They say a little prayer.
An alleged activist group in Norway is demanding Aretha Franklin’s 1968 hit song “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” be removed from both Apple Music and Spotify after they found the lyrics offensive.
The Transcultural Mindfulness Alliance took to Twitter last week to condemn the row, citing that it has ignited harm against transgender women.
“Aretha Franklin’s 1968 song ‘Natural Woman’ perpetuates several harmful anti-trans stereotypes,” the organization tweeted. “There is no such thing as a ‘natural’ woman.”
The message continued: “The song has helped inspire acts of harm against transgender women. TCMA requests that it be removed from Spotify and Apple Music.”
But the group has since claimed their original post was actually a “satirical” one in a message to The Post on Monday afternoon.
The group also updated their Twitter bio to now say “PARODY/SATIRE.”
The Post has reached out to Franklin’s rep, Spotify and Apple Music for comment.
According to the organization’s biography on the social media platform, they aim to promote “cultural change to ensure transgender inclusivity.”
Many Twitter users were outraged by the statement about the Queen of Soul’s work and questioned the legitimacy of the claims.
“So someone heard the song and attacked trans people?” wrote one person in response. “What are things that have never happened for $400.”
Another wrote: “OMG Get a life and stop trying to cancel everything. How sad and pathetic your life must be if THAT is a priority for you. This is an AMAZING song! WELL DONE! @ArethaFranklin.”
Another wrote: “It’s a great song and I want to listen to it right now because of this post. Thanks!”
Others were so taken aback that they actually thought the statement came from a parody account.
“It’s satire, isn’t it?” asked one user.
“Obviously this is a parody. Good guys! Almost got me,” posted another.
The organization later clarified in a follow up tweet that they weren’t really a parody, but rather that they were trying to “make the culture fairer for transgender individuals.”
At the time, Franklin’s song, “A Natural Woman,” was considered a powerful song and had an inspirational message. She even performed the hit at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, in 2015 during a ceremony honoring the track’s writers, Gerry Goffin and Carole King.
Then-President Obama was there for the performance and shed a tear.
Franklin died in August 2018 at the age of 76 after a battle with advanced pancreatic cancer.
