Aretha Franklin – I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You

“I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” – Single by Aretha Franklin from the album I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
B-side; “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man”
Released: February 10, 1967
Recorded: January 24, 1967
Label: Atlantic
Songwriter: Ronnie Shannon
Producer: Jerry Wexler

Aretha Franklin recorded for Columbia Records from 1960-1966, never charting higher on the Hot 100 than #37. In 1967, she signed with Atlantic and released “I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)” as her debut single with the label, and it became the first Top 10 hit for the Queen of Soul.

The song was written by Ronnie Shannon, and her recording of the blues-based ballad established the singer as a superstar. Shannon also wrote Franklin’s “Baby, I Love You.”

Billboard described “I Never Loved a Man” as “a powerful blues wailer that will create much excitement in both pop and r&b markets.” It rose to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Franklin’s first #1 hit on the R&B charts. It was also the title of Franklin’s first Atlantic LP. Franklin would soon become a superstar after the release of this song. The song has since been called a pivotal moment in rock and roll. It ranked #189 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2009, the 1967 recording on Atlantic Records was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Aretha Franklin – I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You
(Live at Concertgebouw Amsterdam 1968)

Taken from the DVD Aretha Franklin – Live at Concertgebouw Amsterdam 1968 (Track 11)

Credits:
Vocals & Piano: Aretha Franklin
Backing Vocals: Carolyn Franklin, Charnessa Jones, Wyline Ivy
Director/trumpet: Donald Townes
Piano: Gary Illingworth

Date: Sunday April 28,1968
Venue: Concertgebouw Amsterdam
Promotor: Paul Acket
MC: Peter de Wit
TV Registration: Bob Rooyens, director
Producers: Fred Haayen, Willem van Kooten
Cameras: Jan Keijser, Rein Richters
Sound: Fred Haayen
DVD adaptation/editing: Bob Rooyens
Audio: Han Nuyten at Bullet Sound Studio’s
Mastering: Digital Hilversum
Research: Hans Mantel, Marjan Tolboom