Aretha Franklin had made nine albums while under contract to Columbia Records but had remained commercially unsuccessful. When Columbia Records let Franklin's contract lapse in 1966, Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler quickly signed her, taking her in January 1967 to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, along with recording engineer Tom Dowd and Franklin's then-husband Ted White. Wexler had arranged for Chips Moman and Tommy Cogbill from Stax to join the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section at Rick Hall's FAME Studios. Musicians on the record included Ken Laxton on trumpet, King Curtis and Charles Chalmers on tenor saxophone, Willie Bridges on baritone saxophone, Spooner Oldham on Wurlitzer electronic piano, Chips Moman and Jimmy Johnson on guitar, Tommy Cogbill on bass guitar, and Roger Hawkins on drums.
The first song they worked on was one that Franklin had brought with her, written by Ronnie Shannon. A previously unreleased demo version of the song was included as the opening track on the 2007 album Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul.
After signing Franklin, Wexler requested her to record a blues song. Franklin later says of her Atlantic tenure that "they just told me to sit on the piano and sing". From the very first chord that Aretha played on the piano, it was clear to everyone that it was a magic moment. It was at that point that Spooner Oldham, who had been hired to play piano, stepped aside to play the electric piano. Within minutes of Franklin's recording, Wexler knew he had a hit.
The FAME session was later disrupted by a fight between Ted White and trumpeter Ken Laxton, leaving the B-side, "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" unfinished. Wexler recorded more songs with Franklin in Atlantic's New York City studio, with some members of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section flown in to complete "Do Right Woman" and a number of other tracks (including "Respect"). There was a slight discrepancy in the tape recording speed of the Muscle Shoals FAME studio and the Atlantic's New York studio recorders. The foundation track of "Do Right Woman" recorded at Muscle Shoals and the subsequent tracks added at Atlantic's New York studio are very slightly out of tune with each other.
I Never Loved a Man
Aretha Franklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're a liar and you're a cheat
And I don't know why
I let you do these things to me
My friends keep telling me
That you ain't no good
But oh, they don't know
That I'd leave you if I could
I guess I'm uptight
And I'm stuck like glue
Cause I ain't never
I ain't never, I ain't never, no, no (loved a man)
(The way that I, I love you)
Some time ago I thought
You had run out of fools
But I was so wrong
You got one that you'll never lose
The way you treat me is a shame
How could ya hurt me so bad
Baby, you know that I'm the best thing
That you ever had
Kiss me once again
Don't ya never, never say that we we're through
Cause I ain't never
Never, Never, no, no (loved a man)
(The way that I, I love you)
I can't sleep at night
And I can't even fight
I guess I'll never be free
Since you got, your hooks, in me
Whoa, oh, oh
Yeah! Yeah!
I ain't never loved a man
I ain't never loved a man, baby
Ain't never had a man hurt me so bad
No
Well this is what I'm gonna do about it
In Aretha Franklin's iconic song "I Never Loved a Man," the lyrics express the singer's frustrations and feelings of being trapped in a toxic relationship. The opening verse sets the tone for the rest of the song as Aretha calls out her partner as a liar and cheater. Despite knowing that her friends are right in their warnings that he is no good, Aretha admits to feeling stuck and unable to leave him. The chorus emphasizes the depth of her love for him, proclaiming that she has never loved a man the way that she loves him.
The second verse reveals that Aretha was once confident she wouldn't fall for such a man's tricks, but now she's stuck and can't escape. She expresses that his treatment of her is a shame, but acknowledges that she is the best thing he's ever had. The bridge expresses her inability to move on from him, with sleepless nights and an admission that he has her "hooks" in her. The song ends with a vow to take action, suggesting that she may finally leave him for good.
Overall, "I Never Loved a Man" is a powerful anthem for anyone who has felt trapped in a harmful relationship but can’t seem to break free from its grip. Aretha's powerful vocals and emotional delivery have made this song a classic and a testament to her ability to connect with her audience through her music.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a no good heart breaker
You are a person who treats others with cruelty and causes them emotional pain
You're a liar and you're a cheat
You are dishonest and unfaithful
And I don't know why
I am unsure of the reason
I let you do these things to me
I allow you to mistreat me
My friends keep telling me
People in my social circle continue to warn me
That you ain't no good
You are not a good person
But oh, they don't know
However, they are not familiar with the depth of my feelings for you
That I'd leave you if I could
I would end our relationship if it were possible for me to do so
I guess I'm uptight
Perhaps I am feeling anxious
And I'm stuck like glue
I feel unable to break free from this relationship
Cause I ain't never
Because I have never
I ain't never, I ain't never, no, no (loved a man)
I have never loved anyone
(The way that I, I love you)
As much as I love you
Some time ago I thought
In the past, I held the belief
You had run out of fools
You had used up all the people who were foolish enough to trust you
But I was so wrong
However, it turns out I was mistaken
You got one that you'll never lose
Now, you have me, and I am not leaving you
The way you treat me is a shame
The way you behave towards me is disgraceful
How could ya hurt me so bad
I am in agony because of how much you have hurt me
Baby, you know that I'm the best thing
You are aware that I am the best person you have ever been with
That you ever had
In terms of the quality of our relationship
Kiss me once again
Please kiss me again
Don't ya never, never say that we we're through
Never say that our relationship is over
Cause I ain't never
Because I have never
Never, Never, no, no (loved a man)
Loved anyone as much as I love you
(The way that I, I love you)
As deeply and intensely as I do
I can't sleep at night
I am unable to rest during the nighttime hours
And I can't even fight
I am powerless to resist the hold you have over me
I guess I'll never be free
Hopefully, I will be able to escape this relationship someday
Since you got, your hooks, in me
However, currently, you have a strong control over me
Whoa, oh, oh
Expressing emotion through sound
Yeah! Yeah!
Expressing emotion through sound
I ain't never loved a man
I have never loved a person
I ain't never loved a man, baby
I have never loved anyone, not even a baby
Ain't never had a man hurt me so bad
No man has ever caused me this much pain
No
An exclamation of negation
Well this is what I'm gonna do about it
This is my plan to change my situation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronnie Shannon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mhayes33120
I'm a white guy born in the 50's.
I have very eclectic taste in music.
Love to listen to Aretha sing.
She sang like you talk, when you
are being honest, and saying what
is deep inside { the real you } .
Genuine, sincere, and above all soulful.
Thank You Ms. Franklin.
You were, still are, and will always be, pleasing to the ears.
@beatricekazadimbuyi2727
You're a no good heartbreaker
You're a liar and you're a cheat
And I don't know why
I let you do these things to me
My friends keep telling me
That you ain't no good
But oh, they don't know
That I'd leave you if I could
I guess I'm uptight
And I'm stuck like glue
'Cause I ain't never
I ain't never, I ain't never, no, no (loved a man)
(The way that I, I love you)
Some time ago, I thought
You had run out of fools
But I was so wrong
You got one that you'll never lose
The way you treat me is a shame
How could ya hurt me so bad
Baby, you know that I'm the best thing
That you ever had
Kiss me once again
Don'cha never, never say that we we're through
'Cause I ain't never
Never, never, no, no (loved a man)
(The way that I, I love you)
I can't sleep at night
And I can't eat a bite
I guess I'll never be free
Since you got, your hooks, in me
Whoa, oh, oh
Yeah! Yeah!
I ain't never loved a man
I ain't never loved a man, baby
Ain't never had a man hurt me so bad
No
Well, this is what I'm gonna do about it
I tell you, I'm gonna...
Whoa-oh, no baby
I tell you, I'm gonna...
Whoa-oh, oh
Traduire en français
@angelafisher299
Can't NOBODY sing this song like Aretha. This song was about her husband at the time. I feel every emotion in her voice.
@angelafisher299
@yourmanwatson You are correct about the songwriter and he wrote a very touching song. According to several books that I have on Miss Franklin, the song was inspired by her toxic marriage. She loved Ted White, but wasn't willing to let him go despite pleas from family and friends. Mr. Shannon and Miss Franklin (and others) created a classic.
@angelafisher299
@yourmanwatson Thank you as well. You know you are very wise with music. I'm always open to learning. Many blessings to you in the New Year.
@tayler7366
please go listen to the way cynthia erivo sings it
@angelafisher299
@Tayler I have listened to the lovely Cynthia Erivo singing this song. She is extremely gifted. I enjoyed " Genius ", the FX series on Aretha.
@zimbinisishuba7391
Jhud tried but can't sing the way the queen sang it.Woow with that sexy voice
@J.EStokes
This hit way different when you actually in this situation!
@TheVerbalAssassinFAFO
Chiiile. . .you ain't neva lied smh
@ADDAuntDawnDisorder
FS! Lord have mercy. Those young passionate days of life made us make some wildly bad decisions. Tryna get my dtr to NOT do this!🙏💪
@Android.26
There will never be another Ms Aretha Franklin. We are honored to have lived during the time she was on this earth.