Video Drum Cover – Aretha Franklin – Think

“Think” by Aretha Franklin is soul on fire. Released in 1968, it’s a track that doesn’t ask — it commands. In just over two minutes, Aretha delivers a powerhouse performance that blends gospel, funk, and rhythm & blues into a rallying cry for liberation. Written by Franklin and her then-husband Ted White, “Think” was born from a place of urgency — both personal and political. With the civil rights movement and women’s rights gaining steam, this song captured the spirit of defiance and empowerment in a way only Aretha could.

The structure is classic call-and-response, echoing the church roots that shaped Franklin’s voice — but everything here is sped up, sharpened, electrified. The lyrics demand space, respect, and independence. And every line hits harder thanks to the arrangement behind it.

At the center of that arrangement? The drums. Played by the incomparable Roger Hawkins of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, the drumming on “Think” is a masterclass in soul precision. He keeps it tight but never stiff — blending sharp snare cracks, pulsing hi-hat patterns, and brief but brilliant fills that lift the song’s energy without ever getting in the way. It’s not just rhythm; it’s propulsion.

Recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York, “Think” quickly rose to become one of Aretha’s signature songs, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. But it truly came alive onstage. Every live version turned the groove up, with the drums often taking the spotlight in breakdowns and reprises. The song reached cult status again when Franklin performed it in The Blues Brothers movie in 1980 — a performance where the drums once again anchored the whole explosive scene.

“Think” is more than a hit. It’s a musical shot of adrenaline, a declaration of strength, and a showcase of what soul music can be when every part — especially the rhythm section — fires on all cylinders. For drummers, it’s a reminder of how groove and message can work hand-in-hand. For everyone else, it’s just a perfect storm of power, passion, and percussion.