Best Female Singers of All Time

Music, an intricate tapestry woven from the threads of melody, rhythm, and harmony, has the power to transcend time and space, captivating the hearts of listeners around the globe. Throughout history, the world has been graced by the presence of extraordinary women who have used their unparalleled vocal talents to captivate, inspire, and stir the souls of millions. These phenomenal female singers have not only enthralled us with their exceptional voices, but have also made their mark on the musical landscape, breaking barriers and setting new standards for generations to follow.

This awe-inspiring lineup is a testament to the profound impact these iconic women have had on the world of music, with each artist possessing a unique and unmistakable vocal prowess that has shaped the sound and spirit of their respective genres. From soulful balladeers to powerhouse divas, genre-defying trailblazers to timeless legends, this list pays homage to the incredible women who have blessed us with their undeniable talents and indomitable spirits.

These remarkable artists have not only gifted us with their extraordinary voices, but have also challenged societal norms and shattered glass ceilings, serving as role models and empowering countless individuals through their artistry and activism. Their unparalleled vocal prowess, paired with their compelling personal narratives and artistic evolution, have forever changed the course of musical history.
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, all of which have diamond, multi-platinum, platinum or gold certification.

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.

This woman is the queen. Her head voice is one of the most beautiful sounds to grace this Earth. Her recordings do not even begin to do her justice. Go on YouTube and listen to her live, and you will see where her magic lay. She never sang a song the same way twice, but she always sang beautifully and passionately.

Her musicianship is beyond compare. Her voice can go from powerful to soft and sweet.

I feel so blessed to have heard her voice. She is the best as far as I'm concerned. I've heard better voices, but none quite as special as hers. She was truly born to sing, and for that, she is number one.

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 her high-demands. She won 5 Grammys and starred in her documentary movie "Glitter." Mariah Carey started her fame by releasing her song, Vision of Love and also released her first album "Mariah Carey" but before that, in 1988, she accompanied Brenda K Starr, a rising pop singer in the 80s to Columbia ...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!

Mariah Carey is truly an icon! Mariah is definitely my favorite '90s artist of all time besides Whitney Houston (bless her dear soul). Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, is like the amazing trio: Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey & Celine Dion!

1. Her song "All I Want For Christmas Is You" (1994) is an absolute Christmas classic.
2. She is an absolutely gorgeous woman, especially in the '90s. In every one of her interviews, she just looks so beautiful!
3. Her songs have a lot of meaning to them. Some can make you happy and make you want to dance and sing along, while some could make you cry. Her songs are just so heartfelt, like "Anytime You Need A Friend," "Visions Of Love," and "Hero." Compare her to artists of today, and tell me who actually makes meaningful songs anymore like she did and like several other artists in the '80s, '90s, and 2000s did? Exactly, NOBODY.
4. Her vocals - JESUS, her vocals are beyond insane! No one can attempt ...more

Mariah Carey is best known for All I Want for Christmas Is You, Always Be My Baby, Migrate, Heartbreaker, and many other songs too. Mariah Carey is really amazing, so awesome, and really good with the high notes. I am a big fan of Mariah Carey.

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.

I don't understand why people prefer Whitney Houston over Celine Dion. I would assume it's because Whitney Houston made a bigger influence on the media than Celine Dion did, very much like Christina Aguilera. Please don't judge a voice through a biased perspective. Whitney Houston, in terms of vocal perfection, lacks in comparison to Celine. Her mouth is always moving up and down in order to support her voice's vibrato and projection. People might assume she is a great singer because of her "Soul" style, once again, like Christina. Her "Soul" riffs and runs won her audiences' hearts. Although Whitney does have more powerful projection than Celine does, people are usually born with that type of voice.

Celine maintained and improved her voice through all these years, whereas Mariah, Christina, and Whitney have not. Others rely on growls, with riffs, and any other vocal technique that draws them away from having to prolong a crisp, sustained tone. Celine excels in vocal control, ...more

She should be in first place!

She's so amazing. Her voice is the most powerful and special. She is and will always be the best female singer. Of course, opinions differ, but the way she sings and hits all the high notes so clearly, anyone who knows something about music must acknowledge that she is great.

But for me, she's the best of all time, and I love her voice so much that I will never find words to describe it.

She moves me to stand up, she makes me cry or laugh, and having such a voice must be a brilliant gift.

And something else... Can anybody tell me why she only got 4% of the votes like Sarah Geronimo and is in seventh place? Anyway, she deserves to be first!

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 of over 75 million records, Franklin is one of the best-selling music artists from the second half of the 20th century to the present.

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.

The best singer of all time, male and female, should be number one on this list. By far better than anyone else here, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey are very good, but Aretha expresses herself more, has more soul, and is a better songwriter than both combined, easy.

The only person of all time who could possibly rival her is Freddie Mercury, but even the best rock singer of all time falls slightly short.

Aretha is number one of all time.

There will never be anyone like her or as good.

The Queen of Soul! Hello? No one can sing better than her, created the singing styles that many female singers use now. Aretha Louise Franklin was an American singer, songwriter, civil rights activist, actress, and pianist. Franklin began her career as a child singing gospel and had an incredible vocal range; no one can match her level. Her music and voice are timeless; she lives within our souls forever. Franklin was the backbone of soul and has brought this world so much light.

Aretha Franklin has one of the best voices popular culture has ever heard. It is unfortunate that she is so low on this list, considering how she influenced many of those voted above her. She is such a versatile artist. Her power alone can bring a person to tears. In her prime, I do not believe I have ever heard her hit a note that was not "nailed," and anyone who knows anything about Aretha knows that some of her notes are extremely difficult even for great singers.

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.

She is my most favorite singer of all time! I've been listening to her music ever since I was really little. I still listen to the songs from her album Stripped to this day, and it is what has helped me through some hard times. Her lyrics are so meaningful and truly touch me to the core. Not to mention, her amazing voice. Her voice is one of the most talented I have heard and surpasses the voices of many other artists. Her voice is so strong, and through some of her songs, you can definitely feel her pain. She's one of the singers who has always made me get chills down my back whenever I hear her song.

Christina Aguilera is truly the greatest female singer of our time, with the ability to command total attention on stage and manipulate the emotions of listeners with her powerful and touching voice. Christina's vocal range and unique tonality of her voice easily lift her to the position of the greatest female singer of today. Move over, Mariah. Simply trilling and belting with no feeling isn't enough to win my vote. You may have an amazing voice, but Christina's expression and emotional style beat you hands down. Whitney is also a beautiful artist!

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 her second, third and fourth studio album which is 21, 25 and 30.

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 ...more

Adele is an extraordinary singer with personality and class. She writes her own music with such emotion and creativity that no one can surpass. Not only do her songs emotionally wreck me, but her elegant and unique voice adds to the already amazing piece of art. Adele can not only reach notes that no other vocalist can reach, but she can also portray those notes in a manner that only a few select artists can do. She does not deserve to be in the #7 spot. Her newest album, "25," broke records with over 8 million copies sold. She has made history in the music industry and deserves to be above ALL artists.

"Amazing" has lost its meaning long ago in the music industry, but Adele, I think, deserves to be called that. She is a magnificent, powerful singer with emotions flowing through her voice, playing beautifully like a harp. Similar to Leona Lewis and former X Factor contestant Ella Henderson, Adele is a remarkable songwriter. Like the rising star Ella, she can write about anything, and her songs still possess a powerful quality.

While Adele is unbelievably talented, she has limitations in her vocal range because she is an alto and cannot reach the same heights as Whitney, Leona, Ella, and Mariah can. However, the reason I voted for Adele is because she stands in a class of her own when it comes to creating songs that people will remember and truly feel forever and ever!

Many of the singers above Adele may have been amazing and popular. However, Adele has what perhaps many of these artists don't have: an Academy Award.

Skyfall, one of Adele's most acclaimed songs and the theme to the 007 film Skyfall, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song (although any James Bond song would win an Oscar).

Her song, Rolling in the Deep, won 3 Grammys by itself, including the coveted Song of the Year. Her album 21 also won 2 Grammys, including Album of the Year.

Adele's accomplishments are numerous, and they will continue. Her song Hello broke the record for the fastest song to reach 1 billion views, at a rapid 88 days.

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 as "Crazy In Love", "Single Ladies", "Halo", "Partition", "Irreplaceable", "Drunk In Love", "Baby Boy", "Beautiful Liar", "7/11", and "Run The World (Girls)", and has since become one of the most influential performers and biggest celebrities of the 21st century.

One of my favorite singers! I was so happy when I saw her at a wax museum. Just look at her! The hair, eyes, everything! Should be much higher!

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.

Where do I start? Beyoncé Giselle Knowles Carter is a beautiful, magnificent, blessed singer, mother, wife, actress, and performer. Usually called Queen Bey, this young woman will leave you stunned if you're lucky enough to watch her live or even on YouTube. Her voice is a God-given blessing, and you can see how she puts all her heart into her music. She started at fifteen in Destiny's Child as the lead vocalist, with that all-girl group becoming the most fascinating one in the world. Daughter Blue Ivy and hubby Jay-Z are lucky, but no one knew that a little girl from Houston, Texas, with a strong voice, would one day rule the world.

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 Awards, 5 Billboard Music Awards, 14 People's Choice, 1 Juno Award, 2 Myx Music Awards, 3 NRJ Awards, 6 Teen Choice and a Brit Award. ...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.

I am not a person who is really into English songs; there is no song that I could easily like. However, Katy Perry is more than awesome! Her voice is so expressive that when I hear any of her songs, they simply touch me. Even if I listen to a specific singer, I may just like one or two of their songs. But when it comes to Katy Perry, I like most of her songs. Rarely can you find any of her songs that are not really nice. The only downside is that many of her music videos are really indecent, like Teenage Dream. However, the song itself is perfect. Katy Perry should be number one.

Katy should be at least at the top 5. I mean, her songs are just so meaningful and deep. Listen to Wide Awake, listen to Unconditionally, listen to Firework. Not all her songs are those poppy, funky, and fun ones like Last Friday Night or This Is How We Do. I actually cried when listening to The One That Got Away and Thinking of You. And yes, her style and music theme might not be as classy as Taylor's, but the creativity she got in writing songs on her own and releasing music videos can beat anything Taylor could do. Roar was so encouraging and empowering to me. Greatest song of all the time from the greatest singer of all!

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 ...more

As a multi-instrumentalist and talented painter (you can probably Google some of her works) who also composed a choir piece for her high school graduation, I believe Amy has, at the very least, proven herself as a worthy and powerful artist.

As for her vocal abilities, she manages to maintain a powerful voice, even when venturing into the more operatic corners of the vocal spectrum. Few singers in music manage to keep a full, clear voice when singing that kind of music without sounding thin or fragile. For example, Within Temptation's Sharon Del Adel.

No, she's not the best female singer ever by a large margin, but she's got the whole package: artistry and all. My vote goes to Amy Lee of Evanescence.

She is a very beautiful and talented woman. I cannot describe with words what her voice and music can do. I get goosebumps every time I hear her, whether I have heard the song once or over a thousand times. It always and will continue to blow me away. I believe she deserves first place. As beautiful as the rest of these people are, I have to say my opinion goes with Amy being number one. She has had such an amazing skill since the beginning of Evanescence, and she is still improving day by day. When you think someone couldn't get any better, there it is. Amy is, again, very beautiful and has a great skill with the highest and the lowest notes. My vote stands for 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, Erotica, Bedtime Stories, Ray of Light, Music, American Life, Confessions on a Dance Floor, Hard Candy, MDNA, Rebel Heart, and Madame X), 3 soundtrack albums (Who's That Girl, I'm Breathless, and Evita), 4 compilation albums (The Immaculate Collection, Something to Remember, GHV2, and Celebration), ...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.

She's the best-selling artist on this list for a reason.

Although she may not have the range or the aforementioned "texture," she made some of the happiest, most feel-good songs of all time, and some of the saddest as well. (Don't believe me? See "Promise to Try," "Till Death Do Us Part," or "Oh Father," just from one album). She has some of the best range in the songs she sings, and most singles have provoked thought and argument, which is what music should do.

Madonna was extremely controversial in her prime, yet she turned out to pave the way for what is acceptable today. She made people question societal norms regarding sex, sexual orientation, race, and freedom of expression, and is a large reason a lot of people are more liberal on these issues today. I could go on about what she did for the gay community for years, but that would be beside the point. Those who say she is just a brainless bimbo are clearly just projecting.

If range is all that matters to you ...more

Are you kidding? She's in 15th place? She's supposed to be in the top 3. She's an all-time singer and successfully an "icon."

- Strong voice character
- Breath is a technique in itself, and she's an expert in breath technique (when she breathes for the next lyric line, it sounds like a smooth sigh, which bolsters the lyric itself).
- And surely, she has the most great song clip videos
- Sexy, in every way

The Newcomers

? Bailey Spinn
? Bailey Spinnenweber
The Contenders
11 Taylor Swift Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter. She was born on December 13, 1989 in Reading, Pennsylvania. She is best known for writing personal songs and for having won 11 Grammys. She became interested in country music when she was around 9 years old, and after watching a documentary about Faith Hill, Swift felt that she should go to Nashville to begin a country music career. She then signed a contract with RCA Records and began to write songs.

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.

She actually writes her own music, something Rihanna could learn from. I know people constantly bash her for writing too many songs about breakups. Here's a fact for all you Tayters (real term):

These are just a few of the Taylor Swift songs that aren't about breakups:
Tim McGraw
Our Song
Teardrops on My Guitar
Change
Fearless
You Belong With Me
Mine
Sparks Fly
Ours
Mean
State of Grace
Treacherous
22
I Almost Do
The Lucky One
Everything Has Changed
Starlight
Begin Again
Holy Ground
Shake It Off
Blank Space
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So yeah, that's quite a few. One more thing: "Taylor Swift writes too much about love. She's so whiny." At least she hasn't written a song about shaking her butt or a stupid song mocking Ebola...

What can I say? Taylor Swift is my all-time favorite artist. Lots of people say she only writes songs about boyfriends, but those people are the ones who don't listen to her really good songs. Even some of her biggest hits, including "ME!", "Mean," "Shake It Off," and "You Need To Calm Down," have nothing to do with boys and boyfriends. She is one of the best songwriters of all time, and that, I can say with certainty. She has inspired many young aspiring girls (just like me). People say she has no range, but I never like to hear these comments because the people who say these things clearly haven't watched her reputation tour, where she belts E5 LIVE in the bridge of "Don't Blame Me." That's only 3 and a half notes lower than Ariana Grande's highest note, Bb5. Taylor Swift has gotten me through so much, and I love her with all my heart. She deserves to be in the top 3.

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 a team of producers namely Rob Fusari and RedOne. Most of her songs were deep unreleased cuts, due to her having more than 30 songs and 17 were picked. ...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.

Let's go crazy for some Gaga! She is uniquely a crazy and over-the-top style singer. I think people mainly pay attention to her style of fashion because she's funny to watch. But underneath the crazy costumes and over-the-top hair, there is a lady with a very good voice. Love her or hate her, I suppose there is a reason she is number 13 on the list. She's not my favorite singer; Amy Winehouse is, but Lady Gaga deserves a place on the list obviously.

The thing about her voice is, it's extremely versatile. She can sing pop, techno, dance, blues. Hey, she could probably even sing heavy metal if she wanted to. I personally would like to see her cover Iron Maiden. She did say they were one of her favorite bands. Another thing is, her voice is very emotion-filled and powerful. But if you listen closely, she doesn't need to use vibrato very often, although when she does, she can pull it off well.

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.

Rihanna should easily be in the top 5. She has sold over 180 million digital tracks worldwide, over 50 million albums worldwide, and has 13 number one hits (tied with Michael Jackson). Her songs are undeniably catchy, and every song she releases is a hit. She has almost 5 billion views on YouTube and is the most subscribed singer, showing just how popular she is. In addition to that, she has had 17 Vevo Certified videos (over 100 million views). She has collaborated with huge stars like Jay Z, Coldplay, Nicki Minaj, Maroon 5, David Guetta, Eminem, Drake, Shakira, Kanye West, Calvin Harris, Ne-Yo, T.I., and Chris Brown. She has won 7 Grammys and just received the first-ever Icon Award at the American Music Awards. She has had 3 commercially successful fragrances and has also created her own clothing line. She's a fashion icon. She's an actress. She is also the only female artist to top the UK charts 7 times over 7 years. Her fan base is undeniably huge, with over 86 million likes on ...more

Miley above Rihanna laugh out loud. She has one of the most soulful voices ever. She is surely one of the greatest vocalists of all time considering how she brings out emotions in some of her hits. Still can't believe she is out of the top 10 at the least.

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, nine MTV Video Music Awards, and 27 Guinness World Records. ...read more.

I definitely think Ariana deserves to be in the top 10, especially with her vocal points that are better than half of the people that are in the top 10. The way her vocals can just flow and sound heavenly is something that you just can't receive in a singer nowadays. And she successfully nails vocal agility like it's nothing. Her technique is definitely getting better, and the best part is that we have no idea what her true vocal capability is. I'm so excited to have more of her.

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 ...more

Ariana Grande should be in the top 10 on this list. She is kind-hearted and her voice is so beautiful. She sounds amazing when she performs live, never experiencing any voice cracks. She can hit the high notes perfectly. Moreover, she has the most positive attitude ever! She deeply cares about her fans and spreads positivity to everyone, including those who don't like her. She remains nice and sweet to the haters. Every song she releases on any album should be a hit single. Vote for Ariana and let's get her to the top 10!

She can sing beautifully without autotune. She is trying to be her best, so people should stop trying to bring her down. Other than singing, she also does some charity work. She is also a vegan, someone who doesn't eat any animal products. She is a picker-upper, not a put-down. And she's had to go through some pretty crazy stuff lately - the bombing in Manchester on May 22, 2017. She not only lost the lives of some of her fans, but the bombing also interrupted everyone's happiness at the concert. She had a concert with other artists supporting Manchester, and all proceeds went to those affected by the Manchester attack. She chooses to sing the higher notes because it's her style and it's what her inspirations do. So if you don't like her just because she sings high notes, that means you just don't like her style. So if you say you hate her, think twice, because she does a lot more than you probably think. And yes, I'm an Arianator, but you don't have to hate us just because you hate ...more

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.

P!nk is one of the most inspiring singers I have ever heard. She shows her strength and still cares for her fans. If Rosie the Riveter were alive now, she would be P!nk. Many other female singers write songs about either useless stuff or just mess that no one wants to hear. Not this awesome boss. What she sings about really helps her fans with the issues they have. Take her song "Perfect," for example. If you don't understand what I mean, watch the official video for it. Even then, she remains honest in her music about how people truly feel, without parading herself as the best ever and putting everyone else down or expecting everyone to want to be her. She even believes in gender equality! My point, *if you've read this far*, is that she is one of the most real, down-to-earth female singers I've ever heard of, and it's not just my opinion. Personally, I believe she deserves to be number one.

I am in awe! How can such an amazing artist not be number 1?! P!NK has been my idol since I was 6 years old (I'm a teenager now) and her music saved my life so many times. Her vocal abilities are just insane! What's more? She can do it all while spinning upside down, hanging from the ceiling, and still sound flawless. No exaggeration!
Also, her songs are so meaningful. None of those sappy, untrue love songs. Every one of P!NK's songs comes from an important part of her life. She has such variety in her music too. One minute she's singing a gentle melody, the next it's a fun, upbeat party tune, then she's rocking out in leather and lace to a full-on rock piece! This chick is incredible from start to finish.

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.

Demi has this beautiful voice that attracts a lot of people. She can reach high notes effortlessly. She has a powerful voice. She inspires a lot of people and is a great role model too. When I heard her sing Skyscraper, I was truly amazed by her voice. But when I heard her sing Skyscraper live, I was stunned because I thought those high notes were just edited or something. So yeah, if you haven't listened to her voice, you better hear it now. Also, I recommend these songs of hers: Skyscraper, Solo, Stone Cold, Sorry Not Sorry, Really Don't Care, Heart Attack, Sober, Confident, Give Your Heart a Break, Neon Lights, Let It Go, etc. Hihi.

Demi Lovato has such a beautiful voice. Some days Don't Forget is my favorite song. I loved her in Princess Protection Program and the two Camp Rock movies. She has a beautiful smile.

She is an amazing songwriter and puts so much feeling into her songs. Her music paints a picture.

Her first album is my favorite. It demonstrates the range of her voice and the expression she can create with her music. It is such a shame she was with Disney and did not become known just because of her music and her voice.

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.

The inspirational blues rock singer may have had a psychedelic sound that was not meant for the masses. She may not have been the prettiest out there, and her sounds could sometimes be perceived as "screaming," but her lyrics were amazing, and she conveyed so much power.

Janis Joplin should be number 1 in this list. I look at the people above her - come on, Miley Cyrus, you've got to be kidding - and I think, this list must be run by 12-year-olds. I'm sure it has to be an age thing that is preventing Janis from being at the top.

Go to YouTube and put in Janis Joplin's "Ball & Chain." Then be prepared to have her reach into your chest and grab a hold of your heart with both hands. She won't let go till the song ends, and even then, you can feel the after-effects.

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.

With the ability to project different kinds of emotions (punky, ballad, upbeat, pop, pop rock, alternative rock, grunge), I can say this woman deserved to be in the top 10. Come on, not all those girls can sing different music genres. Can Ariana or Adele sing rock? Alternative rock? No! But Avril can sing ballads like them (or even better, listen to When You're Gone and Slipped Away live). Avril is on a different level. She should be in the top 10.

Oh, come on! What were you thinking? Avril is number one, no matter what you think. She's my favorite singer of all time. I'm listening to her right now!

Avril is the most underrated singer of our time. She has great range, though there are singers who have more range, but her voice is so powerful and projects such emotion and is so pure. If you listen to all of her music, it becomes obvious that she uses her voice in the same way a master plays an instrument, and she does it effortlessly. She is a goddess among mortals in the world of music.

19 Britney Spears Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is an American actress and singer who was born in McComb, Mississippi, and grew up in Kentwood, Louisiana. She performed acting roles in stage productions and television shows like "The Mickey Mouse Club" as a child before signing with Jive Records in 1997 and going on to become a pop superstar and one of the most famous female pop singers of all time. She is best known for her songs such as "Toxic", "...Baby One More Time", "Circus", "I'm A Slave 4 U", "Oops!... I Did It Again", "Work B****", "Womanizer" and "Till' The World Ends".

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?!

When she first appeared, she erased every other pop singer from the music scene, like Madonna. Everybody was listening to her hits. Just consider that during the period when she was in the front row, selling amazing amounts of albums and writing her name in music history, all the other pop singers just faded away. There must be something good in that girl, or else you cannot explain that unexpected success. Britney, I am waiting for your comeback. She can become the ultimate pop star again.

She is awesome. Beautiful voice of a beautiful lady. We love you, Britney. You're just the best singer I've ever heard and the most awarded. Sincerely, Britney deserves the top ten place, I think so. Her voice is the most amazing I have ever heard. Her performances in her unplugged live concert were amazing. Just blew my mind away. Her energy to sing high-pitched songs is just unbelievable. And for almost 2 hours of concert... Hmm, she deserves to be in the top 20.

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.

Selena, you are the best singer ever. Miley, Taylor, and Adele are nothing. You are everything. You are my best singer. The Heart Wants What It Wants and Who Says are my favorite songs. You sing beautifully. Please vote for Selena, guys. Selena, you and Justin look like a beautiful couple. Please come back together. Please think about Jelena's love story.

Selena Gomez is awesome. Her songs are so inspiring. Love You Like A Love Song is one of my favorite songs, and she is such a great singer. The music video is awesome, 100% excellent. Kiss and Tell is a great name for an album. I hope you get moved up to 1st place, Selena Gomez. You are so pretty and also my favorite idol/celebrity icon.

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.

Each artist and super-performer who can be on the top for half a decade deserves some appreciation. Their raw voice, their energetic appearance, and super versatility.

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!

Tina is most considerably and undeniably the Queen of Rock Music. She's a huge pioneer for many women in the music industry, in the rock genre and multiple other genres, and can we not forget about the bs she went through with Ike? If I were in that situation, I would want to quit, and I'm sure most people would also, but she stuck true to herself and made amazing music. She's definitely a big role model to a multitude of people.

22 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?

Everyone knows Amy Winehouse was greatly talented. She used such a great vocal range that her music never gets old. The music on the radio as of 2014 makes me sick; Kesha isn't even a singer, she's all auto-tuned. Kesha admitted herself that she's garbage chic? So why do people like garbage? Amy was all herself, her real voice. I would love to hear half the singers that exist today sing without auto-tune. This list is complete crap. Move Amy up. People can't get over the fact that she was a hardcore addict, but she was definitely more than that. She was young, beautiful, and talented. Look at the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Etta James, Billie Holiday... They were all drug addicts at one point, and nobody looks down on them. Just because Amy died of drinking, everyone looks at her as a disgusting waste of space on this earth. Well, I say enough, people! Open your ears and heart, even better, your soul.

Amy Winehouse should probably be closer to the number one spot. She's simply amazing. If you're a critic, open your ears. People are so used to the way we auto-tune things; it makes me sick. Amy was definitely one of a kind. If you're not into "Back to Black," try "Frank" or even try some songs that aren't on albums, like "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" with Paul Weller. I really miss Amy, and to be honest, the only song of hers I don't like is "Rehab" because if she said yes instead of no, we would still have one of the most talented females alive. Oh, how I would love to enjoy more of her music.

23 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.

Old school jazz and with an amazing voice, she paved the way for other performers of color - both male and female. She should definitely be in the top 5 of this list.

I only voted for Ella because there is nobody on this list who comes close. She could sing Jazz and "pop." Her songbook recordings of the greatest songwriters of all time are matchless. She was amazing during an era of standing in front of an audience and merely singing. Listen to "Ella at the Opera House." She was notorious for forgetting the words to songs, and she would either make up new words or scat. While scatting, she would become an incredible instrument to playfully inspire the master musicians she usually was surrounded by. She enjoyed what she did so much that her live albums usually included laughing. When she did laugh, her unbelievable vocal range was displayed to be so rich and musical. That is why my list of Greatest Female Singers consists of just one name: Ella Fitzgerald.

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 of her debut album, Thankful (2003), which debuted atop the US Billboard 200. Trying to reinvent her image, Clarkson decided to part ways with Idol management and her second album, Breakaway (2004), featured a pop rock sound. It sold over 12 million copies worldwide and earned Clarkson two Grammy ...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.

Kelly is the best American Idol winner and the first as well. What I like about Kelly is that she is real and she sings very passionately, from her heart. Not only can she belt out Aretha's soulful tunes like she is a sista, but she can also sing soft rock songs like on her latest album. I bought all her albums, and the first one she put out didn't sell as well as the others, but it was amazing to see her range and all the different styles she incorporated in each song. I love the fact that she has variety in her style and has a powerful voice, reaching high notes close to Mariah's.

Kelly Clarkson is the one and only American Idol. Forget those other singers, no one will ever compare to the first season's winner. Her songs and albums are all amazing, and I have yet to hear one that I did not absolutely fall in love with. Her range is spectacular, as is her ability to sing many different genres of music. Another thing I like about her is that she is not a spoiled, stuck-up celebrity diva like many others on the list are.

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!

The biggest reason I think she needs to be in the top ten is her unique singing style. Her voice is immediately recognizable, and I have yet to hear anyone similar. This cannot be said for almost everyone else on this list, not that they are not talented. But on top of amazing vocals, I think her unique style is something that should really get some recognition.

I also wanted to say, although I don't consider it criteria for the best singer list, she writes her own songs. That is amazing, especially these days.

I bet that most of the singers above Shakira can't even speak two languages, let alone six! Everything about Shakira is amazing. She has a voice that is incredibly unique, but still sounds amazing. She can sing in several different languages, often crisscrossing between several languages in a single song, and doesn't just write songs about sex, drugs, and money like most people these days. She sings about emotion and is truly an amazing singer. At least in the top 10, please!

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