The Best Soul Music of 1963
Looking for some great soul music from 1963? Look no further than our list of the best soul tracks from that year!
The Birth of Soul
In the early 1960s, a new style of music emerged from the American South that combined elements of rhythm and blues, gospel, and country. This new sound, which came to be known as “soul,” would have a profound impact on popular music and would come to be defined by artists such as Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Marvin Gaye.
The birth of soul can be traced back to the late 1950s and early 1960s, when a number of factors came together to create the perfect conditions for this new musical style to emerge. The first was the increasing popularity of rhythm and blues among white teenagers in the South. At the same time, there was a growing market for black music within the African-American community. In response to this demand, record labels began signing more black artists and releasing more R&B records.
Another important factor was the increasing availability of new recording technologies, which made it possible for small independent labels to produce and release records by local artists. This allowed for a greater diversity of sounds and styles within the R&B genre, which in turn helped to foster the development of soul music.
The final piece of the puzzle was the rise of radio stations that played R&B music exclusively. These “black radio” stations provided a platform for soul artists to reach a wider audience and helped to spread the new sound across the country.
By 1963, soul music had become one of the most popular genres in America. That year saw the release of landmark albums such as Otis Redding’s “Pain in My Heart” James Brown’s “Live at the Apollo” and Marvin Gaye’s “That Stubborn Kinda Fellow” which helped cement soul’s place in American pop culture.
The Rise of Motown
In 1963, Berry Gordy moved his operations from Detroit to Hitsville U.S.A., a former photographic studio on West Grand Boulevard. The new home of Motown Records would come to be known as Hitsville, and the building would eventually house the Motown Museum.
In May 1963, Gordy signed Smokey Robinson & the Miracles to Motown’s Tamla label. The following month, Marvin Gaye’s debut album, “The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye”, was released on the Tamla label.
The year 1963 also saw the release of several hit singles, including Robinson’s “The Tracks of My Tears” and Gaye’s “Can I Get a Witness”. The success of these and other Motown singles led to the rise of the Motown sound, which would come to dominate popular music in the 1960s.
The Soul Sound of Memphis
Memphis soul, sometimes called Deep soul, is a type of southern soul music that originated in Memphis, Tennessee, in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The style combined rhythm and blues with gospel music, and featured a distinctive bass line, electric guitar licks, and horn section accompaniment. Memphis soul is typically characterized by smooth vocals and a focus on the song rather than the performer.
The best-known proponent of Memphis soul is Otis Redding, whose hit song “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” epitomized the style. Other important artists associated with Memphis soul include Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the MGs, Sam & Dave, and The Staple Singers.
The Legacy of Soul Music
In the early 1960s, a new type of music was born out of the ashes of the blues and rock n’ roll. This new genre was called soul music, and it quickly became one of the most popular and influential genres of its time. Soul music is often characterized by its passionate vocals, funky beats, and sentimental lyrics.
The legacy of soul music is still alive and well today, as many modern artists continue to be inspired by its sounds and messages. If you’re a fan of soul music, then be sure to check out some of the best tracks from 1963 below. You might just find your new favorite song!
