Classic Soul Christmas Music to Get You in the Holiday Spirit
Contents
Looking for some classic soul Christmas music to get you in the holiday spirit? Look no further than our list of the best tracks to get you feeling festive!
Introduction
For many, Christmas music is an essential part of getting into the holiday spirit. While newer, pop-oriented Christmas songs are released each year, there’s something about classic soul Christmas songs that have a timeless quality and can help get even the biggest Scrooge into the holiday spirit.
Here are ten classic soul Christmas songs that are sure to get you feeling festive:
1. “Merry Christmas Baby” – Otis Redding
2. “White Christmas” – The Temptations
3. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” – James Brown
4. “Please Come Home for Christmas” – Charles Brown
5. “ Winter Wonderland” – Ray Charles
6. “ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – Jackie Wilson
7. “ I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” – The Jackson 5
8. “ Jingle Bells” – Sam Cooke
9. “ Silent Night” – Marvin Gaye
10. “ Auld Lang Syne” – Aretha Franklin
What is Classic Soul?
Classic Soul is a genre of American popular music that originated in the late 1950s and early 1960s.It combines elements of African-American gospel music, rhythm and blues, and sometimes jazz. Its primary originators were in the American South.
The term “classic soul” is used narrowly to describe Motown and some of the other commercial soul recordings that came out of the mid-1960s to early 1970s, including hits by Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett and Jimmy Ruffin, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Stevie Wonder and The Temptations. Other R&B labels of the time, such as Chess Records and Curtom Records , were also influential in the development of classic soul.
The Origins of Classic Soul
It’s hard to deny the fact that holiday music and soul music go together like eggnog and rum. The two genres have been merged together for years, with soulful renditions of traditional Christmas songs becoming a staple of holiday music. But where did this marriage of genres come from?
The origins of classic soul can be traced back to the mid-1950s, when a new style of music emerged from the African-American community in the United States. This style combined elements of gospel, R&B, and jazz, and was characterized by its soulful vocals and grooving rhythms. Many of the pioneers of this new genre were from the southern states, including Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and James Brown.
During the 1960s and 1970s, classic soul continued to evolve and grow in popularity. New artists such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Aretha Franklin pushed the boundaries of the genre, while still staying true to its roots. And while holiday music had always been popular among African Americans, it wasn’t until the classic soul era that these two genres truly came together.
Classic soul Christmas songs are some of the most beloved holiday tunes of all time. They combine the best elements of both genres to create a sound that is both festive and soulful. If you’re looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit this year, look no further than these classic soul Christmas songs.
The Rise of Classic Soul
Classic Soul is a music genre that combines elements of rhythm and blues, gospel, and sometimes jazz. It became popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Its roots can be traced back to the works of artists like Ray Charles, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Otis Redding.
In the 1960s, soul music was developed by artists who combined elements of gospel music, which was popular among African Americans in the early part of the 20th century, with rhythm and blues. The result was a new style of music that was both catchy and spiritual. With its strong beat and emotive lyrics, classic soul quickly became popular with both black and white audiences.
Artists like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Al Green, and Curtis Mayfield were some of the most successful performers of classic soul. They created hits that are now considered classics, such as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Let’s Get It On,” “Tired of Being Alone,” and “Superstition.”
While classic soul is often associated with love songs, it also encompassed a wide range of other topics, including social commentary (“What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye), political protest (“The Times They Are A-Changin'” by Curtis Mayfield), and religious faith (“Amazing Grace” by Aretha Franklin).
Classic soul remains popular to this day, thanks to its enduring ability to connect with listeners on an emotional level. If you’re looking for some holiday classics that will get you in the Christmas spirit, look no further than this list of essential soul songs.
Classic Soul Today
Most people think of Motown when they think of soul music, but there were other great soul labels in the 1960s and 1970s, including Stax, Philadelphia International, and Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom imprint. These labels released some of the most classic soul Christmas music ever recorded.
If you’re looking for something a little different this holiday season, why not give some of these classic soul Christmas songs a listen? You might just find yourself getting into the holiday spirit in a whole new way.
1. “Merry Christmas Baby” by Otis Redding
2. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” by The Jackson 5
3. “Soul Santa” by Clarence Carter
4. “Christmas in Watts” by The O’Jays
5. “Please Come Home for Christmas” by Charles Brown
6. “What God Has Done for Me” by Sam Cooke
7. “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth” by Stevie Wonder
8. “Nuttin’ for Christmas” by Barbara Mandrell
9.”Mistletoe and Me” by Al Green
10. “Coldest Day of My Life” by Wilson Pickett
Why Is Classic Soul So Popular at Christmas?
It’s been said that Christmas is a time for family, friends, and tradition. For many people, that tradition includes listening to classic soul Christmas music. Classic soul is a genre of music that emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It combine elements of gospel, R&B, and jazz to create a sound that is both unique and timeless.
Classic soul Christmas music is popular for a number of reasons. First, the genre itself is incredibly popular. Classic soul has been influential in the development of other genres like disco, funk, and hip hop. Second, classic soul Christmas music often features well-known and respected artists. Artists like Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, and Aretha Franklin are all considered to be classic soul legends.
Finally, classic soul Christmas music just has a way of getting people into the holiday spirit. The combination of the festive lyrics and the Motown sound is impossible to resist. If you’re looking for some classic soul Christmas tunes to get you into the holiday spirit, look no further than the following list:
“Merry Christmas Baby” by Otis Redding
“I Want To Come Home For Christmas” by Marvin Gaye
“Isn’t This a Lovely Day (To Be Caught in the Rain)” by Aretha Franklin
“Soulful Strut” by Young-Holt Unlimited
“Give Me Just A Little More Time” by Chairmen of the Board
The Best Classic Soul Christmas Songs
If you’re looking for some classic soul Christmas songs to get you in the holiday spirit, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best Christmas soul songs that are sure to get you dancing and singing along.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the best classic soul Christmas music around.
“Merry Christmas Baby” by Otis Redding
“Please Come Home For Christmas” by Charles Brown
“Soulful Christmas” by James Brown
“Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto” by James Brown
“Christmas In tha Hood” by Snoop Dogg
“Funky Funky Xmas” by New Birth Brass Band
“A Funky Soulful Noel” by Maceo Parker
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our list of classic soul Christmas music to get you in the holiday spirit. If you have any other suggestions, feel free to share them with us in the comment section below. From all of us here at Classic Soul Radio, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
