This morning, PL Sweets draws from the power of Aretha Franklin’s “Call Me” to explore what separates “good” from “great.” On the surface, “Call Me” is a beautiful love song—Aretha herself penned it after observing a young couple part with “I love you… call me.” But underneath the melody lies an example of artistry that doesn’t settle. It’s commitment. Precision. Emotion carried with excellence.
Aretha didn’t just sing; she played piano, she felt every lyric. The backing came from the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section—players who brought more than notes; they brought intention. Producers like Arif Mardin, Jerry Wexler, and Tom Dowd shaped the sound so that every phrase, every pause, every rise in her voice leaned toward greatness.
In this episode, PL Sweets reflects on how moving from good to great requires paying attention to things many dismiss:
- choosing people who elevate your vision,
- pushing beyond comfort zones when others relax,
- perfecting the small details that most never notice.
Just like “Call Me” rose on the charts—No.1 on US R&B, top 15 on Pop—a great work comes not only from talent but from refusing to settle. If you want your life, your craft, your relationships to be great, it starts with the margin: those small, daily choices to show up deeper, with more courage, more heart. So when you hear Aretha say “Call me… the moment you get there”, let it echo as more than romance. Let it be a challenge: are you willing to cross that margin from good to great?