The Best Soul Music of 1983

Looking for a blast from the past? Check out our list of the best soul music from 1983. You’ll be sure to find something to get you grooving!

Introduction

As the eighties approached, disco’s mainstream popularity had begun to wane and the backlash against the music was in full swing. At the same time, a new style of dance music was emerging that would come to dominate the clubs and airwaves for the next decade. This new sound, which came to be known as “house music,” would have a profound influence on soul music in the years to come.

In 1983, a number of artists would release songs that would help to define this new sound. These songs would go on to become classics of the genre and would help to shape the sound of soul music for years to come. Here are some of the best soul songs of 1983.

What is soul music?

Soul music is a popular music genre that originated in the United States in the 1950s and early 1960s. It combines elements of African-American gospel music, rhythm and blues, and often 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 and the music of Africa.

There are many different types of soul music, but some of the most popular include Funk, R&B, Neo Soul, and Motown.

The history of soul music

The history of soul music is often traced back to the African-American community in the late 1950s and early 1960s, although its roots can be found in earlier genres such as gospel and rhythm and blues. Often referred to as “black gold” or “heart music,” soul became one of the most successful genres of the 20th century, with artists like Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, James Brown, and Smokey Robinson becoming some of the biggest names in music.

While its exact origins are somewhat contested, it’s generally agreed that soul music developed from a combination of gospel and rhythm and blues. The term “soul” was first coined in the early 1950s by producer Jerry Wexler, although it didn’t become widely used until the following decade when artists like Sam Cooke and Ray Charles began finding success with what was being called “soul music.” In the 1960s, Motown Records played a major role in popularizing soul music with a string of hits from artists like Diana Ross & The Supremes, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. by the end of the decade, James Brown had become known as the “Godfather of Soul” thanks to his dynamic live performances and string of hits that included “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” “I Got You (I Feel Good),” and “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud.”

While soul music enjoyed considerable mainstream success in the 1960s and 1970s, it began to lose some ground to disco in the late 1970s/early 1980s. However, there was a resurgence of interest in soul music in the early 1990s thanks largely to artists like Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, TLC who helped breathe new life into the genre.

The best soul music of 1983

The year 1983 was a great year for soul music. Many classic soul songs were released, including hits by Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, and Lionel Richie. Here are some of the best soul songs of 1983.

“Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s Thriller album was released in late 1982, but the title track, “Billie Jean”, became a huge hit in early 1983. The song spent seven weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won two Grammy Awards, for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and Record of the Year.

“Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye
“Sexual Healing” is a classic Marvin Gaye ballad that was released in 1982 but became a huge hit in early 1983. The song spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

“All Night Long (All Night)” by Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long (All Night)” was another huge soul hit of 1983. The song spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

Conclusion

When it comes to pure musicality, it is hard to beat the best soul music of 1983. This was a year when the genre was in full bloom, with a wide range of artists putting out excellent albums. From classic albums like Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” to more obscure releases like Bobby Womack’s “The Poet”, there was something for everyone in the world of soul music.

In terms of sheer quality, 1983 was probably the best year for soul music ever. If you are a fan of the genre, then you owe it to yourself to check out some of the great albums that were released during this golden year.