Musical Groups With the Best Harmonies
Nothing sends chills up and down one's spine like tight harmonies.The Top Ten
Home Free is an American a cappella group of five vocalists, Austin Brown, Rob Lundquist, Adam Rupp, Tim Foust, and Adam Chance. Home Free are incredibly fantastic with their vocal harmony. It is very tight harmony, with them switching out on the lead many times in one song. Their high tenor, Austin Brown, has incredible range and ability to sing any style of music. Likewise, their bass, Tim Foust, was rumble in the low notes, but he can also sing tenor. Rob Lundquist sings tenor and has an very smooth, rich tone. Adam Chance, their baritone, can sing the low bass as well as tenor. That’s why their sound is so great! They have an incredible sound!
Home Free has the greatest harmony ever of any group. They are pitch perfect and the harmony is tight. They need to be recognized for their super great talent. They use no instruments, they just happen to have the world's #1 beat boxer, Adam Rupp.
Their harmonies are insanely beautiful and gives me goose bumps every time I hear them, which happens on a daily basis.
I was in awe and love the first moment I heard them. In person they are the nicest group of men. A live show is mind blowing.
The Beach Boys are an American pop rock band formed in Hawthorne, California in 1961. The group's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine. Just listened to Warmth of the Sun again. Wow! Such complex chord progressions, and yet sounding so effortless and natural. Bravo, Brian Wilson!
I'm quite surprised they're even on the list. Usually they get completely overlooked, seeing them on #2 is pretty cool. Outside of acapella groups (which I don't really dig and as far as I'm concerned don't really count as they have to play in another league in terms of harmonies since otherwise they would be irrelevant) they definitely have the best harmonies of all time. Just look at Surf's Up. Starts out slow with only one voice, climaxing twice in a falsetto "columnated ruins domino", and in the end turning into a gigantic wall of harmonies, starting with three voices and a fourth soon kicking in making for the perfect harmonic experience.
You can't compare apples to oranges, to bananas, avocados, cucumbers or what ever. Different styles of music are simply different styles of music. Opinions are going to be subjective as the comments in the list shows.
Undoubtedly the most sophisticated and exquisite harmonies ever recorded. Often so much going on that it is impossible to hear everything. So many lesser known recordings that need to be heard a capella, eg. Please let me wonder, Break Away, Add some music to your day and the amazing Till I Die.
Can't believe anyone that has listened has not voted them number 1!
The Mamas & the Papas were an American folk rock vocal group that recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968, reuniting briefly in 1971. The group was a defining force in the music scene of the Counterculture of the 1960s. Excellent list, PetSounds. The contrapuntal sound of this band with the four voices--alto, soprano, tenor, baritone--just sends me right over the edge. The group said that when they sang really closely together, there would be an overtone like a 5th voice, which they called Harvey. John Phillips was a master at arranging their four voices to maximum effect. I could go on and on and on, but I'll stop now.
P.S. Fleet Foxes are awesome
John Phillips was a wicked warlock. Denny Doherty was a wicked warlock. Michelle Phillips was a wicked witch. Cass Elliot was too fat and too round when she was with the Mamas and the Papas and she was a wicked witch.
I HATE The Mamas and the Papas so much. Their harmonizing drives me crazy. I'm very happy that those mean jerks are all dead.
Big fat stupid baby Cass Elliot was such a baby before she died once and for all
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The members consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They were soon known as the foremost and most influential act of rock era. Rooted in skiffle, beat, and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented ...read more. There's a reason why early Beatles songs became hits and that was because of the beautiful vocal harmonies of Paul McCartney and John Lennon. The two of them singing together on songs with Paul taking the higher harmony and John taking the lower harmony made the early Beatles sound. They really should be number 1
Thy should at least be number 2, behind The Beach Boys. The a-cappella groups on here are a little unfair, as their whole sound relies on harmonies to make the music in the first place. And home free is definitely not the greatest harmonizing group of all time.
Although they were heavily influenced by the Beach Boys, their harmonies are quite different. A more raw, unpolished sound overall in the early stages, but it got smoother as they progressed. Listen to Nowhere Man.
Can anything else be added to the effusive praised heaped on this band since as long as I've been around...?
Simon & Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. The Sound of Silence is their best. Don't worry, it's not just white noise. On the contrary, it's one of the greatest songs ever recorded.
Listen to "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes"; specifically the Woodstock version. The second section of the song ("What have you got to lose" section) is absolutely mesmerizing.
The Woodstock version takes your breath away.Being live makes it even more unbelievable.
Best of all time
They are magic.
The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971 by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner. They have so many talented singers coming from such different musical backgrounds. Their harmonies are nearly perfect and to have them anywhere other than the first spot on this list is unbelievable to me. They will go down in history as one of the greatest bands in history, and for a reason. Not one of their songs has bad harmonies, and every band member can sing impeccably. For those of you who don agree you can shove it because the Eagles are the greatest band of all time!
For a classic rock band; their harmonies simply stand-out over all other classic rock groups. Perhaps a close number 1 overall.
One listen to Seven Bridges Road is all you need to hear to understand that they were on the top of the heap for vocal harmonies.
Definitely one of the best harmony bands, esp. that first original line-up. They lost some of the magic though after Randy Meisner left.
Queen are an English rock band formed in 1970. Members were Freddie Mercury (Vocals and Piano), Brian May (Guitar, Vocals), Roger Taylor (Drums, Vocals), and John Deacon (Bass Guitar, Vocals). Before forming into Queen, Brian May and Roger Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury ...read more. No one tops Queen! their harmonies were the best. Their songs the best. Freddie Mercury was a musician above just about anyone else. He was the best front man, songwriter and musician we have seen in music for a long time. After 26 years since his death, he is still regarded as the best.
Yes I agree they're so harmonious that Freddie mercury has a four octave vocal range that he's the pinnacle of the band and music history.He is a very flamboyant man that he is very powerful and worthy in music
Queen has the best. That statement is obvious
Queen is for sure in top 3, possibly one
Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres. Heavily influenced by Queen, they use the technique of overdubbing. They also incorporate large ...read more. The lead singer was heavily influenced by Queen and The Beach Boys but he does something different because he’s the only good singer in this band:
1) he creates and sings everything - lead and backing vox with harmonies. That’s really lots of work and singing but the result is absolutely beautiful;
2) then, if he wants to create a choir effect, he applies his signature practice of overdubbing his own voice multiple times in complex, overlapping harmonies.
Pure genius.
So his voice is the only one you hear but it’s a godly voice. Enjoy.
Songs with moderate overdubbing:
Carry the Blessed Home, Distant Memories, Turn the Page, Otherland
Songs with more complex harmonies and massive overdubbing, creating a huge choir effect:
The Throne, At The Edge Of Time
ABBA were a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972 by members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The harmony of Agnetha and Ann-Frid is perfect and at times beautiful beyond compare. There voices are exquisite, perfectly matched and cause the music to rise far beyond the actual lyrics. One of the finest pop bands of that era, and any era.
Extraordinary vocal harmony with ABBA. Listen to Does Your Mother Know, Agnetha, Anni-Frid and Bjorn knock it out of the park - perfect harmony.
Probably the best vocal ensemble in the history of popular music.
Nobody sounds like ABBA
The Contenders
Pentatonix is an American a cappella group from Arlington, Texas, consisting of vocalists Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola and Matt Sallee. They have changed the world of a capella forever. They sound better than most pop stars and they're only using their voices! They have talent that surpasses most singers. A very unique band that will change the future of music.
Because of PTX, I have purchased new music. The first time in 19 years I have found a group worthy of my money. Their solo works as well!
Every member of PTX is not only insanely talented musically, they are five of the nicest sweetest people you will ever meet. They make time for their fans and let them in to their lives as people not just as celebrities.
Their harmonies and arrangements are flawless. Some other musicians rehearse until they get it right; Pentatonix rehearse until they can’t get it wrong.
Their harmonies are amazing and their voices are angelic! They are awesome!
Fleetwood Mac are a British-American rock band formed in July 1967, in London. The band have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. McVie, Buckingham, Nicks... 'enough said
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. These guys should be much higher on this list (buck naked ladies?... come on). Jerry continues to write amazing harmonic duets to this day.
Just listen to No Excuses, Rooster, or I Stay Away to know why they are one of the best.
Granted its Jerry minus Layne but the new song "Voices" is the proof in the pudding.
Gregorian is a German-British vocal group that was formed in 1999. It is lead by producer Frank Peterson, who is known for his work with Enigma. The group's choir has had countless singers, both male and female, during its career, the best known being Sarah Brightman. ...read more. This band performs Gregorian chant-inspired versions of modern pop, rock and metal songs.
Amazing vocal harmonies.
Songs:
Nothing else matters (Metallica), Comfortably Numb (Pink Floyd), Sweet Child Of Mine (Guns N Roses), The Unforgiven I (Metallica), Kashmir (Led Zepp).
An acquired taset, but worth at least sampling.
Demons and Wizards is a power metal band conceived as a side-project by vocalist for Blind Guardian, Hansi Kürsch, and the guitarist for Iced Earth, Jon Schaffer. The lead singer of this band also sings for Blind Guardian described above and he applies the same techniques here, too, but here the choir effect is not that big. However, vocals and harmonies are still extremely impressive. Again, no other singers - it's only his voice on all song sections. Music genre is a bit different.
Songs:
My Last Sunrise - especially the intro and outro, the outro is exemplary;
Heaven Denies - especially the outro at 4:20 (it's gregorian chanting and it's one of the most beautiful vocal performances in the world);
Rage of passage - short intro song.
A fairly obscure, but quite good, Canadian band. They sound a good deal like the Eagles.
Timeless sound and lyrics!
Highly underrated at the time. Another group with multiple singers capable of taking 'lead' or harmonizing superbly.
Ridiculously beautiful and powerful harmonies...
Great harmony
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group, best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies.The 5th Dimension should be a lot higher on the list. There Nyro penned hits defined Psychedelic soul!
Gorgeous and powerful!
Boston is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, that achieved their most notable successes during the 1970s and 1980s. Their whole debut album is lined with harmonies, but the classic 'More Than a Feeling' uses them the best.
Buffalo Springfield was an American-Canadian rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1966. Their original lineup included Stephen Stills, Dewey Martin, Bruce Palmer, Richie Furay, and Neil Young. To Stills and Young, add Richie Furay who later founded Poco, plus Jim Messina of Loggins & Messina, and this group had 4 amazing and harmonious voices.
CSNY sprang forth from this awesome group, but with Neil Young and Stephen Stills as founding members, they had "that sound" first.
Fleet Foxes is an American indie folk band formed in Seattle, Washington. Their first two albums were released by the Sub Pop and Bella Union record labels, with their third by Nonesuch and Bella Union. Rather obscure, I'll admit, but their harmonies are fantastic.
Men that sound like angels.
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. From 1974 until 1985, the band consisted of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, vocalist David Lee Roth, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Michael Anthony. Just an epic sound they produce when they sing together
Michael Anthony man!