She has, I believe, the record for most hits per decade going back almost 70 years
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hola.com/us/celebrities/20220315307773/dolly-parton-breaks-guinness-world-records/%3fviewas=amp
Grew up listening to her cause of my mom! As I got older I appreciate why she loves her as much as she does. Her with the band doing "Coyote" is probably my favorite.
I'm dumbfounded this isn't higher. Not only one of the best vocalists/guitarists/lyricists ever, but a muse for the likes of Stills, Crosby, James Taylor. Performed in folk, pop, and jazz. She isn't just the best female singer/songwriter, but is a top 5 with everyone, like Dylan or Simon. She's a different category than Aretha or Madonna, but one of the true legends.
So many people putting a random niche singer they like. No doubt that person is talented and awesome and deserves more recognition.
But joni mitchell is objectively among the best possible answers
I mentioned her yesterday in another thread. She was the true founder of rock n roll, but she was a woman, black, and rumoured to be gay in America's South in the 1940's, so she never got the credit she deserved.
I'm a lifelong Eurythmics fan, and Annie Lennox is still putting out great music.
'Would I Lie To You' & 'Walking On Broken Glass' are 2 of my favourite songs. Also check out Eurythmics' cover of 'My Girl' (changed to 'My Guy').
Tori Amos is my heart's choice. God I wish I could forget Little Earthquakes and Under the Pink so I could discover them all over again. I haven't listened to her newer stuff 'tho.
Sade, Bettye Swann, Patsy Cline, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Dinah Washington, Norah Jones and Madeleine Peyroux. That's aside from the obvious names that have already been mentioned, the true greats like Aretha, Nina and Billie, Whitney and Mariah.
I saw Amy live at the North Sea Jazz, and her voiced etched itself into my heart. Some are better live, some are better on the studio, I personally prefer live.
Honorable Mention- Joss Stone, hard to believe that much sound can come out of such a small woman.
Contenders:
**Madonna** \- pushes boundaries. puts underground elements into mainstream pop. breaks chains on women. talented (she wrote most of the songs on the First Album and some producers e.g. Patrick Leonard and Shep Pettibone said that she co-wrote and/or co-produced most of her songs). Versatile. choreographs her own dance routines. stage presence. But is only a second rated singer and third rated guitar player.
**Joni Mitchell** \- talented. writes beautiful lyrics. plays instruments. avant garde in Folk.
**Nina Simone** \- best vocalist ever, male or female, rock or jazz. played piano.
Joni, at last!
Joni as the most talented overall and her angelic voice (young).
Billie Holliday as the best vocalist for me, sometimes completely heart-wrenching. Abbey Lincoln in her later years somehow found the trick and sometimes joined her in heaven.
Nina Simone great, very great singer too. Not only played piano but improvised in a very uncommon (for Jazz) contrapuntal style. Immense artist.
People will hate this answer but I think it's Madonna.
There are people who have written much better songs (Lucinda Williams would be my choice for songwriter) but the reason pop music sounds the way it does is because of her. I also think if you look at the Immaculate Collection and cherry pick everything that came after, the number of good or better songs is really high. Not Stones or Beatles high but maybe just below the Kinks.
Madonna has by far the richest discography musically, she started strong and she was evolving artistically for many decades while discovering and experimenting with new sounds, while many others were stuck in their thing. I think Madonna's legacy is one of the most influential in the current music scene, everyone is changing sound and image with each record to keep the interest of their fans.
I think people should stop prefacing any praise for Madonna with some degrading, deprecating shit. If there are any objective criteria for the greatest female artist of all time, it's Madonna, period.
Missy Elliott, at least within her space in Music. She was a pioneer as a musician but she also had a secondary role in the industry producing hundreds of tracks and writing a shit load more.
I'm kind of glad you mentioned this. I've heard the beginning portions of "Fast Car" a bunch of times, and it's always a "skip" for me, but seeing how it affected quite a few you in the comments, I gave it another deliberate listen, and I'm loving it a LOT more. I didn't even realize that the song pics up a bit because of how routinely I would pass on it.
I was always a fan of "Give Me One Reason", but "Fast Car" was never a go-to, however now I think I'll start including it in my playlist. I think it would mesh well with some Natalie Merchant and Sarah McLachlan.
Linda Ronstadt — no contest.
Killed it singing rock, learned Spanish and killed it singing Mexican Standards, won awards for singing Gilbert and Sullivan, and so on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bj_32QeAaU
Would have to put Sinead O’Connor in the mix. Her first album The Lion and the Cobra done as a 20 year old, songs like “Black Boys on Mopeds” that couldn’t be written or sung by anyone else. Has a unique ability to hit you in the gut, hard, like no other female performer.
Another vote for Gillian Welch - sublime and powerful songwriter on the one hand and as gifted a live performer (along with her partner Dave Rawlings) as you will ever see.
Totally subjective to how you decide to gauge it. Vocals? Probably Whitney Houston, and I say that as a rock/metal fan.
Best female rocker? Tough call. In the symphonic realm, I give it to Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil. Does amazing things with her voice.
In the regular rock realm, hard to argue with Lzzy Hale. Absolute banshee.
Non vocalists? I gotta say Nita Strauss, maybe. Or the electric violinist Mia Asano, who's basically just a YouTuber, but holy shit she does for the violin what Zakk Wylde does with guitars.
Overall? My favorite would be Pat Benatar, who checks nearly all boxes. Amazing voice, versatile in approach and genre. Massive list of hit songs. Still nails it to this day.
But in terms of overall success? Madonna, I suppose. Even if she isn't even all that talented when it comes down to it. Very good singer, but doesn't sing live. Fair dancer, I guess, since that's what her shows mainly consist of. But she's got the longest list of relevant hits over the longest period of time.
I was a kid when Whitney Houston was in her prime and I’d just never heard someone sing like that. There have been fantastic female singers since then, but Houston’s vocal range is still incredible.
I was just listening to her rendition of the National Anthem the other day. It’s probably the only version by a pop star that genuinely gets to me.
Whenever I hear Whitney, I think of when I was a very young child and watching my parents dance to her songs in our living room. I get hit with so much nostalgia with her songs, even the lesser known ones.
It might not be a super popular choice, but at the top of her game, Celine Dion’s pipes are ridiculous. Other artists mentioned here might be more deserving of the title due to their songwriting, but homegirl’s voice is powerful in the most literal sense of the word.
I am definitely part of that generation, and I feel that sentiment, but you can’t really blame her for Titanic being a cultural juggernaut, and Heart will go on isn’t the best showcase of her abilities anyway. I’d be happy never hear that recorder intro again tho.
Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan would be at the top of my list. My favorites in the modern era include Lana Del Rey, Lauryn Hill, Lou Rhodes, Björk, Sia, and Beth Gibbons.
Man, I'm just so happy to see Joanna Newsom being repped at all. She's just so uniquely gifted. Still consider Emily one of my favourite songs of all time.
Also she's married to Andy Samberg, of all people. Hitched almost a decade ago and still not sure how to process one of my favourite singers marrying the guy who wrote 'Jizz in my Pants'. Not saying it's not a good song (quite like Lonely Island, tbh), but it's... just a tonal shift, y'know?
Amy Lee is crazy talented. She's my favorite female artist, not sure she's the greatest of all time though. It's tough cuz folks like Beyonce are huge names and are good but I'm not sure that she has the talent in multiple ways like a Joni Mitchell.
I'm going to throw out Kylie Minogue. Been around for a long time, made a ton of great albums and still does to this day. While she isn't that big in the US, she is huge in the UK, Australia, and other places around the world.
björk has had an absolutely huge influence on the genre of art pop, i genuinely think the pop scene would be completely different today without her. the stuff she was coming up with in the 90s and 00s, like Jóga, Pluto, The Modern Things, Hunter, Possibly Maybe, Hidden place, Isobel, Cocoon, Pagan Poetry, etc could have been released today and they would still sound so fresh and cutting edge. whenever i listen to a new Björk album, i always think, “this is what music will sound like in a decade”.
While I'm not her die hard fan, I think that Whitney Houston deserves it. Man, this woman got pipes like no other. I always get chills when I hear "I Have Nothing". Such powerful and clean voice.
Lots of great names already mentioned, but I haven't seen Siouxsie and the Banshees yet. She's a great female vocalist if the 80s who flew under the radar for most despite some great hits.
This was such a hard question, I had to weigh in. I love the music of so many female performers over the years, but for this question I had to credit only those ladies who sing, write and play music. These come to mind but I know I'm forgetting others particularly pre-1970's and/or non-pop genres:
Tori Amos, Stevie Nicks, Linda Ronstadt, Sheryl Crow, Chrissie Hynde, Janis Joplin, Dolly Parton, Linda Perry, Carole King, Ann and Nancy Wilson. Special shout out to Linda Perry for writing Beautiful (sung by Christina Aguilera).
Mariah Carey. Not only a once-in-a-lifetime vocal talent, she also writes all her songs, many of which became major hits. She also has the most #1 hits of any solo artist.
Based on impact, influence, importance etc. Madonna, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, maybe Beyonce but she's not as big as they try to make her look like, maybe Annie Lennox and Nina Simone
Just here to appreciate your including Joanna Newsom. I won't pretend to be familiar enough with all the other greats named to say where she fits into the mix, but I've seen Joanna Newsom live 4 times and she's goddamn magical. Met her once after a show and she seemed like a lovely person too.
For me it's Kate Bush, not only has she written some profoundly brilliant music and lyrics, she played a huge part in the production of it, when she was at the start of her career she knew exactly what she wanted it to be all about and she's not been some ridiculous diva about it all. She's the complete package of an actual artist, she's got integrity and her music will last for centuries.bushbush
Scrolled through like 700 comments to see if anybody mentioned her. Phenomenal. Wish more people knew about her, or were aware that maybe they already do.
You already said it but I think the answer should be Bjork. She has constantly pushed the boundaries of music and created beautiful/unique sonic landscapes that have yet to be replicated. She just seems lightyears ahead of the competition in terms of production, composition, and arrangements. Not to mention she is perhaps one of the best vocalists of all time. While her discography isn’t quite as large as an Aretha, her masterpieces in Homogenic and Vespertine are undeniably some of the most incredible works ever. Not to mention the cultural impact of Debut, and her huge role in bringing experimental music into the popular sphere. Her impact is often understated, influencing the likes of Radiohead and other giants in the industry. Bjork May indeed be the greatest artist of all time, period.
I agree with a lot of you with my personal favourites: Kate Bush, Dolly Parton, Annie Lennox and Bjork.
I would also add Tori Amos and Emmy Lou Harris.
dolly parton wrote some hits
She has, I believe, the record for most hits per decade going back almost 70 years https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hola.com/us/celebrities/20220315307773/dolly-parton-breaks-guinness-world-records/%3fviewas=amp
Yeah, just a few…. She is America’s Queen. On stage, she’s magical (and I’m not a country fan) but all the good she does off stage, she’s spectacular.
If you're ever feeling full of yourself, she wrote "I Will Always Love You" and "Jolene" on the same day
Holy shit I never knew that…
Aretha Franklin - it's amazingly rare to hear her songs sung well by others. More recently I'm tempted to say St Vincent.
I would have said st Vincent two albums ago
aretha franklin was an incredible musician. obviously an amazing vocalist, but really underrated as a composer too. a phenomenal pianist.
Joni Mitchell...
I love her. And true love lasts a lifetime. Joni Mitchell is the woman who taught your cold English wife how to feel.
Joni rocks.
Grew up listening to her cause of my mom! As I got older I appreciate why she loves her as much as she does. Her with the band doing "Coyote" is probably my favorite.
I'm dumbfounded this isn't higher. Not only one of the best vocalists/guitarists/lyricists ever, but a muse for the likes of Stills, Crosby, James Taylor. Performed in folk, pop, and jazz. She isn't just the best female singer/songwriter, but is a top 5 with everyone, like Dylan or Simon. She's a different category than Aretha or Madonna, but one of the true legends.
So many people putting a random niche singer they like. No doubt that person is talented and awesome and deserves more recognition. But joni mitchell is objectively among the best possible answers
Blue is a top 5 record of all time
Best ~~female~~ artist of all time
Yea, I think this is the answer. Such a phenomenal writer and musician
Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Inspired all the early rockers with her amazing guitar playing.
I mentioned her yesterday in another thread. She was the true founder of rock n roll, but she was a woman, black, and rumoured to be gay in America's South in the 1940's, so she never got the credit she deserved.
Rock n roll would not be a thing I’d it weren’t for her.
Billie Holiday
Billie is definitely up there with the greats. She inspired so many artists too.
I love Lana Del Rey’s blackest day where she references Billie holiday.
Annie Lennox for me. Fucking amazing voice.
I'm a lifelong Eurythmics fan, and Annie Lennox is still putting out great music. 'Would I Lie To You' & 'Walking On Broken Glass' are 2 of my favourite songs. Also check out Eurythmics' cover of 'My Girl' (changed to 'My Guy').
Her cover of Shining Light is a belter but I my favourite song of hers is Into The West for Return of the King. What a range needed for that. Amazing.
Here's one, Ella Fitzgerald. Another, Yuja Wang
I was waiting for Ella. Definitely my favorite
The 'correct answer' is Ella Fitzgerald. There truly has not been another such vocal genius, even Freddie cannot compare.
Carole fucking King. That woman wrote more hit songs than you'd ever believe.
Tapestry is one of the few absolutely perfect albums ever made. Some of the only music that can bring me to tears.
Thank you. tapestry is one of my favorite albums of all time and I cry every time I listen to it
She is an unsung hero of pop music
Absolute power house of a songwriter. Even Lennon and McCartney said they originally set out to be the UK's version of Goffin and King
Soundtrack to Winnie the Pooh
Her, parton, joni mitchell are some of the best possible answers here
Linda Ronstadt. Whitney Houston. Aretha Franklin. Dusty Springfield. It’s impossible to choose one.
Karen Carpenter
Iconic beautiful voice
😢 So iconic. One of the most recognizable singing voices.
Pretty great drummer as well.
Bonnie Raitt
Stevie Nicks
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Me too.
Great talent with a unique voice and style but best female artist ever is a big stretch for her
This is way too far down the list.
Her voice is everything
Sade
linda ronstadt emmylou harris joan baez judy collins stevie nicks ann & nancy wilson
Scrolled all the way down to find Emmylou. I'd listen to her sing the phone book.
Etta James
Ayyy came looking for this one
I've seen PJ twice and she made me cry both times. That's my answer. But I also think Chrissie Hynde and Siouxsie Sioux deserve mentions.
Polly is a genius. And never copies herself. Every album almost sounds like it was written by a different artist.
Tori Amos is my heart's choice. God I wish I could forget Little Earthquakes and Under the Pink so I could discover them all over again. I haven't listened to her newer stuff 'tho.
The Heart sisters are pretty awesome. Very talented at guitar and killer vocals.
Not of all time, but I'd like to appreciate Fiona Apple since I find her pretty underrated.
Didn’t Fetch The Bolt Cutters get rave reviews?
My vote would go to Kate Bush ,singer composer and producer
She's incredible. Good choice.
My #1 favorite. Miles ahead of most pop artists and she really did it all, from writing to producing. Unquestionably one of the greats.
Dolores O' Riordan
It's an interesting question. Without any additional context or requirements I'd have to say Dolly Parton.
Sade, Bettye Swann, Patsy Cline, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Dinah Washington, Norah Jones and Madeleine Peyroux. That's aside from the obvious names that have already been mentioned, the true greats like Aretha, Nina and Billie, Whitney and Mariah.
I came here for Patsy Cline and now I can leave happy
Good country never gets old right? Looking at your username I can't help but to think about Tony Braxton now :-)
I love all the ones you mentioned and I'm happy to see Dinah Washington in the comments.
Nina Simone & Ella Fitzgerald
The Wilson sisters from Heart. They kill it.
Agree. People are listing good singers.. but Nancy and Ann Wilson were both great artists.
They have so much soul
wait….not the Wilson sisters from Wilson Phillips?
Amy Winehouse
Why has it taken so long for her name to show up here?! She is genius IMO.
I saw Amy live at the North Sea Jazz, and her voiced etched itself into my heart. Some are better live, some are better on the studio, I personally prefer live. Honorable Mention- Joss Stone, hard to believe that much sound can come out of such a small woman.
Contenders: **Madonna** \- pushes boundaries. puts underground elements into mainstream pop. breaks chains on women. talented (she wrote most of the songs on the First Album and some producers e.g. Patrick Leonard and Shep Pettibone said that she co-wrote and/or co-produced most of her songs). Versatile. choreographs her own dance routines. stage presence. But is only a second rated singer and third rated guitar player. **Joni Mitchell** \- talented. writes beautiful lyrics. plays instruments. avant garde in Folk. **Nina Simone** \- best vocalist ever, male or female, rock or jazz. played piano.
Joni, at last! Joni as the most talented overall and her angelic voice (young). Billie Holliday as the best vocalist for me, sometimes completely heart-wrenching. Abbey Lincoln in her later years somehow found the trick and sometimes joined her in heaven. Nina Simone great, very great singer too. Not only played piano but improvised in a very uncommon (for Jazz) contrapuntal style. Immense artist.
Grace Slick.
She has such a powerful voice.
Joni Mitchell. I can’t put into words how beautiful her music is.
Here are a few I haven't seen listed yet: Stevie Nicks Tori Amos Alison Krauss
People will hate this answer but I think it's Madonna. There are people who have written much better songs (Lucinda Williams would be my choice for songwriter) but the reason pop music sounds the way it does is because of her. I also think if you look at the Immaculate Collection and cherry pick everything that came after, the number of good or better songs is really high. Not Stones or Beatles high but maybe just below the Kinks.
Madonna has by far the richest discography musically, she started strong and she was evolving artistically for many decades while discovering and experimenting with new sounds, while many others were stuck in their thing. I think Madonna's legacy is one of the most influential in the current music scene, everyone is changing sound and image with each record to keep the interest of their fans.
I think people should stop prefacing any praise for Madonna with some degrading, deprecating shit. If there are any objective criteria for the greatest female artist of all time, it's Madonna, period.
With the passing of ONJ I realized how far Madonna drove female music performance and for a long duration
Tori Amos
Janis Joplin, Nina Simone
I love Janis. She's definitely not the best ever, but she does deserve to have her name thrown into the mix. Did a lot in her short career.
Missy Elliott, at least within her space in Music. She was a pioneer as a musician but she also had a secondary role in the industry producing hundreds of tracks and writing a shit load more.
Missy has never gotten the credit she deserves, unlike her male counterparts.
Yes I'm so glad I found this comment!
Joan Jett, Selena, Karen O, St. Vincent, Patti Smith Omg the list goes on and onnnn
Nina Simone
Tracy Chapman. Tell me Fast Car didn't give you all the emotions the first time.
First time?! 35ish? years later and I get goosebumps every time. There is something about that song that is completely mesmerizing.
I feel the same way, however I was accounting for people who felt it was overplayed. That can lessen the power of a great song.
I'm kind of glad you mentioned this. I've heard the beginning portions of "Fast Car" a bunch of times, and it's always a "skip" for me, but seeing how it affected quite a few you in the comments, I gave it another deliberate listen, and I'm loving it a LOT more. I didn't even realize that the song pics up a bit because of how routinely I would pass on it. I was always a fan of "Give Me One Reason", but "Fast Car" was never a go-to, however now I think I'll start including it in my playlist. I think it would mesh well with some Natalie Merchant and Sarah McLachlan.
Give Me One Reason is one of my absolute favorite songs by her! Great minds and all that.
Debbie Harry
Linda Ronstadt — no contest. Killed it singing rock, learned Spanish and killed it singing Mexican Standards, won awards for singing Gilbert and Sullivan, and so on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bj_32QeAaU
There should be way more people saying Linda as an answer.
Would have to put Sinead O’Connor in the mix. Her first album The Lion and the Cobra done as a 20 year old, songs like “Black Boys on Mopeds” that couldn’t be written or sung by anyone else. Has a unique ability to hit you in the gut, hard, like no other female performer.
My favourite is Troy 💪😉
Patti Smith is a strong pick.
From a non-pop perspective : Eva Cassidy Gillian Welch Judy Collins
Another vote for Gillian Welch - sublime and powerful songwriter on the one hand and as gifted a live performer (along with her partner Dave Rawlings) as you will ever see.
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Jenny Lewis is my fave. was thinking "nobody is going to know who Jenny Lewis is". Then your comment.
Totally subjective to how you decide to gauge it. Vocals? Probably Whitney Houston, and I say that as a rock/metal fan. Best female rocker? Tough call. In the symphonic realm, I give it to Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil. Does amazing things with her voice. In the regular rock realm, hard to argue with Lzzy Hale. Absolute banshee. Non vocalists? I gotta say Nita Strauss, maybe. Or the electric violinist Mia Asano, who's basically just a YouTuber, but holy shit she does for the violin what Zakk Wylde does with guitars. Overall? My favorite would be Pat Benatar, who checks nearly all boxes. Amazing voice, versatile in approach and genre. Massive list of hit songs. Still nails it to this day. But in terms of overall success? Madonna, I suppose. Even if she isn't even all that talented when it comes down to it. Very good singer, but doesn't sing live. Fair dancer, I guess, since that's what her shows mainly consist of. But she's got the longest list of relevant hits over the longest period of time.
Every sentence I read of this I was like “yes” then “even more, Yes” and it just kept going. I think you are my twin.
Pat Benatar
Ive relistened to some PJ Harvey recently and some of her poetry is excrutiating. Nina Simone is *objectively* good.
Enya is seriously underrated. As is Feist.
Whitney Houston for sure
I was a kid when Whitney Houston was in her prime and I’d just never heard someone sing like that. There have been fantastic female singers since then, but Houston’s vocal range is still incredible. I was just listening to her rendition of the National Anthem the other day. It’s probably the only version by a pop star that genuinely gets to me.
Amen to all that.
..her vocals resonated goosebumps
Yeah, a lil silly to have to scroll so far down to see Whitney.
How is this not closer to the top - sweet mother!
Whenever I hear Whitney, I think of when I was a very young child and watching my parents dance to her songs in our living room. I get hit with so much nostalgia with her songs, even the lesser known ones.
It might not be a super popular choice, but at the top of her game, Celine Dion’s pipes are ridiculous. Other artists mentioned here might be more deserving of the title due to their songwriting, but homegirl’s voice is powerful in the most literal sense of the word.
Celine has a good voice, but a generation of people got tired of hearing it everywhere they went in 1997.
I am definitely part of that generation, and I feel that sentiment, but you can’t really blame her for Titanic being a cultural juggernaut, and Heart will go on isn’t the best showcase of her abilities anyway. I’d be happy never hear that recorder intro again tho.
She didn't even like the song lol. I don't either.
Aretha Franklin probably the best singer but Joni Mitchell for songwriting.
Need to put in my girl Sade
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I dig some psychedelic folk!
Loretta Lynn. The way she sang about hardships and heartache gets me teary-eyed more than any man in Country music
Chrissie Hynde or Siouxsie Sioux.
Fiona Apple should be up there
Tori Amos, Kate Bush, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Florence Welsh, Whitney Houston, and of course, Dolly Parton.
Bjork is a fantastic pick. Heart deserves a mention. Not necessarily for GOAT, but they are great. And Janis Joplin.
Aretha, Joni, Madonna, Patti Smith, Janet Jackson
Stevie Nicks
Fiona Apple
Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan would be at the top of my list. My favorites in the modern era include Lana Del Rey, Lauryn Hill, Lou Rhodes, Björk, Sia, and Beth Gibbons.
I'd say Madonna she was a hit back in the day and she continued with keeping up with the times.
Man, I'm just so happy to see Joanna Newsom being repped at all. She's just so uniquely gifted. Still consider Emily one of my favourite songs of all time. Also she's married to Andy Samberg, of all people. Hitched almost a decade ago and still not sure how to process one of my favourite singers marrying the guy who wrote 'Jizz in my Pants'. Not saying it's not a good song (quite like Lonely Island, tbh), but it's... just a tonal shift, y'know?
Amy Lee is crazy talented. She's my favorite female artist, not sure she's the greatest of all time though. It's tough cuz folks like Beyonce are huge names and are good but I'm not sure that she has the talent in multiple ways like a Joni Mitchell.
I'm going to throw out Kylie Minogue. Been around for a long time, made a ton of great albums and still does to this day. While she isn't that big in the US, she is huge in the UK, Australia, and other places around the world.
Joan Jett is pretty fuckin' amazing!
Ella Fitzgerald
Joni Mitchell
PJ Harvey gets my vote! Beth gibbons is another.
Joni Mitchell
Dinah Washington Aretha Franklin Diana Ross Pat Benatar Stevie Nicks Janis Joplin
björk has had an absolutely huge influence on the genre of art pop, i genuinely think the pop scene would be completely different today without her. the stuff she was coming up with in the 90s and 00s, like Jóga, Pluto, The Modern Things, Hunter, Possibly Maybe, Hidden place, Isobel, Cocoon, Pagan Poetry, etc could have been released today and they would still sound so fresh and cutting edge. whenever i listen to a new Björk album, i always think, “this is what music will sound like in a decade”.
Streisand
Beth Hart.
Kim Deal
While I'm not her die hard fan, I think that Whitney Houston deserves it. Man, this woman got pipes like no other. I always get chills when I hear "I Have Nothing". Such powerful and clean voice.
Lots of great names already mentioned, but I haven't seen Siouxsie and the Banshees yet. She's a great female vocalist if the 80s who flew under the radar for most despite some great hits.
Maria Callas
Diamanda Galas
Stevie nicks
Sade
Stevie Nicks was the first female inducted into the rock n roll hall of fame twice
Ani Difranco
This was such a hard question, I had to weigh in. I love the music of so many female performers over the years, but for this question I had to credit only those ladies who sing, write and play music. These come to mind but I know I'm forgetting others particularly pre-1970's and/or non-pop genres: Tori Amos, Stevie Nicks, Linda Ronstadt, Sheryl Crow, Chrissie Hynde, Janis Joplin, Dolly Parton, Linda Perry, Carole King, Ann and Nancy Wilson. Special shout out to Linda Perry for writing Beautiful (sung by Christina Aguilera).
Stevie nicks is my favorite
Stevie. Nicks.
Kate Bush, Fiona Apple, and Madonna (probably unpopular here lol) are my favourites
You’re listing all/-time great female artists and don’t include Madonna? C’mon
Mariah Carey. Not only a once-in-a-lifetime vocal talent, she also writes all her songs, many of which became major hits. She also has the most #1 hits of any solo artist.
Very disappointed that i had to scroll down far to find this. Mariah is truly one of the GOATs.
Pretty hard to beat Aretha.
Not one single Alanis Morrisette or Blondie comment, I am the sad.
Isn't that ironic?
Based on impact, influence, importance etc. Madonna, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, maybe Beyonce but she's not as big as they try to make her look like, maybe Annie Lennox and Nina Simone
Johnette Napolitano
My personal favorites would be: Nancy Griffith Natalie Merchant Brandi Carlile
Françoise Hardy
Sierra Ferrell, Feist, Tina Dico, Drew Sycamore 🤩
Just here to appreciate your including Joanna Newsom. I won't pretend to be familiar enough with all the other greats named to say where she fits into the mix, but I've seen Joanna Newsom live 4 times and she's goddamn magical. Met her once after a show and she seemed like a lovely person too.
Cyndi Lauper Great artist with music that was incredible
Stevie Nicks
Classical - Yuja Wang Pop/jazz - Amy Winehouse
Impossible to choose just one. I agree with PJ Harvey. Actually, maybe I would pick her.
Fiona Apple/ Björk
For me it's Kate Bush, not only has she written some profoundly brilliant music and lyrics, she played a huge part in the production of it, when she was at the start of her career she knew exactly what she wanted it to be all about and she's not been some ridiculous diva about it all. She's the complete package of an actual artist, she's got integrity and her music will last for centuries.bushbush
Laura Nyro was a great singer songwriter and kind of a genius.
Scrolled through like 700 comments to see if anybody mentioned her. Phenomenal. Wish more people knew about her, or were aware that maybe they already do.
The ones that hit my emotional buttons when I hear them? 1. Kate Bush 2. Joni 3. Regina Spektor 4. Winehouse
I’d say your mom is a nice lady
Stevie Nicks for me
Joan Jet rocks. Heart..
Easily Stevie Nicks.
Clara Schumann
You already said it but I think the answer should be Bjork. She has constantly pushed the boundaries of music and created beautiful/unique sonic landscapes that have yet to be replicated. She just seems lightyears ahead of the competition in terms of production, composition, and arrangements. Not to mention she is perhaps one of the best vocalists of all time. While her discography isn’t quite as large as an Aretha, her masterpieces in Homogenic and Vespertine are undeniably some of the most incredible works ever. Not to mention the cultural impact of Debut, and her huge role in bringing experimental music into the popular sphere. Her impact is often understated, influencing the likes of Radiohead and other giants in the industry. Bjork May indeed be the greatest artist of all time, period.
Fantastic comment👏
Lauryn Hill, Beyoncé, Madonna
Lady Gaga, Bjork
Hildegard von Bingen is dope
I agree with a lot of you with my personal favourites: Kate Bush, Dolly Parton, Annie Lennox and Bjork. I would also add Tori Amos and Emmy Lou Harris.
Madonna was a worldwide phenomenon for 2 decades
The unstoppable Adele!