Quick answer: The best soul songs of all time include Aretha Franklin’s “Respect”, Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”, Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”, Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” and James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good)”. Together they show soul’s gospel roots and the sounds of Motown and Memphis.
Welcome, fellow soul-searchers and music enthusiasts, to a groovy journey through the ages!
Today, we’re diving deep into the soul music that have captured our hearts and moved our bodies for decades.
From the classics that make you want to get up and dance, to the tear-jerkers that hit you right in the feels, we’ve got it all.
So sit back, relax, and let your soul soar as we take a look at the best soul songs of all time.
Are you ready to get down with your funky self? Let’s do this!
Here are the best soul songs of all time:
In this guide 83 sections 1. “I Got You (I Feel Good)” – James Brown
2. “Respect” – Aretha Franklin 3. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell 4. “What’s Going On” – Marvin Gaye 5. “Try a Little Tenderness” – Otis Redding 6. “Stand by Me” – Ben E. King 7. “My Girl” – The Temptations 8. “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” – Otis Redding 9. “Let’s Stay Together” – Al Green 10. “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” – James Brown
11. “Chain of Fools” – Aretha Franklin 12. “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” – Marvin Gaye 13. “Higher and Higher” – Jackie Wilson 14. “Dock of the Bay” – Otis Redding 15. “The Tracks of My Tears” – Smokey Robinson and The Miracles 16. “Superstition” – Stevie Wonder 17. “When a Man Loves a Woman” – Percy Sledge
18. “I’ll Be Around” – The Spinners 19. “A Change Is Gonna Come” – Sam Cooke 20. “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” – Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 21. “Wake up Everybody” – Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes 22. “Rescue Me” – Fontella Bass 23. “Heatwave” – Martha and The Vandellas 24. “In the Midnight Hour” – Wilson Pickett 25. “I Can’t Help Myself” – The Four Tops 26. “Lovely Day” – Bill Withers 27. “Midnight Train to Georgia” – Gladys Knight & The Pips
28. “Try Me” – James Brown 29. “Heard It Through the Grapevine” – Gladys Knight & The Pips 30. “I Second That Emotion” – Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
31. “Got to Give It Up” – Marvin Gaye 32. “What’d I Say” – Ray Charles 33. “I Want You Back” – The Jackson 5 34. “The Tears of a Clown” – Smokey Robinson and The Miracles 35. “For Once in My Life” – Stevie Wonder 36. “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” – Solomon Burke 37. “Bring It on Home to Me” – Sam Cooke
38. “Love Train” – The O’Jays 39. “Lean on Me” – Bill Withers 40. “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” – Stevie Wonder 41. “Baby Love” – The Supremes 42. “I Can’t Get Next to You” – The Temptations 43. “Son of a Preacher Man” – Dusty Springfield 44. “Dancing in the Street” – Martha and The Vandellas
45. “Let’s Get It On” – Marvin Gaye 46. “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” – Aretha Franklin 47. “Oh Girl” – The Chi-Lites 48. “The Love You Save” – The Jackson 5 49. “Knock on Wood” – Eddie Floyd 50. “Try Me” – Esther Phillips 51. “Do You Love Me” – The Contours 52. “You Are the Best Thing” – Ray LaMontagne 53. “I Feel for You” – Chaka Khan 54. “That’s the Way of the World” – Earth, Wind & Fire
55. “Rock Steady” – Aretha Franklin 56. “Brick House” – The Commodores 57. “If I Were Your Woman” – Gladys Knight & The Pips 58. “Let’s Groove” – Earth, Wind & Fire 59. “Lady Marmalade” – Labelle 60. “What You Won’t Do for Love” – Bobby Caldwell
61. “Just the Two of Us” – Bill Withers 62. “Boogie Nights” – Heatwave 63. “Never Too Much” – Luther Vandross 64. “I Can’t Stand the Rain” – Ann Peebles 65. “Use Me” – Bill Withers 66. “Give Me the Night” – George Benson 67. “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man” – Aretha Franklin 68. “When Something Is Wrong with My Baby” – Sam & Dave
69. “That Lady” – The Isley Brothers 70. “Soul Man” – Sam & Dave 71. “Love and Happiness” – Al Green 72. “Sweet Thing” – Rufus featuring Chaka Khan 73. “September” – Earth, Wind & Fire 74. “I’ll Take You There” – The Staple Singers 75. “Boogie Wonderland” – Earth, Wind & Fire 76. “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” – Barry White 77. “I Wish” – Stevie Wonder 78. “Let’s Stay Together” – Tina Turner 79. “Love T.K.O.” – Teddy Pendergrass 80. “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” – Natalie Cole
Best Soul Songs Conclusion Soul Music Styles: Motown, Southern Soul and Philly Soul Best Soul Songs of All Time FAQs What is the difference between soul and R&B? What are the best soul songs of all time? Who is the best in soul music? What is soulful songs? What was the top soul song in 1969? What is the #1 song of all time? Who is the greatest male soul singer? Who is the number 1 soul artist? Who is the King of Soul voice? What are the songs that touch your soul? What is sweet soul music? What is soft soul music? What was the number one soul song in 1976? What was the #1 R&B song in 1970? Who made soul music famous? What is the biggest hit song ever? What are the 5 most recorded songs of all time? What’s the most listened song? What song has the highest BPM #1? What are the top 40 hits by Heart? What were the last 3 songs played on Heart? What is white soul music called? Why is soul music called soul? What is Southern soul music? What is street soul music? Who is known as a sweet soul singer? What type of music soothes the soul? Why do some songs touch your soul? What is the magic of music to the soul? What genre of music calms anxiety? What are 3 soul singers? Who is the queen of soulful voice? Who is the godmother of soul music? Why is soul music so powerful? What is soul music style? Does soul music still exist? What are the top 3 songs of all time? What songs have a really good beat? Who has the number one songs of all time? Who has written the best song ever? What music does to my soul?
1. “I Got You (I Feel Good)” – James Brown
“I Got You (I Feel Good)” is a song by American singer James Brown, released in 1965. It became one of Brown’s signature songs and a defining record of the funk genre. The song’s structure and Brown’s shouting vocals established the conventions of funk music, which would go on to influence many other genres.
Next: Best Albums of All Time (EVER)
2. “Respect” – Aretha Franklin
“Respect” is a song originally written and recorded b
