Bundle Drum Sheet Easy – Aretha Franklin – Think

“Think” by Aretha Franklin isn’t just a soul anthem — it’s a burst of pure, unfiltered power. Released in 1968, this song is a fast-paced, no-holds-barred demand for freedom and respect, wrapped in one of the most dynamic grooves ever recorded. Co-written by Aretha herself and her then-husband Ted White, “Think” came at a time when the world was shifting — politically, socially, and musically. And this song caught that wave like a lightning rod.

Right from the opening bars, you feel it: that tight snap of the snare, the syncopated hi-hat, the groove that just won’t quit. The drums are front and center, not flashy, but fierce. They don’t just support the rhythm — they define it. Played by the legendary Roger Hawkins from the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, the drumming is clean, precise, and totally on fire. His style here is a perfect blend of soul and urgency: punchy snare hits that cut through the horns and vocals, fast fills that drive the energy higher without ever overcomplicating things.

Aretha builds the track around a classic call-and-response structure, and you can tell it was made for both the studio and the stage. Her voice is commanding, the horns are blasting, the backing vocals are sharp — but the whole thing rides on that unstoppable rhythm. The drums lock in with the bass and piano in a way that’s tight but still breathing — a sign of a band that knows how to groove without losing control.

“Think” was recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York, and it became an immediate hit, both on the charts and in the cultural conversation. And when Aretha performed it live — whether on tour or famously in The Blues Brothers movie — the drums always led the charge. The song’s message of liberation wouldn’t hit as hard without that relentless, driving beat underneath it all.

For drum lovers, “Think” isn’t just a great track — it’s a masterclass in soul rhythm, with every beat pushing the message forward.