Aretha (1961) Songwriting Credits | Aretha Franklin

Authorship Breakdown 0 / 12 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Aretha Franklin carries a lyricist or composer credit.

0%

0 trackswritten by Aretha Franklin 12 tracksoutside writers

Aretha Franklin's roles on this album

Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist0%

Composer0%

Producer0%

Performer100%

By the Numbers

12

Tracks

9

Lyricists

1

Producers

1961

Released

"Aretha" is the 1961 debut studio album by Aretha Franklin, released on Columbia Records on February 27, 1961, and sometimes titled "Right Now It's Aretha." Producer John H. Hammond signed the 18-year-old Franklin to Columbia and recorded these vocal pop and traditional pop standards at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City between August 1960 and January 1961. The sessions featured the Ray Bryant Combo backing Franklin, with arrangements by J. Leslie McFarland. Key tracks include "Won't Be Long," "Today I Sing the Blues," and a reading of "Over the Rainbow," and three singles preceded the album: "Love Is the Only Thing," "Won't Be Long," and "Are You Sure." The record marked Franklin's first release for Columbia after Hammond discovered her on the recommendation of composer Curtis Reginald Lewis.

Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers

#	Title	Lyricist(s)	Composer(s)	Producer(s)	Performers
1	Won't Be Long	John Leslie McFarland	John Leslie McFarland	John Hammond	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
2	Over the Rainbow	E.Y. Harburg	Harold Arlen	John Hammond	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
3	Love Is the Only Thing	John Leslie McFarland	John Leslie McFarland	John Hammond	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
4	Sweet Lover	John Leslie McFarlandSidney Wyche	John Leslie McFarlandSidney Wyche	John Hammond	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
5	All Night Long	Curtis Lewis	Curtis Lewis	John Hammond	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
6	Who Needs You?	Billie HolidayJeanne Burns	Eleanora FaganJeanne Burns	John Hammond	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
7	Right Now	John Leslie McFarland	John Leslie McFarland	John Hammond	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
8	Are You Sure	Meredith Willson	Meredith Willson	John Hammond	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
9	Maybe I'm a Fool	John Leslie McFarland	John Leslie McFarland	John Hammond	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
10	It Ain't Necessarily So	Ira Gershwin	George Gershwin	John Hammond	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
11	By Myself	John Leslie McFarlandJoe Bailey	John Leslie McFarlandJoe Bailey	John Hammond	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
12	Today I Sing the Blues	Curtis Lewis	Curtis Lewis	John Hammond	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)