VH1 Soul Music Videos: The Ultimate Playlist
VH1 Soul has put together the ultimate playlist of soul music videos. FromAretha Franklin to Stevie Wonder, watch your favorite soul artists.
Introduction
VH1’s Soul Music Videos: The Ultimate Playlist is a great collection of soul music videos from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s. This playlist features some of the best soul music videos from artists like Luther Vandross, Toni Braxton, Marvin Gaye, Alicia Keys, and more.
The Best of the Best
VH1 Soul has been bringing the best in soul music videos for years, and this playlist is the cream of the crop. From Aretha Franklin to Marvin Gaye, these are the videos that get you moving and keep you grooving all night long.
“Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers
This song was released in 1971 and is from the album Bill Withers’ Greatest Hits. The music video features Withers singing in a dimly lit room with a woman standing beside him.Throughout the video, the woman occasionally turns to look at Withers, but never speaks or sings.
“Ain’t No Sunshine” is a song about loneliness and heartbreak, and the music video does an effective job of conveying these emotions. The muted colors and empty room create a feeling of sadness, which is amplified by Withers’ vocal performance. This is a classic soul song that deservedly remains popular today.
“I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5
Released in 1970, “I’ll Be There” was The Jackson 5’s fourth Number One hit in a row. The song, which was written by Berry Gordy, Hal Davis, Bob West, and Willie Hutch, is a soul ballad that finds lead singer Michael Jackson pledging his loyalty and love to a significant other. The track also features some of the group’s signature vocal harmonies.
The song’s music video, which was directed by Nicholas Brandt, features the group performing the track in front of a white background. Throughout the clip, footage of the group members as young children is intercut with the present-day footage.
“I’ll Be There” went on to win a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 13th Annual Grammy Awards.
“Respect” by Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” was released in 1967 as a single from her album I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You. The song was written by Otis Redding, who recorded it in 1965. Franklin’s version gained popularity, topping the charts in the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the United Kingdom, the song reached number 10 on the UK Singles Chart.
“Respect” has been covered by many artists including Annie Lennox, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, and Jennifer Hudson. The song has been used in many films and television shows including The Sopranos, Glee, and The Waterboy.
“What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” is a classic soul song that was released in 1971. The song is about the Vietnam War and the struggles that African Americans were facing at the time. The song was a huge hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has been covered by many artists over the years, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
“Lean on Me” by Bill Withers
Set against the backdrop of Baltimore during the height of the cocaine epidemic, “Lean on Me” is a stirring anthem of hope and unity. The song was released in 1972 and quickly rose to the top of the charts, where it remained for three weeks. “Lean on Me” won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The music video features footage of Withers performing the song with a choir of children, interspersed with shots of children playing in an inner-city playground.
The Rest of the Best
You loved the first list of the best VH1 Soul music videos, so we’re back with even more of the best of the best. From Erykah Badu to Alicia Keys, this list has something for everyone. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ultimate playlist of VH1 Soul music videos.
“Superstition” by Stevie Wonder
This song was released in 1972 as the lead single off of Wonder’s album Talking Book. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Wonder’s first chart-topping single. The song has since been covered by many artists, including Justin Timberlake, who recorded a version with Alicia Keys for the 2006 film The Pursuit of Happyness.
“Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
This song by Otis Redding was released posthumously in 1968, after the singer tragically died in a plane crash. The song topped the charts and is one of the most recognizable soul tracks of all time. The music video features classic clips of Redding performing.
“I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye
Considered one of the greatest soul songs of all time, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” was originally recorded by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles in 1966. Marvin Gaye’s version, released in 1968, is the best known and most influential, with its laid-back groove and wah-wah guitar giving the song a funkier sound. Gaye’s performance of the song at the T.A.M.I. Show in 1964 was also iconic, with Gaye dancing and prancing across the stage as he sang.
“Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye
The song “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye was released in 1973 and quickly rose to the top of the charts, becoming one of the most iconic soul songs of all time. The song is a sensual ballad about making love, and its lyrics helped to make it one of the most popular songs for couples. The music video for “Let’s Get It On” features Gaye performing the song in a studio, surrounded by candles and rose petals. Gaye’s performance is passionate and intimate, making the video one of the most memorable and iconic soul music videos of all time.
“Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” is a timeless anthem of sensuality, love, and, of course, healing. The lyrics and video perfectly capture the singer’s intent to use the power of sex to heal a broken relationship. And while the song is often associated with Gaye’s personal struggles with addiction and infidelity, it also served as a unifying force during the early days of the AIDS crisis. In fact, Gaye’s estate donated all proceeds from the song to AIDS research.
