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.

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.

Stone RollinRaphael Saadiq

Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin’ (Official Video)

A quintessential American soul singer, Raphael Saadiq delivers a heartfelt cry of the soul that grips the listener from the first note.

This is the powerful title track from his album Stone Rollin’, which revives the classic soul sound of the 1960s through a modern lens.

It was released by Columbia Records in March 2011.

The commanding rhythm infused with blues and funk, the groovy bassline, and the weighty sonics woven by vintage Mellotron keys are truly stunning.

Meticulously crafted over the course of a year at his own studio in Los Angeles, this track is highly recommended for anyone who loves soul music.

It’s sure to satisfy listeners seeking the deeper flavors of music.

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.

Reach Out (I’ll Be There)Four Tops

Four Tops – Reach Out (I’ll Be There) (1967) HD 0815007

From the landmark Motown album “Reach Out,” a soul-stirring, unforgettable classic was born.

The Four Tops—Detroit’s pride—deliver dramatic harmonies, crowned by lead singer Levi Stubbs’s emotionally charged baritone that sets listeners’ hearts ablaze.

Since its release in August 1966, the song has topped both the U.S.

and U.K.

charts, standing as a shining milestone in the history of soul music.

It was added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2022, and it was also used as a campaign song for Joe Biden in the 2020 U.S.

presidential election, continuing to radiate a timeless, universal appeal.

It’s the perfect song for moments of doubt, when you need encouragement, or when you want to support someone.

ShotgunJr. Walker & The All Stars

Jr. Walker & The All-Stars – Shotgun

A classic that epitomizes the golden age of soul music was born from Motown in the U.S.

in February 1965.

Led by Junior Walker, Junior Walker & the All Stars unleashed a powerful sound that held the No.

1 spot on the U.S.

R&B chart for four consecutive weeks.

The brilliant shine of the saxophone and the groove-laden rhythm create perfect harmony.

Because the scheduled singer didn’t show up, Junior Walker stepped in on vocals at the last minute—an accident that opened a new frontier for him as a singer.

The album of the same name, Shotgun, also garnered major acclaim and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002.

It’s the perfect track for firing up the dance floor or savoring authentic soul music that resonates with the heart.