Carole King has brought her career full circle by teaming up with Jennifer Hudson to write a new song for the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect.
The artists have teamed up for Here I Am (Singing My Way Home), the only original composition to feature on the film’s soundtrack – 54 years after Franklin turned a cover of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, penned by King and her former songwriting partner Gerry Goffin, into one of her signature tunes.
Here I Am was co-written by Jamie Hartman and produced by Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am.
Discussing the new track, Hudson, who was personally chosen by the late Queen of Soul to portray her onscreen, said, “Music is such a living and breathing character in this film, as it was in Ms. Franklin’s life.
“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.”
