Aretha Franklin Brings President Obama To Tears Performing At Kennedy Center Honors 

I love that she was in her prime in the '60s, a time of racial segregation and tension, then 50 years later she performs in front of the first black president. Must have been a mutually amazing experience.

The entrance. The purse. The fur. The piano. The vocals. She made ME feel like a natural woman and I'm a man.

Battling Pancreatic cancer, she still showed up to honor a friend. Class, class, and more class. God bless Aretha Franklin.

Does anyone else come back and watch this when they need a break from the crazy?

Bear in mind she was 74 years old, dying of cancer when she performed this song! Rest in peace, Queen of soul 🕊🕊

Carole King losing her damn mind is priceless!

I could watch Carole’s reaction 1000 times. Pure joy and humility. ❤

Aretha set the standards for most of the female vocalists after her, her prowess and showmanship was the standard. No wonder she was the number one vocalist in the Rolling Stone top 200 list. RIP to the legend.

74! She leaves performers 50 years younger in the dust. Genius.

She was 73 years old on this performance, what an amazing lady!

Probably the greatest musical performance ever performed on television. I watch this often for inspiration

One of the greatest voices of all time !!! To sound like that at her age, simply incredible ! RIP Aretha !

Mind you, she was dying of Cancer when she did this performance! That's why everyone was surprised and crying to see her there. Straight up LEGEND!

The jewels. The fur. The pocketbook. The piano playing. The vocals. If that’s not a Queen I don’t know what is.

Man. I'm just now seeing this for the first time. Aretha Franklin brought the house down. She even made me cry and I don't cry easily. This was back when America Was Great. Obama was truly a classy President.

I think I read somewhere that it was a rarity for Aretha to play the piano on stage so King was especially touched and amazed to see her do that for her!

The time a Queen moved a President to tears. May she Rest in Peace. Queen of Soul, indeed.

I love that Carole King’s going crazy because she’s singing her song with all the emotion it deserves!

This put wind back in my sails today. She was the most incredible (and natural) woman. And Carole King's excitement is soooo contagious. One million gold stars ✨

The woman was fighting cancer when she performed this song and still hit every note on point; the one and only "Queen" Rest in power lady! Love you and miss you!

How does a 74-year-old sing like that??? Amazing.

One of the great live performances ever. From soft and subtle to belting it. O man.

Now, THAT'S a performance!! Extraordinary talent! Chills when she sheds her coat.

Just a reminder.. NO-ONE Sings like Aretha.

74 years old and could still out sing 99% of the clowns performing now. One of a kind musical genius.

You know you're an incredibly powerful artist when you get a standing ovation well before you're even done singing. Especially when one of the people standing is an absolute icon who wrote the song. There will NEVER be another Aretha Franklin.

I feel what Barack was showing. Amazing that Aretha could do this when she was so ill. Carole King's childlike glee is so beautiful. You can see how much she respected Aretha.

Awwwww....Carole is SO OVERWHELMED by this honor. Aretha is just on another level from other vocalists.

Obama crying, Michelle hollering and Carole is absolutely beside herself. Legendary performance from an absolute, unquestionable, undeniable legend.

A force of nature. A work of genius. A gift from the heavens. Aretha Franklin’s voice is all that and more, which is why she remains the unchallenged Queen, years after her final bow. Her singing is the most magnificent sound to emerge from America - more universal than Coltrane’s horn, bolder than Hendrix’s guitar. She blew up worldwide with her 1967 hit “Respect,” claiming her throne as the greatest pop, rock, or soul singer ever. As Mary J. Blige told Rolling Stone, “She is the reason why women want to sing.” Aretha could express jubilation, as heard in her gospel doc Amazing Grace. She could summon the deepest heartbreak, in ballads like “Ain’t No Way.” Her artistry is the greatest achievement of American music, if not American history. But her voice is the crossroads where all different musical traditions meet, from gospel to funk to rock to the blues. As she said, “I guess you could say I do a lot of traveling with my voice.” She grew up as Detroit gospel royalty, getting her lessons in the church from Mahalia Jackson. At first, her label tried to mold her into a slick lounge singer, but she quit the crossover game, after meeting another young outsider on the label whose voice didn’t fit the pop mold: Bob Dylan. As she told writer Gerri Hirshey, “Neither of us was what you call - ah - mainstream.” Aretha went to Muscle Shoals and became Lady Soul, creating her own raw, intense R&B sound. She forced the mainstream to cross over to her, changing the way music sounded ever since, all over the world. Her genius has taken so many forms: 1970s gospel, 1980s glam-disco, her collabos with disciples like Whitney Houston and Lauryn Hill. Or the night she stole the Grammys, singing “Nessun Dorma” without a rehearsal. But whatever she sang, she claimed it as her own. And as long as you live, you’ll never hear anything like Aretha Franklin. That’s why her voice still goes

We miss you Aretha, you will always be the QUEEN!!!

This is one of the greatest moments in music/television history. Epic doesn’t even come close. The fur, the purse, the piano and Carole Kings reaction, and most of all Aretha nailing a performance in her 70’s.

RIP Queen. Drag that fur through heaven.

This performance brought tears to my eyes. Rest well Queen ❤

She puts her soul into this song!!

Anybody else get goosebumps just when she entered?

This woman holds honorary degrees (in music) from Harvard, Yale, Princeton and University of Michigan. Arguably, one of the most respected singers/musicians alive on this planet!

Wow!!!!!!!!!! There was NO ONE like Aretha, From my home town Detroit! God bless and rest in you gal!!!1

What most people don’t know when they see the president so emotional is that he and Ms Obama had known of the queen serious illness. This was just pure emotion

That goddamn Aretha Franklin. Go head honey I almost stood up in my own house.

With her Damn purse sittin on the piano.

The most memorable performances ever at the Kennedy Center! God is and was ever present in her voice and music!

Effortlessly hitting those high notes like a boss. What an incredible voice. Brought me to tears.

I'm not surprised that it brought President Obama to tears, it brought me to tears as well and especially seeing it's original songwriter Carole King so visibly moved and excited. Aretha was phenomenal and her gift to the world is timeless.

Don't know what's better, the fact that Aretha is SLAYING this song at 74 or Carole King's reactions to Aretha SLAYING

I’ve watched this so many times and it still brings me to tears every time. I love everything about this video ❤

I’m obsessed ! She’s a true legend ❤

The day she passed, a small college radio station in my area dedicated their entire day's airplay to her whole musical catalogue. They started with this song. As soon as I heard her sing "Lookin' out...", the tears started rolling and barely stopped for the next hour. She is glorious.

The great Aretha Franklin singing the amazing Carole King talk about living legends. They don't make them like this anymore not even close. Even the back up singers rock. Singers today , and I don't care who they are, don't come close to this lady what a voice no auto tune here.

my god, that voice, what a legend. How can you not cry in the presence of such true greatness?

If Aretha's voice doesn't bring you to tears, I'm not sure you're human! The Queen of Soul, then, now and forever. There will never be another like her.

I LOVE IT when Aretha throws off her Mink Coat !! GO GIRL!! THE UNDISPUTED QUEEN OF SOUL ..xoxo

For an all too brief time our country seemed a lot cooler than it was.

This is EVERYTHING. MISS YOU QUEEN ARETHA. ❤❤❤❤❤

3:58 Take a look at those proud faces on the left side of the stage. The moment where your whole career as a singer can never be topped, when you stand there, in awe, singing back up to the great, the perfect Aretha Franklin.

The Black community in America and all around the world had my deepes respect for the true beauty in so many amazing female souls and absolutly amazing voices ❤️❤️❤️❤️. Aretha & Whitney & Jennifer & Tina & Gloria & Beyoncé & so many other's out there in the Soul-& Jazz -& Gospel World ❤️❤️❤️all i can say is woow!!!! And i'am just a normal and simple white guy but when these voices hit's me,then all hair's on my intire body stay's straight up to the roof👍🏻👍🏻❤️.

All she did was take that fur off and they went nuts. Young singers need to learn.

Carol’s reaction when Aretha sits at the piano is one of the most genuine expressions of pure joy, I’ve ever seen! Cheers to these beautiful, iconic, natural women!☮️♥️🕉🎶

brings me to tears--- the most beautiful- Aretha. Carole- Our country President Obama I just came upon this.

She sang that like it was 1968 ❤❤❤

How the fuck can she have such a voice at that age?! This is talent in the flesh.

Aretha Franklin Has Passed Away in Detroit this morning, August 16, 2018 at the age of 76. The world lost an amazing human being, humanitarian, and entertainer today :-( RIP Queen

The voice of all generations IMO. The best there ever was and ever will be🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

What an ABSOLUTE LEGEND!! Had goosebumps all over. Hitting every note at 74 and fighting cancer, it brought the house down. Our Queen, THANK YOU for leaving us such amazing, memorable, emotional moments. Hard to put in words the emotions she makes us feel. Love you and miss you.

ONE LEGEND HONORING ANOTHER

THis was why Rolling Stones Voted her the best singer in history. Imagine her voice when she was a pup. Sheesh!

Love this performance! Love the comments! Love seeing Carole King and Pres. Obama. Thank you world.

This is truly the power of music

The undisputed queen of soul and queen of America. Aretha has always emanated love and joy. You shall know them by their fruits.

What a slaying performance... God given vocal cords! Carole King's reaction too, wow!

2023, I am 79 & Aretha just brought me to tears again.

So happy i got to live in the times of Aretha Franklin...Love her so much

Carole Kings excitement and genuine happiness is just so beautiful and warming. And the true class of these amazing women.

The guy behind Carole sobbing immediately and openly... no words to describe the emotion this had me feeling. RIP QUEEN XXX

Aletha came out strictly for Carole King, to sing to her and honor her for cowriting that song. It was personal. that was her very first performance after Cancer diagnosis and treatment. She had been canceling scheduled appearances the same week she made her appearance here. She noted weakness as the main reason. Everyone was shocked to see her because it had been on the news that she was canceling appearances due to health reasons. this is why the camera guy was panning back and forth to each of them. it was an honor and tribute for Carole from her dear friend Aretha.

Just brought me to tears. This is one of the most moving performances I’ve every seen.

Carole King is one of the greatest song writers in history!

Very few performers can warrant a standing ovation before the song is over. RIP Angel

Now that is true musicianship...No drum machines etc.....Raw beautiful talent....RIP Aretha Franklin ❤

she's an Icon forever, no one can compare.

Carole Kings' reaction to Aretha's singing he song is truly a heart stopping moment. don't think Carole was expecting that.

I love how when aretha came out Carol thought she was gonna give a speech or something but as soon as she sat down on the piano she lost her shit lol

Saw Aretha about 12 years ago at a small casino room. She sang like no other. Unreal. For half the show it was just her and a piano. Legend.

One of the most amazing performances I’ve ever seen… The Queen Of Soul!!!! Rest on Queen Aretha, rest on 💜

Keith Richards was known to have said that Aretha Franklin's voice was the best instrument he has ever heard.

Carole King looks so shocked, so thrilled and touched, during this, even though she wrote the song. True respect for one artist from another. Tears!!

And that's how you bring a president, the elite of the entertainment industry, the leaders of government and industry, and the common folk to tears, cheers, and a rousing standing ovation. RIP Aretha.❤

Aretha Franklin is in every way possible that Woman...............................one of the greatest five minutes in music ever.....

When you receive a standing ovation, and you still haven’t finished your song. The Queen rest in power.

So many singers haven't taken care of their voice over the years. It's pretty incredible her voice still sounded this way until late in her life. Beautiful and emotional performance.

When I listen to Miss Aretha, so do my neighbors.

One the greatest and most emotional moments in Kennedy Center Honors 🎖 history. Lady Soul and one half of the duo who wrote of her greatest hits.😊❤❤

Ms. Franklin sang the shit outta’ that. Even made the leader of the free world shed a tear or two. 🤣

Didn't even feel like a performance; it felt like it was just flowing out of her soul. Wonderful

Scalped me with this performance true legend 😭

The word “diva” gets thrown around a lot lately, and usually negatively. But people forget that it’s the Latin word for “goddess.” And no other word could POSSIBLY describe Aretha. She walks onto that stage and gets an ovation. She sings a first line and gets an ovation. She stands up and gets an ovation. She DROPS THE COAT and people lose their damn minds. Why? Because she’s *just that good* . The one and only Queen of Soul, who rose from poverty and hardship in the Civil Rights era to become a legend. There will never be another Aretha, and we were all blessed to get this last soul-shaking, heart-pounding, brilliant performance from her. Rest well, Your Highness-you’re leading the heavenly choir now.

Aretha Franklin is LIKE NO OTHER! Honey she doesn't care about being at the Kennedy center! She brought her purse out on that stage and sat it RIGHT on top of the piano IN FRONT of her!!! Yaaasssss! 😂😂😂😂 who else does that??

The best thing I've done today was to come here for a does of Aretha, we miss you Ma' and happy international women's day to you wherever you are. We still love and celebrate you our queen.

I can’t think of enough superlatives to describe how amazing this performance is.

Bottle that and lock it up in the national treasury.