List of 1980s Soul Music

Love soul music from the 1980s? Check out this list of the best soul tracks from that decade!

Introduction

The 1980s are often thought of as the decade when soul music lost its way, as synthesizers and drum machines took over from organic instruments and meaningful lyrics were replaced by empty snatches of pop-culture. But while it’s true that the genre did experience some hard times during the ’80s, there were also plenty of highlights, both in terms of commercial success and artistic achievement. Here are 10 essential tracks that show how good soul music could still be in the 1980s.

What is 1980s Soul Music?

1980s Soul music is a genre of black popular music that arose in the late 1970s and gained mainstream popularity during the 1980s. It combines elements of rhythm and blues, pop, funk, and disco. Soul music became popular for dancing and listening in the United States, where record labels such as Motown, Atlantic, Stax, and Wade-Robertson were influential during the decade. The popularity of soul music declined sharply in the early 1990s, but it never went away completely, and enjoyed a mild resurgence in popularity beginning in the late 1990s.

While there was some crossover between 1980s soul music and other genres such as quiet storm and contemporary R&B, most 1980s soul songs were distinctly different from other R&B songs of the time period. They often had a stronger funk or disco influence, a more middle-of-the-road pop sound, or a smoother, more laid-back groove than other R&B styles. Additionally, many 1980s soul songs featured creative vocal arrangements with multiple harmony parts or rapid changes in melodic direction.

The Origins of 1980s Soul Music

The origins of 1980s soul music can be traced back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, when a new style of soul music emerged. This new style was a cross between rhythm and blues, pop and disco, and it quickly became popular with both black and white audiences. The most successful artists of this era include Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Aretha Franklin.

In the 1980s, soul music continued to evolve, with artists experimenting with different sounds and styles. Some of the most successful soul artists of the 1980s include Lionel Richie, Whitney Houston, Prince, Madonna, and Janet Jackson. The 1980s also saw the rise of new subgenres of soul music, such as quiet storm and neo-soul.

The Rise of 1980s Soul Music

In the early 1980s, dance music dominated the charts and disco was king, but that all changed with the rise of soul music. Soul artists like Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, andAretha Franklin were able to tap into something that disco couldn’t provide — a feeling of warmth and emotion. These artists brought soul music back to its roots, blending elements of gospel, R&B, and pop to create a sound that was both familiar and new.

The success of these artists paved the way for other soul artists to find success in the 1980s, including Michael Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston, and Tina Turner. As soul music became more popular, it began to influence other genres, including pop, rock, and hip-hop. By the end of the decade, soul music had cemented its place as one of the most popular genres in the world.

The Popularity of 1980s Soul Music

By the early 1980s, disco had begun to fade in popularity, and several highly popular music stars died. In an effort to stay relevant, soul music artists began to experiment with other genres, such as funk, pop, rock, and even electronic music. This decade also saw the rise of new subgenres of soul music, such as quiet storm and neosoul. Some of the most popular soul songs of the 1980s are listed below.

-Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now by McFadden & Whitehead
-Just Can’t Get Enough by Black Lace
-I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney Houston
-Anti Love Song by Betty Wright
– Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye
-igne Of A Lady by Lionel Richie
-Kiss by Prince
-Can’t Smile Without You by Barry Manilow

The Legacy of 1980s Soul Music

The 1980s was a groundbreaking decade for soul music. artists like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Prince soared to new heights of popularity, while others like Anita Baker, Luther Vandross, and Marvin Gaye released some of the greatest albums of their careers. The ’80s also saw the rise of newer stars like Janet Jackson, Teddy Pendergrass, and Sade.

Despite all the changes in the music industry, soul music remained as popular as ever in the 1980s. Here are just a few of the classic soul albums that were released during that decade:

-Michael Jackson, Thriller (1982)
-Whitney Houston, Whitney Houston (1985)
-Prince, Purple Rain (1984)
-Anita Baker, Rapture (1986)
-Luther Vandross, Never Too Much (1981)
-Marvin Gaye, Sexual Healing (1982)
-Janet Jackson, Control (1986)
-Teddy Pendergrass, Love Language (1984)
-Sade, Diamond Life (1984)