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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Legends of Soul Music: A Look Back at Its History and Allure Through Classic Songs (141–150)
Best Of My LoveThe Emotions
The Emotions are a trio of sisters, the Hutchinsons, from Chicago.
They have close ties with Earth, Wind & Fire (EW&F), and this song, which topped the U.S.
charts, was also crafted by EW&F’s Maurice White.
LadyD’Angelo
D’Angelo, known as a pioneer of contemporary neo-soul, is a multi-artist who excels not only as a vocalist but also on piano and guitar, as well as in songwriting.
He performed at SUMMER SONIC last year, earning thunderous applause even from the rock fans who packed the venue.
Knock On WoodAmii Stewart
This is the title track of the album by Amii Stewart, released in February 1979.
The album produced two successful singles, and later in 1985 a remix single of Knock on Wood reached number 7 on the UK charts.
A long-running disco hit.
Baby WorkoutJackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson, who rose to prominence in the late 1950s and forged a sound that could be called the prototype of Motown, won support not only from Black audiences but also from many white listeners with his exuberant high tenor.
Released in 1963, this song is one of his signature works, reaching No.
5 on the U.S.
charts.
Yes we can canPointer Sisters
The Pointer Sisters garnered attention in the 1970s as an authentic soul chorus group, and in the 1980s they rode the disco boom to score a string of million-selling hits.
This song, which appears at the top of their debut album, is also well known as one of Allen Toussaint’s signature works.
Walk the dogRUFUS THOMAS
A track by Rufus featuring an appealing husky-voiced vocal.
It overflows with humor, including a dog-calling whistle and spoken-word parts woven into the song.
This track later became known for being covered by the Rolling Stones in 1964.
The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine AnymoreThe Walker Brothers
Just as the blues—originally Black music—profoundly influenced white audiences, soul music did as well, and groups of white musicians began to perform soul.
Soul music performed by white artists is called blue-eyed soul.