The 38 Best Northern Soul Songs of All Time

Rare Detroit pressings worth thousands share space with chart hits the all-nighter crowds revived. Every one of these kept a dancefloor spinning until dawn.

1. 1
   Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)

   Frank Wilson's 1965 Motown rarity, top of Kev Roberts' Northern Soul Top 500 and one of the most valuable records ever pressed.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Better Use Your Head

   Little Anthony & the Imperials' 1966 Veep single, a UK chart hit via the scene in 1976.
   772pts
3. 3
   I'm Gonna Run Away from You

   Tami Lynn's 1965 song that became a UK top-five hit in 1971 thanks to the scene.
   699pts
4. 4
   I Really Love You

   The Tomangoes' rare 1967 Washpan single, a top-15 entry in the Northern Soul Top 500.
   699pts
5. 5
   Our Love Is in the Pocket

   J.J. Barnes's 1966 Detroit record, a cornerstone of the Ric-Tic and Revilot sound.
   610pts
6. 6
   If You Ask Me

   Jerry Williams's 1966 Calla single, a spinning-floor favourite from Wigan to Blackpool Mecca.
   610pts
7. 7
   I'll Do Anything

   Doris Troy's 1965 Cameo single, a soaring all-nighter favourite.
   610pts
8. 8
   Keep On Keeping On

   Nolan Porter's 1971 record, later reworked by Joy Division, and a Wigan Casino mainstay.
   610pts
9. 9
   The Beat

   Major Lance's 1968 Okeh single, a favourite from the Chicago star who later played Wigan Casino.
   610pts
10. 10
    I'm on My Way

    Dean Parrish's 1967 Laurie single, one of Wigan Casino's 3 Before 8 closers.
    610pts
11. 11
    You Didn't Say a Word

    Yvonne Baker's dramatic 1966 Junior single, a perennial Wigan Casino favourite.
    499pts
12. 12
    The Snake

    Al Wilson's 1968 retelling of a cautionary fable, a scene anthem that became a UK hit in 1975.
    499pts
13. 13
    Long After Tonight Is All Over

    Jimmy Radcliffe's Bacharach-penned 1964 ballad, one of the 3 Before 8 closers at Wigan Casino.
    499pts
14. 14
    Time Will Pass You By

    Tobi Legend's reflective 1968 single, the final record in Wigan Casino's 3 Before 8.
    499pts
15. 15
    Hey Girl Don't Bother Me

    The Tams' 1964 ABC single that the northern scene pushed to UK number one in 1971.
    499pts
16. 16
    Needle in a Haystack

    The Velvelettes' 1964 Motown girl-group single, a long-time scene floor-filler.
    499pts
17. 17
    Nothing Can Stop Me

    Gene Chandler's 1965 Constellation single, a polished Chicago soul classic of the scene.
    499pts
18. 18
    Open the Door to Your Heart

    Darrell Banks's 1966 Revilot single, an early Twisted Wheel anthem.
    499pts
19. 19
    Hit and Run

    Rose Batiste's 1966 Revilot single, a frantic Detroit dancer.
    499pts
20. 20
    Out on the Floor

    Dobie Gray's 1966 dancer whose lyrics became a manifesto for all-nighter crowds.
    0pts
21. 21
    If That's What You Wanted

    An early recording by future Maze leader Frankie Beverly, prized by collectors.
    0pts
22. 22
    Seven Days Too Long

    Chuck Wood's 1967 Roulette side, later covered by Dexys Midnight Runners.
    0pts
23. 23
    The Right Track

    Billy Butler's upbeat 1966 Okeh single, a classic of the Chicago sound on northern floors.
    0pts
24. 24
    Tainted Love

    Gloria Jones's 1964 original that northern soul DJs championed long before Soft Cell's cover.
    0pts
25. 25
    Crackin' Up Over You

    Roy Hamilton's 1966 RCA side, a big-voiced balladeer turned floor-filler.
    0pts
26. 26
    What Kind of Lady

    Dee Dee Sharp's 1969 Atco single, a later highlight from the Mashed Potato Time star.
    0pts
27. 27
    Love on a Mountain Top

    Robert Knight's 1968 song, a UK top-ten hit in 1973 after northern clubs revived it.
    0pts
28. 28
    Higher and Higher

    Jackie Wilson's 1967 Brunswick smash, a mainstream hit adopted by every northern dancefloor.
    0pts
29. 29
    Girls Are Out to Get You

    The Fascinations' 1967 Curtis Mayfield production, a UK hit via the scene in 1971.
    0pts
30. 30
    You Don't Love Me

    Epitome of Sound's ultra-rare 1967 single, a top-ten entry in the Northern Soul Top 500.
    0pts
31. 31
    What

    Judy Street's 1966 song, later covered by Soft Cell, and a Wigan Casino favourite.
    0pts
32. 32
    It Really Hurts Me Girl

    The Carstairs' 1973 Red Coach single, a defining record of the Blackpool Mecca modern sound.
    0pts
33. 33
    Seven Day Lover

    James Fountain's 1976 Peachtree single, a rare later-era record that became a scene staple.
    0pts
34. 34
    Looking for You

    Garnet Mimms's driving 1966 Veep side, a mainstay of the Twisted Wheel era.
    0pts
35. 35
    Landslide

    Tony Clarke's stomping 1965 Chess single, one of the scene's most recognisable intros.
    0pts
36. 36
    There's a Ghost in My House

    R. Dean Taylor's 1967 Motown side that the scene revived into a UK top-five hit in 1974.
    0pts
37. 37
    Here I Go Again

    Archie Bell & the Drells' 1969 Atlantic side, a UK hit in 1972 thanks to northern DJs.
    0pts
38. 38
    Unsatisfied

    Lou Johnson's 1965 Big Hill single, a Bacharach-era voice in a hard-driving setting.
    0pts

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