Best Soul & R&B Songs of All Time

1. 1
   MG
   ▶

   What's Going On

   Marvin Gaye · from What's Going On (1971)

   A plea for peace, beautifully arranged.

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2. 2
   AF
   ▶

   Respect

   Aretha Franklin · from I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967)

   The Queen of Soul's defining moment.

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3. 3
   SW
   ▶

   Superstition

   Stevie Wonder · from Talking Book (1972)

   One of funk's greatest riffs.

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4. 4
   OR
   ▶

   (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay

   Otis Redding · from The Dock of the Bay (1968)

   Wistful, posthumous perfection.

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5. 5
   AG
   ▶

   Let's Stay Together

   Al Green · from Let's Stay Together (1972)

   Smooth Memphis soul at its peak.

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6. 6
   CM
   ▶

   Move On Up

   Curtis Mayfield · from Curtis (1970)

   An uplifting, horn-driven groove.

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7. 7
   D'
   ▶

   Untitled (How Does It Feel)

   D'Angelo · from Voodoo (2000)

   Slow-burning, Prince-indebted neo-soul.

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8. 8
   FO
   ▶

   Thinkin Bout You

   Frank Ocean · from Channel Orange (2012)

   A tender falsetto breakthrough.

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9. 9
   AW
   ▶

   Back to Black

   Amy Winehouse · from Back to Black (2006)

   Retro soul with a modern ache.

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10. 10
    PR
    ▶

    Kiss

    Prince · from Parade (1986)

    Minimalist funk and a famous falsetto.

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11. 11
    BE
    ▶

    Crazy in Love

    Beyoncé · from Dangerously in Love (2003)

    A horn-stab hit and a star turn.

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12. 12
    MA
    ▶

    Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)

    Maxwell · from Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite (1996)

    Smooth, sensual neo-soul.

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