Think (Aretha Franklin song)
"Think" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Side A of the US single | ||||
Single by Aretha Franklin | ||||
from the album Aretha Now | ||||
A-side | "Think" | |||
B-side | "You Send Me" | |||
Released | May 2, 1968 | |||
Genre |
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Length | 2:16 | |||
Label | Atlantic 2518 | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Jerry Wexler[3] | |||
Aretha Franklin singles chronology | ||||
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"Think" is a song written by American singer Aretha Franklin and Ted White, and first recorded by Franklin. It was released as a single in 1968, from her Aretha Now album. The song reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Franklin's seventh top 10 hit in the United States. The song also reached number 1 on the magazine's Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles,[4] becoming her sixth single to top the chart. Franklin re-recorded the song in the Atlantic Records New York studio for the soundtrack of the 1980 film The Blues Brothers and in 1989 for the album Through the Storm. Pitchfork placed it at number 15 on its list of "The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s".[5]
Billboard described the single as a "pulsating swinger with another wild performance" that had a similar feel to "Respect" and which it expected would quickly reach a million sales.[6] Cash Box said it has "wailing lyrics of a hard-luck love affair" and "tremendous rhythmic drive."[7]
Chart performance
Chart (1968) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[8] | 6 |
France (IFOP)[9] | 4 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] | 12 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] | 9 |
UK Singles (OCC)[12] | 26 |
US Billboard Hot 100[13] | 7 |
US Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles[13] | 1 |
US Cash Box[14] | 7 |
US Record World[15] | 7 |
West Germany (Official German Charts)[16] | 32 |
Chart (2013) | Peak position |
---|---|
France (SNEP)[17] | 135 |
Chart (2018) | Peak position |
---|---|
France (SNEP)[18] | 112 |
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[19] | 8 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[20] | 77 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Italy (FIMI)[21] with Otis Redding, sales since 2009 | Gold | 25,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[22] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[23] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[24] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Aretha Now.[25]
Musicians
- Aretha Franklin – lead vocals, piano
- Willie Bridges, Floyd Newman – baritone saxophone
- Charles Chalmers, Andrew Love – tenor saxophone
- Tommy Cogbill, Jimmy Johnson – guitar
- Roger Hawkins – drums
- Wayne Jackson – trumpet
- Jerry Jemmott – bass guitar
- Spooner Oldham – Hammond organ
- The Sweet Inspirations – background vocals
Production
- Jerry Wexler – producer
- Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin – arrangements
- Tom Dowd – engineer
Versions
Franklin performed a new version of the song in a musical sequence of The Blues Brothers (1980). Because Franklin was not used to lip-syncing, this scene required a number of takes and considerable editing.[26] A 3:15 version of the song appears on the film's soundtrack album. In addition to Franklin, the recording features the Blues Brothers band and backup vocals from Franklin's sister Carolyn and cousin Brenda Corbett.
Franklin recorded an updated 3:38 version titled "Think (1989)" for her 1989 album Through the Storm. It was produced and arranged by Arif Mardin with his son Joe Mardin. She re-recorded the song for Mothers Against Drunk Driving as a public service announcement during the late 1980s.
Cover versions
Katharine McPhee's version of the song was released as a limited single from the American Idol 5: Encores (2006) album. The song became a minor Internet hit for McPhee—it was her first song to chart in the Pop 100, where it peaked at No. 90 due to download sales.
Chart | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard Pop 100[27] | 90 |
See also
- List of number-one R&B singles of 1968 (U.S.)
References
- ^ Pitchfork Staff (August 22, 2017). "The 200 Best Albums of the 1960s". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
..."Think," a volcanic soul stomp that cries for freedom.
- ^ Pitchfork Staff (August 18, 2006). "The 200 Best Songs of the 1960s". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
Franklin brings the funk with gospel fervor...
- ^ Jerry Wexler interviewed on the Pop Chronicles (1970)
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 215.
- ^ Tangari, Joe (August 18, 2006). "The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- ^ "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 80, no. 19. May 11, 1968. p. 60. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ "Record Reviews > Picks of the Week" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. XXIX, no. 41. May 11, 1968. p. 24. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5741." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ "InfoDisc : Tous les Titres par Artiste". InfoDisc (in French). Select "Aretha Franklin" from the artist drop-down menu. Archived from the original on September 20, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 27, 1968" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ "Aretha Franklin – Think" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
- ^ a b "Aretha Now – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending JUNE 15, 1968". Cash Box. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012.
- ^ "100 Top Pops" (PDF). Record World. June 15, 1966. p. 29. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Aretha Franklin – Think" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 18, 2019. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON Aretha Franklin"
- ^ "Aretha Franklin – Think" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
- ^ "Aretha Franklin – Think" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 34, 2018" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ "Aretha Franklin – Think". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Aretha Franklin & Otis Redding – Think" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved November 26, 2020. Select "2018" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Think" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "Spanish single certifications – Aretha Franklin – Think". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Aretha Franklin – Think". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ "American single certifications – Aretha Franklin – Think". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
- ^ Aretha Now (liner notes). Aretha Franklin. Atlantic/Rhino. 1993. 8122-71273-2. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Stories Behind the Making of The Blues Brothers, documentary feature on 1998 DVD and 25th Anniversary DVD (2005).
- ^ "Katharine McPhee – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
External links
- Song Review at AllMusic
- v
- t
- e
- Aretha (1961)
- The Electrifying Aretha Franklin (1962)
- The Tender, the Moving, the Swinging Aretha Franklin (1962)
- Laughing on the Outside (1963)
- Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington (1964)
- Runnin' Out of Fools (1964)
- Yeah!!! (1965)
- Songs of Faith (1965)
- Soul Sister (1966)
- Take It Like You Give It (1967)
- I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967)
- Aretha Arrives (1967)
- Lady Soul (1968)
- Aretha Now (1968)
- Soul '69 (1969)
- Soft and Beautiful (1969)
- This Girl's in Love with You (1970)
- Spirit in the Dark (1970)
- Young, Gifted and Black (1972)
- Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) (1973)
- Let Me in Your Life (1974)
- With Everything I Feel in Me (1974)
- You (1975)
- Sparkle (1976)
- Sweet Passion (1977)
- Almighty Fire (1978)
- La Diva (1979)
- Aretha (1980)
- Love All the Hurt Away (1981)
- Jump to It (1982)
- Get It Right (1983)
- Who's Zoomin' Who? (1985)
- Aretha (1986)
- Through the Storm (1989)
- What You See Is What You Sweat (1991)
- A Rose Is Still a Rose (1998)
- So Damn Happy (2003)
- This Christmas, Aretha (2008)
- A Woman Falling Out of Love (2011)
- Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics (2014)
- Aretha in Paris (1968)
- Aretha Live at Fillmore West (1971)
- Amazing Grace (1972)
- One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism (1987)
- Oh Me Oh My: Aretha Live in Philly, 1972 (2007)
albums
- Take a Look (1967)
- Aretha's Gold (1969)
- Aretha's Greatest Hits (1971)
- The Best of Aretha Franklin (1973)
- Aretha Sings the Blues (1980)
- 30 Greatest Hits (1985)
- Queen of Soul: The Atlantic Recordings (1992/2014)
- Greatest Hits: 1980–1994 (1994)
- The Very Best of Aretha Franklin, Vol. 1 (1994)
- Greatest Hits (1998)
- Aretha's Best (2001)
- Respect: The Very Best of Aretha Franklin (2002)
- The Queen in Waiting: The Columbia Years (1960–1965) (2002)
- Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul (2007)
- Jewels in the Crown: All-Star Duets with the Queen (2007)
- A Brand New Me (2017)
- The Atlantic Singles Collection 1967–1970 (2018)
- "Precious Lord (Part 1)" (1959)
- "Today I Sing the Blues" (1960)
- "Won't Be Long" (1960)
- "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody" (1961)
- "Operation Heartbreak" (1961)
- "I Surrender, Dear" (1962)
- "Try a Little Tenderness" (1962)
- "Say It Isn't So" (1963)
- "Skylark" (1963)
- "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" (1964)
- "One Step Ahead" (1965)
- "You Made Me Love You" (1965)
- "Mockingbird" (1967)
- "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" (1967)
- "Respect" (1967)
- "Baby I Love You" (1967)
- "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" (1967)
- "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man"
- "Chain of Fools" (1967)
- "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (1968)
- "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone" (1968)
- "Think" (1968)
- "You Send Me" (1968)
- "The House That Jack Built" (1968)
- "I Say a Little Prayer" (1968)
- "See Saw" (1968)
- "My Song" (1968)
- "The Weight" (1969)
- "Tracks of My Tears" (1969)
- "I Can't See Myself Leaving You" (1969)
- "Gentle on My Mind" (1969)
- "Share Your Love with Me" (1969)
- "Eleanor Rigby" (1969)
- "Call Me" (1970)
- "Son of a Preacher Man" (1970)
- "Spirit in the Dark" (1970)
- "The Thrill Is Gone" (1970)
- "Don't Play That Song" (1970)
- "Border Song (Holy Moses)" (1970)
- "You're All I Need to Get By" (1971)
- "Bridge over Troubled Water" (1971)
- "Spanish Harlem" (1971)
- "Rock Steady" (1971)
- "Day Dreaming" (1972)
- "Angel" (1973)
- "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" (1973)
- "I'm in Love" (1974)
- "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" (1974)
- "Something He Can Feel" (1976)
- "Break It to Me Gently" (1977)
- "What a Fool Believes" (1981)
- "It's My Turn" (1981)
- "Jump to It" (1982)
- "Get It Right" (1983)
- "Freeway of Love" (1985)
- "Who's Zoomin' Who" (1985)
- "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" (1985)
- "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (1986)
- "Jimmy Lee" (1986)
- "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (1987)
- "Rock-A-Lott" (1987)
- "Oh Happy Day" (1988)
- "Gimme Your Love" (1989)
- "Through the Storm" (1989)
- "It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be" (1989)
- "Everyday People" (1991)
- "Someday We'll All Be Free" (1992)
- "Ever Changing Times" (1992)
- "A Deeper Love" (1993)
- "Willing to Forgive" (1994)
- "A Rose Is Still a Rose" (1998)
- "Here We Go Again" (1998)
- "Put You Up on Game" (2007)
- "Angels We Have Heard on High" (2009)
- "Rolling in the Deep (The Aretha Version)" (2014)
- Awards and nominations
- Discography
- "Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)"
- Amazing Grace (2018 film)
- Genius (2021 television series)
- Respect (2021 film)
- Ted White
- Category