Aretha Franklin Through The Storm - A Musical Look
Sometimes, a piece of music comes along that, you know, just really speaks to people. It's almost as if it tells a story, not just through its words, but through every single sound. When we talk about Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, we often think of her big, powerful songs, the ones that really made a mark. But then, there are other moments in her career, like the album "Through the Storm," that offer a slightly different, yet still very important, view of her incredible artistry. This collection of songs, in a way, shows us another side of her musical journey, a side that perhaps didn't always grab the biggest headlines but still holds a special place for many who listen closely.
This particular musical effort, put out by Aretha Franklin back in 1989, is a really interesting part of her extensive recording history. It's a snapshot of a moment in time, a period when her sound was, you know, still evolving and connecting with new audiences. People often look back at albums like this to get a fuller picture of an artist's path, seeing how their voice and their message might have shifted or stayed true over the years. It's a chance to explore some of the tunes that might not be played on the radio as much today but were, in fact, quite significant then.
The album itself is perhaps best known for its title song, "Through the Storm," a really memorable duet with the equally famous Elton John. That particular tune, as a matter of fact, really caught people's attention and became a popular piece of music. But the whole album has its own kind of charm, offering a glimpse into the late 1980s soundscapes that Aretha was exploring. It’s a bit of a deeper listen for anyone who appreciates her long and storied career, showcasing her continued ability to make compelling sounds, even when the overall public reception might have been a little mixed.
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Table of Contents
- Who Was Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul?
- What's the Story Behind Aretha Franklin Through the Storm?
- The Sound of Aretha Franklin Through the Storm - What Did It Offer?
- Aretha Franklin and Elton John - How Did 'Through the Storm' Come About?
- The Lyrics of Aretha Franklin Through the Storm - What Do They Mean?
- Did Aretha Franklin Through the Storm Find a Big Audience?
- Beyond the Title Track - What Other Songs Are On Aretha Franklin Through the Storm?
- A Look Back at Aretha Franklin Through the Storm
Who Was Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul?
Aretha Franklin, as many people know, was pretty much royalty in the world of music. She earned the title "Queen of Soul" because her voice was, well, just something else entirely. Her ability to sing, to really deliver a song with such feeling and power, made her a true icon. She had this way of connecting with the deepest parts of human experience through her sound, which is that why so many people felt her music so personally. Her contributions to music are, quite frankly, immeasurable, setting a standard that very few others could ever hope to reach.
It's also worth remembering that her place in music history was cemented in some really significant ways. For instance, in 1987, she became the very first woman to be brought into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. That's a pretty big deal, you know, a true mark of how much she changed the music scene. This achievement, really, speaks volumes about her influence and how she opened doors for so many who came after her. She was a trailblazer, pushing boundaries and showing everyone what was possible with pure talent and an honest voice.
Her career spanned many years, and she made all sorts of music, from her early gospel roots, like "The Gospel Soul of Aretha Franklin" from 1956, to her powerful soul recordings such as "Aretha" in 1961 and "The Electrifying Aretha Franklin" in 1962. She even explored different sounds, like on "Laughing on the Outside" in 1963. So, too, she returned to gospel later on, with albums like "One Lord" in 1987. This shows, in a way, her incredible range and how she never stopped creating, always sharing her musical gifts with the world, no matter the style.
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Aretha Franklin - Key Personal Details
| Notable Achievement | First woman inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1987) |
What's the Story Behind Aretha Franklin Through the Storm?
The album "Through the Storm" arrived in the spring of 1989, put out by Arista Records. This was a time when music was, you know, really changing, and artists were trying out new sounds and collaborations. For Aretha, this record represented another chapter in her ongoing story as a recording artist. It was her effort to connect with the popular music trends of the moment while still keeping that signature voice front and center. It's interesting to think about what was happening in the music world back then, and how an artist of her stature would approach putting out new material.
When an album comes out, there's always a lot of anticipation, and this one was no different. People were, of course, eager to hear what the Queen of Soul would deliver next. This particular collection of eight songs, lasting about 35 minutes, became available on April 27, 1989. You can find it on streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify, where it's sometimes listed as an "expanded edition" with 25 songs, which is pretty cool for listeners who want to hear everything. It's a way, you know, to really dig into the full experience of this musical creation, seeing all the pieces that make it up.
You can also find all sorts of details about "Through the Storm" on places like Discogs, where people go to look at the credits, see the different versions, and even buy them. It's a great spot for folks who really care about the ins and outs of an album, like who played what, who wrote the songs, and all those other important bits of information. This kind of detail helps us, in a way, appreciate the work that goes into making a record, seeing it as more than just a collection of tunes but as a crafted piece of art. It's a bit like looking behind the curtain, really.
The Sound of Aretha Franklin Through the Storm - What Did It Offer?
When you listen to "Through the Storm," you get a sense of the 1980s musical atmosphere, which is that, for some, a very distinct sound. One listener, for example, felt that even if it didn't quite reach the heights of some of her earlier, truly iconic works like "Young, Gifted and Black," it was still a very enjoyable musical experience. It's described as "a very nice to listen" album, especially if you have a fondness for the music style of that decade. So, too, it shows how Aretha was, in a way, adapting her sound to fit the popular tastes of the time while still keeping her unique voice.
The album's overall feeling, you know, tends to be pretty smooth and polished, which was common for recordings from that period. It's not always easy for an artist with such a deep-rooted gospel and soul background to blend into new styles, but Aretha, as always, managed to bring her own special touch to it. This collection of songs, in some respects, provides a different flavor of her artistry, showing her versatility and willingness to explore various musical directions. It’s a good example of how artists, really, keep growing and trying new things throughout their careers, always looking for ways to express themselves.
Even if it didn't become a massive, widely talked about success in the same way some of her other albums did, "Through the Storm" still holds its own for many listeners. It's the kind of record you might put on when you want to hear Aretha in a slightly different light, perhaps when you're in the mood for something that has that unmistakable 80s feel, but with her powerful voice at the core. It’s a reminder that every album, you know, has its own unique story and its own group of people who truly appreciate what it offers, regardless of how many copies it sold.
Aretha Franklin and Elton John - How Did 'Through the Storm' Come About?
The title track, "Through the Storm," is a pretty big part of what makes this album stand out. It's a duet with Elton John, which was, you know, a really exciting collaboration at the time. Two musical giants coming together on one song, that's something that definitely gets people talking. The song itself was put out as a single on March 28, 1989, and it quickly became a popular tune. It was written by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren, and Narada Michael Walden took on the role of producer, shaping its sound. This kind of team effort, really, often leads to some memorable musical moments.
This particular song, you see, managed to get quite a bit of attention on the music charts. It reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, which is a very respectable spot for any song. For a duet between two such well-known performers, it certainly had a good run. The song's popularity, in a way, helped to put the album on people's radar, even if the entire record didn't quite reach the same level of widespread commercial success. It's a good example of how one strong song can, basically, carry a lot of weight for an album.
You can find this song on various versions of the album, including the "expanded edition," which has, you know, more tracks than the original. It's also available on streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify, so it's pretty easy for anyone to listen to it today. The song has even been used with film footage, like from the 2007 movie "The Pursuit of Happyness," which was directed by Gabriele Muccino. This just goes to show, you know, how a song can live on and find new audiences in different ways, connecting with people long after its initial release.
The Lyrics of Aretha Franklin Through the Storm - What Do They Mean?
The words to "Through the Storm" tell a story about enduring difficulties in a relationship, which is that, a pretty common human experience. The song opens with a reflection on how tough things can be in the world, with lovers coming and going, and people not always holding onto what they have. It's a very relatable sentiment, you know, about the challenges that relationships face. This kind of honest look at love and its struggles is, basically, what makes the song feel so real to listeners, drawing them into its message.
Then, the lyrics turn to a hopeful promise: "Some they never stay together you and i will be no better we can make it last forever we can keep this love alive." This part, really, speaks to the idea of commitment and working through things together. It's about believing that despite what others might do, "you and i" can make it work. This sense of determination, you know, gives the song a powerful emotional core, making it more than just a simple love song but a declaration of perseverance.
The chorus itself, "Through the storm through the tears you and i i know we can survive to the day through the night if we try we can keep it alive we can keep it alive," is the heart of the message. It's about facing troubles head-on, whether they are, you know, big or small, and holding onto hope. The idea that "we can survive" and "keep it alive" if "we try" is a very strong and encouraging thought. It's a testament, in a way, to the strength of love and the human spirit, suggesting that with effort and belief, even the toughest times can be overcome.
Did Aretha Franklin Through the Storm Find a Big Audience?
When "Through the Storm" first came out, it found its way to about 225,000 listeners in the United States. While that might sound like a fair number, for an artist of Aretha Franklin's stature, it was, you know, a bit less than what might have been expected for a major release. The album reached number 55 on the Billboard 200 chart, which is that, a good spot, but not quite a top-tier placement for someone as famous as she was. It's interesting to see how even the biggest stars have albums that perform differently, and this one was, in some respects, a quiet performer.
Soon after its initial run, the album was actually taken out of print pretty quickly. This means that, you know, new copies weren't being made or distributed anymore. It's a fairly common thing in the music business, but it does suggest that the record company might not have seen a long-term, widespread demand for it at the time. This doesn't mean the music wasn't good, of course, just that its commercial journey was, basically, a little shorter than some of her other works. It's a curious part of its history, really, how it came and went so fast.
Despite these sales figures and its quick removal from print, the album still has its fans. As one person put it, "Forget the low avg rating, This is another good album from aretha." This goes to show, you know, that commercial success doesn't always tell the whole story about a piece of music. Some albums are just meant for a certain group of listeners, or they become appreciated more over time, even if they don't break records right away. It’s a reminder that art, really, has many ways of finding its audience, and sometimes, it just takes a little longer for people to catch on.
Beyond the Title Track - What Other Songs Are On Aretha Franklin Through the Storm?
While the duet with Elton John is the most famous song from "Through the Storm," the album does have other tracks that are worth a listen. For example, there's a song called "Gimme Your Love," which features the legendary James Brown. That's another really exciting collaboration, you know, bringing together two more incredible voices. It shows the album wasn't just about one big duet but also explored other interesting musical pairings. This kind of variety, really, can make an album more enjoyable for listeners who want to hear different sounds.
For those who want to explore all the music from this period, there are different versions of the album available. The original release had eight songs, but there's also an "expanded edition" that has, you know, 25 songs. This longer version gives listeners a much fuller picture of the recording sessions and perhaps some extra tracks that weren't on the first release. It’s a pretty good way to get a complete experience of "Aretha Franklin Through the Storm," allowing you to hear more of what she was creating at that time.
If you're looking to find out more about the album, like all the specific tracks, who played on them, or even to compare different versions, websites like Discogs are a great resource. You can view all the credits there and even shop for different releases, whether it's the 1989 CD, the 2014 CD, or even the 1989 vinyl. It's a bit like a treasure hunt for music lovers, you know, helping you find all the bits and pieces of information about "Aretha Franklin Through the Storm" that you might be curious about. And of course, you can listen to the album on Apple Music or Spotify, signing up to get unlimited songs with occasional ads, if you like your music that way.
A Look Back at Aretha Franklin Through the Storm
So, too, "Through the Storm" by Aretha Franklin, put out in 1989, is a musical collection that features eight songs, running for about 35 minutes. It includes the well-known title track, a duet with Elton John, which made it to number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song, written by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren and produced by Narada Michael Walden, was released as a single on March 28, 1989. The album itself found about 225,000 listeners in the United States and reached number 55 on the Billboard 200, though it was taken out of print shortly after its release.
You can find this album on Arista Records, and it’s available for listening on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify, often as an expanded edition with 25 songs. Other tracks include "Gimme Your Love" with James Brown. Details about the album, including reviews, track lists, and credits, are available on sites like AllMusic and Discogs, where you can also compare and purchase different versions, such as the 1989 CD, 2014 CD, or 1989 vinyl. The lyrics of the title song speak to surviving difficulties in relationships, saying, "Through the storm through the tears you and i i know we can survive to the day through the night if we try we can keep it alive we can keep it alive."
ARETHA FRANKLIN - THROUGH THE STORM
Aretha Franklin - Through the storm - Amazon.com Music
Aretha Franklin - Through The Storm
