The Best Soul Music of All Time

The best soul music of all time according to a group of music experts. This blog will explore the history and evolution of soul music.

Introduction

What is soul music? This guide will explore the history and development of soul music, as well as some of the best soul songs of all time.

Soul music is a genre that emerged in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. It combines elements of African-American gospel music, rhythm and blues, and sometimes jazz. Soul music became popular with white audiences as well, especially after the success of artists like James Brown and Aretha Franklin.

In the 1970s, soul music began to change with the addition of funk and disco elements. As a result, soul music splintered into different subgenres like funk, Philadelphia soul, Motown sound, and quiet storm. Despite these changes, soul music has remained popular to this day.

Some of the best soul songs of all time include “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Gladys Knight & The Pips, “Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye, “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King, and “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers. These are just a few examples – there are countless other great soul songs out there waiting to be discovered!

What is soul music?

Soul music is a genre of black American music that originated in the 1950s. It combines elements of rhythm and blues, gospel, and sometimes jazz. Its main characteristic is a call-and-response pattern between the singer and an instrument, often a guitar. Soul music became popular in the 1960s, reaching its height with artists such as James Brown, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, and Otis Redding.

The history of soul music

While the term “soul” has been used to describe a variety of different genres, it’s perhaps best known as a type of black popular music that arose out of the spiritual and gospel traditions of the American South in the 1950s and ’60s. This style was hugely influential in shaping the sound of subsequent rock and roll, R&B, and funk, with its pronounced emphasis on groove, tight song structures, call-and-response vocals, and sexually suggestive lyrics. With its roots in both blues and gospel music, soul became one of the most popular genres of the mid-20th century, with artists like James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett, and many others achieving both commercial and critical success. While soul’s popularity would eventually wane in the 1970s and ’80s as disco and hip-hop emerged as the dominant forces in black music, its legacy has been preserved in subsequent decades by a wide range of artists across multiple genres.

The best soul songs of all time

While the term “soul” can be hard to define, there are certain songs that just make you feel good. These are the best soul songs of all time. From classics like Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” to more modern hits like Beyonce’s “Formation,” these songs will get you moving and grooving.

“Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers

“Ain’t No Sunshine” is a song by Bill Withers from his 1971 album Just As I Am, produced by Booker T. Jones. The song was released as a single in September 1971, becoming a breakthrough hit for Withers, reaching number six on the U.S. R&B chart and number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1972. The song became Withers’ first and only top ten hit on the Hot 100, and won him a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1972.

“I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” by The Four Tops

The Four Tops were one of the most popular Motown groups of the 1960s, and “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” is one of their best-known and most beloved songs. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1965 and has been certified Gold by the RIAA. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.

“My Girl” by The Temptations

“My Girl” is a song recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label which became a number-one hit in 1964. The song was written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White. Robinson’s inspiration for writing this song came from his wife, Claudette Rogers Robinson.

The song is notable for being the first Motown song to feature a studio horn section. David Ruffin’s lead vocals are supported by Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks. Robinson initially intended to use another Temptations member, Ali-Ollie Woodson, as the lead singer, but eventually decided that Ruffin was more suited for the track.

The song features a distinctive bass line by James Jamerson and keyboard parts by Earl Van Dyke. The single version of “My Girl” was edited down from the original album version, which ran for over three minutes.

“I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” is one of the most iconic and well-loved soul songs of all time. The song was originally released in 1968 on Motown Records, and has been covered by many artists over the years. Gaye’s version of the song became a huge hit, reaching number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the R&B chart. The song has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and is considered one of the greatest songs of all time by many critics.

“Respect” by Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin’s version of “Respect” is one of the most famous and well-known soul songs of all time. The song was originally written and recorded by Otis Redding in 1965, but Franklin’s version, which was released in 1967, is the one that truly launched the song into the stratosphere. Franklin’s performance of “Respect” is a masterclass in soul music, with her powerful vocals conveying both strength and vulnerability. The song has since been covered by numerous artists, but Franklin’s version remains the definitive interpretation.

“A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke

This song was released in 1964, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. It quickly became an anthem for the movement, with its message of hope and change. Cooke was inspired to write the song after hearing Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” and witnessing the racism and injustice that was still prevalent in America. “A Change Is Gonna Come” is one of the most important and influential soul songs of all time.

Conclusion

The choice of the best soul music of all time is, of course, a highly subjective one. However, there are some artists and songs that are widely considered to be among the best in the genre.

Artists like Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder have all been cited as having made some of the best soul music of all time. Songs like “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye, and “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder are also often considered to be among the best soul songs of all time.

So if you’re looking for some of the best soul music out there, these are some good places to start.