Drum Sheet – Aretha Franklin – Think

“Think” by Aretha Franklin is one of the most explosive soul tracks of all time — and for drum lovers, it’s a rhythmic masterclass. Released in 1968, this iconic song was co-written by Aretha Franklin and her then-husband and manager, Ted White. It wasn’t just a hit — it was a statement. “Think” delivered a fierce message about freedom and respect at a time when both the civil rights and feminist movements were gaining momentum, and the song’s structure, tempo, and especially the drumming, matched that urgency.

The composition process was rooted in Aretha’s natural talent for arranging music around emotion. She had already cemented herself as the Queen of Soul with hits like “Respect” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” but “Think” was different. It was faster, sharper, almost breathless in intensity. Aretha came up with the main ideas at the piano, building a call-and-response form that would drive the lyrics home with power. The arrangement was tight, with horns, backing vocals, and rhythm all locked in — but the drums were the engine.

The drum part on “Think” is all about movement. From the very first beat, the groove grabs you. Played by session drummer Roger Hawkins of the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, the drumming is crisp, funky, and urgent. Hawkins combined a driving snare with syncopated hi-hats and explosive fills that elevate the track from soul into a kind of high-octane gospel-funk hybrid. He doesn’t overplay — he directs traffic. Each snare hit feels like punctuation, each fill like a shout. There’s even a slight push-and-pull feel in the groove that gives the song its restless, fiery energy.

“Think” was recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York City and became an instant hit, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. But it wasn’t just a radio song — it came alive on stage. Aretha performed it on countless tours, always with the drums ramped up live, sometimes even with extended breakdowns to let the rhythm section breathe. And of course, it gained legendary status when she performed it in The Blues Brothers movie in 1980, backed by a full band where the drums once again drove the scene’s entire mood.

For fans of rhythm, “Think” is more than a classic — it’s a clinic in soul drumming.