The Best Soul Music of the 1980s

Looking for some great soul music from the 1980s? Check out our list of the best soul tracks from that decade!

Introduction

Few musical genres can claim as wide and diverse a range of artists as soul music can. The genre is one that has given us some of the most legendary musical performers of all time, including Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Aretha Franklin.

The 1980s was a particularly fertile period for soul music, with a new wave of artists emerging who would go on to shape the sound and style of the genre for years to come. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best soul music of the 1980s, highlighting both well-known classics and lesser-known gems.

The Birth of Modern Soul

The birth of modern soul can be traced back to the early 1960s, when a new generation of black musicians began mixing the hard-edged sounds of R&B with the more polished styles of pop and jazz. This new hybrid sound came to be known as soul, and it quickly became one of the most popular genres in America.

In the 1970s, soul music continued to evolve, as artists like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Curtis Mayfield pushed the boundaries of the genre. By the end of the decade, however, soul was starting to lose its commercial appeal, as disco and other dance-oriented styles became more popular.

The 1980s saw a resurgence in soul music’s popularity, as artists like Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie helped bring the genre back to the top of the charts. At the same time, a new generation of singers, including Whitney Houston and Terence Trent D’Arby, were taking soul in new directions with their sophisticated blend of R&B, pop, and dance music.

Here are some of the best soul songs of the 1980s:

– “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by McFadden & Whitehead
– “Always” by Atlantic Starr
– “Can’t Hide Love” by Creative Source
– “Don’t Look Any Further” by Dennis Edwards feat. Siedah Garrett
– “Easy” by Commodores
– “For Your Love” by Teddy Pendergrass
– “Here I Am (Come and Take Me)” by Al Green
– “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” by Hall & Oates
– “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston
– “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” by Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes
– “Just Once” by James Ingram feat. Quincy Jones -Kiss on My List” by Hall & Oates -“Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye -“Love TKO” by Teddy Pendergrass -“Never Too Much” by Luther Vandross -One in a Million You

The Golden Age of Soul

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a new style of soul music emerged that was characterized by a heavier sound and a more pronounced funk influence. This new sound, which came to be known as “Golden Age Soul,” was epitomized by artists like James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, and Parliament-Funkadelic.

While Golden Age Soul was certainly influenced by the earlier sounds of Motown and Stax/Volt, it was also heavily influenced by the rise of disco music in the 1970s. In fact, many of the biggest hits of the Golden Age of Soul were actually disco songs that featured soul singers (such as Thelma Houston’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way” and Gloria Gaynor’s “Never Can Say Goodbye”).

The Golden Age of Soul came to an end in the mid-1980s, as tastes began to change and artists like Prince and Michael Jackson brought a new pop sensibility to soul music. However, the influence of Golden Age Soul can still be heard in contemporary R&B and hip-hop music.

The Decline of Soul

During the 1980s, soul music began to decline in popularity. The rise of disco and dance music during the decade is often cited as a contributing factor to the decline of soul. At the same time, R&B and hip hop were beginning to gain in popularity, and many soul artists began to experiment with these genres. As a result, soul music became less popular with both audiences and critics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best soul music of the 1980s was a varied and eclectic mix of styles and genres that reflected the times. From early pioneers like James Brown and Aretha Franklin to more contemporary artists like Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston, soul music has always had a place in American culture. The 1980s was a particularly rich period for the genre, with many artists experimenting with new sounds and styles. While some may argue that the best soul music of the 1980s came from established artists like Luther Vandross or Marvin Gaye, there is no doubt that the decade produced some truly groundbreaking work from a new generation of performers.