Top 25 Singers, #1 - Freddie Mercury

#1 - Freddie Mercury

#1 - Classic Rock Magazine's Greatest Singer in Rock.

#2 - MTV's 22 Greatest Voices in Music.

#18 - Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers of All Time

... and most importantly, #1 on It's My Kind of Scene's Top 25 Singers. As the lead singer of Queen, Freddie Mercury gave us what is, in my humble opinion of course, the greatest voice in popular music. Have you ever heard someone pull off 'Bohemian Rhapsody' that isn't named Freddie Mercury? Didn't think so. His unique, operatic/rock vocals have never been matched, no matter who tries to imitate them *cough* Mika *cough*. Anywho, enjoy some excellent Freddie...

 

That's it for another countdown... starting very soon, you can look forward to checking out the Top 100 Songs of 2010... get excited!

Top 25 Singers - Honourable Mentions

The voice...

Honourable Mentions

Tomorrow I'll be posting the numero uno singer, but for now let's take a quick look at some performers that just missed out on the countdown.

Brandi Carlile

David Gray

Whitney Houston

Van Morrison

Bonnie Raitt

Some amazing vocalists right there! Anyway, tomorrow, it's #1 time! Who's it going to be?

Top 25 Singers, #2 - Kate Bush

#2 - Kate Bush

We've come a long way baby... all the way to number 2 where we're graced with the presence of the mighty Kate Bush. Controversial? If you're a big fan of Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers of All Time list, you may find Bush's inclusion on this countdown a little off, considering she failed to place on their list. Wait, what? Kate Bush didn't make it onto a list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time? Kate Bush? Not on list of Greatest Singers? Bush? Not? Greatest? Singers? There's just too many questions... She's awesome. Her songs are awesome. Her voice is AWESOME. Don't worry Kate, Rolling Stone might not give you any love, but It's My Kind of Scene will and that means... oh... not much. Sorry? But congratulations, you're the runner-up on our countdown of the Top 25 Singers!

 



Top 25 Singers, #3 - Roy Orbison

#3 - Roy Orbison

Bruce Springsteen... Elvis Presley... Bono... Billy Joel... Barry Gibb... Just some of the great voices in music that have made public their respect for Roy Orbison's signature vocal style. You know who else is a big fan of the late Mr Orbison? k.d. lang. You may remember her, she featured at #4 on the countdown... yesterday. Orbison's vocal range has been approximated to fall somewhere between three to four octaves. You know who else has that kind of range? Christina Aguilera. You may remember her, she featured at #7 on the countdown... two days ago. Well, that explains why he's on par with at least two people on the list. I'd go through everyone else and pick out something they can do that Roy Orbison can, but... no. Just enjoy the music!  



Top 25 Singers, #4 - k.d. lang

#4 - k.d. lang

k.d. lang is the first singer on the list that truly leaves me lost for words. Really, what could I say that can't be understood by simply taking the time to listen to one of her breathtaking live performances? Go on... you know you want to. P.S. remember what I said about Rufus Wainwright doing the best version of 'Hallelujah?' I'm not so sure about that anymore...



Top 25 Singers, #5 - Amy Winehouse

#5 - Amy Winehouse

La Winehouse; Britain's answer to Britney Spears in terms of tabloid fodder. Luckily, in terms of vocals, she's this generations answer to Shirley Bassey and Etta James and in this bloggers humble opinion... she's better. If you remove her very public trash-ploits (and there are a lot of them), you're left with two fantastic albums, some ridiculously deep and poignant songs and the best voice to emerge since the 2000s. Sooner or later, Amy Winehouse is going to drop the follow-up to Back to Black... and it will be spectacular.



Top 25 Singers, #6 - Florence Welch

Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air...

#6 - Florence Welch

Aka, Florence + The Machine. Will I cop some flak for placing an artist with one album to her credit so high? Probably. Does it change the fact that she has one of the greatest voices in the history of music? No... no it doesn't. If the Grammy's award Florence with the Best New Artist award, my faith in them will be restored (following Katy Perry's nomination for Album of the Year). To see Florence + The Machine live is a real treat for any music lover. She's one of those rare talents that come across even better live than on a recording. If you haven't had the chance to check her out in person, watch the videos I've thoughtfully provided for you. You WILL love them.



Top 25 Singers, #7 - Christina Aguilera

#7 - Christina Aguilera

Speaking of stars that have never needed autotune... The one thing that has always separated Christina Aguilera from her fellow pop tarts is her amazing voice. She can belt it out like no other lady in music today. Gaga, Perry, Spears... all fail miraculously when compared to the original dirrty girl. Beyonce comes close, but not close enough to crack this countdown. It's because of her voice that it pains me to watch how bad Xtina's done this year. But it's also because of her voice that I know she'll rise to the top once more. Never underestimate the power of Christina Aguilera!





Top 25 Singers, #8 - Joni Mitchell

#8 - Joni Mitchell

Two countdown posts in one day! Don't you feel special? Well, you probably shouldn't. The weekly Top 20 is done for 2010, but don't worry... it will be back from January 2011. Why no Top 20? Because I'm in the process of doing up the Top 100 Songs of 2010... any songs released in December automatically go into the 2011 pool as I don't think one month in the big bad world is enough to justify a position on the yearly countdown. So you get another Top 25 Singers post instead of the Top 20 (you really don't care, do you?).

Moving along after the delightful Rufus Wainwright, we have one of the true wonders of the musical world, Joni Mitchell. Her voice is so rich, so full of emotion and experience that it's hard to compare her to any other singer in the world. Listening to a Mitchell song like 'Blue' or 'Both Sides, Now' is like being schooled in the vocal arts. For your listening pleasure, you get both songs right here, right now. Enjoy!



Top 25 Singers, #9 - Rufus Wainwright

#9 - Rufus Wainwright

The diva with the voice of an angel. A male angel. A mangel. This is likely to offend all the Jeff Buckley lovers in the room... Wainwright's version of 'Hallelujah' is my favourite. So sorry... but not really. His voice on the 'Careless Whisper' cover with Ben Folds is pretty much as good as a voice can get during a live performance.



Top 25 Singers, #10 - Sharon Jones

#10 - Sharon Jones

The Queen of the Dap Kings... A woman somewhat misplaced in time, Sharon Jones' outstanding voice takes you back to the swinging 60s, when real soul and funk reigned supreme. If she had been around during the 60s there's no doubt she would have been one of the most dominant female singers. As it stands in the 2000s, Jones is being heralded as the leader of a movement that's bringing music back to its most celebrated era... unfortunately, at least so far, without the success she so deserves. Go get one of her albums... you won't regret it!



Top 25 Singers, #11 - Elvis Presley

#11 - Elvis Presley

The King. I might not be his biggest fan, but that doesn't mean I don't have respect for his influence on rock music and his possession of one of the greatest voices in the history of music. Q put him at #1 and Rolling Stone has him at #3 on their 100 Greatest Singers lists. While I have respect for Elvis, I guess I don't have THAT much respect as I find it hard to place him higher... mostly based on my opinion that he was an electric performer first and singer second. How do you rate Elvis' voice?   



Top 25 Singers, #12 - Steve Perry

#12 - Steve Perry

Journey frontman and one of the greatest male rock singers, nay, greatest singers of all time period. Perry ranked at #76 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time, which saw his vocal fanbase collectively lose their sh*t. This is understandable. The man hits notes that we mere mortals can only dream of hitting. Don't believe me? You may now watch one of the videos and become a believer. Oh, wow... I wasn't even trying to make a 'Don't Stop Believing' joke, but I feel I've set a horrible one up perfectly... but I'll let it go. This time.

Top 25 Singers, #13 - Bjork

#13 - Bjork

When you think of Bjork, do you automatically think of 'It's Oh So Quiet' because it's the only song of hers that you know? Or do you flash to the awful, awful swan dress she wore to the Academy Awards? If you do, let's see what we can do about that... right now. You might find it odd to see Bjork on a list of the top singers, especially if you think of her as a more experimental, alternative artist. Well, it's because of her experimental nature, especially in terms of vocals that earns her a place on the countdown. What other artist can you think of that constructed an album almost entirely on human vocals? Bjork did it on the incredible Medulla. That alone isn't enough to warrant a place, but throughout her career Bjork has pushed more boundaries than practically every other popular artist with her voice, constantly adapting, changing and creating new methods and styles. THAT is more than enough to get her on the Top 25 Singers of All Time. If you only have time to listen to one song, go with 'Hyperballad' above (and watch the whole thing!). P.S. what would we do without Jools Holland?



Top 25 Singers, #14 - Michael Jackson

#14 - Michael Jackson

The King of Pop. While we were starting school, Michael Jackson was starting a career that would span four decades and make him the most successful musical artist of all time. Thriller remains the world's best selling album, he has the most American #1s for a male artist since the Hot 100 was introduced (13) and he received more music awards throughout his life than any other singer. Dude was also slightly unhinged in the mental department. We should get that out of the way, but let's not judge... we didn't live his messed up childhood. Let's just focus on his incredible voice. Rolling Stone had him at #25 on their countdown of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. Here on It's My Kind of Scene, he's at #14. What do you think about Jacko's voice?



Top 25 Singers, #15 - Antony Hegarty

#15 - Antony Hegarty



I can't quite think of a voice that's comparable to Antony Hegarty's. Somehow, Antony and the Johnsons' lead singer has found the perfect balance between a male and female sound; deep and full of emotion, powerful yet subdued. Hegarty's voice is ripe with juxtapositions which shouldn't work, but somehow do. To that, I say kudos. 



Top 25 Singers, #16 - Aretha Franklin

#16 - Aretha Franklin

What you want, baby Aretha's got it... and what you need, is to show her voice a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Why? She's the Queen of Soul and the first woman induced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A legend and icon who's voice has arguably inspired more female singers than any other. The respect she's earned from her peers in the music industry saw her claim the #1 position on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

So now you're wondering why Aretha Franklin finds herself in the somewhat low position of #16. Why go against Rolling Stone? Because I'm (well) under 45. Because the 179 industry associated voters for their countdowns will always stick with what was good in the 60s and 70s. Every Rolling Stone countdown will generally include The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Aretha Franklin fighting for the #1 spot, because that's what their voters love. That was their generation, their 'heyday' if you will. Sometimes it seems they fail to take into account anything post 1970 out of fear of bucking the trend. Don't get me wrong, Aretha Franklin has a beautiful, powerful voice that deserves the respect of everyone... but I don't feel it deserves the #1 spot. What do you think?  



Top 25 Singers, #17 - Eddie Vedder

#17 - Eddie Vedder

The most unique, emotive and powerful voice to come out of the grunge era. Need I say more?

Top 25 Singers, #18 - Stevie Nicks

#18 - Stevie Nicks

Once upon a time, the only thing I knew about Stevie Nicks was that South Park made her into a goat... with hilarious consequences. How young and naive I once was. These days I'm a little older, a little wiser and I've gained a greater appreciation for some of the finer singers of the last century; singers like the insanely talented Stevie Nicks. She has one of those voices, much like Joni Mitchell (who you may or may not read about on here at a later date), that gives you the honour of feeling exactly what she has experienced in her life. The good times, the bad times, the drug times. Especially the drug times. But especially the bad times. But especially the good times. Just listen... 

Top 25 Singers, #19 - Beth Gibbons

Ethereal... haunting... chilling... spine tingling... goosebump inducing... sweet... seductive... perfectly imperfect...

How about instead of me describing Beth Gibbons' voice, you just give it a listen. You won't be disappointed.