Arts & Entertainment

Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' Named Greatest Song Ever

Rolling Stone ranked Franklin's version of the song as number 1, after previously ranking it as number 5 in 2004.

Aretha Franklin first performed the song in 1967 and soon thereafter, because a staple hit during live performances.
Aretha Franklin first performed the song in 1967 and soon thereafter, because a staple hit during live performances. (David Redfern/Getty)

DETROIT — Rolling Stone magazine on Wednesday listed its top 500 greatest songs and named Aretha Franklin's "Respect" as the greatest song ever.

While the Detroit native, or better known as the "Queen of Soul," is best remembered for the song, "Respect" was actually written and originally recorded by American soul singer Otis Redding in 1965.

However, it was Franklin's version of the song that is often considered one of the best R&B songs of its era. She first performed it in 1967, and the song became a staple during her live performances.

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Rolling Stone also named Franklin as its greatest singer ever in 2008 and previously ranked Franklin's "Respect" as the fifth greatest song in its last edition of its 100 greatest songs in 2004.

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In addition, the magazine also noted that while its last list 2004 was predominately dominated by early rock and soul songs, this new edition contains more hip-hop, modern country, indie rock, Latin pop, reggae and R&B.

The magazine said it asked over 250 artists, musicians and producers, as well as figures from the music industry, leading critics and journalists to send in a ranked list of their top 50 songs. The magazine then ranked the results.


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