Listening to as much music as I do, I tend to go through phases where I focus on one genre over another, but I most often jump from playlist to playlist and genre to genre. I don't itemize music by vocalists but by genre (Americana, Alternative Rock, Classic Rock, Southern Rock, etc.). There are songs from artists from the 60s next to songs made in 2024. It's all over the place. I don't categorize music based on male or female vocalists. However, in this post, I would like to do just that. In the following list, I aim to highlight some of my favorite rock and alternative rock songs with female vocalists taking the lead.
There is beauty in all voices, but there is something particularly unique and powerful in these songs that have made them fixtures on my playlist encyclopedia. You may already be familiar with some of these songs, possibly having included them on your own playlists. Now, they are conveniently gathered in one place. For those unfamiliar with some of these tracks, I recommend giving them a listen, as this list includes both hits and hidden gems from the past and present.
Strong Enough by Sheryl Crow
Magic Man by Heart
Sour Times by Portishead
Hunger by Florence + The Machine
Who Will Save Your Soul by Jewel
Seventeen by Sharon Van Etten
Bad Love by Dehd
Mariners Apartment Complex by Lana Del Rey
I Try by Macy Gray
Private Dancer by Tina Turner
Roam byThe B52's
Building a Mystery by Sarah McLachlan
Barracuda by Heart
Buffalo by Hurray for the Riff Raff
Dog Days Are Over by Florence and the Machine
Fade Into You by Mazzy Star
Us by Regina Spektor
Save Me by Aimee Mann
Shadowboxer by Fiona Apple
If It Makes You Happy by Sheryl Crow
Invisible string by Taylor Swift
Joey by Concrete Blond
Bring Me To Life by Evanescence
Burning by Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs
Nothing Matters by The Last Dinner Party
The Grants by Lana Del Rey
Underneath it All by No Doubt
Glory Box by Portishead
Amazing! Love the list!