Top 10 Pop Artists that Are Respected by Metalheads
Pop Artists that have gotten respect by Metalheads. So if anyone tries saying that Metalheads only like "Metal" artists this list will prove them wrong for the most part. If I missed one feel free to add it. And if you disagree that's perfectly fine.
Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication, which was ruled a homicide. Jackson is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures... read more His hiccups, that are a significant part of his singing style, make me burst into uncontrollable laughter and I can't stop the giggle (please, don't hate me for this, I really have no control over it).
I think he's a better dancer than singer (his voice is too thin and weak to my taste).
I like his music and LOVE his dancing but all these new stories about his child molesting makes me not like him as a person.
This guy got me into real music!
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 Despite I love metal to death, I don't refuse giving credits when deserved. She is a talented singer and songwriter. Believe it or not, I was the person who was on her side when some pop and rap fans on this site described her as "fat, ugly and can't sing". Now, if a musician appearance is so important to you, perhaps music isn't your strength. Metal taught me one thing: if somebody is talented, his/her looks, age, race, origin, etc., don't matter.
My favorite Adele songs are: Rolling in the Deep and Rumour Has It (I'm not into her slow songs, not saying they are bad, they are just too depressing to me and depressing music isn't my cup of tea).
Sir Elton Hercules John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, is an English singer, pianist, and composer. He has collaborated with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums. John has sold over 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time... read more I'm not exactly a metalhead, but being mainly a hip hop head, I can say that I've always loved Elton John's music.
Yes, I respect him. As far as I know, christangrant also likes him.
ABBA is a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972. The group consists of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. ABBA became one of the most commercially successful acts in the history of popular music, particularly during the 1970s and early 1980s. They are the classical of pop music. Their songs are very well composed - of course, it's pop but it's top notch pop. I respect them for that. The singers are very good as well.
Also, many metal musicians admitted they liked ABBA and many even made metal covers of ABBA songs (see the list Top 10 Metal Covers of Abba Songs).
Even the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (London) played ABBA live and recorded a CD with cover songs.
The first group to introduce me to music. I used to do choir in year 2 and we had to sing their songs. Not knowing any other artist or band, I was hooked.
Whitney Elizabeth Houston was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. She holds the Guinness World Record as the most awarded female artist of all time, with over 400 career awards as of 2006, and was named the most awarded female act in 2009... read more I definitely like her voice, she is immensely talented. I have a respect for her godly voice - so powerful, rich and perfect.
And I feel bad for her - her private life was such a mess. R.I.P. Whitney.
If I listen to her songs from time to time, it's for her voice and not for her music.
I've seen quite a few Metalheads admit to liking her music on this site and I can see why. She's fairly a enjoyable singer.
Christina María Aguilera is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. She rose to fame in the late 1990s with hits like "Genie in a Bottle" and "What a Girl Wants," and she later showcased her vocal power in songs like "Beautiful" and "Hurt." Throughout her career, she's explored a range... read more I admit she is incredibly talented - her song Hurt is one of the best vocal performances in all pop. Her vocal range is remarkable, her runs are awesome. Also, she and Michael Bolton are the singers with the most perfect pitch I've ever heard (I don't count opera singers, they are a different story).
However, there are some things I don't like: she uses autotune for some songs - she doesn't need it, she just wants to get that awful robot voice and sound like every other talentless singer in the pop industry.
She's got a great, powerful and soulful voice made for singing soul and jazz - by the way, I've heard her singing jazz with Tony Bennett and she was amazing.
Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 - April 21, 2016) was an American musician, widely regarded as one of the most popular and influential artists of the 1980s. He was known for his eclectic musical style, flamboyant stage presence, and mastery of multiple instruments. Some of his most iconic songs include... read more I can definitely understand why Metalheads would respect Prince. He had that rock-star quality about him and could shred his ass off on the guitar.
Depeche Mode are an English electronic and synth-pop band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The original lineup included Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, and Vince Clarke. They are known for pioneering the electronic music genre and have sold over 100 million records worldwide. Their riffs are dark and heavy which is enough for me to make me like them - I like about 6-7 songs, my favorite is I Feel You (I love that riff).
In my opinion, the best pop artists ever. They have a unique style
Well, Lacuna Coil did cover "Enjoy the Silence", so there's that.
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
She gained some respect when I learned she was actually a metal fan and likes Metallica the most. She likes thrash metal! Not something softer, she likes thrash and even danced to a Metallica song at a live show! Wow, I didn't know one can dance to thrash.
She also likes Iron Maiden (a lot) and Saxon.
And yes, she likes Queen (a band I respect) and took her stage name from Queen's song Radio GaGa.
I saw a comment on Bohemian Rhapsody saying "why do we have crap nowadays like Justin and Lady Gaga? " The irony is strong here when they are saying this on a Queen song.
Jacqueline Marie "Jackie" Evancho is an American classical crossover singer who gained wide recognition at an early age. Since 2009, she has issued an EP and eight albums, including a platinum and gold album, and three Billboard 200 top 10 debuts. Evancho's latest album, The Debut, was her eighth consecutive... read more I don't listen to her but she is extremely talented, so I would say I respect her.
The Newcomers
Linda Maria Ronstadt is a retired American popular music singer. She earned 11 Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, and numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums... read more What can I say. Respected as one of the great voices and female singers. Songwriters wrote songs and she made those songs her own with that great voice. She did it all pop, rock, etc.. Such a shame Parkinson's disease took her voice. Music is timeless and her voice will always be there. I'm an older metalhead and always respected Linda.
Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell, professionally known as Billie Eilish, was born on December 18, 2001. She is an American singer and songwriter widely recognized for her unique style and musical innovation. Her most well-known songs include "Bad Guy," "When the Party's Over," "Bury a Friend," "Everything... read more
The Beach Boys are an American pop rock band formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The original lineup included brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine. They are widely recognized for their vocal harmonies and innovative studio work, especially... read more I tried to get into them several times but it didn't happen - I guess they aren't my cup of tea. I liked very much one song - Surfin' USA - but it turned out the music to this song was a 100% rip off of Chuck Berry's Sweet Little Sixteen, so I basically liked Chuck Berry again and not exactly The Beach Boys.
Arguably rock but art pop is an accurate nametag.
Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer and songwriter known for her deep, expressive contralto vocals and her eclectic blend of soul, rhythm and blues, and jazz. She is a well-known member of the 27 Club, having died from alcohol poisoning at age 27 on July 23, 2011. Her album Back to Black remains... read more I love rock and metal but I kept replaying one of her songs on Guitar Hero Live. Definitely a talented singer.
And for good reason she was a talented singer who died too soon.
It's so sad she died. Kids, don't drink alcohol.
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, musician, and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim. He was a pioneering figure in reggae music and is considered one of the genre's most influential artists. His work with The Wailers helped popularize Jamaican music... read more
Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer-songwriter, actor, activist, and humanitarian, whose greatest commercial success was as a solo singer starting in the 1970s... read more
Coldplay is a British rock band formed in 1996. The group includes Chris Martin (lead vocals, piano), Jonny Buckland (lead guitar), Guy Berryman (bass), and Will Champion (drums, backing vocals). Their manager, Phil Harvey, is often referred to as the unofficial fifth member... read more Nice joke, but most metalheads I know of can't stand Coldplay.
Tears for Fears are an English pop/rock band formed in 1981 by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, they were initially associated with the new wave synthesizer bands of the early 1980s but later branched out into mainstream rock... read more
Daryl Hall and John Oates, known more commonly as Hall and Oates, are an American musical duo from Philadelphia. They achieved their greatest fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s with a fusion of rock and roll and rhythm and blues. Their hits include Rich Girl, Maneater, and You Make My Dreams. Yes pop icons with excellent songs. What can you say bad about this duo really. They are not just pop though, but Soul. Respected, yes.
Actually, Liked these two better than MJ but that is my personal opinion.
Panic! at the Disco was an American pop rock band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2004. The band was originally a four-piece but later became a solo project led by Brendon Urie. At the time of its disbandment in 2023, the group featured touring members including Dan Pawlovich, Nicole Row, and Mike Naran... read more
Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., known professionally as Nelly, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, entrepreneur, and occasional investor. He was born in Austin, Texas, and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, where he gained fame as a member of the hip hop group St. Lunatics. His solo debut album Country... read more
Catherine "Kate" Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. She gained prominence in 1978 with her debut single "Wuthering Heights," which topped the UK Singles Chart. Bush is known for her eclectic musical style and has received critical acclaim and numerous awards throughout... read more
Anastacia Lyn Newkirk (born September 17, 1968) is an American singer-songwriter, producer, and former dancer.
Her first two albums, Not That Kind (2000) and Freak of Nature (2001), achieved major commercial success. She's known internationally for her powerful voice and hits like I'm Outta Love. I added her because I respect her for the talent she has - a great voice and songwriting skills (her music is pop but it's different than the mainstream pop;
some lyrics are poetry).
Songs I like the most:
Left Outside Alone, Heavy On My Heart, I'm Outta Love, One Day in Your Life, Sick and Tired, Paid My Dues
Madonna Louise Ciccone, known professionally as Madonna, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She has influenced many artists, including Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Beyoncé Knowles, and Britney Spears. Often referred to as the "Queen of Pop," she has played a significant... read more I just voted for her because there was no comments and she's pretty great.
Metallica is an American heavy and thrash metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup included James Hetfield (vocals and rhythm guitar), Dave Mustaine (lead guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), and Ron McGovney (bass). They first gained mainstream fame with their 1991 self-titled album (The Black Album)... read more Master Of Puppets, the most iconic pop song you will ever hear!
Somebody has to find the trolls a better goal in life...
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
Justin Drew Bieber (born March 1, 1994) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He currently resides in Ontario, Canada, and is Christian. He is the son of Pattie Mallette, an author... read more This is a meme right? That's why he's here? Because in all seriousness, absolutely not.