Aretha Franklin’s This Girl’s in Love With You is a 1970 album that sets her gospel-trained voice against rock and soul standards. It runs ten tracks and 34 minutes, and it plays like a statement of intent: she is not a pop singer, she is a force.
Opening With Son of a Preacher Man
The record opens with “Son of a Preacher Man,” a slow-burning blues number that lets Franklin stretch her range over a walking bass line. It earns its place as one of the album’s standouts.
“Share Your Love With Me” follows, a mid-tempo plea that shows off her command of phrasing. It is not a highlight, but it holds the pace steady.
Dark End of the Street and Let It Be
“Dark End of the Street” is the album’s dark center, a moody ballad that Franklin turns into something closer to confession than plea. It is one of the strongest tracks here.
“Let It Be” is a cover, and it works because Franklin treats it as a lament rather than a pop hit. It is a genuine standout.
“Eleanor Rigby” follows, a quick, sharp reading of the song that packs its sadness into under three minutes. It is a small gem.
This Girl’s in Love With You and the Middle Stretch
“This Girl’s in Love With You” is the title track, and it is a straight-ahead love song that does not need to reach for greatness to land. It is solid.
“It Ain’t Fair” and “The Weight” sit together as the album’s least essential moments. Neither drags, but neither demands attention either.
“The Weight” closes this stretch as a cover that leans into its folk-rock origins without losing Franklin’s soul edge.
Call Me and Sit Down and Cry
“Call Me” is a light, playful track that shows a different side of her voice. It is pleasant without being essential.
“Sit Down and Cry” closes the album on a note of resignation, a fitting end to an album that moves from triumph to sorrow across its ten tracks.
This Girl’s in Love With You is a solid, earthy effort with standout covers like ‘Let It Be,’ ‘Eleanor Rigby,’ and ‘The Weight.’
The Verdict
This Girl’s in Love With You is not a perfect album, but it is a strong one. Its covers are the reason to hear it, but its originals hold their own. Franklin sounds fully in control throughout.
- Son of a Preacher Man3:14
- Share Your Love With Me3:16
- Dark End of the Street4:40
- Let It Be3:28
- Eleanor Rigby2:35
- This Girl’s in Love With You3:46
- It Ain’t Fair3:20
- The Weight2:52
- Call Me3:47
- Sit Down and Cry3:49
