Sorry for sporadic postings recently, as I’m in the middle of a major move to San Francisco. Looking forward to getting unpacked so I can focus more fully on what’s caught my ear (and eyes) in the pop world.

Gay Pride celebrations are being held today in New York, Chicago, and my new home city — I can wave to the Backstreet Boys as the parade passes right outside my windows — plus many other locales, so I figured it fitting to choose a cover befitting this rainbow-riffic theme.

“A Deeper Love” is an original tune the production duo of Robert Clivillés and David Cole (whom you know best as C+C Music Factory) had slated as the B-side for their 1992 club makeover of U2’s “Pride (In The Name Of Love).” Both featured powerhouse vocals from Deborah Cooper and were different spins on the theme of pride, but it was the flip that proved to be the bigger hit.

Clivillés & Cole’s uplifting anthem of personal strength (particularly those shouts of “Pride!”) couldn’t be ignored, clicking with the clubgoers from coast to coast. “A Deeper Love” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play chart (their U2 cover topped out at #6).

Just two years later, “A Deeper Love” enjoyed another run at #1 after Aretha Franklin rang up Clivillés & Cole to produce a new version with her. Featured on the soundtrack for Sister Act 2 (you’ll have to look past that connection in the video below), the Queen of Soul reigned atop the Dance chart for two weeks straight in 1994.

There have been other covers since (nearly annually when this time of year rolls around), but Aretha’s soulful take is the one I heart the most. Hear here:

Whether your city celebrates today or another date, in ways big or small, Happy Pride to all!

Purchase Aretha Franklin – “A Deeper Love” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.