Young, Gifted and Black (1972) Songwriting Credits

Authorship Breakdown 4 / 12 documented

Who wrote the songs?

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

33%

4 trackswritten by Aretha Franklin 8 tracksoutside writers

Aretha Franklin's roles on this album

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

Lyricist33%

Composer33%

Producer0%

Performer100%

By the Numbers

12

Tracks

14

Lyricists

3

Producers

1972

Released

"Young, Gifted and Black" is Aretha Franklin's eighteenth studio album, a soul record released on Atlantic Records on January 24, 1972. Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin, and Jerry Wexler produced the album, which included the singles "Border Song (Holy Moses)," "Rock Steady," "Day Dreaming," and the title track "Young, Gifted and Black," adapted from Nina Simone's composition. The album peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the R&B albums chart, and it was certified Gold by the RIAA. Franklin won the 1972 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for her work. VH1 ranked the album No. 76 on its 2003 list of the greatest albums, and Rolling Stone placed it No. 388 on its 2020 list of the 500 Greatest Albums.

Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers

#	Title	Lyricist(s)	Composer(s)	Producer(s)	Performers
1	Oh Me Oh My (I'm a Fool for You Baby)	Jim Doris	Jim Doris	Jerry WexlerTom DowdArif Mardin	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
2	Day Dreaming	Aretha Franklin	Aretha Franklin	Jerry WexlerTom DowdArif Mardin	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
3	Rock Steady	Aretha Franklin	Aretha Franklin	Jerry WexlerTom DowdArif Mardin	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
4	Young, Gifted and Black	Nina SimoneWeldon Irvine	Eunice Kathleen WaymonWeldon Irvine Jr.	Jerry WexlerTom DowdArif Mardin	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
5	All the King's Horses	Aretha Franklin	Aretha Franklin	Jerry WexlerTom DowdArif Mardin	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
6	A Brand New Me	Theresa BellJerry ButlerKenny Gamble	Theresa BellJeremiah ButlerKenneth Gamble	Jerry WexlerTom DowdArif Mardin	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
7	April Fools	Hal David	Burt Bacharach	Jerry WexlerTom DowdArif Mardin	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
8	I've Been Loving You Too Long	Otis ReddingJerry Butler	Otis ReddingJeremiah Butler	Jerry WexlerTom DowdArif Mardin	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
9	First Snow in Kokomo	Aretha Franklin	Aretha Franklin	Jerry WexlerTom DowdArif Mardin	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
10	The Long and Winding Road	John LennonPaul McCartney	John LennonPaul McCartney	Jerry WexlerTom DowdArif Mardin	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
11	Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)	Thom BellWilliam Hart	Thom BellWilliam Hart	Jerry WexlerTom DowdArif Mardin	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)
12	Border Song (Holy Moses)	Bernie Taupin	Reginald Kenneth Dwight	Jerry WexlerTom DowdArif Mardin	Aretha Franklin (Lead Vocals)