I figured it was time to lighten things up again, and what better way than one of my “favorites” posts, right? This time around, I’ve selected my favorite 13 singers. This is different than the post I did on the top 100 singers because that was just my commentary on the top 10 singers, which were actually performers, of someone else’s. As far as music is concerned, I also did classical music, and a couple of the folks who I used to help highlight some of those pieces are featured here as well.
The problem with doing a list like this is that you’re really limited by who you know and whom you’ve heard of. At least I’ve mixed genres, but there’s a lot of people I left off this list because, well, these types of posts are kind of time consuming to put together. It’s also hard to find something good for all of them, because I wanted them in the video. Some of the most popular folks have most of their videos with the embed turned off, so I had to search around to find what I’m able to show here. A couple of times I just couldn’t use the song I wanted to use to highlight the person either; so be it. Still, I’d listen to any one of these folks sing names from a phone book, I love their voices so much.
Remember, if you want to purchase something for one of these singers, just click on their name. Love to hear your comments on this list, and of course list your favorite singers, and I highlight singers, not performers. That’s for another time, I figure. And here we go:
13. Paul Robeson
– This guy never got the credit he deserved for all the talent he possessed, including his singing. Back in the day, he was labeled a Communist, and that was pretty much that as far as a real career goes. But there was no one else who ever had this deep and powerful a voice.
12. Christina Aguilera – Say what you will with some of her personas, when she wants to sing, this girl can “saaang”, as we like to say. As tiny as she is, you just don’t expect this kind of voice coming out of her, with such power and authority, and she’s had this voice since she was 10.
11. Celine Dion – People love to make a parody out of Celine Dion, but no one can take away her voice from her. One of the most popular songs in history is from the movie Titanic; this here is one of my favorites instead.
10. Barbra Streisand
– Younger people might not know just how big a deal Barbra Streisand was at one time. She commanded movies, the stage, and records all at once. There wasn’t any style of music this lady couldn’t sing, and to me it’s a tribute to her that she’s behind the people I have on this list because she easily could have been in my top 5.
9. Luciano Pavarotti – Come on, there was no way I could leave Luciano off this list after having him sing one of my favorite classical music pieces. Talk about a powerful voice, and when he was in better shape than his later years, it looked effortless, like in this video from I Pagliacci.
8. Sarah Brightman – The original Cristine from Phantom of the Opera, some people thought she only got the part because she was married to Andrew Lloyd Webber at the time. That is, until they heard her sing. What a sweet voice, and she can do so many things with it.
7. Josh Groban – Some people can’t believe I like this guy because his music is, well, not all that strong. Who cares when he can sing like he can. I think his voice and his music are just perfect together, and he sings so many uplifting songs like this one.
6. Paul Carrack – This one will be a total surprise to many people, who might not know who he is. There are 3 great songs by groups that had him come in and sing the song. Those songs are How Long by Ace, Tempted by Squeeze, and Living Years by Mike & the Mechanics. What a classic voice; he had to be on this list.
5. Kathleen Battle – If you remember the classical music post, you’ll remember how I said I wanted to marry this one when I was younger. Just an amazing voice, and not bad to look at, and she can hit high notes like very others.
4. Kiri Te Kanawa – Kiri goes the other way. She’s got a powerful also voice that grabs your soul and makes you want to follow her around. She was actually my real introduction into opera singers, as I just wasn’t paying attention to Beverly Sills voice when she was on the Muppet Show; hey, I was in college!
3. Sam Cooke – Man, we lost him way too early. What a voice, and unfortunately, what a terrible video to use to highlight it. But, as I said, I wanted you to see him live. His voice was just so smooth and soulful, even if he was singing a fast song. No, this one’s not fast; but I love it.
2. Mariah Carey – Of course my top two are easy for anyone who knows me. I once told my wife that Mariah is the only woman I’d leave her for, and even then she’d have to sing two songs for me first. This is one of them; I’m not telling you what the other one is. lol
1. Michael Jackson – This one was easy for you to guess, coming from me. Man, I miss him so much, and I hate that anything new that comes out won’t be followed with a new video. I loved lots of songs that he did; this one was probably his most powerful overall.
Thank you Mitch. To me Barbra Streisand was someone my dad liked. But wow, that voice singing Evergreen had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.
.-= Mike CJ´s last blog ..Sorry guys, but those are NOT membership sites =-.
I’m glad you enjoyed that, Mike. There’s just no denying her voice, no matter how some people want to dismiss her.
Thank you for a fantastic post Mitch, you just postponed my bedtime way too much 😀 – but it was nice with some great background music while doing my “blog run”.
The voice of Sarah Brightman is amazing. Gives me the goosebumps when she goes up really high – in a good way. Great song too!
Sam Cooke – Wonderfuld World, definitely a number one song of its kind!
But, Mitch, seriously… where’s Bruce Springsteen? 🙂
.-= Klaus @ TechPatio´s last blog ..iPhone Free Week: Introduction To A Week With HTC Tattoo (Android) =-.
Hi Klaus,
Bruce Springsteen would probably make my top 10 entertainers list, but he’s not really a singer, if you know what I mean. As I said, I’d listen to all the people on my list singing a phone book; I’d go to watch Springsteen perform a phone book, but if I were just listening to it on a record, it would probably drive me nuts. lol
I am too old for you. I go with Paul Robeson, Celine Dion, Barbara Streissand, Lucciano Pavarotti and all the way down on the list to Maria Carey. I would add my other favourites as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Harry Belafonte, Chris Rea and Neil Diamond for individual singers and some very good groups like the Beatles, Dire Straits, Abba too.
.-= Rummuser´s last blog ..Stop Press – Pakistan =-.
Rummuser, I’m fans of all those folks except Chris Rea, as I have no idea who that is. Of course, groups don’t quite fit under the category of singers. lol
Thanks Dennis. I didn’t even really get to all my musical tastes, as I concentrated on true singers rather than performers. Remember, classically trained singer, so I would lean more towards voices. That being said, I bet if we looked at entertainers we’d still be vastly different. I’m assuming your favorites have longer hair or dress better in general? lol
I love Michael Jackson, awesome track Mitch.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Good choices! Michael Jackson truly is a legend.
.-= Jez @ Mobile Phones with Free Laptop´s last blog ..Mobile Phone Free Laptop =-.
In no order my favorites are Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga. I only became a fan of Madonna after her Confessions on the dancefloor album so I wouldn’t say she’s one of my all time favorites.
Apart from these artistes, I listen to a bit of everything that catches my ear and gets me humming and moving to the beat.
Not bad choices, Udegbunam, but I’m not sure Britney qualifies as a singer as much as a performer. I mean, if you just had to listen to her records with no idea of what she looked like, some of the music might stand on her own, but I’m not sure her voice brings anything with it. And I just became a better fan of Lady Gaga after a recent live performance where she showed some real talent.
Britney doesn’t make my fav list cos of her singing talents but cos of her perfoming skills as you say. I guess that’s why I’m so in luv with Lady Gaga cos she brings the whole package singing and performing at the same time.
Hopefully Britney will dump the lip synching soon
.-= Udegbunam Chukwudi´s last blog ..Top 12 Ways Of Dominating A Niche Keyword Fast! =-.
Actually, I understand the lip syncing when she’s performing live. Not everyone can dance that hard and sing also. When Michael Jackson was on TV, he often lip synched parts of songs, though also mixed in the live parts. But in concert, he always went live. Madonna always goes live throughout the whole show; at leas she used to. I hear she has a very high energy show; maybe if she rested every once in awhile she’d keep her air longer; not sure. Still, I’ll admit, she’s good to look at. 😉
The heavy dancing was the excuse back then but not now that she’s slowed down in terms of dancing. I’m a big fan of hers but I’ve got to say it as it is. She’s gotten too comfortable lip synching.
Madonna does put on a great a show and sings live but I fear for her cause she puts so much stress on her body during her concerts. She admits having to take ice baths after each concert to alleviate her aching joints.
.-= Udegbunam Chukwudi´s last blog ..Top 12 Ways Of Dominating A Niche Keyword Fast! =-.
Britney doesn’t make my fav list cos of her singing talents but cos of her perfoming skills as you say. I guess that’s why I’m so in luv with Lady Gaga cos she brings the whole package singing and performing at the same time.
Hopefully Britney will dump the lip synching soon
I love Beyonce. She really has talent and has the most voice. Her shows and costumes are all top notch. Hope i can see her live again soon
Regards,
Jenny
angry smiley
I have to admit I’m not a major Beyonce fan. Now Kelly; love her!
i love Barbara Streisand she was one of my favorites when i was a kid and her movies were fantastic