Check out the best Aretha Franklin quotes and song lyrics that celebrate confidence, women empowerment, respect, and the timeless wisdom.
Aretha Franklin, widely known as the “Queen of Soul,” was one of the most powerful and influential voices in music history.
Born in 1942 in Memphis and raised in Detroit, Aretha began her journey singing in her father’s church before rising to global fame with hits like Respect, Think, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, and Chain of Fools.
Her music became anthems of empowerment, civil rights, and women’s liberation, making her a cultural icon and a symbol of strength and change.
With her unmatched ability to blend gospel, R&B, soul, and pop, Aretha Franklin earned 18 Grammy Awards and became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Beyond her legendary music career, Aretha is remembered for her activism, resilience, authenticity, and inspiration to future generations.
Here are the most famous Aretha Franklin quotes that will inspire you to believe in yourself, chase your dreams, and always demand the respect you deserve.
Top 10 Aretha Franklin Quotes
- “I sing to the realists; people who accept it like it is.” — Aretha Franklin
- “Sometimes, what you’re looking for is already there.” — Aretha Franklin
- “Music changes, and I’m gonna change right along with it.” — Aretha Franklin
- “Falling out of love is like losing weight. It’s a lot easier putting it on than taking it off.” — Aretha Franklin
- “We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It’s our basic human right.” — Aretha Franklin
- “I think it would be a far greater world if people were kinder and more respectful to each other.” — Aretha Franklin
- “Every person has their own destiny, their own path to walk. Embrace your uniqueness and follow your own journey.” — Aretha Franklin
- “Be your own artist, and always be confident in what you’re doing. If you’re not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it.” — Aretha Franklin
- “Respect yourself and demand respect from others. Stand up for what you believe in, and never settle for anything less than you deserve.” — Aretha Franklin
- “Don’t wait for someone else to validate your worth. You are enough just as you are. Believe in yourself and your talents, and never be afraid to pursue your dreams.” — Aretha Franklin
Best Aretha Franklin Quotes
- “Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift.” — Aretha Franklin
- “R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me.” — Aretha Franklin
- “I’ve always felt that rock & roll was very, very wholesome.” — Aretha Franklin
- “I’m a soul singer, and a good soul singer doesn’t need to fake it.” — Aretha Franklin
- “We’ve come a long way, but there is still a lot of discrimination.” — Aretha Franklin
- “Who hasn’t had a weight issue? If not the body, certainly the big head!” — Aretha Franklin
- “People really don’t have to give you anything, so appreciate what people give you.” — Aretha Franklin
- “Soul is a constant. It’s cultural. It’s always going to be there, in different flavors and degrees.” — Aretha Franklin
- “Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I’m using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I’m happy with that.” — Aretha Franklin
- “Music has the power to heal, to bring people together, and to inspire change. It’s a universal language that transcends boundaries and touches the soul.” — Aretha Franklin
Famous Quotes By Aretha Franklin
- “I don’t know who’s gonna kiss you when I’m gone, so I’m gonna love you now like it’s all I have.” — Aretha Franklin
- “And I was booked once to go on ‘Ed Sullivan’ and I got bumped and ran out the back door crying.” — Aretha Franklin
- “It really is an honor if I can be inspirational to a younger singer or person. It means I’ve done my job.” — Aretha Franklin
- “I’m never tired of going to the studio. I enjoy recording and documenting everything and trying new things.” — Aretha Franklin
- “You can’t copy anybody and end with anything. If you copy, it means you’re working without any real feeling.” — Aretha Franklin
- “If you disrespect everybody that you run into, how in the world do you think everybody’s supposed to respect you?” — Aretha Franklin
- “Everybody wants respect. In their own way, three-year-old’s would like respect, and acknowledgment, in their terms.” — Aretha Franklin
- “You cannot define a person on just one thing. You can’t just forget all these wonderful and good things that a person has done because one thing didn’t come off the way you thought it should come off.” — Aretha Franklin
- “Being the Queen is not all about singing, and being a diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people. And your social contributions to your community and your civic contributions as well.” — Aretha Franklin
- “Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, years back, to the very moment certain things happened in your life. It’s uplifting, it’s encouraging, it’s strengthening.” — Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin Song Lyrics
- “There’s an old friend That I once heard say Something that touched my heart And it began this way.” — Aretha Franklin, (A Change Is Gonna Come)
- “(Pride) a deeper love (Pride) a deeper love (Pride) a deeper love Woah woah woah woah (Pride) a deeper love (Pride) a deeper love (Pride) a deeper love Woah woah woah woah.” — Aretha Franklin, (A Deeper Love)
- “Listen dear, I realize that you’ve been hurt, Deeply, because I’ve been there, But regardless to who, what, why, when, and where, We are all precious in his sight. And a rose still and always will be a rose.” — Aretha Franklin, (A Rose Is Still a Rose)
- “Ain’t no way for me to love you If you won’t let me It ain’t no way for me to give you all ya need If you won’t let me give all of me (ooooooo) I know that a woman’s duty Is to help and love the man And that’s the way it was for me.” — Aretha Franklin, (Ain’t No Way)
- “Looking out on the morning rain I used to feel so uninspired And when I knew I had to face another day Lord, it made me feel so tired Before the day I met you, life was so unkind But your the key to my peace of mind.” — Aretha Franklin, (You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman)
Conclusion
What are your favorite Aretha Franklin quotes and Aretha Franklin quotations listed above? If there is a quote that we’ve missed, then let us know in the comments section what your thoughts are.
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