Currently, my writing focuses on music and football. But before that, I used to teach and write about movies. I once wrote a piece about Lillian Randolph and her sister Amanda – incredibly talented actresses and singers who were mostly cast in roles as maids.
You might recognize Lillian as Annie, the maid from the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life. Unlike many similar roles, her character was actually given a name.
A friend from England was telling me something really interesting the other day. Apparently, growing up, they didn’t have the same kind of racial stereotypes we did here. Because there weren’t many Black people in England back then, they used the stereotype of the Irish washerwoman instead of the American Black maid in their stories and culture. It totally made me realize something I should have understood all along – every culture will always find someone to push to the margins, unfortunately.
Ten great Northern Soul songs to get you dancing like it’s 1971
Honestly, it doesn’t really matter how people get divided – whether it’s by race, money, where they come from, or how much schooling they’ve had. The bottom line is, when we create classes or groups, it always feels the same – it creates a divide. It’s just a really disheartening pattern I’ve noticed.
Historically, many of the most important artistic movements have begun with people who were outside of mainstream society. While we won’t explore the reasons for this right now, let’s simply acknowledge it and turn our attention to a specific example: Northern Soul, an art form that developed in the north of England.
Despite its name, Northern Soul didn’t originate in northern England, nor was it created by English musicians. The music itself largely came from the United States – cities like New Orleans, Memphis, and especially Detroit – and was created by Black artists. However, it was young, working-class people in Birmingham and Liverpool who first embraced and made Northern Soul popular.
Northern Soul’s most beloved tracks were originally just album sides or minor hits in America. However, they had a captivating beat perfect for dancing all night long. These songs were rediscovered and championed by people who often felt overlooked by the more privileged and sophisticated crowds in London.
Young people here didn’t have access to the same entertainment and opportunities as those in more affluent areas. For them, the local club was a central hub – a place to enjoy music and dance all night long.
Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton, in their book Last Night a DJ Saved My Life, extensively cover the history of Northern Soul. They believe this scene was the foundation for the modern nightclub experience.
It was a popular spot for young people to dance to music chosen by skilled DJs, creating a specific atmosphere. While it wasn’t as elaborate as the big clubs in New York City at the time, it was still a lively and engaging experience.
A key idea in Last Night a DJ Saved My Life is that the famous New York clubs of that era weren’t really about the music. They were places for wealthy and fashionable people to be seen, party, and socialize – the music was just in the background.
Northern Soul fans felt completely differently – for them, the music always came first! Here’s a quick playlist to introduce you to it. Just be careful, it might make you start dancing even if you don’t plan to!
“Agent 00 Soul” by Edwin Starr
I remember first hearing Edwin Starr’s “War” and being blown away – it was seriously the most politically charged song Motown ever released! But before that huge hit, a lot of people in the Northern Soul scene knew him as Agent 00 Soul. It was a smaller hit here in the States back in ’65, but it really took off over in the UK during the ’70s. It became the song in clubs, and he got so popular there that he actually moved to England!
Alex Harvey, a popular Scottish performer known for his flamboyant style, covered the song “Agent 00 Soul,” but his version didn’t quite measure up to the original. This is rare – usually, Harvey excelled at whatever song he performed.
“Tainted Love” by Gloria Jones
If you’re familiar with the popular 1980s version of this song by Soft Cell, you’ll be surprised by Gloria Jones’ original. It’s much more energetic, with a driving beat that really stands out compared to Soft Cell’s smoother rendition. Jones first recorded the song way back in 1964, and then re-recorded it in 1976 specifically for clubs.
A few years after reaching fame, she stopped making music following the tragic death of her partner, Marc Bolan of T. Rex, in a car accident in 1977. Though she was present during the crash and survived, Jones never again found success as a musician.
“That Beatin’ Rhythm” by Richard Temple
Jimmy Conwell had some success as a soul singer in the mid-1960s. He also recorded under the name Richard Temple and wrote one of the first guides to Northern Soul music. Originally published in 1966, this guide became incredibly popular in UK nightclubs after being re-released there in 1970 and remained a staple for years.
“I’ll Do Anything” by Doris Troy
Like Edwin Starr, Doris Troy became famous in northern England thanks to a song other than her biggest US hit. While “Just One Look” reached the top ten in the United States – even hitting No. 3 on the R&B chart in 1963 – her song “I’ll Do Anything” didn’t become popular a few years later.
She became well-known around town for her performances in nightclubs. The consistent beat of the music, occasionally highlighted with short, sharp bursts of sound, really captivated audiences.
“There’s a Ghost in My House” by R. Dean Taylor
In 1966, Taylor collaborated with legendary Motown songwriters Holland-Dozier-Holland on the song “There’s a Ghost in My House.” Though it was a groovy and psychedelic track, it didn’t become popular like his later hit, “Indiana Wants Me.” However, it became a favorite in clubs throughout northern England.
Newcastle upon Tyne is as far north as you can go in England, and it’s likely where a young David Lett first encountered the song. He later became known as David Vanian and went on to create the Damned, considered England’s first punk band.
It was such a cool surprise for me as a long-time fan when The Damned dropped their new album, Not Like Everybody Else! What really blew my mind was that they kicked it off with a cover of “There’s a Ghost in My House” – talk about coming full circle!
“I’m So Tired of Being Lonely” by the Sharpees
This band hailed from Chicago and enjoyed a brief period of success in the mid-1960s, combining soulful vocals with energetic horn arrangements. However, they never gained a strong fanbase in the United States and faded into obscurity when the 1970s began.
After Herbert Reeves, the band’s singer, passed away, some of their older, little-known recordings were found in the UK. Two songs became popular: the emotional ballad “Go On and Laugh” and the dance track “Do the 45.” However, “I’m So Tired of Being Lonely” was their biggest hit – a sad song with a powerfully catchy rhythm.
“Just a Little Misunderstanding” by the Contours
You might recognize this story: The Contours scored a big hit in the early 1960s with “Do You Love Me,” and it was popular in clubs, especially up north. But Northern Soul fans actually preferred their lesser-known song, “Just a Little Misunderstanding.” While it didn’t have quite the same punch as “Do You Love Me,” many felt it had an even more appealing rhythm.
“From the Teacher to the Preacher” by Gene Chandler and Barbara Acklin
So, I found out Barbara Acklin was actually a receptionist for this producer, Carl Davis, while she was trying to break into the music industry herself. He worked with Gene Chandler, and eventually, one of Barbara’s songs ended up becoming a hit duet with him – the guy who sang ‘Duke of Earl’! Pretty cool how it all came together, right?
Okay, so this song was right around two minutes and fifteen seconds, and it had this really energetic, danceable beat – think upbeat and with some cool horn sections. It wasn’t super intense, but definitely got me moving – perfect for when I’m grinding in-game!
“Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me” by the Tams
The band, based in Atlanta, hadn’t had a record label for three years when their mellow song “Hey Girl…” unexpectedly became popular in the UK. While the song had only been a small hit in the US back in 1964, it reached the top of the charts in the UK seven years later.
“I’m Gonna Run Away From You” by Tami Lynn
This song was first recorded in 1967, but didn’t become a UK top ten hit until four years later. The song’s energetic rhythm came from Bert Berns, the writer of famous songs like “Piece of My Heart” and “Twist and Shout.” Lynn’s powerful voice suggested she deserved even more success.
That’s just a brief overview. While many excellent compilation albums exist, finding them – much like locating the original singles – can be difficult.
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2026-07-28 14:31