Honestly, I would not say that I have listened to a lot of soul music in the past. After listening to some in class, however, I have to wonder exactly what it is about soul music that gives it “soul.” Is it the heartfelt emotional lyric style? Listen to the first 5 seconds of the Beatles’ cover of Mr. Moonlight, and tell me that John isn’t screaming his heart out. Is soul in the churchy, swinging organ? Light My Fire does not seem to lend itself to this genre. Soul is generally considered to be black music derived from gospel, giving the impression that one is in church, says Guralnick in Sweet Soul Music. But does this mean that any emotional, meaningful, lyrical music with an organ is soul in some form or another?
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