{{short description|Music genre}} {{redirect|Deep Soul|the 2009 Greek film|Deep Soul (film)|the 1992 album by Ronnie Laws|Deep Soul (album)|the record label|Deep Soul Records}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}} {{Infobox music genre | name = Southern soul | stylistic_origins = {{hlist|Soul|blues|country|rhythm and blues|gospel}} | cultural_origins = Late 1950s, Southern United States | derivatives = {{hlist|Memphis soul|New Orleans soul}} | other_topics = *Northern soul *Southern rock }} thumb|right | alt=A person singing | Ad of Otis Redding's single "Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)" '''Southern soul''' or '''country soul''' is a type of soul and country music that emerged from the Southern United States. The music originated from a combination of styles, including blues (both 12 bar and jump), country, early R&B, and a strong gospel influence that emanated from the sounds of Southern black churches. Bass guitar, drums, horn section, organ, and gospel roots vocal are important to soul groove. This rhythmic force made it a strong influence in the rise of funk music. The terms "deep soul", "country soul",<ref name=compldict>{{cite book|last1=Felix|first1=Stanford|title=The complete idiot's guide music dictionary|date=2010|publisher=Alpha|location=New York|isbn=9781101198094|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lJ_Ql1fOCuwC&pg=PT247|access-date=January 10, 2017}}</ref> "downhome soul" and "hard soul" have been used synonymously with "Southern soul".<ref name="chicago">{{cite book|last1=Pruter|first1=Robert|title=Chicago Soul|date=1992|publisher=University of Illinois Press|location=Urbana|isbn=9780252062599|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2kkcmS0AzMEC&pg=PA18|access-date=January 10, 2017|language=en}}</ref><sup>p. 18</sup>
==History== ===1960s–1980s=== {{Gospel music articles}} Some soul musicians were from southern states: these included Georgia natives Otis Redding<ref>{{cite web|url=http://otisredding.com/bio/bio/ |title= Otis Redding Biography|website=Otisredding.com|access-date=June 29, 2020}}</ref> and James Brown, Rufus Thomas and Bobby "Blue" Bland<ref>{{cite web|title=Bobby 'Blue' Bland |url=http://www.livinblues.com/bluesrooms/bobbybland.asp|website=Livinblues.com|access-date=June 29, 2020}}</ref> (from Tennessee), Eddie Floyd (from Alabama), Johnnie Taylor, Al Green (from Arkansas).<ref>[https://www.biography.com/musicians/al-green Al Green Bio] biography.com Retrieved 23 November 2024</ref>
Southern soul was at its peak through the 1960s, when Memphis soul and the Muscle Shoals sound were popular. In 1963, Stan Lewis founded Jewel Records in Shreveport, Louisiana, along with two subsidiary labels, Paula and Ronn.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bsnpubs.com/gulfcoast/jewel-paulastory.html |title=The Jewel/Paula/Ronn Story |publisher=Bsnpubs.com | access-date=30 August 2024}}</ref> Lewis signed soul and blues artists such as Toissaint McCall, Bobby Rush, John Lee Hooker, Charles Brown, Buster Benton, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Ted Taylor and Little Johnny Taylor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soulbluesmusic.com/littlejohnnytaylor.htm|title=Little Johnny Taylor Bio on Soul Blues Music|website=Soulbluesmusic.com|access-date=June 27, 2020}}</ref> In 1966, the Shreveport-based Murco Records released "Losin' Boy" by Eddy Giles, which held a place on ''Cashbox'' magazine's Hot 100 for five weeks. Murco Records had soul chart success with its other artist included Reuben Bell.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/rbell.htm|title=Reuben Bell|website=Soulfulkindamusic.net| access-date=29 October 2024}}</ref>
Other significant contributors were Stax Records<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theendofallmusic.com/label-spotlight-stax/|title=Label Spotlight: STAX – End of All Music|website=Theendofallmusic.com}}</ref> with their house band Booker T. & the MGs as well as New York based Label Atlantic Records. Atlantic was Ray Charles's home, and became an early exporter of the "Muscle Shoals Sound" by distributing Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman", recorded at Rick Hall's FAME Studios.<ref>{{cite web|first= Tom |last= Breihan |title= The Number Ones: Percy Sledge's "When A Man Loves A Woman"|website= Stereogum |url= https://www.stereogum.com/2013080/the-number-ones-percy-sledges-when-a-man-loves-a-woman/columns/the-number-ones/| access-date=17 May 2025}}</ref> FAME becoming the studio of choice for new and experienced artists alike. Establishing the city of Muscle Shoals, Alabama as a major part of Southern soul. Aretha Franklin credits FAME as the place her career turned around, and Etta James recorded hit album "Tell Mama" there.<ref>[https://www.allmusic.com/album/tell-mama-chess--mw0000416145 Tell Mama], ''AllMusic'', Retrieved 23 November 2024</ref>
The Stax label's most successful artist of the 1960s, Otis Redding, was influenced by fellow Georgia native Little Richard and the more cosmopolitan sounds of Mississippi-born Sam Cooke.<ref>[https://www.todayingeorgiahistory.org/tih-georgia-day/otis-redding/ Otis Redding] Todayingeorgiahistory.org Retrieved 17 May 2025</ref> Other Stax artists of note included Johnnie Taylor, Soul Children, the Dramatics (from Detroit), Eddie Floyd, the Staple Singers, Carla Thomas, and Isaac Hayes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://staxrecords.com/history/|title=History - Stax Records|website=Staxrecords.com|date=March 25, 2019|access-date=January 12, 2026}}</ref> Atlantic Records artists Sam & Dave's records were released on the Stax label and featured the MGs. Wilson Pickett launched his solo career through his collaboration with the Stax team, and Pickett gained big hit "Land of a Thousand Dances" with FAME Studios musicians in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.<ref>{{cite book |title= The Billboard Book Of Number One Rhythm & Blues Hits|last= White|first= Adam|author2=Fred Bronson|author2-link=Fred Bronson|year= 1993|publisher= Billboard Books|location= New York|isbn= 0-8230-8285-7|pages= 22}}</ref>
After Sam & Dave moved from Stax to Atlantic Records,<ref>Seth Sutel; Alex Veiga (March 2, 2004). "Warner Music Slashes Jobs, Ousts Bigwigs". ''The Washington Post''</ref> Stax producer David Porter and his songwriting and production partner Isaac Hayes decided to put together a new vocal group of two men and two women. They recruited J. Blackfoot, together with Norman West, Anita Louis, and Shelbra Bennett, to form the Soul Children. Between 1968 and 1978, the Soul Children had 15 hits on the R&B chart, including three that crossed over to the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, and recorded seven albums.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soulexpress.net/j_blackfoot.htm |title=Deep Soul Column - J. Blackfoot interview |website=Soulexpress.net |date=November 20, 1946 |access-date=February 5, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soulexpress.net/soulchildren.htm |title=The Soul Children - Story and Interview |website=Soulexpress.net |access-date=February 5, 2014}}</ref>
Another Memphis 1960s label Goldwax Records, featured James Carr, Spencer Wiggins, and the Ovations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bsnpubs.com/bell/goldwax.html|title=Goldwax Album Discography|website=Bsnpubs.com| access-date=26 August 2024}}</ref> Al Green, Otis Clay, O.V. Wright, Don Bryant, Ann Peebles and Quiet Elegance recorded for Memphis's 70s label Hi Records, where they were produced by Willie Mitchell.<ref>[https://www.allmusic.com/album/hi-times-the-hi-records-r-b-years-box--mw0000125619 Hi Records], ''AllMusic'', Retrieved 31 August 2024</ref>
Rick Hall was a R&B producer of "Muscle Shoals Sound", originating from Muscle Shoals, Alabama.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alamhof.org/rickhall|title=Biography|website=Alabama Music Hall of Fame|access-date=January 12, 2026}}</ref> The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section played on hits by many Stax artists during the late 1960s through the mid-1970s, and Atlantic Records artists Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge, Joe Tex and Aretha Franklin.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.al.com/life-and-culture/erry-2018/08/725d37c2fa5245/swampers-guitarist-talks-class.html|title=Swampers guitarist talks classic Aretha Franklin sessions|website=AL.com Alabama Media Group|date=August 17, 2018 | access-date=29 October 2024}}</ref> Producer and session guitarist Chips Moman produced Bobby Womack and Womack wrote R&B song "I'm in Love" for Wilson Pickett.<ref>[https://www.allmusic.com/album/im-in-love-mw0000178955 I'm in Love], ''AllMusic'', Retrieved 25 November 2024</ref> Bobby Womack gained R&B hit "If You Think You're Lonely Now" in 1981.<ref>[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bobby-womack-mn0000064509 Bobby Womack], ''AllMusic'', Retrieved 11 November 2024</ref>
Malaco Records introduced Dorothy Moore, Bobby Bland, Johnnie Taylor, Denise Lasalle, Little Milton and others.<ref>[http://www.msbluestrail.org/blues-trail-markers/malaco-records Malaco Records] Msbluestrail.org Retrieved 29 August 2024</ref> In 1983, former Soul Children singer J. Blackfoot saw success on soul chart with his single "Taxi".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soulexpress.net/soulchildren.htm|title=The Soul Children - Story and Interview|website=Soulexpress.net | access-date=21 October 2021}}</ref> In 1987, Marvin Sease gained an R&B hit with "Candy Licker".<ref>[https://www.allmusic.com/artist/marvin-sease-mn0000312062 Marvin Sease], ''AllMusic'', Retrieved 26 November 2024</ref>
===1990s–present=== After 1990, Southern soul music was still recorded and performed by singers such as Sharon Jones,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soultracks.com/story-sharon-jones-dies|title=Soul music great Sharon Jones dies at age 60|date=November 18, 2016|website=Soultracks.com}}</ref> Charles Bradley,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thecharlesbradley.com/#bio|title=Charles Bradley Bio|website=Thecharlesbradley.com|access-date=February 20, 2020}}</ref> Peggy Scott-Adams, Trudy Lynn,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trudylynn.com/discography |title=Trudy Lynn Discography |website=Trudylynn.com | access-date=14 October 2021}}</ref> Roy C, Sir Charles Jones, Barbara Carr, Willie Clayton, Bobby Rush,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Encyclopedia of Arkansas |url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/bobby-rush-6951/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Encyclopedia of Arkansas |language=en-US}}</ref> Denise LaSalle, Gwen McCrae, Johnnie Taylor,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/johnnie-taylor-mn0000198162/discography |title=Johnnie Taylor | Discography |website=AllMusic | access-date=2021-10-19}}</ref> Omar Cunningham,<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Crenshaw Jr. |first=Salomon |date=May 5, 2016 |title=Omar Cunningham: Recording music is just one of many talents for this Alabama native |url=https://alabamanewscenter.com/2016/05/05/omar-cunningham-recording-music-just-one-many-talents-alabama-native/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213080015/https://alabamanewscenter.com/2016/05/05/omar-cunningham-recording-music-just-one-many-talents-alabama-native/ |archive-date=February 13, 2019 |work=Alabama News Center}}</ref> and William Bell.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-07 |title=William Bell |url=https://www.arts.gov/honors/heritage/william-bell |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Arts.gov |language=en}}</ref>
In 2025, the Southern soul music "Boots on the Ground" song by 803 Fresh became a viral sensation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cornwell |first=Cassie |date=2025-05-23 |title=South Carolina local going viral with song 'Boots on the Ground' |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/free-times/music/803-fresh-beyonce-boots-on-the-ground-sc/article_93ab6fa3-c425-4b28-a82a-5fbb17f6b54f.html |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Post and Courier |language=en}}</ref>
==See also== * Northern soul * Rhythm and blues * Blues * Soul * Gospel * Gospel blues * Soul blues * Beach music
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [{{AllMusic|class=explore|id=genre/d13334|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic Guide to R&B] * [http://www.soulbluesmusic.com/ Blues Critic] Website dedicated to Southern Soul, Rhythm & Blues & Soul Blues Music * [http://www.southernsoulrnb.com SouthernSoulRnB.com] – Daddy B. Nice's comprehensive guide to today's Southern Soul Music * [http://www.getbluesinfo.com Getbluesinfo.com] – Southern Soul/Blues Channel: * [http://www.carolinasoul.org/ CarolinaSoul.Org] * [http://www.beachmusic45.com/ beachmusic45.com] - Southern Soul Beach Music Site
{{Country music}} {{soulmusic}}
Category:20th-century music genres Soul Category:Soul music genres Category:Country music genres