The Best Soul Music of the 60s

The Best Soul Music of the 60s is a blog dedicated to sharing the best soul music of the 1960s. FromAretha Franklin to Marvin Gaye, we’ll count down the best soul hits of the decade.

Introduction

The term “soul” came to prominence in the early 1960s, though its origins stretch back to the 1950s. Soul music combines elements of gospel, rhythm and blues, and sometimes jazz. It is a genre that often celebrates the African American experience, and its popularity crossed racial boundaries at a time when such barriers were very strong. The best soul music of the 1960s includes classic tracks from Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Otis Reading, and Marvin Gaye.

What is soul music?

Soul music is a genre of African American popular music that led to the development of funk and eventually the disco. It originated in the 1950s and 1960s with artists such as Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder.

The birth of soul music

The term “soul” developed from the Afro-American vernacular term “soul music”, which itself was derived from the tunneling work song “shout”, first recorded in the 1920s by Gees Golden Shoe String Band. Professional attention to soul music occurred in 1961 when Jerry Wexler of Atlantic Records used the term to describe a style of African-American popular music that was a synthesis of gospel and rhythm and blues (R&B). The British magazine NME is credited with coining the term “rhythm and blues” in its June 1952 issue.

The golden age of soul music

The 1960s was the golden age of soul music. It was a decade of change, both musically and socially. The music of the 60s was reflective of the times, with many artists using their songs to comment on the issues of the day.

Soul music originated in the African-American community, and was a blend of gospel, R&B, and jazz. The early soul sound was typified by artists like Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. As the decade progressed, soul music became more politically conscious, with artists like Marvin Gaye and James Brown using their platform to speak out on issues like race relations and Vietnam.

The 60s was also a decade of great change for America as a whole. The Civil Rights movement was in full swing, and there was a growing sense of social unrest. This is reflected in the music of the time, which often dealt with themes of love, loss, and struggle.

Whether you’re looking for upbeat anthems or heart-wrenching ballads, the best soul music of the 60s has something for everyone. Here are some of our favorites.

The best soul music of the 60s

The best soul music of the 60s was a genre that was created by African American artists and producers. This genre incorporated elements of rhythm and blues, gospel, and jazz. The best soul music of the 60s is often considered to be a product of the civil rights movement, as many of the songs were created in response to the struggles that African Americans were facing at the time.

The best soul music of the 60s is characterized by its use of motown beats, its focus on groove and rhythm, and its lyrics that often dealt with social and political issues. Some of the most famous artists who helped to create this genre include Sam Cooke, James Brown, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Jackie Wilson, and Marvin Gaye.

Conclusion

The 60s was a great decade for soul music. Many different artists released many different great soul songs. There are too many to list them all here, but some of the best include “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye, and “Respect” by Aretha Franklin.