Do Right Woman, Do Right Man

Aretha Franklin (pictured in 2008) disappeared for weeks while recording

"Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" was written by Chips Moman and Dan Penn.[1] It was produced by Jerry Wexler.[1]

Franklin began recording the song in 1967 at Rick Hall's FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, after completing "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)". During the session, Franklin's then-husband and manager Ted White got upset over something trumpeter Ken Laxton said, and at the motel afterwards Rick Hall's attempt to explain things resulted in a fight between him and White.[2][3] The following morning, it was found that Franklin and White had left[4] with the song still unfinished. Penn recalled:

"They cut 'I Never Loved a Man' and it was just romping stomping. It was an out and out smash. They cut 'Do Right Woman', it didn't sound right. She wouldn't even sing it. I think I sang it as it went down on the track. . . . They weren't going to cut any more at Rick Hall's because they had a little disagreement, and they had an eight-track in New York and wanted to go eight-track, so we all went up there."[5]

Franklin disappeared for several weeks,[6] later reappearing in New York City. She then finished the song with the help of her sisters Carolyn and Erma.[1][4] Penn recalled:

"She had put her sisters on it, she'd sang it over, she'd played piano herself, and I realised then you can make anything out of anything with a lot of tracks. I think maybe they had the bass drum and a snare and the bass that they used out of Alabama, and possibly the guitar. . . . And it was such a wonderful record when they played it back. It's still one of the best records I've ever heard by anybody – not 'cause it's my song, but just that record. It'll reach out and get you in your heart."[7]

At the beginning of the song, Franklin sings with a gospel-inspired tone, which continues through the bridge. Through overdubbing, Franklin plays both the piano and the organ.[8]

According to Bill Janovitz of Allmusic, "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" contrasts the power of temptation and rewards of fidelity. He notes that its melody is "soothing".[9] Patricia Hill Collins writes that it has a feminist message, urging African-American men to respect women as their equals and not follow the then-common belief that it is "a man's world" by using or abusing them; she also writes that the song urges men to be loyal, responsible, and "sexually expressive".[10]

Although the song is originally heavily inspired by soul, covers have different styles. For example, The Flying Burrito Brothers cover in 1969 was a "country-soul waltz".[9]

"Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" spent 11 weeks on the charts, peaking at number 9.[1] It was included on Franklin's album I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You[1] and the single was released as the b-side to "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)".[8] It also reached number 37 on the R&B chart. Wexler called it "perfection".[1]

In 2004, Rolling Stone selected "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" as one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. As of the 2010 edition, it is ranked 476th.[1]

In the 1991 film Cape Fear,[11] Max Cady (Robert De Niro) tries to seduce a teenage girl (Juliette Lewis) while dancing with her to the song.

The song was featured in the 1995 film Dead Presidents.

From Allmusic.[9]

• Cher
• Joan Baez
• Etta James
• The Sweet Inspirations
• The Flying Burrito Brothers
• Barbara Mandrell, whose version went to number 17 on the country chart, 1971.[12]
• Willie Nelson
• Dan Penn
• Kitty Wells
• Joe Cocker
• The Commitments
• Joe Tex
• Elkie Brooks
• Phoebe Snow
• William Bell
• Martina McBride
• Sinead O’Connor
• The Three Degrees
• The Revelators
• Whitney Houston
• Delaney and Bonnie[13]
• George Lewis
• Truckasaurus including Lisa Miller