My unpopular opinion is that Aretha Franklin wasn’t even the goat female singer of her own generation

[BrownBunny]

I was not raised in an “Aretha Franklin is the GOAT female singer”house hold(my mom loved Anita and Sade) and time hasn’t made me feel that way about her singing either. What makes Aretha special to me is her discography and multi-faceted musicality. She wasn’t just a singer, she was as an instrumentalist who spanned multiple genres. But if we’re just talking about her voice, she doesn’t stand out from the pack. Of her prime years, I prefer the vocals of Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Roberta Flack, Nina Simone, Tina Turner, and others. For those before her time, Sara Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald are also better. She has a great voice, I would certainly put her somewhere in my top 15 but not my goat. My main complaint is that her singing tone is kind of ugly.

 

[Dave24]

@Rhapscallion Démone

 

[Lucky_Lefty]

I prefer her gospel stuff

 

[feelosofer]

It's an unpopular opinion but I won't argue against it either.

 

[Versa]

Interesting read.

You gotta stick your chest out and state specifically who you feel is the GOAT.

I've also never really seen anyone say she's the best ever until that rolling stole countdown ranked her #1 ahead of Whitney.

 

[Kasgoinjail]

If it's pristine vocals then imo

 

[Neuromancer]

Aretha was a hit maker for a few others which is what puts her over the top. I prefer Sassy my self.

 

[Jean toomer]

I remember I was in college high as hell playing some Jimi, and a white boy there said best guitarist ever but wasn’t a great vocalist. I was like fair point, who’s the best vocalist in the last 50 years? Man said with his chest out
Grace Slick (Jefferson Starship). I hit the

Then

…I finally said what about Aretha or Ella? He just stayed silent and hit the

 

[dh86]

Those names didn’t cross genres and generations and keep making hits til the late 90s like Aretha

 

[Erratic415]

It’s all personal preference.

Her voice was unquestionably amazing though.

 

[cyndaquil]

fukk outta here

 

[shopthatwrecks]

its a reason why glynn turman played ike and jd so well in jds revenge...

he was whuppin arethas ass

 

[TrapHouse Rock]

I will say that Minnie Riperton's version of "Respect" is the best and blows Aretha (and Otis) out of the water
I can't listen to any other version of this song.

 

[PatCake]

I have

1. Dinah Washington
2. Aretha Franklin
3. Whitney Houston
4. Sarah Vaughn
5. Tina Turner

These lists are very subjective, of course. But Aretha being some people's goat is not a crazy thought. She was great but I would understand if someone has another singer on top.

I think the unpopular opinion would be that she's not a goat level singer.

 

[O³ (O cubed)]

Who in the sixties was vocally better? Gladys at a stretch.