Aretha Franklin - What a Fool Believes LIVE 1981

[@MichaelJohnson-wk8tk]

This performance is why Aretha was known as "the Queen of Soul. There will never be another!

[@kasokakasapatu3322]

Absolutely agree 👏🏾👏🏾💯

[@AkilWingate]

An absolute testament to Michael McDonald's writing prowess and Aretha Franklin's unmatched musicianship. Just phenomenal 👏🏿

[@joycelynszasz5102]

You said it! I feel like I just found gold!

[@carlmontney7916]

You also have to give writing credit to Kenny loggins who helped Michael write this tune. It was definitely a collaboration between both of them. And then if Skunk Baxter hadn't brought Michael McDonald into the doobie Brothers who knows if we would have ever had his version of the song. Which turned out to be the number one song of 1979. Grammy awards too. One of the marks of a true artist is when you can take another artist's song and make it your own. Aretha Franklin clearly shows here that she can do just that.

[@theblueangel28]

Can you even imagine being that talented?! Holding all that together musically, and making those sounds?! That arrangement was NOT easy and she sailed through it like no other

[@baytonadeach1928]

Beautifully said

[@chancebrown106]

I hate that in my 32 years of living, and being conscious of Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Earth Wind & Fire, Patti LaBelle and Luther Vandross’ greatness since the summer of 2005- that I’ve NEVER really listened to this song. I’ve been obsessed the past 6 months…

[@adamlarsson3828]

just like me, Chance! the song is beautifully crafted. : )

[@KeengKehdahOfficial]

Its before her 80s come back so it didn’t get a lot of attention

[@81johnmac1]

Her version is better then the guy that sing it but his was good too it’s. Black man

[@thegodblogger3812]

Aretha killed it like a big game huntress. Yes, Lady Soul. Yes, and yes only.

[@KeengKehdahOfficial]

I wish there was a documentary that chronicled Aretha’s career post 70’s

[@austinteutsch]

Finding this clip is like finding an old Doobie or Franklin album. I said ALBUM. Now you know my age. Ha! What a complete treasure.

[@dayram6217]

Just so good. No one will ever match her. She was from another dimension.

[@dereckwhite5774]

Such an amazing delivery fom Hebrew talent !! My God !!!❤❤❤❤

[@machinebeard1639]

She is not Hebrew. Just appreciate her greatness.

[@arethasD6belt]

4:17 that was blissful, G#5!!

[@TBWBB_Bettie_Bangs]

I love how her super glossy bowlcut bangs wobble side to side at 2:30 ! Ooooh shake those silky curled in bangs girl!!!!

[@yeahok7772]

That opening 😍 Prime Aretha lasted from 1961-1984. When the queen was in her bag, it was very few seeing her if any vocally.

[@doperasinger]

Did her smoking increase after that period?

[@natureboy2818]

@@doperasinger even if it didn’t, just imagine how all of those years of smoking probably caught up to her anyways, on top of natural vocal strain that comes with age most of the time

[@deshaunx776]

She sounds beyond great here but it is definitely past her prime. Her tone had already darkened. Her range shifted lower so she began mixing her belts instead of carrying high in the chest. This is actually a key characteristic of Aretha’s sound later in life. In her prime, her voice was brighter and she carried full chest belts crazy high.

[@vm7497]

​​​@@deshaunx776 I agree with you. She was obviously still awesome here however her Prime actually ended at around 32 years old. 31, 32 would be her latest Prime years.

[@roc8674]

The band sounds amazing too!!!

[@Dablkwid0w2008]

The band is brangin it! Playing they ass off!

[@artbarr5245]

Listen, the breath control on a fast moving song..whew

[@reztech0ne]

When you take everything together in this rendition: the electrifying soul filled quality of Aretha Franklin's voice, the insane musicianship of the Carson band, and the excellent analog production of this set, you get probably the best single instance that this song has ever been performed. Just absolutely, utterly, indisputably amazing

[@adamlarsson3828]

YES. YES. YES. ….. !!!!!!!! Aretha and the house band are totally flyin’ ……

[@austinteutsch]

So true. The Carson band hit the nail because they were backing a great singer. They did the same with Karen Carpenter. I've played with some of the greats and you can feel it on stage when you're backing a true star.

[@edburns00]

And with the Carson band. Amazing! What an arrangement.

[@rainiaananda9327]

With her little kitten heels, a polyester matching ensemble, and cute bob... KILLS it...LIVE! Also, it's really nice that we can ACTUALLT hear the lyrics, and they make complete sense coming from the Queen's mouth. All hail Ms. Franklin, and of course the writing/arranging of Loggins and McDonald. Brilliant song, even better translation of the song.

[@sportynlife]

Many miss the irony that the fool is the wise one. It's easy to get lost in the music and miss the message. That is both the beauty and tragedy of soul/gospel music.

[@portiamatthews9654]

Exactly, people failed to realize this gem of wisdom.

[@PurplePinkRed]

Well said!

[@CeliniacForLife]

That's because they don't read/listen to lyrics. Most of them get lost in the productions and vocals.

[@simonsays7578]

I don't understand. How is the fool the wise one?

[@sportynlife]

@@simonsays7578 It's better to accept things as they are, not assuming something is tormenting you specifically just because things are not always going your way.

[@MrSpain29]

She is such a lady. The greatest singer ever!!!!

[@AC-kl8gi]

Thank you for another Gem! Lovely! Aretha was so slender svelte!

[@The_Oh_Gee]

You won’t ever see anyone with a voice like this again… 🥲🥲🥲🥲

[@pango4747]

How awesome was that?!? I had no idea Aretha covered that song.

[@anthonyrussell4888]

Aretha Franklin. Enough said. R.I.P, Queen.

[@trk327]

And that's A LIVE band playin!

[@jnadle1]

Tommy Newsom and the Tonight Show Orchestra.

[@angushendersonmack5499]

Imagine not cutting to the band once

[@noreneal7252]

Mrs Matt Murphy you are truly a blessing!!!

[@trice30]

This was beautiful, besides the greatness of her voice can we please get into the sharpness of the band. BRAVO

[@marklinton9877]

I thought the band must've gotten a well deserved spanking from the wings to calm down around a third of the way through...either that or the sound desk guy just turned them down...then Aretha flew.... Astounding.

[@SA-bq1us]

Aretha got all the notes

[@brendagraham5821]

When she would close those eyes it was on the listening in 2024 RIP

[@ShamrunUnderscoreBof]

I might not be that spiritual....but i can feel her soul when i hear her. Thank you.

[@MarcSt-Jean]

Keeping the original rhythmic hook of the sang, yet raising it to another dimension vocally

[@teanistillmon3341]

The Queen of Soul. The Diviness IS singing with the Ancestors. I love her❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@davidpheonixproductions]

GOOSEBUMPS!!

[@cucumberandco]

Same

[@nadiluvmuzik1284]

Go Ms. Aretha! She did her thing on this song especially starting at 3:45 she was getting it!

[@gussiewilliams7712]

Sing Aretha🔥😍

[@ОгнянСтефанов-ъ7ъ]

What a beautiful voice, an absolute control of him and soul singing...She is one of a kind

[@larryyonce]

Aretha was amazing at covers....always sounded fresh and new with her unique flavor. ❤ My favorite is probably "Eleanor Rigby" ! 🙏🤎

[@christhomas5761]

Such an amazing vocal gift ....Aretha !

[@paulgillispie867]

My eyes fill up just hearing the beauty of her voice!

[@derrickluke8441]

This was my first single & Lp. I ever brought by Ms Aretha Franklin back in 1980. As a teenager. After listening to my parents playing her records as a child. This was a big hit on the radio here in London England back than. There never will be another Ms Aretha Franklin ❤🙏👌

[@gooddarren]

that is David Letterman! he is so gentleman with the Queen of soul..

[@piustwelfth]

A fabulous performance of a very difficult song to sing live.

[@mcmac9565]

Aretha slayed so hard here, effortlessly!!!

[@jonathanknight3342]

That was great! Sing Ree!🏆😎🙏

[@AntisocialExtrovert90]

I just listened to two covers of this song and they were both terrible. I found this one and had no idea Aretha covered this. She did not disappoint 🔥🔥🔥. RIP Queen.

[@monilaninetynine3811]

Aretha killed this. You go, girl.

[@Deepdriller328]

Aretha is the only one who can own a song like this.

[@dopelyrics6223]

The Greatest ever to do it

[@atrain5804]

One of the great covers

[@cherryedwards3]

You gotta be born with singing skills and great hearing to sing a complicated long song like this.

[@davidplants]

I love this so much. Stuff like this needs to be preserved

[@stevewilliams8944]

I expected that it would be good, but she even outdid my high expectations. She is truly the greatest singer of all times❣️👏👏👏❣️

[@bojji96]

Absolutely beautiful! Rest In Peace Queen of Soul ❤️🙏🏽

[@AljIsHere128]

Thank U for posting her sanngin the ish out of her remake of a song I have been obsessively playing and I thank Spotify for stumbling across a few years back.

[@jrjubach]

Beautiful.

[@sportynlife]

She sings every word as if she means it each time she sings.

[@cherryedwards3]

Natural Raw talent on display here.

[@onecello9577]

A tribute to America's greatness and uniqueness. No wise man has the power to reason something that good!

[@johndiegosalcedo9896]

Finally 🥰 thank you for posting

[@tharris525]

Loved, loved, loved this by her!

[@stevenblackwell3899]

AMAZING SIMPLY

[@shaunwallace5141]

When I listen to today's icon's, I just can't....RIP Queen💖

[@johnkad123]

Such a secure voice. We will never see another like that

[@teanistillmon3341]

The Diviness....of soul.....to awesome...Love it!!😊

[@MelindadelosSantos]

OMG....No wonder she's called "The Queen of Soul."🤗 (Thanks for the upload, Mrs. Matt Murphy.)

[@deitrestolbert4951]

Young Aretha get it girl 😄

[@Miss-p1w]

Fabulous bravo bravo Aretha

[@davidwhitehurst568]

A gem from aretha first lp for Arista records I played this until the groves wore out

[@Calamitytoo]

Brilliant ❤

[@onelife7247]

Sang this during a living room concert for my parents upon their return once. lol

[@jarrodsio]

effortless power

[@JonathanReynolds1]

And to think Aretha filmed her scenes for The Blues Brothers this same year!

[@coekeetoasgarden6844]

That’s my girl ReRe, before Chaka… there was ReeRee….🎶🥰

[@NAJErEa91]

OH MY SWEET LORD JESUS!!!!! THE QUEEN OF SPULS SHANGING THIS BLUE EYED SOUL MASTERPIECE!?!?! OH MY GOSH SOUL OVERLOAD!!!!!!

[@camarada6456]

I wish those years were here again

[@jorgelee1745]

Magnífica... Deu roupa nova pra este clássico.

[@mareelovely]

Man I miss this lady. Love Auntie Ree.

[@byronco4917]

i found a gem! thank you!

[@WPI94]

"Sit down, watch me sing your song."

[@cherryedwards3]

You gotta really know what your doing and be naturally talented and professional to sing a complicated song like this one.... Not many singers can do this as good.

[@marcivan548]

classy, groovy, churchy...Aretha..what else ?

[@Loveyall_3]

4:29

[@GoddessSixx]

I had no idea Aretha covered 'What a Fool Believes'. She did it justice and then some! Thanks algorithm!

[@guilhermevazcelest9038]

Great Version

[@jaimeraskew8050]

Sing Queen

[@jamesfreeman2258]

Look at her, she is so beautiful.

[@mikeyslowey]

Holy Jesus, THE QUEEN

[@jamelburrus4256]

Snapped !!!!

[@sampono1962]

wow..wow...wow.......she made this her song

[@spazzaturaKrudele]

Apart of Aretha's amazing performance...doc severin,s orchestra... none so good around today

[@koolboy83]

This performance could have been perfect with the sax solo in it. That sax solo from in the original record is I think the best sax solo I've ever heard.

[@q.daniellejones4485]

Sway Ree Ree!!!!

[@thundertower]

This is so 🔥

[@llroman7823]

Girrllll.

[@Tubulous123]

Increduble!

[@BaileysMariner]

Love the name of the channel! Without ya dry white toast...without ya four fried chickens...AND WITHOUT MATT GUITAR MURPHY!!

[@terry2588]

👍🏽👍🏽⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@wmh6081]

她一开口，我就醉了！

[@2133408]

THA QUEEN OF SOUL........CHUUCH ON THA MOVE!!

[@Eunice.Aceto75]

And this is what happens when Aretha has no backing: she become her own back up singer

[@theodorebenton5928]

There are background singers here.

[@strafer8764]

Interesting take on it. Motown style.