When I posted the thread "Blue Eyed Soul.." I had no idea it would lead to a discussion (or rather, a debate) of "what is or who soul applies to"...so here's your chance to explain YOUR definition of soul.. MOONBEAM ? GMAN?

[This message was edited Wed Oct 9 20:53:32 PDT 2002 by Chico319]

I don't mind the debate! I like discussing music. We've remained respectful, so it's gone well!

My definition of soul would be music that is a product of the suffering of the HUMAN experience. I think race is only relevant in setting a backdrop for the pain, but suffering is suffering. Soul emanates from a common experience despite dissimilar backgrounds.

That is why it connects to so many people. Everyone has experienced suffering to some degree. That's why when I hear "No More Drama" by Mary J. Blige, I am always moved. I know that she's BEEN to the edge (and over it) several times. It's almost as if she literally needs to sing her troubles away.

Personally, I connect with certain songs of this type (call them "soul" songs if you wish) more than others. The discussion on the other thread involved a debate as to whether Annie Lennox could be classified as soul. In my mind, she can, because I know (having head her biography) that she's also been to that edge and back. The following songs of hers exude soul:

• Take Me To Your Heart
  
• Never Gonna Cry Again
  
• 4/4 in Leather
  
• Jennifer
  
• This City Never Sleeps
  
• Here Comes the Rain Again
  
• Who's That Girl?
  
• I Did It Just the Same
  
• For the Love of Big Brother
  
• Julia
  
• Would I Lie to You?
  
• I Love You Like a Ball and Chain
  
• Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves
  
• Conditioned Soul
  
• Adrian
  
• It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back)
  
• Thorn in My Side
  
• The Last Time
  
• In This Town
  
• The Miracle of Love
  
• I Remember You
  
• You Have Placed A Chill in My Heart
  
• Shame
  
• Savage
  
• I Need You
  
• Brand New Day
  
• Don't Ask Me Why
  
• Angel
  
• You Hurt Me (And I Hate You)
  
• When the Day Goes Down
  
• The entire Diva album
  
• 17 Again
  
• Beautiful Child
  
• I've Tried Everything
  
• Peace Is Just a Word
  
• My True Love
  
• Lifted
  
  

Kate Bush has far more soul than Annie Lennox!

Diva was a good album tho'.

Soul for me is like the Blues&it's a Gumbo of so many things in your surroundings.Al Green is SOUL.you just know it when He opens His Mouth IMHO.

Cloudbuster said:

That's a matter of opinion... Kate Bush is cool too though.

SOUL is a manner of singing (and playing) that derives from a secular form of gospel and blues that flourished from the 50s into the late 70s. Originally, it stems from the Black community because the musical aestheics come directly from the Civil Rights era politics and social mores. Many of the songs sing of overpowering the status quo with a profound self-righteousness, as well as a man or woman wooing the opposite sex. The same conviction shows in the performance. Post Civil Rights, the crossover phenomenon of integration has made it viable for white artists to sing and perform with soul.

Soul is that, like, really really cool music that black people sing that you can dance to and has a, like, really cool beat, you know??...

wellbeyond said:

Are you watching that AMERICAN DREAMS bullshit series about the 60s? It's supposed to be based around American Bandstand. I can't stomach it, but are there any Black people on it?

Seems like the same ol "hide the black folks" crap they did on HAPPY DAYS!

PFunkjazz said:

LOL...I haven't seen it yet, but I know exactly what you're talkin' about..lol...

By the way, they did have one black person on "Happy Days" for one episode...skinny mf who played the drums, if I recalled...everyone at Arnold's freaked... 8)

wellbeyond said:

:LOL: LMFAO!!! :LOL: