With just two months separating movie lovers from the long-awaited premiere of the big screen Aretha Franklin biopic, ‘Respect,’ expect to see much of its star – Academy & GRAMMY Award-winning star Jennifer Hudson – across TV screens, print, Web and radio over the coming weeks in its support.
As it pertains to tackling the latter platforms, Hudson has already lifted the lid on ‘Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)’ – the first official single from the film’s soundtrack.
Co-written with legendary singer-songwriter Carole King (who famously penned Franklin’s ‘Natural Woman’) and produced by Will.i.am, ‘Here I Am’ serves as the soundtrack’s only original song – a bid in the right direction for 2022 Oscar glory.
“Music is such a living and breathing character in this film, as it was in Ms. Franklin’s life,” Hudson revealed in a statement. “The process of creating this song was like constructing the greatest tribute I could possibly offer to her spirit. It was the final exhale of this extraordinary project and one that I let out with complete fulfillment. Being able to do so with Carole and Jamie was an incredible privilege…Our goal was to show that music was always the anchor for Ms. Franklin, in all that she did, and I hope this song illustrates the strength of her voice – both literally and figuratively – which always brought her home.”
Look inside to hear ‘Here’ and tell us if it lives up to J.Hud’s declaration.
