Top 10 Best British Female Singers
Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer, songwriter and animal welfare campaigner. She was born and raised in the London Borough of Islington, London, England where she attended the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology. Leona's voice is so expansive and flexible that she can change her tone and timbre to suit a very wide variety of songs in a compelling way. Her sheer vocal prowess is easily the best the UK currently has to offer, even against the likes of powerhouses like Adele and Jessie J. Leona easily traverses the likes of pop, R&B, soul, reggae, motown, dance, dubstep and opera with class and finesse.
Someone as gifted as Leona is definitely a rarity, coming round once only every generation or two. It speaks volumes that she first had commercial success a decade ago, and there has not yet been any sign of anyone quite so talented and versatile on the British scene since.
Great vocalist, with original and beautiful songs. Definitely my top 5 on this list. I'm sorry she made it to #10. Should've been way higher, but there is no way to adjust this.
Leona is simply among the best there, a truly underrated star who deserves a lot more promotion and credit. Don't get me wrong there is some fantastic talent on this list and proves that Britain can produce a world class list of female singing talent. But Leona is my favourite celebrity because I have met her a couple of time and she is so beautiful and such a nice person.
Leona Lewis the most beautiful voice of this century! She deserves recognition from evryone because of her behaviour who is a model and because of her work! Many artist trust the top at the radio but they can't sing or just have sexy clip...Leona Lewis has a such beautiful voice and good songs and is not naked in her clips! It's a real artist! She deserves to be in the top again and she deserves support from everyone!
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 her second, third and fourth studio album which is 21, 25 and 30. Vocal depth, range and charisma few can match. Who doesn't know and like this incredible diva?! She has a class and talent! True musician and artist!
She's the only woman I know to be hot, cute, and silly at the same time! She's a gorgeous human and she has an old soul. She sings with her heart and soul on stage and anywhere. She's such an inspiration to everyone and is so body positive- that's so great for the younger generations!
I think adele should be the best singer in the world, not just best female british singer. She is my favorite singer and pretty much is the only singer I like. I always have her songs stuck in my head. I want to meat her some day.
Adele is simply the best singer we have produced she touches people with her heartfelt lyrics. She is a classic artist, we all miss her and hope to hear some new material.
I'm sorry but Kate should be in the top 5 at least. Anyone with any ounce of musicality in their bones must be able to acknowledge what an utter genius this women is. Unless they have never listened to more than 30 seconds of her work, which sadly is most likely to be the reason why she is positioned outside the top 10. Kate after all, is completely unique and out on her own.
There have been many great talented female singer/songwriters through the generations and we all have our favourites of course, and Kate is not everyone's 'cup of tea' I realise but if this poll is to be taken seriously then any subjective appreciative music lover would always vote for Kate before anyone else in my opinion.
Almost 40 years in the music industry. A very, very, VERY talented SINGER, SONGWRITER, PERFORMER and PRODUCER since she started in the late 1970's. If you are going to vote for the best british female singer, you should, at least, take the time to listen to others UK singers and not only vote for the singers that are "popular now" (Adele, Ellie, Leona, Jessie J...).
Even if you don't like her music, you can't deny the FACT that she IS one of the best MUSICAL ARTISTS from the UK. If you haven't listened to her music, begin with her album "Hounds of Love", considered by many one of the best albums of all time.
Please, just listen her.
Kate was always the best by far, pure artistry, talent, theatrical expression, genius, amazing singer, amazing song writer, amazing musician, amazing dancer, amazing choreographer, also a producer. She was so original there never was anyone like that ever... she's the pioneer before the rest of them! And finally - she was real, not plastic, she wasn't in it for money fame glamour but only ever did it for love of art. I wouldn't compare the rest on this list to Kate Bush. Nope.
Most artists are a one hit wonder; they put all their efforts into one decent song or fluke a great tune. Kate Bush was a genius, and songwriting seemed to come naturally to her from an early age. Her debut album The Kick Inside outflanks most other singers mature work. Songs like Moments of Pleasure, Hounds of Love, Love and Anger (to name just a few) are chillingly beautiful and musically diverse masterpieces. I tell you, they don't write uplifting songs like Cloudbusting anymore.
Legend! I recommend for anyone under 30 to spend time listening to the oldies... Fyi, Annie was part of Eurythmics...Extremely talented vocalist and artist.
There aren't words expressive enough for this woman's internal archives of creativity and talent. From her experimental and shocking debut and throughout her constant chameleon-like, daring career, her amazing ability to entertain and amuse as well as eloquently make a poingnent statement just enhances and embraces the flawless jewel that is her voice.
80ies Fashion Icon. Feminist (for lack of better word). Philanthropist and freedom fighter. In fact she is the British Madonna. Piercing and powerful voice, yet gentle and elegant like a crystal. She stirs emotions like few others. Talented singer/ songwriter. Massively important for music.
Took a couple of years to realise how good she was! I'm one stubborn sod that refused to go with the masses in what was popular, so missed out on some real talent when they appeared on the scene.
A rich powerful voice, low to high notes make her worth top 5.
Geneviève Alison Jane Moyet is an English singer, songwriter and performer noted for her bluesy contralto voice. Unparalleled depth, she is the juxtaposition of voice. Moyet stirs emotion as simultaneously modern and timeless. Like few can in any era, she sings along the knife's edge to be as polished as it is raw. Consider listening to any of her songs, notably with Yazoo (Yaz), and hear the texture that fills the room.
Along with Cindy Lauper and Madonna, Alison Moyet was one of my favorite singers in the 80's (remember her being number 1 in Top of the Pops) and one of the most talented and complete singers I ever knew... Probably not too many young people know her, that's why she is only no 41...
Nobody in the US knew who she was but they were always blown away when I threw in one of her DVDs. Them. suddenly and without a clue. Then Al(l)ison) , at least in the US, vanished. This is the first picture/article/mention in passing of heard of her since the early 70's when I moved from Los Angeles to Berkeley...
Simply stunning vocalist who can really deliver live.
Florence Leontine Mary Welch is an English musician, singer, and songwriter. She is best known as the lead vocalist of the indie rock band Florence + the Machine. Florence Welch... She sings so well live (Despite some SNL and Letterman Performances) but her voice is so beautiful, her songwriting talent, and the instrumentals are nothing short of genius.
Listen to Calvin Harris' version of Spectrum and then tell me Florence Welch isn't the best on this list. Adele is a very close second though
There may be several incredible women on this list, but none can match the artistry that Florence Welch has.
Not even in the top ten?!?! Florence can hit and hold notes that others can only dream of.
"Breathy", "sultry", "ethereal", "startling" all have been said about her voice. Listen to "Pilots" and decide for yourself. By the way, the opening tune to the song is also her voice.
She's just amazing and so versatile! She takes you to other worlds with her voice.
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. Excellent voice and talent. Her raspiness was so unique and rare. I think she may have been one of those who paved the way to todays roughness in vocal performing. Sad she is gone :(
Britain has been responsible for some of the greatest vocal talents the world has ever seen, and Amy is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most gifted female. Her voice was absolutely extraordinary, and she could translate an emotion to an audience in a fashion that was practically unparalleled. Really, her voice was an instrument that could take you places. Not to mention, she was an incredibly gifted songwriter. The lyrics to Love is a Losing Game and Wake Up Alone are just stunning, and her renditions of classic Jazz standards are beautiful. Moreover, there is something commendable about her devotion to being herself in an industry that endeavors for individuals to conform. She truly epitomizes the word genius, and she made an everlasting impact on my life.
Unparalleled. The only one that comes close is Florence Welch but she's still miles behind. The state of this list is an absolute joke and a discredit to the true greats. Amy Winehouse, Adele and Kate Bush are the only singers in the top 10 that have/had skin in the game. Amy Winehouse in 2007 was the best female vocalist on the planet let alone vocalist that resided in GB (which for the record has had the most phenomenal pool of musicians in the world) Amy Winehouse cleaning up at the Grammy's makes me proud to be British
She is the only female singer on this list who was asked to duet with Tony Bennett. That puts it into perspective, globally.
My personal view is that, had she found that stable relationship which would have brought her the contented family environment she so eagerly sought, her voice would have excelled even more, particularly in her 30's.
Would she have gone on to be one of the all-time-greats like Ella Fitzgerald? Sadly, we were denied this and will now never know.
Jessica Ellen Cornish, better known by her stage name Jessie J, is an English singer and songwriter. Born and raised in London, she began her career on stage, aged 11, with a role in the West End musical Whistle Down the Wind. Ask another singer to do one of her songs and here the difference they can't do it. Ok maybe the vocal gymnastics are overdone but this girl is a major talent. When she hosted the MTV Europe show before she became huge she sang lots of covers and put every other artist on the bill to shame. Only leona Lewis shines brighter
She's a very talented singer and you could really feel what's her song is saying about. Every word that comes from her sound so much and every lyrics pronounce so meaningful, that could really put the listeners inside her song. She's very great and it's so amazing to hear her voice.
She deserves to be the number 1! She can do all genres from pop, rock, ballad etc. There is no such thing in music that she can't do. She is an inspiration to many. She sings great in recording and T.V. but she is superb when doing live session and concert. Love you Queen Jess.
Jessie J never fails when she sings, and she cannot only sing, but she can also beatbox and play with her voice in so many other ways. You can feel her mood when she sings. You can feel her emotions, and it is very few singers, where you can hear that! Jessie J is without a doubt the best british female singer :-)
Helen Folasade Adu, known professionally as Sade Adu or simply Sade, is an English singer-songwriter, composer, arranger, and record producer. Another LEGEND! I spent many high school days listening to her songs over and over again. There was no party or social gathering where her music wasn't played. Sensual, elaborate, romantic, emotional... all mixed into one pot of incredible vocal feast.
Sade is the most amazing singer of anything: Blues, Jazz, Rock, Ballads and Modern. I listen to her music everyday and have done this for over two years. Sade is also a fine dancer and entertainer displaying both beauty and deep felt sexuality. I feel like the luckiest man alive for finally discovering the magical experience of SADE and her great band.
She has stood the test of time and her shows still outsell most people on the list in the US. She has also modeled the best behavior to celebrity by keeping as private as possible, creating mystique.
If SADE was fabric, she'd be silk or a very fine cashmere. The most soothing voice on the planet. The Ayurveda of Pop. Her voice creeps under your skin. Captivating.
The Newcomers
Elena Jane "Ellie" Goulding is an English singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, born on December 30th, 1986 in Hereford, England. She is most well-known in the U.S. for her singles "Lights”, "Love Me Like You Do” and "Burn", and has been featured in other songs with artists like Calvin Harris. She has recorded four studio albums, and has achieved success in multiple countries. Her tone of voice in unique so high almost unnaturally so. Yes she had had hits with Calvin Harris and No1 single "Burn" but her best vocals are in her live performances and acoustic numbers like "Your Song".
Ellie goulding is amazing. She has a awesome voice. She inspires me she's got so much talent and she deserves it. I love all of her songs And I have a of them and I have all of her album too.
I love Ellie goulding, literally love her, I'm in love with Ellie goulding.
Her beautiful face, voice and body. I feel in love right now.
Ellie Goulding has the full package; she's gorgeous, really sweet and nice, good sense of humour and she had the voice of and ANGEL!
Marina Lambrini Diamandis, better known by her stage name "Marina and The Diamonds", is a Welsh singer-songwriter. Born in Bryn Mawr and raised in nearby Pandy, she moved to London as a teenager in order to achieve her dream of being a singer. She's known for her unique style of writing, and impersonating characters in creating her songs and forming her albums. This should be number 1, Marina has an amazing voice and meaningful lyrics, She has a message and she's delivering it successfully so far, Listen to her and you won't regret it.
Marina is my favourite singer! I think she should be much higher on this list! Her songs are absolutely brilliant in my opinion, and she has a really nice voice as well!
How she isn't number one is mind boggling. Absolutely amazing lyrics, great sound, and more important than the other two, she has a phenomenal voice.
The most original and unique of them all. Should be higher!
Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey is a Welsh singer whose career began in the mid-1950s, best known both for her powerful voice and for recording the theme songs to the James Bond films Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, and Moonraker. Her ability to connect with a song and an audience across such a range of material is peerless. The power and drama of her voice is well recognised but spend some time to listen across her broad catalogue. Love, loss, heartache, warmth, lust, tenderness, anger, fun, funny, galvanising, self deprecating, intimate, teasing, triumphant gloriously exuberant, classical, easy, standards, rock, country, jazz, pop, disco, dance, consummate phrasing, range, astounding breath control, captivating, charismatic, regal, down to earth, beautiful and beyond compare.
I had the privilege of seeing the Grand Dame, approx a decade ago. It was her return to Las Vegas, where she hadn't performed for I believe it was 25 years prior. Instead of performing in an arena for one or two nights, which would have sold out, she chose to do a smaller nightclub type venue over a week's period. The small Hollywood Theatre at the MGM, her orchestra on levels of "stairs" on each side of the stage and the magnificence herself in the most opulent of gowns, made this one of the best concerts I have ever seen. I was quite worried because some singers do not know when to bow out gracefully, (Mr. Sinatra, Ms. Ross) and they chose to give these illusion performances when their voice goes and sometimes its sad. I so didn't want that to be the case and let me tell you, age has graced this woman in every way possible, still gorgeous and elegant and a quick wit when talking with the audience, and a sultry, richer, deeper, flawless tone, sounding more polished and professional ...more
No other entertainer in the world has been a world-class performer for more than 50 years. For that, in addition to maintaining the the voice, Bassey has NO peer. She has also sold more records than anyone else on this list and her Oscars performance in 2013 basically showed the world, and Adele, how it's done. An indisputable number 1
Shirley is simply stunning live a true power house with fantastic diction and interpretation, just listen to her versions of any Beatles, Foriegner or The Doors, not just a huge belting voice, so much emotion. Best ever live performer
She's a great singer and she also writes her own songs. I feel like she deserves to be in the top 5 area if not top 3.
I saw her live at a princes' trust awards. She was amazing and inspirational.
Can write any song and evoke emotion and can sing any song and spark waterfalls. Incredible
Her each and every songs are so inspiring especially "Clown"!
Kim Wilde (born Kim Smith) is an English pop singer, author, DJ and television presenter who burst onto the music scene in 1981 with her debut single "Kids in America", which reached number two in the UK. Her version of the Supremes' song "You Keep Me Hangin' On" also went on to be a major UK and US hit. In 1983, she received the Brit Award for Best British Female. Her other hits include "Never Trust a Stranger", "You Came", "Chequered Love", "Hey Mister Heartache". Songwriter of extraordinary depth and surprisingly hard hitting and realistically emotive. Has quite simply the best pop voice for variety, she has strength in pop, rock, ballad, dance, jazz etc etc. So many singers are great with a particular type of song, this lady manages them all convincingly. Ridiculous she is this low in the poll. "Cambodia", her best seller remains my favourite of all-time, genuinely innovative, haunting, melodic, strong vocals which mixes eastern style percussion with a disco beat and gigantic chorus. Mesmerising!
The Best selling British female of the 80s with a continuous string of classic pop/rock records, this versatile and hugely adorable beautiful lady is still pulling in the crowds on her regular tours. A voice that can be powerful, seductive, feminine, edgy and yet it's on album tracks where she regularly shows how good her voice is. Songs like Thought it was goodbye, Solstice, Stay Awhile and breathtakingly beautiful. A true legend.
What a track record this incredible lady has. The whole family are still making amazing music today, so much talent and beautiful harmonies. Compelling live act with huge energy and vitality. Very clever with an inate ability to create hits. Truly the best British female singer ever - the singers higher will fade over time, but Kim will not - like her Dad, she will still perform into her 80s. None of these others will - Kim has superstardom running through her veins
The best selling female of the 80s, still going strong now, with a live act that is full of vitality, charisma and energy. She was the First Lady of the pop video and achieved the status of popstar who was groundbreaking yet normal. She is feminine yet strong. Her voice is powerful but emotive and she has successfully had hits across new wave, rock, rockabilly, dance, pure pop and yet her latest, "Solstice" is probably the best of the lot, simply heartbreaking….
Lily Rose Beatrice Cooper, known professionally as Lily Allen, is an English singer, songwriter, actress, and television presenter. She can't dance well and really isn't a great singer
But her video is one of the most mesmerizing
Events I watched in a while. She comes across as
Very genuine through her songs and her performance.
Lily Allen, should be up there, at the top. Smile? The fear? Come on you can't beat those tunes. You actually can't. and 3 platinum albums? Is everyone forgetting something heereee.
I like her but who does a music video in the bathroom for the whole day? Her songs are good though!
Fun, upbeat, happy, flirtatious... that's how I feel about her music. Sweet voice.
Paloma Faith Blomfield, known professionally as Paloma Faith, is an English singer, songwriter, and actress. Faith is known for her retro and eccentric style. Faith met her managers Jamie Binns and Christian Wåhlberg in 2007. Her debut album, Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful? was released ...read more. I love Paloma Faith because she dares to be different and when she wants, she is unique. She writes her own stuff and should eventually make it big in America. I love her honesty as a person and as an artist.
Simply the queen! Such a diverse spectrum of beautiful music, Paloma leaves everyone else for dead. She has class while also managing to be different. She is an inspiration. Great live also!
She's the Greatest! Full of soul! Her performances command your attention, she's awesome! We need more of her in America!
A true artist, unique, so talented, a great role model and a beautiful personality! Pure class!
Just by exploring all the kind of music she sings. Since trance going by pop music until indie gender. Her personality, her style of voice so unique. Her role as mother, wife and artist make of her an admirable person. Never in the eye of the show and scandals. Nothing vulgar. All a lady. Most of her lyrics do not say vulgarity like those of the most popular singers. What a pity that she is not recognized as it should in her own country, and is more acclaimed in Russia and Latin America. Mexico loves her!
Kylie may be the "British Princess of Pop" (despite being Aussie, really) but Sophie is the drama peak-inducing, high energy, new Electro Dance Pop Diva par excellence. Perhaps the most important Dance-Pop sensation of the new millennium for Britain. Addictive.
Sophie comes from good stock, her mother Janet was the undisputed sex bomb of children's bbc when I was a wee lad.
One of the most underrated British female artists in the music industry!
Rita Sahatçiu Ora is a British singer and actress . Her debut studio album, Ora, released in 2012, debuted at number one in the United Kingdom .
She dated Rob Kardashian . There are couple songs that I like. Others not so much. I didn't realize the order I clicked on was the order I rated. Unfortunately I'd put her in 9th place, before Ms Moyet.
She is an inspiration and such a genuine person. Rita is talented and always has good spirits. Most importantly of all, she never forgets where she came from. Love you Rita xx
She is really talented. She is also a really good model.
She is fantastic
This is a joke. Jess Glynne is an amazing singer, yet people like Rita Ora are higher up on this list.
Absolutely brilliant. There is such depth to her voice.
C has the best voice...
Best singer ever!
Dido Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong, known as Dido, is a British singer and songwriter. I'm guessing a lot of fourteen year olds are voting when you find sade and dido at the bottom. But hey times change just lets not forget who paved the way.
Dido is just stunning. These emotions, her passion in songwriting. She was accompanying me through my adolescence and empowered me very often.
Don't know most of her music, but heard few songs. And the ones I heard, I liked. Steady and solid artist.
Her songs give me too much memory.
Cheryl Ann Tweedy (formerly Cheryl Cole, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini) known as Cheryl is an English singer, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame in late 2002 as a member of girl group Girls Aloud on ITV's Popstars: The Rivals, and stayed with the group until they split up in 2013. I she has been lucky with her success due to a lot of publicity from the X-Factor. She ain't really released any classic songs that will be remembered for years. It's crazy to think she has 5 #1 singles for such a plain-Jane.
I'm biting for Cheryl to get a comment.
What on earth is she on here for her looks only!
Her duet with Gary Barlow is legendary for being awful lady antebellum murdered badly. She got through pops tats the rivals only because in the words of the other girls we liked her as a person. Toneless and awful
Cheryl is a phenomenal talent from singing, songwriting and dancing. She has so much experience, with a decade in the music industry. She is a true artist.
She should be number 1 because she is the only female singer ever to have 5 UK number 1s and has some of the most catchy songs I ever heard. She is a house hold name in u.k./ireland but she never released her music in the us witch is a shame
Skin is miles above the rest, her vocal range cannot be match by her peers anywhere in the world, never-mind the UK. Its always so sad to see mediocre artist are rewarded cause their limited talent appeals to a limited audience. If you just look at the differences in the quality and execution, its miles above the like of Adele and the rubbish that is presented as great British talent.
Polly Jean Harvey, known as PJ Harvey, is an English musician, singer-songwriter, writer, poet, and composer.
Imogen Jennifer Heap is an English singer, songwriter, record producer and audio engineer. She is known for her involvement in electronic music and as a member of the short-lived project Frou Frou. Born in the London Borough of Havering, Heap became classically trained in piano, cello and clarinet at ...read more. Out of the entire list Imogen Heap is the creative genius of the lot and has wriiten some really stunningly unique songs. She should be in the top 10!