The Top Soul Music of All Time

Check out our list of the top soul music of all time. FromAretha Franklin to Stevie Wonder, these artists have truly defined the genre.

Introduction

It’s been nearly 50 years since the term “soul music” was coined, and in that time, the genre has undergone a number of changes. But at its core, soul music is still about feeling. It’s about heartache and happiness, birth and death, love and loss. It’s about the joy of living and the pain of existence. It’s about life.

In this list, we’ve gathered together what we consider to be the 100 greatest soul songs of all time. These are songs that have moved us, that have made us cry, made us laugh, made us dance. They are songs that have inspired us, comforted us, and stimulated our minds. They are songs that have helped to shape the course of history. They are songs that will live forever.

What is Soul Music?

Soul music is a genre that arose out of the African American experience. It is a blend of R&B, Gospel, and Blues. The term “soul” was first used in the 1950s to describe the music of black artists who blended these three genres. Over time, soul music has come to be associated with any music that is emotionally moving or expresses deep feeling.

Origins of Soul Music

The origins of soul music can be traced back to the early 1940s and 1950s, when rhythm and blues blended with gospel to create a new sound. The term “soul” was first used in the late 1950s to describe this new style of music, which combined elements of both gospel and rhythm and blues.

The early 1960s saw the rise of artists like Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Aretha Franklin, who helped to bring soul music to a wider audience. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, soul music evolved into a more politicized form known as “black power music.” This new wave of soul artists used their music to address issues like racism and inequality.

Today, soul music continues to be popular among listeners of all ages. Thanks to its ability to cross genres and cultures, soul music has influenced everything from rock to hip-hop.

The Motown Sound

The Motown sound was the style of soul music produced by Motown Records from 1959 to 1970. The Motown sound was a fusion of black gospel, pop, R&B, and blues. The music produced by Motown was characterized by a strong melody, catchy hooks, driving beats, and polished production values. The sound was devoid of the earthy rawness of other styles of soul music.

The Motown sound was created by a team of producers, songwriters, arrangers, and musicians who worked together to create a new style of soul music. The team included Berry Gordy Jr., Smokey Robinson, Norman Whitfield, Holland-Dozier-Holland, and the Funk Brothers.

The Motown sound helped to make soul music mainstream and gave birth to some of the greatest soul artists of all time including Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Temptations, and the Jackson 5.

The Stax Sound

The Stax sound is a style of soul music developed at Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee, by record label executives Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton. The Stax sound incorporated elements of gospel music, blues, and rhythm and blues to create a unique style of soul music that was different from the Motown sound coming out of Detroit, Michigan. The Stax sound was characterized by its earthy, gritty, and raw sound that was produced by the use of electric guitars and horns. The Stax sound was also known for its call-and-response style of singing that was popularized by artists such as Sam & Dave and Booker T. & the M.G.’s.

Philly Soul

Philadelphia soul, sometimes called Philly soul, the sound of Philadelphia International Records (PIR), or simply Philly, is a genre of popular music created by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell. It dominated popular music in general during the 1970s. It combines elements of African-American gospel music, doo-wop, disco, and rhythm and blues (R&B).

The genre was most popular between 1965 and 1976. At the time it was just one city’s reaction to what was happening in black America and the world at large. Philadelphia soul is sometimes used synonymously with American soul or black pop.

Funk

Funk is a music genre that originated in African-American communities in the mid-1960s. The term funk initially referred to a strong, pungent odor. Musically, funk is a style of R&B that was developed by artists like James Brown and Sly and the Family Stone. Funk songs are often characterized by their syncopated rhythms, groovy basslines, and call-and-response vocals.

Some of the most popular funk songs of all time include:

-“Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” by James Brown
-“Super Bad” by James Brown
-“I Got the Feelin'” by James Brown
-“Cold Sweat” by James Brown
-“Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)” by Parliament-Funkadelic
-“Flash Light” by Parliament-Funkadelic
-“One Nation Under a Groove” by Parliament-Funkadelic
-“Ain’t No Fun (If the Homies Can’t Have None)” by Snoop Dogg feat. Nate Dogg, Warren G, and Kurupt
-“Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” by Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg

Contemporary Soul

Contemporary Soul is a music genre that combines elements of rhythm and blues, pop, funk, andhip hop. Contemporary Soul first gained popularity in the 1970s with artists such as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. The genre has produced some of the best-selling music of all time and continues to be popular today with artists like Beyonce, Alicia Keys, and Usher.

Conclusion

Through years of research, listening to feedback from music lovers all over the world, and consulting with experts in the field, we have compiled what we believe to be the definitive list of the top soul songs of all time. We hope you enjoy it!