We saw this trending on TWITTER and it got us thinking: Who are OUR FAVOURITE SINGERS? So we came up with OUR OWN LIST. It’s such a tough question, if you asked us tomorrow, we’d probably come up with something completely different. If you’ve got your own top five, let us know by leaving a comment below.
Spotify: One Chord To Another: Five Favourite Vocalists
Paul Westerberg
At his best, Westerberg howled with desperation. Rarely has a voice matched lyrics so perfectly. Westerberg’s greatest strength was the honesty in his delivery. Go on a two-week bender and your voice might sound as torn up as he does on ‘Answering Machine’.
Morrissey
Morrissey will be the most polarizing figure on this list. When you ask people if they like The Smiths, they usually give one of two answers. Either: “Yes, I love them!” Or the all too common, “No, I like the music but I can’t stand the singer.” Anyone who’s heard Morrissey will understand why. Rock vocalists don’t sound like he does. Some would say they’re not supposed to. He’s theatrical, eccentric, even pompous. But he’s original. No one else sounds like him.
Paul Weller
In his early days with The Jam, Paul Weller didn’t so much sing as spit gravel. The ferocity of his gruff vocals were only matched by the harsh realities of his lyrics. But by the time he wrote ‘That’s Entertainment’ he had started showing another side of himself. His performance on The Jam’s most famous song is still bitter and angry, but also sensitive and insightful.
Liam Gallagher
Gallagher took cues from his heroes when he sang. The sneer of Lennon and Lydon and Mancunian drawl of Ian Brown. Looking up at the microphone with his hands behind his back, Liam sang with such power and menace, he made Noel’s simple, catchy songs sound like world-beating anthems. Averse to the subtleties employed by most vocalists, Liam sang as if he was simply riding a wave of instinct (and chemicals).
John Lennon
Predictable? Maybe, but for a reason. Lennon was incredible. Versatile, exciting, engaging – everything you want from a singer. He could be cynical one moment, idealistic the next. Full of humour and sarcasm, then completely earnest. He was unbeatable on plaintive songs like ‘In My Life’ and ‘I’m Only Sleeping’ but he could also do rockin’ (‘Revolution’). There is also logic behind our choice: The Beatles are the best band ever (and our favourite). John was the best singer in The Beatles. Therefore, he’s the best singer, and our favourite vocalist. Make sense?
So, who’d we miss? Who shouldn’t be here? Let us know what you think.
