My music playlist for today (June 15, 2012 edition)

Her father was a prominent Baptist minister and activist. She started singing in her father’s church at age 10, and started recording four years later. Aside from gospel, she’s done R&B, jazz, pop, rock, funk, and blues.

She is better known, however, as the “Queen of Soul.” Of course, I’m talking about Aretha Franklin.

A confession: my lovely wife has been the inspiration behind the “ladies’ week” playlists of mine, because of her own versatility as a singer. She can sing gospel, jazz, country, classical, pop, and she can do it well. One of her favorite songs to sing — almost for as long as I’ve known her — has been a song first made popular by Aretha, “Respect.”

I could also envision my lady singing another Aretha classic, “(You Make Me Feel) Like A Natural Woman.” It’s got style, it’s got class. Aretha’s given those qualities to it.

Aretha is a national music treasure, having received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. With her “staying power,” she certainly earned the honor.