You (Aretha Franklin album) explained

You
Type:	Album
Artist:	Aretha Franklin
Cover:	You (album).jpg
Released:	October 16, 1975
Recorded:	June–September, 1975
Length:	43:36
Label:	Atlantic ^[1]
Producer:	Jerry Wexler, Aretha Franklin
Prev Title:	With Everything I Feel in Me
Prev Year:	1974
Next Title:	Sparkle
Next Year:	1976

You is the twenty-second studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin, released on October 16, 1975, by Atlantic Records.

Background

It was a commercial disappointment, stalling at number 83 on Billboards album chart.^[2] The album's only pop chart single, "Mr. D.J.", peaked at number 53 on Billboards Hot 100, while climbing to only number 13 R&B. The title track, issued as the follow-up, reached number 15 R&B. The album brought an end to Aretha's long collaboration with Atlantic producer Jerry Wexler.

Critical reception

The Guardian named "Mr. D.J. (5 for the D.J.)" one of Franklin's "30 Greatest Songs", and called it "a horn and call-and-response vocal-laden strut that defies anyone in earshot not to dance."^[3]

Track listing

1. "Mr. D.J. (5 for the D.J.)" (Aretha Franklin) - 4:25
2. "It Only Happens (When I Look at You)" (Ken Gold, Michael Denne) - 4:23
3. "I'm Not Strong Enough To Love You Again" (Frank Johnson) - 4:16
4. "Walk Softly" (Van McCoy) - 4:48
5. "You Make My Life" (Bettye Crutcher, Frederick Knight) - 4:15
6. "Without You" (Randy Stewart, Mack Rice) - 5:13
7. "The Sha-La Bandit" (Jerry Ferguson, Wade Davis) - 4:00
8. "You" (Jerry Butler, Marvin Yancy, Randy Stewart) - 4:40
9. "You Got All The Aces" (Ronnie Shannon) - 3:52
10. "As Long As You Are There" (Carolyn Franklin) - 3:44

Personnel

Performance

• Aretha Franklin – lead vocals
• Clarence McDonald, Sylvester Rivers – keyboards
• Jay Graydon, Ray Parker Jr., Lee Ritenour, David T. Walker – guitar
• Scott Edwards, Tony Newton – bass guitar
• Ed Greene – drums
• Gary Coleman – percussion
• Bobbye Hall – congas
• Jim Horn – flute (2)
• Bud Brisbois – trumpet (2)
• Tom Scott – saxophone (6)
• Ernie Watts – saxophone (7)
• Gene Page – arrangements
• Harry Bluestone – concertmaster of string section
• Margaret Branch – backing vocals
• Brenda Bryant – backing vocals
• Cissy Houston – backing vocals
• Pam Vincent – backing vocals

Production

• Producers – Aretha Franklin and Jerry Wexler
• Engineer – Frank Kejmar
• Assistant Engineer – Steve Hall
• Mixing – Aretha Franklin and Dave Hassinger
• Mix Assistant – Jim Nipar
• Copyist – George Annis
• Cover Photo – Norman Dugger

Notes and References

1. Book: Popoff, Martin. Goldmine Record Album Price Guide. September 8, 2009. Penguin. 9781440229169 . Google Books.
2. Aretha Franklin. Billboard.
3. Web site: Aretha Franklin's 30 greatest songs – ranked!. November 21, 2019. the Guardian.