Aretha Franklin - Think [1968] (original Version) May 2026

Beyond its initial success, "Think" saw major rebirths, most notably in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers , where Franklin famously performed it as Mrs. Murphy.

The song’s emotional climax occurs during the call-and-response bridge, where Franklin belts out "Freedom!" alongside the Sweet Inspirations (featuring Cissy Houston). Lyrical Themes and Cultural Impact Aretha Franklin - Think [1968] (Original Version)

While ostensibly about a "hard-luck love affair," the song evolved into a dual anthem for the feminist and Civil Rights movements . Beyond its initial success, "Think" saw major rebirths,

Aretha’s delivery is characterized by "fiery intensity". Unlike the more polished 1980 Blues Brothers re-recording, the 1968 original has a raw, urgent quality. Beyond its initial success

Musically, the original version is a "pulsating swinger" built on a foundation of Southern soul.