STEVIE Wonder was among a host of Motown legends paying a soulful tribute to Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul was transported to her final farewell in Rosa Parks' hearse wearing a gold dress inside a gold casket to the Greater Grace Temple where family, celebrity friends and fans gathered. 39 Stevie Wonder dedicated his song, I'll Be Loving You Aways, to Aretha Credit: Reuters Before the golden casket was closed at the top of a service, Franklin's body could be seen dressed in gold sequins. More than eight music-filled hours later, Stevie Wonder took to the stage. He wowed with his harmonica skills and then brought the remaining mourners at Franklin's lengthy funeral to their feet with a moving version of "As". The choir, Aretha's family, preachers and remaining guests swayed as Wonder played the classic tune in honour of his old friend. 39 The star will be buried in a 24-karat gold plated Promethean casket made of solid bronze Credit: AFP or licensors 39 Golden Lady... Aretha Franklin poses for a portrait circa 1967 Credit: Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Stevie dedicated his song, "I'll Be Loving You Aways", to his departed friend and musical kindred spirit whom he'd known since he was a boy. "God bless, Aretha," Wonder said at the end of his song. "The joy is in knowing that she will have an eternal life of bliss." Before he performed, Gladys Knight sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water". As Franklin's coffin left the church, Jennifer Holliday sang "Climbing Higher Mountains". 39 New generation soul... Ariana Grande performs '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman' Credit: AP:Associated Press Others who performed over the eight-hour ceremony included Faith Hill, Fantasia Barrino, Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande and Chaka Khan. Smokey Robinson, the Motown singer and a long-time friend, crooned a few lines of his song "Really Gonna Miss You". Grande belted out "Natural Woman" while Gladys Knight soulfully sang "You'll Never Walk Alone". Ariana Grande performs Aretha Franklin's Natural Woman at the funeral service for the 'Queen of Soul' Highlights of Aretha's included: About 100 pink Cadillacs lining up outside the Greater Grace Temple Aretha’s body was covered in shimmering fabric and her casket was closed to shouts of "Hallelujah!" from the audience Faith Hill honoured Aretha Franklin by singing "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" Ariana Grande sang "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" Motown legend Smokey Robinson performed "Really Gonna Miss You" in honour of his lifelong friend Chaka Khan sang "I'm Going Up Yonder" The Rev Jesse Jackson gave an emotional tribute where he told Aretha to "sleep on" and telling her "I'll see you in the morning" Jennifer Hudson delivered a moving rendition of "Amazing Grace" Stevie Wonder sung "I'll Be Loving You Aways"and signed off with "God bless you, God Bless Aretha" 39 Jennifer Hudson delivered a stunning rendition of Amazing Grace Credit: Getty Images - Getty Jennifer Hudson pays tribute with emotional gospel song at Aretha Franklin's funeral 39 Gladys Knight soulfully sang 'You'll Never Walk Alone' Credit: Getty Images - Getty Rev Jesse Jackson, who worked alongside Martin Luther King during the 1960s, urged attendees to honour her memory and register to vote. Franklin, who was herself heavily involved in campaigning against racial prejudice, died on August 16 aged 76. Her body arrived to the star-studded memorial in a 1940 Cadillac LaSalle hearse. She wore a shimmering gold dress, with sequined heels the fourth outfit Franklin was clothed in during a week of events leading up to her funeral. Jackson and his fellow human rights campaigner Al Sharpton were onstage to honour Franklin's contributions to black empowerment, sharing front-row seats with Louis Farrakhan, the black nationalist and Nation of Islam leader. 39 Jesse Jackson said 'Aretha's not lost, we know where she is' Credit: Reuters Stars lead tributes to the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin at her funeral which lasted over six hours 39 The casket of the late singer is carried out of the Greater Grace Temple Credit: Reuters Sharpton took to the pulpit to laud Franklin for providing the soundtrack of the movement, with songs such as her signature 1967 hit "Respect". "She was a black woman in a white man's world," he said, as mourners cheered. "She was rooted in the black church, she was bathed in the black church, and she took the black church downtown and made folks that didn't know what the Holy Ghost was shout in the middle of a concert." Franklin was recalled as both an American institution, who sang at the presidential inaugurations of Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. 39 Aretha's grandson Jordan Franklin, left, pauses alongside his sister Victorie Franklin while paying tribute to their grandmother Credit: AP:Associated Press 39 Chaka Khan performed 'I'm Going Up Yonder' Credit: Getty Images - Getty 39 Motown singer Smokey Robinson blows a kiss to Aretha after performing 'Really Gonna Miss You' Credit: AP:Associated Press The 42nd president of the USA, Bill Clinton, gives emotional eulogy at Aretha Franklin's funeral Former US President Bill Clinton described himself as an Aretha Franklin "groupie," saying he had loved her since college. He traced her life's journey, praising her as someone who "lived with courage, not without fear, but overcoming her fears". He remembered attending her last public performance, at Elton John's AIDS Foundation benefit in November in New York. She looked "desperately ill" but managed to greet him by standing and saying, "How you doing, baby?" Her career, Clinton noted, spanned from vinyl records to cellphones. He held the microphone near his iPhone and played a snippet of Franklin's classic "Think," the audience clapping along. "It's the key to freedom!" Clinton said. 39 Ron Isley sings during the funeral service for the soul superstar Credit: EPA 39 Bill Clinton plays Aretha Franklin music on his mobile phone while speaking at the funeral service Credit: Reuters Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' (Original Version, 1967) 39 Clarence Franklin (centre) mourns for his mother Credit: Getty Images - Getty<doc-sep>America, we needed this. Stevie Wonder performs at the funeral of Aretha Franklin, August 31, 2018, in Detroit, Michigan. [YouTube Link] Stevie Wonder: 'We need to make love great again. Because Black Lives Do Matter.' #ArethaHomegoing — Xeni Jardin ??‍? (@xeni) August 31, 2018 Read the lyrics below. Read them. When Stevie performed this at the Queen of Soul's funeral, my beloved and I were watching, yesterday, surrounded by our dogs, mourning her loss along with the world. When he sang the spoken word part, man. Chills. We all know sometimes life's hates and troubles Can make you wish you were born in another time and space But you can bet your lifetimes that and twice it's double That God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed So make sure when you say you're in it, but not of it You're not helpin' to make this earth A place sometimes called hell Change your words into truths And then change that truth into love And maybe our children's grandchildren And their great grandchildren will tell Below, the studio recording of 'As,' from 'Songs in the Key of Life.' A great and timeless composition. The whole album is one of the greatest works of art, just the best. Brings me to my feet and to tears every single time. Below, also, an earlier live performance of the song by the great Stevie Wonder. Read the damn lyrics and know they mean something. Always. LYRICS As Stevie Wonder As around the sun the earth knows she's revolving And the rosebuds know to bloom in early may Just as hate knows love's the cure You can rest your mind assure That I'll be loving you always As now can't reveal the mystery of tomorrow But in passing will grow older every day Just as all that's born is new You know what I say is true That I'll be loving you always Always (Until the ocean covers every mountain high) Always (Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea) Always (Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream) Did you know that true love asks for nothing No no her acceptance is the way we pay Did you know that life has given love a guarantee To last through forever and another day Just as time knew to move on since the beginning And the seasons know exactly when to change Just as kindness knows no shame Know through all your joy and pain That I'll be loving you always As today I know I'm living But tomorrow could make me the past But that I mustn't fear For I'll know deep in my mind The love of me I've left behind 'Cause I'll be loving you always Always (Until the trees and seas just up and fly away) Always (Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four) Always (Until the day that is the day that are no more) Did you know you're loved by somebody (Until the day the earth starts turnin' right to left) Always (Until the earth just for the sun denies itself) I'll be lovin' you forever (Until dear mother nature says her work is through) Always (Until the day that you are me and I am you) Always (Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky Until the ocean severs every mountain high) Always We all know sometimes life's hates and troubles Can make you wish you were born in another time and space But you can bet your lifetimes that and twice it's double That God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed So make sure when you say you're in it, but not of it You're not helpin' to make this earth A place sometimes called hell Change your words into truths And then change that truth into love And maybe our children's grandchildren And their great grandchildren will tell I'll be loving you until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky Songwriters: Stevie Wonder As lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC<doc-sep>Stevie Wonder closed out Aretha Franklin‘s funeral Friday with a powerful rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer” and “As” at Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple. The singer opened his performance with a mournful harmonica version of “The Lord’s Prayer” before delivering a brief eulogy for Franklin, saying that without “God’s goodness,” “We will have never known a Queen like this, we will have never known the joy she gave to us.” “The greatest gift that has been given in life itself is love. We can talk about all the things that are wrong, and there are many, but the only thing that can deliver us is love,” Wonder added. “We need to make love great again.” Wonder then mentioned how he hopes to one day collaborate with Franklin in heaven before launching into the Songs in the Key of Life favorite, with Wonder backed by the choir, brass section and other performers from the service to close out the funeral on an uplifting, funky note as attendees filed out of the venue. Soon after, a moment of silence was observed as pallbearers removed Franklin’s coffin from the church en route to her final resting place. Wonder previously said of Franklin the day after she died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76, “She did incredible music, incredible singer. She touched every genre. Every singer was influenced in some way by the way she sang, and they will forever be influenced by her because of her voice, her emotion, her sincerity is unforgettable.” Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan were among the artists to pay musical tribute to Franklin at her funeral Friday, while Bill Clinton, Clive Davis and Smokey Robinson all contributed eulogies for the singer. The mayor of Detroit also announced that a waterfront venue in the Motor City would be renamed “Aretha Franklin Park.” Other speakers included actress Cicely Tyson, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Rev. Jesse Jackson and former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. Hundreds of fans gathered Tuesday to honor the late vocalist during her public viewing at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History in Detroit. Many of Franklin’s friends, collaborators and admirers spoke about the soul legend’s immeasurable legacy after her death. Smokey Robinson, who knew the vocalist since she was eight years old, told Rolling Stone that Franklin will be remembered as “one of the greatest singers to ever open their mouths.”<doc-sep>Advertisement The legendary Stevie Wonder closed out Aretha Franklin's eight-hour funeral in Detroit Friday, telling the crowd 'black lives do matter' and 'make love great again'. Wonder began by wowing on the harmonica, before paying tribute to the Queen of Soul and taking a jab at the current administration. 'Were it not for God's goodness and greatness we never would have known the Queen of Soul. We never would have known the joy that she brought to us. We would have never known someone who can express in song the pain we felt,' he told the crowd. He added, in a reference to Donald Trump's slogan 'Make America Great Again': 'So what needs to happen today, not only in this nation but throughout the world, is that we need to make love great again. 'Because black lives do matter. Because all lives do matter. And if we love God, then we know truly, it is our love that will make all things better. 'When we make love great again, that is what Aretha has said throughout her life, through the pain, she gave us the joy and said "let's make love great again".' He then sang, 'As', which he dedicated to Franklin, and was joined on stage by singers Angie Stone, Jennifer Lewis and Martha Reeves. 'God bless, Aretha,' Wonder said at the end of his song. 'The joy is in knowing that she will have an eternal life of bliss.' Before Wonder performed, Gladys Knight sang 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water.' As Franklin's coffin left the church, Jennifer Holliday performed 'Climbing Higher Mountains.' Holliday, who played Effie White in the 1981 Broadway production of Dreamgirls, hit the headlines last year for pulling out of a concert celebrating the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Scroll down for video Stevie Wonder sang, 'As', which he dedicated to Franklin, as he closed out her eight-hour funeral in Detroit Wonder told the crowd 'black lives do matter' and to 'make love great again' in the speech which seemed to take a jab at Donald Trump Wonder began by playing the harmonica, before paying tribute to the Queen of Soul and taking a jab at the current administration As Franklin's coffin left the church, Jennifer Holliday performed 'Climbing Higher Mountains.' Holliday hit the headlines last year for pulling out of a concert celebrating the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Pallbearers carry Aretha Franklin's casket after the funeral ceremony at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit on Friday Jennifer Hudson had people on their feet as she belted out 'Amazing Grace' at the funeral on Friday. Hudson, who is set to play the Queen of Soul in an upcoming biopic, hit all the right notes during the emotional and powerful performance which had people swaying and raising their hands in the air. The stunning rendition came after Bishop Charles H. Ellis III introduced Bill Clinton as 'the first black President of the United States'. Clinton said he and wife Hillary, who attended the funeral with him, had long been avid fans of the soul singer. 'We started out not as President and First Lady, but as Aretha groupies or something,' he joked. He said Franklin's power to pull a crowd was: 'Not because she had this breathtaking talent, not because she grew up a princess of soul, but because she lived with courage. Not without fear, but overcoming her fears.' Jennifer Hudson wowed the crowd at Detroit's Greater Grace Temple on Friday with the emotional and powerful performance Hudson had people swaying on their feet and raising their hands in the air as she belted out Amazing Grace at the funeral People were on their feet as Jennifer Hudson performed. She is set to play the Queen of Soul in an upcoming biopic Bill Clinton spoke about his friend Aretha Franklin and how hard she worked to get her big break Clinton ended his speech by playing Franklin's 'Think' off his phone into the microphone He told the congregation before they were President and First Lady, he and Hillary were 'Aretha groupies' 'She lived with faith... she lived with power. I just loved her,' he said. 'The secret of her greatness was she took this massive talent, and this perfect culture that raised her, and decided to be the composer of this massive song.' Clinton could not resist throwing in a joke about Franklin's flamboyant wardrobe, remarking: 'I was so happy when I got here and the casket was still open, I got to think: "I wonder what my friend has on today".' The former President closed by explaining he didn't love and respect Franklin for her talent, but for what she did with it, and how she treated others in the face of unimaginable success. 'She cared about broken people, she cared about people who were disappointed... about people who didn't succeed as much as she did,' he said. 'And she worked her can off to get where she was. She took the gifts God gave her, and they just kept getting a little bigger every day.' The former President finally cut himself off, having gone well over his time allotment, by playing Franklin's 'Think' on his phone. Aretha Franklin arrived at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit on Friday morning in the 1940s hearse which transported her body to the viewing earlier this week Franklin's coffin was taken down a red carpet ahead of her star-studded funeral Cameras and onlookers were seen crowding around the red carpet as the Queen of Soul was taken into the church The day began with Franklin being carried down a red carpet in to Detroit's Greater Grace Temple on Friday morning in a gold plated casket, wearing a gold, full length dress ahead of her star-studded funeral. The Queen of Soul was brought to the church in a white Cadillac LaSalle hearse that once carried civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks, and also her own father legendary minister CL Franklin. The hearse will pick her up again to take her body to Woodlawn Cemetery, where Parks and her father were also buried.<doc-sep>
It was a star-studded and ostentatious “homegoing” fit for royalty: “We will have never known a queen like this,” Stevie Wonder told the gathering of mourners. Aretha Franklin’s funeral service in Detroit on Friday drew some of music’s brightest stars and a sprinkling of political figures for a proper send-off for the “Queen of Soul”. “What needs to happen today, not only in this nation but throughout the world, is that we need to make love great again,” Wonder said during a eulogy nestled between his performances of The Lord’s Prayer and As. “Because black lives do matter. Because all lives do matter ... That is what Aretha said throughout her life. Though the pain, she gave us the joy, and said, ‘Let’s make love great again.’” Franklin’s arrival in repose at the city’s Greater Grace Temple on Friday morning was met by a throng of mourners who had waited hours to pay their respects. Many ultimately couldn’t get in as the church quickly reached capacity. At the morning’s onset she lay gracefully in her casket, legs crossed in tall high heels as the open, gold-plated coffin glinted under the lights. It had been transported to the church by the same pearly white 1940 Cadillac LaSalle hearse that took the civil rights icon Rosa Parks to her final rest in 2005, as well as Franklin’s own father in 1984. Ever the diva, Franklin’s outfit was the third “costume change” over the course of her several viewings since her death on 16 August: this final time, a rose gold gown. “She was first Detroit’s, then America’s, then the world’s, thank you, Lord, for Aretha,” pastor EL Branch told the rapt congregation. The Rev Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Louis Farrakhan and former president Bill Clinton made quite the lineup next to each other on the dais in front of a gospel choir belting out an extended version of Marvelous. Hillary Clinton was also in attendance in Detroit, the city where Franklin began her career singing gospel in the New Bethel Baptist church choir. The Rev Jesse Jackson, right, consoles a family member as they pause at the casket. Photograph: Paul Sancya/AP The musicians Wonder, Chaka Khan and, of the new generation, Ariana Grande, were among those on hand to perform in honor of Franklin over the course of the day. Director Tyler Perry, actress Cicely Tyson and Motown legend Smokey Robinson were among those to share remembrances of the singer. Singer Smokey Robinson, a long time friend of Franklin’s brought many to tears with a touching and personal remembrance. “I’m going to miss our talks, we used to talk for hours about anything we wanted-- or nothing at all,” he said. “You will be a featured voice in the choir of Angels,” he went on, addressing Franklin’s closed casket. Before leaving the podium, Robinson broke out into a brief a cappella of a song he wrote for the late Temptations member Melvin Franklin (no relation), which went: “Really gonna miss you, it’s really gonna be different without you, for the rest of my life, gonna be thinking about you.” Bill Clinton told the congregation, of Franklin: “The secret of her greatness is that she took this massive talent, and this perfect culture that raised her, and decided to be the composer of her own life’s song. And what a song it turned out to be.” To laughter, he then joked about how glad he was for the open casket, because it would mean he could see “what my friend is wearing,” adding: “I wanna see what the girl is carrying out!” Franklin sold more than 75m records in her lifetime and won 18 Grammy awards. She had 77 entries in the US Billboard Hot 100 and 20 No 1 singles on the R&B chart. She passed away from pancreatic cancer, having been diagnosed with a tumor in 2010. Franklin had continued to tour and record intermittently through her final year. Her last album, A Brand New Me, was released in November 2017, which paired archival vocal recordings for Atlantic Records with new orchestral arrangements by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Franklin was also an ardent champion of civil rights in her public associations and statements through the tumultuous 1960s, and quietly funded the work of Martin Luther King Jr’s Southern Christian Leadership Council.