blue-eyed soul: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2specialised / music journalism / informal cultural discourse
Quick answer
What does “blue-eyed soul” mean?
A style of soul music created and performed by white musicians in the 1960s and 1970s.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style of soul music created and performed by white musicians in the 1960s and 1970s.
Soul, R&B, or rhythm and blues music that is performed by white artists, particularly those whose vocal style and phrasing closely emulate those of classic Black soul singers. The term is often descriptive rather than pejorative, acknowledging a musical style crossing racial lines.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in and is predominantly used in American cultural discourse. In British contexts, it is understood but less frequently used, often appearing in historical discussions of American music.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties, tied to discussions of American 60s/70s music, race, and cultural influence.
Frequency
More frequent in American English. In British English, it's a specialist term found in music journalism or historical analysis.
Grammar
How to Use “blue-eyed soul” in a Sentence
is considered blue-eyed soulplayed blue-eyed soula piece of blue-eyed soulVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blue-eyed soul” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Hall and Oates sound is a prime example of blue-eyed soul music.
American English
- He was known for his blue-eyed soul vocals on that track.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in music industry contexts (e.g., 'marketing a blue-eyed soul revival').
Academic
Used in ethnomusicology, cultural studies, and music history papers.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation unless discussing specific music history.
Technical
A genre classification in music journalism and criticism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blue-eyed soul”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blue-eyed soul”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blue-eyed soul”
- Using it to describe any white singer who performs pop music.
- Spelling it as 'blue-eye soul'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not inherently. It is a descriptive genre label, but its use can be sensitive within discussions of race and cultural borrowing.
The term is strongly associated with the 1960s-1980s. Applying it to modern artists (e.g., Justin Timberlake) is less common and may be seen as anachronistic or reductive.
'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'' by The Righteous Brothers, 'What a Fool Believes' by The Doobie Brothers, and 'Sara Smile' by Hall & Oates.
Similar descriptive labels exist, like 'white blues' or 'British blues boom', but they are not perfectly analogous in formation or cultural resonance.
A style of soul music created and performed by white musicians in the 1960s and 1970s.
Blue-eyed soul is usually specialised / music journalism / informal cultural discourse in register.
Blue-eyed soul: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbluː ˌaɪd ˈsəʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌblu ˌaɪd ˈsoʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'blue eyes' (a stereotypical feature of some white people) + 'soul' (the Black American music genre) = soul music by white artists.
Conceptual Metaphor
GENRE IS A PHYSICAL TRAIT (The music is categorised by a perceived physical characteristic of its creators).
Practice
Quiz
What does the term 'blue-eyed soul' specifically denote?