Music Post Y'All
So I've been wanting to do a list or female artists that rock. It will be composed of singers, bands, and on occasion when only select song are appropriate just those songs. It isn't a feminist list persay-indeed I can think of a few songs that are not feminist friendly but still have a pleasant beat and therefor make the list. On the other hand I feel generally compelled to do a girls singer list because I constantly hear at work and in general that there aren't any or many good female singers or songs and that just isn't true. There are tons and tons of women with amazing voices and killer lyrics. There are women rocking out in all aspects of music and while I'm not the end all be all of music, even I can name fourty off the top of my head.
- Alanis Morissette- I know people dismiss her as a "chick song" singer and that's just not true. While Alanis covers a plethora of traditional "women's experiences" her songs really can and do speak to anyone who's been down on their luck, treated like an other, or just wants a moment to rejoice in a triumph on an up hill battle.
- The Cranberries- Hands down one of my favorite all time bands. The range of subjects they cover in their songs, the amazing different things they do with their voices and with beat in general. You wanna talk talent and quality, I'm saying Cranberries.
- Frou Frou- I've always loved her album "Details". Her music is peaceful and beautiful and deep and well blended.
- Loreena McKennitt- favorite album is "The Book of Secrets" favorite song is the "Mummer's Dance". Her process and her creations are so very pretty. She's got a great voice.
- Dido- Admittedly I got into her through Roswell and I'll admit that none of the work she's done since the album "No Angel" hasn't been, in my opinion, as good. Of course, I'll also openly admit that I think some of her best work never made it big anyhow. "Isabelle", "hunter", and "No angel" were always better than "Won't Stay", "Thank You", and "White Flag".
- Dar Williams- She's a folk singer and kind of an off the chart lady with a huge following. Her work is smart and funny and touching. Pretty much what you'd want, and she's getting better with age her new album "Promised Land" is more intense and meaningful in some ways for me than other work she's done. Though "Cool As I Am" will always be my favorite
- Madonna- So many people I know seem to hate her and while I'm not in concert with her personal life and affairs, I can't see what's not to like in her music. She's got something for everyone, though I like a lot of her latter techno forays better than some of her early songs.
- "Rehab" by Amy Winehouse- It's all I've heard from her, but I like it. It's catchy and just a fun time song.
- Lady Gaga- While I don't agree with the messaging I like the repeative beats and stylings of "Poker Face" and "Love Game". Meh, it's a fun sound.
- Katie Perry- I really really tried not to like her. Seriously I know she perpetuates hetreonormality and problematic stereo types for lesbians and bisexual people and I still like the sound of "I kissed a Girl". While I find the line "you change your mind like a girl changes clothes" annoying on a host of levels, I still like the overall sound of "Hot and Cold". I know that "Waking up In Vegas" should grind my last nerve, but I can't help but smile when it plays. She's a guilty pleasure.
- Brittney Spears- "Womanizer" is catchy and it's fun to say even if the lyrics have limited substance.
- Andrea Bocelli- EDIT Agent_Alpo has just corrected my gender fumble here. Andrea Bocelli is a male tenor singer. My apologies, I should look these things up first. He still has an amazing voice though. My bad.
- Kelly Clarkson-The only idol contestant-expect possibly Adam Lambert eventually, who has a career worth talking about. I don't like her new song that's out, but that's probably a first for me when it comes to her songs.
- Pink- she's my go to fun time girl singer
- Tori Amos- Little Earthquakes eclispes all of her other works as far as I'm concerned, but all of it is beautiful.
- Ani Defranco- I couldn't make a list that didn't have her on it
- Kittie- because anyone who can scream can do heavy metal well.
- Bjork- Who doesn't like "Violently Happy"?
- Black Eyed Peas but not Fergie on her own- I like "Don't Phunk with my Heart" but I don't like "London Bridges" or "Fegilious"
- TLC- I grew up listening to "Unpretty" "No Scrub" and "My Life" they make the list.
- Enya- Needs no explination
- Evanescence- Sexy voice and a sexy body, the only problem is her songs are over played till you can't stand them any more
- "Sweet Dreams" by the Eurythmics
- "I'm So Sick" by Flyleaf- Rockband made you super famous, but you've always been good.
- "Maps" by Yeahs Yeahs Yeahs- I have no idea if this song is about anything but it's repeative fun
- "Before he Cheats" by Kerry Underwood- my bro and I still do kareoke to this one ^.^
- Gwen Stephanie- because "hollar Back Girl" and "Rich Girl" are linked to a good time in my life they make the list
- The Bangles- They're just fun
- Indigo Girls- no need to explain here
- "Breathe (2am) by Anna Nalick- because this is the song of my life and the voice is heart breaking pretty.
- Jewel- True I liked her better when she was in hippie gear, but she's still nice to listen to.
- Reba- perhaps the only country I enjoy listening to while I was in WY
- Jennifer Lopez- I like "Play" and I'm sure there are others I can't think of off the top of my head.
- LeAnn Rimes- because Coyote Ugly soundtrack=good times in my mind
- Michelle Branch- I love "Goodbye to You" and "Ordinary Day" and "Love me Like that"
- Natalie Imbruglia- I love "Torn" it's probably one of the first hair raising peices I picked up and realized was going to be with me forever in one form or another.
- Nelly Furtado- She's fun and not afraid to do something different
- Regina Spektor- I like "Fidelity" and "Lost my Phone"
- Rihanna- I like "Disturbia" and Shup up and Drive"
- "Kiss with a Fist" by Florence and the Machine- I'd probably enjoy other songs of there's but this is what I know
I agree with a lot of your picks on this list, although I refuse to give Katy Perry any attention. I've only heard Hot & Cold, and I've read the lyrics for I Kissed a Girl. I don't really like that type of music that much anyway.
My personal list I'd probably add Bic Runga (who's a kiwi, not sure how well known she is overseas), Rachael Yamagata, hmmmm Angus & Julia Stone - some songs he's the main singer, some songs Julia is, they're an Australian folk duo.
Lita Ford -- one of the original pop/metal rockers. "Close My Eyes Forever", "Nobody's Child"
Annie Haslam -- lead singer of the group Renaissance -- classical/rock fusion. Unbelievable range. I've had debates with people over who had the better voice -- Lennox or Haslam.
Janis Joplin -- 'nuff said.
Stevie Nicks -- Rhiannon, Gold Dust Woman, Landslide -- these got me through my divorce.
Yeah, I'm showing my age, but these ladies only grow better with the hearing.