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: History and Allure Revisited Through Classic Songs (41–50)
CrazyGnarls Barkley
Gnarls Barkley, the duo of Danger Mouse and CeeLo.
This song reached number one on the UK charts through downloads alone and stayed at the top for nine consecutive weeks, becoming a massive hit.
Of course, it was also a hit in the United States, and the album containing this track, St.
Elsewhere, won Best Alternative Music Album at the Grammys the following year.
Yes We Can CanThe Pointer Sisters
The Pointer Sisters are a chorus group made up of sisters.
They’re not extremely well-known in Japan, but if you’re familiar with music from the ’70s and ’80s, you might know them.
Their charm, above all, lies in their perfectly synchronized harmonies.
Their tempo and pitch alignment are on par with Boyz II Men.
“Yes We Can Can” is one of their signature songs, crafted with a funky sound.
It gives off a vibe that’s close to what we’d now call neo-soul.
My GirlThe Temptations
The Temptations are a soul chorus group from the United States that was active in the 1960s.
They skyrocketed in popularity with My Girl, released in 1964.
Even if you don’t usually listen to soul music, you’ve probably heard it—it’s that big of a worldwide hit.
The year after its release, it reached No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it was used as the theme song for the 1991 film of the same name.
With its easy-to-listen-to melody, it’s recommended even for those who don’t typically listen to Black music.
Use MeBill Withers
By the time you get to the new soul around the era of Donny Hathaway, the boundaries of the soul genre were already beginning to be crossed, creating connections with other music like funk and fusion.
Bill Withers was one such artist as well.
Move On UpCurtis Mayfield
In addition to being a singer-songwriter, Curtis Mayfield was a multi-artist who also worked as a music producer.
Alongside Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, and Stevie Wonder, he was a New Soul artist who helped lay the foundations for R&B and neo-soul as they are today.
His song “Move On Up” was released as a single in 1971 and reached number 13 on the UK charts.
Leave the Door OpenSilk Sonic
“Leave the Door Open” is a song by Silk Sonic, the duo of Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars, released as their debut single in 2021.
Both members are Grammy regulars and hugely popular artists leading the next generation of soul music.
“Leave the Door Open” reached No.
1 on the US charts and became a worldwide hit.
It’s a masterpiece where moody instrumentation meets sweet vocals—definitely give it a listen!
Brown SugarD’Angelo
Neo soul was born from mixing genres like soul music with hip-hop, funk, and jazz.
The pioneer of neo soul is D’Angelo, who sings “Brown Sugar,” and his sound was shocking in the United States, where R&B dominated at the time.
This track strongly reflects hip-hop elements, yet it carries a jazz-like atmosphere, giving it a unique vibe.
It’s an incredibly cool song—definitely give it a listen!