A roundup of great soul music singers and artists

Being With YouSmokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson – Being With You

Smokey Robinson is a figure who can be called the face of Motown.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, USA, Robinson is known as a legendary R&B and soul singer, songwriter, and record producer.

In the 1960s and 1970s, as the lead singer of the Miracles, he produced numerous hit songs, including “Shop Around,” “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” and “The Tears of a Clown.” As a solo artist, he also found success with songs such as “Being With You” and “Cruisin’.” Smokey Robinson won a Grammy Award in 1987 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the same year.

In 2002, he received the National Medal of Arts.

He is an artist highly recommended for anyone interested in the history of soul music.

If You Want Me To StaySly & The Family Stone

Sly & The Family Stone – If You Want Me To Stay (Audio)

This soul number is captivating for its comfortable bass-and-drum groove and uniquely languid vocals.

In June 1973, the American group Sly & The Family Stone released it as a single and included it on the album Fresh.

With a lineup that transcended racial and gender boundaries, the band made major contributions to the development of funk and soul music.

Their sound, both meditative and brimming with live energy, went on to influence many later musicians.

The song was also featured in the films Made in Heaven (1987) and Talk to Me (2007), and it continues to enchant a wide audience.

It’s a perfect track for relaxing and enjoying music at an easy pace.

I Can’t Stand the RainAnn Peebles

Ann Peebles – I Can’t Stand the Rain (Official Audio)

A shining masterpiece in the history of beautiful soul music was born from American artist Ann Peebles.

Released in July 1973, this Memphis soul classic opens with an inventive intro that takes the sound of falling rain as its motif.

The droplet-like rhythm played on electric timbales and the melody woven by a vocal that is both powerful and delicate sink deeply into the listener’s heart.

Later covered by numerous artists, including Missy Elliott and Tina Turner, it remains beloved around the world.

Enthusiastically praised by John Lennon, this gem of a ballad is an eternal classic that overlays the ache of unrequited love with the image of rain.

Give it a listen on a rainy-day drive or during a quiet night of reflection.

Clean Up WomanBetty Wright

Clean Up Woman – Betty Wright (1971)

Betty Wright is an American R&B singer known for her powerful vocals and soulful expressiveness.

Released in November 1971, this gem of a love song tells a poignant story of a sad ending brought on by a lack of affection in a relationship.

Its lyrics, which portray a woman losing her lover to another woman, emphasize the importance of everyday communication and expressing gratitude.

Featured on the album “I Love the Way You Love,” the track weaves funky rhythms with a memorable guitar riff, while her voice—just 17 at the time—strikes straight to the heart.

It reached No.

2 on Billboard’s R&B chart and No.

6 on the Hot 100, and was certified Gold.

A song that resonates with anyone struggling with love.

Every Little Bit HurtsBrenda Holloway

Brenda Holloway – Every Little Bit Hurts (Official Audio)

A gem of a vocal performance left by Brenda Holloway, a soul singer who represents America, recorded in March 1964.

Her wistful voice and the graceful melody that seems to embrace the pain of heartbreak are deeply moving.

Released on Motown’s Tamla label, this work became a major hit, reaching No.

13 on the Billboard chart.

It was later covered by numerous artists, including the Small Faces and The Clash, and has continued to be loved across generations.

She also joined Dick Clark’s “Caravan of Stars” tour, and this song became a cornerstone of her brilliant career.

It’s a classic that will soothe the heart on nights when you want a song to lean on through heartache—one you should definitely listen to.

Freddie’s DeadCurtis Mayfield

Freddie’s Dead (Theme From ‘Superfly’)

A powerful work born from the 1972 blaxploitation film “Super Fly,” which vividly depicted urban poverty and drug problems.

The warning song unleashed by America’s Curtis Mayfield became a major hit, reaching No.

4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.

2 on the R&B chart.

Rooted in gospel and blues, Mayfield masterfully wields wah-wah guitar and a falsetto voice, expressing the darkness of the city through a grand arrangement of strings and a horn section.

Used in instrumental form on the film’s soundtrack, this piece challenges us—through the fates of the movie’s main characters—to confront society’s distortions with courage.

It’s a track that resonates deeply when you want to take a hard look at the realities of urban life.

Keep on TruckinEddie Kendricks

Eddie Kendricks – Keep on Truckin

Released in August 1973, the solo debut by Eddie Kendricks, one of America’s quintessential soul singers, is a classic that fuses a groovy rhythm with the captivating sound of the clavinet.

Created by the former member of Motown’s legendary group The Temptations, this track is a disco-oriented tune made for the dance floor, and it reached No.

1 on both the Billboard Pop chart and the R&B Singles chart.

Its brisk beat and smooth melody have been featured in numerous film and television soundtracks, making it a historic song that helped pioneer disco music.

It’s a perfect pick when you want to elevate the mood with up-tempo music, whether at a party or on a drive.