Watch Tim McGraw, Faith Hill Cover Aretha Franklin, George Michael Duet in Concert
During their 2017 Soul2Soul World Tour, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill spent some time covering a 1980s hit. Readers can press play above to watch the couple open a show on April 21, 2017, in Charleston, S.C., with "I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)."
"I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)" was originally sung by Aretha Franklin and George Michael. The song comes from Franklin's 1986 album Aretha and was released as a single in 1987. Written by Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan, "I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April of '87 and stayed there for two consecutive weeks. The song also became a No. 1 hit in the UK and earned Franklin and Michael Best R&B Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocals at the Grammy Awards.
Franklin, known as the "Queen of Soul," died on Thursday (Aug. 16) at her home in Detroit, Mich., according to her publicist. She was 76 and was reported to be "gravely ill" earlier in the week.
"The choir of angels now have the greatest voice of all time to lead, praise and join in to sing before Jesus," Hill wrote on Twitter after the icon's death was announced, sharing a photo of herself with Franklin. "I wanted to share this photo because it shows just how soulful Aretha was without uttering a word. To say I was humbled to be in her presence would be an understatement."
Added McGraw, "The queen of soul … There will never be another. So much love and respect from the McGraw family."
The first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Franklin charted more than 100 singles on Billboard's charts and won 18 Grammy Awards. Her iconic songs include "Respect," "Think" and many more.
Aretha Franklin: Through the Years