80s Soul and Funk Music: The Best of Both Genres
Contents
A look at the best of both 80s soul and funk music, and how the two genres have influenced each other.
Introduction
The 1980s was a decade of great music. It saw the rise of two genres that would come to dominate the charts: soul and funk. While both genres have their roots in the African-American community, they each have their own unique sound and style.
Soul is a genre that is known for its emotive lyrics and powerful vocal performances. Funk is a genre that is characterized by its groove-based melodies and infectious beats.
Both genres enjoyed immense popularity in the 1980s, producing some of the decade’s most iconic songs. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best soul and funk songs of the 1980s.
What is 80s Soul and Funk Music?
80s Soul and Funk music is a combination of two genres that emerged in the United States during the late 1970s and early 1980s. This type of music is a blend of soul music, which is a genre that originated in the African-American community, and funk, which is a genre that originated in the African-American community as well.
The Origins of 80s Soul and Funk Music
The origins of 80s soul and funk music can be traced back to the early days of R&B and funk. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, these two genres began to merge and cross-pollinate, giving birth to a new sound that would come to dominate the airwaves in the 1980s.
Funk music, which had its origins in the African-American community, was characterized by a strong bass line,syncopated rhythms, and call-and-response vocals. It was often based on a 12-bar blues chord progression and often featured horns and keyboards.
Soul music, on the other hand, was characterized by emotive vocals, often with a gospel influence. It also featured extensive use of horns and strings, as well as a more traditional pop song structure.
In the 1980s, these two genres came together to form a new sound that would come to be known as 80s soul and funk. This new sound incorporated the best elements of both genres, resulting in a more danceable and accessible style of music.
During the 1980s, many artists emerged who would come to define this new sound. Some of the most popular 80s soul and funk artists include Prince, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, Bobby Brown, Donna Summer, Mary J. Blige, and Stevie Wonder.
The Characteristics of 80s Soul and Funk Music
When people think of 80s soul and funk music, they often think of it as being one genre. However, there are actually two distinct genres that emerged in the 1980s – soul and funk. Although both genres share some similarities, they also have their own unique characteristics.
Soul music originated in the African-American community in the early 1960s. It was a form of popular music that combined elements of gospel, R&B, and jazz. One of the defining features of soul music is its emotional intensity, which is often conveyed through the use of powerful vocal performances.
Funk music is a genre that developed in the mid-1960s. It is a style of R&B that is characterized by a strong rhythmic groove. Funk songs often make use of extended instrument solos and horn sections to create a rich and unique sound.
The Best of Both Genres
80s soul and funk music were two genres that dominated the music scene. They both had their own unique sound and style that set them apart from other genres. While they both had different sounds, they shared a common goal: to make the listener move. In this article, we will take a look at the best of both genres and see why they are still loved today.
The Best 80s Soul Songs
As the 80s began, soul music was in a state of transition. The decade would see the rise of new subgenres like quiet storm and urban contemporary, while style icons like Prince, Michael Jackson, and Madonna would fuse the sounds and aesthetics of R&B, pop, and dance music to create some of the most boundary-pushing hits of all time. And yet despite all these changes, the classic sound of 70s soul – its grooves, melodies, and messages – continued to resonate with listeners throughout the decade.
Here are ten essential 80s soul songs that exemplify both the evolution of the genre and its enduring appeal.
1) “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” by McFadden & Whitehead
2) “I Wanna Be Your Lover” by Prince
3) “Super Freak” by Rick James
4) “Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye
5) “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye
6) “Always and Forever” by Heatwave
7) “Back in Love Again” by LTD
8) “Can You Feel the Force?” by The Real Thing
9) “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by The Four Tops
10) “My Prerogative” by Bobby Brown
The Best 80s Funk Songs
When you think of funk, a few 80s bands might come to mind, such as Parliament Funkadelic, James Brown, or The Gap Band. But there were plenty of other great funk bands that released some truly iconic songs in the 1980s. Here are some of the best funk songs of the 80s that still hold up today.
-“Atomic Dog” by George Clinton
-“One Nation Under a Groove” by Parliament Funkadelic
-“Can You Feel It” by The Jacksons
-“Superfreak” by Rick James
-“Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)” by Parliament Funkadelic
-“Flash Light” by Parliament Funkadelic
Conclusion
When it comes to 80s soul and funk music, there is no clear winner. Both genres have their own unique appeal, and both have produced some of the greatest music of all time. Ultimately, the decision of which is better is up to the individual listener. However, one thing is for sure: both genres are essential listening for any fan of 80s music.
