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- Marvin Gaye. This legendary artist's smooth, sultry voice and innovative blend of gospel, R&B, and jazz created a unique sound that resonated with audiences worldwide.
- Sam Cooke. Often referred to as the "King of Soul," this groundbreaking musician's silky-smooth vocals and innovative songwriting played a pivotal role in shaping the soul genre.
- Aretha Franklin. Dubbed the "Queen of Soul," this powerhouse vocalist's incredible range and technical prowess set her apart from other artists in the genre.
- Stevie Wonder. Blind since birth, this multi-talented musician's extraordinary ability to convey emotions through his soulful voice and innovative compositions have earned him worldwide acclaim.
- Respect — Aretha Franklin
- Let’s Stay Together — Al Green
- Living For The City — Stevie Wonder
- A Change Is Gonna Come — Sam Cooke
- This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You) — The Isley Brothers
- Clean Up Woman — Betty Wright
- People Get Ready — The Impressions
- Who’s Making Love — Johnnie Taylor
- Midnight Train to Georgia — Gladys Knight & The Pips
- Lean on Me — Bill Withers
Considered one of Aretha Franklin’s most famous songs, “Respect” wasn’t originally written for her. Otis Redding composed it in 1965, with lyrics written from the point of view of a man speaking to a woman. Franklin’s cover, recorded two years later, made some essential changes. The result was an early feminist anthem where the singer demanded resp...
Al Green’s 1972 hit made waves for its sheer sensuality. His vocals are the very definition of soulful. It was one of his first major hits, propelling him into the spotlight for the rest of his career. It should come as no surprise that the tune became a classic dance song for couples thanks to its intimacy and power. Next: Greatest soul singers of...
Stevie Wonder is no stranger to fame, having made major inroads in the soul genre. “Living For The City” is in a league of its own. Released in 1973, this powerful song is all about systemic poverty and racial injustice. Wonder tells the story of a black boy growing up in Mississippi before moving to New York. Instead of making it big there, he is ...
“A Change Is Gonna Come” is a quintessential soulful yearning, mournful, and raw. Sam Cooke’s powerful vocals are mesmerizing in this 1964 hit, describing the need for change in society. He describes how racism has kept him down, making his life full of suffering, but he holds onto the hope that change is on its way. Tragically, Cooke was killed th...
“This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)” is a song that is all about having your heart broken and pining for the person you lost. Yet, despite its tragic lyrics, it is utterly catchy. It just goes to show how talented the Isley Brothers were—almost disguising the song’s topic in its sheer danceability. This tune, which was originally meant for Th...
There are countless soul songs written from the point of view of a man speaking to a woman or vice versa. But Betty Wright’s 1972 hit is a bit different; it speaks from one woman to another. Both women have been involved with the same man, and the singer knows that he is trouble. The song is a warning to clean up her act before she gets her heart b...
The Impressions’ 1965 hit is a perfect example of the link between soul and gospel music. These genres came together in a pointed Civil Rights song, urging people to be ready to fight for their rights. It became a famous Civil Rights anthem and was coveredby Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, and The Chambers Brothers.
Soul music is all about the deepest experiences of humankind. But, like the gospel music that inspired it, it also often carries warnings to people who don’t consider the course of their actions. In 1968’s “Who’s Making Love,” Johnnie Taylor reminds men not to expect their women to stay faithful to them while they themselves are out cheating. He si...
“Midnight Train To Georgia” went through several rewrites before becoming the soul song that we know and love. It was originally a country tune entitled “Midnight Plane To Houston.” But the real transformation happened when Gladys Knight & The Pips recorded it in 1973. Their soulful rendition became widely known as their most famous song and earned...
Bill Withers took soul in a new direction with his 1972 hit “Lean On Me.” He presented a simple, acoustic track that contrasted with the complex instrumentals that were popular in soul and R&B music at the time. Listeners found it compelling, and the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 and Soul charts. There is something hypnotic about the song and W...
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Stax Records produced several hits for Sam and Dave during their time at Stax, including “Soul Men” (October 1967) which reached #5 on R&B charts and #68 on pop charts – providing one of the greatest examples of how funk can be integrated into soul music to create energetic rhythms and an invigorating vibe that inspires passion.
- Aretha Franklin. Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin was an American singer, civil rights activist, songwriter, actress, and pianist. She started her career at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, singing gospel songs.
- Whitney Houston. One of the world’s best-selling music artists, with 200 million records sold worldwide, we have Whitney Houston. She was an American singer who also found success in acting later in her career.
- Diana Ross. American singer, record producer, and actress Diana Ross was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Her career start was as the lead singer of the all-female group the Supremes.
- Roberta Flack. Now retired, North Carolinian singer Roberta Flack had made quite an impression with the soul music community during her heyday. She started her musical career in the late 1960s with her debut album, First Take.
- The Beatles. 3,462 votes. Regarded as the game-changers of the pop music scene in the '60s, The Beatles were an unparalleled phenomenon that took the world by storm.
- The Rolling Stones. 2,401 votes. Known for their electrifying performances and iconic hits, The Rolling Stones were instrumental in shaping the sound of the '60s.
- Simon and Garfunkel. 1,622 votes. Few duos embody the spirit of the '60s like Simon and Garfunkel, whose poetic lyrics and haunting melodies resonated deeply with listeners.
- Creedence Clearwater Revival. 1,815 votes. Creedence Clearwater Revival brought a distinctive mix of roots rock, country, and swampy blues to the '60s, cementing their place in the annals of pop history.
Classics like “In The Midnight Hour,” “Land of 1,000 Dances,” “Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won’t Do),” and “634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)” all came from The Exciting Wilson Pickett and established him as one of the ’60s most iconic soul singers. Listen to this one if you’re looking for an album that embodies the southern soul ...
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Apr 1, 2024 · The best soul rock have the ability to blend traditional rock music with classic elements of soul that emanated from the 1950s and 1960s. What separates soul rock bands from traditional soul bands is that they can be a bit heavier in the sense that their guitars could be louder and while the singers are very soulful, the R&B elements that are ...
