Watch Aretha Franklin sing 'Happy Birthday' to Taylor Swift

 By 
Brian Anthony Hernandez
 on 
Watch Aretha Franklin sing 'Happy Birthday' to Taylor Swift
Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Aretha Franklin showed some R.E.S.P.E.C.T. to Taylor Swift on Friday, just hours before the "Shake It Off" singer turns 25 at midnight on Dec. 13, by singing "Happy Birthday."

The Queen of Soul sang the tune onstage to Swift, who got up and hugged Franklin at the end of it. Watch the serenade, which took place at Billboard's Women in Music event, in the Mashable video, above.

Swift has yet to recover from the incident.

Aretha Franklin just sang 'Happy Birthday' to me and it will take me decades to recover. #goals— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) December 12, 2014

Guess what is happening here? @ArethaFranklin is singing happy birthday to @taylorswift13 at @billboard lunch #wow pic.twitter.com/t7Ag8RuCvX— Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb) December 12, 2014

Billboard honored both singers at the event -- Franklin with the Icon Award and Swift with the Women of the Year honor. Other honorees included Ariana Grande (Rising Star Award), Hayley Williams (Trailblazer Award), Iggy Azalea (Chart-Topper Award), Idina Menzel (Breakthrough Artist), Charli XCX (Hitmaker Award) and Jessie J (Powerhouse Award).

Happy Birthday @TaylorSwift13! #WomenInMusic https://t.co/1rtYVRJf6m— billboard (@billboard) December 12, 2014

BONUS: Aretha's Cover of 'Rolling in the Deep' Is Almost Better Than Adele's Original

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!