Top 10 Greatest Female Singer/Songwriters of All Time
These are the women who don't just sing the songs, they are the songs. Their voices climb charts, sure, but their lyrics climb into your chest and refuse to leave. They've filled notebooks with heartbreak, rebellion, hope, and that one line you wrote in your diary when you were thirteen and have never quite recovered from.These are the artists who write it all down first, then sing it into history. They've penned ballads that left you weeping in traffic and anthems that made you strut like you had a soundtrack. They've defined generations and redefined genres, often in the same album. You've heard their songs covered at talent shows, belted out at karaoke, and tattooed on people's ribs.
So who deserves to sit at the top? Scroll through the nominees, vote for the names that wrote their way into greatness, and add anyone you think the list forgot. This isn't just about fame or vocal range. It's about the women who turned their thoughts into lyrics and their lyrics into legacies.

Joni just happens to be a genius and uses that special gift in the arts to explore and express her thoughts on the things in life that are important to her. Somehow, magically, we, her audience, in turn, self-identify and internalize her words into our own lives. She will always have a special place in my heart like no other female songwriter or artist can.
The other nine on this list and the contenders put together don't have the musical depth, breadth, and imagination Joni has before she even wakes up. The same is true of the poetic quality of her lyrics. She is an artist - the rest are commercial constructs with varying degrees of backing, making them seem to be what we see them as.

Lyrical genius. Her words have the ability to make and break someone mentally. Personally, I feel that folklore and evermore depict the zenith of her songwriting skills. Both are such lyrical masterpieces. She is one of the greatest and most intellectual songwriters of modern times.
Outstanding songwriter! The emotion she captures through her words is amazing. They're so deep and meaningful, and if people would listen, they would realize it's not all about her ex-boyfriends. It's much deeper. She should be No. 1, but all the women on the list are also amazing and talented!

Just the best writer/performer, closely followed by Carly Simon. And where's Diane Warren on this list?
The most important female singer/songwriter of our time!
Beautiful music. My favorite female songwriter-singer.

Her voice and songwriting - that's raw talent right there. Give her a microphone, and her sound and words will have you swept away into a spiritual and emotional journey.
The greatest songwriter of all time, man or woman! Both beautiful and brilliant! Her voice is pretty damn good too! Love, love Stevie!
Every man's dream woman from the mid-seventies through the mid-eighties. I remember when real women walked the planet with style and grace.

Maybe Patti Smith can top a list for once!

She was soulful, brilliant, cutting edge, and phenomenal. Gone way too soon!

She has written all her songs except for the covers. And by the way, many of the singers who haven't written even one song are above this lady who wrote 17 #1 hits!
Mariah is the greatest of them all - singer, songwriter, producer.
She has more #1s than probably this entire list combined!

There is nothing cheap about Dolly's words and lyrics. Dolly's songs touch the heart and will be around forever. While Dolly writes a lot of songs about women, she also writes about growing up in the Appalachian Mountains, faith, family, work, and fun (e.g., Two Doors Down).
Dolly's songs are about life and are relatable to ordinary people. These songs, along with her melodies and music, cross gender, ethnicity, and age! Dollywood is more than a theme park!
Dolly Parton is an incredible showwoman, singer, and songwriter. Her music is a part of our history because it tells stories about growing up and living in Appalachia. She is amazing.

Only Joni Mitchell is Kate's peer among female singer-songwriters. The depth of meaning and emotional impact of so many of her songs, the gorgeous music, and her amazingly expressive voice are inimitable.
On top of that, she is one of the first artists to seize control of her music from her label and is a pioneer in video and live performance excellence. No one is as influential across genres, from Big Boi to Björk, from Solange to St. Vincent, from Tori Amos to Lady Gaga, and many more.
The most original, intelligent, and creative singer-songwriter of all time - male or female. Not just an incredible talent in this field, either. She excels as a dancer, choreographer, pianist, producer, and director. Also, despite her protestations to the contrary, she can act.
Finally, Kate is a modest woman who obviously cares far more for her family than she does for fame. What more can be said? Kate is in a different league from all the others.

Extremely honest, witty, even a bit brutal, but always catchy songwriting with a sexy, unique voice. Carly is the most underrated female pop singer of the '70s and '80s. She seems to have always been overshadowed by her peers - Joni, Carole, and Linda.
Carly is a powerful, original talent, but she is also humble and down-to-earth. God forbid! No wonder she didn't receive the recognition she deserved.
The Newcomers






Early in her career, she performed at Lollapalooza on August 4, 2007, as part of "Lady Gaga & The Starlight Revue," where she was noticed by Interscope Records executive Vincent... read more
Why is this legend not on the list? Are you simply going to ignore the very intelligent lyrics from Bad Romance, Poker Face, and LoveGame? Or the heartwarming ballads like Speechless, The Edge of Glory, and You and I? Vote for her!
Definitely top 3. Modern pop singers should be ranked based on the amount of records sold: 1. Taylor Swift, 2. Lady Gaga.


We will never know how brilliant she could have been, but she still earns my vote.
Wow. She should totally be higher on the list. Her wordplay and her voice are amazing.

She offers something different in a male-driven area of music.
Number 3, behind Joni and Carole.






Adele is the best singer-songwriter of all time, and it's not even close. Joni Mitchell? She has a self-described "helium voice." Bob Dylan? Again, songwriter - yes. Great singer - not exactly. Adele excels at both, and she has the record-setting album sales and Grammy wins to back it up too.

Ann and Nancy are probably the most dynamic singer-songwriters ever. They should follow the beauty and class, respectively, of Joni Mitchell and Carole King in the #3 spotlight. No women have ever rocked harder than them, though Tina Turner certainly has her place in history alongside the Wilson sisters.