Get Your Christmas Soul Music Playlist Ready
Contents
As the holidays approach, make sure your Christmas playlist is ready! Here are some of our favorite soulful holiday tunes to get you in the spirit.
What is Soul Music?
Soul music is a genre of African American popular music that led to the creation of funk and Motown. It combines elements of gospel, rhythm and blues, and sometimes jazz. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is “music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of funky secular testifying.”
The term “soul” refers to both a cultural movement and to a style of African American popular music. The earliest forms of soul music were created in the 1950s by artists such as Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield, and Stevie Wonder.
The Origins of Soul Music
Soul music is a genre that combines rhythm and blues, gospel, and sometimes jazz. It originated in the African-American communities of the US in the 1950s and 1960s. The term “soul” refers to the emotional and spiritual qualities of the music.
The first soul artists were influenced by the sounds of gospel music, which was popular in churches at the time. They blended this sound with the sounds of rhythm and blues to create a new style of music. The result was a sound that was both religious and secular, which appealed to a wide range of people.
The late 1960s and early 1970s saw the rise of artists like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. These artists helped to define the sound of soul music and make it into one of the most popular genres of its time.
Today, soul music is still going strong. Artists like Adele, Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys, and John Legend are keeping the genre alive and well. So if you’re looking for some great soul tunes to add to your Christmas playlist, look no further!
The Motown Sound
The Motown Sound is a style of soul music that was developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s by a number of artists on the Motown label, including Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Martha and the Vandellas, the Temptations, and the Jackson 5. The sound was characterized by a heavy use of electric bass, strings, horns, and a strong pop influence. It was also notable for its use of close harmony vocals and a distinctive “call-and-response” style of singing.
The Motown Sound was one of the most popular genres of soul music in the 1960s and 1970s. It became synonymous with black popular culture in general, and with the city of Detroit in particular. In subsequent years, it has also been associated with other cities such as Philadelphia (the ” Philly Soul” sound) and Chicago (the ” Chi-Town Sound”).
The Stax Sound
The Stax sound, a fusion of gospel, soul, R&B, and blues, was the music of choice for many African Americans in the 1960s. The Memphis-based record label was home to some of the most iconic soul artists of all time, including Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, and Booker T. and the MGs. If you’re looking for a playlist that will get you in the Christmas spirit, look no further than these classic Stax tunes.
The Philly Sound
When you think of Christmas soul music, the first city that comes to mind is usually Philadelphia. The Philly sound is a mix of doo-wop, R&B, and early rock and roll. The first Christmas soul song is believed to be “Merry Christmas Baby” by Lucky Millinder, which was released in 1951. The genre took off in the 1960s with classics like “White Christmas” by Darlene Love and “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love.
The Philly sound was at its peak in the 1970s with legendary groups like the O’Jays, the Stylistics, and the Spinners releasing classic holiday albums. Today, there are a new generation of Philly soul artists keeping the sound alive. Take a listen to our playlist of Christmas soul songs from Philly artists old and new.
Funk
Funk is a style of music that is characterized by a groove that is often syncopated and played at a moderate tempo. It typically has a strong bassline, and often features horn or guitar riffs.
Christmas soul music playlist would not be complete without some funk! Funk bands like The J.B.’s, Parliament-Funkadelic, and Sly and the Family Stone were known for their danceable grooves and party anthems. Some of their most popular Christmas songs include “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto” by James Brown, “I Want to Take You Higher” by Sly and the Family Stone, and “Flash Light” by Parliament-Funkadelic.
Contemporary Soul Music
Christmas is coming, and that means it’s time to start thinking about your holiday music playlist. If you’re looking for something a little different this year, why not try some contemporary soul music?
There are plenty of great soul artists making music today, and many of them have released Christmas songs that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our list of 10 contemporary soul Christmas songs that you need to add to your playlist.
1. “Merry Christmas Baby” by Ledisi
2. “Please Come Home for Christmas” by Charles Bradley
3. “Sweetest Dreams” by Gregory Porter
4. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Macy Gray
5. “Christmas Time Is Here” by Motown the Musical
6. “Little Drummer Boy/ Peace on Earth” by Stevie Wonder
7. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Esperanza Spalding
8. “Auld Lang Syne (The Times We Had)” by India Arie
9. “This Christmas” by Jordin Sparks
10. “Give Love on Christmas Day” by The Temptations
Christmas Soul Music
Christmas Soul music is a genre of popular 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 sometimes jazz. Its roots come from the saxophone sound of early R&B artists like Ray Charles and Hank Ballard, as well as from James Brown’s “Funky Soul” sound.
Christmas Soul songs are generally uptempo, happy, and festive, often with a strong message of love, peace, and joy. The best-known Christmas Soul song is “Merry Christmas, Baby” by Otis Redding, which was released in 1967 and reached number 1 on the Billboard R&B chart. Other popular Christmas Soul songs include “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” by Jackson 5, “Give Love on Christmas Day” by The Temptations, “Christmas In Hollis” by Run-DMC, “8 Days of Christmas” by Destiny’s Child, and “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey.
Christmas Soul Music Playlist
Are you looking for the perfect Christmas playlist to get you into the holiday spirit? Look no further than our Christmas soul music playlist! Featuring both classic and contemporary soul tracks, this playlist is sure to get you dancing and singing along.
So Dust off those Christmas decorations, put on your best holiday outfit, and get ready to celebrate! And don’t forget to share this playlist with your friends and family to spread the holiday cheer.
Kicking things off is the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, with her 1968 classic “Soulful Christmas.” This track is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and get your toes tapping. Next up is another holiday classic, Otis Redding’s “Merry Christmas Baby.” This track is the perfect balance of festive and soulful, and will have you dancing around the Christmas tree in no time.
If you’re looking for something a little more modern, check out John Legend’s “All of Me (Love Me Like You Do)” featuring Esperanza Spalding. This beautiful ballad is sure to fill you with holiday cheer. And finally, we have Beyoncé’s “Ave Maria.” This intimate performance is sure to make even the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes.
So what are you waiting for? crank up the volume and enjoy!
Conclusion
Now that you know all about Christmas soul music, it’s time to start creating your own playlist! Whether you want to groove along to classics like James Brown’s “Santa Go Straight to the Ghetto” or Aretha Franklin’s “Merry Christmas Baby,” or discover new favorites, there’s something for everyone. So get ready to celebrate the holidays with some of the best soul music around.
