While Aretha Franklin has a long list of original hits behind her, she's never shied away from paying tribute to other artists' songs. (Otis Redding's "Respect," anyone?) Now the superstar singer is drawing inspiration from a fresh crop of chart toppers with her upcoming album "Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics."
On Friday, Franklin stopped by TODAY and confessed that she's never been so excited about an album before. That sense of excitement was clear when the legend performed her spin on Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" and Etta James' "At Last."
Few could watch Franklin perform without wondering how the 72-year-old soul and R&B icon has maintained her energy and vocal power for so many years. She admitted there's no magic secret.
"[It's] the love of the business, the industry — and getting my rest," Franklin said on TODAY. "I'll never be accused of not getting my rest."
She also credited a "good diet and good health regimen."
That explains why Franklin's vocals are as hot as ever — well, partly explains. According to TODAY's Tamron Hall, the Queen of Soul also asked TODAY's producers to heat up the normally chilly studio for her morning performance.
"Aretha Franklin comes in and says turn off the air [conditioner]. Does a snap. Done!" an appreciative Hall noted.
"Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics" comes out Oct. 21.
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