The Best Soul Music Singers of All Time

Check out our list of the best soul music singers of all time, including Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye was an American singer, songwriter andrecord producer. He 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”. He recorded the standards “Mister Sandman” and “Stormy Monday”.
As he delved deeper into what he dubbed “personalized messaging”, he wrote songs such as “What’s Going On” and “Let’s Get It On”. Gaye’s later recordings influenced several subsequent generations of R&B artists.

Al Green

Al Green is a legendary figure in soul music, and has been referred to as “The Last of the Great Soul Singers”. He was born in Forrest City, Arkansas, in 1946, and began his musical career singing gospel music in his local church. In the early 1960s, he started performing rhythm and blues music, and by the end of the decade he had become one of the most popular soul singers in the world. Green’s signature style combines elements of gospel, soul, and pop music, and his falsetto voice is one of the most distinctive in all of popular music.Green has released more than 20 studio albums over the course of his career, and has had more than 30 hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, and has been awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the Grammy Legend Award.

Otis Redding

One of the most influential soul singers of all time, Otis Redding was known for his powerful vocal performance and his ability to connect with his audiences. His most famous song, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”, was released shortly after his death in a plane crash and became one of the biggest hits of 1968. Other popular songs include “Respect”, “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)”, and “Try a Little Tenderness”.

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is a legendary soul singer, keyboardist, and producer who has influenced countless artists and helped to shape the sound of popular music. Born in Michigan in 1950, Wonder began his musical career as a child prodigy, releasing his first album at the age of 11. He went on to have a hugely successful career, creating dozens of timeless hits including “Superstition,” “I Wish,” and “Isn’t She Lovely.” Wonder is one of the best-selling artists of all time, and he has won 25 Grammy Awards.

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”, “A Natural Woman” and “Think”. These hits and more helped her to gain the title The Queen of Soul by 1968. Her records sales have made her one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with estimates of over 75 million records sold worldwide.

Sam Cooke

One of the most popular and influential soul artists of all time, Sam Cooke was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1931. He began his career as a gospel singer with the Soul Stirrers before embarking on a successful solo career in the 1950s. His hits include “You Send Me,” “Chain Gang,” “A Change Is Gonna Come,” and “Wonderful World.” Cooke was tragically shot and killed at the age of 33.

Ray Charles

Ray Charles was an American singer, songwriter and musician who is credited with helping to pioneer the genre of soul music. He was known for his distinctive voice and for his ability to fuse elements of gospel, blues and jazz. He is often referred to as “The Genius” or “The Father of Soul.”

Charles began his career as a gospel singer before moving to rhythm and blues. He achieved commercial success with hits such as “I’ve Got a Woman,” “Hit the Road Jack” and “Georgia on My Mind.” He also had a number of duets with other soul music singers, including Betty Carter, Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight.

Charles’ later years were marked by personal struggles, including drug addiction and blindness. He continued to perform and record until his death in 2004.

James Brown

When it comes to the best soul music singers of all time, there is simply no denying that James Brown tops the list. Hailing from Augusta, Georgia, James Brown was a true pioneer in the genre, blending elements of gospel, R&B, and Funk to create a sound that was all his own. Over the course of his five-decade long career, James Brown released over 100 singles, including such classics as “I Got You (I Feel Good),” “Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine,” and “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” In addition to his influence on the sound of soul music, James Brown was also a master showman, known for his high-energy live performances. He has been cited as an influence by numerous artists across multiple genres, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

Curtis Mayfield

Curtis Mayfield was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, and one of the most influential musicians behind soul and politically conscious African-American music. He achieved fame as the lead singer and songwriter for The Impressions, as well as with his own solo career. Curtis Mayfield is also noted for his soundtrack work for films such as Super Fly and Claudine.

Smokey Robinson

SMokey Robinson was born in 1940 in Detroit, Michigan, and is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and former record executive. As the frontman of The Miracles from 1955 to 1972, he was one of Motown’s primary songwriters and producers and played a crucial role in the label’s success. His career has included solo work as well as serving as a mentor for numerous other artists. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.