If folk music means "not having any known composer", then studio recordings of soul music aren't "folk music".

But if folk music means music that folk embrace because it comes from and expresses their very essence,then studio recordings of soul music are folk music.

In my opinion, certain examples of recorded soul music-and for that matter examples of any genre of music-are invaluable folkloric artifacts in that they reflect and document the values, attitudes, concerns, and aspirations of folk.

"Soul Man" is one important example of a song that reflects and documents the {re}emergence of the Black pride movement in the USA.

SOUL MAN
{Artist: Sam and Dave}

Intro: / G - F - Bb - C D /

Coming to you on a dusty road
Good loving, I got a truck load
And when you get it, you got something
Don't worry, 'cause I'm coming

/ G G7 G G7 / / / /

{Refrain}
I'm a soul man, I'm a soul man
I'm a soul man, I'm a soul man

/ G - F - G - G7 G / G - F - G - C D /

Got what I got the hard way
And I make it better, each and every day
So honey, said don't you fret
'Cause you ain't seen nothing yet

{Refrain}

I was brought up on a side street
I learned how to love before I could eat
I was educated at Woodstock
When I start loving, whoa I can't stop

{Refrain}

Just grab the rope and I'll pull you in
Give you hope and be your only boyfriend
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

/ Eb - Bb - / C - C# - / - - - - Ab - F# - B - C# Eb /

I'm talking about a soul man, soul man
{Ad lib. to fade}

/ Ab - F# - Ab - Ab7 Ab / :

http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/soulman.htm