R&B Through History
The Hits of 1970
1970 R&B TOP SINGLES
Explore the defining R&B and Soul single releases of 1970. Click any card to load its details, source album, and a fun fact below! (← Back to Main Dashboard)
1970
Protest Soul / Philly GrooveTop 30 Single Releases
Selected Song Details
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Key Takeaways: 1970 Singles
The new decade began with an explosion of new energy and consciousness in R&B. 1970 was the year of **The Jackson 5**, who achieved the unprecedented feat of having their first four singles ("I Want You Back," "ABC," "The Love You Save," and "I'll Be There") all hit #1. Soul music became a powerful vehicle for social protest, led by **Edwin Starr's** visceral anti-war anthem "War." Funk evolved further with **James Brown's** "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine," while the smooth, orchestrated sound of Philadelphia Soul, defined by **The Delfonics**, became a dominant force. It was a year that showcased the genre's incredible diversity, from the bubblegum pop of the Jackson 5 to the raw political funk that would define the early 70s.