Aretha Franklin

Released: July 1, 1972

Songwriter: Thomas A. Dorsey Frank Frazier Carole King

You need a friend
And Jesus said "Call my name"
And I'll be there

When you’re down and troubled
You need some loving care
Ain’t nothing, ain’t nothing going right
Close, close your eyes
And meditate on him
And soon he will be there
God can brighten up
He can brighten up your darkest hours

(Precious Lord, take my hand)
(Lead me on, let me stand)
(I am tired, I am weak, I am worn)
(Through the storm, through the night)
(Lead me on to the light)
(Take my hand, precious Lord, be my friend)

(You just call out His name) Precious Lord, take my hand
(And you know wherever you are) Lead me on, let me stand
(He will be there to see you again) I get tired, I am weak, and I get worn, I get worn
(Winter, spring, summer or fall) Through the storm, through the night
(All you got to do is call) Lead me on Lord to the light
And he’ll be there, ooh

(You’ve got a friend) Yeah, you’ve got a friend in Jesus
(You’ve got a friend) You’ve got a friend, you’ve got a friend in Jesus, yes you do
(You’ve got a friend, ooh, ooh, ooh) You’ve got a mighty good friend in Jesus, I wonder do you know it?
(You’ve got a friend, ooh, ooh, ooh) It sho’ you’ve got a friend, you’ve got a friend in Jesus, oh Lord
(You’ve got a friend, ooh, yes in Jesus) Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you’ve got a friend, ah
(You’ve got a friend, ooh, yes in Jesus) Sho’ you’ve got a friend in Jesus, sho’ do
(You’ve got a friend, ooh, yes in Jesus) Ooh, in Jesus
(You’ve got a friend, ooh, ooh, ooh) You’ve got a mighty good everlasting friend in Jesus
(You’ve got a friend, you’ve got a friend, you’ve got a friend, you’ve got a friend in Jesus) Sho do, sho’ do, you sho’ do, you sho’ do, you sho’ do, I wonder do you know you do, you sho’ do
(You’ve got a friend, you’ve got a friend, you’ve got a friend, you’ve got a friend in Jesus) You’ve got a mighty, mighty, mighty, mighty, mighty good friend in Jesus
(You’ve got a friend, you’ve got a friend, you’ve got a friend, you’ve got a friend in Jesus) Oh Lord, yes you do, you’ve got a mighty, mighty good friend in Jesus, yeah
(You’ve got a friend in Jesus) Oooh
(You’ve got a friend in Jesus) Oooh Jesus
(You’ve got a friend in Jesus) Oh in Jesus, man
(You’ve got a friend, ooh, in Jesus) Oooh
(You’ve got a friend, ooh, in Jesus) Jesus, oh Lord, ah ah
(You’ve got a friend, you’ve got a friend, you’ve got a friend, you’ve got a friend in Jesus) A mighty, mighty, mighty, mighty good friend in Jesus

Aretha Franklin is both a 20th and 21st century musical and cultural icon known simply by her first Aretha. She is the reigning and undisputed “Queen Of Soul” with a legacy that spans five decades. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Aretha began her career singing gospel at her father, minister C. L. Franklin’s church as a child. In 1960, at the age of 18, Aretha embarked on a secular career, recording for Columbia Records with modest success.

After moving to Atlantic Records in 1967, she released a steady string of US top ten hits through 1973 including “Spanish Harlem”, “Chain Of Fools”, “Baby I Love You”, “Since You’ve Been Gone”, “Daydreaming”, “The House That Jack Built”, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", ”Think“ and her first chart-topper “Respect” – a song that also won Aretha her first of 18 Grammys. During this time, several of her songs were also successful overseas.

By the mid-70s, Aretha’s commercial success waned and she left Atlantic for Clive Davis' Arista Records in 1980. Her 1982 song “Jump to It,” returned her to the top 40 for the first time in six years. 1985’s Who’s Zoomin' Who? got her back into the top 10 twice with its title track and “Freeway Of Love”. Four more songs reached the top 40 through 1986.

more tracks from the album

Amazing Grace

From the album

Amazing Grace (1972)

Aretha Franklin popular songs

Precious Lord, Take My Hand / You’ve Got A FriendAretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin

Amazing Grace