“Come To Me” was an evocative ballad recorded by the legendary Aretha Franklin for her 1980 Aretha album. Aretha was Ms. Franklin’s debut with Clive Davis’ Arista Records label. That record featured the Queen Of Soul into an updated, pop-oriented, glossy sound that was achieved with the help of some of the hottest LA session cats including David Foster playing keyboards and synthesizers on a few tracks.

“Come To Me” was written by late songwriter Gene Price (1944-2013) and produced by the late, great Arif Mardin (1932-2006) that gave the intense ballad fuel for a powerful melody that fit Ms. Franklin’s unmistakable voice like a glove. The great musical interplay between David Paich of Toto fame on piano and Foster on electric piano gave the song a sophisticated feel and radio friendly atmosphere enhanced by the catchy arrangement written by Mardin.  The late super-producer spoke to renowned music journalist David Ritz for the book “Respect: The Life Of Aretha Franklin.” Here is what was said about “Come To Me” and the “Aretha” album:

“Aretha and Clive were very clear in that they wanted this record to have a certain sheen. They didn’t want the old Atlantic sound. They came to me with four songs. The one the liked the most was ‘Come To Me,’ a big ballad that had the resonance of a movie theme. Aretha was very specific about the musicians. She read Billboard and knew exactly who was hot and who wasn’t. Toto was extremely hot back then, and, at Aretha’s urging, I used three of their members, David Paich on piano, Jeff Porcaro on drums and Steve Lukather on guitar. I employed a young David Foster to play synths. I borrowed bassist Louis Johnson from the Brothers Johnson, another hot group….in addition to the ballad, I was asked to produce two covers, Otis Redding’s “Can’t Turn You Loose” and The Doobie Brothers’ ‘What A Fool Believes,’ and the slightly funky ‘Love Me Forever.’”

“Come To Me” was the third single off the album, released in May 1981. The ballad, with its noteworthy musicality and Ms. Franklin’s superb vocals, became a minor hit. ‘Come To Me’ reached #89 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and #39 on the r&b singles chart. The fact that both Ms. Franklin and Clive Davis believed in the strength of this song is confirmed by the fact that the same version of ‘Come To Me’ was released again on her 1989 record Through The Storm.” “Come To Me” was also the b-side of the title-track, a Top 20 hit duet with UK superstar Sir Elton John. Another stand-out track from Aretha was the delicious funky cover of “What A Fool Believes.” Check out our past reviews of that goodie in our archives.

Listen

Lead & Backing Vocals: Aretha Franklin
Bass: Louis Johnson
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Electric Piano & Synthesizer: David Foster
Percussion: Steve Forman
Acoustic Piano: David Paich
Backing Vocals: Edie Lehman, Marti McCall, Myrna Mathews

Produced & Arranged by Arif Mardin

Lyrics

You’re asking me to
Understand your feelings
To just forget about my own
And let you go

Darling, I won’t
Raise a hand to stop you
Just let me say one thing
Before you go

Come to me
Whenever you get lonely
Just reach out your hand
And there I’ll be
My love will light your
Way out of the darkness
If you ever need a true love
Come to me

I believe that time alone
Will change you
The changing tides
Will bring you back to me

And when you grow tired
Of chasing rainbows
Just make a wish for love
And there I’ll be

Come to me
Whenever you get lonely
Just reach out your hand
And there I’ll be
My love will light your
Way out of the darkness
If you ever need a true love
Come to me

Ooh, come to me
Whenever you get lonely
(Come to me, baby)
Just reach out your hand
And there I’ll be
Yeah, yeah, yeah

My love will light your
Way out of the darkness
If you ever need a true love
Come to me, sweet baby

Come to me
Whenever you get lonely

Log on to kill this message.

(Oh, yeah, come to me, baby)
Just reach out your hand
(Reach out, reach out)
And there I’ll be

My love will light your
Way out of the darkness
If you ever need a true love
Come to me

(If you ever get lonely)
Come to me
Whenever you get lonely
Just reach out your hand
And there I’ll be
(Reach out for me)
(Sweet baby, I’ll be there)

My love will light your
Way out of the darkness
If you ever need a true love
Come to me, yeah

written by Rod Temperton

“Living In The Streets” was an irresistible dance tune included in Aretha Franklin’s 1981 album “Love All The Hurt Away.” Written by hit pop/R&B songwriter Rod Temperton, this catchy song and the entire album was produced by the legendary Arif Mardin. “Living In The Streets” presented a deluxe instrumental track arranged by Temperton with Jerry Hey and delivered by some of the most amazing musicians of that era.

There were the superb talents of the late Jeff Porcaro and David Williams on drums and guitar respectively, Louis Johnson on bass, Greg Phillinganes on synths and David Foster on the electric piano. In those days, Foster was a fixture on Mardin’s productions and considered the Turkish-born music-maker one of his mentors. Given the noteworthy caliber of this composition and the song’s magnificent musical flavor, the legendary “Queen Of Soul” only had to let her fantastic voice fly high to create an up-tempo moment that sounds as fresh today as it did more than thirty years ago. “Living In The Streets” was released as a single early in 1982. It was backed up by another beautiful song entitled “There’s A Star For Everyone,” a tender ballad co-written by master songwriters Allee Willis, David Lasley and Don Yowell. Again, Aretha owns that song with her spectacular voice and the benefit of Mardin’s top-notch production and arrangement.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/livin_in_the_streets.mp3|titles=Living In The Streets|artists=Aretha Franklin]

Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Louis Johnson
Guitar: David Williams
Electric Piano: David Foster
Synthesizer & Synthesizer Solo: Greg Phillinganes
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Background Vocals: Aretha Franklin, Mark Stevens & Marcy Levy

Rhythm & Background vocals Arranged by Rod Temperton
Brass & Strings Arranged by Jerry Hey & Rod Temperton

Produced by Arif Mardin

Lyrics

People workin’ night and day
You need to take some time out to get away
Life is just a one way ride
There ain’t no second chance that you can try

Can’t you see all the fun is free?
So, come on out we’re livin’ in the streets tonight

Yeah, I know you sure feelin’ low
It’s time to get on up and steal the show
Leave your worries all behind
You’ve got to make your smile the bottom line

Can’t you see all the fun is free?
So, come on out we’re livin’ in the streets tonight

Do just what you want to do, you know that you can try
Get the groove and take it to the sky, here on dancin’ night

Can’t you see all the fun is free?
So, come on out we’re livin’ in the streets tonight

Do just what you want to do, let no one pull you down
Join the party, people let it last, all night to party

Spread the feelin’ through the land
We’ve got to share this action while we can
No more talkin’, no more chat
We’re gonna make this evenin’ come alive

Can’t you see all the fun is free?
So, come on out we’re livin’ in the streets tonight
Livin’ in the streets tonight, livin’ in the streets tonight

Livin’ in the streets tonight
Come on out, we’ll smoke this town together
Livin’ in the streets tonight
Come on out, we’ll smoke this town together

Livin’ in the streets tonight
Come on out, we’ll smoke this town together
Livin’ in the streets tonight
Come on out, we’ll smoke this town together

Livin’ in the streets tonight
Come on, out we’ll smoke this town together

Aretha Franklin released “A Rose Is Still A Rose” in 1998. The Queen Of Soul surrounded herself with an all-star lineup of producers and writers including the new wave of top hip-hop, nu soul music makers like Jermaine Dupri, The Fugees’ Lauryn Hill and Puff Daddy. This new challenge brought some amazing sounds like the title track, co-written and produced by Hill. However, it also brought some weak results including the collaboration with Puff Daddy on “Never Gonna Leave You Again.”

“A Rose Is Still A Rose” has a few radio friendly pop/soul moments produced by R&B mainstays Narada Michael Walden and Michael J. Powell. Among these songs is “How Many Times,” certainly one of the best cuts on the album. This gorgeous ballad was co-written by David Foster and produced here by Walden. “How Many Times” was originally recorded by Jordan Hill for her noteworthy Foster-produced debut album. It is a classic soul ballad with a great melody and a memorable hook. Franklin’s performance oozes class and style. She sang the bittersweet lyrics with just the right intensity. Add to that Walden’s state of the art production and smart arrangement and you have an amazing song by the legendary singer.

Some other good tunes on the album are “Love Pang,” a great ballad produced by Powell, and Dupri’s funky “Here You Go Again.” “A Rose Is Still A Rose” performed well on the charts reaching the top 30 on Billboard’s Top 200 and certified gold.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/how_many_times.mp3|titles=How many times|artists=Aretha Franklin]

Lead Vocals: Aretha Franklin
Keyboards & Programming, Drums Programming, Bass: Louis “Kingpin” Biancaniello
Background Vocals: Claytoven Richardson, Sandy Griffith, Nikita Germaine, Annie Stocking & Tina Gibson
Produced & Arranged by Narada Michael Walden
Associate Producer: Louis Biancaniello

Lyrics

You used to tell you loved me
You used to show me you cared
I used to be the one that you adored
But lately I don’t feel
you love me anymore
See I don’t understand
What’s come over you
And I don’t understand
Why I let you
Treat me so cruel, so tell me
How many times, must I break down and cry
I’m confused my understanding
Was true love should never die
How many times
Will you kill me inside
Any kind of fool should see the light
So why can’t I
Time after time,
I have tried and tried
To give you some space, some time
But no matter what I do, it is never enough
You just refuse to try to do by me right
Though I know I should leave
There’s something holding me
I can’t seem to find the strength
To set myself free
How many times, must I break down and cry
I’m confused my understanding
Was true love should never die
How many times
Will you kill me inside
Any kind of fool should see the light
So why can’t I
I gave my heart and soul
I gave my all you know
I deserve better baby, oh so much better baby
You know it’s just not fair
For you to act like just don’t care
For you to act like I’ve done something wrong
Boy how could you dare
How many times, must I break down and cry
I’m confused my understanding
Was true love should never die
How many times
Will you kill me inside
Any kind of fool should see the light
So why can’t I

“Love All The Hurt Away,” released in 1981, was Aretha Franklin’s second project for Arista. It marked another collaboration with L.A. session kings like David Foster, Robbie Buchanan, Greg Phillinganes and the guys of Toto under Arif Mardin’s brilliant production. After the good success one year earlier of the “Aretha” album, this new offering went even further in setting the Queen Of Soul’s spectacular voice into the refined moods of the new masters of pop. This record is along the lines of those Quincy Jones’ productions of the same era like George Benson’s “Give Me The Night.” Benson himself is a special guest singing the sweet title track with Franklin. The vocal interplay between the two is super fine with their distinctive voices blending beautifully, trading emotional lines and jazzy scats. David Foster added the golden touch with his sublime performance on the electric piano and the tasteful use of synthesizers. The rest of the spectacular rhythm section included Jeff Porcaro on drums, Louis Johnson on bass, Buzzy Feiten on guitar, plus a smooth sax solo played by Eddie Daniels. Both this song and its parent album became top ten hits on the r&b charts and entered the pop charts as well.
There are other fine songs on this collection including the cover of Sam & Dave’s “Hold On I’m Comin'” that brought Franklin another Grammy Award. The danceable “Living In The Streets,” was written by hitmaker Rod Temperton and includes Foster on electric piano. Finally, let’s mention a couple of solid ballads; “Truth And Honesty” co-written by Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager and Peter Allen and the intense “There’s A Star For Everyone” by David Lasley, Don Yowell and Allee Willis. All these songs are stamp by Franklin’s unique voice for impressive results.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/love_all_the_hurt_away.mp3|titles=Love all the hurt away|artists=Aretha Franklin & George Benson]

Lead Vocals: Aretha Franklin & George Benson
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Louis Johnson
Electric Piano & Synthesizers: David Foster
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Guitar: Buzzy Feiten
Alto Sax: Eddie Daniels
Backing Vocals: Marcy Levy & Mark Stevens
Produced & Arranged by Arif Mardin

Lyrics

NO LYRICS

This song is an incredible dance jam, it’s a wonderful, “funkified” version of the Doobie Brothers’ Grammy winner hit single. “Aretha” was a good comeback record for Franklin, who reunited with her former producer Arif Mardin who lead her to meet the new stars of the recording studios like David Foster and Toto. Their cover of “What A Fool Believes” really can compare to the original for its creative arrangement and outstanding performances by Franklin and the studio cats. The singer shows once again her unmatched power and strength while Foster shines with his work on the keyboards and the rhythm section of Jeff Porcaro, Louis Johnson, David Williams and Steve Lukather really smokes in the background. The ices on the cake are David Sanborn’s superb saxophone solo and Hamish Stuart (Average White Band) on backing vocals.

The dedication Aretha wrote on the liner notes explains it well: “Many thanks to David Paich, David Foster and the guys in Toto. You are too, too much”. We agree!!

The same team of Franklin and Mardin released one year later, “Love All The Hurt Away”, another good album with some great moments and the usual tight musicianship of Foster, Toto and many other session aces.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/what_a_fool_believes.mp3|titles=what a fool believes|artists=Aretha Franklin]

All Vocals: Aretha Franklin
Electric Piano & Synth: David Foster
Guitars: Steve Lukather & David Williams
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Louis Johnson
Synth programming: Todd Cochran
Alto Sax Solo: David Sanborn
Additional Background Vocals: Hamish Stuart
Produced by Arif Mardin

Lyrics

WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES HE SEES

HE CAME FROM SOMEWHERE BACK IN HER LONG AGO
THE SENTIMENTAL FOOL DON’T SEE
TRYIN’ HARD TO RECREATE
WHAT HAD YET TO BE CREATED ONCE IN HER LIFE

SHE MUSTERS A SMILE
FOR HIS NOSTALGIC TALE
NEVER COMING NEAR WHAT HE WANTED TO SAY
ONLY TO REALIZE
IT NEVER REALLY WAS

SHE HAD A PLACE IN HIS LIFE
HE NEVER MADE HER THINK TWICE
AS SHE RISES TO HER APOLOGY
ANYBODY ELSE WOULD SURELY KNOW
HE’S WATCHING HER GO

BUT WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES HE SEES
NO WISE MAN HAS THE POWER TO REASON AWAY
WHAT SEEMS TO BE
IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN NOTHING
AND NOTHING AT ALL KEEPS SENDING HIM

SOMEWHERE BACK IN HER LONG AGO
WHERE HE CAN STILL BELIEVE THERE’S A PLACE IN HER LIFE
SOMEDAY, SOMEWHERE, SHE WILL RETURN

SHE HAD A PLACE IN HIS LIFE
HE NEVER MADE HER THINK TWICE
AS SHE RISES TO HER APOLOGY
ANYBODY ELSE WOULD SURELY KNOW
HE’S WATCHING HER GO

BUT WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES HE SEES
NO WISE MAN HAS THE POWER TO REASON AWAY
WHAT SEEMS TO BE
IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN NOTHING
THERE’S NOTHING AT ALL
BUT WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES HE SEES