One of the TV shows I looked forward to as a child made its debut 40 years ago. Soul Train, the music and dance show hosted by Don Cornelius, first appeared on 10/2/71.
The concept was similar to Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, only the focus was on R&B music instead of pop. Cornelius was able to introduce many famous acts on the show, including the Jackson Five, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Barry White. I even recall David Bowie performing Fame in one of the episodes in the late 70s.
To commemorate the fortieth birthday of that show’s debt, I offer this list of ten songs with “Soul” in their titles.
Rhythm and Soul by Spoon: Brit Daniel’s gruff vocal is a perfect fit for the catchy rock beat in this fine track from Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, the band’s first album to crack the top ten on the Billboard chart.
Mr. Soul by Buffalo Springfield: Neil Young penned this song for the folk-rock band’s second album, and it is best remembered for the enigmatic line, “She said you’re strange, but don’t change, and I let her.”
Soul and Inspiration by the Righteous Brothers: One of the group’s biggest hits, this tune highlights the mesmerizing baritone that made Bill Medley one of the most appreciated vocalists of the late 60s pop era.
Hey, Soul Sister by Train: The biggest hit from 2010’s Save Me San Francisco has one of the catchiest choruses to hit pop radio so far this decade, not to mention the fine ukulele that insures its place in pop history.
In the Dream Life U Need a Rubber Soul by the Clean: While the track from the Mister Pop album somewhat resembles the Beatles album in its title, it definitely has the sound of that era.
Birdhouse in Your Soul by They Might Be Giants: This track, told from the point of view of a nightlight, is probably the humorous group’s most recognized hit behind Istanbul (Not Constantinople).
Soul Meets Body by Death Cab for Cutie: One of the standout tracks from the indie band’s breakthrough album Plans, it accentuates the pleasant blend of Ben Gibbard’s soft tenor with the driving acoustic guitar.
Who Will Save Your Soul? by Jewel: This hit was a follow-up to her ubiquitous single, “You Were Meant for Me.” It is much more indicative of Jewel’s other music, primarily because she wrote the lyrics, and also because of its angry, four-chord message.
Soul Man by the Blues Brothers: Though this Isaac Hayes composition was done earlier by Sam and Dave, it is John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd’s cover in the film that I enjoy most.
Awake My Soul by Mumford and Sons: It may never be as widely known as the folk group’s single The Cave, but this poignant track sounds as if it belongs on an early 1970s Cat Stevens album.
Soul Deep by the Box Tops: The late Alex Chilton led this band to more than just The Letter, Neon Rainbow, and Cry like a Baby. The blue-eyed soul of this tune served as more of a harbinger of the sound Chilton would achieve later with the band Big Star.