Examples of "funky, soulful" lyrics?

November 27, 2010 8:00 PM

Examples of "funky, soulful" lyrics?

I do voice-over work for Freesound. Recently, a DJ from Amsterdam asked me if I could write and record some "funky, soulful" lyrics for him. That would be great, if only I knew what that means.

Anything in particular I should listen to? Also, any poets with works that fit the bill would be welcome too. Thanks!

posted by anonymous to media & arts (6 answers total)

The words "funky" and "soulful" make me think of the first Funkadelic record or Superfly by Curtis Mayfield.
posted by TrialByMedia at 8:20 PM on November 27, 2010

Everyone's going to have their own internal definition of what constitutes funky and soulful, but those words in combination make me think of people like Thelma Houston, Darlene Love, The Fifth Dimension. Or, more recently, someone like Terence Trent D'Arby (Wishing Well and Sign Your Name).
posted by amyms at 8:36 PM on November 27, 2010

Seconding TrialByMedia and amyms. Here are some of my favorites. Some get close to disco, others to R&B or Motown, but to me they all hit that perfect combo of funk and soul. Happy listening!

Express Yourself by Charles Wright and The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band

Be Thankful for What You've Got by William De Vaughn

Got to Give it Up by Marvin Gaye

Shining Star by Earth, Wind and Fire

What is Hip? by Tower of Power

Use Me Up by Bill Withers

Higher Ground and Superstition by Stevie Wonder

Let it Whip by Dazz Band

Tell Me Something Good and Ain't Nobody by Rufus and Chaka Khan

I'll Take You There by The Staples Singers

It's Your Thing and Fight the Power by The Isley Brothers

Love and Happiness by Al Green

Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), Everyday People, Dance to the Music, Family Affair, I Want to Take You Higher, and Hot Fun in the Summertime by Sly and the Family Stone

Give it to Me Baby by Rick James

Give Up the Funk/Tear the Roof Off the Sucker, Flashlight and We Want the Funk by George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic

The Big Payback, Say It Loud I'm Black and I'm Proud and Papa's Got a Brand New Bag by James Brown

Lowrider and Why Can't We Be Friends by War

Fire by The Ohio Players

Backstabbers by The O'Jays

Shakey Ground, Ball of Confusion, Cloud Nine and Papa Was a Rolling Stone by The Temptations

I Can't Stand the Rain by Ann Peebles

Oops Upside Your Head and You Dropped a Bomb on Me by The Gap Band
posted by Majorita at 10:06 PM on November 27, 2010 [5 favorites]

Anything by India.Arie.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 11:04 AM on November 28, 2010

No seriously. Patches. You cannot get more soulful than this.
posted by bibliogrrl at 11:50 AM on November 28, 2010

If it's a DJ from amsterdam, I'm going to bet he is thinking of House music, and not real soul.

Think of stuff like Jack's Groove

Though I'd probably just ask him what songs he's thinking of.
posted by empath at 1:31 PM on November 28, 2010