Uploaded November 2015 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
"Soul Man", recorded by Sam & Dave (Samuel David Moore & Dave Prater) in 1967, peaking at #1 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, and #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. The song, co-written by American soul singer Isaac Hayes, stated in an interview with NPR that he got the idea from the Detroit 12th Street riot in 1967. He noted that black residents had marked the buildings that had not been destroyed during the riots with the word "soul". This original version of the song has been recognized as one of the most influential songs of the past 50 years by the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Rolling Stone magazine, and RIAA Songs of the (20th)Century. "Soul Man" was awarded the 1968 Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental. Singers Sam & Dave helped to pave the way for the acceptance of soul music by white pop audiences helping define the genre. "Soul Man" later resurfaced as the keynote song in the 1980 American musical comedy film staring John Belushi and Dan Akroyd (a.k.a. The Blues Brothers) who performed the song.
"Soul Man", recorded by Sam & Dave (Samuel David Moore & Dave Prater) in 1967, peaking at #1 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, and #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. The song, co-written by American soul singer Isaac Hayes, stated in an interview with NPR that he got the idea from the Detroit 12th Street riot in 1967. He noted that black residents had marked the buildings that had not been destroyed during the riots with the word "soul". This original version of the song has been recognized as one of the most influential songs of the past 50 years by the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Rolling Stone magazine, and RIAA Songs of the (20th)Century. "Soul Man" was awarded the 1968 Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental. Singers Sam & Dave helped to pave the way for the acceptance of soul music by white pop audiences helping define the genre. "Soul Man" later resurfaced as the keynote song in the 1980 American musical comedy film staring John Belushi and Dan Akroyd (a.k.a. The Blues Brothers) who performed the song.
