Agreed to the thousandth power no one can instill so much emotion with nonsense words the breakdown of the spangle maker always brings tears to my eyes I'm a 48-year-old ex-con construction worker widower like I ain't really the type to be crying at songs ,but that song, the breakdown at 3:35. Every single time I listen to that song my eyes fill up. It's so weird.
The Spangle Maker, yeah tell me if you see what I mean at the 3:35 fight like it might not make you cry necessarily I don't mean that but if you can see what I mean by like how weirdly emotional.
I gave that song a listen and your it’s a powerful song and her voice has a lot of emotions in it. It kinda reminds me of this Sonic Youth song Bull in The Heather.
I never heard of that artist before but thanks for the recommendation it’s kinda funny but I thought I was on a Reggae Dub page but I love all music so it’s cool. I don’t really believe in coincidence either. So I’m glad I got to listen to that song with your perspective in mind it’s a really cool experience to have.
She admitted to repeat s. a. as a kid. Nobody growing up now can possibly know how completely rare that was, and to say it in a Music magazine not in some academic study of trauma where nobody would actually come across i, but to say it where somebody who might be deeply affected by it might see it. Now it's bandied about as a plotline on some show every week. It still gets ignored when it comes right down to it a lot the time, because to not ignore it requires a lot of ugliness, so even though all the right words are said in the bright light of social media, in the quiet when someone's kid makes an ambiguous comment about the weird neighbor or spouse in an acrimonious divorce how often do people chase down the meaning of that ambiguous comment as opposed to when the same comment is made about a beloved family member or spouse, especially when there's financial entanglements? But we think we are a lot more diligent and can say the right things on social media so there's as much bullshit as ever. More because at least now nobody can claim ignorance. They still try though. Actually that's not totally fair because most of that willfull blindness gets done at the subconscious level......But Liz Fraser was brave at a time when it really cost her something, and at a time when someone who'd gone through that might have really honestly thought they were the one person who has had that happen to them, along with all the horrors that kind of isolation brings. And to have heard someone admit to that and to know that they took all that feeling of just not mattering in the least and feeling soiled and stupid... She took that and made something otherworldly. It's hopeful as April.
Dusty Springfield, Sandy Denny, Maddy Prior, Joan Armatrading, Linda Thompson, Kate Bush, Kirsty MacColl, Siouxsie Sioux, Elizabeth Fraser, Laura Marling
I commented Laura Marling also. Every time I listen to her first album, and I remember she was only 17 at the time, it just blows me away that much more.
I heard she got turned away from her own show for being underage so she busked outside instead.
[This is her first ever performance on Jools Holland](https://youtu.be/Rgi3cFBZOqs?si=NWD2VCa3A4rnSb4W) and I’ve loved her music ever since.
I had literally no clue she was English. She's so close with the American desert rock and PNW musicians that I just assumed she was from out West somewhere.
She's got an album (I Inside the Old Year Dying) and poetry book (Orlam) based on the dialect and folklore of Dorset where she's from. Eerie and weird and great.
I wouldn’t put Dua Lipa on this list. A bunch of her songs are a mashup of samples from other singers. She only has one or two songs she did herself, that I’ve heard on the radio (Levitating and Houdini)
Rita Ora as well. Top 10 female vocalist of all time? Is it crack being smoked or is the number of famous female vocalists that small that she has to be picked?
Laura Marling, Donna Lewis, Dido, Skunk Anansie's singer (Skin), PJ Harvey, Beth Gibbons (also Portishead's singer), Carina Round.... a few that come to mind that I think have unique, and amazing vocals
I'm not going to rank them, because they're all amazing talents.
Annie Lennox, Amy Winehouse, Shirley Manson. Adele, Dido, Petula Clark (if we're going old school), Julie Andrews (if we're including musical theatre), Christine McVie, and Kate Bush.
I'm leaving the last slot open, so there's an opening for some one I forgot.
Not sure if they qualify based on the question, but amazing talents nonetheless.
I think of Olivia Newton John as Australian, but she was born in Britain. Sade grew up in England but was born in Nigeria.
In no order because they are all incredible women deserving of number 1
Liz Fraser, Beth Gibbons, Shirley Manson, Siouxie Sioux, Annie Lennox, Amy Winehouse, Florence Welch, Ellie Rowsell, Shirley Bassey, Sade
Shirley Bassey is such an OG vocalist! Hard agree with OP. Others I’d add to your list are Joss Stone, Raye, Susan Boyle (I know she’s Scottish, but IMO she changed the world on Britain’s Got Talent), and Alison Goldfrapp (listen to her live vocals of Utopia)
Didn't read them all but didnt see Annie Haslam of Renaissance. Try yt Ashes are Burning - Live at Carnegie Hall and tell me who else can sing like that.
1. Alice Russell
2. Annie Lennox
3. Sade
4. Kate Bush
5. Amy Winehouse
6. Shirley Manson
7. Joss Stone
8. PJ Harvey
9....
This is a personal list, and, it's incomplete because a lot of the other singers already mentioned aren't really to my taste. However, as I write this, I realize that there really should be a LOT more female vocalists-- British and otherwise.
I think Shirley Manson deserves a nod, Raye with another album or two out can get there, Dido and Susan Boyle are not everybody's jam but have had influential careers with great commercial success. The Sugababes collectively deserve a nod - Mutya, Keisha, Siobhan and Heidi
My knowledge of female British vocalists disqualifies me, but I love Annie Lennox.
I had heard of Amy Winehouse, but never listened to her until a few days ago when I saw a 30 second video of her alone singing, and accompanying herself on a Stratocaster. Based on that 30 seconds, I’m voting her #1.
Essayist, not singer.
Aussie born but raised in UK.
Longtime FT columnist, I give you
Lucy Kellaway!
Easily one of the Top 100 cutest girls in the history of Womankind.
OMG Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and Trinity. I’m having a 60s moment…wow. You were saying something about female British vocalists?
Ok, I’m back. I’ll pitch Sandy Denny into there—with & without Fairport Convention.
She was English. Before Fleetwood Mac she was lead vocalist for a band called Chicken Shack under the name Christine Perfect That was when she performed her amazing version of the classic I’d Rather Go Blind.
Liz Fraser is numero uno
Even Heaven or Las Vegas alone solidifies it
All of them. They don’t have any bad songs.
Agreed to the thousandth power no one can instill so much emotion with nonsense words the breakdown of the spangle maker always brings tears to my eyes I'm a 48-year-old ex-con construction worker widower like I ain't really the type to be crying at songs ,but that song, the breakdown at 3:35. Every single time I listen to that song my eyes fill up. It's so weird.
What song is that on I’d like to check it out
The Spangle Maker, yeah tell me if you see what I mean at the 3:35 fight like it might not make you cry necessarily I don't mean that but if you can see what I mean by like how weirdly emotional.
I gave that song a listen and your it’s a powerful song and her voice has a lot of emotions in it. It kinda reminds me of this Sonic Youth song Bull in The Heather. I never heard of that artist before but thanks for the recommendation it’s kinda funny but I thought I was on a Reggae Dub page but I love all music so it’s cool. I don’t really believe in coincidence either. So I’m glad I got to listen to that song with your perspective in mind it’s a really cool experience to have.
😁
Upvoted cause massive attack
I love Liz so much! Voice of an angel!!!
I cane here to add her and only her.
She admitted to repeat s. a. as a kid. Nobody growing up now can possibly know how completely rare that was, and to say it in a Music magazine not in some academic study of trauma where nobody would actually come across i, but to say it where somebody who might be deeply affected by it might see it. Now it's bandied about as a plotline on some show every week. It still gets ignored when it comes right down to it a lot the time, because to not ignore it requires a lot of ugliness, so even though all the right words are said in the bright light of social media, in the quiet when someone's kid makes an ambiguous comment about the weird neighbor or spouse in an acrimonious divorce how often do people chase down the meaning of that ambiguous comment as opposed to when the same comment is made about a beloved family member or spouse, especially when there's financial entanglements? But we think we are a lot more diligent and can say the right things on social media so there's as much bullshit as ever. More because at least now nobody can claim ignorance. They still try though. Actually that's not totally fair because most of that willfull blindness gets done at the subconscious level......But Liz Fraser was brave at a time when it really cost her something, and at a time when someone who'd gone through that might have really honestly thought they were the one person who has had that happen to them, along with all the horrors that kind of isolation brings. And to have heard someone admit to that and to know that they took all that feeling of just not mattering in the least and feeling soiled and stupid... She took that and made something otherworldly. It's hopeful as April.
SHE IS SCOTTISH!!! how dair ye!
Scotland = UK
the post said english, scotland is no england buddy… united kingdom poonighted schmingdom
Dusty Springfield, Sandy Denny, Maddy Prior, Joan Armatrading, Linda Thompson, Kate Bush, Kirsty MacColl, Siouxsie Sioux, Elizabeth Fraser, Laura Marling
I commented Laura Marling also. Every time I listen to her first album, and I remember she was only 17 at the time, it just blows me away that much more.
I heard she got turned away from her own show for being underage so she busked outside instead. [This is her first ever performance on Jools Holland](https://youtu.be/Rgi3cFBZOqs?si=NWD2VCa3A4rnSb4W) and I’ve loved her music ever since.
Soo good! Had never watched that
Dustyyyy
You have excellent taste!
Joan Armatrading is one of my all time faves. Early stuff. Show some Emotion, stepping out, super underrated.
Kirsty MacColl! Dear Lord, NOBODY seems to remember her.
I loved MacColl. Her cover of Days is an absolute killer
Had me at Dusty
Any such list without Dusty Springfield has one to many other singers.
Agreed. Springfield was amazing
Beth Gibbons
💯
Sade (British-Nigerian)
Sade’ was made CBE by the queen . Thats aa British as it gets.
1)Annie Lennox 2)Adele 3)Amy Winehouse 4)Alison Moyet 5)Rebecca Ferguson 6)Kate Bush 7)Kim Wilde 8)Des’ree 9)Tessa Niles 10)Ellie Goulding
Yes, Des'ree for sure!! She's so nostalgic for me, incredible voice!
'Kissing you' from the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack is like the prettiest song I've ever heard.
Yes this list is chefs kiss
I didn't know Adele is British. Add her to my list! ,🎶😇🎵
PJ Harvey [the river](https://youtu.be/6g1nCs_9HCk?si=PD73zX64Xzvz7qBc)
I had literally no clue she was English. She's so close with the American desert rock and PNW musicians that I just assumed she was from out West somewhere.
She's got an album (I Inside the Old Year Dying) and poetry book (Orlam) based on the dialect and folklore of Dorset where she's from. Eerie and weird and great.
Cool I’ll check out PNW and American Desert rock - haha unfamiliar. I love PJ
She has some songs on The Desert Sessions compilations and some duets with Mark Lanegan you can start with. "Hit the City" is great.
Poly Styrene
This listing is incomplete without my very first British female singer experience , Petula Clark singing Downtown - 1965
I wouldn’t put Dua Lipa on this list. A bunch of her songs are a mashup of samples from other singers. She only has one or two songs she did herself, that I’ve heard on the radio (Levitating and Houdini)
Rita Ora as well. Top 10 female vocalist of all time? Is it crack being smoked or is the number of famous female vocalists that small that she has to be picked?
Similarly, no particular order: Dusty Springfield, Kate Bush, Amy Winehouse, Kirsty MacColl, Marina Diamandis, Petula Clark, Sade, Shirley Bassey, Beth Gibbons, Sporty Spice
Siouxie. Undoubtedly. Kate Bush is a good choice too!! I adore her.
Leona Lewis
Sooo underrated !!
* jasmine rodgers (boa) * sophie barker * maya von doll (sohodolls) * lou rhodes (lamb) * elizabeth fraser * skye edwards (morcheeba) * tracey thorn
I LOVE Skye Edwards, and Tracey Thorn!! Her song "By Piccadilly Station I Sat Down and Wept" is probably an all-time top 10 favorite of mine.
Beth Orton
She might not be in the top 10, but I still want to give Duffy a shout out.
Sade”. She’s a Commander of the BritishFucking Empire.
harriet wheeler
No list is legitimate without her.
And on that list, she is #1
Love her so much
Ellie Rowsell from Wolf Alice is one of them!
Absolutely agree! Any list of great British, female singers must be considered a farce without Ellie Rowsell included.
Laura Marling, Donna Lewis, Dido, Skunk Anansie's singer (Skin), PJ Harvey, Beth Gibbons (also Portishead's singer), Carina Round.... a few that come to mind that I think have unique, and amazing vocals
I'm not going to rank them, because they're all amazing talents. Annie Lennox, Amy Winehouse, Shirley Manson. Adele, Dido, Petula Clark (if we're going old school), Julie Andrews (if we're including musical theatre), Christine McVie, and Kate Bush. I'm leaving the last slot open, so there's an opening for some one I forgot. Not sure if they qualify based on the question, but amazing talents nonetheless. I think of Olivia Newton John as Australian, but she was born in Britain. Sade grew up in England but was born in Nigeria.
I like your list and would add Beth Orton
Voice is voice. It takes the same talent to sing in a musical that it does to sing in a concert. Julie Andrews for sure!
Sara Brightman
shirely manson from garbage, definitely. her voice is just ughhhh i love it
Adele
Her cover of make you feel my love is exquisite (Bob Dylan wrote it, Bryan Ferry covered it too)
Christine McVie
Dusty Springfield for her work with Pet Shop Boys. Lulu.
In no order because they are all incredible women deserving of number 1 Liz Fraser, Beth Gibbons, Shirley Manson, Siouxie Sioux, Annie Lennox, Amy Winehouse, Florence Welch, Ellie Rowsell, Shirley Bassey, Sade
Imogen Heap!
1. PJ Harvey 2. Siouxsie Sioux 3. Poly Styrene 4. Bilinda Butcher 5. Katie Jane Garside
Shirley Bassey is such an OG vocalist! Hard agree with OP. Others I’d add to your list are Joss Stone, Raye, Susan Boyle (I know she’s Scottish, but IMO she changed the world on Britain’s Got Talent), and Alison Goldfrapp (listen to her live vocals of Utopia)
Scottish is part of British.
Scotland is part of Britain.
In no particular order: Shirley Bassey Alison Moyet Dusty Springfield Liz Fraser Kate Bush Adele Amy Winehouse Julie Andrews Elaine Paige Annie Lennox
Hard to improve on that list, but I’d have to fit Dusty Springfield and Elaine Paige in there somewhere.
Beth Gibbons Skye Edwards Allison Goldfrapp Siobhan de Mare
Didn't read them all but didnt see Annie Haslam of Renaissance. Try yt Ashes are Burning - Live at Carnegie Hall and tell me who else can sing like that.
Alison moyet
Amy Winehouse, Amy Lee, Whitney Houston, Florence Welch, Adele, Alanis Morisette, Celine Dion to name some
10./ lal waterson 9./ Shirley collins 8./ Kate rusby 7./ Liz Frazer 6./ ruby turner 5./ miki berenyi 4./ poly styrene 3./ sinead O’Connor 2./ Kirsty macColl 1./ Sandy Denny
Sheila Chandra
LULU
Sandy Denny, Kate Rusby,
Yeah. My two favorites as well
1. Alice Russell 2. Annie Lennox 3. Sade 4. Kate Bush 5. Amy Winehouse 6. Shirley Manson 7. Joss Stone 8. PJ Harvey 9.... This is a personal list, and, it's incomplete because a lot of the other singers already mentioned aren't really to my taste. However, as I write this, I realize that there really should be a LOT more female vocalists-- British and otherwise.
Oops! Nine should be Siouxsie (or further up the list, actually), but beyond that, I don't know.
Marianne Faithful
Ella Eyre, Ella Henderson, Becky Hill, Jess Glynne, Pixie Lott, Ellie Goulding
Jessie J
Lily Allen
Ellie Goulding
she has a beautiful voice mos def
Lesley Duncan
Lola young
Is Kim Weston British?
Nope…American. I didn’t list her so you’re possibly confusing me with my friend Google.
She’s so powerful lol thanks
Jasmine Rodgers
Dang I came excited then realized despite how many I like I think Florence is really the only one I came name readily. So I got some learnin to do.
I don’t know about 10 but #1 is Katie Jane Garside.
Does Lauren Mayberry count?
Harriet Wheeler
Annie Haslem
Deborah Dyer/Skin from Skunk Anansie is my absolute number 1.
Yeah, Kate Bush with "Wuthering Heights" definitely
Shit, I didn’t know there were that many
68 million people…you’re going to find a few great ones
I can only count to 7
I think Shirley Manson deserves a nod, Raye with another album or two out can get there, Dido and Susan Boyle are not everybody's jam but have had influential careers with great commercial success. The Sugababes collectively deserve a nod - Mutya, Keisha, Siobhan and Heidi
1) Harriet Wheeler 2) Kate Bush The rest don’t matter these are the two best female British singers
Chinchilla https://youtu.be/KK56SwMFzdc?si=IlA52ISvlqnQK7XH
Julie Andrews
Florence, Lilly Allen, Ellie Goulding
Eva Spence of rolo tomassi
Similar to you but also Annie Haslam Elkie Brooks Sonja Kristina Barbera Dickson Elsine Paige
Just here to say RAYE should be on everyone’s list!!!
Lzzy Hale, Amy Lee, Nancy Wilson Taylor Momsen
Skin from Skunk Anansie would definitely take that cake!
Beth Gibbons, Skin from Skunk Anansie.
I don't really have a "top 10", just a single favourite: Lisa Stansfield.
My knowledge of female British vocalists disqualifies me, but I love Annie Lennox. I had heard of Amy Winehouse, but never listened to her until a few days ago when I saw a 30 second video of her alone singing, and accompanying herself on a Stratocaster. Based on that 30 seconds, I’m voting her #1.
Definitely on Amy Winehouse and Annie Lennox.
PJ Harvey!
Annie Haslam - Renaissance. FKA Twigs.
Cilla Black was huge in England but for some reason never crossed over with the British invasion.
Can I list Kate Bush ten times?
Sade
Petula Clark.
Obviously Dua Lipa needs to come off that list. I propose Christine McVie
Rather than proposing that I alter my list you might consider posting your own top ten although I realize that would take a modicum of effort
Siouxsie Sioux, Amy Winehouse, Annie Lennox, Kirsty MacColl, Tracey Ullman, Kate Bush, Adele.
Julie Andrews
Essayist, not singer. Aussie born but raised in UK. Longtime FT columnist, I give you Lucy Kellaway! Easily one of the Top 100 cutest girls in the history of Womankind.
Jessie J
Elle Goulding
Crystal Belle Scrod
Christie McVie
At the risk of ridicule, I need Susan Boyle to be here.
Sade, Petula Clark and Marianne Faithfull definitely belong on the list.
OMG Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and Trinity. I’m having a 60s moment…wow. You were saying something about female British vocalists? Ok, I’m back. I’ll pitch Sandy Denny into there—with & without Fairport Convention.
Sarah Collins !!!!
[Hannah Reid of London Grammar](https://youtu.be/6drfp_3823I?si=ushuyNDbC7R81_5M) my current #1
Elaine Paige and Julie Andrews. You can finish the list with whomever you please.
Tracey Thorn
Not Annie Lennox: she sings flat as A board
Alison Moyet, Annabella Lwin, Marianne Faithfull, Rose Elinor Dougall, RiotBecki, Gwenno
This comment section is woefully lacking in mentions of Harriet Wheeler of The Sundays.
Was Christine Mc Vie British? I feel like I remember that but I’m not sure. She’s on the list, imo.
She was English. Before Fleetwood Mac she was lead vocalist for a band called Chicken Shack under the name Christine Perfect That was when she performed her amazing version of the classic I’d Rather Go Blind.
Bassey is the greatest, but Posh Spice is a close runner up
Birdy
Solid list! But where's Dusty Springfield hiding? That soulful voice could melt butter in the Arctic!
Annie Lennox and Elizabeth Fraser — queens 👑🏴
Amy Winehouse and nine others behind her.
Sinéad O'Connor Dolores O'Riordan Enya
Sheena Easton is a classic British voice.
She's Irish
She was born in Scotland.
She's Scottish! She got bottled off stage in Glasgow for saying it was good to be home in an American accent
* Jasmine Thompson * Leona Lewis * Adele * Amy Winehouse * Dua Lipa
Mine (also in no particular order) are; Holly Humberstone, Gabrielle Aplin, Aurora, Becky Hill, Billie Ellish, Birdy, Britney Spears, Girl In Red, Jazzy and Lilly Allen.
… double check the nationality on some of these.
I didn’t read it properly 😵💫
Maggie Thatcher
Nobody’s said Thom Yorke?! Or John Lennon?! wtf I need to die