Legends of soul music: its history and allure revisited through classic songs
The great artists who illuminated the American music scene.
From Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, and Stevie Wonder—legendary singers whose timeless masterpieces live on—to modern torchbearers of soul like Bruno Mars and D’Angelo.
We invite you into the world of soul music, where captivating vocals and irresistibly groovy sounds resonate deep in your heart.
Enjoy a musical journey filled with emotion and excitement.
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Soul Music Legends: A Look Back at Their History and Allure Through Classic Songs (91–100)
Play That Funky MusicWild Cherry
Wild Cherry, a four-piece funk band of white musicians.
Their groove is unmistakably in the vein of the sound created by Black artists.
It still hasn’t lost its shine and continues to appear in TV commercials and disco-style compilation albums.
It leans more toward disco, and rather than soul, it’s funky rock—an evolved form of soul music tailored for the dance floor.
Soul Bossa NovaQuincy Jones
This is a promotional commercial for the PayPay Scratch Lottery, which every SoftBank user is guaranteed to win.
Playing on the scratch theme, Masahiro Nakai appears as “Paytoku” in the role of a DJ, and the Dad humorously chimes in with, “Not that kind of scratch!!” In the latter half of the commercial, the familiar BGM, Quincy Jones’s ‘Soul Bossa Nova,’ plays.
Reach Out (I’ll Be There)Four Tops
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.
If You Want Me To StaySly & The Family Stone
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.
Lean on MeBill Withers
After working various jobs, Bill Withers made his debut at the age of 32.
Though Withers pursued a career unconstrained by genre, as you can hear in this song, his roots lay in gospel and soul music.
Notably, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.