(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone

"(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone" is a song by singer Aretha Franklin. Released as a single from her Lady Soul album in 1968, the song was successful, debuting at number 31 and peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks, and spending three weeks at number 1 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart. The B-side, "Ain't No Way", was also a hit, peaking at number 16 on the Hot 100 and number 9 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart.^[1]

"(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone"
Single by Aretha Franklin
from the album Lady Soul
B-side	"Ain't No Way"
Released	March 1968
Genre	Soul
Length	2:25
Label	Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	Aretha Franklin, Teddy White
Producer(s)	Jerry Wexler
Aretha Franklin singles chronology
"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (1968) "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone" (1968) "Think" (1968)

Cash Box called the song a "powerhouse of vocal energy and tingling ork backup to build another emotional blockbuster."^[2]

A live recording was featured on the 1968 album Aretha in Paris.

The song was co-written by Franklin and her then husband Ted White.

Personnel

• Aretha Franklin - lead vocals
• Jimmy Johnson and Bobby Womack - guitars
• Spooner Oldham - Fender Rhodes electric piano
• Tommy Cogbill - bass guitar
• Roger Hawkins - drums
• Melvin Lastie, Joe Newman, Bernie Glow - trumpets
• Tony Studd - bass trombone
• King Curtis, Seldon Powell, Frank Wess - tenor saxophones
• Haywood Henry - baritone saxophone
• The Sweet Inspirations, Carolyn Franklin & Erma Franklin - background vocals
• horn arrangement: Arif Mardin

Covers

Gary Puckett & The Union Gap released a version of the song on their 1968 album, Young Girl.

Ramsey Lewis recorded an instrumental version on his 1968 album, Maiden Voyage. His version did see #100 in Canada.^[3]

Kate Ceberano released a version of the song on her 1989 album, Brave.

Booker T. & the M.G.'s released a version of the song on their 1968 album, Soul Limbo.

Whitney Houston performed the song in a tribute to Franklin on her 1997 HBO special, Classic Whitney Live from Washington, D.C.. The song was included in a medley with Franklin's "Baby I Love You" and "Ain't No Way".

In 2012, Christine Anu covered the song on her album Rewind: The Aretha Franklin Songbook.

Chart positions

Charts	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	5
U.S. Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues	1
CAN RPM Top 100[4]	6