Funk Soul Music: The Best 80s Songs

A list of the best Funk Soul Music songs from the 1980s. This list includes some of the greatest hits from artists like Prince, Michael Jackson, and more.

Introduction

Funk soul music of the 80s was a blend of two genres that had arisen in the 1970s: funk and disco. Funk was a style of music that arose out of the African American community in the 1960s. It was characterized by a heavy bass line and rhythms that were meant to be danced to. Disco, on the other hand, was a style of dance music that had arisen in nightclubs in the 1970s. It was characterized by a strong beat and synthesized sounds.

The two genres blended together in the 80s to create a new sound that was both danceable and funky. The best funk soul songs of the 80s are a mix of both genres, with some added elements of pop and rock. Here are 10 of the best funk soul songs of the 80s:

1) “Ain’t Nobody” by Chaka Khan
2) “I Feel for You” by Prince
3) “Kiss” by Prince
4) “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
5) “Get Down on It” by Kool & The Gang
6) “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge
7) “Lady Marmalade” by Patti LaBelle
8) “Boogie Nights” by Heatwave
9) “Rock with You” by Michael Jackson
10) “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston

What is Funk Soul Music?

Funk soul is a subgenre of soul music that combines elements of funk and soul. Funk soul artists are often credited with helping to shape the sound and style of disco and other dance-oriented genres that emerged in the 1970s. The genre is also sometimes referred to as “funkadelic soul” or “psychedelic soul.”

Some of the most popular funk soul artists of the 1980s include Smokey Robinson, Prince, George Clinton, Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, Rick James, and Earth, Wind & Fire. These artists helped to define the sound of the decade with their distinct brand of funky, soulful music.

If you’re a fan of 80s funk soul music, then check out our list of the best 80s songs. This list includes classic hits like “Ain’t Nobody” by Chaka Khan, “Super Freak” by Rick James, and “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire.

The Best Funk Soul Songs of the 80s

There are so many great funk soul songs from the 80s. It’s hard to narrow it down to just a few, but these are some of the best. If you’re looking for a playlist of 80s funk soul songs, look no further. From Marvin Gaye to Michael Jackson, we’ve got you covered.

“Ain’t Nobody” by Chaka Khan

Ain’t Nobody is a 1983 single by R&B singer Chaka Khan. The song was written by Mark Stevens and Jamal Joseph, and produced by Arif Mardin. It was released onWarner Bros. Records as the second single from Khan’s eponymous album Chaka Khan. “Ain’t Nobody” became one of Khan’s most successful singles, reaching number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart in early 1984. The success of “Ain’t Nobody” helped propel the album to number one on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, making it Khan’s first album to top the chart.

“Super Freak” by Rick James

“Super Freak” is a 1981 single produced and performed by Rick James. The song, co-written by James and Alonzo Miller, was a number-one hit on both the United States’ Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Dance Club Play chart in 1981. Its chorus featured the famous line “She’s a very kinky girl / The kind you don’t take home to mother”.

In 2002, Rolling Stone ranked it number 456 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2003, VH1 ranked it at number 45 on its list of the 100 Greatest Songs of the 1980s. In 2004, it was ranked at number 22 on Pitchfork Media’s Top 200 Singles of the 1980s.

“Kiss” by Prince

“Kiss” is a song by American recording artist Prince, from his album Parade. The song was released as the album’s lead single in February 1986. “Kiss” reached number one on the Hot 100 chart for two weeks, becoming Prince’s second American number-one single after “When Doves Cry”. The song has been covered, remixed and re-released multiple times.

“Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson

Released in 1982 on Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album, “Billie Jean” is a prime example of ’80s funk soul. The song, which is about a woman who claims that Jackson is the father of her child, was inspired by a real life incident that happened to the singer. Despite its complicated subject matter, “Billie Jean” is an undeniable dance floor hit thanks to its catchy bassline and Jackson’s trademark vocal performance.

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston

Released in 1987, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” was an instant classic and one of the most popular songs of the 80s. The song spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won Whitney Houston a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The song’s positive message and infectious beat make it the perfect choice for any 80s funk soul playlist.

Conclusion

Funk music came into its own in the early 1970s, as artists such as James Brown and Parliament began to infuse R&B with a new sense of groove and sophistication. By the end of the decade, however, funk had become watered down and commercialized, leading many innovators to move on to other styles.

Nonetheless, funk remained popular throughout the 1980s, with artists such as Prince, Rick James, and George Clinton carrying the torch for the genre. Here are 10 of the best funk songs from that decade.