Soul music facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Soul
Stylistic origins	Rhythm and blues gospel doo-wop jazz
Cultural origins	Early 1950s – early 1960s, United States
Typical instruments	Electric guitar bass guitar piano Hammond organ drums horn section keyboards clavinet vocals
Derivative forms	Funk contemporary R&B disco
Subgenres
Cinematic soul Latin soul Motown sound neo soul quiet storm smooth soul
Fusion genres
Hip hop soul nu jazz psychedelic soul soul blues soul jazz
Regional scenes
British soul Chicago soul Detroit soul Memphis soul New Orleans soul Northern soul Philadelphia soul Southern soul
Other topics
List of musicians
2025 in soul music

Soul music is a lively type of music. It mixes sounds from rhythm and blues, gospel music, and pop music. This exciting style started in the 1960s in the United States.

Soul music often uses "call and response". This is like a musical conversation where one singer or instrument plays a part, and another answers it. You might also hear hand claps, body movements, and strong, emotional singing.

Many people say Ray Charles helped create soul music. His song "I Got a Woman" is a great example. Soul music is usually very energetic. Its songs often talk about love, dancing, and everyday life.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes soul music as a style that grew from the experiences of Black people in America. It blends gospel and rhythm & blues into a new, powerful sound.

Today, singers like Christina Aguilera, Amy Winehouse, and Adele are known for singing "Blue-eyed soul". This means they are non-Black artists who sing in a soul style. Some types of soul music also use a lot of brass instruments and saxophones.

Famous Soul Artists

Many talented musicians have made soul music popular. Here are some of the most well-known:

• Ray Charles
• James Brown
• Wilson Pickett
• Marvin Gaye
• Smokey Robinson
• Aretha Franklin
• Major Lance

Related Music Styles

Soul music has influenced, or is related to, many other types of music.

• Funk
• R&B
• Reggae
• Hip Hop

Images for kids

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  Ray Charles helped start soul music in the 1950s. He mixed blues, R&B, and gospel.

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  James Brown was known as the "Godfather of Soul".

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  Sam Cooke is seen as one of the "forefathers" of soul music.

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  Solomon Burke recorded for Atlantic Records in the 1960s.

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  Aretha Franklin is widely known as the "Queen of Soul".

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  Marvin Gaye changed to a soul sound with his 1971 hit "What's Going On".

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  Levi Stubbs singing lead with the Four Tops in 1966.

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  Soul singer Otis Redding was an exciting performer on stage.

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  Isaac Hayes performing in 1973.

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  Adele performing in 2016.

See also

In Spanish: Soul para niños