Soul Music 001: The Best of the Best

A look at some of the best soul music ever made. From Motown to Stax, there are plenty of great tunes to enjoy.

What is Soul Music?

Soul music is a genre of African American popular music that led to the creation of rhythm and blues and rock and roll. It developed in the United States in the late 1950s from African American church music called “gospel music”. Soul music combines elements of gospel music, rhythm and blues, and sometimes jazz.

The term “soul” has been used to describe black popular music in America since the late 1950s. The soul Era began after 1954, when The Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats recorded “Rocket 88”, widely regarded as the first rock and roll song. This was followed by hits such as Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me” (1957), Otis Redding’s “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” (1965), Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman” (1966), Aretha Franklin’s “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” (1967), Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour” (1965) and James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good)” (1965).

The Best of the Best

It’s time to get your groove on with the best of the best in soul music. This playlist has got it all, from classics to contemporary hits. So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to move.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye (/ɡeɪ/; born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.; April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Gaye helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player and later as a solo artist with a string of hits, including “Ain’t That Peculiar”, “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”, and duet recordings with Mary Wells, Kim Weston, Diana Ross and Tammi Terrell, later earning the titles “Prince of Motown” and “Prince of Soul”. During the 1970s, he recorded the albums What’s Going On and Let’s Get It On and became one of the first artists in Motown to break away from the reins of a production company. His later recordings influenced several generations of R&B artists.

Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father C. L. Franklin was minister. In 1960, at the age of 18, she embarked on a secular career, recording for Columbia Records but only achieving modest success. Following her signing to Atlantic Records in 1967, Franklin achieved commercial acclaim and success with songs such as “Respect”, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and “Think”. These hits and more helped her to gain the title The Queen of Soul by the end of the 1960s decade. During this time, Franklin had successful ventures into pop music with songs such as “Spanish Harlem” and “Rock Steady”.

In 1998, Franklin won the Grammy Legend Award. In 2005, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2009, Rolling Stone magazine ranked her number one on their list of the Greatest Singers of All Time and number nine on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time; In 2012 she was ranked number five on VH1’s 100 Greatest Women in Music list.

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is one of the most successful musical artists of all time. He has sold over 100 million records and has won 25 Grammy Awards. He is also one of the most influential musicians of his generation. His music has been sampled by some of the biggest names in hip hop, including Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Dr. Dre. Wonder is also known for his social activism, and he has been involved in various social and political causes throughout his career.

Whitney Houston

The late, great Whitney Houston is often hailed as one of the best soul singers of all time. Her voice was truly unique and her ability to connect with her fans was undeniable. She released seven studio albums during her lifetime, all of which were commercially successful. Her debut album, Whitney Houston, was released in 1985 and topped the charts in several countries. It remains one of the best-selling debut albums of all time.

Whitney Houston’s other studio albums include 1987’s Whitney, 1990’s I’m Your Baby Tonight, 1992’s The Bodyguard (soundtrack), 1998’s My Love Is Your Love, 2002’s Just Whitney, and 2009’s I Look to You. She also released a greatest hits album in 2000, entitled Whitney: The Greatest Hits.

Throughout her career, Whitney Houston won numerous awards, including five Grammy Awards and 22 American Music Awards. She is also one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 200 million records sold worldwide.

Sadly, Whitney Houston passed away in 2012 at the age of 48. She will always be remembered as one of the greatest soul singers of all time.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was one of the most successful and influential artists of all time. He was a pop icon who brought soul music to the mainstream. His trademark sound and dance moves inspired a generation of musicians. He was also a humanitarian who used his fame to support causes he believed in.

Why Soul Music is the Best

There are many different types of music out there but there is only one that can truly touch your soul. Soul music has a way of making you feel emotions that you never knew you had. It can make you happy, sad, angry, and everything in between.

The Catchy Beats

Soul music is a genre that typically combines elements of R&B and funk. The music is known for its catchy beats and its ability to make listeners feel the emotions of the artists. The lyrics of soul songs often deal with personal struggles and heartbreak, which allows listeners to connect with the artists on a personal level. Additionally, the use of horns and keyboards in soul music gives the genre a unique sound that can be distinguishable from other genres.

The Meaningful Lyrics

The lyrics of soul songs are often about the struggles and trials of everyday life, but they also contain messages of hope and resilience. The best soul songs speak to the human condition and offer glimpses of light in the darkness. They lift our spirits and make us believe that anything is possible.

When we listen to soul music, we can’t help but feel the emotions of the singer. The music is moving and powerful, and it touches something deep within us. We connect with the lyrics because we’ve experienced similar things in our own lives. We know what it’s like to struggle, to fight for what we want, and to never give up on our dreams.

Soul music gives voice to our emotions and allows us to express what we might be afraid to say out loud. It’s a genre that is honest and real, and it’s not afraid to confront the darkness head-on. It’s music that makes us feel alive, makes us believe in ourselves, and reminds us of our power to overcome any obstacle.

The Emotional Connection

When you listen to soul music, you can feel the emotion in the artist’s voice. They sing from the heart and soul, and you can feel their passion in every note. This genre of music is all about connecting with the listener on an emotional level, and that’s why it is so powerful.

Soul music is also about telling a story. The best soul songs are the ones that make you feel like you’re living the experience along with the artist. You can feel their pain, their joy, their anger, and their love. This genre of music has the ability to transport you to another time and place, and that’s why it is so special.