Best Southern Soul singles of all time - Rate Your Music
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Top Southern Soul singles of all time

Separate: live, archival, soundtracks and scores
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Updated: 16 April
Average Ratings Reviews
Otis Redding - (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay / Sweet Lorene, Cover art
(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay / Sweet Lorene
Otis Redding
4.29 2k 1,711 22 22
8 January 1968 Single
Southern Soul
Deep Soul
mellow lonely bittersweet melodic passionate aquatic sentimental nature
2k Ratings 22 Reviews 4.29 Average
Aretha Franklin - I Say a Little Prayer / See-Saw, Cover art
I Say a Little Prayer / See-Saw
Aretha Franklin
4.23 581 581 6 6
2 August 1968 Single
Southern Soul
Southern Gospel
uncommon time signatures longing lush lonely warm romantic uplifting breakup
581 Ratings 6 Reviews 4.23 Average
Al Green - Let's Stay Together / Tomorrow's Dream, Cover art
Let's Stay Together / Tomorrow's Dream
Al Green
4.15 1k 1,014 9 9
December 1971 Single
Southern Soul Smooth Soul
Smooth Soul
romantic uplifting love melodic warm mellow soft passionate
1k Ratings 9 Reviews 4.15 Average
Aretha Franklin - Respect / Dr. Feelgood, Cover art
Respect / Dr. Feelgood
Aretha Franklin
4.06 1k 1,016 14 14
16 April 1967 Single
Southern Soul
Rhythm & Blues
passionate anthemic energetic rebellious triumphant melodic uplifting conscious
1k Ratings 14 Reviews 4.06 Average
Lee Moses - Bad Girl (Parts 1 & 2), Cover art
Bad Girl (Parts 1 & 2)
Lee Moses
4.07 538 538 6 6
April 1967 Single
Deep Soul Southern Soul
Rhythm & Blues Garage Rock
passionate anxious romantic love bittersweet lonely energetic sentimental
538 Ratings 6 Reviews 4.07 Average
Otis Redding - Try a Little Tenderness / I'm Sick Y'all, Cover art
Try a Little Tenderness / I'm Sick Y'all
Otis Redding
4.05 587 587 7 7
14 November 1966 Single
Southern Soul Deep Soul
love passionate ballad melodic longing sensual romantic uplifting
587 Ratings 7 Reviews 4.05 Average
Al Green - Love and Happiness / Take Me to the River, Cover art
Love and Happiness / Take Me to the River
Al Green
4.07 177 177 1 1
1977 Single
Southern Soul
Funk
love bittersweet rhythmic
177 Ratings 1 Reviews 4.07 Average
James Carr - The Dark End of the Street / Lovable Girl, Cover art
The Dark End of the Street / Lovable Girl
James Carr
4.03 480 480 8 8
January 1967 Single
Southern Soul Deep Soul
melancholic romantic urban melodic passionate nocturnal
480 Ratings 8 Reviews 4.03 Average
Sam & Dave - Hold On! I'm A Comin' / I Got Everything I Need, Cover art
Hold On! I'm A Comin' / I Got Everything I Need
Sam & Dave
4.02 563 563 5 5
14 March 1966 Single
Southern Soul
Funk
uplifting romantic triumphant love melodic rhythmic energetic
563 Ratings 5 Reviews 4.02 Average
Otis Redding - I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) / I'm Depending on You, Cover art
I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) / I'm Depending on You
Otis Redding
4.02 504 504 4 4
19 April 1965 Single
Southern Soul Deep Soul
melancholic ballad breakup longing love bittersweet passionate melodic
504 Ratings 4 Reviews 4.02 Average
Aretha Franklin - The House That Jack Built / I Say a Little Prayer, Cover art
The House That Jack Built / I Say a Little Prayer
Aretha Franklin
3.98 476 476 7 7
26 July 1968 Single
Southern Soul
Gospel
uncommon time signatures rhythmic melodic passionate
476 Ratings 7 Reviews 3.98 Average
Aretha Franklin - Think / You Send Me, Cover art
Think / You Send Me
Aretha Franklin
3.97 479 479 5 5
2 May 1968 Single
Southern Soul
energetic uplifting passionate
479 Ratings 5 Reviews 3.97 Average
Al Green - How Can You Mend a Broken Heart / Let's Stay Together, Cover art
How Can You Mend a Broken Heart / Let's Stay Together
Al Green
3.97 186 186 3 3
1978 Single
Smooth Soul Southern Soul
soft melancholic sensual romantic breakup love mellow melodic
186 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.97 Average
Wilson Pickett - Land of 1000 Dances / You're So Fine, Cover art
Land of 1000 Dances / You're So Fine
Wilson Pickett
3.94 411 411 2 2
13 July 1966 Single
Southern Soul
Twist Rhythm & Blues
energetic uplifting party melodic rhythmic playful
411 Ratings 2 Reviews 3.94 Average
Aretha Franklin - (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman / Baby, Baby, Baby, Cover art
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman / Baby, Baby, Baby
Aretha Franklin
3.93 532 532 8 8
7 September 1967 Single
Southern Soul Pop Soul
Deep Soul
romantic melodic happy anthemic
532 Ratings 8 Reviews 3.93 Average
Etta James - Tell Mama / I'd Rather Go Blind, Cover art
Tell Mama / I'd Rather Go Blind
Etta James
3.94 293 293 4 4
November 1967 Single
Southern Soul Soul Blues
sensual breakup playful love passionate
293 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.94 Average
Ann Peebles - I Can't Stand the Rain / I've Been There Before, Cover art
I Can't Stand the Rain / I've Been There Before
Ann Peebles
3.93 387 387 3 3
August 1973 Single
Southern Soul
longing rain melodic introspective rhythmic warm uplifting breakup
387 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.93 Average
Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) / Do Right Woman - Do Right Man, Cover art
I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) / Do Right Woman - Do Right Man
Aretha Franklin
3.91 393 393 3 3
10 February 1967 Single
Southern Soul Deep Soul
Rhythm & Blues
love sensual bittersweet
393 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.91 Average
Sam & Dave - Soul Man / May I Baby, Cover art
Soul Man / May I Baby
Sam & Dave
3.91 408 408 5 5
21 August 1967 Single
Southern Soul
Pop Soul
passionate playful happy
408 Ratings 5 Reviews 3.91 Average
Irma Thomas - Time Is on My Side / Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand), Cover art
Time Is on My Side / Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)
Irma Thomas
3.92 287 287 4 4
June 1964 Single
Southern Soul
Deep Soul Doo-Wop Pop Soul
bittersweet love melodic
287 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.92 Average
Aretha Franklin - Chain of Fools / Prove It, Cover art
Chain of Fools / Prove It
Aretha Franklin
3.90 456 456 9 9
22 November 1967 Single
Southern Soul
Rhythm & Blues Soul Blues Funk
melodic rebellious passionate uplifting rhythmic hateful breakup angry
456 Ratings 9 Reviews 3.90 Average
Al Green - Here I Am (Come and Take Me) / I'm Glad You're Mine, Cover art
Here I Am (Come and Take Me) / I'm Glad You're Mine
Al Green
3.90 234 234 2 2
1973 Single
Southern Soul Smooth Soul
rhythmic longing love romantic
234 Ratings 2 Reviews 3.90 Average
Al Green - Tired of Being Alone / Get Back Baby, Cover art
Tired of Being Alone / Get Back Baby
Al Green
3.88 382 382 4 4
July 1971 Single
Southern Soul
Smooth Soul
lonely passionate longing romantic
382 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.88 Average
Eddie Floyd - Big Bird / Holding On With Both Hands, Cover art
Big Bird / Holding On With Both Hands
Eddie Floyd
3.89 180 180 4 4
1 February 1968 Single
Southern Soul
passionate energetic rhythmic
180 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.89 Average
Percy Sledge - When a Man Loves a Woman / Love Me Like You Mean It, Cover art
When a Man Loves a Woman / Love Me Like You Mean It
Percy Sledge
3.85 554 554 12 12
March 1966 Single
Deep Soul Southern Soul
sentimental romantic melodic love bittersweet passionate vocal group longing
554 Ratings 12 Reviews 3.85 Average
Irma Thomas - Wish Someone Would Care / Break-A-Way, Cover art
Wish Someone Would Care / Break-A-Way
Irma Thomas
3.88 228 228 3 3
February 1964 Single
Southern Soul Deep Soul
Pop Soul
lonely alienation
228 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.88 Average
Aretha Franklin - Rock Steady / Oh Me Oh My (I'm a Fool for You), Cover art
Rock Steady / Oh Me Oh My (I'm a Fool for You)
Aretha Franklin
3.87 231 231 3 3
11 October 1971 Single
Funk Southern Soul Soul
hedonistic rhythmic love
231 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.87 Average
James Carr - Pouring Water on a Drowning Man / Forgetting You, Cover art
Pouring Water on a Drowning Man / Forgetting You
James Carr
3.87 176 176 4 4
September 1966 Single
Southern Soul Deep Soul
raw love bittersweet passionate
176 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.87 Average
Wilson Pickett - In the Midnight Hour / I'm Not Tired, Cover art
In the Midnight Hour / I'm Not Tired
Wilson Pickett
3.83 365 365 7 7
5 May 1965 Single
Southern Soul
warm melodic romantic rhythmic triumphant energetic passionate sexual
365 Ratings 7 Reviews 3.83 Average
Otis Redding - Respect / Ole Man Trouble, Cover art
Respect / Ole Man Trouble
Otis Redding
3.83 364 364 6 6
15 August 1965 Single
Southern Soul
Rhythm & Blues
warm melodic love passionate energetic rhythmic
364 Ratings 6 Reviews 3.83 Average
Clarence Carter - Slip Away / Funky Fever, Cover art
Slip Away / Funky Fever
Clarence Carter
3.85 171 171 3 3
May 1968 Single
Southern Soul
Deep Soul
longing romantic love passionate
171 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.85 Average
Al Green - I'm Still in Love With You / Old Time Lovin', Cover art
I'm Still in Love With You / Old Time Lovin'
Al Green
3.83 217 217 1 1
June 1972 Single
Southern Soul Smooth Soul
love
217 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.83 Average
The Staple Singers - Respect Yourself / You're Gonna Make Me Cry, Cover art
Respect Yourself / You're Gonna Make Me Cry
The Staple Singers
3.83 190 190 2 2
September 1971 Single
Southern Soul Soul
Funk
introspective anthemic rhythmic existential vocal group
190 Ratings 2 Reviews 3.83 Average
Wendy Rene - After Laughter / What Will Tomorrow Bring, Cover art
After Laughter / What Will Tomorrow Bring
Wendy Rene
3.81 292 292 3 3
19 August 1964 Single
Deep Soul Southern Soul
Rocksteady
mellow pessimistic breakup bittersweet
292 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.81 Average
Eddie Floyd - Knock on Wood / Got to Make a Comeback, Cover art
Knock on Wood / Got to Make a Comeback
Eddie Floyd
3.81 289 289 3 3
25 July 1966 Single
Southern Soul
love energetic melodic
289 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.81 Average
Otis Redding - Mr. Pitiful / That's How Strong My Love Is, Cover art
Mr. Pitiful / That's How Strong My Love Is
Otis Redding
3.80 203 203 6 6
30 December 1964 Single
Southern Soul Deep Soul
Rhythm & Blues
longing melancholic breakup melodic sentimental
203 Ratings 6 Reviews 3.80 Average
Sam & Dave - I Thank You / Wrap It Up, Cover art
I Thank You / Wrap It Up
Sam & Dave
3.82 171 171 6 6
8 January 1968 Single
Southern Soul
rhythmic raw happy love optimistic
171 Ratings 6 Reviews 3.82 Average
Al Green - Call Me (Come Back Home) / What a Wonderful Thing Love Is, Cover art
Call Me (Come Back Home) / What a Wonderful Thing Love Is
Al Green
3.79 186 186 1 1
February 1973 Single
Southern Soul Smooth Soul
sensual romantic lush
186 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.79 Average
Aretha Franklin - (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone / Ain't No Way, Cover art
(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone / Ain't No Way
Aretha Franklin
3.79 187 187 3 3
9 February 1968 Single
Southern Soul
anthemic longing breakup passionate energetic
187 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.79 Average
Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - Tom the Model, Cover art
Tom the Model
Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man
3.80 187 187 1 1
28 February 2003 Single
Soul Southern Soul
Baroque Pop Jazz Pop
passionate lush sombre bittersweet dense breakup melodic
187 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.80 Average
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Soundtracks

  • The Commitments - Mustang Sally, Cover art
    Mustang Sally
    1991 Single
    37 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.00 Average
    3.00 37 37 1 1
  • The Commitments - Try a Little Tenderness / Mr Pitiful, Cover art
    Try a Little Tenderness / Mr Pitiful
    1991 Single
    15 Ratings 3.45 Average
    3.45 15 15
  • The Commitments - In the Midnight Hour / I Never Loved a Man, Cover art
    In the Midnight Hour / I Never Loved a Man
    1991 Single
    6 Ratings 3.16 Average
    3.16 6 6
  • The Commitments - Destination Anywhere / I Can't Stand the Rain, Cover art
    Destination Anywhere / I Can't Stand the Rain
    1991 Single
    5 Ratings 3.09 Average
    3.09 5 5
  • Slip Away / Bye Bye Baby
    1991 Single
    5 Ratings 2.90 Average
    2.90 5 5
    • See all 5 Include in main chart

    Live

  • Sam & Dave - Soothe Me / I Can't Stand Up (For Falling Down), Cover art
    Soothe Me / I Can't Stand Up (For Falling Down)
    1967 Single
    83 Ratings 2 Reviews 3.70 Average
    3.70 83 83 2 2
  • Otis Redding - Shake / You Don't Miss Your Water, Cover art
    Shake / You Don't Miss Your Water
    1967 Single
    90 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.67 Average
    3.67 90 90 1 1
  • Sam Cooke - Bring It On Home to Me / Nothing Can Change This Love, Cover art
    Bring It On Home to Me / Nothing Can Change This Love
    1985 Single
    13 Ratings 4.45 Average
    4.45 13 13
  • Otis Redding - I've Been Loving You Too Long / Try a Little Tenderness, Cover art
    I've Been Loving You Too Long / Try a Little Tenderness
    1971 Single
    13 Ratings 4.41 Average
    4.41 13 13
  • Bobby Womack - The Preacher (Part 1) / The Preacher (Part 2) / More Than I Can Stand, Cover art
    The Preacher (Part 1) / The Preacher (Part 2) / More Than I Can Stand
    1970 Single
    7 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.65 Average
    3.65 7 7 1 1
    • See all 5 Include in main chart

    Archival

  • Etta James - I'd Rather Go Blind / Sunday Kind of Love, Cover art
    I'd Rather Go Blind / Sunday Kind of Love
    2003 Single
    28 Ratings 3.84 Average
    3.84 28 28
  • Otis Redding / Aretha Franklin - Respect, Cover art
    Respect
    2012 Single
    24 Ratings 4.05 Average
    4.05 24 24
  • The Rollers [USA-FL] - Knocking at the Wrong Door / One Little Piece, Cover art
    Knocking at the Wrong Door / One Little Piece
    2007 Single
    12 Ratings 4.08 Average
    4.08 12 12
  • James Carr - These Arms of Mine / Let's Face Facts, Cover art
    These Arms of Mine / Let's Face Facts
    2018 Single
    3 Ratings 4.16 Average
    4.16 3 3
    • See all 6 Include in main chart
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