The Best of Funk and Soul from the 70s
The best of funk and soul from the 70s. This blog is dedicated to sharing the best music from this incredible decade.
Introduction
Are you a fan of Funk and Soul music from the 1970s? If so, this article is for you! We will take a look at some of the best Funk and Soul tracks from that decade, and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Funk and Soul are two genres of music that are often thought of as being similar. Both genres are based on African-American music traditions, and both genres often feature heavy basslines and drums. However, there are some important differences between the two genres.
Funk is a genre of music that developed in the mid-1960s. It is characterized by a heavy groove, or “funk beat”, which is often played on electric bass. Funk songs often have simple, catchy melodies, and they usually feature horns or other brass instruments.
Soul is a genre of music that developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It is characterized by emotional vocals, sometimes accompanied by strings or horns. Soul songs often deal with themes of love, heartbreak, and struggle.
The 1970s was a decade that saw the rise of both Funk and Soul music. Many famous artists made their debut in this decade, including James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder. These artists would go on to have careers that spanned multiple decades, but their best work was undoubtedly done in the 1970s.
So without further ado, here are some of the best Funk and Soul tracks from the 1970s:
“Cold Sweat” by James Brown (1968)
“Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)” by Parliament-Funkadelic (1976)
“I Want You” by Marvin Gaye (1976)
“Respect” by Aretha Franklin (1967)
“Superstition” by Stevie Wonder (1972)
The Best Funk Songs of the 1970s
The 1970s was a decade of great music, and funk was one of the most popular genres. There were so many great funk songs that it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few, but here are some of the best.
“Super Freak” by Rick James
James’ biggest hit, and one of the defining tracks of the early ’80s, “Super Freak” was also one of his funkiest. The slinky bassline and chanted refrain are irresistible, and the whole thing is held together by James’ sleazy charisma.
“Flash Light” by Parliament
“Flash Light” is a song by the funk band Parliament. It was released in 1977 on the album Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome. The song was written by bandleader George Clinton, bassist Bootsy Collins, and keyboardist Bernie Worrell.
The song features a signature bassline by Collins, which has been sampled many times since its release. The song also popularized the use of the talk box, an effects unit used to produce a robotic-sounding voice.
“Flash Light” was a huge commercial success, reaching #1 on the Billboard R&B chart and #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has been included on many Parliament greatest hits compilations, including Tear the Roof Off: The Best of Parliament (1993) and Greatest Hits (2005).
“Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” by James Brown
“Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” is a song recorded by James Brown with Bobby Byrd on backing vocals. Released in August 1970, it reached No. 1 on the R&B singles chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was written by James Brown and Danny Ray with help from Ron Lenhoff. It features Brown’s famous ad-lib “Good God!” which became one of his signature phrases.
The song is credited with helping to establish the funk genre and is often cited as one of James Brown’s greatest recordings. In 2004, it was ranked number 324 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2006, the BBC included it in their poll of the 100 Greatest Songs of All Time.
“Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)” by Parliament
Parliament’s “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)” was released in 1976 as part of the group’s fifth album, Mothership Connection. The song was co-written by Parliament frontman George Clinton and bassist Bootsy Collins, and it quickly became one of the band’s most iconic tracks. The song is a funky anthem that encourages listeners to let go of their inhibitions and dance. It features a simple yet catchy bassline, horns, and synthesizers, giving it a classic funk sound. The lyrics are positive and uplifting, making it an ideal song to dance to.
“I Got the Feelin'” by James Brown
There are a lot of great funk songs from the 1970s, but one that always gets people moving is “I Got the Feelin'” by James Brown. This song has a great groove that is impossible to resist, and it’s one of those rare funk songs that is also suitable for dancing. If you’re looking for a fun song to get everyone moving, this is the one.
The Best Soul Songs of the 1970s
The 1970s was a decade of great soul music. Many iconic soul artists released their best work in the 1970s, including Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and Stevie Wonder. The best soul songs of the 1970s are a reflection of the great talent and diversity of the genre.
“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 and Stephen Stills on guitar. Jackson and Dunn were also notable members of the band Booker T. & the MGs. When released as a single, “Ain’t No Sunshine” reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number six on the Hot Soul Singles chart.
“Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” is one of the most well-known and popular soul songs of the 1970s. The song was released in 1973 on Gaye’s album of the same name, and quickly rose to the top of the charts. The song is famous for its sensual lyrics and its catchy groove, which has made it a staple of both disco and soul music. “Let’s Get It On” was a massive hit, spending two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of Gaye’s signature songs.
“What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye
When Motown released “What’s Going On” as a single in 1971, it marked a departure for the label. The song, written by Motown singer-songwriter Renaldo “Obie” Benson, was a plea for peace that addressed the Vietnam War, poverty, and police brutality. It was also a departure for Marvin Gaye, who had made his name as a lover man crooner. With its jazz-influenced arrangement and Gaye’s impassioned vocals, “What’s Going On” became an instant classic and one of the defining soul songs of the 1970s.
“I’ll Take You There” by The Staple Singers
“I’ll Take You There” is a song written by Alvertis Isbell and produced by Isaac Hayes for the Staple Singers. Released as a single on Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom label in 1972, it topped both the pop and R&B charts, becoming one of the group’s signature tunes. It was the first chart-topping hit for the Staple Singers and the best-known of their career.
“Respect Yourself” by The Staple Singers
From The Staple Singers’ 1972 album Be Altitude: Respect Yourself, “Respect Yourself” hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group. The song was written by Luther Ingram and Mack Rice, both of whom had previously worked with the Staple Singers on their breakthrough hit “I’ll Take You There.”
“Respect Yourself” is a gospel-soul anthem with a message that still resonates today. The lyrics preach self-reliance and pride, encouraging listeners to have respect for themselves and others. The song was adopted as an unofficial anthem by the civil rights movement, and it has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, and U2.
