The Blues Brothers & Aretha Franklin - Think (official Audio) May 2026

: At the time of filming, Franklin’s career was in a relative lull. Her show-stealing turn as the fierce, soul-food-serving waitress introduced her to a whole new generation and effectively reinvigorated her status as the Queen of Soul . Deep Compositional Layers

Think - song and lyrics by The Blues Brothers, Aretha Franklin : At the time of filming, Franklin’s career

While originally written by Franklin and Ted White in 1968, "Think" carries a weightier historical significance than its catchy rhythm suggests. Released less than a month after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., the song's insistent refrain of became a soulful echo of King's civil rights legacy. In the context of The Blues Brothers , Franklin—playing Mrs. Murphy—uses this anthem of self-respect and liberation to confront her husband, guitarist Matt "Guitar" Murphy, about his decision to abandon their steady life for a chaotic road trip. Cinematic and Musical Brilliance Released less than a month after the assassination

: Interestingly, Franklin was not accustomed to lip-syncing for film. The final scene is a masterful feat of editing, spliced together from many takes to ensure her powerhouse vocals matched her movements. : Even the film's leads

The film's version of the song is notably faster than the 1968 original, transforming it into a high-energy "pulsating swinger".

: Even the film's leads, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, are relegated to the background, unable to resist joining her dance—a testament to the idea that "no one could resist Aretha".

The performance of "Think" by Aretha Franklin in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers is more than just a musical number; it is a pivotal moment that redefined her career and injected a sense of "mission from God" authenticity into a comedy classic. The Cultural Context of "Freedom"