Top 10 Best Female Singers of All Time

A great song can make us laugh, cry, or feel like we can conquer the world, and at the center of many of those unforgettable songs is often a brilliant female vocalist. Over the decades, women in music have shattered glass ceilings, taken genres to new heights, and produced some of the most iconic songs in history. Whether you're a fan of soulful ballads, high-energy pop anthems, or intricate vocal acrobatics, there's a singer out there who's hit the right note for you.
The Top Ten
1 Whitney Houston Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. In 2009, Guinness World Records cited her as the most awarded female act of all time. Houston is one of pop music's best-selling music artists of all-time, with an estimated 170–200 million records sold worldwide. She released seven studio albums and three movie soundtrack albums,... read more

By far, Whitney has the most voice control ever. She has set the standards for singing that have not been matched. She is also the most influential singer in the world.

The first time I heard Whitney Houston sing, I thought I'd died and landed in heaven. Celine Dion is great, but whoever said that doesn't understand quality. However, if a 1-100 rating were to exist with the higher the number, the better the singer, Celine would be 78, and Whitney would be 97. I was glad Barbara Streisand wasn't in the top ten; she's too unnatural, all the way Hollywood, and different for no other reason than trying to impart that idea. Whitney is the best ever. She could easily have sung opera, and the world of opera would have gotten unhinged, Maria Callas dethroned. Not only was she the best, but she was also beautiful, and I fell in love every time I saw or heard her.

Whitney Houston is the greatest because Martin thinks she has the best-selling album of all time, The Bodyguard. She has the best-selling debut album by a female artist, Whitney Houston. She also has the best-selling gospel album of all time, The Preacher's Wife. She still holds the record for the most awarded female singer. She has put out fewer albums than her so-called rivals and has still managed to sell almost over 200 million albums and singles worldwide. She was the first female who had beauty and the voice like no other female, black or white. Her movie The Bodyguard is the best-selling movie by a singer, black or white. Her performance of the National Anthem was so great that it became a single and sold 1 million copies. If accomplishing that is not enough to be the greatest, then I don't know who else qualifies. Also, her live performances were otherworldly and like no other. She is and was the greatest. No one can take that from her. She is The Voice.

2 Mariah Carey Mariah Carey, born March 27, 1970, is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She is one of the biggest best-selling women in the music industry, with 18 number 1 records to her name. She is regarded as a sex symbol through her songs and music videos, and she is "well known" for her over-the-top sexy poses and for having breast implants. She is also known to be a diva, and she is well known for... read more

Put simply, there is just no other singer in the world that can make the hair on the back of your neck stand up to the same degree as Mariah Carey. It's her range, her tonal sound, her accuracy of pitch, her trills (vocal runs), and her upper power when hitting high notes that made her one of the all-time greats. Sure, there are many great singers, and she's perhaps not as good as she was in the 90s, but that's more due to her change in musical direction rather than a decline in ability. She has well and truly proved that with her 2010 Christmas Concert recorded in Washington last year. Plus, she writes all her own songs when too many of the big names these days unfortunately don't!

I think she is the best because she sings in such an impossible way. Her songs are designed in such a way that they are only meant for studio recording (yet she did them with reasonable ease live). She could sing 15 consecutive high notes without rest, and she could sustain any note for more than 20 seconds, which is mind-blowing. And the whistle register... She could sing them in words. I was speechless when I first heard those shrills. I have never heard anyone attempting her songs with success. Yet her music is very warm and melodic. There is a bit of overdoing (the singing), I think, but hey, who would not if they have voices like Mariah's?

3 Celine Dion Céline Marie Claudette Dion is a Canadian singer and businesswoman. She is best known for her song "My Heart Will Go On", which is the main theme of the 1997 film Titanic, which was the first film to gross $1 billion at the box office.

Celine deserves the number 1 spot. Come on, she has recorded songs with some of the world's greatest singers and sings very well in five different languages. She sings like an angel and has such charm about her. Stop talking about Beyoncé's looks here because we are talking about voices, and by far, Celine is number one. Mariah is number two, Whitney is number three, and of them all, Celine has been the most consistent with her records. She has passed Mariah to become the world's best-selling female vocalist of all time.

Celine is the most versatile singer in the world, and here is why:

Listen to "That's Just the Woman in Me," and you will understand. Knowing her as a crystal clear voice, and then a totally new sound, new texture in the most powerful notes of this song... It blew me away. I couldn't believe what I just listened to. And now ask MC, WH, CA, or anybody out there to (try) to do this: they will cry and will acknowledge that only Celine can do this. She can imitate an electric garage door, a piano, a flute, a trumpet, etc. She is a chameleon with her voice, flawless, perfect control, the most powerful voice in the high notes with stamina (All by Myself), and the list goes on and on and on... Truly the best.

4 Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. She began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father, C. L. Franklin, was minister.

Referred to as the "Queen of Soul", she has twice been placed ninth in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". With global sales... read more

Firstly, I think the parameters for "Best Female Singer of ALL TIME" should be better defined and be broken down by genre: Jazz, soul, R&B, Pop, Country, etc. There is a big difference between a singer and an entertainer/performer. For example, Christina Aguilera is a fabulous vocalist - perfect pitch, range, and projection. Brittany Spears is an entertainer/performer. They are both successful Pop artists, but I would not consider Brittany Spears for this list. She's an okay singer. She's much more of an entertainer.

"Of all time" - most of the artists listed here are all contemporary and mostly Pop. So perhaps it should be best Pop singers of all time?

With that said, Aretha Franklin is the Queen of Soul and a true singer, none of this autotune BS. If you need a computer to make you sound better, backup singers, and dancers to entertain your audience, you're a performer/entertainer, not a singer.

5 Christina Aguilera Christina María Aguilera is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known for songs such as "Beautiful", "Genie In A Bottle", "Fighter", "Hurt", "Dirrty", "Your Body", "Lady Marmalade", "Reflection", "I Turn To You", "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" "What A Girl Wants", and "Candyman".

Christina is clearly an extremely talented singer that puts her all into her music. Her vocal ability is absolutely outstanding. She sings because it's what she loves to do. Christina Aguilera is a very inspiring singer that will never lose her amazing voice. She is the best singer of the generation and absolutely one of the best singers of all time. She sings to express herself, and she doesn't care if that means fewer album sales or less popularity. Christina, never stop singing.

There are a lot of people who criticize Christina Aguilera for her technique. Some criticize her for her melisma-filled runs. The way I personally see it is as singing full force with everything you possibly have. Christina Aguilera does not sing without feeling what she is singing. She grew up listening to her favorite artist, Etta James. To blues singers like Etta, there is no "technique" to singing. You sing how you feel. Blues singers do all kinds of runs with trills, squeals, and even screams. People do not seem to understand this. She can sing calm and collected, with little melisma and runs, but that is not what singing is to her. I feel her emotion in every word she says, and that, to me, makes a great singer.

6 Adele Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (born 5 May 1988) is an English singer and songwriter. Graduating from the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in 2006, Adele was given a recording contract by XL Recordings after a friend posted her demo on Myspace the same year. She is best known with her international hit singles like Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You, Hello, Easy On Me and the success of... read more

Adele has turned soul music into something magical. She has taken pure pain and tragedy and produced the most beautiful, gorgeous works of art that could ever portray such strong emotions. Her voice is so crisp and soulful, no matter where she was in her career. Every single album is filled with so much pure and raw sensations that can really affect how you feel.

You should listen to her songs that aren't as famous, like "Lovesong", "Strangers by Nature", "To Be Loved", "One and Only", "Cry Your Heart Out". They really pronounce how much talent she has, making such poetic lyrics and melodic music. You don't have to like her music, but you can't deny her talent. What she was able to do is beyond words.

I don't know how Adele is so low on the list. I have been a fan of hers ever since she came out with "Hometown Glory" and then "Chasing Pavements." Adele has the most original and unique voice in years. She brings back what music truly is: something to be appreciated by the ears. She is one of the few artists who sound better than the recordings, and each live performance she does is different from the others because she varies them and adds different stylistic devices. She writes her songs and puts all her honest emotions into them (she doesn't sing about banging people), which is why so many people can connect to her music.

Adele is gorgeous, and she has a really laid-back personality. When you watch her live, you can tell she truly appreciates all the support her fans are giving her because she always gets so emotional. Just watch any of her live concerts, and you'll see. She always gets teary-eyed when the audience sings "Someone Like You" or "Rolling in the Deep" back to her. She is so realistic and always genuine. Who else would announce on public television that they have snot all over their face during the Grammys? She is very humble, and I know she will go far. Watching her live is something on my bucket list, and I wish her luck in the future.

7 Beyoncé Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter, is an American singer and actress, who started out in the popular pop/r&b girl group Destiny's Child. They had multiple top 5 hits such as "No, No, No", "Say My Name", "Bills, Bills, Bills", "Survivor", "Independent Women", "Bootylicious", and "Jumpin', Jumpin" from 1999 to 2004. After they broke up in 2006, Beyonce pursued her solo career, creating smash hits such... read more

Her vocal control and sense of melody are from another world, and she never "loses her breath" on stage. Her presence and performances are astonishingly amazing. Among the best female singers, she's probably the best dancer. And if all this were not enough, she has a natural talent to compose super hits. I think we humans need time to recognize all the talent she has, especially her voice, which is masked by her extraordinary beauty. Despite her success, she always radiates humility and goodness. So yes, I think Bee is the best female artist of all time, and it's a matter of time before she is included at the top of this list, hand in hand with her own idol Whitney and with Mariah.

This woman is amazing. Her voice is just out of this world and completely flawless! Just watch her perform. She puts all of her soul into her singing.

By the way, being a devoted fan, I decided to watch The Beyoncé Experience Live. Some minutes later, I noticed I was crying like a baby. That's how Queen Bee leaves me with one of her greatest performances of all time. You guys have to check it out.

8 Katy Perry Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, professionally known by her stage name Katy Perry, was born on October 25, 1984 in Santa Barbara, California. She is a singer, songwriter, actress and an ambassador on one of the most popular companies of now, UNICEF.

She is also is one of the best-selling artists of all time. She won 4 Guinness World Records, 5 MTV Awards, 5 American Music Awards, 16'ASCAP Pop Music... read more

I saw Katy be a guest coach on American Idol once, and unlike most singers who just act as cheerleaders and tell the contestants how great they sound or how pretty they look, she actually gave them some advice! What a concept! She pointed out to them that if they make it big, their life would change. They would have far less privacy, see their family far less often, and be away from home for months at a time. To me, this is much more important than whether they look nice in that dress or that sweater. It's obvious Katy is a good person who cared not just about whether the contestants could make it but to be prepared for what's next if they do. Reality shows could use more coaches/judges like her.

I don't care what anyone says, I will always be a Katycat no matter what. She is amazing, talented, multi-awarded, beautiful, and any kind of colored hair suits her. Seriously, I have friends who wish to be like her. Also, Katy Perry will always be in my heart. Every time I felt down and horrible in my life, her music always lifts me up again. Wait... Why is Katy Perry thirteenth? She is way more popular than Amy Lee, Sara Brightman, Charice (sorry guys, no offense, just letting out my opinion). But why are they higher? Bring the real fans here, then you will see who truly comes on top. No one knows who could it be, but I will always support Katy Perry because I am a true Katycat. So come on, vote for her.

9 Amy Lee Amy Lynn Hartzler, known professionally as Amy Lee, is an American singer-songwriter, classically trained pianist and composer. She is also the lead singer to the Arkansas band Evanescence.

A truly beautiful woman with an equally beautiful soul, heart, and voice to match. Her haunting vocals are also soft and sweet, and every lyric she sings sends a message. She is original and one of a kind, with a strong history and family background in music. She knows what she is doing and takes great care to ensure she's not putting the same album out there every time they release one. She combines instruments that ultimately create the most beautifully dark sounds, haunting and pleasant at the same time. She writes her own music and loves the band and fans, and remains one of the few who doesn't need to show off every inch of skin on her body to gain those fans. I have such high respect for her and everything she stands for. She can change lives and maintain her own life while keeping her personal life personal. She is amazing.

Amy Lee is absolutely incredible! Her vocal range is amazing! She can, at one point, be belting out songs like "Made of Stone" or "What You Want," which are both physically demanding songs and require absolute control. But not only that, she can also go to songs like "My Immortal" and "Lost In Paradise," which are on the complete other side of the spectrum from her others. Yet she can handle these incredibly! Within her music, she not only sings but also plays multi-instrumentally during performances, and very rarely makes a mistake. She is just incredible! Her vocal range is equally amazing as her music. She can hit operatic notes, high notes, and deep notes. She can hit any note! She can hold her notes perfectly - sending shivers down your spine! Not only is she an incredible singer/songwriter, but she also paints and has several amazing paintings. She also supports people in need by donating to charities and sponsoring charities. She has also performed on the Royal Variety Show... I could ramble on forever with how Amy Lee is amazing and deserves the top spot! She is amazing, and she is an idol to everyone. Love you, Amy!

10 Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone, known professionally as Madonna, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She influenced a lot of singers such as: Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Beyonce Knowles and Britney Spears. She is known as Queen of Pop and at modern pop culture specifically in 2012 "Madge" or MDNA. She has 14 studio albums (Madonna, Like a Virgin, True Blue, Like a Prayer,... read more

Agreed, she hasn't got the vocal range like Whitney or Celine, but she has proven many times that she can sing, and pretty darn good at times. When she performs a ballad live and from the heart, it's always full of emotions, which makes the imperfections perfect. And let's face it, she is an entertainer who puts on a show like no one else. And when you dance your ass off, who cares if the singing bit isn't flawless? Madonna is the Queen and deserves a much higher ranking, if only for the fact that she has left everyone else miles behind her in her thirty-something years as the most successful female performer of all time.

I agree that Madonna does not have the range, power, or even the "texture" of Celine Dion or Mariah Carey. But that doesn't mean she's a lesser singer. Her interpretation is amazing - just compare her version of "You'll See" with that of Susan Boyle, a singer with better technique and range. But the most important thing is she sings with emotion and passion - and she can convey those emotions to the listeners, which is all great singers should be doing, not showing how high a note you can hit or how deep a voice you possess.

The Contenders
11 Taylor Swift Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter. She was born on December 13, 1989, in Reading, Pennsylvania. Swift is best known for writing personal songs and has won 11 Grammy Awards.

She developed an interest in country music when she was around nine years old. After watching a documentary about Faith Hill, Swift felt inspired to go to Nashville to begin a country music career. Subsequently,... read more

She has got me through a lot. 2020 has been a terrible year, and she has helped me feel happy! I love her music, and she writes songs about her life and her thoughts. She is a great role model for young women like myself. I love her country songs, and I love her pop songs just as much! It is a bold move to switch the music genre in the middle of her career, but that's what makes her awesome! I look up to her, and I adore her very much. She is strong, powerful, caring, curious, smart, adventurous, and lots more. I feel like she should be number one! She has also gone through sexual harassment, and she won the case. She cares for her fans, and that means the world to me. I would do anything that she says I should do. I will always love her music, but I will love her reputation even more!

I'm mainly into rap music, such as Eminem, NWA, and Tupac, but in terms of raw talent, Taylor Swift is a top 10 singer of all time, regardless of gender. She may not have as big a voice as Adele or Whitney, but she more than makes up for it with her pure musicianship and seamless transition from country music to pop.

Taylor Swift possesses the rare ability to make people relate to her songs, regardless of age group or gender. Furthermore, she is an amazing performer, and those who attend her shows rarely leave disappointed.

In the commercial era of music, she reigns supreme and rightfully deserves her place near the very top of this list.

12 Lady Gaga Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress.

On the start of her career, she performed at an event called the Lollapalooza Festival during 2007 whereby a record label company Interscope found her due to her performance being “amusing” to watch. Since Interscope found her, she was a mastermind behind her songs with... read more

Lady Gaga is a very talented performer! Want to know why? She writes, produces, and actually sings all of her own music. She acts, dances, runs around doing whatever the hell Gaga does, and doesn't lip-sync at concerts. She might not be the best female vocalist in the world, but hands down she is pretty dang close to being the most talented. She can play a multitude of instruments such as the piano, keytar, synthesizers, and most recently the guitar. She also has amazing dance skills for someone who has barely any classical training. She is very original and has an explanation for every crazy idea and costume. She is also one of the most gorgeous people on this planet, with or without makeup. Gaga is an all-around mega star, idol, friend, and supporter.

Not sure how Madonna, Katy Perry, and Taylor Swift are above her. Nobody has a voice like Gaga. She can flex through multiple genres of music, from dancehall pop to rock, to acoustic country, to jazz/blues, to opera without a problem. She can not only belt her vocals but do it while performing advanced choreography, doing several costume changes, while jumping off a stadium, etc. And she NEVER lip-syncs. Gaga is the most iconic singer of this generation BY FAR and deserves top 10 at least.

13 Rihanna Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a Barbadian-American pop singer. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, she first entered the music industry by recording demo tapes under the direction of record producer Evan Rogers in 2003. She ultimately signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings after auditioning for its then-president, hip-hop producer and rapper Jay Z.

When you think about it, Rihanna honored the first-ever "Icon Award." She was named the best-selling digital artist of all time, the biggest artist on Facebook, and the most viewed artist on YouTube, among other accolades. She was also named a "Fashion Icon" and received the first-ever "Most Desirable Women In The World" award. Additionally, she has won 9 Grammys. While her voice may not be the strongest, the whole world recognizes its special quality and the abundance of emotions it conveys. Rihanna possesses a very nice, simple, and strong personality, among other attributes that contribute to her status as the number one artist in history!

Robyn Rihanna Fenty is beyond amazing. She can sing like there is no tomorrow. Some may say some of her songs come across as inappropriate, but with a voice like hers, so what?! Then listen to her ballads; she makes the hairs on your neck stand up and sends shivers down your spine. They are so beautiful to listen to. You can't start commenting until you've experienced the overwhelming atmosphere at her concerts. It's breathtaking how one woman can be such a part of people's lives. She is one gorgeous woman with perfect features and a stunning figure. I LOVE HER.

14 Ariana Grande Ariana Grande-Butera (born June 26, 1993) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Her four-octave vocal range has received critical acclaim, and her personal life has been the subject of widespread media attention. She has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including two Grammy Awards, one Brit Award, one Bambi Award, two Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards,... read more

There are no words to describe her talent (I mean this as a compliment). While many of the people on this list do have immense talent and deserve fame, Ariana Grande does as well. Her voice is beautiful and angelic when she wants it to be but also insanely powerful and versatile constantly. All types of her voice are amazing (soprano, mezzo-soprano), including her older voice as well as her more matured voice. She was talented enough to perform in Broadway musical theater. If you watch her Still Hurting Cover as well as her live Dangerous Woman Tour and Sweetener Tour performances, she puts so much effort and passion into each performance. She genuinely enjoys making music and helping others, which is a quality that I thought was always very important in a singer. While her more mainstream songs such as Side to Side and No Tears Left To Cry are much more well-known, she is very underrated as a vocalist. Also, she gets so much hate for no apparent reason. Don't judge a person cruelly when everyone has flaws.

15 Pink Alecia Beth Moore known professionally as P!NK, is an American singer, songwriter, dancer and actress.

If this is a competition in vocal perfection, then we would need both Maria Callas, Anna Netrebko, and Randy Crawford at the top of this list. But in the pop rock business, Pink is indeed recognized among her colleagues as one of the most naturally gifted and original vocal performers alive and well today.

Her voice is definitely one of the most recognizable and powerful female vocals I've heard, apart from Janis Joplin and maybe Diamanda Gals.

Look up her blues rocker "Free" or her cover of "Me and Bobby McGee" on YouTube if you don't know what I'm talking about.

People... Seriously? You think Taylor Swift is better than Pink? Pink should be somewhere in the top ten. Pink is the most truthful, inspirational woman. Her songs are amazing, her concerts are indescribable, and she tells things straight out and doesn't hide it. So no offense to the other people, but Whitney Houston does deserve to be at the top like Madonna, Adele, etc. But Pink is way better than Lady Gaga and Miley. I support Pink because she is so natural and caring and loves animals! She won't eat beef and that's because she has such a strong connection to animals. But Lady Gaga doesn't give a flying f***. She wears meat all over her and to me, that's appalling. So think again on where this fantastic woman should be placed. (Sorry if I offended anyone; this is just my opinion and feelings.) I absolutely love Pink, and she has an amazing daughter, Willow.

16 Demi Lovato Demetria Devonne "Demi" Lovato is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. After appearing on the children's television series Barney & Friends as a child, she received her breakthrough role as Mitchie Torres in the Disney Channel television film Camp Rock and its sequel Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam.

Demi Lovato is one of the best singers of this generation. She has a great voice and incredible vocals. Seriously, she performs live better than any other singer of this generation. When I first heard Skyscraper, I thought she was amazing but doubted if she could sing live exactly like the original song. However, when I saw her performing Skyscraper with high vocals and a very high pitch live, I felt she had the real talent in singing, unlike Selena Gomez, who can't sing live without the support of a chorus. Vote for the great-voiced Demi Lovato.

Demi Lovato is one of the best vocalists of this generation. She is a powerhouse singer who puts all her emotions into her songs, and you can feel it too. She is among the best vocalists in the world right now. Her high notes are infectious, and her belts are superb. She is everything the music industry needs now: a great vocalist, powerful inspirational songs, a role model, and a great personality. I love you, Demi. She has some of the world's greatest classics like Stone Cold, Skyscraper, Lionheart, For You, Give Your Heart a Break, Heart Attack, Sorry Not Sorry, Tell Me You Love Me, I Love Me, and Let It Go, etc.

17 Janis Joplin Janis Joplin (1943-1970) was an American singer who rose to fame as the main singer of acid band Big Brother and the Holding Company. She was known for her eccentric hippie style and psychedelic rock music.

She isn't even in the top 10?!

It is appalling that she is below such awful singers, though I must say, Whitney Houston can bring the house down, and I'm glad she's up there. But so many great singers are being denied their rightful title. Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner should be up in the top 10. It enrages me that Etta James isn't even on here. Her voice is absolutely gorgeous.

Just because Janis doesn't sound like any mainstream no talent doesn't mean she's worthless. Her voice has soul and power, and I just sit back in amazement whenever I listen to her voice. It's raw and beautiful. She should be number one! You people have such poor musical taste, it makes me want to cry.

When I looked at the list, I seriously said to myself, "If Janis isn't on there, I'm gonna be very, very sad," and reading all the names on here almost made me give up. I'm glad that there are at least a few people who remember her. When I first heard a Joplin song, I was completely blown away. It's like you could almost touch her voice. She had nothing in common with today's pop singers, and she always lived at her most intense. This kind of music is something you really have to listen to and not just dance away because there is so much emotion in it. She really makes you feel it, and I will always love her.

18 Avril Lavigne Avril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian–French singer-songwriter and actress. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more than $2 million.

No, I'm not a random fan who votes Avril up just because she's lovable and all (even though, yes, she definitely is). I vote up Avril because I truly believe she is an amazing singer. She can sing with a weak, vulnerable voice, yet she can rock out and radiate young punk energy to the crowd. I don't believe she is given enough recognition as a singer. You can say her vocal range is slightly above average and compare her to Whitney Houston in terms of vocal ability, but I argue for vocal emotion and performance. When she sings, she touches my heart if she sings a slow number and makes me excited when she rocks out with a sick beat. Another trait of Avril's amazing voice is that she always seems to enunciate each lyric precisely when she sings. I almost never mishear lyrics from Avril's singing. I love Avril, but that is not the reason I vote for her to be the best singer. I vote for her because she is.

19 Britney Spears Britney Jean Spears, born on December 2, 1981, is an American former singer and actress. She was born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana. As a child, she performed acting roles in stage productions and television shows, such as "The Mickey Mouse Club," before signing with Jive Records in 1997... read more

Britney Spears started her career when she was 11 years old, making her a truly special singer. The vast majority of her albums have been ranked as the best on the Billboard 100, and they're also great and catchy. She's also a talented performer. Haters say she lip-syncs because she can't sing, but that's not true. When she puts on a show, it includes heavy dancing, so how would she be able to sing? She's such an icon; this is why she is the true Queen of Pop. One of her performances may be more iconic than your favorite artist's entire career. That's why she's so memorable and will always be in our hearts.

Britney is amazing, and I look up to her because, for me, she stands out as she is very different from other performers. I know that she may not have the best vocal ability, but there is something about her voice that is very unique and captivating. Her performances are outstanding and courageous. She was the first female to do what she believed was right and not afraid to stand up for herself. The way she dressed and styled herself caused a lot of controversy out of nothing. All that she wanted to do was to be herself, and that is why she inspires me, like so many others. I really do not understand why she is not in the top 10?!

20 Selena Gomez Selena Marie Gomez is an American actress and singer. She is best known for songs like "Come & Get It", "Good For You", "Same Old Love", and "It Ain't Me". Selena Gomez's voice is mezzo-soprano but she usually sings in alto. She is best known for her role as Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place.

Selena Gomez is not the most popular singer, but she was a few years ago. She has released Kiss & Tell, A Year Without Rain, When the Sun Goes Down, and Stars Dance all in 4 years. Her hit single, Naturally, was on top of the charts in 2009 with Kiss & Tell. On her second album, A Year Without Rain, was a sensation. Some of her top songs on this album were Round & Round, A Year Without Rain, and Live Like There's No Tomorrow, which was also used in the Disney Channel movie Ramona & Beezus. On her third album, which came out in the summer of 2012, her hit songs were Who Says and Whiplash. Then, the wait was totally worth the while because Stars Dance came out in the summer of 2013. She released Come & Get It and performed it several times everywhere. Her other songs that were big on this album were Stars Dance and Birthday. Selena has been doing pretty good so far in her career, don't give up Selena!

I believe that Selena deserves to be in the top 10s on this list. She is very talented and hardworking.

- She is a phenomenal actress! I mean, Alex in Wizards of Waverly Place... that is splendid acting for sure. Her acting roles are so good and so relatable.

- Contrary to what everyone thinks, she is actually a great actress. Her high note in her cover of Shake It Off (in the Carpool Karaoke) was great! She is also stunning when it comes to low notes. Please watch The Heart Wants What It Wants in the AMAS Live video, her voice is so relatable, raw, emotional, and overall breathtaking. She is also a great acoustic singer. Some of the live vocals could have been affected by her anxiety and lupus.

- She has a very nice personality. Selena is very nice to the Selenators. She faced so many hardships but still managed to stay strong! All in all, she is my role model.

21 Tina Turner Tina Turner, née Anna Mae Bullock, was a singer, dancer, actress and author, whose career spanned more than half a century, earning her widespread recognition and numerous awards.

Tina Turner is such an interesting meld of styles. In almost anything she sings, she sings with a bluesy tinge, the energy and sexual fire that would stand up to any male rocker, all the while she sings with the conviction of a church girl gone bad. Her voice, expressive and passionate, she is quite possibly one of the most versatile singers to ever set foot on stage. From gut-bucket R&B to lush orchestral rock to reggae-influenced pop, to the explosive rock and roll records, to lush twangy country, Tina Turner is the singer's singer and embodies a woman able to reinvent herself and survive the test of time.

How Tina is not in the top ten on this list totally baffles me! People have voted for singers like Katie Perry and Ariana Grande over Tina. A lot of people would agree that Tina Turner is the ultimate female rock singer of all time, which I agree with, and would totally justify her being in the top 10, considering the rest of them are all just pop stars. Let's get Tina back to the top!

22 Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer often referred to as the First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz and Lady Ella.

Ella Fitzgerald is in a league of her own. Her virtuosity lies not only in her vocal control or fireworks in the whistle register but in the tremendous emotion in her voice and her unparalleled creativity. She had a sense of rhythm and harmony that has not been seen since the bebop era, and with every performance came powerful inventions that would leave you stunned every time. Given current trends in music, it is impossible to see Ella at the top of this list, but it is equally impossible for a true genius like her to be left off of it.

I agree. Ella Fitzgerald so far down the list is just ridiculous. I love music and have closely followed new and emerging artists right up to the present. I have no doubt that Ella Fitzgerald still remains the greatest female vocalist of all time. She had near-perfect phrasing, pitch, and clarity, and an uncanny ability to make every song she sang come alive with pure emotion and feeling. There may be some female vocalists who will come close to her, but none will ever surpass her because she was as close to perfect as it is possible to be.

23 Amy Winehouse Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer and songwriter known for her deep expressive contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres, including soul, rhythm and blues, and jazz. She is also a well-known member of the 27 Club, as she overdosed on alcohol at age 27.

Amy was the greatest voice of this time. Her time on this planet should be appreciated more. Her vocals were the most unique, and she inspired many upcoming artists and many amazing artists we have today, such as Adele, Duffy, and even, dare I say, Lady Gaga. She should be remembered for her voice, her music, and her genius. She knew how to play guitar, drums, and piano. She wrote all of her songs and sang the most amazing acoustic sets. She was down to earth, sweet, funny, and a lyrical and musical genius. She may not have known it herself, but anybody with ears would be able to tell that. I love you, Amy. RIP.

She put everything she could into her music. Her awesome songwriting, her exceptional vocals, her bleeding heart... Everything! People don't get she was a black woman in a body of a white girl. Her awesome vocals prove what I'm saying. She could go from low notes to high.

Listen to October Song, You Sent Me Flying, You Know I'm No Good, and He Can Only Hold Her. Then you'll start to understand the long story I'm trying to tell you. Not just in vocals, she had a brilliant brain, poetic as hell. October Song is the best example, but you'll sure find many more if you go deep into her career, which I really suggest.

People don't take these lists seriously. Amy Lee? Celine Dion? Whitney Houston? Madonna? Avril Lavigne? Rihanna? Shakira? Katy Perry? Demi Lovato? Are you being serious?

24 Kelly Clarkson Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American singer, songwriter and children's book author. She rose to fame in 2002 after winning the inaugural season of the television series American Idol, which earned her a record deal with RCA Records. Clarkson's debut single, "A Moment Like This", topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became the country's best-selling single of 2002. It was followed by the release... read more

Kelly Clarkson is simply the most versatile, naturally gifted singer of our lifetime. Because of her American Idol past, she is not always taken seriously, and that is a shame - one only has to listen to her sing live to know this girl has it all - an uncanny sense of pitch, impeccable control, and an innate sense of the emotion of a song. Go on YouTube and listen to her live versions of Up to the Mountain, Why Haven't I Heard From You, Tennessee Waltz, Ave Maria, My Country 'Tis of Thee, Cryin', and then name a single other singer who could pull all those off. The answer - no one.

This list is more about popularity than actual singing abilities. Taylor Swift has nice songs, but she shouldn't even be mentioned, as well as Britney Spears and Katy Perry. Adele, Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, and Christina Aguilera are contemporary singers with real technical abilities and should be placed high on this list. Legends should be in a different list as their style is so much different from today's singers. Aretha Franklin, for example, is one of the best singers of all time, but that is not to say she has the biggest "range" or is "versatile." All Disney singers should not be on this list, period.

25 Shakira Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a Colombian-Spanish singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, choreographer, and model.

Shakira is not only an amazing singer who can sing as well as speak in numerous languages with great expression and intensity, but she is also a lyricist, composer, musician (playing the guitar, harmonica, and drums), and record producer. She can also bring influences from her Latin and Arabic backgrounds into the mainstream of rock and pop. Additionally, she dances like no other performer I have ever seen, and her live performances are out of this world! Her heart and soul go into every concert, and her live vocals and dancing are amazing. I don't think many people can do what she can do while performing. In fact, I think she is the only one...

Why in the world is she in 29th place? Her voice is just, just... no words coming out of me. Her song, 'Hips don't lie,' has about 4 types of songs, or like, country, you know, right? I don't understand Spanish, but listening to her songs in Spanish is also amazing. She's very flexible. Plus, her voice has a truly unique quality to it. I know lots of people can do a Shakira impression, but not as amazing as her. Her voice can go high and low, I like that. She must be in 1st place. Okay, maybe 2nd because of Whitney, but seriously, she is absolutely amazing! She even admits that her song 'She wolf,' another great song by her, has lyrics that Shakira thought of in about 10 minutes. This shows how creative and splendid a songwriter, singer, composer, musician, and well, you know, she is. She can speak about 5 languages and sing in about 3? Anyway, she is great! Why 29th? Come on!

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