To say that you love someone unconditionally means that you care about them so deeply, so readily, that no matter what they do or say, or how they act, you never waver. You have their back. That type of love never gives you pause, never makes you regret, never makes you question, or have to "think". The type of love for their talent, their ability, their quirks and idiosyncracies that surpasses all superlatives. You know that person.
That's how we here at SoulBounce feel about Ms. Aretha Louise Franklin. We love her with the type of love and recognition for the "Queen of Soul" that defines what this site is all about.
Which is Soul music, but mostly what comes from the soul. That's Aretha. She gives it to you with everything she's got, whether it be classic material or less-than-classy material. With her, everything including her fashion sense is fair game. And she wouldn't have it any other way. We tug on her "chain" of foolishness when necessary, and recognize that a rose is still a rose, even when thorns show on occasion.
Today, on this, her 67th birthday, we celebrate Ms. Franklin for what she's given us. And continues to give. Her music (20 Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award and Living Legend Award), her humanity (National Medal of Arts, Presidential Medal of Freedom), her legacy (first female inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, youngest member to receive a Kennedy Center honor) and even her loose lips (taking on the world for seemingly no reason).
We love it all. And we love the Queen of Soul (and SoulBounce), Aunt Re-Re, Ms. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Uncondtionally.
Happy Birthday, Aretha Franklin.
