Aretha Franklin Plays National Anthem

The four minute and thirty-five second long National Anthem that Aretha Franklin played at the Detroit Lions’ game was stunning. She transfixed America with her version of the Anthem, which came out as a beautiful church spiritual.

The Queen of Soul has been playing for the people of Detroit ever since she was a young girl. For more than 70 years, she has been on the piano and belting out amazing songs and hymns for audiences of all types. Franklin’s family moved to Detroit many years ago and she settled right into the music scene in the city.

The last time Aretha has done something unexpected on stage, she amazed the audience with her vocal range and talents. Back in 1998, she filled in for Luciano Pavarotti at the Grammy Awards and delivered a perfect rendition of the song - “Nessun Dorma”. Now the song has become a part of her album and she has started to perform it everywhere.

Franklin signed with Atlantic Records and achieved commercial success early in her career. She had many hit songs like “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Think,” and “Respect”.

The feminine name Aretha is probably derived from the Greek word arete that means “virtue”. The name became popular in the 1960s after Aretha Franklin made her mark in the world as a songwriter, singer, and musician. There are not many notable people with the name, but there are a few, like Aretha Thurmond the American discus thrower.