that is Donny's version it's really hard for anyone to come behind that. I will say this, Billie's version is DIVINE. Not nearly as polished as the others technically, but the extremely sentimental.
I'm more familiar with Donny's rendition, but Aretha is a master interpreter of song, and she draws out all the emotions from the lyrics. I love that this arrangment leaves a lot of space between each phrase. Aretha's voice is magical!
Aretha has been one of my favorite singers since my childhood. But when I heard Donny Hathaway sing this song, it sent chills up and down my spine. I absolutely love both Aretha and Donny and I don't like comparing because each artist is different in their own way, but to be honest, this is Donny's song. I think it's the best he has ever done. I think it's his signature song.
Me too - it's heartbreaking. I like Nina Simone's a lot too, in a different way - it's darker. You should check out the versions of another standard -"Little Girl Blue" - Nina Simone's version is out of this world, but then I heard Janis Joplin do it and that blew me away too! I really do think it's the measure of a great artist that they can take a song and make it so special and unique, which all these artists have done (Aretha too of course)
@pudgeuncle The only rudeness here is coming from you. There are countless arrangements and versions of this classic and if you can't hear the similarities in this (that came DECADES before Barbra's) then you're a tone deaf idiot with no ear for music. And "Just for the Record", there is no bigger Barbra Streisand fan than I. Rude enough for you?
I heard Donny Hathaway's version on "So You Think You Can Dance",which led me to finding out about Donny Hathaway, who was incredible.I loved his version of this song so much I wondered who wrote it - I had no idea it was an old standard!What he did with it is amazing.I can't stop listening to it.But this is amazing too!It just goes to show you what an incredible artist can do with a song and what individuality they bring to it.(I have to say I find Donny Hathaway's version incredibly poignant.)
Nice So far closest to donny...Im gonna see if Nat can bring the tenderness that Donny did... I think i wont find a woman can... So lets see if nat can..
Love Aretha's rendition! She's a true songstress & timeless icon -- always remaking a song into her very own outstanding version. It's no wonder she's STILL in the limelight. Thx for the upload!
When will people learn to understand that each artist who sings the same song must find their own meaning in it so they can be sincere? Aretha did it her way and the others did their way. No need to come to this video to start the compare game because if you like somebody elses version then please feel free to leave and go find their version. Aretha is who she is and Donny is who he is...also remember that she recorded it at a different time in history from Donny. Styles change as time does.
I love Aretha because truthfully she is one of a kind,but i must be real and say in my humble opinion our brother beloved Mr. Donny Hathaway owns this song.....his delivery of this is unmatched.
I was pleasantly surprised by this as I'm a Donny Hathaway fan. Aretha brings some of the aching poignancy of lovers parting...but it's Donny for me every time.
I don't think it matters who sang it better ( although I do prefer Donny's). They are both inimitable performers. And they loved each other, Donny and Aretha, so there would never be competition between them anyway.
I LIVE for this. Like 10 years ago I got a cd from the flea market that has this on it, and that intro is just sublime. I listen to it at least twice before i let the song play.
Aretha's vocals are phenomenal. I love her interpretation of this classic.
CSpurgeon376 1 month ago
Comment removed
direfranchement 2 months ago
In my most humble opinion, Aretha Franklin is simply one the greatest...if not the greatest...female singers that the good Lord ever graced us with here on earth. She can sing anything and make you feel the passion of each word, right to the very core of your heart. She just get's inside your soul and smashes it to bit's! All Hail The Queen!
deeway1963 6 months ago 6
@deeway1963 Yes All hail the Queen she is forever phenomenal, and another great singer is Oleta Adams the Emperess.- Her voice soaks into your soul like rain. Have you ever heard her sing Holy is the Lamb? and When love comes to the rescue?- two extraordinary songs - check them out on her playlist for a real treat - I would love to hear these two together- My, My, My...
tefnutbellsouthnet 3 months ago
Her nickname shoulda been "silky slim"
DoomCity202 8 months ago
Aretha's voice sounds odd here, not as refined as on a lot of her classics. Her vibrato especially isn't as strong. But then if she was still in her early 20's that might explain it. I think after hearing the vocal excellence that is Donny's version it's really hard for anyone to come behind that. I will say this, Billie's version is DIVINE. Not nearly as polished as the others technically, but the extremely sentimental.
midnitehour1 8 months ago
@midnitehour1 There is nothing odd about Aretha's voice here, this is a very young Aretha but still an amazing and Aretha and an amazing interpretation. I like Donny's as well but this version has a very special place in my heart.
TheQueenAretha2 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@TheQueenAretha2 You're right...written by J. Fred Coots and Sam M. Lewis in 1934...and it is a classic no matter who sings it...It had been performed by many! I have not heard a version that I did not like!!
hollidayevery 7 months ago
This is simply stunningly beautiful....i like the purity of it. Her vocie was so clear and innocent. Aretha has really done them all. Although i love Donny's version too....i respect the way they both put their signature on it. I was recently told that singing styles change over time and Donny did it much later then Aretha, so to me they both did it appropriate to the era. Aretha was told to tone down the soulful gospel sound to her singing style so that she could attract a broader audience.
READY4REVELATION 10 months ago 2
Aretha was still in her twenties when she sang this!!!! This is mature material and the way she sang it I knew she knew the agony and the ecstasy that this song was about. That's a blessing AND a curse! You hear me??
Alemayehu45 11 months ago
Wow..
cuzimgd 11 months ago
Wow Never heard aretha's version!! she placed her heart in this song, just as donny did!!! I love it
TheAulegend 11 months ago
@TheAulegend Aretha's voice sounds odd here, not as refined as on a lot of her classics. Her vibrato especially isn't as strong. But then if she was still in her early 20's that might explain it. I think after hearing the vocal excellence that is Donny's version it's really hard for anyone to come behind that. I will say this, Billie's version is DIVINE. Not nearly as polished as the others technically, but the extremely sentimental.
midnitehour1 8 months ago
and let's not forget Billie Holiday's version..
flaviocvalente66 11 months ago
I'm more familiar with Donny's rendition, but Aretha is a master interpreter of song, and she draws out all the emotions from the lyrics. I love that this arrangment leaves a lot of space between each phrase. Aretha's voice is magical!
bolder2009 11 months ago
oooo... this girl can sing... im young so this is the first time i ever listened to aretha
xxxbankrollzxxx 1 year ago 4
Nina Simone did a great version of this song, too.
drfab 1 year ago
Is this the ORIGINAL version? Was she the first to sing it?? 'Cause I thought it was Donny's..
luhkelsgoinhard93 1 year ago
@luhkelsgoinhard93 your right .. donny worte the song
yazziboo95 1 year ago
@yazziboo95 Donny did not write this song, this was written in the 30's.
TheQueenAretha 1 year ago
Comment removed
hollidayevery 7 months ago
@hollidayevery Thank you for that very open minded and mature comment!
TheQueenAretha 7 months ago
Aretha has been one of my favorite singers since my childhood. But when I heard Donny Hathaway sing this song, it sent chills up and down my spine. I absolutely love both Aretha and Donny and I don't like comparing because each artist is different in their own way, but to be honest, this is Donny's song. I think it's the best he has ever done. I think it's his signature song.
Kevzinkevzon 1 year ago 2
Me too - it's heartbreaking. I like Nina Simone's a lot too, in a different way - it's darker. You should check out the versions of another standard -"Little Girl Blue" - Nina Simone's version is out of this world, but then I heard Janis Joplin do it and that blew me away too! I really do think it's the measure of a great artist that they can take a song and make it so special and unique, which all these artists have done (Aretha too of course)
melizmatea 1 year ago
It's quite interesting; you can hear little tidbits here and there that Streisand obviously 'borrowed' from Miss Aretha on this one.
mikesterSTLMO 1 year ago
@mikesterSTLMO Rude. Ms. Streisand does not need to "borrow" from anyone.
pudgeuncle 1 year ago
@pudgeuncle The only rudeness here is coming from you. There are countless arrangements and versions of this classic and if you can't hear the similarities in this (that came DECADES before Barbra's) then you're a tone deaf idiot with no ear for music. And "Just for the Record", there is no bigger Barbra Streisand fan than I. Rude enough for you?
mikesterSTLMO 1 year ago
2 words
Nina SImone
pjubagoni 1 year ago
But, she has some better performences
BagheeraBirk 1 year ago
I heard Donny Hathaway's version on "So You Think You Can Dance",which led me to finding out about Donny Hathaway, who was incredible.I loved his version of this song so much I wondered who wrote it - I had no idea it was an old standard!What he did with it is amazing.I can't stop listening to it.But this is amazing too!It just goes to show you what an incredible artist can do with a song and what individuality they bring to it.(I have to say I find Donny Hathaway's version incredibly poignant.)
melizmatea 1 year ago
@melizmatea i found about his version on that show too. his version just gives me goosebumps.
chrisnooknook 1 year ago
beautiful.
arisalaamel 1 year ago
Nice So far closest to donny...Im gonna see if Nat can bring the tenderness that Donny did... I think i wont find a woman can... So lets see if nat can..
themysteryrapper 1 year ago
...THIS song just brought tears to my eyes.....WOW
mac48203 1 year ago
The QUEEN!!!!!!
iluvmyboba 2 years ago
Love Aretha's rendition! She's a true songstress & timeless icon -- always remaking a song into her very own outstanding version. It's no wonder she's STILL in the limelight. Thx for the upload!
bjlayla 2 years ago 2
When will people learn to understand that each artist who sings the same song must find their own meaning in it so they can be sincere? Aretha did it her way and the others did their way. No need to come to this video to start the compare game because if you like somebody elses version then please feel free to leave and go find their version. Aretha is who she is and Donny is who he is...also remember that she recorded it at a different time in history from Donny. Styles change as time does.
WHITESLICK10 2 years ago 7
@WHITESLICK10
i hear you, great point.
teddypantelas 2 years ago
I love Aretha because truthfully she is one of a kind,but i must be real and say in my humble opinion our brother beloved Mr. Donny Hathaway owns this song.....his delivery of this is unmatched.
DaStr8Truth 2 years ago 2
Aretha , Streisands, and Billie Holiday are the best i heard. But I personally prefer Billie Holiday version.
tonnyy06 2 years ago
To hell with "he sang..she sang" shit -
THIS IS BEAUTIFUL I ENJOYED IT
IdaSputum 2 years ago 6
Although I prefer Donny Hathaway's version better, Aretha makes it sound sooo 1920's-1940's, and I looooove that! =-)
linnyc87 2 years ago 3
I was pleasantly surprised by this as I'm a Donny Hathaway fan. Aretha brings some of the aching poignancy of lovers parting...but it's Donny for me every time.
latinaloveruk 2 years ago 2
no doubt MARTINVANDERSTONES boris killed it.
ZooPv2 2 years ago
You must listen to this version:
Boris - for all we know
It's really great too!!!
Let me know what you think about it. And check out more vids of this artist!
martinvanderstones 2 years ago
My first Aretha album which I bought while in high school. She was even bringing it back then on Columbia!
leesterg 2 years ago 4
I don't think it matters who sang it better ( although I do prefer Donny's). They are both inimitable performers. And they loved each other, Donny and Aretha, so there would never be competition between them anyway.
tvwily 2 years ago 12
You are so correct......each artist brings their own magic to a song!
coolspindrift 2 years ago 15
aretha can sing this better than anyone, cause she makes it her own song...something no one else can do. period. REJECTED
gee3dee 3 years ago
I love this...and never heard this cover before. Thanks for posting!
CocoaLife 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
NO ONE can do this like Donny did it. Period.
vhiftyyi 3 years ago
I agree no one can do this like Donny. But no one can do it like Aretha either.
juustlooking 3 years ago 6
to yaskam thanks a whole lot for posting Arethas songs
it jus warms my heart to hear her songs
vickone32 3 years ago 3
I LIVE for this. Like 10 years ago I got a cd from the flea market that has this on it, and that intro is just sublime. I listen to it at least twice before i let the song play.
Excellent choice.
theblueangel28 3 years ago 2