Female Singers

Like many of you, I suspect, I am innundated with nonsencicle emails and posts to my email and Facebook page. One such post (pictured above) was sent to me the other day by someone, or some group, I already forgot. In fact, at the time I wasn't even sure what the context was for this list but based on the names I am going to assume they were rating who they think was the best female singers of all time. (And before you start yelling at me, just because the headline says that, it doesn't always mean that is what it is when dealing with social media.)

As I reviewed this list I thought of two things. First, how did they leave off Natalie Merchant of 10,000 Maniacs and Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries? We can quibble with the list and who else should be on it, or who shouldn't be, at another time. The next thing I thought of was, how can you possible put a list together like this when there are singers from so many different genre's and generations? Is Shirley Bassie really the twentieth best singer of all time or should she be higher on the list?

So, because it is in my genes and soul to make lists and count when I do stuff, I made a different list based on what I think is a more fair comparison. This list represents who I think were the best singers by genre, not the best sellers or most popular. You can argue that I might have ladies in a wrong category but it is my list and as I always say, if you don't like it make your own. I also always say about these things, this is just an exhibition, so no wagering.

Big Band/Jazz

1. Celine Dion`, 2. Shirley Bassie, 3. Sarah Vaughn, 4. Ella Fitzgerald, 5. Etta James, 6. Barbara Streisand, 7. Billie Holliday, 8. Sade`.

Soul/Gospel/Rap

1. Alicia Keys, 2. Mary J. Blige, 3. Lauren Hill, 4. Rihanna, 5. Aretha Franklin, 6. Diana Ross, 7. Patti La Belle, 8. Gloria Gaynor.

Progressive/New Wave

1. Annie Lennox, 2. Alanis Morissette, 3. Amy Winehouse, 4. Florence Welch, 5. Debbie Harry, 6. Kate Bush, 7. Joan Baez, 8. Billie Eilish. (This is where O'Riordan and Merchant belong)

Country

1. Shania Twain, 2. Kelly Clarkson, 3. Dolly Parton.

Latin

1. Selena Quintanilla, 2. Jennifer Lopez, 3. Shakira, 4. Gloria Estefan.

Rock

1. Janis Joplin, 2. Joan Jett, 3. Stevie Nicks

Pop

1. Lady Gaga, 2. Mariah Carey, 3. Whitney Houston, 4. Christine Aguilera, 5. Pink, 6. Adele, 7. Karen Carpenter, 8. Katy Perry, 9. Dusty Springfield, 10. Beyonce`, 11. Tina Turner, 12. Taylor Swift. 13. Madonna, 14. Britney Spears, 15. Olivia Newton-John, 16. Carole King.

All The Number Ones

1. Celine Dion`, 2. Lady Gaga, 3. Annie Lennox, 4. Alicia Keys, 5. Selena Quintanilla, 6. Shania Twain, 7. Janis Joplin.

So, there is my list. As I mentioned earlier, there are many missing that should be included here but I guess at some point you need to put a limit on the number or the list would be never ending. Let me know who you picked.