Good God Almighty, if there’s a song America needs to hear right now, it's this. “Don't send me no doctor / filling me up with all of those pills.” Preach, Aretha! The words “ask your doctor” and “side effects may include” should be banned from our airwaves and our discourse. We don't need to sit and chit chat and smile with the TV blaring in the background. That's a hollow kind of feeling good, rather than taking care of business and getting some real relief. This song’s phrasing is rooted in gospel, elevating pleasure and self-possession into the sacred. Amen.

"Dr. Feelgood," written and performed by Aretha Franklin, 1967.

This post is part of Music 100, a love letter to songs. 100 words on 100 songs in 100 days, running from Groundhog Day to early June, 2025.

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