12. Velvet Underground & Nico: All Tomorrow's Parties
Nico won't be remembered as much of a feminist legend; she was overshadowed by the men in her group, and led a fairly miserable life that ended in 1988 with her death. Still, when The Velvet Underground & Nico was recorded in 1966, neither Janis Joplin nor Grace Slick had been discovered by the world at large. Not a "rock" singer, Nico (Christa Paffgen) was a photogenic German who had begun her career as one of the earliest supermodels; her singing was in a chanteuse-meets-Gothic vein. Before joining the VU, she recorded a single with Jimmy Page and Brian Jones. After VU's debut, she embarked on a shaky solo career that relied on the talents of her collaborators as much as her own talent and persona. "All Tomorrow's Parties" (a Lou Reed song) is one of the VU's greatest moments, as are her other vocal contributions.
13. Bjork: Army of Me
Those who remember the Sugarcubes' lone quirky pop hit "Motorcrash" and some of their other quirky art-pop probably filed the Icelandic group away as "novelty" and left it at that. Little could they have predicted what a big name Bjork would become in electronica and trip-hop, as well as a very unlikely mainstream success. There's no doubt she's an acquired taste for many; her art-pop pretensions can be bewildering at times, and her forays into caterwauling can put her in Yoko Ono territory. But she's also put out one of the most experimental and compelling bodies of work among women in the 90's and 00's. "Army of Me" was her 1995 solo breakthrough.
14. Neko Case: Set Out Running
Virginia-born Neko Case is actually a veteran of the Northwest music scene, where she's been busy since the early 90's. She gained entry into the music world as a drummer in punk rock groups, and then moved to Vancouver to attend art school. When she re-emerged, she split her time between recording alternative country rock with her group the Boyfriends, and recording with Vancouver indie pop supergroup The New Pornographers. In 2004 she opened for Nick Cave. "Set Out Running" opens her 2000 album Furnace Room Lullaby, where she co-wrote all of the album's material, most of it alt country-rock with art-school touches.
15. Joni Mitchell: Free Man In Paris
Joni Mitchell has to be on the short list of most important women artists of the entire 20th century. Writer of dozens of oft-covered songs, among them familiar titles like "Both Sides Now", "Woodstock", "Big Yellow Taxi", as well as a string of excellent albums that touched on folk, pop, jazz, and country, Mitchell was one of the most consistent and reliable performers during her peak years. "Free Man In Paris" from her 1974 #1 album Court and Spark is a page from a record producer's diary sung in first person, making it as much about Mitchell as anyone (and adding nuance to the gender noun). Her last album was Travelogue, in 2002, which Mitchell claims is her final one.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Tan The Man
Where's Cat Power? I would think that Joni's "Blue" album would be on here.
2 - wavesofeuphoria
Where is Stevie Nicks? k.d. lang?
3 - TerriOC
What, no Melissa Etheridge??!! That voice, those lyrics - a true inspiration.
4 - Mark Saleski
the funny thing about this is that i remember reading an article about Chrissie Hynde where she said something to the effect of "what is 'alternative', an alternative to music?"
not a fan, apparently.
p.s. i do love Maria McKee. i'm a little surprised you didn't pick "Ways To Be Wicked".
5 - Rob
- Ani Defranco should be on this list. She created her own underground movement and is still going strong and independant to this day.
-I have to agree, K.D. Lang should be on the list or get an honourable mention.
-Edie Brickell, mainly because I had such a big crush on her. She does have a great voice though.
-Alanis, for the same reason as Edie, and for Jagged Little Pill. That album feels so real and honest to me. Just great.
- Rickie Lee Jones, maybe?
6 - uao
Some names mentioned above almost made this list, among them Ethridge, Morissette, Rickie Lee Jones, Stevie Nicks, KD Lang.
I didn't think of Cat Power, but that's a good pick.
This was actually going to be a top-20, but I felt bad about leaving so many off, so I extended it to 25.
At some point soon, I'll compile 26-50. Still taking names.
7 - steve
where in the flying hell is Heart?!?!? C'ommon...Barracuda??!?!!?
8 - jones
Since my favorite is right at the top I can't complain. :)
9 - Guppusmaximus
That's an interesting list... There aren't too many female artists that I like but I think this woman should've made it:
Karen Carpenter (<-Not rock,you say?? She played drums and sang on all of The Carpenter's music)
10 - Guppusmaximus
Ohh..How could I forget??
Patsy Cline...Pure Brilliance
11 - LegendaryMonkey
I am just SO happy to see Neko Case here. She was the first person I thought of after I read the first few picks... her name just drifted into my head... and there she was! And PJ Harvey as well! Oh, this whole piece just makes me happy down to my toes.
12 - Zach
Nice to see Yoko on the list without the usual snarky bullshit...actually one of the better "top whatever" lists I've read in quite a while. Nice work. Good choice for Tina Turner, too!
13 - EZ
I agree twenty times over on Bjork's presence, Let's add Garbage (the first two albums) and Edie Brickell for sure. Heart ruined their Barracuda days with wussy What About Love? 80s songs...
14 - LegendaryMonkey
Oooh, seconded on Edie Brickell. I loved her, once upon a time, and when I catch a song here or there, I still have to stop and listen.
15 - EZ
Monkey, go buy Volcano, Edie Brickell. Ten years between this and the Picture Perfect Morning and she's still got her groove with smart lyrics to boot. I saw her live last year and she didn't let me down.
16 - Michael J. West
Well, I got no complaints about who is and isn't on this list, uao. I thought it was a GREAT list. (And the better for not having Melissa Etheridge on it.)
17 - Rob
Glad to see I'm not the only Edie Brickell fan out there. How about adding Sarah McLaughlin to the list? Great voice, musician, songwriter and created the Lilith Fair, which was no small feat.
18 - LegendaryMonkey
I shall tack it onto my list, EZ... I didn't even know there was something new!
19 - Vern Halen
Some other considerations:
Angela Bowie
Bianca Jagger
Myra Lewis
Priscilla Presley
Peggy Sue (Buddy Holly's lost love)
Patti Harrison
Linda McCartney
Sharon Osbourne (current queen of rock 'n'roll)
Elyssa (sp?) Perry
Maggie May
20 - godoggo
Exene.
I think that, on a good day, her lyrics (and I think I've got her contributions pretty well sorted out from Johns, which aren't quite as good) are as good as any in rock'n'roll, certainly better than anybody's on your list. And her, ahem, vocals, can be very powerful, again on a good day.
Fave 3 lyrics, in order, from best to least best.
1) The Once Over Twice
2) Because I Do
3) We're Desperate
Odd how many women I admire achieved fame in part because they were somebody's girlfriend, though.
21 - uao
Vern Halen: That's a really interesting take on the premise; it'd be interesting to try something like that.
Exene is another who came thisclose to being included.
22 - Sean
My nominees are:
1. Wanda Jackson - described by Nick Tosches as the greatest mensturating rock and roll singer ever.
2. The Slits - both Joe Strummer and Chrissie Hynde said they were the best punk band they'd ever heard.
3. X - for the reasons others have set forth.
4. Lydia Lunch - the queen of the NY underground until
5. Kim Gordon - came along and took the crown.
6. Esther Phillips - bad ass southern soul singer. Would have, and probably did, kick otis' ass.
7. Dusty Springfield - my loins still stir when I hear Son of a Preacher Man
23 - godoggo
Sandy Denny, just 'cause I like her voice.
24 - Baronius
Tina Weymouth
both Mamas (of The Mamas and The Papas)
25 - godoggo
Also just 'cause I like her voice, Marianne Faithful; even though I like her best singing something like Surabaya Johnny, she certainly qualifies as a rocker.
And also I read on SWINGINCHICKS.COM that some folks apparently blame/credit Pamela Morrison for the Lizard King's ultimate career move, which I should think would qualify her as influential.