Universal/Courtesy Everett: Aretha Franklin shines center stage in ‘The Blues Brothers’. When Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and director John Landis set out to turn their popular Blues Brothers characters from Saturday Night Live into a full-length film, a fierce bidding war erupted before a script was even written. The late-night show was already a cultural phenomenon, the Landis-Belushi film Animal House was a smash hit, and the Blues Brothers’ album Briefcase Full of Blues had soared to No. 1 on Billboard’s album charts, going double platinum. Recognizing the need for top talent, the creators enlisted a lineup of musical legends to ensure the movie’s success, rather than relying solely on comedians in funny suits. Notable performers such as Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker, Cab Calloway, and James Brown all have their memorable musical moments in the film, but the pinnacle is reached when the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, takes the spotlight for a truly unforgettable performance. In a key scene, Jake and Elwood Blues must raise money to save their childhood orphanage, leading them to reunite their musical band. The film’s first portion focuses on reassembling their old crew, most of whom were actual musicians from the successful album, doubling as actors. The Queen of Soul herself appears as Matt “Guitar” Murphy’s wife, delivering a memorable performance that adds to the movie’s charm. The musical sequence featuring Franklin in ‘The Blues Brothers’ is hailed as one of the greatest in cinematic history, showcasing the iconic song “Think,” originally recorded in 1968 by Franklin and Ted White. Despite not achieving the same level of success as some of her other hits, “Think” still made a significant impact, reaching No. 7 on the Hot 100 chart. The original rendition of “Think” remains a classic, showcasing Franklin’s unparalleled talent and soulful voice.
The 1980 version of the song is notably faster. Whether this makes it better is subjective, but one thing is certain: it’s incredibly enjoyable to watch Franklin passionately perform this song while portraying a character who playfully challenges her husband, with Belushi and Aykroyd in amusing costumes in the background. The soundtrack album for The Blues Brothers achieved significant success, reaching No. 11 on the charts and earning double platinum status. In addition to her vocals, Franklin showcased her piano skills on the recording of “Think,” with Paul Shaffer contributing to the instrumentation, adding a special touch. If witnessing Franklin in The Blues Brothers leaves you wanting more of her on the big screen, you’re in luck unlike previous generations. In 2018, long-lost footage of a memorable two-night performance at a Los Angeles church in 1972 was compiled and released as the documentary Amazing Grace. Despite legal and technical hurdles causing delays, the result is a remarkable concert film, enhanced by moments of Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts visibly awestruck by Aretha Franklin’s presence. To read the original article, visit Entertainment Weekly.
