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.
- A masterpiece of soul music. Recommended albums you should listen to at least once.
- Great Black Music: Recommended Masterpieces
- [Definitive Edition] Masterpieces of 70s Disco Music
- [Definitive Edition] Masterpieces and Hit Songs of 80s Disco
- Why Classic Disco Music Is Still Loved Today
- A classic R&B masterpiece. A must-listen recommended album.
- R&B Masterpieces in Western Music: From the Latest Hits to Timeless Classics [2025]
- Philly soul classics | A wave of sweet soul music arrives
- Classic R&B songs recommended for women
- Recommended Western funk bands. Popular overseas bands.
- [A Collection of Classics] Nostalgic 70s Western Hit Songs
- Popular R&B: Western Music Artist Rankings [2025]
- [For Beginners] A Roundup of Classic Popular Soul/Funk Bands
Legends of Soul Music: History and Allure Revisited Through Classic Hits (131–140)
Stoned loveThe Supremes
The Supremes are also known for their beautiful harmonies.
The lead vocalist’s lovely soprano voice is soothing to listen to.
The Supremes are known to have been active from 1959 to 1977.
In addition, a musical depicting them was produced in the 1980s.
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.
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.