These singers stand out with their unique voices. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most original-sounding voices in music.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 Have heard their one, the secret chord?
00:03 Welcome to Miss Mojo and today we're counting down our picks for the most original sounding voices in music
00:11 Number 10 Joni Mitchell among the most gifted songwriters of her generation
00:22 Joni Mitchell comes with a unique sound all her own
00:27 Coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees
00:30 The Canadian-born folk singer started her career in the 1960s with a range that spanned low notes and falsettos
00:37 Her ability to climb to staggering highs is one of the signatures of her catalog
00:43 And this is all aside from her songwriting on classics like both sides now which spotlight her emotional delivery and songwriting
00:50 abilities
00:55 There's also the legendary tracks off her blue album which further showcase her talents as a poet and performer
01:02 Even in her later years Mitchell has continued to perform with a richly toned voice that's deeper and just as effective
01:15 Number 9 Amy Winehouse
01:25 He left no time to regret
01:29 Powered by a throwback sound Amy Winehouse fused together the finest aspects of R&B, pop and more
01:36 Her voice had a resonance and power that few artists could match. In only two studio albums
01:42 Winehouse managed to conquer the mainstream with her richly textured tones
01:46 She sang songs that often explored the depths of the human psyche such as the hit "Rehab"
01:52 "Rehab"
01:54 Bringing emotion to each record she didn't leave anything up to interpretation
02:02 Her vocal work on the likes of "Back to Black" remains an amazing example of updating older influences for a new audience
02:10 Number 8 Freddie Mercury
02:20 "Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time"
02:27 What was your reaction the first time you heard Freddie Mercury? His band made a name for themselves with their elaborate
02:33 compositions featuring Mercury as their fearless and talented leader
02:36 His operatic voice could have been fit for the most esteemed stage in the world
02:41 But he chose instead to rock out. We think he made the right choice given his acrobatic vocals on songs like "Bohemian Rhapsody"
02:50 "So you think you can stop me and spit in my eye"
02:54 With an enviable range Mercury soared above most male registers without missing a beat
03:00 He also had the pipes to deliver an intimate ballad or fill an entire arena with glorious sound
03:06 Number 7 Tina Turner
03:15 "I call you, I need you, my heart's on fire"
03:19 Through multiple decades of impressive work Tina Turner
03:23 Established herself as one of the most enduring artists of any era. Her early work with Ike gave her a national
03:30 Spotlight with performances like "Proud Mary" making it clear. She was a distinct vocal talent
03:36 "If you come down to the river"
03:38 "I bet you're gonna find some people who live"
03:42 Providing intensity in every track she went solo with a voice as powerful as ever with "What's Love Got to Do With It"
03:49 She showed she could sing a pop song as well as any star and do so with a tone nobody else possessed
03:55 "Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken"
04:01 Turner had an unrivaled stamina with the ability to maintain complete control over said unique voice while also showing off her dance moves
04:09 "What's love got to do, got to do with it"
04:13 Number 6 Johnny Cash
04:16 "Love is a burning thing"
04:18 Whether he's considered an outlaw or the man in black
04:26 Johnny Cash will forever be known as an original. The country star lived a complicated life that came out in every one of his
04:34 performances
04:36 "I keep a close watch on this heart of mine"
04:39 His deep voice feels like a window to his soul
04:42 Perfectly paired with the darkness and vulnerability of his lyrics. Cash's style was so self-assured that it felt completely
04:50 different in country music. He was among the most recognizable voices in the genre
04:55 Especially thanks to the direct nature of his presentation
04:59 "Because you're mine, I walk the line"
05:03 Anytime he sang, the artist made us feel like he was sitting us down and telling a story as a trusted friend
05:09 Number 5 Björk
05:15 "A sweet jeal, a sense of humor"
05:17 One of Iceland's most famous singers became a sensation after going solo in the 1990s. With every album
05:29 She has set herself apart from others in the industry with her delivery. She doesn't match a typical mainstream sound
05:35 Creating art pop and alternative music all her own
05:39 This is bolstered by her one-of-a-kind voice
05:47 Which she uses to do everything from shrieking to screaming to hitting glorious high notes
05:52 Her records may range from electric to avant-garde and experimental
05:56 But one thing remains constant, you'll know it's Björk behind that mic
06:00 Some may try to imitate her but few can match her in terms of originality
06:10 Number 4 Kate Bush
06:18 "Out on the windy, windy moor, sweet roll and falling breeze"
06:25 Boldly going her own way, Kate Bush began her singing career as a teenager in the late 1970s
06:32 She arrived fully formed with hits like "Wuthering Heights" which showcased her unique style
06:45 Mixing together various theatrical and experimental techniques, Bush threw the pop world for a loop with her dynamic works and unique sound
06:53 Her staggering voice paved a new way for female singers that didn't bother with specific labels
07:05 Inventive records followed and so did more critical praise
07:09 Including recognition for classics like "Hounds of Love"
07:12 Each step of the way, her ability to convey anger, love and wonder through her voice have made her an icon
07:19 Number 3 Louis Armstrong
07:34 Among the greatest legends of the 20th century, Louis Armstrong was one of the most famous trumpeters of his time
07:40 He also had an identifiable voice that you can't mistake for anyone else
07:45 Equal parts raspy and refined, Armstrong performed from the heart every time
07:53 Many probably know him best as the singer of "What a Wonderful World"
07:57 "I see trees of green, red roses too"
08:05 In reality, he was a much more nuanced artist who was deeply important to the jazz world
08:11 The musician was as adept with his trumpet as he was with his vocal chords
08:15 Up until his final years, Armstrong continued to remind people of his gift for exceptionally original performances
08:22 "What a wonderful world"
08:26 Number 2 Bob Dylan
08:30 Bob Dylan's voice might throw the casual music fan off
08:39 But those listeners would be missing out on his gritty tones and the way they elevate his songs
08:44 His everyman vocals might not be conventional, but they are special
08:54 Plus, his lyrics are exceptional in every way
08:57 He was at least partly inspired by folk heroes before him
09:01 Who never let an unorthodox voice keep them from performing and has blazed his own trail
09:06 Unique in every way, Dylan's raw portraits of American life need his unrestrained delivery to feel complete
09:19 Instead of worrying about becoming the next pop star, the man followed his instincts and became a legend
09:25 "The head song is blowing in the wind"
09:28 Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions
09:32 Brian Johnson
09:34 With his trademark shriek, the rocker revitalized AC/DC for a new era
09:39 Cher
09:44 The pop star made waves with her contralto and use of autotune
09:49 "Do you believe in life after love?"
09:52 Axl Rose
09:53 With his searing voice, Axl Rose conquers the world as a rock frontman
09:58 Janis Joplin
10:05 The gritty rocker had a range to behold
10:08 Macy Gray
10:13 The throwback soul singer gives hits like "I Try" a unique spin
10:17 "Don't try to hide it, it's clear, my world crumbles when you are not near"
10:24 Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos
10:30 You have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them
10:34 If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications
10:39 Number 1. Leonard Cohen
10:42 "Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river"
10:50 Leonard Cohen always played by his own rules
10:53 The troubadour started as a writer and a poet, eventually moving to singing as another outlet for his artistic vision
11:00 What followed was a decade of work closely tied to folk tradition
11:04 "For he's touched your perfect body with his mouth"
11:12 His earthly voice was a warm and welcome guide through memorable tunes such as "Suzanne"
11:17 With the 1980s came a new era for the artist and a deeper voice
11:21 "You dance me to the end of love"
11:26 His later era sounds unconcerned with conforming to any movement or popular technique
11:32 Instead, Cohen blended the art of speaking and singing into one signature form of storytelling
11:38 Using the voice only he possessed
11:40 "Hallelujah, Hallelujah"
11:48 Did we forget one of your favorite voices? Let us know in the comments below
11:52 Do you agree with our picks?
11:59 Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo
12:02 And be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos
12:06 [Music]