Aretha Franklin is one of the most significant figures in music history. Known as the “Queen of Soul,” Franklin carries an empowering legacy, including being the first woman ever inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The voice behind songs like “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),” “Think,” and more, Franklin is perhaps best known for “I Say a Little Prayer,” a single from her thirteenth studio album, Aretha Now. While “Respect” stands as her signature track, many people arguably remember the musical icon for the soul and R&B hit. In fact, on Spotify, the track ranks as her most popular, with over 765 million streams as of this writing. However, despite the song being synonymous with Franklin, she wasn’t the original artist behind it. In contrast to Franklin’s soulful, richer, and gospel-infused rendition, “I Say a Little Prayer” was originally lighter and more pop-leaning, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Dionne Warwick.
“I Say a Little Prayer” Was Originally Written for Dionne Warwick
When you think of the best Dionne Warwick song, you don’t immediately think of “I Say a Little Prayer.” That distinction belongs to tracks like “That’s What Friends Are For,” “Walk On By,” or “I’ll Never Love This Way Again.” Very rarely do people associate Warwick with the 1967 track “I Say a Little Prayer,” and that’s not exactly a bad thing. After all, Warwick had already established quite an impressive catalog. Written as a song about a woman praying for her lover serving in the Vietnam War, Warwick’s version of “I Say a Little Prayer” was far from a misstep. In fact, it was very much a hit, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967, while Franklin’s version peaked at number 10.
Bacharach allegedly disliked the final recording, particularly its faster tempo, which he felt gave the song a rushed vibe. Still, the track found commercial success and resonated with listeners during its initial release. However, while Warwick’s version thrived in its own moment, it wasn’t until Franklin reimagined the song that “I Say a Little Prayer” transcended its original form, evolving into one of the most iconic and influential recordings in popular music, largely due to Franklin’s unmistakable gospel sensibility and emotional depth.
Dionne Warwick’s “I Say a Little Prayer” Was Already a Hit — but Aretha Franklin Made It Even More Iconic
One thing about the “Queen of Soul” is that she always makes every song unmistakably her own. And that’s exactly what happened when Franklin was handed “I Say a Little Prayer.” Released in 1968, nearly a year after Warwick’s original recording, Warwick’s version was already an undeniable hit in its own right. But Franklin didn’t simply cover the song — she transformed it. Infusing the track with her signature gospel roots and powerful vocal runs, Franklin turned a polished pop tune into a more soulful, powerful track. Her version resonated on a deeper emotional level, ultimately overshadowing the original.
Years later, the song was reimagined by Jamaican singer Diana King. The singer’s reggae-style rendition was more upbeat and was featured on her second album, Think Like a Girl (1997), as well as on the soundtrack for the 1997 romantic comedy My Best Friend’s Wedding, starring Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, Cameron Diaz, and more. It was energetic and playful, while Warwick’s version was more restrained and sophisticated. Both Warwick and Franklin’s renditions are considered definitive, but Franklin’s version became so iconic that some may not even realize it wasn’t the original. It was Franklin’s version that cemented the song’s legendary status, powered by its gospel elements, giving it immense hype and enduring cultural impact over the years.
The song was featured various times in movies and television shows, and most notably in Glee, where Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron) — along with Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera) and Brittany Pierce (Heather Morris) — performed it in front of Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison). That version sparked a resurgence on TikTok, giving it more visibility and introducing it to a new generation. A testament to the song’s undying appeal, which both Warwick and Franklin (with their own distinctive versions) helped cement.
