Old School Soul Music on YouTube
Contents
You can find a lot of great old school soul music on YouTube. I’ve put together a playlist of some of my favorites for you to enjoy.
Introduction
Old school soul music is a genre of music that arose out of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s. It is characterized by its use of gospel-style vocals, electric guitars, and a heavy rhythm section. influenced by both African American and white musical traditions. Old school soul artists include Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder.
Despite its name, old school soul is not simply a rehashing of older styles; rather, it is a unique genre that blends elements of both black and white musical traditions. This fusion made it hugely popular with both African American and white audiences in the 1960s and 70s. Old school soul remains popular to this day, with many modern artists drawing inspiration from its sound.
If you’re a fan of old school soul music, you can find many great videos on YouTube. This guide will introduce you to some of the best old school soul songs on YouTube, as well as provide some tips on how to find more.
The Birth of Soul Music
It is safe to say that without youtube, the classic sound of old school soul music would be lost to the younger generations. This type of music was the voice of a generation, and without it, the world would be a much different place. Soul music is a genre that is truly timeless, and it is one that should be shared with everyone.
Gospel music
Gospel music is a genre of Christian music. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace. Gospel music usually has dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) with Christian lyrics. Gospel music can be traced to the early 17th century, with roots in the black oral tradition. Hymns and sacred songs were often repeated in a call and response fashion. Most of the churches relied on hand clapping and foot stomping as rhythmic accompaniment. Cheering also became a popular component of early gospel music. Other instruments frequently used in gospel music include drums, electric guitar, organ, and piano.
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated as R&B, is a genre of popular music that originated in African American communities in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when “urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a heavy, insistent pulse” was becoming more popular. In the commercial rhythm and blues music typical of the 1950s through the 1970s, the bands usually consisted of piano, one or two guitars, bass, drums, one or more saxophones, and sometimes background vocalists. R&B lyrical themes often encapsulate the African-American experience of pain and triumph, focusing on topics such as love affairs, addiction, jealousy, rebellion against “The Man”, etc.
The term “rhythm and blues” has undergone a number of shifts in meaning over the years. In the early 1950s it was frequently used as a synonym for jump blues. As part of the black social liberalization process of the late 1960s and 1970s known as the New Right movement or Second Reconstruction (“Black Power”), some self-proclaimed black power organizations such as Huey Newton’s Black Panther Party (BPP) defined rhythm and blues as “black people’s music”. In October 1977, NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers) changed its designation of “rhythm and blues” to “black music”.
In general usage today however, rhythm and blues refers to classic soul music recorded by artists from roughly 1967 onwards who were influenced by Motown sounds but sought to create their own raucous brand of soul. This second phase can be identified with stars such as James Brown (“Funky Good Time”, “Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine”), Wilson Pickett (“Mustang Sally”, “In The Midnight Hour”), Otis Redding (“(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay”, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”), Sam & Dave (“Soul Man”), Al Green (“Love And Happiness”) and Ike & Tina Turner (“Proud Mary”). Although most old-school soul has been overshadowed by Motown’s sleek sounds in recent years (outside specialist circles at least), it still exerts an undeniable influence on contemporary R&B performers today
The Evolution of Soul Music
Soul music is a genre of African American music that originated in the 1950s. The term “soul” refers to the African American culture and experience. Soul music is a blend of rhythm and blues, gospel, and jazz. It was created by African American musicians who were influenced by the music of their African heritage, as well as the music of their American contemporaries.
Funk
Funk is aportmanteau of the words “functional” and “fragment” coined by James Brown to describe his own music. Funk is characterized by complex rhythms, often horn – and guitar – driven riffs, and call-and-response vocals. It was developed in the late 1960s as a way to combine elements of jazz, R&B, and soul.
Funk entered the mainstream in the 1970s with bands like Parliament-Funkadelic and Bootsy’s Rubber Band. Parliament’s hit single “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)” won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1976.
Bootsy’s Rubber Band had hits with “Bootzilla” and “The Pinocchio Theory,” both of which entered the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Funk also influenced disco music, which was popular in the 1970s. The sound of funk can be heard in contemporary R&B and hip hop music.
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music containing elements of funk, soul, pop and Latin rhythms that was most popular in the 1970s. It began as a underground phenomenon in African American and Latino communities in New York and Philadelphia before crossing over into the mainstream in the mid-1970s.
The sound of disco was typified by thumping basslines, driving rhythms and catchy hooks, often embellished with string and horn sections. The popular style of disco dancing was characterized by intricate footwork, energetic movement and flashy clothes.
Disco became one of the biggest cultural phenomenon of the 1970s, with hit songs, influential fashion and iconic films like Saturday Night Fever (1977) helping to define the decade. However, by the early 1980s, disco had fallen out of favour with many music fans and was replaced by newer genres like new wave, post-disco and hip hop.
The Revival of Soul Music
The revival of soul music has been led by YouTubers who have introduced a new generation to the genre. These YouTubers have found an audience for soul music that is passionate and growing. They have brought the genre back to the forefront of popular culture.
Neo soul
Neo-soul is a genre of popular music. The term was coined by music industry entrepreneur Kedar Massenburg during the late 1990s to market and describe a style of music that emerged from soul and contemporary R&B. Neo-soul artists are strongly influenced by classic soul artists of the 1960s and 1970s such as James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Curtis Mayfield; as well as more modern R&B performers such as Prince and Michael Jackson.
The sound of neo-soul combines elements of classic soul music with modern R&B. Neo-soul artists are often distinguished by their use of vintage electric pianos and other keyboard instruments, live bands, and an emphasis on organically derived grooves and melodies. This contrasts with the heavily synthesized production styles typical of much contemporary R&B.
Conclusion
After decades of watching old-school soul music videos on YouTube, it’s safe to say that this genre is as popular as ever. With fans of all ages, from all over the world, it’s no wonder that these classic tunes continue to reign supreme.
And, with so many great artists to choose from, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So, whether you’re a fan of Marvin Gaye or Aretha Franklin, make sure to check out some old-school soul music on YouTube today.
