The Best 80s Disco, Funk, and Soul Songs
If you’re looking for a playlist of the best 80s disco, funk, and soul songs, look no further! This blog has got you covered.
Introduction
The 1980s was a great decade for music. We saw the rise of disco, funk, and soul. These genres of music were popularized by some of the greatest musicians of all time. In this article, we will countdown the best 80s disco, funk, and soul songs.
The Best 80s Disco Songs
The best disco songs from the 1980s. This list includes some of the most popular disco, funk, and soul songs from that decade.
“Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life” by Indeep
“Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life” is a song by American disco artist Indeep. The song was released in 1982 as a single and was later included on Indeep’s debut album, Kokomo (1984).
The song is notable for its use of a vocoder during the bridge, which gives the impression that the singer is being accompanied by a robotic voice. The song’s lyrics are about the power of music to lift one’s mood and make one forget about their troubles.
The song was a moderate success upon its release, peaking at number 46 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 11 on the UK Singles Chart. In recent years, the song has been used in a number of commercials and movies, including The Hangover (2009), Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), and Kids (1995).
“Funkytown” by Lipps Inc.
“Funkytown” is a song by American disco act Lipps Inc. from their 1980 album Mouth to Mouth. The song was written by Steven Greenberg and produced by Greenberg and Jimmy Ellis. It was released as the lead single from the album in 1980 and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and in Canada. The song also peaked at number two in the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” is one of the most popular disco songs of all time, and with good reason. The song’s message of hope and resilience in the face of heartbreak is timeless, and Gaynor’s vocals are nothing short of incredible. The song became an instant classic upon its release in 1978, and has since been covered by myriad artists.
The Best 80s Funk Songs
There are so many great disco, funk, and soul songs from the 80s that it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few. However, we’ve managed to do just that. In this heading, you’ll find a list of the best 80s funk songs. So, if you’re ready to take a trip down memory lane, then let’s get started.
“U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer
Released in 1990, MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This” is a funk song that became an international hit. The song’s catchy hook and timeless message helped it become one of the most iconic songs of the 80s.
“Super Freak” by Rick James
“Super Freak” is a 1981 single performed by Rick James. The song was written by Rick James and produced by Rick James. It was released on August 7, 1981, as the lead single from his album Street Songs. The song became his signature hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three weeks from October 31 – November 21, 1981. The song has been covered by a number of artists, including MC Hammer, who took it to number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1991.
“Kiss” by Prince
From his 1984 album “Purple Rain”, this song was Prince’s biggest hit, spending two weeks at the top of the Billboard chart. The synthesized bass line, combined with Prince’s falsetto vocals, made this one of the most distinctive songs of the ’80s.
The Best 80s Soul Songs
The 1980s was a great decade for soul music. Some of the best soul songs came out of this era. If you’re looking for some good soul songs to add to your collection, look no further. Here are the best 80s soul songs.
“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 record featured musicians Donald “Duck” Dunn on bass guitar, Al Jackson, Jr. on drums, Stephen Stills on guitar, and Keni Burke on R&B vocals. Released as a single in 1971, it peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number three on the Soul Singles chart.
In addition to appearing on the Cash Box magazine charts and Radio & Records airplay charts in the United States, “Ain’t No Sunshine” also experienced success overseas. In Canada, the single peaked at number five on RPM’s national singles chart (now known as the Canada Top Singles Chart) andnumber 17 in Australia.
Since its initial release, “Ain’t No Sunshine” has been covered by numerous artists including Michael Jackson, Donny Hathaway, Lighthouse Family, Marvin Gaye, Andrew Gold, Sunnyboys , reggae singer Gregory Isaacs,,and rock band Weezer.”Ain’t No Sunshine” has also been sampled in songs by several hip hop and contemporary R&B artists including Dr. Dre, Jeremih , DJ Quik , The Notorious B.I.G., and Mary J. Blige .
“I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye
One of the best soul songs of the 1980s, and indeed of all time, is Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.” The song was originally released in 1967, but it wasn’t until its release as a single in 1968 that it became a massive hit, reaching number one on both the pop and R&B charts. “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” is a classic example of Gaye’s signature sound, which combines elements of gospel, funk, and Motown-styled R&B. The song’s lyrics are based on a rumor that Gaye had heard about his then-wife Anna Gordy cheating on him with another man. Despite its dark subject matter, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” is an upbeat and catchy tune that is impossible to resist dancing to.
“Respect” by Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” is a song that was released in 1967. The song was originally written and recorded by Otis Redding in 1965, but Aretha’s version quickly became the more popular version. “Respect” became a huge hit, reaching number one on both the pop and R&B charts. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, but Aretha’s version is still considered to be the definitive version.
