101 Great Songs with All Female Vocals!
Let’s celebrate the girls!!! I’ve done this before here with the 10 best albums with all female vocals so obviously there will be songs from those albums here. But I also want to lay down some ground rules - NO getting triggered is the first rule. I’m not claiming this as THE list to end all lists. I’ve done plenty of those before but I’m not doing it here. This is just kinda MY list in the moment. Now…. my lists are all awesome so IF you want to share it as the best one I don’t blame you. And I’m writing this during Women’s History Month so that makes it very shareable for March, but any month is a good month to listen to these, so LFG. They are pretty much listed in alphabetical order as they show up in my Apple Music with an exception or two as I shuffled and added - so this is NOT a ranking. Some artists may seem really over represented and some under, but this was really just about the songs. It’s not even about the vocal performance per se - again, it’s about the songs. Just going down the list of my entire collection and picking songs I love without keeping score or having regard for where the chips fell. If I were to make a list of the 101 BEST - like a “these are IT and Doug has spoken” then there would probably be at least 60 of these on that list, so make no mistake - this list still represents greatness. And the door is open for a possible sequel…. Women’s History Month comes every year after all.
101 Great Songs With All Female Vocals
1. Take A Chance On Me - ABBA - 1978 I’m not a huge ABBA guy but I do love this song! And okay, I’ve blown it on the first entry - there are indeed male vocals here. But I don’t know enough ABBA songs well enough to pick one where only the girls are singing. 98% of this list won’t have dudes singing. Hehe…
2. Hold On - Alabama Shakes - 2012 Brittany Howard kicks ass. The end.
3. 1977- Ana Bijoux - 2010 The best Spanish rap song I know. Okay it might be the only one I know but it’s very cool, and I can’t be the only one who Shazam’d this when it showed up in Breaking Bad…
4. Rock Steady - Aretha Franklin - 1971 I don’t actively sit down and listen to the QUEEN much admittedly, but this is a jam.
5. Give Me Back My Man - The B-52’s - 1980 Early B-52’s were SO cool and the dual vocal attack of Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson was everything.
6. Manic Monday - The Bangles - 1986 Was any dude not in love with Susanna Hoffs? Is any dude not STILL in love with Susanna Hoffs? And to be clear this is not just about her looks - I love her voice and The Bangles were legit. One of a couple songs on this list written by Prince…
7. Woman In Love - Barbra Streisand - 1980 Yep - Babs lets ‘er rip on this one and I’m not sorry - it’s a “Guilty” pleasure (see what I did there?).
8. No More Words - Berlin - 1984 These next three Berlin songs are some of the best of the 80’s and while a list like this might not scream Teri Nunn, these all kill.
9. Masquerade - Berlin - 1982 The first Berlin album in particular is such an underrated early 80’s gem.
10. The Metro - Berlin - 1982 You love The Metro, admit it.
11. Human Behaviour - Bjork - 1993 Serving notice on the opening to Bjork’s solo career. She really took charge and took things to the next level after The Sugarcubes and this ominous and infectious groove kicks off a stunning debut album.
12. Army Of Me - Bjork - 1995 A non-negotiable call to get one’s shit together (Bjork’s brother specifically). Not wise to complain about it… Check out the Helmet cover of this one. It’s kinda cool that a few of these songs have been covered by guys - especially a groove metal band like Helmet.
13. The Tide Is High - Blondie - 1980 I didn’t know for years that this was a cover. You might still have not known.
14. Rapture - Blondie - 1980 Such an epic - I was obsessed with this video which I’m pretty sure I saw for the first time on Casey Kasem’s America’s Top 10.
15. Heart Of Glass - Blondie - 1978 Takes me back to roller skating at Bona Venture and my Forest Elementary years in quite the visceral way. We used to dance to this in our family room with our kids when they were little.
16. Top Of The World - The Carpenters - 1972 Takes me further back to my childhood and my parents’ basement - we had a turntable down there and I would play this 45 single. That soothing voice of Karen Carpenter!
17. Danger - Clare Means - 2018 You might not know this one but it’s worth checking out. We found Clare on Periscope where she was busking on the Santa Monica pier. She’s good.
18. Linger - The Cranberries - 1993 One of the most beautiful songs ever recorded with gorgeous vocals by the late, great Dolores O’Riordan. Just sublime.
19. No Escape From Heaven - Curve - 1991 Shoegazy goodness with a crapton of feedback. So good - Toni Halladay was really cool.
20. Groove Is In The Heart - Deee-Lite - 1990 One of the most fun songs ever with amazing guests - Q-Tip, Bootsy Collins, Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker are you kidding me? I was kinda obsessed with Lady Miss Kier and Deee-Lite was a way better group than you may have realized.
21. I Love You Always Forever - Donna Lewis - 1996 Another in the just over-the-top-pretty category.
22. Son Of A Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield - 1968 I’ll admit that while I knew of this song I didn’t truly discover it until Pulp Fiction - along with probably millions of others.
23. Hold On - En Vogue - 1990 This video… when Cindy Herron takes over the lead vocals and starts dancing? Just blew me away back in the day.
24. My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It) - En Vogue - 1992 Girl Power to the nth degree. Tough, sexy and in control.
25. Would I Lie To You? - Eurythmics - 1985 Whoa - do I really have 5 Eurythmics songs here…? Actually I cheat a little later on the list so…
26. It’s Alright (Baby’s Coming Back) - Eurythmics - 1985 I like kick ass Annie Lennox but I also like mysterious Annie Lennox and this one had a little of that…
27. Missionary Man - Eurythmics - 1986 Probably Annie at her most ass-kicking-ist out of all her ass kicking.
28. I Need A Man - Eurythmics - 1987 But this one comes close.
29. Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) - Eurythmics - 1983 Of course. And what was with that horse?
30. Love Come Down - Evelyn “Champagne” King - 1980 Do do doo do do do doo do do da dooooooo!!! Oh yeah - love this. 1980 is one of my favorite years for music - very transitional.
31. Landslide - Fleetwood Mac - 1975 Getting to see Stevie Nicks do this live was a moment I’ll tell you. Wow.
32. Dreams - Fleetwood Mac - 1977 I say this is Stevie’s greatest vocal performance. She shows some fantastic range here and her delivery throughout is legit medicine to cure your ills.
33. You Make Loving Fun - Fleetwood Mac - 1977 And probably Christy’s greatest - has a band ever had two of the greatest female voices of all time like this? Could be another blog post here.
34. Our Lips Are Sealed - The Go-Go’s - 1981 Their first single and I love Belinda Carlisle’s voice - just something about that girl.
35. Carried Away - H.E.R. - 2019 H.E.R. is such an incredible talent. She’s the real deal and this song has such an addictive groove!
36. Can’t Help Me - H.E.R. - 2019 There’s something about this one… H.E.R. delivers such a unique and soul bearing performance to my ears… but it’s not overly done.
37. Midnight Train To Georgia - Gladys Knight & The Pips - 1973 So much love for Gladys. She could have been a one name star. You say Gladys and there is no other.
38. Magic Man - Heart - 1976 What an iconic track - the vocals, the instrumental break - all of it. Even the way Ice-T sampled the guitar riff on the song Personal. I love Anne Wilson’s vocals the way they weave and float through the beat on the verses. She’s a master.
39. Barracuda - Heart - 1977 Crushingly heavy - just a flat out killer. Anne Wilson at the height of her considerable powers.
40. Rock Star - Hole - 1994 Yep. Can Courtney Love be a mess? Well, yeah, but you can’t deny the second Hole album. It rocks.
41. Nutbush City Limits - Ike & Tina Turner - 1973 It pains me to even credit Ike but it is what it is. It’s Tina who mattered as a human anyway and we all know it.
42. River Deep, Mountain High - Tina Turner - 1966 Tina soars above the full Phil Spector wall of sound treatment like few could on this classic.
43. Miss You Much - Janet Jackson - 1989 Never felt like Janet could really sing per se (don’t @ me) but she could sure dance and she had great talent around her. Terry Lewis & Jimmy Jam are obviously as good as it gets.
44. Piece Of My Heart - Janis Joplin - 1968 Janis was nuts in the best way - seeing the footage of her performing is always a marvel. Crazy stage presence, crazy energy and such a powerful voice!
45. I Love Rock N Roll - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - 1981 Also a cover but a defining song for Joan Jett - this song was EVERYWHERE all the time in 1981.
46. Bad Reputation - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - 1980 All of the attitude you would ever associate with Joan Jett is here on this frenetic rocker.
47. Still A Thrill - Jody Watley - 1987 I love me some Jody Watley and that first album produced by Prince’s buddy and former band mate Andre Cymone was killer. Such nasty funk and the video for this too - oh yeah.
48. Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell - 1970 They paved paradise those bastards… I actually listened to the classic album that followed this, Blue a couple years ago and that’s the only time I’d ever sat down and listened to a Joni Mitchell album - I was impressed. The overall message about the environment is obviously more relevant now than ever.
49. Superwoman - Karyn White - 1988 IYKYK. An anthem for women back in the day - Karyn White was it for a minute and this whole album was fantastic.
50. Running Up That Hill - Kate Bush - 1985 I’ve never listened to an entire Kate Bush album but this song has always fascinated me.
51. Cheap Queen - King Princess - 2019 Yes I keep talking about King Princess - she should be way bigger than she is. Such an original, such a talent.
52. 1950 - King Princess - 2018 This was the first song she played the first time I saw her on SNL and I was just blown away - been a fan since.
53. I Can’t Let Go - Linda Ronstadt - 1980 Sure there are plenty of Linda Ronstadt classics to choose from but I still love this one from her “new wave album” Mad Love. That intro - “Oh I tried and I tried but I can’t say GOODBYE!!!" I love it. Interesting side note - the song was written by Chip Taylor - Jon Voight’s brother / Angelina Jolie’s uncle, and he also wrote Wild Thing and Angel Of The Morning… weird huh?
54. Funky Town - Lipps Inc. - 1980 An American classic sung by Cynthia Johnson who did not appear in the video and used to perform with Flyte Time in Minneapolis before Lipps Inc. Before Flyte Time became…….The Time. Yep - those guys! Meanwhile there isn’t a human being that doesn’t love Funkytown.
55. Head To Toe - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam - 1987 This song was a #1 hit - I guess I didn’t realize that! But so much fun and Lisa Lisa was just so…..loveable!
56. Strongman - Luscious Jackson - 1994 In my head I always hear these two Luscious Jackson tunes together - they follow each other on the Natural Ingredients album and I’m not kidding when I say they are two of my all time favorite songs. I had a peak moment with these ladies watching them on the second stage Lollapalooza in 1994 that I’ll never forget. I was able to catch them twice that year.
57. Energy Sucker - Luscious Jackson - 1994 One of the more hypnotic grooves ever laid down - like, ever. This is THE quintessential Luscious Jackson song with Jill Cunniff’s singing and Gabby Glaser’s rapping. There’s really not another song like it. Sexy, nasty, funky, groovy - this song deserves attention - the whole album does really.
58. Music - Madonna - 2000 What an icon. I do love Madonna. She’s a little cray but so what. She’s Madonna. There was nothing like her before her, and no one has been able to be her since. I love this jam - music does make the people come together, indeed.
59. Borderline - Madonna - 1983 Nostalgia rules - and this happy sing-songy pop tune still makes me smile.
60. Destination Unknown - Missing Persons - 1982 Lead alien Dale Bozzio’s finest moment. That pulsating spacey groove with the candy cane vocals - check out the Smashing Pumpkins cover if you haven’t.
61. Only The Lonely - The Motels - 1982 I saw The Motels open for The J. Geils Band at Pine Knob in September of 1982 and I’ll never forget seeing Martha Davis sing Only The Lonely in person. One of 12 artists on this list I’ve seen live.
62. Juicy Fruit - Mtume - 1983 This song always takes me back to riding in my brother’s van (which became my van) in Ypsilanti while he was playing football at Eastern Michigan. I don’t know if that’s just the first time I heard it but it’s one of those associations you make in your brain with a song that hits you every time you hear it. And what a vocal by Tawatha Agee! Did you know that was the name of the singer? I bet you didn’t. I didn’t - she’s actually had one hell of a career in her own right as a session and backup singer. And I’m breaking the rule again because of the male backing vocals but it’s my list and I can break my rules if I want. Remember too that this is a snobbery.
63. Only Shallow - My Bloody Valentine - 1991 Okay full disclosure here - I originally downloaded this album off of Napster. I was way late to the MBV game and as young, house poor parents trying to survive I simply couldn’t afford all the music I wanted, so yes, I owe Kevin Shields $10. I guess I’m a little ashamed. I didn’t know the deal with the Loveless album and the impact it had. Somehow I just missed it. So I figured I’d give it a try and I thought for sure I had a crappy file or bad copy because it sounded all warped. It took me a bit to realize it was supposed to sound that way and eventually the genius revealed itself to me. What a sound! And Bilinda Butcher’s whispery vocals as just another sound in the stew - also genius.
64. Never Wanna Leave You - Pat Benatar - 1980 Another hidden gem that most casual Pat Benatar fans won’t know. But this one always had a menacing sound with zero Hit Me With Your Best Shot cheese (I still love the cheese - calm down) that I’ve always loved. Not a typical powerhouse vocal from Pat either, and it’s not out front in the mix but it’s a winner just the same.
65. Down By The Water - PJ Harvey - 1995 One of the heavier tunes without being metal that you’ll hear. A horrifying largely electronic track about a woman drowning her daughter, and yes it’s great.
66. Slow Hand - Pointer Sisters - 1981 Gotta love the Pointer Sisters - and this has to be my favorite of theirs with the lead vocal by Anita (may she rest in peace). Meanwhile it’s crazy the things I find out poking around the Internet for these lists. Slow Hand was co-written by John Bettis who also co-wrote Michael Jackson’s Human Nature, Madonna’s Crazy For You, and Whitney Houston’s One Moment In Time. Like, are you kidding me?
67. The Pretenders - the entire album - 1980 Yep. One of three entire albums on this list. Sorry not sorry. And yeah that means this is technically the 133 great songs list but I’m not changing the name. The Big Ten has 18 teams too. Go back to the other list to get the breakdown on this masterpiece.
68. Middle Of The Road - The Pretenders - 1984 And we’re not done with The Pretenders. One of the best drum intros ever by the criminally underrated Martin Chambers (I just feel like you don’t see him on many greatest drummers lists but I digress). “I’m not the kind I used to be I got a kid I’m 33 baby” - yeah many of us aren’t the kind we used to be lol…
69. Back On The Chain Gang - The Pretenders - 1984 A poignant tribute by Chrissie Hynde to her late bandmates James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon. Gorgeous.
70. Message Of Love - The Pretenders - 1981 Okay last one from the still-great second Pretenders album with that swinging beat, point/counterpoint riff and that cool Brigitte Bardot reference.
71. Heaven Give Me Words - Propaganda - 1990 Obscure, yeah sure. From the second Propaganda album that featured more former Simple Minds members than Propaganda members, a new vocalist in Betsi Miller and a guest guitar solo on one of the tracks from none other than David Gilmour. But Heaven Give Me Words is a sugary sweet pop song that I’ve always LOVED.
72. Sade - Love Deluxe - the whole album - 1992 The second entire album on this list. For the review on this one see the Sade album ranking here.
73. The Sweetest Taboo - Sade - 1985 Had to get a couple more Sade tunes on the list… Man were they a great band. I wish Sade herself was more motivated to make albums but she’s doing her and you can’t be mad about it.
74. Paradise - Sade - 1988 Okay last one, and what a groove! “I’m yours, you’re mine, like Paradise!”
75. Push It - Salt N Pepa - 1986 Salt N Pepa kicked ass. This song PACKED dance floors during my college years.
76. Hold On - Sarah McLachlan - 1993 This song was included on one of the best compilation albums of all time - No Alternative, and I was pretty obsessed with it at the time. What a great line: “Hold on, hold on to yourself, for this is gonna hurt like hell…”
77. Let The Music Play - Shannon - 1984 One of those songs that was played a bunch on WJLB back in the day by the Electrifying Mojo (IYKYK) that I associate with that early hip-hop culture even though it’s not rap. Known as a one-hit wonder even if that’s not entirely accurate, this is definitely the song she’s known for. I’ll always love it.
78. Here’s Where The Story Ends - The Sundays - 1990 Just a sunny and delightful jangly song with Harriet Wheeler’s beautiful vocals that sound childlike in a pleasing way.
79. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinéad O’Connor - 1990 Prince was handing out hits left and right for years and Sinéad took this one to the top with that mesmerizing video of her face close up. This song was EVERYWHERE that summer. I was pretty sad when she passed.
80. Call Me - Skyy - 1982 I’m going old school here. I played the CRAP out of Neon Nights: Rock’s Danceable Side - one of those K-Tel records you would see advertised on TV. You can actually buy a used copy for $5.99 as of this writing at Amazon (with my affiliate link) here. “Here’s my number and a dime, call me anytiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime!” Such a jam. There are three Dunning sisters in this group and I can’t seem to determine which one sings lead or if they just trade off…
81. Broken Man - St. Vincent - 2024 Another artist I was late to game on. Last year was the first time I listened to a St. Vincent album, and I’m a fan now. The song off of her most recent album that has the killer instinct is Broken Man. Wow. That low end bomb she drops right as she asks “What are you looking at?” is a beast.
82. Reflections - Diana Ross & The Supremes - 1967 This is probably my favorite Supremes song. This was a cool era of Motown as the artists started exploring some newer psychedelic sounds and I really dig this one. Swervedriver covered this which seems like an odd fit and that’s actually what makes it a great cover.
83. You Can’t Hurry Love - The Supremes - 1966 But the earlier Supremes songs still hold up just fine and I love You Can’t Hurry Love.
84. Come See About Me - The Supremes - 1964 One of the crazy run of singles they had with Where Did Our Love Go?, Baby Love, Stop! In The Name of Love, and Back In My Arms Again - all five were #1 hits. All (including the others on this list) written by the Motown songwriting team of Lamont Dozier and Brian & Eddie Holland, and all music played by the Motown crew the Funk Brothers.
85. Hold That Line - Tedeschi Trucks Band - 2022 This song gets me in the feels. A song of comfort - to keep the faith and hold that line. It’s a message that has meant a lot to me the last couple years. And the song is just so beautiful. I love Susan Tedeschi’s soulful vocals.
86. D’Gary - Tedeschi Trucks Band - 2022 From the same recordings that became the epic 4-EP / quadruple album collection I Am The Moon is this other gorgeous and mellow track - so soothing like a warm blanket.
87. Heart And Soul - T’Pau - 1987 Absolutely - I’m not ashamed to put this here. The only song that this crew is known for but it’s still so cool. I was obsessed with this video too - okay so I was obsessed with Carol Decker lol…
88. Voices Carry - ’Til Tuesday - 1985 MTV was so awesome - you just had to be there to understand. And here’s another one with such a classic video. Aimee Mann defiantly standing up in that theater embarrassing the controlling and abusive douchebag she was with…. This was actually a very good album - not sure why I haven’t given Aimee Mann’s solo stuff a listen. I should probably do that.
89. Wordy Rappinghood - Tom Tom Club - 1981 What ARE words worth? Such a deep philosophical question from quite possibly the coolest Talking Head Tina Weymouth, and that’s saying a LOT. What an epic, wildly wacky early Hip-Hop-adjacent contribution to the genre from the album that gave us the game changing Genius Of Love. I love the Tom Tom Club.
90. Mountains O’ Things - Tracey Chapman - 1988 Love the spare arrangement on this one and Tracey Chapman’s voice - she doesn’t sound like anyone but Tracey Chapman and she can TELL A STORY boy….
91. Royals - Lorde - 2013 This was one that I heard every single day in the car driving the kids to middle school and I never got sick of it. Just worms its way into your brain like a drug and you get addicted to it. Without looking it up the swirl of publicity around Lorde’s life with the paparazzi must have been completely overwhelming and I wonder if she chose to retreat from the limelight…? Or maybe like some lightning in a bottle stories it just happened and then fizzled? Hard to believe that was a dozen years ago already…
92. Drive Me Wild - Vanity 6 - 1982 What a jam. A Prince jam - he wrote it and played all of it. The only other person involved was Susan Moonsie with her purring monotone vocal. Covered by Foo Fighters as well.
93. Chaise Longue - Wet Leg - 2021 I love this band and their one album so far is fantastic with Chaise Longue being the big hit. Rhian Teasdale sings in a monotone style (two in a row on this list) and it rocks. Apparently she wrote it while sitting on a - wait for it………….chaise longue.
94. Smile - Wolf Alice - 2021 Another great newer band and this one with it’s rising swirling hook with plenty of distortion on the guitars and yes - monotone verses by vocalist Ellie Rowsell is a straight up banger. Blue Weekend is a great album all the way through as well.
95. Don’t Go - Yaz - 1982 These Yaz songs will never get old. They hold up so well even though the sound puts them squarely in the early 80’s. Totally electronic - Vince Clarke’s second band after leaving Depeche Mode after one album. Everything he’s done has been spectacular but the star of Yaz is obviously Alison Moyet - such a powerful voice!
96. Situation - Yaz - 1982 Also from the Upstairs At Eric’s album, I feel like this was another one like the aforementioned Let The Music Play that was played on WJLB a lot that I associated with the early rap scene even though it’s not rap. Should be on every dance party playlist - period.
97. State Farm - Yaz - 1983 The best track on the second and last Yaz album, and probably my favorite of the three on this list even if it’s the least known. But I swear it was on the radio a TON here in Detroit when it came out.
98. In My Tribe - 10,000 Maniacs - the whole album - 1987 The third whole album on the list and it’s a perfect one. Absolute perfect LP. Natalie Merchant’s voice is a treasure and the storytelling - such a unique voice. If you read the lyrics to these songs they don’t read like lyrics - they just seem like a story, but in Natalie Merchant’s hands they fit just perfectly with a delivery that is always uniquely hers. And the band kicked ass in their own way - they rocked subtly and with purpose even when they didn’t rock - if that makes sense. Okay maybe it doesn’t. But this is a masterpiece either way - and be sure you track down the version that includes Peace Train.
99. You Happy Puppet - 10,000 Maniacs - 1989 And yes we have more 10,000 Maniacs. You Happy Puppet from the almost-as-good-as-In-My-Tribe Blind Man’s Zoo is wonderful.
100. These Are Days - 10,000 Maniacs - 1992 The song that’s been in a thousand photo montages - and for good reason. These Are Days you’ll remember - a beautiful sentiment in a song just as beautiful.
101. Scorpio Rising - 10,000 Maniacs - 1985 From The Wishing Chair - the album before the breakthrough that still has some amazing songs on it including this rousing jam that Natalie Merchant delivers vocally with a thrilling urgency that you’ll rarely hear from her on subsequent albums. I love it.
Any to add? Who knows - they might just show up on the Snobbery at some point…
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