Top 10 Female Singers with Raspy Voices

1. K.S. Chithra

   

   Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra, often credited as K. S. Chithra or simply Chithra, is an Indian playback singer from Kerala. She also sings Indian classical, devotional, and popular music. Chithra has recorded over 25,000 songs in various languages and is a recipient of six National Film Awards.

   She is always pitch-perfect and can sing live like no one's business. Her vocal range is amazing, and she uses just the right amount of raspiness to effect.

   Chithra makes you feel the whole emotions during her songs. And she can sing anything!

   She can sing as clearly as an angel and then add a rasp that curls your toes.

   Love her raspy voice. It gives me goosebumps and chills up and down my spine.

2. Grace VanderWaal

   

   Grace Avery VanderWaal is an American singer-songwriter from Suffern, New York. She won the eleventh season of "America's Got Talent" in 2016 at the age of 12, performing her original songs. Her debut EP, "Perfectly Imperfect," was released in 2016, followed by her full-length album "Just the Beginning... read more

   Grace is barely 13 years old and has shown her talent by winning AGT and releasing her first EP, titled Perfectly Imperfect, shortly after. The title fits her perfectly. While she may be raw, she is a breath of fresh air in a sea of overproduced music.

   She doesn't sing about typical song topics and instead relates to us with emotions that we can all feel as humans - from trying to find herself to her special relationship with her sister, to fighting bullies, to a close friend's betrayal. We can all connect to the songs and realize we too, were born to shine. Her raspy voice shows us that you don't need to be perfect to make it. You can make it simply by being you.

3. Joan Jett

   

   Joan Marie Larkin, known professionally by her stage name Joan Jett, is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, and occasional actress. She is best known for her work with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, including the hit song "I Love Rock 'n Roll." Before that, she found success with... read more

   I was hoping she would be first. Her voice on I Love Rock and Roll is very raspy and sexy.

   I wanted to be just like her growing up!

   I Love Rock N Roll.

4. Melissa Etheridge

   

   Melissa Lou Etheridge is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist. Her self-titled debut album, Melissa Etheridge, was released in 1988 and became an underground success. Known for her raspy vocals and confessional lyrics, she won two Grammy Awards and has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights... read more

5. Janis Joplin

   

   Janis Joplin (1943-1970) was an American singer who rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the psychedelic rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company. She was known for her powerful voice, emotive performances, and distinctive hippie style. Joplin remains an iconic figure of 1960s counterculture and... read more

   When she belts out Cry Baby, my heart feels as though it will explode with an electric shock. There's so much power and emotion in her voice. She's incredible. She really is.

   Janis Joplin knows what's up. I never listen to female artists, but she really shows who she is through her music. I feel as if I'm reading her mind when listening to her.

   She is amazing! Just listen to Piece of My Heart.

6. Suzi Quatro

   

   Susan Kay "Suzi" Quatro is an American hard rock singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and actress. She was the first female bass player to achieve major rock stardom, breaking barriers for women in rock music. Quatro gained popularity in the 1970s with chart-topping hits such as "Can the Can" and... read more

   She's the no. 1 Queen of the rock music world!

   48 Crash, Devil Gate Drive, Your Mama Won't Like Me, Stumblin' In.

7. Lita Ford

   

   Lita Rossana Ford is an English-born American rock guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. She was the lead guitarist for The Runaways, an all-female rock band formed in the late 1970s by Joan Jett and Sandy West. Ford launched a solo career in the 1980s, becoming known for her hard rock sound and hits... read more

   Just look at her and listen to her! She's the total package of a female badass! As a teen, I wanted to look just like her.

   As a teen, she was my favorite! The perfect combo of talent, beauty, and that voice! She was such a badass!

8. Bonnie Tyler

   

   Bonnie Tyler is a Welsh singer known for her distinctive husky voice, which resulted from an operation to remove vocal nodules in the mid-1970s. She rose to fame with hits such as It's a Heartache and Total Eclipse of the Heart. Tyler has enjoyed a long-lasting career spanning several decades across... read more

   Total Eclipse of the Heart is the best song that shows off her beautiful, raspy voice and talent.

   It's a Heartache, Total Eclipse of the Heart, and I Need a Hero - all great songs.

   She is one of the very first to pave the way for women in metal! And her songs rocked!

9. Nawal El Kuwaitia

   

   Nawal El Kuwaitia is a prominent Kuwaiti singer and a respected musical figure in the Middle East. She studied at the Music Institute in Kuwait, where she developed her craft. She is widely recognized by titles such as Shaikhat Al Tarab (The Queen of Classic Music) and Qaitharat Al Khaleej (Harp of Khaliji... read more

   She is the legend, the diva Nawal. Her voice would take you to a beautiful, romantic dream with amazing lyrics and very fine music. Good luck, Nawal. We support you forever.

   I love your voice, Nawal. You are amazing. Really, I don't know what I should say, but you are the best ever.

   I don't know what you say because I'm from Turkey. Love you, Nawal.

   I know her. She is from Gulf Arabia and has a lot of classic songs.

10. Halsey

    

    Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, known by her stage name Halsey, is an American singer and songwriter. She was born on September 29, 1994, in New Jersey. She began her music career by releasing songs on SoundCloud and gained popularity with hits like Bad at Love and Now or Never.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Elkie Brooks

12. ?

    Lady Gaga

    

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

    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

The Contenders

13. Taylor Dayne

    

    Taylor Dayne is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who became famous in the late 1980s. She is best known for hit singles like Tell It to My Heart, Prove Your Love, and Love Will Lead You Back. Over the course of her career, she has sold millions of records and has remained active in touring... read more

    In junior high, I wanted to look just like her! I loved her big, crazy hair! And she's got probably the biggest set of lungs with the most power behind them of any woman ever!

    Growing up, I loved her big, crazy hair! And my good Lord, the lungs on her and that powerful voice that comes out of her mouth! She's amazing!

14. Kim Carnes

    

    Kim Carnes is an American singer-songwriter and two-time Grammy Award winner. She was born in Los Angeles, California, and rose to fame in the 1980s with her hit single Bette Davis Eyes. Carnes now lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where she continues to write music.

    "More Love" was her first top 10 hit in 1980. It's a wonderful take on Smokey Robinson's song. "Draw of The Cards" is also great and something different from her.

    One-hit wonder, but so good. Bette Davis Eyes. The first time I heard the song, I thought it was Stevie Nicks.

    Kim Carnes is so underrated. She deserves so much better.

15. Lzzy Hale

    

    Elizabeth Mae "Lzzy" Hale is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. She's best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the hard rock band Halestorm, which she co-founded in 1997.

    She's received Grammy Awards and is recognized for her powerful voice and commanding stage presence

    Lzzy's voice is among the most versatile ever. She can go from velvet to gravel in an instant and sound better than almost anyone doing it. Her voice is a force of nature, and her heart is as impressive as her vocals.

    She is seriously one of the nicest and most genuine people you would ever want to meet.

    Her versatility is out of this world. She can sing as clearly as an angel and then add a rasp that curls your toes.

    Lzzy is amazing. She can sing anything. She has such a strong voice.

16. Alannah Myles

    

    Alannah Myles is a Canadian singer-songwriter and the daughter of Canadian broadcast pioneer William Douglas Byles, who was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' Hall of Fame in 1997. She is best known for her hit single Black Velvet, which won a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal... read more

    I mean, that voice could seduce anyone! You can feel the soul in her voice.

    Black Velvet is her most known song.

17. Rindy Ross

18. Doro Pesch

    

    Doro Pesch is a German hard rock singer who began her career in Düsseldorf in the early 1980s. She first gained recognition as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Warlock. After the band disbanded, she launched a successful solo career and is regarded as a pioneer for women in heavy metal.

    She is very good. Try this Dio cover: Egypt (The Chains Are On).

19. Haley Reinhart

    

    Haley Elizabeth Reinhart is an American singer, songwriter, and voice actress from Wheeling, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She rose to fame after finishing third on the tenth season of American Idol in 2011. Reinhart has since released several albums and is also known for her work with the musical group... read more

    Really an amazing vocalist with great musicality. Haley has an amazing multi-dimensional voice with a beautiful natural rasp. She can sing as smooth as silk or really gritty and raspy from the gut, and everything in between.

    In addition, she can do the most amazing growls and vocal runs. She is really very special.

    Singer Melinda Doolittle on Haley in 2011: "I was watching the show last night with some of my favorite singers, and we were in awe of what her voice can do. She can go from a raspy tone to one that is as clear as a bell in a matter of seconds. She has the vocal flexibility of a singer twice her age. She is amazing."

20. Stevie Nicks

    

    Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer and songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums. She joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, contributing to the success of their... read more

    Her voice is so distinctive. You know it's Stevie the first word she sings. Sometimes it's childlike, and other times it's angry. Love her voice.

    She can't sing anything that I don't instantly love. She's beautiful and a bit quirky. I like that in a person.

    Most beautiful, majestic raspy voice of all. I will always LOVE her music!

21. Darby Mills

    

    Darby Phyllis Mills is a Canadian rock vocalist and former figure skater. She is best known as the lead singer of the Headpins, a hard rock band that gained popularity in the 1980s. Mills also pursued a solo music career and has remained active in the Canadian rock scene.

    Headpins - Don't It Make Ya Feel, Mine All Mine, Line of Fire, People.

22. Lauren Jauregui

    

    Lauren Jauregui was born on June 27, 1996, in Miami, Florida. She is a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony, which became known for hit songs such as Worth It, Work from Home, Bo$$, Sledgehammer, and All in My Head (Flex). Two of the group's music videos, Work from Home and Worth It, have each surpassed... read more

    Her voice is super raspy, especially on their soulful cover of Ex's and Oh's.

    Her voice just calms me down every time I listen to her parts/solos or songs.

    She has a naturally raspy, husky voice to begin with. She doesn't even have to try.

23. Debbie Harry

    

    Deborah Ann "Debbie" Harry is an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known as the lead singer of the new wave and punk rock band Blondie. She achieved international success in the late 1970s and early 1980s with hits like "Heart of Glass" and "Call Me." In addition to her music career, Harry... read more

    This depends on the song. With One Way or Another, the husky growl is definitely there. Then you can hear it occasionally in other songs as well.

    Come on, do you really need to know why I voted for Blondie?

24. Alanis Morissette

    

    Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American alternative rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She gained international fame with her 1995 album Jagged Little Pill, which included hit singles like You Oughta Know and Ironic. The album won five Grammy Awards and was later... read more

25. Pat Benatar

    

    Patricia Mae Andrzejewski, known professionally as Pat Benatar, is an American singer, songwriter, and four-time Grammy Award winner. She rose to prominence in the 1980s with hit singles such as Hit Me with Your Best Shot, Love Is a Battlefield, and We Belong. Benatar was inducted into the Rock and Roll... read more

    Another LEGEND! When your songs are still heard on the radio decades later, that's when you know you've hit legend status!

26. Pink

    

    Alecia Beth Moore, known professionally as P!NK, is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress. She rose to prominence in the early 2000s with her R&B-influenced debut album Can't Take Me Home (2000). P!NK is known for her powerful vocals, acrobatic stage presence, and numerous hit singles,... read more

27. Adele

    

    Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, born May 5, 1988, is an English singer and songwriter. She graduated from the BRIT School in 2006 and signed with XL Recordings after a demo posted on Myspace gained attention. She's best known for emotional ballads like Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You, Hello, and Easy... read more

    Awesome power and expression - a modern Alison Moyet, who should be on this list...