70 Soul Music Classics You Need on Your Playlist

Check out this comprehensive list of 70 soul music classics that you need on your playlist. You’ll find all your favorites, from Marvin Gaye to Otis Redding.

Introduction

When you think of soul music, what comes to mind? Funk? Motown? R&B? While these subgenres definitely fall under the soul umbrella, there’s so much more to this timeless genre than meets the eye (or ear, as the case may be).

From conscious crooners and gritty blues singers to fiery funk bands and politically minded rappers, there’s a little something for everyone in the world of soul. In honor of Black History Month, we’ve rounded up 70 of the best soul songs of all time. These tracks will make you want to groove, reminisce, or both.

What is Soul Music?

Soul music is a genre of African American popular music that led to the creation of rhythm and blues and rock and roll. It developed in the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and reached its height of popularity in the 1970s. Soul music blends elements of African American gospel music, rhythm and blues, and sometimes jazz. Its lyrics are often about personal or political topics.

The Origins of Soul Music

Soul music is a genre that originated in the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It combines elements of African-American gospel music, rhythm and blues, and sometimes jazz. Soul music became popular for dancing and listening in the United States, where record labels such as Motown, Atlantic and Stax were influential during the Civil Rights Movement. Soul also became popular around the world, directly influencing rock music, hip hop, pop, disco and r&b.

The term “soul” refers to black popular music as a whole, but it is also sometimes used as a shorthand for “soul music”, which is a specific genre. Soul music developed from rhythm and blues and gospel music, and it has a number of different subgenres. Gospel music is an important part of soul music, but not all soul is gospel – there are secular as well as spiritual elements to soul.

Soul can be traced back to the late 1940s/early 1950s when Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and James Brown began making records that combined gospel with R&B. In the 1960s, Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin helped to formalize the sound of soul with their hits “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” and “Respect”, respectively. As the decade progressed, artists like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye took soul in new directions with their innovative songwriting and production. By the 1970s, artists like Al Green, Curtis Mayfield and Funkadelic were creating soulful sounds that incorporated elements of funk, disco and rock while remaining true to the genre’s roots.

The term “neo-soul” was coined in the 1990s to describe a new generation of artists who were influenced by classic soul but modernized its sound for a contemporary audience. Artists like D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu continued to push the boundaries of soul music in the 21st century, further cementing its place as one of America’s most beloved musical genres

The Development of Soul Music

The term “soul” music was coined in the late 1950s by Jerry Wexler, a white journalist working for Atlantic Records. He used it to describe the spiritual, emotive sound of African American gospel music and R&B. This new genre of music emerged from the ashes of the big-band era and blossomed in the early 1960s. It was a sound that appealed to both black and white audiences,mixing gospel harmonies with secular themes. The first soul hit, “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King, crossed over to the pop charts in 1961 and signaled the beginning of this new sound.

In its earliest form, soul music was deeply rooted in African American culture. The first soul songs were created by artists like James Brown and Sam Cooke, who took elements of gospel music and combined them with R&B to create a new sound. As the genre developed, artists like Otis Redding, Smokey Robinson, and Aretha Franklin began to experiment with different styles and influences. This created a more diverse sound that included elements of pop, rock, and blues. By the 1970s, soul music had become one of the most popular genres in America

The Golden Age of Soul Music

The Golden Age of Soul Music was a period of creative explosion which produced some of the most beloved and timeless songs in American popular music. Soul music originated in the African-American community in the 1950s, drawing from a wide range of genres including gospel, blues, and jazz. The style rapidly gained popularity, with artists like James Brown, Otis Redding, and Smokey Robinson becoming household names.

While the Golden Age of Soul Music is typically considered to have ended in the late 1970s, its influence can still be felt today in everything from R&B to Hip Hop. If you’re looking for a little inspiration, check out our list of 70 essential soul music classics you need on your playlist.

The Decline of Soul Music

The term “soul” refers to a genre of music that originated in the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It combines elements of African-American gospel music, rhythm and blues, and jazz.

The original soul artists were mostly African American, and the music was deeply influenced by the sounds of the black church. Music critic Dave Marsh once said that soul music was “the elementary communication between God and His people.”

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, soul music began to change. The introduction of psychedelic drugs and the rise of drug culture had a profound impact on the sound and feel of soul music. Artists like Sly & The Family Stone and Funkadelic began to experiment with incorporating elements of rock, funk, and psychedelia into their music.

This new sound was not well received by everyone. Some soul purists felt that these artists were betraying the sound of true soul music. As a result, a rift began to form between those who preferred the traditional sound of soul and those who embraced the new sound.

This rift eventually led to the decline of soul music as a commercial force in popular culture. In the 1980s, dance-oriented forms of pop and R&B became more popular than traditional soul-based genres like quiet storm and urban contemporary. By the 1990s, most mainstream radio stations had abandoned soul music altogether in favor of other genres.

Despite its decline in popularity, soul music remains an important part of American culture. The genre has been highly influential on other genres like hip hop, rock, and pop. Many modern artists have been inspired by the sounds of classic soul performers like Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Al Green, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, Ben E. King, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye

The Resurgence of Soul Music

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in soul music, with a new generation of artists putting their own spin on the classic sound. While the original pioneers of the genre are no longer with us, their legacy continues to inspire and entertain. Here are 70 essential soul tracks that every music fan should have on their playlist.

1. “Ain’t No Sunshine” – Bill Withers
2. “A Change is Gonna Come” – Sam Cooke
3. “Against the Wind” – Bob Seger
4. “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” – The Temptations
5. “All I Could Do Was Cry” – Etta James
6. “At Last” – Etta James
7. “Baby I Love You” – Aretha Franklin
8. “Baby What You Want Me to Do” – Jimmy Reed
9. “Back Stabbers” – The O’Jays
10. “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today)” – The Temptations

The Future of Soul Music

The new generation of soul music is being created by a younger, more diverse crop of artists who are carrying on the tradition of using music to empower and heal. While the sound of soul music is evolving, the message remains the same: that everyone deserves to be heard and loved.

Here are just a few of the artists who are keeping soul music alive and well into the 21st century.

1. Beyoncé
2. Bruno Mars
3. Kendrick Lamar
4. Chance the Rapper
5. Logic
6. J Cole
7. Childish Gambino
8. Solange
9. SZA
10. Anderson .Paak

The Best Soul Music Artists of All Time

From Otis to Aretha, Marvin to Stevie, the greatest soul artists define what it means to have rhythm and blues in your heart. These artists brought the sounds of Motown, Stax and more to create hits that continue to inspire listeners today.

The best soul music artists come from all corners of the globe and have helped to shape the sound of R&B over the past few decades. There are legends like James Brown and Marvin Gaye, as well as contemporary acts like Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys, who are carrying the torch for soul music today. No matter your taste, there is a soul artist on this list that is sure to get you hooked on the genre.

The Best Soul Music Songs of All Time

There are plenty of soul songs that have stood the test of time and remain popular to this day. Here are just a few of the best that you need on your playlist.

1. “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers
2. “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye
3. “Respect” by Aretha Franklin
4. “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
5. “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King
6. “Sweet Soul Music” by Arthur Conley
7. “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
8. “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke
9. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by Otis Redding
10. “My Girl” by The Temptations