Aretha Franklin songs: The legendary singer's greatest hits as music world mourns Queen of Soul

The music world is mourning the loss of soul legend Aretha Franklin after she died on Thursday, following a lengthy battle with cancer.

The singer, known as the Queen of Soul, 76, was left fighting for her life in her home state of Michigan, according to reports.

Franklin was previously ordered to rest by doctors, forcing her to cancel a number of scheduled shows.

The singer, who famously reduced former US President Barack Obama to tears after a performance of Natural Woman, is widely regarded as one of the greatest performers of all time.

Here, we take a look at some of her greatest hits:

1. Respect (1967)

The story behind this song is almost as iconic as the track itself.

The song was originally the brainchild of soul singer Otis Redding, the lyrics depict a hard-working man looking for respect and gratification from his wife.

Enter a young Aretha, who reinvented the song and its meaning adding the bridge "R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me."

The song became a feminist anthem, and Redding later described the track as "a song that a girl took away from me."

2. Natural Woman (1967)

Aretha performed Natural Woman at the Kennedy Centre in the US in December 2015.

Shedding her fur jacket as she belted out the high notes, the camera panned to former President Obama as he shed emotional tears.

Explaining how she relates to the song in an interview with Vogue magazine, she said: "I can relate to it very easily, I'm very natural.

"When I first came into the business in the early '60s out of the church, I didn't wear any makeup or anything like that. I was just very natural and happy with that."

3. I Say A Little Prayer (1968)

This soul classic was originally performed by Dionne Warwick, but was later recorded by Aretha in 1968 and peaked at no. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

4. Think (1968)

Another track promoting the same feminist values as Respect (although Aretha said she never recorded any of her tracks with a feminist angle), Think featured in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, starring Aretha herself.

5. I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Loved You) (1967)

Known as the first classic she recorded with Atlantic Records following her split with Colombia Records, the piano composition coupled with Aretha's passionate vocals is truly stunning.

6. Ain't No Way (1968)

This is known as one of Aretha's most moving vocal performances and was composed by her sister, Carolyn.

7. Chain of Fools (1967)

Written by Don Covay and featuring backing vocals from The Sweet Inspirations, Chain of Fools won Aretha a Grammy for this gospel-inspired single.

8. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man (1967)

Aretha's first recording with Atlantic Records, she adds flair to Do Right Woman, Do Right Man by playing her own piano and organ melodies.

The track also features vocals from her sister, Carolyn and Whitney Houston's mother, Cissy.