Top Female Singers of the 20th Century

such a legend

Some songs need a ruined voice

See comment re Stevie Nicks (#91) to see how drugs can ruin a voice.

This British singer's 45 year career won her the World Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2009.

Wonderful

Not the strongest of voices

At #233 ?...Ann Wilson should be in the top 10, period. Heart ruled the entire decade of the 80's! Extreemly powerfull voice with tone and quality.

Any list of singers that doesn't have Ann Wilson in the top 10 is embarrassing.

wonderful singer; The Hunter is a fantastic album... "Way Down Deep" an incredible song. Jennifer Warnes is a hidden gem.

'Loving You'... just beautiful Sadly taken from us too soon..

She had the greatest voice of all time!!!

she is the best female voice thet ive ever heard

Absolutely amazing, but sadly not well known outside of country music. Within the country genre she is a legend!

Sinead O'Connor Is A LIVING Legend!!! The Voice Of An ANGEL And The Face To Match!!!

A very weak singer, at best O>K> POP Could learna lot from other singers on this list. Biggest talent !! tearing up a photo of the Pope. NOT good,

Sinéad Can Sing Rings Around The Ladies On This List!!! Her Sound, Style, And Beauty Are UNMATCHED!!! If It Wasn't For Sinéad Opening The Door For The Likes Of Alanis Morrisette And MOST Of The Other Female Singers From The Mid 90's... They Wouldn't Have Even Appeared On This List!!!

dear Sinead, thank u 4 all

Sinead number 140? nahhhh... who may think that Madonna and others in the list are better singers than Sinead? Respect, but not fair.

The range and emotions kill everyone here

janet isnt the best singer definitely but she is really deserving much more than this place.she is one of the best entertainers in the world.great style of dancing great performer!!!!!!in my opinion she is deserving the top 50 !!!!!

I'm not really a fan, but she's lower - and this much lower - than Madonna, Cindy Lauper, Shakira, etc.? Huh?

how can christiner aguliera be way ahead Janet??? Damn!, this is way underrating Janet. Put her in #2

i think Janet deserves to be on the top of this list,because she's one of the best female singers in the world

to me personally has paved the way for shakira, mary j blidge and alot of ppl aheadof her so this list is kinda bogus!!!!!!!

Choreography and being a dancer has exactly what to do with singing???

one of the best female dancers of the 20th century. Highly influencial, particularly her music videos and choreography.

Irma Thomas is a contemporary of Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross and other big-time R&B and blues singers who were able to cross over to mainstream pop, but she never achieved their success. She is highly regarded and has had a bit of an impact on the charts. "(You Can Have My Husband but) Don't Mess with My Man," her first single in 1960, peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard R&B charts. Several other singles appeared on Billboard's Top 100 charts, the most successful of which was "Wish Someone Would Care" / "Break-a-Way," which went to No. 17. She introduced "Time Is On My Side," which the Rolling Stones later made into a big hit. She has been nominated for a Grammy for her albums, "Live! Simply the Best" and "Sing It!" She lives in New Orleans and continues to perform. She has been inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame for her contributions to Louisiana music.

Truly love her voice....Invisible is one of the best songs every recorded......period!

Enya is an Irish singer, instrumentalist and songwriter. She is Ireland's best-selling solo musician and is officially the country's second-largest musical export after the band U2. Her album sales were more than 75 million worldwide, with over 26 million in album sales in the US. Her work has earned her four Grammy awards and an Academy Award nomination. She has performed works in 10 languages.

Forget Enya!!! It's ALL About Sinéad O'Connor!!!

her voice doesn't seem really outstanding to me, but she does make very beautiful music and deserves mention

Lovely voice and music for sure! However imagine ging to one of her concerts? You would have to take your sleeping bag ZZZZZZZ.

Love Enya but her sibling Maire (lead singer for Clannad) is so much better.

An international star, she has won 4 Grammys.

Irish singer and writer !!

Wonderful vocalist. Beautifully clear voice with great range.

Janis Ian wrote a LOT of music that became famous. Her personal performance style was a bit non-commercial.

Betty Buckley is a legendary Broadway performer and TV and movie actress. She is perhaps best known for her appearances on the television show “Eight Is Enough,” but on Broadway, she is best known for her role as Grizabella in the original Broadway production of the musical “Cats,” in which she sings “Memory.” For that show, Buckley won the Tony for best performance by a featured actress in a musical in 1983. She has also played Norma Desmond in “Sunset Boulevard” in London, for which she received an Olivier Award nomination. She reprised the role in New York. Her other Broadway musical credits include “1776,” “Pippin,” “Drood,” “Carrie” and “Triumph of Love” (Tony nomination). She has recorded 16 solo albums. One of them, “Stars and the Moon: Live at the Donmar,” was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category. Buckley was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2013. In October 2018, she will star in the title role in the first national tour of the Broadway revival of “Hello, Dolly!” Buckley does concerts throughout the U.S. every year.

She's also a Spanish Singer, and her Voice is tremendously beautiful.

The mentioned singer are mainly pop(ular) singers as Laura Pausini and her success is or was for big part commerical,Mia Martini apart. They have everybody good voice and talent. If we want other kind of excellent singer, not commercial, we can cite, for example Katia Ricciarelli (Lyrics). Mina is a case apart..(all kind of music !)

I'm sorry bur are u serious???? there are way better italian singers!!!! Mia Martini, Patty Pravo, Ornella Vanoni, Giorgia... and tons more that are much much better than L. Pausini. I mean she is good but her voice is way too commercial!

I believe she's gravely underrated because she sang mostly Chinese songs.

Simone is a successful Brazilian performer of MPB, or Popular Brazilian Music, a style that combines traditional Brazilian music, such as sambas, with influences from abroad, such as rock and jazz. Simone has popularized songs written by many of Brazil’s best composers and lyricists, including Chico Buarque, Milton Nascimento, Fernando Brant, Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins, Martinho da Vila, Joao Bosco and Joyce. Among her most successful songs are “Começar de Novo," “O Que Será," "Tô Voltando," "Pra Não Dizer Que Não Falei Das Flores," "Alma," Tô," "Um Desejo Só Não Basta," "Você é Real," and "Iolanda." Among her fans is Quincy Jones, who considers her one of the finest singers around. He has said he wants to hear her version of “Começar de Novo" on his deathbed. Her ventures into Spanish-language music extended her popularity to all of Latin America. She has a history of filling large stadiums with adoring fans.

Reba McEntire has all the necessary talents, character and dedication to the role of the public performer that is required for the highest ranked artists of all time. Completely capable of full immersion in each song, creative and comprehensive with music and vocal arrangements, always improving her album quality and in a mild but persistent way, a social activist on various issues. Her voice caught me 20 years ago, but her character keeps me a fan.

7 Academy of Country Music Awards. 12 AMAs for Favorite Country Female Artist.

sure were pretty Estelle.R.I.P. honey I miss you! love you!

BABY I LOVE YOU!!! AND I CAN HEAR MUSIC.

THE BAD GIRLS SOUND GOOD LOOKING TOO!!!

"Lotta Love"..

first lady of rock.

how can the [QUEEN] be 137? ask cyndi lauper who #1 is? of rock'n'roll?

all the girls of rock'n'roll thank the queen. #1.

SHE IS FIRST FEMALE SINGER OF ROCK&ROLL. 73YRS OLD AND STILL SINGING LOVE YOU WANDA YOU ARE #1.

check out rock&roll hall of fame.please!!!ROCK&ROLL HISTORY LESSON.

the queen of rock&roll. elvis the king. they are icons.thanks both of YOU!!!

You are crazy!!!!Madonna is n.1...You are comparing pop to r& to jazz...It's somethong you can do...madonna is n.1 in pop music..No one has done what she has..She invented..she created..she has written some of the most important and famous songs in the history of music!!!....n.111 means you don't know enough about music....n.b. Dionne n.1???Aretha and barbra are mauch better than her....

I agree with deamguy although # 1 is slightly debateable

Madonna has a great voice no doubt, but many of his hugely successful songs were written by herself and then adapted to his vocal chords. So she is a good singer but a mediocre vocalist.

One of the Most Talented Showgirls of The Entertainment History. Always Bright, Charming, Dazzling, Warm and Energetic. She sings as the expression of her versatility on her unprecedented live stage shows. Frankly, it's not suitable to put her name on this Singer's list. She deserves to be No:1 on the Female Entertainer list.

I'm with you on this one Jack

Madonna HAS to keep reinventing herself, because she does not have the voice. Hits NOT as massive as they use to be.

"My name is Luka"..

Should be much higher on the list. 4.5 octave range.

Classically trained in opera before she began her career in rock-n-roll.

4 Grammys.

AMEN ; )

Her hips don't lie.

Shakira's first two albums "Pies Descalzos" and "Donde estan los ladrones" are nothing like the rest of the -prefabricated pop gringo wannabe, absurd lyrics that make no stupid sence with main stream artist colaborations, albums she has on her list. Sucks...

Really overrated singer.

The world wait for her next album.Shakira when we found your next album.

East or west Shakira is the best.She is so kind women.I hope she will win her aim and her foundation aim.

In my opinion: She is the best Female singer of all time

Shakira is one of my role models. She has a spectacular voice, amazing albums, and of course a great body.oFTo

This Colombian singer has 2 Grammys, 7 Latin Grammys.

she is great

She is one of the greatest of the last 20 years.

Should be in the top ten, easy. Voice of a generation!

should have been WAY higher than this. THE best voice going right now. She can hit the money notes like few can.

21th Century. She works since 2002.

Erm how can Madonna who's been around for nearly 30 years be just 2 places up from Jessie J? It's a bit insulting. I don't mind Jessie, but she's hardly only just under Madonna!

She messes up aloooot! BUT, when she slows down and really takes her time to think about what she's singing, she is such a great artist. She truly is musically talented!

You must be joking, she's TERRIBLE. Worst singer ever!

Born in 1977; according to Wikipedia first single and album were released in 1997. How can she be on a top 100 list of singers in the 20th century? Is she really that great?

Out of fairness to all singers on this list, what were Elisa's accomplishements, and for how many years was she a recognized singer, in the 20th Century? The dates mentioned, 2006 and 2007, are not in the 20th Century. She is probably an outstanding singer, but is this the correct list for her???

Voice of the 21st century... I love Amy Winehouse due to her wonderful Jazz tone and her perfect pitch and diction, her powerful vocal runs, riffs and an amazing vocal technique... But The title of this list clearly states "Top female singers of the 20th Century" So really she nor Adele should be on this list... And If people think Adele is the best voice of our generation than they really and truly need to listen to different genres of music, because there are a lot better singers out there!

At her best, I'd put Amy Winehouse at the top of the list. Her voice really was amazing.

Pink is the BEST.

She's horribly overrated and her songs for the last three albums have been crap!

Pink is an awesome singer. She deserves to be higher up on the list. Her songs have so much emotion and her meanings in the songs are true. Her new song ****in perfect is exactly right. Be who you are and don't let other people tell you who to be! She has a great voice and amazing kick ass vocals!!!!

idk who Lara Fabian is, but I DO know who P!nk is and her voice, songwriting, singing, acrobatics, etc. is definitely a power to be recognized @ 119. I believe the criteria is based on SINGING. P!nk began in tough Philly clubs at the age of 15, making it on her own. That speaks volumes to me that she had such passion to overcome her barricades and proved her voice is worth listening to as well as the Messages included!

You've got to be kidding me, right? You put Pink here and Lara Fabian who is way superior to Pink at the bottom. I am starting to doubt your criteria. By the way Lara is much more sexier that Pink.

highly under-rated, personally my favorite, awesome emotion in her music and a beautiful songwriter also

Wicked voice and video's.

had forgotten alma till saw her name here she was lovely very underated you always felt happy when you had listened to her songs r i p

lovely girl and very talented singer sadly missed

she would have gone on to greater things had she been around longer.the most glam girl singer in the uk her dresses put shirley bassey in the shade

new record out back in good form

Sharleen has one of the best voices in the world :period.

Sarah rightfully deserves the nickname, "The Angel Of Music"!!!

Most Incredible singer, with biggest selling classical album in the world, with 160 gold and platinum.....

123?? Seriously??? Well this is not a Classical list so she wouldn't score high. Brightman would be in the top three of any Classical list and she should be in the top five of this one. I dare any pop singer to sing her repertoire and get through half of it.

She should be way higher... Incredible range that few of the singers here could ever reach!

obviously the voting bloc is young and uneducated as Sarah Brightman brought Phantom to the top and her vocal range is incredible, as is her beauty.

Beautiful voice! I can't believe she's in the bottom of the list if she's the biggest-selling classical soprano.

The most boring singer on the planet !!!!

Beautiful woman and a beautiful voice!

artist of the century!

The Best.

Guys, please check out the grammy history, you will see that most of the winners are forgotten within a couple of years, winning grammy, or being nominated for it, proves nothing. Björk is one oft the most creative and influential singers in the music history, it seems impossible to deny that.

Nothing like going to the movies and having the theatre play her "It's so quiet" before the movie. Hilarious. Very ambitious and liberated, creative artist.

13 grammy nominations!!!! they love just handing those things out.

No wins out of 13 Grammy nominations.

Ugly little diva !!!

Not a great singer !!

Ok you've GOT to be joking having Alison this low. Perfect pitch, quality, and her clear tone is like butter. My favorite. She could sing circles around the majority of this list!!

Based on voice quality, range, and clearness of expression she is definitely one of the top 5, along with Judith Durham. Perhaps her country and bluegrass background prevents many to be unaware of her talent. Listen to her you tube tunes and you will see.

Great Singer, just not a popular genre, Bluegrass. Should be much higher on this list. YouTube "Let Me Touch You For A While"

Alison deserves to be much higher on this list her voice is simply amazing...though I know this your opinion I think you should take another listen to Alison Krauss' music...

very good voice!!!

yes! great singer ! thanks for a comment that makes sense. those dingbat awards don't mean anything

she has a stunning voice and really should be top 50 shes a great singer and her voice is incredible

should be higher on the list :)

should be much higher up this list and ahead of madonna!

She is awesome :)

she's the best singer and songwriter of all time.

i like the way she sing the caruso.

She's simply magnificent. She should be a top ten. I can't think of anybody else that can sing like her. Her live performance of Adagio at the World Music Awards is enamoring. She sings with such a passion that brings tears to the eyes. Besides she's so beautiful.

Lives for music. Child music prodigy. Composer. Piano. Amazing vocal range. Fluent in several languages. (Emotiional) personality plus. Fans adore her. Several lovers. One child. Started music school at age 8. Studied law. Helps young artists.

I agree Jack, more tech enhanced then real voices.

This list is about SINGERS . NONE of the Spice Girls could sing !!!!

Kristin made "Wicked" "Promises, Promises" of her "Lessons Learned" winning her first Tony in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown". She keeps "Pushing Daisies" from "The West Wing" with "Glee". Amazing voice!

ridiculous rating - top 50 more like

Sweet voice, she has her own style. Strange, but great !

watch her video on youtube your my world what a powerfull voice. think she had a nose job later which altered her voice but in the 60s she was great

She was friends with the beatles before they became famous even singing with them John Lennon said she was the anly girl Brian Epstien should sign .Which he did one of Johns favorites was her uk number one your my world. Shes a top tv star in uk now tho semi retired she celebrates 50 years in showbiz next year.

she did do some great songs

didnt rate cilla till i heard some of the stuff not usually played you know the same old songs step inside luv etc. her 1965 version of dancing in the street rearly is good

uks top selling girl vocalist of the 60s desearves to be higher in the list.her recording of i ive been wrong before is a masterpiece

highly underated singer great natural voice

From "Porgy and Bess," "Ragtime," and "Carousel", Audra has proven she can do it all!

Long before she 'Let It Go' in the movie "Frozen", Idina made her "Wicked" "Rent" being "The Life of the Party" on the Broadway stage.

Amy Lee is VERY underrated at 154. I really think she belongs in the top 10, no doubt. She is HANDS DOWN so much better than most of the people listed above her here. Vocal range (studio and live), pitch, tone and quality, plus, she is an awesome pianist and composer. This girl has a true gift, and to hear her perform is a rare and powerful treat.

r u serious does nobody no what a power house is suppose to sound like amy is one of the greatest singers of all time and she should diffinitly should be in the top 5 she is amazing and this list needs to be redone

She is amazing, you see? I love her music and her songs are based on her old lifestyle, amazing. She has been through alot in her life but it is just fantastic to see her preform!! I love you Amy!!

Actually....her voice is often altered (understood, i mean who's voice is really copletely unaltered on recordings these days) but she has proven live that she really struggles with pitch and such without the computer helping her out. Not so much in the top anything list, but I do enjoy the music. Just feel it should be taken at what its worth. Excellent computer work.

Listen to "I Know You Know" and "Just Believe it" on her "Just Believe it" album!

Wikipedia says her career started in 2005, thus she doesn't qualify for this list.

Sublime voice, powerful and moving performances (plus a brilliant lyricist and composer), it's unbelievable she'outside the top 10 let alone outside the top 100. Which she is. BTW: who's the singer at #1?

She sang with the Srawbs,Fairport Convention and Led Zeppelin? She should be in the top 30 at least.

she's a really good artist and very expressive singer, but i don't think her voice is really too good and she always conjures crappy pissy emotion.

Hey leave her face alone. Ok the botox didn't do much good but her music is still amazing and still has a wonderful emotional voice (Just not as stron due to age)

she was unashamed of her flaws. a great voice to go with her piano skills. too bad about what she did to her face...

already in the top

she should be alittle higher than this chart.. she can sing and i love her matter a fact im listin to her right now..u mght not kno this sung but it caled "skollin life" its my first time listenin to it but i already love it.. i also love how she engages u into her singing. i only diagree with 2 things in her life, 1.) her baby daddy and 2.) u will never know!!!

she has i=one of the most trained vocal ranges, hold amazing notes giving a mixture of chords. you guys really need to here beyonce's ballads and then compare her to anyone on this ;list. beyoncce kilss

when it comes to straight singing this is right but if were talking about being an overall entertainer she should be in the top 50

Beyonce did NOT come on the scene in 2003, she's been around since the early 90's. Learn your facts.

Beyonce is by far the best singer of the 20th century with destiny's child. Her veratility is amazing and the power in her voice is unbeatable.

she should be in the top 100 sheesh...but dc came out in 98 so she kinda quafily

The list is for 20th century singers. We are in the 21st century, so she doesn't qualify.

There's this Youtube video of her showing paparazzi not even letting her get out of her house! She even started crying!!! I can't blame her for breaking down.. Anyway, I think her music videos are amazing, but I'm not really sure whether she can or can't sing for real...

what the hell is she doing at 206 should be in a the lest top ten!!!

What the hell is britney doing here ?! she should be on top of the list she have a unique voice and it's perfect for pop music and by the way britney CAN sing !!! Go queen of POP we love u brit!

She should be at number one!!!!!! She has a unique voice which is loved by many, is a fantastic dancer and performer, has hits spanning many years and has bounced back from controversy. She is a strong woman. Go Brit!!!

Best singer ever!!

What is she doing so low on this list, she is the queen of pop!!

She has no voice. HORRIBLE!

BRITNEY THE QUEEN OF POP

You kidding? What is Spears doing on a list like this? Talent for the tabloids maybe....

Choreographer . Definately NOT a singing talent!

the best voice of our generation.

i love her voice - so strong and soft

Her 1st studio album was released in 2001, she's not eligable for this list ( and, if an artist released music less than 5 years before the end of the 20th century can that artist trully be one of the 'greatest' artists of that era? I think it takes much more time, dedication, and success to be proven worthy.).

a verage voice

She's being judged way too harshly because of who her father was. Nancy Sinatra is a beautiful singer, and no, "Boots" was not her only song. She did a wonderful duet, "Something Stupid," with her dad, and it's legendary. "Bang Bang" and "Sugar Town" were also huge hits. She's a wonderful performer and can run rings around Natalie Cole.

Natlie Cole can sing, this lady can't

A performer riding on the shirt tails of her father, just like Natalie Cole.... let's move Nancy into the top 15 also !!

The only song she could sing, Horrible singer. And it is "These Boots...."

This boots........

This list has 20th century in the title. This lady is 21st century and therefore not qualified.

Brilliant discovery by Paul McCartney. Beautiful voice.

If you only know her from "what if god was one of us?", then you're missing this great singer. Her "Righteous Love" album is tremendous from beginning to end.

She has 7 gold records in Mexico.

Lyn has since starred in the United Kingdom touring version of Cabaret-the Musical with Will Young. West End Impresario Bill Kenwright, rates Lyn Paul as one of the very best, and no wonder. High time we had a new Album by Lyn, as her voice is still remarkable.

Her voice is the epitome of purity. From earlier recordings like Sounds of the Sea all the way through to Forever Changing , I never get tired of hearing these masterpieces again and again!

listen to her range in Sounds of the Sea. Then listen to the more popular songs. You will press the up arrow

I'm in my 20s and rate them as my favorite band.

Easily top 20 atleast...Legend

Deserves a much better ranking than #123. Listen to her sing live, it's quite inspirational!

YES! LAURYN CAN SING AND RAP! I LOVE HER!

SHE GAVE ALL AWAY1

We miss you Ms. Hill!

Underrated as a vocalist. Listen to her recording of Ave Maria before you judge. It's flawless.

pretty. i would say "pretty." certainly not "fantastic." she deserves a score above zero, i'll admit.

Fantastic voice! Jewel should be in top 10!

Could vocally kick the hot poo out of most on this list.

top 10 please

And was with The Creatures, as well as a solo album. Unique. Original. Haunting.

Sharon has the voice of an angel.

she has a talented voice, she should be higher