(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman: History and Key Facts

"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" is a 1967 song recorded by American soul singer Aretha Franklin and released as a single by Atlantic from her album Lady Soul. The lyrics were written by Gerry Goffin from an idea by Atlantic producer Jerry Wexler, with music composed by Carole King. Created specifically for Franklin, the single reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of her signature recordings. It entered the UK Singles Chart at number 79 in 2018, one week after Franklin's death, marking its first appearance there more than 50 years after its original release. Franklin later included a live version on her 1968 album Aretha in Paris.

King recorded her own version for the 1971 album Tapestry. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Mary J. Blige and Celine Dion, whose 1995 recordings both reached the charts. Franklin performed the song in tribute to King at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors. In June 2026, CBS News included the song in its list of the 250 essential American songs of the past 250 years.

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