New Directions

In 1985, Clive Davis arranged for Aretha to work with a talented new producer, Narada Michael Walden, who produced songs on Whitney Houston's debut album. Aretha was impressed with Narada, who brought in excellent musicians such as saxophonist Clarence Clemons and guitar legend Carlos Santana. The album title, Who's Zoomin’ Who? was a saying Aretha used when she was flirting with a man.

The album was a smash hit, featuring the Grammy-winning song “Freeway of Love.” That song also became Aretha's very first music video. In the video, Aretha got to drive a pink Cadillac. She even sported a short, spiky punk hairdo! The album also contained a powerful duet with Annie Lennox from Eurythmics. The duet, “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves,” was a song about empowered working women. Aretha's next album included the duet “I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)” with George Michael, which won a Grammy Award in 1987.