A roundup of great soul music singers and artists

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.

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.

Everybody Plays the Foolthe main ingredient

The Main Ingredient – Everybody Plays the Fool (Audio)

A groovy, soulful track from The Main Ingredient, formed in Harlem, New York in 1964.

Released in June 1972, this song wraps a universally relatable heartache in a sweet, gentle, and soulful melody.

Cuba Gooding Sr.

’s emotionally rich lead vocals blend beautifully with the group’s meticulous harmonies to create a gem of a sound that reached No.

3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.

2 on the R&B chart.

Featured on the album “Bitter Sweet,” the track has been widely used in film and television soundtracks, and Aaron Neville’s 1991 cover also became a hit.

It’s a song that quietly stays by your side on nights when your heart is in motion.

And The Beat Goes OnThe Whispers

The Whispers – “And The Beat Goes On” (Official Video)

The Whispers, a group that produced a masterpiece worthy of being called a pinnacle of soul music.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1963, they released this 1979 track—a powerful message song themed around moving forward in life.

Riding a sprightly beat, it sings of overcoming the pain of heartbreak and finding the courage to take a new step.

It reached No.

19 on the U.

S.

Billboard Hot 100, topped the R&B chart at No.

1, and achieved a brilliant No.

2 in the UK.

In 2002, it was featured in the popular game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, becoming a beloved song across generations.

Whether you want to light up the dance floor or find gentle encouragement at a crossroads in life, it continues to stand by listeners as a reassuring anthem.

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.

Midnight Train to GeorgiaGladys Knight&The Pips

Gladys Knight & The Pips – Midnight Train to Georgia (Official Audio)

A masterpiece that would carve its name into the pantheon of soul was born in August 1973.

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Gladys Knight & The Pips released a gem of a ballad that gently portrays the feelings of a man returning home after his Hollywood dreams fall apart, and the woman who chooses to live by his side.

Gladys Knight’s powerful yet warm vocals and The Pips’ exquisite harmonies bring the story vividly to life.

Featured on the album Imagination, the song won a Grammy and was highlighted in the film Summer of Soul.

It’s a soul-stirring track that resonates at life’s crossroads and in moments when you want to reaffirm the bond with someone you love.

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.