The Best Soul Music of 1984

A look at the best soul music of 1984, including hits from Lionel Richie, Tina Turner, and Prince.

Introduction

The best soul music of 1984 includes a wide range of sounds, from quiet storm to modern soul to post-disco. This was a banner year for many artists, including Lionel Richie, who launched his massive crossover success with the release of hisCan’t Slow Downalbum. Other artists, like Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, andAretha Franklin, continued to enjoy strong sales and critical acclaim with their releases in 1984. And then there were new artists like Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston, who made huge debuts that would set the course for their future superstardom. No matter what your taste in soul music is, there’s something for everyone on this list of the best soul albums of 1984.

What is Soul Music?

Soul music is a genre of black American music that arose in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It combines elements of rhythm and blues, gospel, and often jazz. Its primary precursor was the neo-spiritual sound of early doo-wop vocal groups. While soul’s style originated in African American churches, it is often associated with the secularization of African American popular music in the 1960s. The term “soul” has been used to describe a wide variety of popular music from the 1960s onwards, including R&B, funk, Motown sound, Philly soul, Northern soul, disco, and sometimes even rock music.

The Best Soul Music of 1984

There are many different types of soul music, but the best soul music of 1984 was a mix of old and new. The year 1984 saw the release of numerous classic soul albums, as well as the debut of some new artists who would go on to have careers spanning decades. This was a great year for soul music, and here are some of the best soul albums of 1984.

Marvin Gaye – “Sexual Healing”

Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” is one of the best soul songs of 1984. The song was written by Gaye and Odell Brown, and was produced by Gaye and Brown. “Sexual Healing” was released as a single in October 1982, and peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1983. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

Prince – “When Doves Cry”

“When Doves Cry” is a song by American recording artist Prince, and is the lead single from his 1984 album, Purple Rain. It was his first American number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, topping the chart for five weeks.

The song was voted as the fourth greatest song of all time by readers of Rolling Stone magazine in its 1991 special issue “The 100 Top Songs of the 1980s”, and ranked number 52 on the magazine’s updated list in 2004.

Michael Jackson – “Thriller”

Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is the best soul music of 1984. It is a classic album that is still popular today. “Thriller” was the biggest selling album of all time and won eight Grammy Awards.

Conclusion

In 1984, the best soul music came from a variety of artists, including Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, and Tina Turner. These artists released some of the most iconic soul songs of all time, including “Sexual Healing,” “Hello,” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” While there were many other great soul songs released in 1984, these are considered to be the best of the best.