Released on June 5, 1985, Freeway of Love was the lead single from Aretha Franklin’s 30th studio album, Who’s Zoomin’ Who?. Written by Narada Michael Walden and Jeffrey Cohen, the song marked a bold shift toward dance-pop and synth-driven R&B, revitalizing Franklin’s career in the mid-’80s.
The Sound and Lyrics
With its upbeat groove, powerful brass section, and Franklin’s commanding vocals, Freeway of Love is a celebration of joy, freedom, and movement. The lyrics paint a picture of cruising down the highway in a pink Cadillac, a symbol that became closely associated with Franklin herself.
Chart Performance and Impact
The song became Franklin’s highest-charting single in 12 years, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Hot Black Singles chart for five weeks. It also topped the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in a remixed version. The track earned Franklin her 12th Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
Legacy
Decades later, Freeway of Love remains one of Franklin’s most recognizable hits. At her funeral in 2018, more than 100 pink Cadillacs accompanied her procession as a tribute to the song’s lasting impact.