19. ABBA: Name Of The Game
Okay, they probably weren't "great" although they're much better than usually acknowledged. Once Sweden's biggest export, Abba's sound was mainly the harmonies of Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad over pop-meets Eurodisco backing from paramours Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus. Their existence was relatively short-lived, from 1974-1981, done in by collapsing romantic liasons within the band. Still, the enormous number of records they sold deserves respect. The epic and grandiose "Name of the Game", preferable in its full-length album version, is a good example of the deceptive complexity of their arrangements and probably their very best hit. From the same 1978 album was the non-single "Eagle", a breathtaking semi-electronic art-pop song.
20. Linda Ronstadt: You Can Close Your Eyes
Linda Ronstadt is often remembered now as the matronly singer of standards and Spanish-language music, but in the 70's she was a sex symbol, and an important figure in country-rock and pop. Her chief asset was her rich, expressive voice, one of the most stunningly gorgeous of any pop singer. She was also an important interpretor of others' music, not only old hits but lesser-known songwriters as well. "You're No Good", a 1974 cover of an old 1964 soul hit by Betty Everett given rock treatment, was her biggest smash, reaching #1, but her country-rock was closer to her true idiom. Heart Like A Wheel, from 1974, was the peak of her rock years, including both the #1, and "You Can Close Your Eyes" a luscious adaptation of a James Taylor song that eclipses the original.
21. Maria McKee: If Love Is A Red Dress (Hang Me In Rags)
![Various Artists: Pulp Fiction [soundtrack] (1993)](http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6958/pulpfictionsoundtrack1bn.jpg)
Maria McKee came to prominence in Lone Justice, a country-rock outfit that released two albums for Geffen in the mid 80's. While Lone Justice never quite found an audience, McKee's remarkable multi-octave voice captured immediate attention. She works best in a country-rock idiom, although her solo career has seen her record straight pop and art-pop as well. One of the most bonechillingly lonesome and sad songs of the 1990's was "If Love Is A Red Dress (Hang Me In Rags)", heard very briefly in Pulp Fiction; it didn't appear on a McKee album at the time. Both Lone Justice albums are excellent and worth seeking out; they usually can be had cheaply.
22. 10,000 Maniacs: Like The Weather
Along with Tracy Chapman and Suzanne Vega, Natalie Merchant was another of the generation of semi-political politically correct singer-songwriters of the late 1980's. Merchant has had greater staying power than either, due largely to her way with a hook, and her distinctive voice that is neither pretty nor sexy, but honest and earnest. Her earnestness can sometimes be her undoing; she does get dogmatic and clumsy with lyrics. But with 10,000 Maniacs, particularly on In My Tribe, from 1987, she had a special knack for idiosyncratic little pop tunes that worked best when they weren't political, like "Like The Weather". More recent solo hits like "Carnival" and "Kind and Generous" are in a more adult alternative vein, but benefit from her tunefulness and general warmth.
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.