80s Soul Music: The Ultimate Playlist
Contents
From Aretha Franklin to Whitney Houston, we’ve rounded up the best soul hits of the ’80s. So crank up the volume, and enjoy!
Introduction
The 80s was a golden era for soul music, with a new crop of singers and songwriters emerging who would go on to define the sound of the decade. From classic soul to modern R&B, this playlist has something for everyone. Featuring hits by Whitney Houston, Marvin Gaye,Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Lionel Richie, and more, it’s the perfect way to relive the magic of the 80s.
The Birth of Soul
The term “soul” was first used to describe African American music in the early 1950s. At that time, the word conveyed a sense of African American pride and culture. The term “soul” became popular in the 1960s, when it was used to describe African American music that was influenced by gospel and blues. This type of music was typically made by black musicians for black audiences.
In the 1970s, soul music became more pop-oriented. While it continued to be made by and for black people, it also began to appeal to white audiences. This crossover appeal helped soul music become one of the most popular genres of the 1970s and 1980s. During this time, many soul musicians achieved mainstream success, including Marvin Gaye, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Whitney Houston.
The Golden Age of Soul
The 80s saw the rise of many great soul artists who helped to shape the sound of the genre for years to come. This was the golden age of soul music, with many different subgenres developing and thriving.
Classic soul, which had its roots in the 60s, continued to be popular in the 80s. This style of soul is typified by artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Aretha Franklin. Funk also remained popular in the 80s, with artists like James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic continuing to produce innovative and iconic music.
However, it was in the 80s that two new subgenres of soul began to emerge and gain popularity: quiet storm and contemporary R&B. Quiet storm was a smoother, more mellow sound that was perfect for late-night listening. Artists like Lionel Richie and Smokey Robinson helped to define this sound. Contemporary R&B was a more upbeat sound that often featured synthesizers and drum machines. Artists like Michael Jackson, Prince, and Madonna were at the forefront of this new sound.
The 80s were a truly groundbreaking time for soul music, with many different styles coming to prominence. If you’re looking for a taste of this amazing decade, check out our ultimate playlist of 80s soul music below!
The Decline of Soul
The commercial and critical success of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and other Motown artists in the 1960s began a period of unprecedented artistic achievement for African American recording artists across a wide range of musical genres. But by the early 1980s, soul music was in decline. Following the enormous popularity of disco in the late 1970s, soul lost its position as the leading African American musical genre. Soul music was also overshadowed by the rise of hip hop and rap in the 1980s. Many soul artists found it difficult to adjust to changing musical tastes and became increasingly disconnected from young African American audiences. As a result, soul music entered a long period of creative stagnation that lasted into the 1990s.
The Resurgence of Soul
The mid-to-late 80s saw the Resurgence of Soul. The sound and style of the earlier part of the decade had been wiped away by synth-pop, new wave and post-disco, but in the latter half of the 80s, a new generation of soul musicians emerged.
artists like Bobby Brown, Janet Jackson, Aaron Neville, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Jody Watley, Pebbles, and TLC brought a new sound and energy to soul music. They blended R&B with dance music, pop, hip-hop, and new jack swing to create a sound that was fresh and exciting. These artists revitalized soul music and took it to new heights in the 1980s.
Conclusion
Whether you’re getting ready for a night out or just wanting to feel nostalgic, this is the ultimate 80s soul playlist. From Whitney Houston to Steve Winwood, these tracks will have you dancing and singing all night long. So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to enjoy some of the best soul music of the 80s!
