70s and 80s Soul Music: The Sound of a Generation

If you’re a fan of 70s and 80s soul music, then you know that the sound of this generation is truly unique. From the Motown sound to the Philly sound, there’s a lot to love about this era of music.

Introduction

When you think of soul music, what comes to mind? For many, the sound of soul music conjures up images of Afros, disco balls, and platform shoes. But while the trappings of soul music may be flashy and fun, the heart of soul music is anything but superficial.

At its core, soul music is the expression of deep emotions, from love and longing to joy and sorrow. It is music that celebrates both the highs and lows of life, and does so with both passion and precision. While the genre has undergone many changes over the years, its essential ingredients remain the same: a groove that moves you, lyrics that speak to you, and a feeling that won’t let you go.

If you’re new to soul music, or if you’re looking to revisit the genre after a long time away, this guide will introduce you to some of the essential recordings of the 1970s and 1980s. These are the years when soul music reached its commercial peak, thanks in part to dazzling performers like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Lionel Richie, Whitney Houston, and Prince. But while these artists may be among the best-known names in soul music, they are by no means the only ones worth your attention. In fact, some of the most interesting and innovative soul recordings came from artists who were working outside of the mainstream.

So whether you’re a seasoned fan or a curious newcomer, dive in and explore the sounds of a generation.

The Sound of Soul

The sound of soul music from the 70s and 80s is still prevalent today. The sound of the music has influenced other genres, and the sound of the music is still popular today. Soul music from the 70s and 80s was a sound that was created by a generation of people who were influenced by the Civil Rights Movement. The music was a way for people to express themselves and their culture.

The Birth of Soul

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, a new type of music was born in the United States. Called soul, this music combined elements of rhythm and blues, gospel, and pop to create a sound that was both immediate and deeply emotional. For many African Americans, soul music became the soundtrack of the civil rights movement, offering a message of hope and pride in the face of discrimination and violence. For young people of all backgrounds, soul music was a powerful expression of identity and belonging.

The first soul hit was “Please Mr. Postman” by The Marvelettes, a girl group from Detroit. Released in 1961, the song topped the Billboard pop chart, becoming the first Motown record to reach number one. It was followed by a string of hits by other Motown artists like Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.

In the 1970s, soul music evolved into a more polished sound known as “Philadelphia soul.” Led by producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Philadelphia soul emphasized lush orchestration and sophisticated arrangements. Artists like The O’Jays and Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes had huge hits with this new sound.

By the 1980s, soul music had once again evolved, this time into a style known as “quiet storm.” Quiet storm songs were slower and more introspective than other types of soul music, often focusing on relationships and love. Artists like Luther Vandross and Anita Baker had major success with this new sound.

The Sound of Motown

The 1970s and 1980s were a time of great change in the music industry, and soul music was no exception. Motown, the label that dominated the sound of black popular music in the 1960s, began to lose its hold on the charts in the early 1970s. As rock and roll became more popular with white audiences, Motown shifted its focus to producing records for a more mainstream audience. This shift away from its “black roots” is often cited as one of the reasons for Motown’s decline in popularity with African American listeners.

While many Motown artists continued to enjoy success in the 1970s and 1980s, there was a new crop of soul artists who came to prominence during this time. With their mix of R&B, funk, and disco, these artists created a sound that was distinctly different from anything that had come before. Artists like Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang, and Michael Jackson helped to define the sound of soul music in the 1970s and 1980s.

The sound of Motown may have changed over time, but its impact on popular music is undeniable. The label’s founder Berry Gordy Jr. helped to create some of the most timeless songs in American history. “My Girl,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” are just a few of the classics that Gordy wrote or co-wrote during his time at Motown. These songs have been covered by hundreds of artists over the years and continue to be some of the most popular tunes on radio today. Even though Motown’s heyday may be behind us, its influence on music is still very much alive.

The Sound of Philly Soul

The Philly Soul sound was characterized by rich, layered productions featuring sweeping strings, thumping basslines, and prominent horns. The genre began to coalesce in the late 1960s and early 1970s around the work of producers such as Gamble and Huff, Thom Bell, and Leon Huff. The sound of Philly Soul helped to define the aesthetics of 1970s R&B and soul music.

Artists such as The O’Jays, Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes, and The Stylistics defined the sound of Philly Soul with their string-laden ballads and uptempo tracks. Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International Records was the most successful label associated with the sound, scoring numerous hits with artists like Teddy Pendergrass, Billy Paul, and The Spinners.

The Philly Soul sound remains influential to this day, appearing in the work of contemporary artists like Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, and many others.

The Legacy of Soul

Soul music has its roots in the African-American experience, and its sound is a reflection of the struggles, the joys, and the pain of that experience. Soul music is the sound of a generation that was coming of age in the midst of Civil Rights-era America, and it is a sound that still resonates today.

The Influence of Soul

The term “soul” was first coined in the late 1950s by record executive Jerry Wexler, when he was trying to define a new genre of music that combined the raw energy of gospel with the simplicity of R&B. The sound of soul music is often syncopated, with a strong backbeat; it is also characterized by call-and-response vocals, extended instrumental solos, and a wide variety of other musical elements.

The legacy of soul music is evident in many subsequent genres, including disco, funk, hip hop, and contemporary R&B. The sound of soul also had a significant impact on rock music, particularly in the 1970s. Artists like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, and Rod Stewart were all influenced by soul music, and incorporated elements of the genre into their own work.

Today, the sound of soul remains as popular as ever. Numerous artists have achieved success by incorporating soul into their own unique musical styles. The influence of soul can be heard in the work of artists like Adele, Bruno Mars, Amy Winehouse, and many others.

The Impact of Soul

In its simplest form, soul music combines elements of rhythm and blues with gospel music, resulting in a sound that is characteristically African American. Of all the genres that have shaped popular music over the last century, soul may be the most truly representative of African American culture.

Simmering in southern juke joints and churches during the 1950s, soul reached its boiling point in the early 1960s with the advent of Motown Records in Detroit. The so-called “Motown Sound” quickly dominated radio playlists and inspired a new generation of African American artists.

The impact of soul continued to be felt throughout the 1970s and 1980s as artists like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston pushed the genre in new and exciting directions. By fusing soul with other genres like funk, disco, and rock ‘n’ roll, these artists created a sound that was uniquely their own.

Though it has undergone many changes since its inception, soul music remains one of the most popular genres today. Its influence can be heard in the work of contemporary artists like Mary J. Blige, Usher, Alicia Keys, and John Legend.