[For Beginners] A Roundup of Classic Popular Soul/Funk Bands
Even if you’ve never thought of them as musical genres, many people have probably used words like “soulful” or “funky” in everyday life.
Soul music, which developed from genres such as gospel and blues created by African Americans, and its offshoot funk have continued to exert a huge influence on contemporary 2020s pop, popular music, and other genres.
This article introduces groups that perform in a “band” format within soul and funk music.
Many of these bands have songs you’ve likely heard somewhere before, so if you’re new to soul music, be sure to check them out!
- Recommended Western funk bands. Popular overseas bands.
- Legends of soul music: its history and allure revisited through classic songs
- A masterpiece of soul music. Recommended albums you should listen to at least once.
- [Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums Beginners Should Hear at Least Once
- A classic R&B masterpiece. A must-listen recommended album.
- For Beginners to Western Music: Recommended Western Music Groups – A Roundup of Popular Bands
- A classic jazz-funk masterpiece. A popular recommended track that offers a different flavor from traditional jazz.
- Western R&B Popularity Ranking [2025]
- Western songs with cool bass lines: classic and popular tracks recommended for bassists
- Popular R&B: Western Music Artist Rankings [2025]
- R&B Masterpieces in Western Music: From the Latest Hits to Timeless Classics [2025]
- Summary of representative Western funk artists and groups
- Funky Vibes: The Past and Present of Funk Music
[For Beginners] A Roundup of Classic Popular Soul/Funk Bands (21–30)
love balladL.T.D.
Their third single, released in 1976 by L.
T.
D.
It reached No.
20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Written by Skip Scarborough, the song is about love, kindness, and devotion.
It has been covered by many artists, including George Benson.
The Tracks of My TearsSmokey Robinson & The Miracles
A song about someone trying to hide their pain.
It was written by Smokey Robinson, Warren Moore, and Marv Tarplin.
Tarplin got the idea for the song after hearing a calypso tune.
The song was popular among U.
S.
soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War.
[For Beginners] A Roundup of Classic Popular Soul/Funk Bands (31–40)
Keep On Movin’Soul II Soul
A track released as a single from Soul II Soul’s debut album, “Club Classics Vol.
One.” It became their first hit in both the UK and the US.
In 1996 in the UK, it was used in Renault’s Clio commercials (the “Papa & Nicole” series), leading to a resurgence in its popularity.
Give Me Just A Little More TimeThe Chairman of the Board
A song in which the singer pleads with a girl for time to prove his love.
It was released as a single in 1970.
It reached No.
3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, becoming The Chairman of the Board’s best single.
Tell me something GoodChaka Khan & Rufus
A song written by Stevie Wonder in 1973.
He offered the song because he was a fan of lead vocalist Chaka Khan.
Rufus evolved from a group called The American Breed, and Chaka Khan joined the band in 1972.
Rubberband ManTHE SPINNERS
A song produced by Thom Bell of The Spinners, created with his songwriting partner Linda Creed.
The rubber band sound in the track is simulated by a bass line played by Bob Babbitt.
It was recorded in 1976 at Sigma Sound Studios, known as the center of the Philadelphia Sound.
Have you seen herThe Chi-Lites
A song written by Eugene Record, frontman of The Chi-Lites, and Barbara Acklin.
It was inspired by the opening monologue of Isaac Hayes’s 1969 album Hot Buttered Soul.
MC Hammer covered the track on his 1990 album.