How Carole King and Gerry Goffin Wrote "A Natural Woman" for Aretha Franklin
Summary
Host Lee Habib explores the creation of Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” The episode details how Jewish songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin crafted the hit for producer Jerry Wexler, who sought a song for Franklin’s album *Lady Soul*. Franklin’s iconic 1967 recording transformed the composition into a timeless classic, illustrating an unlikely American collaboration that bridged racial, religious, and geographic divides.
Topics discussed
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Introduction to Our American Stories and the episode topic
Backgrounds of Carole King, Jerry Goffin, and Aretha Franklin
King and Goffin's songwriting success and Aretha's early career
Aretha's move to Atlantic Records and Muscle Shoals
The creation of 'I Never Loved a Man' and 'Natural Woman'
Analysis of lyrics and the recording of the hit song
Legacy of the song and its cultural impact
Conclusion and call to subscribe to the podcast
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