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This week’s Song of the Week is Sam & Dave’s signature hit “Soul Man.” “Soul Man” was released on single in August 1967, backed with “May I Baby,” and also appeared on their third album “Soul Men,” released in October of the same year.

Sam Moore and Dave Prater formed their duo in 1961 after meeting at a nightclub amateur night in Miami, Florida. Their raucous live show soon brought them to the attention of Marlin Records and shortly thereafter Roulette Records with whom they released six singles from 1962 to 1964. The turning point for the pair was the signing with Atlantic Records in 1964. Atlantic sent Sam & Dave off to Memphis to record at Stax studios and over the next few years the duo released some of the best soul recordings of the 1960s, including “Hold On! I’m Comin’,” “I Thank You” and “Soul Man.” The pair also deservedly earned a reputation as one of the most electrifying live acts in the business, leading to the nickname “Double Dynamite.”

“Soul Man” grabs you before Sam & Dave have even opened their mouths. It begins with a simple but brilliant guitar intro from Steve Cropper of Booker T. and the MGs, before the Stax horns kick in. Lead vocal duties are shared by Moore and Prater, who come together on the chorus and alternate on the verses. Both deliver the goods with excellent, soulful performances.

The song was written in the context of the civil rights struggles, with songwriter Isaac Hayes reportedly getting the idea from seeing the word “soul” painted on buildings during the 12th Street Riot in Detroit, Michigan. The lyrics are full of bravado, confidence and defiance. The message is that to be a “Soul Man” is something to be proud of. The song is not as overtly political as James Brown’s “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” from the following year, but it’s coming from the same place.

“Soul Man” was awarded the 1968 Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental.

Sam & Dave – “Soul Man”

In 1986, a re-recording of “Soul Man” featuring Sam Moore and Lou Reed was used as the theme song for the movie of the same name starring C. Thomas Howell.

Authorship

“Soul Man” was written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter.

Recording date/location

“Soul Man” was recorded in August 1967 at the Stax studio, located at 926 McLemore Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee.

Musicians

Sam & Dave were backed by the Stax house band, Booker T. & the MGs:

• Booker T. Jones – keyboards
• Steve Cropper – guitar
• Donald “Duck” Dunn – bass
• Al Jackson, Jr – drums.

And the The Mar-Keys Horns:

• Charles “Packy” Axton – tenor saxophone
• Don Nix – saxophone
• Wayne Jackson – trombone, trumpet.

Chart performance

“Soul Man” reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 29, 1967. It made number one on the Billboard R&B chart and also on the Cashbox magazine chart.

The album “Soul Men” peaked at number 62 on Billboard’s pop album chart.

Covers

Blues Brothers – “Soul Man”

The Blues Brothers (Jake and Elwood Blues) were fictional characters played by comic actors John Belushi and Dan Akroyd. The act debuted on the show Saturday Night Live, but soon moved beyond the confines of the show with a major movie and hit albums. “Soul Man” featured on the band’s 1978 album “Briefcase Full of Blues.” It’s a strong rendition, which borrows a lot from the original, but this is no surprise because the band featured two musicians who were on the original Sam & Dave track, namely Steve Cropper on guitar and Donald “Duck” Dunn on bass. The album hit number one on the Billboard album chart and the single “Soul Man” reached number 14 on the Hot 100.

Rotary Connection – “Soul Man”

Rotary Connection included “Soul Man” on their self-titled debut album, released just weeks after Sam & Dave’s original single appeared. Rotary Connection were an unconventional band, blending rock, soul and psychedelia to create sometimes interesting and often bizarre covers of popular hits. Their cover of “Soul Man” falls into the bizarre category, with its genre-hopping arrangement and merging of contrasting vocal styles. At least no-one can accuse these guys of being unoriginal.

The band featured singer Minnie Riperton, who would go on to have solo success in the 1970s, most notably with the classic 1975 hit “Lovin’ You.”

“Soul Man” is available on the album “Soul Men” as well as various compilations, including the double CD “Sam & Dave – Definitive Soul Collection.”

If you want to watch some great performances from the duo, the DVD “Sam & Dave – The Original Soul Men” is also recommended.

Title
Sam & Dave – Soul Men (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Sam & Dave – Definitive Soul Collection (2 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Sam & Dave – The Original Soul Men (DVD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now