“Up on the Roof”, written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, was recorded in 1962 by The Drifters. Released late that year, the song became a major hit in early 1963, reaching number 5 on the U.S. pop singles chart and number 4 on the U.S. R&B singles chart. #thedrifters #blackhistorymonth2025

In 1963 Lenny Welch covered the blues ballad “Since I Fell for You” releasing it as a single. The soulful qualities of the song now fully delivered it became an instant soul classic. It reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 where it stayed for 2 weeks. The song has been covered several times since.

Aretha Franklin aka The Queen of Soul released "Angel" in June 1973 from her 19th album “Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky)”. The single reached the top of Billboard’s R&B chart while also reaching No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Franklin co-produced the album with Quincy Jones.

Aretha Franklin aka The Queen of Soul released "Angel" in June 1973 from her 19th album “Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky)”. The single reached the top of Billboard’s R&B chart while also reaching No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Franklin co-produced the album with Quincy Jones.

JANUARY 30th, 1961: The Shirelles became the first all-girl black group to have the number one song on the US chart with ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow?’ The song was written by Gerry Goffin & Carole King. #theshirelles #willyoulovemetomorrow #gerrygoffin #caroleking #goffinkingsongs

Soulful girl groups were blossoming in the 1960’s but very few had a lead singer with vocal power like Patti Labelle. However, she and “The Bluebelles” didn’t achieve commercial success incl. this album and titular single released in 1967, it didn’t even chart. This ballad is an overlooked gem.

"You Send Me" burst on the American music scene in 1957 as Sam Cooke’s debut single. The song written by himself reached No. 1 on both Billboard's R&B chart and the Billboard Hot 100. Cooke is considered one of the most influential soul artists of all time commonly referred to as the "King of Soul".

"Free" was the breakthrough single of Deniece Williams released in 1979 from her album “This Is Niecy”. It reached to No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the UK singles chart. Williams is perhaps best known for singing on the duet “Without Us”, theme song of the hit sitcom “Family Ties”.

Jackie Wilson performing "To Be Loved" on The Ed Sullivan Show, December 4, 1960. Released as a single in 1958 from his album “He’s So Fine” this soulful ballad peaked at No. 22 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and at No. 7 on the R&B chart.

Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Syreeta Wright, released by Motown on June 19, 1974. This track "Cause We've Ended as Lovers", written and produced by Wonder was not one of the four singles released from the album but my personal favorite.