03x08 - Aretha: No One Sleeps

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Genius...

Re's gonna be the next great one.

Yes, she is. Yes, she is.

-[LAUGHS]
-That's my daughter.

I taught the Queen of Soul
everything she knows.

-Okay.
-Especially them dance numbers.

Mm. Mm.

What do you say we continue

-at my house?
-Well, what I was really hoping

was that you pass my songs
along to your daughter.

She could use some new material.

I am leaving Atlantic.

Ain't that some sh*t.

Jerry left Atlantic
and I still have two years left.

I don't think I have
anything else to give.

I'm done.

REPORTER:
And there's Glynn Turman, recent star

of the hit film Cooley High.

Clive Davis.

Congratulations on your
new launch of Arista Records.

You are a legend.

You and your music
are gonna live forever.

I promise you.

I hope our paths cross again.

[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]

GLYNN:
Man, you got to give it to her.

She doesn't give up.

I will go where you lead

I'll be right there in a time of need

And when I lose my will

You'll be right there
To push me up that hill now

-There's no
-No

No looking back for us

No, there ain't, baby

We got our love sure 'nough

That's enough

-You're all
-You're all

You're all I need

You're all

You're all I need

-Ooh...
-You're all

You're all I need, baby, baby

To get by

-[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]
-Yeah

Get by...

-[SIREN WAILING]
-PARAMEDIC: Almost there, Mr. Franklin.

PARAMEDIC 2: You're doing fine.

Hang on, okay?

Like an eagle protects his nest

For you I'll do my best

Stand by you like a tree

And dare anybody
To try and move me

Darlin', in you I found

Strength when I was torn down

Don't know what's in store

But together we can open any door

Just to do what's good for you...

PARAMEDIC: Ugh, he's losing
a lot of blood.

PARAMEDIC 2: Stay with us, sir.

Stay with us.

Out of a soul that didn't have a goal

-'Cause we
-Yeah

-We got the right foundation
-Yeah

-And with love
-[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]

And determination

Yes, we do

-Oh
-You're all I need

-You're all
-Baby, baby

You're all I need

-You're all
-[WHOOPS]

You're all I need to get by

MAN: OR 2 is prepped.

-Scrubbing in...
-[OVERLAPPING CHATTER]

As long as I got you then, baby

You know that you got me, oh

Reach the blood bank now, please.

Get the plasma up here.

NURSE: Plasma's on its way.

Mm, 'cause we got our love
In some R-E-S-P-E-C-T

-Oh
-He's coding. Code blue. No pulse.

Starting compressions.

Get me that crash cart stat.

Mm, as long as I got you then, baby

You know that you got me, oh

-[BEEPING]
-Paddles ready. Step back.

Clear.

You're all that I need

[APPLAUSE]

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

I love you.

I love you so much.

-[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
-WOMAN: Aretha!

Aretha, I love you!

-MAN: Yes! Aretha!
-MAN 2: Aretha! Remember me!

-MAN: I love you!
-Remember me!

WOMAN 2: Aretha, I love you!

GLYNN: Oh, my God,

that crowd. I mean, they loved you.

Are you serious?

-Are you serious?
-[LAUGHS]

Oh, my God. Come here.

-Come here.
-[LAUGHS]

[SPEAKING INAUDIBLY]

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]

[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

[INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENT OVER P.A.]

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS, DOORS OPEN]

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

Big Ma is home resting,

and Sister Lucy is staying with her.

GLYNN: Baby, it's a blessing

your father made it through surgery.

Doctor says he's stable.

They sh*t him in the groin?

And in the knee.

They know who did it?

We'll hear more
from the detective. [SNIFFLES]

Look, baby, your father
lost a lot of blood.

-But he's stable. You said he was stable.
-No, he is.

-He's stable. But...
-Mm.

...the doctor's just not sure
when he'll wake up

-or...
-He'll wake up.

He will.

He will.

They're calling it a light coma.

What does that even mean?

He could be unconscious for some time.

What do you need?

What can I do for you?

[SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE]

Daddy's in there,

hurting.

Nothing else matters.

["O MIO BABBINO CARO"
BY LEONTYNE PRICE PLAYING]

Now, see...

that's a voice.

-CAROLYN: Mm-hmm.
-Mm.

You could outsing her.

-Mm-hmm.
-ARETHA: No, now, come on.

Opera?

-Uh, yeah. Come on, girl.
-Mm. No.

Now, you know you got skills.

It'd be like when we got
those roller skates.

-Mm-hmm.
-At first, you were falling down

-more than anybody.
-[LAUGHS]

Then, after one day,

she was skating around
all of us, doing...

circles and tricks
and everything all around us.

You remember
when we was trying to go out?

-Sneaking.
-Ooh, Daddy hollered

-from his office.
-[LAUGHING]

"Now, you,

"you will not be going roller-skating

-with those boys a-at this time of night."
-[LAUGHING]

Only it was 5:00 in the afternoon.

But it was on a Sunday.

-That's true. Mm-hmm.
-Our daddy was a piece of work.

-Yes, he was.
-Oh, remember that red Cadillac he had?

-Ooh. Pushing Harlem.
-Which one?

-You were right.
-I know he stayed

-looking sharp, shoes shined...
-As a tack.

-...cleaner than the board of health.
-Yes.

That reminds me, we have to get
his car washed twice a week.

'Cause you know that, once he wakes up,

he's gonna walk down those stairs,

open up the windows,
take a look outside and say,

"Now, how often are-are-are...

-are you washing my cars?"
-[LAUGHING]

-That's y'all, sisters. Mm-mm.
-ERMA: Cecil.

-That's you. What?
-You know I'm telling the truth.

ERMA: Well, I ain't washing no cars.

[CHUCKLES]

Re.

-You know we love you.
-Mm.

But you know
we can handle this, okay?

-Mm.
-We were right to bring him home.

CECIL: Mm-hmm.

Instead of putting him
in one of those facilities.

-ERMA: Yeah.
-Yeah. We're just saying...

you don't have to be rushing
back and forth

between here and L.A.

You know you don't have
to be making sacrifices.

-I'm not making no sacrifices.
-All right.

-You're not avoiding going home, are you?
-Why would I be

avoiding going home?

Well, your new album

didn't do as good as you hoped.

And we know you got one foot out
the door at Atlantic.

That's 'cause they want me
to be the opening act

for one of their rock bands.

-ERMA AND CECIL: Opening act?
-Mm-hmm.

-What?
-Said it would be, uh,

good exposure.

-CAROLYN: Oh.
-Mm-mm. See,

the record business is some bullshit.

-Sometimes, yes.
-Ha, all the time.

I need...

-I need a Daddy pep talk.
-Oh.

-ERMA: Oh, we got you.
-Come on. Come on, Carolyn.

[DEEP VOICE] Re, you got to go back home

-and get back on that horse.
-[CHUCKLES]

Yeah, 'cause no child

-O-o' CL Franklin gonna take no mess, now.
-[LAUGHING]

Look, I got... I got you, I got you. Look.

-Take some of this liquid courage, okay?
-Oh, boy.

CAROLYN: Ooh! Watch out now, Re.

-Watch out.
-Sunday.

-[CHUCKLES]
-Or, you know, you could just go back home

and lean on that
handsome husband of yours.

ERMA: Mm-hmm.

-Come on.
-And let him take...

All your troubles away

-Get on out of here.
-[LAUGHING]

That would be nice, but, uh...

Daddy seems to be healing
because I'm by his side, so...

[PHONE RINGING]

[PHONE CLACKS]

-How you doing, baby?
-GLYNN: I'm all right.

Boys are happy to be back in school.

Boys doing their homework?

[CHUCKLES]

With my help.

Even with the algebra.

-You're the best.
-Try to be.

Hey, you book your ticket back home yet?

I was just home.

Three weeks ago.

The doctors say that we...

we should sit with Daddy
and talk with him.

They say that he can hear us.

And, yesterday, when I squeezed his hand,

he-he smiled.

That's good news.

So, you coming home for Thanksgiving?

Maybe y'all could come here.

And-and for Christmas, too?

Cold Detroit for Christmas?

It'll be a celebration.

Well, speaking of celebrations,
there are... there's some events

going on out here
I don't think you want to miss.

Some industry stuff, but I was thinking

we'd get all dressed up
and show our faces.

Because otherwise, people will forget me?

Baby, I just want you
to have some fun, that's all.

I can't just leave everything
with Erma and Carolyn.

That wouldn't be fair.

Baby, you have a nurse.

Round the clock.

[SIGHS]

I love you.

I love you, too.

But it's important for me
to be home right now.

Then come home then, baby.

I miss you.

I mean, with Daddy.

It's important for me

to be home right now, because

there are certain things
that only I can do.

Baby, what I mean is,

me and the boys... we're your family, too.

I want to be with you and
the boys more than you know,

but it's... I...
I have to be home right now.

I'm sorry, baby. I really am.

[SIGHS]

Okay, baby.

Okay.

-[LAUGHTER]
-ERMA: Yeah.

The gravy's a little salty, but, uh...

-CAROLYN: Wow.
-Says the person

-who puts sugar in their grits.
-Watch that...

Watch that salty ham.

[LAUGHTER]

CAROLYN: Sugar grits.

CLARENCE:
Come on down here and join the party.

Come on.

That's my girl.

[RHYTHMIC BEEPING]

[CLOCK TICKING]

I pray every day that you'll wake up,

show me who I'm supposed to be.

You're always there cheering me on...

[APPLAUSE AND CHEERING]

...showing me the way.

I'm always gonna protect you.

You remember that.

Made me feel special.

[APPLAUSE]

-Amen.
-Amen.

-Yeah.
-MAN: Oh, that's sweet. Mm.

Sing it, little girl.

[RHYTHMIC BEEPING, CLOCK TICKING]

This doesn't work without you.

So if you wake up...

...I'll figure out
what I'm supposed to do.

CECIL: Lord, thank you for this food.

Let this food give us the strength needed

to continue in our day. Bless

everyone who helped up
prepare this food.

In Your son Jesus' name. Amen.

ALL: Amen.

[LAUGHTER, OVERLAPPING CHATTER]

[LAUGHTER, DISTORTED, INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Oh, that money is so good.

[LAUGHTER]

-[LAUGHTER]
-Oh.

CLARENCE: Well, I've got to say...

-[LAUGHTER]
-Oh.

RACHEL: Well, your father is proud

-of each and every one of you.
-ALL: Mm.

-Mm-hmm.
-You know, I would have never

soloed at New Bethel Church
in front of all those people,

-if it hadn't have been for Daddy.
-Mm-hmm.

-CAROLYN: That's true.
-He pushed you.

-I was scared for you.
-ARETHA: You were scared?

-I was scared.
-ERMA: I was jealous.

-[LAUGHS]
-Just a little bit.

-Noted.
-[LAUGHTER]

Yeah, well, I was proud.

ARETHA:
Well, who's gonna push me now?

Daddy's sick, and, uh,

music business is changing,

and I feel a little bit
like I'm on my own.

-You still have us to lean on.
-That's right.

Thank you, and I... and I will
lean on you, but I think...

think I'm gonna push myself.

Okay.

And I think I know how.

-All right.
-Yeah.

CAROLYN: What you cooking up, sis?

RACHEL: What you got in mind?

[BIRDS SINGING]

Clive, you want some
hot sauce with that?

It's delicious.
Plenty spicy. Thank you.

[ARETHA LAUGHS]

I heard you were mostly
in Detroit these days,

so I was excited
to get your call.

-Well, helping family.
-I heard.

-How's your dad?
-We pray he's on the mend.

Holidays were hard.

We were all together,
but it wasn't like old times.

I appreciate you taking the time here.

And you're sure you're not gonna
tell me your secret recipe?

Clive, you're gonna learn
that my mama's recipes are not

the only thing I like to keep to myself.

Okay. Shop talk only, then.

-Mm-hmm.
-I can tell you that

Arista is prepared to offer you
considerably more money

than Atlantic.

That's good,
but money's not the only thing

that's gonna get me to sign with you.

Music keeps changing,

and I want to keep changing with it.

Well, don't worry.

We are going to capitalize
on what you do well.

I can provide you with the best
material, the best producers.

I want someone who doesn't
put me in a box.

Someone who, uh, I can trust.

It was such a failure of Columbia

that they couldn't help you
like Wexler did.

But I see you're continuing

to develop the kind
of music you're making.

And your tenacity is
your greatest asset.

You are shaping viewpoints
and perspectives.

You are right up there
with the Beatles and Bob Dylan

as one of the giants
in contemporary culture.

Clive, I'm almost 40.

I've been making records
since I was 14 years old.

And at this point in my career,
I just want to have fun.

I want to try something new.

I want to sing whatever

I want to sing with whoever
I want to sing it with.

And I want someone who doesn't
use the years I have on my back

to push me to the back of the line.

I have earned and I deserve
control of my career.

You are Aretha Franklin.

If you never recorded another
note, you'd live forever.

I'm sitting here
because you're timeless.

And I just want to be
a part of your history.

Well, now, that sounds all right.

[BOTH LAUGH]

Jump, jump, jump to it

[POPPING]

MAN: Left.

-Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
-MAN: Great, great.

-Girl, I got to go
-There it is.

-Yeah, yeah, yeah
-I got to go now, really

-Chin up, please.
-Yeah, I'm kind of

-In a hurry
-Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Uh-huh, here's the reason why

-You're all set.
-[CLICKING]

Jump, jump, jump to it

Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh

Jump, jump, jump to it

Oh, ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh

Shabba doodle-a dwee-dah

Jump, jump, jump to it

Do-do-do, do-do-do, do-do-do, do-do-do

Do-do, dwee-dah

Hey, hey, hey

Jump, jump, jump to it...

-[POPPING]
-MAN: Aretha, you're R&B number one.

-How does it feel?
-WOMAN: Aretha, you're back on top!

MAN 2: Aretha, tell us what's next.

[LOUD POP]

CECIL: And in the name
of the Father, the Son

and the Holy Ghost, we say?

-WOMAN: Amen.
-CECIL: Amen.

[RHYTHMIC BEEPING]

[ARETHA FRANKLIN'S "GET IT RIGHT" PLAYS]

Mm. You and Clive Davis are on a roll.

There's nothing you can't sing
the hell out of.

Re, I cannot believe
you're moving back to Detroit.

Well, it's not like I'm going
back to Daddy's house.

Mm, where you gonna live?

Okay, with all the success
you've been having lately,

-can we celebrate?
-Mm-hmm.

Back on top of the charts.

-Mm-hmm.
-Let's hope it stays like that.

The time is now to start...

What are you afraid of, sis?

Oh, nothing.

Re, y'all got to make peace with the fact

that Daddy isn't going
to be getting any better.

He's just not gonna be able

to be there for us the way he used to be.

It's been four years.

And I got to face that.

It's not over till it's done,
It's going to be...

[LOUD BREATHING]

ARETHA: Everybody keeps telling me
to let you go.

But I don't know who I am without you.

I am who I am because of you.

My gifts and my griefs.

[RHYTHMIC BEEPING]

[CL BREATHING RHYTHMICALLY]

I...

I'm not ready
to let you leave yet.

[RHYTHMIC BREATHING AND BEEPING CONTINUE]

You'll leave behind a...

a wound that will never heal.

I don't want to walk around
being an open wound. [SOBS]

And I know that if you were
here, you would say,

"Just trust in God's will
and read your Bible."

But that ain't gonna do it.
I don't want to do that.

If you leave, I'm afraid
I won't be special anymore.

[CRYING]

I won't know who I am.

I don't know how
to be the Queen of Soul.

I just want to be your daughter.

[CRYING]

Please wake up, Daddy.

[RHYTHMIC BEEPING]

Please wake up. [CRIES]

-Said I wouldn't
-Leave it alone

Please wake up.

Why don't you
Why don't you let it be?

-Still water run deep
-Yes, it do

Yes, it do

Oh, oh, oh, yeah

If you only believe

When you're down and out

-Please...
-When you're on the street

When evening falls

So hard

I will comfort you

I'll take your part

Oh, when darkness comes

And pain is all

Is all around

Just like a bridge

Over troubled water

I will lay me down

-Like a bridge
-Yes, like a bridge

Over troubled water

I will lay me down...

ARETHA: City traffic's moving
way too slow

Drop the pedal and go

-Go
-Come on, baby

-Go
-Do it for me now

We goin' riding on the freeway of love

Wind's against our back...

To you.

To you. [CHUCKLES]

[CLIVE CHUCKLES]

-ARETHA: MTV? I love it.
-CLIVE: The video gives people

a new way to enjoy the song.

I'm reaching folks from coast to coast

-without even leaving my home.
-Now, new songs.

-Any winners?
-Well, it's up to you.

Let me know if any of the lyrics
resonate with you.

We had hundreds of submissions.

These are the best of the bunch.

How do you do it?

You've got golden ears.

Hmm. They are both at your service.

Ooh. Annie Lennox.

-From the Eurythmics?
-Yeah, yeah.

"Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves."

The whole thing is
about female empowerment.

I could get behind that.

Mm. George Michael,
he wants to do a duet with you.

Okay.

And we're getting offers to do
more of those big interviews.

Well, as long as they don't want
to get into my business...

-you know how I hate that.
-Just want to make sure you have

all the chances you can

to tell the world how great you are.

Because there will never be
another one like me.

-Mm-hmm.
-Mm-hmm.

The Olympia Theatre wants you back.

Come on.

It's Paris.

Can't do it.

You weren't there.

That little two-engine plane
just dipsey-doodling in the air,

I'm still not over it.

I... What can I tell you?

-No planes.
-You have conquered

the R&B charts.

Now I want you back at number one

on Billboard's Hot 100.

With MTV, your exposure is great.

Let's make the most of it.

Clive, I promise you I'll find
another way to fly again.

Sisters are doin' it for themselves

Now, there was a time

There was a time

Ah, when they used to say

When they used to say

That behind every

Great man

There had to be a

Great woman

[BIG BEN TOLLING]

But in these times of change

You know that it's no longer true

So we're coming out of the kitchen

'Cause there's something we
Forgot to say to you, we say

Sisters are doin' it

For themselves

Equal pay, hear what we say

Standing on our own two feet, yeah

And ringin' on their own bells

[FADING]
Here we come, now...

CLIVE:
If you like singing with Annie...

[MID-TEMPO POP INTRO PLAYING]

...you're gonna love singing with George.

Like a warrior that fights

And wins the battle

I know the taste of victory

And though I went
Through some nights

Consumed by the shadows

I was crippled emotionally...

ARETHA: Yes, I work hard,

but all of you have helped me
reach this milestone.

And some of you have known me
for a lifetime.

-Carolyn.
-Yes?

You are as brave as they come,

and you can write and sing
the heck out of a song.

-Whew, that's right.
-Come on. Thank you.

Brother Cecil, you have always
been able to keep me grounded,

and you have always been able

to get me out of some crazy mess.

-Many.
-No, it's not.

-But I love you and I thank you.
-I love you.

-Uh, Miss Erma?
-Mm-hmm?

You have always had my back,

and I'll never forget it.

I learned how to shine 'cause of you.

-Well, you shine.
-I love you.

And I love you, too.

-Thank you.
-Mm-hmm.

When the river was deep

I didn't falter

When the mountain was high

I still believed

When the valley was low

It didn't stop me

I knew you were waiting

I knew you were waiting for me...

Now, Mr. Clive Davis?

-Mm-hmm.
-[LAUGHTER]

You are not only one of the
greatest music men of all time,

-you are my friend,
-Mm-hmm.

my confidant,
and you keep me moving forward,

and you always have my back.

Thank you. Here's to us.

Friends, family,

-sweethearts...
-WOMAN: Ooh!

-...past, present and future.
-Oh.

[ALL LAUGHING]

Thank you all so much

for being here today, thank you
for being my support system,

and thank you
for putting respect on my name.

-WOMAN: Yes. Yes.
-MAN: All right, cheers. Cheers.

WOMAN 2: Cheers.

-[INDISTINCT CHATTER, LAUGHTER]
-No, no

Knew you were waiting

-Knew you were waiting
-I knew you were waiting

Knew you were waiting for me

I didn't falter

When the mountain was high

I still believed

When the valley was low

It didn't stop me

Oh, I knew you were waiting

-No, no
-Knew you were waiting for me

-I didn't falter
-When the mountain was high...

Let's all raise a glass.
"Knew You Were Waiting,"

your first Billboard No. 1
since "Respect!"

[CHEERING]

[LAUGHTER]

-WOMAN: Congratulations.
-[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[APPLAUSE]

Welcome back.

We're here with Miss Aretha Franklin.

-Do you mind? [CHUCKLES]
-No.

Thank you so much.

Wow.

-Look at that. 1967.
-Mm-hmm.

I didn't realize how skinny

-I was back then.
-[LAUGHTER]

Well, you still look incredible.

Well, what they say? Uh,

Black don't cr*ck?
Is that what they say?

And your Black is
definitely not cracking.

[LAUGHTER]

-All right.
-Well, now, you take care of that one.

I think it's gonna be
a collector's item one day.

-Thank you so much.
-Mm-hmm.

-It really means the world to me.
-Mm-hmm.

Okay.

It's been 30 years
since your first Grammy,

for "Respect," and since then,
you've been making

chart-topping, award-winning music.

Even though your life

has been full of many milestones
and iconic moments,

it hasn't been free of controversy.

Yeah? Name one.

Well, like when you made the transition

from gospel music

-to secular music.
-I didn't transition at all.

Uh, I just wanted
to spread my wings a little bit.

And, for the record,

everything I do is rooted in the church.

It's-it's who I am. It's what I sing.

Uh, I could sing "Mary Had a Little Lamb,"

and it would still sound like church.

-[CHUCKLES]
-[APPLAUSE]

In a way, everything I do is gospel.

Even a love song.

You're a very private person.

-Is that on purpose?
-I think so.

But if you listen to the music,

everything you need to know is in there.

Has it been difficult for you,

living your life so publicly?

I think of it more of a...
as a gift than a curse.

Somehow, you take the difficult stuff

of your life, and you turn it
into songs that people love

and will listen to forever.

It's like you take lead
and turn it into gold.

Well...

I think that everybody
has a story to tell.

Uh, mine just happens to be through song.

Because that's where you'll
find me, right in the music.

My spirit will always be around here.

Not a lot of people can say that,

but I'm grateful that I can.

-You never give up, do you?
-No.

That's why there will never be another me.

-[BOTH LAUGHING]
-[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

["DROWN IN MY OWN TEARS"
BY ARETHA FRANKLIN PLAYING]

It brings

Big tears

Into my eyes

When I began

You're not coming?

When I began to realize

Come on.

That I've cried so much

Oh, since you've been gone

I guess I'll drown in

Drown in my own tears...

ARETHA: Happy birthday, Daddy.

ERMA: Would've been


ARETHA: We love you, Grandma.

Just like a child

These tears of mine

These tears are running wild

We love you, Cecil.

We love you, Carolyn.

And if you don't think

If you don't think
That you'll be home soon

Baby

I'm gonna drown

Yeah

In my

Oh, in my own...

ERMA: We're the last two left.

ARETHA:
You think I'm-a go before you?

You make it sound
like it's a competition.

I got a lot of life left. How 'bout you?

Mm. All these years,
trying to keep up with you,

feeling down when I couldn't.

I could never have gotten
as far as I did

without you and Carolyn singing
with me and...

cheering me on.

-Thanks.
-Mm.

I'm gonna enjoy my retirement now.

I think you should get back in the studio.

[CHUCKLES]

-No, I'm thinking about traveling.
-Mm.

Lord, we're getting old.

Oh, sh*t. Speak for yourself.

[LAUGHS]

[CHUCKLES] What you got coming up?

Grammys. Um...

I'm-a sing one of the hits.

-Oh. That ought to be fun, right?
-Mm.

I'm thinking about doing
something for MusiCares.

For Pavarotti.

-The Maestro.
-Mm-hmm.

Mm.

You are so brave, girl.

Always finding new ways to fly.

Well...

Thanks, sis.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

EMCEE: Let's give another round
of respect to Aretha Franklin!

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]

Thank you.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

You were wonderful, Ms. Franklin.

-Oh, I think it went all right. Thank you.
-Yeah.

The parties are gonna be fun.

Which one you want to wear?

That one.

You sang great.
You don't feel good about it?

I'm all right.

Girl, you had
that Grammy audience eating out

-of your hand.
-Mm.

-[CHUCKLES]
-[KNOCKING]

Who is it?

Sorry to bother you, Ms. Franklin,

but I just got a call.

Who d*ed?

Nobody d*ed. But Mr. Pavarotti...

he's come down with a cold. He's sick.

Tonight, he was supposed
to sing "Nessun dorma."

Oh, I'm so sorry he's not feeling well.

-His doctor says he shouldn't perform.
-What does that

-have to do with me?
-We have the musicians

and the choir ready to go.

Now, I know you sang the song

-two nights ago...
-I'm sorry, Mr. Ehrlich.

MusiCares was a small charity event.

When was he supposed to go on?

In about 15 minutes.

You bring me the lyrics.

And I need to hear a recording
of his rehearsal.

Great.

-Thank you, Ms. Franklin.
-[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

Sis. You?

Singing opera at the Grammys?

It's a live broadcast.

-I know.
-Re, there are at least



Maybe it's time for me
to show 'em that I still got it.

I haven't said yes yet,

but I want to review the material.

Okay.

["NESSUN DORMA" PLAYING]

Nessun dorma...

Nessun dorma

Tu pure...

What are they singing about?

The singer has a secret.

Just like you.

-I got a lot of secrets.
-[CHUCKLES]

-[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
-The people won't sleep

until they discover the singer's secret.

"Nessun dorma" means "no one sleeps."

And what happens when they find out?

If the people discover
the singer's secret, she'll die.

If the singer can keep
her secret, she'll live.

Deep.

ARETHA: And then...

victory.

Amen.

I love your take.

I always have to make it personal.

Only problem is,

this is not in my key.

ERMA: Oh, well,
then that settles it, right?

We appreciate you considering Ms. Franklin

for this very daring idea, but she'll sing

one of her hits or you'll have
to get someone else.

Sorry I wasted your time.

I can do it.

My sister's gonna need a moment alone.

MAN [OVER INTERCOM]:
We're at places, Ms. Franklin.

Places, please.

Ready?

-Ready, Ms. Franklin?
-Yes.

-You continue to amaze me.
-Thanks, sis.

[MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY OVER P.A.]

...my friend, Luciano Pavarotti.

[APPLAUSE]

Unfortunately, his doctors advised him

to give that sore throat a rest.

The selection he was going
to perform was "Nessun dorma."

Two nights ago, at MusiCares,
another legendary voice

performed that same song...
one you might not expect.

She has agreed to step in
for her friend Luciano,

literally at a moment's notice.

Ladies and gentlemen, Aretha Franklin.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

Nessun dorma

Nessun

Dorma

Tu pure

Tu pure, oh, Principessa

Nella tua fredda stanza

Guardi le stelle

Che tremano

D'amore

E di speranza

Within my heart

My secret lies

And what his name is

None shall know

None, none

Till on thy heart

I confess it

Soon as

Morning lights

Shall dawn

I'm gonna make a hit.

Oh Prince, then shall

My kisses

Break the silence

That make thee mine

CHORUS:
Il nome suo nessun saprà

E noi dovrem, ahimè

Morir, morir

ARETHA: Dilegua, o notte

Tramontate

Stelle

Tramontate

All'alba

Vin...

Cerò

Vincerò, Vincerò!

[VOCALIZING]

Cerò! Cerò

Vincerò!

[SUSTAINING NOTE]

-[MUSIC ENDS]
-[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

Though you don't call anymore

I sit and wait

In vain

-I guess I'll rap on your door
-Your door

Tap on your window pane

Tap on your window pane

I want to tell you, baby

The changes I've been going through

Missing you, listen, you

Till you come back to me

That's what I'm gonna do

Living for you, my dear

Is like living in a world
Of constant fear

-Hear my plea
-Hear my plea

-I've got to make you see
-Make you see

That our love is dying

Our love is dying

Although your phone you ignore

Somehow I must

Somehow I must, how I must explain

-I'm gonna rap on your door
-Your door

-Tap on your window pane
-Tap on your window pane

Oh, but I, baby

-I'm gonna rap on your door
-I'm gonna

Tap on your, tap on your, tap on your

-Tap on your window pane
-Tap on your window pane

-I'm gonna rap on your door
-Your door

-Gonna tap on your window pane
-Tap on your...

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]