Previously on Genius...
Re's gonna be the next great one.
Yes, she is. Yes, she is.
-[LAUGHS]
-That's my daughter.
I taught the Queen of Soul
everything she knows.
-Okay.
-Especially them dance numbers.
Mm. Mm.
What do you say we continue
-at my house?
-Well, what I was really hoping
was that you pass my songs
along to your daughter.
She could use some new material.
I am leaving Atlantic.
Ain't that some sh*t.
Jerry left Atlantic
and I still have two years left.
I don't think I have
anything else to give.
I'm done.
REPORTER:
And there's Glynn Turman, recent star
of the hit film Cooley High.
Clive Davis.
Congratulations on your
new launch of Arista Records.
You are a legend.
You and your music
are gonna live forever.
I promise you.
I hope our paths cross again.
[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]
GLYNN:
Man, you got to give it to her.
She doesn't give up.
I will go where you lead
I'll be right there in a time of need
And when I lose my will
You'll be right there
To push me up that hill now
-There's no
-No
No looking back for us
No, there ain't, baby
We got our love sure 'nough
That's enough
-You're all
-You're all
You're all I need
You're all
You're all I need
-Ooh...
-You're all
You're all I need, baby, baby
To get by
-[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]
-Yeah
Get by...
-[SIREN WAILING]
-PARAMEDIC: Almost there, Mr. Franklin.
PARAMEDIC 2: You're doing fine.
Hang on, okay?
Like an eagle protects his nest
For you I'll do my best
Stand by you like a tree
And dare anybody
To try and move me
Darlin', in you I found
Strength when I was torn down
Don't know what's in store
But together we can open any door
Just to do what's good for you...
PARAMEDIC: Ugh, he's losing
a lot of blood.
PARAMEDIC 2: Stay with us, sir.
Stay with us.
Out of a soul that didn't have a goal
-'Cause we
-Yeah
-We got the right foundation
-Yeah
-And with love
-[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]
And determination
Yes, we do
-Oh
-You're all I need
-You're all
-Baby, baby
You're all I need
-You're all
-[WHOOPS]
You're all I need to get by
MAN: OR 2 is prepped.
-Scrubbing in...
-[OVERLAPPING CHATTER]
As long as I got you then, baby
You know that you got me, oh
Reach the blood bank now, please.
Get the plasma up here.
NURSE: Plasma's on its way.
Mm, 'cause we got our love
In some R-E-S-P-E-C-T
-Oh
-He's coding. Code blue. No pulse.
Starting compressions.
Get me that crash cart stat.
Mm, as long as I got you then, baby
You know that you got me, oh
-[BEEPING]
-Paddles ready. Step back.
Clear.
You're all that I need
[APPLAUSE]
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
I love you.
I love you so much.
-[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
-WOMAN: Aretha!
Aretha, I love you!
-MAN: Yes! Aretha!
-MAN 2: Aretha! Remember me!
-MAN: I love you!
-Remember me!
WOMAN 2: Aretha, I love you!
GLYNN: Oh, my God,
that crowd. I mean, they loved you.
Are you serious?
-Are you serious?
-[LAUGHS]
Oh, my God. Come here.
-Come here.
-[LAUGHS]
[SPEAKING INAUDIBLY]
[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]
[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]
[INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENT OVER P.A.]
[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS, DOORS OPEN]
[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]
Big Ma is home resting,
and Sister Lucy is staying with her.
GLYNN: Baby, it's a blessing
your father made it through surgery.
Doctor says he's stable.
They sh*t him in the groin?
And in the knee.
They know who did it?
We'll hear more
from the detective. [SNIFFLES]
Look, baby, your father
lost a lot of blood.
-But he's stable. You said he was stable.
-No, he is.
-He's stable. But...
-Mm.
...the doctor's just not sure
when he'll wake up
-or...
-He'll wake up.
He will.
He will.
They're calling it a light coma.
What does that even mean?
He could be unconscious for some time.
What do you need?
What can I do for you?
[SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE]
Daddy's in there,
hurting.
Nothing else matters.
["O MIO BABBINO CARO"
BY LEONTYNE PRICE PLAYING]
Now, see...
that's a voice.
-CAROLYN: Mm-hmm.
-Mm.
You could outsing her.
-Mm-hmm.
-ARETHA: No, now, come on.
Opera?
-Uh, yeah. Come on, girl.
-Mm. No.
Now, you know you got skills.
It'd be like when we got
those roller skates.
-Mm-hmm.
-At first, you were falling down
-more than anybody.
-[LAUGHS]
Then, after one day,
she was skating around
all of us, doing...
circles and tricks
and everything all around us.
You remember
when we was trying to go out?
-Sneaking.
-Ooh, Daddy hollered
-from his office.
-[LAUGHING]
"Now, you,
"you will not be going roller-skating
-with those boys a-at this time of night."
-[LAUGHING]
Only it was 5:00 in the afternoon.
But it was on a Sunday.
-That's true. Mm-hmm.
-Our daddy was a piece of work.
-Yes, he was.
-Oh, remember that red Cadillac he had?
-Ooh. Pushing Harlem.
-Which one?
-You were right.
-I know he stayed
-looking sharp, shoes shined...
-As a tack.
-...cleaner than the board of health.
-Yes.
That reminds me, we have to get
his car washed twice a week.
'Cause you know that, once he wakes up,
he's gonna walk down those stairs,
open up the windows,
take a look outside and say,
"Now, how often are-are-are...
-are you washing my cars?"
-[LAUGHING]
-That's y'all, sisters. Mm-mm.
-ERMA: Cecil.
-That's you. What?
-You know I'm telling the truth.
ERMA: Well, I ain't washing no cars.
[CHUCKLES]
Re.
-You know we love you.
-Mm.
But you know
we can handle this, okay?
-Mm.
-We were right to bring him home.
CECIL: Mm-hmm.
Instead of putting him
in one of those facilities.
-ERMA: Yeah.
-Yeah. We're just saying...
you don't have to be rushing
back and forth
between here and L.A.
You know you don't have
to be making sacrifices.
-I'm not making no sacrifices.
-All right.
-You're not avoiding going home, are you?
-Why would I be
avoiding going home?
Well, your new album
didn't do as good as you hoped.
And we know you got one foot out
the door at Atlantic.
That's 'cause they want me
to be the opening act
for one of their rock bands.
-ERMA AND CECIL: Opening act?
-Mm-hmm.
-What?
-Said it would be, uh,
good exposure.
-CAROLYN: Oh.
-Mm-mm. See,
the record business is some bullshit.
-Sometimes, yes.
-Ha, all the time.
I need...
-I need a Daddy pep talk.
-Oh.
-ERMA: Oh, we got you.
-Come on. Come on, Carolyn.
[DEEP VOICE] Re, you got to go back home
-and get back on that horse.
-[CHUCKLES]
Yeah, 'cause no child
-O-o' CL Franklin gonna take no mess, now.
-[LAUGHING]
Look, I got... I got you, I got you. Look.
-Take some of this liquid courage, okay?
-Oh, boy.
CAROLYN: Ooh! Watch out now, Re.
-Watch out.
-Sunday.
-[CHUCKLES]
-Or, you know, you could just go back home
and lean on that
handsome husband of yours.
ERMA: Mm-hmm.
-Come on.
-And let him take...
All your troubles away
-Get on out of here.
-[LAUGHING]
That would be nice, but, uh...
Daddy seems to be healing
because I'm by his side, so...
[PHONE RINGING]
[PHONE CLACKS]
-How you doing, baby?
-GLYNN: I'm all right.
Boys are happy to be back in school.
Boys doing their homework?
[CHUCKLES]
With my help.
Even with the algebra.
-You're the best.
-Try to be.
Hey, you book your ticket back home yet?
I was just home.
Three weeks ago.
The doctors say that we...
we should sit with Daddy
and talk with him.
They say that he can hear us.
And, yesterday, when I squeezed his hand,
he-he smiled.
That's good news.
So, you coming home for Thanksgiving?
Maybe y'all could come here.
And-and for Christmas, too?
Cold Detroit for Christmas?
It'll be a celebration.
Well, speaking of celebrations,
there are... there's some events
going on out here
I don't think you want to miss.
Some industry stuff, but I was thinking
we'd get all dressed up
and show our faces.
Because otherwise, people will forget me?
Baby, I just want you
to have some fun, that's all.
I can't just leave everything
with Erma and Carolyn.
That wouldn't be fair.
Baby, you have a nurse.
Round the clock.
[SIGHS]
I love you.
I love you, too.
But it's important for me
to be home right now.
Then come home then, baby.
I miss you.
I mean, with Daddy.
It's important for me
to be home right now, because
there are certain things
that only I can do.
Baby, what I mean is,
me and the boys... we're your family, too.
I want to be with you and
the boys more than you know,
but it's... I...
I have to be home right now.
I'm sorry, baby. I really am.
[SIGHS]
Okay, baby.
Okay.
-[LAUGHTER]
-ERMA: Yeah.
The gravy's a little salty, but, uh...
-CAROLYN: Wow.
-Says the person
-who puts sugar in their grits.
-Watch that...
Watch that salty ham.
[LAUGHTER]
CAROLYN: Sugar grits.
CLARENCE:
Come on down here and join the party.
Come on.
That's my girl.
[RHYTHMIC BEEPING]
[CLOCK TICKING]
I pray every day that you'll wake up,
show me who I'm supposed to be.
You're always there cheering me on...
[APPLAUSE AND CHEERING]
...showing me the way.
I'm always gonna protect you.
You remember that.
Made me feel special.
[APPLAUSE]
-Amen.
-Amen.
-Yeah.
-MAN: Oh, that's sweet. Mm.
Sing it, little girl.
[RHYTHMIC BEEPING, CLOCK TICKING]
This doesn't work without you.
So if you wake up...
...I'll figure out
what I'm supposed to do.
CECIL: Lord, thank you for this food.
Let this food give us the strength needed
to continue in our day. Bless
everyone who helped up
prepare this food.
In Your son Jesus' name. Amen.
ALL: Amen.
[LAUGHTER, OVERLAPPING CHATTER]
[LAUGHTER, DISTORTED, INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Oh, that money is so good.
[LAUGHTER]
-[LAUGHTER]
-Oh.
CLARENCE: Well, I've got to say...
-[LAUGHTER]
-Oh.
RACHEL: Well, your father is proud
-of each and every one of you.
-ALL: Mm.
-Mm-hmm.
-You know, I would have never
soloed at New Bethel Church
in front of all those people,
-if it hadn't have been for Daddy.
-Mm-hmm.
-CAROLYN: That's true.
-He pushed you.
-I was scared for you.
-ARETHA: You were scared?
-I was scared.
-ERMA: I was jealous.
-[LAUGHS]
-Just a little bit.
-Noted.
-[LAUGHTER]
Yeah, well, I was proud.
ARETHA:
Well, who's gonna push me now?
Daddy's sick, and, uh,
music business is changing,
and I feel a little bit
like I'm on my own.
-You still have us to lean on.
-That's right.
Thank you, and I... and I will
lean on you, but I think...
think I'm gonna push myself.
Okay.
And I think I know how.
-All right.
-Yeah.
CAROLYN: What you cooking up, sis?
RACHEL: What you got in mind?
[BIRDS SINGING]
Clive, you want some
hot sauce with that?
It's delicious.
Plenty spicy. Thank you.
[ARETHA LAUGHS]
I heard you were mostly
in Detroit these days,
so I was excited
to get your call.
-Well, helping family.
-I heard.
-How's your dad?
-We pray he's on the mend.
Holidays were hard.
We were all together,
but it wasn't like old times.
I appreciate you taking the time here.
And you're sure you're not gonna
tell me your secret recipe?
Clive, you're gonna learn
that my mama's recipes are not
the only thing I like to keep to myself.
Okay. Shop talk only, then.
-Mm-hmm.
-I can tell you that
Arista is prepared to offer you
considerably more money
than Atlantic.
That's good,
but money's not the only thing
that's gonna get me to sign with you.
Music keeps changing,
and I want to keep changing with it.
Well, don't worry.
We are going to capitalize
on what you do well.
I can provide you with the best
material, the best producers.
I want someone who doesn't
put me in a box.
Someone who, uh, I can trust.
It was such a failure of Columbia
that they couldn't help you
like Wexler did.
But I see you're continuing
to develop the kind
of music you're making.
And your tenacity is
your greatest asset.
You are shaping viewpoints
and perspectives.
You are right up there
with the Beatles and Bob Dylan
as one of the giants
in contemporary culture.
Clive, I'm almost 40.
I've been making records
since I was 14 years old.
And at this point in my career,
I just want to have fun.
I want to try something new.
I want to sing whatever
I want to sing with whoever
I want to sing it with.
And I want someone who doesn't
use the years I have on my back
to push me to the back of the line.
I have earned and I deserve
control of my career.
You are Aretha Franklin.
If you never recorded another
note, you'd live forever.
I'm sitting here
because you're timeless.
And I just want to be
a part of your history.
Well, now, that sounds all right.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Jump, jump, jump to it
[POPPING]
MAN: Left.
-Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
-MAN: Great, great.
-Girl, I got to go
-There it is.
-Yeah, yeah, yeah
-I got to go now, really
-Chin up, please.
-Yeah, I'm kind of
-In a hurry
-Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Uh-huh, here's the reason why
-You're all set.
-[CLICKING]
Jump, jump, jump to it
Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh
Jump, jump, jump to it
Oh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh
Shabba doodle-a dwee-dah
Jump, jump, jump to it
Do-do-do, do-do-do, do-do-do, do-do-do
Do-do, dwee-dah
Hey, hey, hey
Jump, jump, jump to it...
-[POPPING]
-MAN: Aretha, you're R&B number one.
-How does it feel?
-WOMAN: Aretha, you're back on top!
MAN 2: Aretha, tell us what's next.
[LOUD POP]
CECIL: And in the name
of the Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost, we say?
-WOMAN: Amen.
-CECIL: Amen.
[RHYTHMIC BEEPING]
[ARETHA FRANKLIN'S "GET IT RIGHT" PLAYS]
Mm. You and Clive Davis are on a roll.
There's nothing you can't sing
the hell out of.
Re, I cannot believe
you're moving back to Detroit.
Well, it's not like I'm going
back to Daddy's house.
Mm, where you gonna live?
Okay, with all the success
you've been having lately,
-can we celebrate?
-Mm-hmm.
Back on top of the charts.
-Mm-hmm.
-Let's hope it stays like that.
The time is now to start...
What are you afraid of, sis?
Oh, nothing.
Re, y'all got to make peace with the fact
that Daddy isn't going
to be getting any better.
He's just not gonna be able
to be there for us the way he used to be.
It's been four years.
And I got to face that.
It's not over till it's done,
It's going to be...
[LOUD BREATHING]
ARETHA: Everybody keeps telling me
to let you go.
But I don't know who I am without you.
I am who I am because of you.
My gifts and my griefs.
[RHYTHMIC BEEPING]
[CL BREATHING RHYTHMICALLY]
I...
I'm not ready
to let you leave yet.
[RHYTHMIC BREATHING AND BEEPING CONTINUE]
You'll leave behind a...
a wound that will never heal.
I don't want to walk around
being an open wound. [SOBS]
And I know that if you were
here, you would say,
"Just trust in God's will
and read your Bible."
But that ain't gonna do it.
I don't want to do that.
If you leave, I'm afraid
I won't be special anymore.
[CRYING]
I won't know who I am.
I don't know how
to be the Queen of Soul.
I just want to be your daughter.
[CRYING]
Please wake up, Daddy.
[RHYTHMIC BEEPING]
Please wake up. [CRIES]
-Said I wouldn't
-Leave it alone
Please wake up.
Why don't you
Why don't you let it be?
-Still water run deep
-Yes, it do
Yes, it do
Oh, oh, oh, yeah
If you only believe
When you're down and out
-Please...
-When you're on the street
When evening falls
So hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part
Oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all
Is all around
Just like a bridge
Over troubled water
I will lay me down
-Like a bridge
-Yes, like a bridge
Over troubled water
I will lay me down...
ARETHA: City traffic's moving
way too slow
Drop the pedal and go
-Go
-Come on, baby
-Go
-Do it for me now
We goin' riding on the freeway of love
Wind's against our back...
To you.
To you. [CHUCKLES]
[CLIVE CHUCKLES]
-ARETHA: MTV? I love it.
-CLIVE: The video gives people
a new way to enjoy the song.
I'm reaching folks from coast to coast
-without even leaving my home.
-Now, new songs.
-Any winners?
-Well, it's up to you.
Let me know if any of the lyrics
resonate with you.
We had hundreds of submissions.
These are the best of the bunch.
How do you do it?
You've got golden ears.
Hmm. They are both at your service.
Ooh. Annie Lennox.
-From the Eurythmics?
-Yeah, yeah.
"Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves."
The whole thing is
about female empowerment.
I could get behind that.
Mm. George Michael,
he wants to do a duet with you.
Okay.
And we're getting offers to do
more of those big interviews.
Well, as long as they don't want
to get into my business...
-you know how I hate that.
-Just want to make sure you have
all the chances you can
to tell the world how great you are.
Because there will never be
another one like me.
-Mm-hmm.
-Mm-hmm.
The Olympia Theatre wants you back.
Come on.
It's Paris.
Can't do it.
You weren't there.
That little two-engine plane
just dipsey-doodling in the air,
I'm still not over it.
I... What can I tell you?
-No planes.
-You have conquered
the R&B charts.
Now I want you back at number one
on Billboard's Hot 100.
With MTV, your exposure is great.
Let's make the most of it.
Clive, I promise you I'll find
another way to fly again.
Sisters are doin' it for themselves
Now, there was a time
There was a time
Ah, when they used to say
When they used to say
That behind every
Great man
There had to be a
Great woman
[BIG BEN TOLLING]
But in these times of change
You know that it's no longer true
So we're coming out of the kitchen
'Cause there's something we
Forgot to say to you, we say
Sisters are doin' it
For themselves
Equal pay, hear what we say
Standing on our own two feet, yeah
And ringin' on their own bells
[FADING]
Here we come, now...
CLIVE:
If you like singing with Annie...
[MID-TEMPO POP INTRO PLAYING]
...you're gonna love singing with George.
Like a warrior that fights
And wins the battle
I know the taste of victory
And though I went
Through some nights
Consumed by the shadows
I was crippled emotionally...
ARETHA: Yes, I work hard,
but all of you have helped me
reach this milestone.
And some of you have known me
for a lifetime.
-Carolyn.
-Yes?
You are as brave as they come,
and you can write and sing
the heck out of a song.
-Whew, that's right.
-Come on. Thank you.
Brother Cecil, you have always
been able to keep me grounded,
and you have always been able
to get me out of some crazy mess.
-Many.
-No, it's not.
-But I love you and I thank you.
-I love you.
-Uh, Miss Erma?
-Mm-hmm?
You have always had my back,
and I'll never forget it.
I learned how to shine 'cause of you.
-Well, you shine.
-I love you.
And I love you, too.
-Thank you.
-Mm-hmm.
When the river was deep
I didn't falter
When the mountain was high
I still believed
When the valley was low
It didn't stop me
I knew you were waiting
I knew you were waiting for me...
Now, Mr. Clive Davis?
-Mm-hmm.
-[LAUGHTER]
You are not only one of the
greatest music men of all time,
-you are my friend,
-Mm-hmm.
my confidant,
and you keep me moving forward,
and you always have my back.
Thank you. Here's to us.
Friends, family,
-sweethearts...
-WOMAN: Ooh!
-...past, present and future.
-Oh.
[ALL LAUGHING]
Thank you all so much
for being here today, thank you
for being my support system,
and thank you
for putting respect on my name.
-WOMAN: Yes. Yes.
-MAN: All right, cheers. Cheers.
WOMAN 2: Cheers.
-[INDISTINCT CHATTER, LAUGHTER]
-No, no
Knew you were waiting
-Knew you were waiting
-I knew you were waiting
Knew you were waiting for me
I didn't falter
When the mountain was high
I still believed
When the valley was low
It didn't stop me
Oh, I knew you were waiting
-No, no
-Knew you were waiting for me
-I didn't falter
-When the mountain was high...
Let's all raise a glass.
"Knew You Were Waiting,"
your first Billboard No. 1
since "Respect!"
[CHEERING]
[LAUGHTER]
-WOMAN: Congratulations.
-[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[APPLAUSE]
Welcome back.
We're here with Miss Aretha Franklin.
-Do you mind? [CHUCKLES]
-No.
Thank you so much.
Wow.
-Look at that. 1967.
-Mm-hmm.
I didn't realize how skinny
-I was back then.
-[LAUGHTER]
Well, you still look incredible.
Well, what they say? Uh,
Black don't cr*ck?
Is that what they say?
And your Black is
definitely not cracking.
[LAUGHTER]
-All right.
-Well, now, you take care of that one.
I think it's gonna be
a collector's item one day.
-Thank you so much.
-Mm-hmm.
-It really means the world to me.
-Mm-hmm.
Okay.
It's been 30 years
since your first Grammy,
for "Respect," and since then,
you've been making
chart-topping, award-winning music.
Even though your life
has been full of many milestones
and iconic moments,
it hasn't been free of controversy.
Yeah? Name one.
Well, like when you made the transition
from gospel music
-to secular music.
-I didn't transition at all.
Uh, I just wanted
to spread my wings a little bit.
And, for the record,
everything I do is rooted in the church.
It's-it's who I am. It's what I sing.
Uh, I could sing "Mary Had a Little Lamb,"
and it would still sound like church.
-[CHUCKLES]
-[APPLAUSE]
In a way, everything I do is gospel.
Even a love song.
You're a very private person.
-Is that on purpose?
-I think so.
But if you listen to the music,
everything you need to know is in there.
Has it been difficult for you,
living your life so publicly?
I think of it more of a...
as a gift than a curse.
Somehow, you take the difficult stuff
of your life, and you turn it
into songs that people love
and will listen to forever.
It's like you take lead
and turn it into gold.
Well...
I think that everybody
has a story to tell.
Uh, mine just happens to be through song.
Because that's where you'll
find me, right in the music.
My spirit will always be around here.
Not a lot of people can say that,
but I'm grateful that I can.
-You never give up, do you?
-No.
That's why there will never be another me.
-[BOTH LAUGHING]
-[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
["DROWN IN MY OWN TEARS"
BY ARETHA FRANKLIN PLAYING]
It brings
Big tears
Into my eyes
When I began
You're not coming?
When I began to realize
Come on.
That I've cried so much
Oh, since you've been gone
I guess I'll drown in
Drown in my own tears...
ARETHA: Happy birthday, Daddy.
ERMA: Would've been
ARETHA: We love you, Grandma.
Just like a child
These tears of mine
These tears are running wild
We love you, Cecil.
We love you, Carolyn.
And if you don't think
If you don't think
That you'll be home soon
Baby
I'm gonna drown
Yeah
In my
Oh, in my own...
ERMA: We're the last two left.
ARETHA:
You think I'm-a go before you?
You make it sound
like it's a competition.
I got a lot of life left. How 'bout you?
Mm. All these years,
trying to keep up with you,
feeling down when I couldn't.
I could never have gotten
as far as I did
without you and Carolyn singing
with me and...
cheering me on.
-Thanks.
-Mm.
I'm gonna enjoy my retirement now.
I think you should get back in the studio.
[CHUCKLES]
-No, I'm thinking about traveling.
-Mm.
Lord, we're getting old.
Oh, sh*t. Speak for yourself.
[LAUGHS]
[CHUCKLES] What you got coming up?
Grammys. Um...
I'm-a sing one of the hits.
-Oh. That ought to be fun, right?
-Mm.
I'm thinking about doing
something for MusiCares.
For Pavarotti.
-The Maestro.
-Mm-hmm.
Mm.
You are so brave, girl.
Always finding new ways to fly.
Well...
Thanks, sis.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
EMCEE: Let's give another round
of respect to Aretha Franklin!
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
Thank you.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
You were wonderful, Ms. Franklin.
-Oh, I think it went all right. Thank you.
-Yeah.
The parties are gonna be fun.
Which one you want to wear?
That one.
You sang great.
You don't feel good about it?
I'm all right.
Girl, you had
that Grammy audience eating out
-of your hand.
-Mm.
-[CHUCKLES]
-[KNOCKING]
Who is it?
Sorry to bother you, Ms. Franklin,
but I just got a call.
Who d*ed?
Nobody d*ed. But Mr. Pavarotti...
he's come down with a cold. He's sick.
Tonight, he was supposed
to sing "Nessun dorma."
Oh, I'm so sorry he's not feeling well.
-His doctor says he shouldn't perform.
-What does that
-have to do with me?
-We have the musicians
and the choir ready to go.
Now, I know you sang the song
-two nights ago...
-I'm sorry, Mr. Ehrlich.
MusiCares was a small charity event.
When was he supposed to go on?
In about 15 minutes.
You bring me the lyrics.
And I need to hear a recording
of his rehearsal.
Great.
-Thank you, Ms. Franklin.
-[DOOR OPENS]
[DOOR CLOSES]
Sis. You?
Singing opera at the Grammys?
It's a live broadcast.
-I know.
-Re, there are at least
Maybe it's time for me
to show 'em that I still got it.
I haven't said yes yet,
but I want to review the material.
Okay.
["NESSUN DORMA" PLAYING]
Nessun dorma...
Nessun dorma
Tu pure...
What are they singing about?
The singer has a secret.
Just like you.
-I got a lot of secrets.
-[CHUCKLES]
-[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
-The people won't sleep
until they discover the singer's secret.
"Nessun dorma" means "no one sleeps."
And what happens when they find out?
If the people discover
the singer's secret, she'll die.
If the singer can keep
her secret, she'll live.
Deep.
ARETHA: And then...
victory.
Amen.
I love your take.
I always have to make it personal.
Only problem is,
this is not in my key.
ERMA: Oh, well,
then that settles it, right?
We appreciate you considering Ms. Franklin
for this very daring idea, but she'll sing
one of her hits or you'll have
to get someone else.
Sorry I wasted your time.
I can do it.
My sister's gonna need a moment alone.
MAN [OVER INTERCOM]:
We're at places, Ms. Franklin.
Places, please.
Ready?
-Ready, Ms. Franklin?
-Yes.
-You continue to amaze me.
-Thanks, sis.
[MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY OVER P.A.]
...my friend, Luciano Pavarotti.
[APPLAUSE]
Unfortunately, his doctors advised him
to give that sore throat a rest.
The selection he was going
to perform was "Nessun dorma."
Two nights ago, at MusiCares,
another legendary voice
performed that same song...
one you might not expect.
She has agreed to step in
for her friend Luciano,
literally at a moment's notice.
Ladies and gentlemen, Aretha Franklin.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Nessun dorma
Nessun
Dorma
Tu pure
Tu pure, oh, Principessa
Nella tua fredda stanza
Guardi le stelle
Che tremano
D'amore
E di speranza
Within my heart
My secret lies
And what his name is
None shall know
None, none
Till on thy heart
I confess it
Soon as
Morning lights
Shall dawn
I'm gonna make a hit.
Oh Prince, then shall
My kisses
Break the silence
That make thee mine
CHORUS:
Il nome suo nessun saprà
E noi dovrem, ahimè
Morir, morir
ARETHA: Dilegua, o notte
Tramontate
Stelle
Tramontate
All'alba
Vin...
Cerò
Vincerò, Vincerò!
[VOCALIZING]
Cerò! Cerò
Vincerò!
[SUSTAINING NOTE]
-[MUSIC ENDS]
-[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Though you don't call anymore
I sit and wait
In vain
-I guess I'll rap on your door
-Your door
Tap on your window pane
Tap on your window pane
I want to tell you, baby
The changes I've been going through
Missing you, listen, you
Till you come back to me
That's what I'm gonna do
Living for you, my dear
Is like living in a world
Of constant fear
-Hear my plea
-Hear my plea
-I've got to make you see
-Make you see
That our love is dying
Our love is dying
Although your phone you ignore
Somehow I must
Somehow I must, how I must explain
-I'm gonna rap on your door
-Your door
-Tap on your window pane
-Tap on your window pane
Oh, but I, baby
-I'm gonna rap on your door
-I'm gonna
Tap on your, tap on your, tap on your
-Tap on your window pane
-Tap on your window pane
-I'm gonna rap on your door
-Your door
-Gonna tap on your window pane
-Tap on your...
[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]
03x08 - Aretha: No One Sleeps
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American biographical anthology drama television series follows Einstein, Picasso, Franklin, MLK.
American biographical anthology drama television series follows Einstein, Picasso, Franklin, MLK.