I’ve decided to highlight some female singers and songwriters for y’all this week by sharing a collection of my favourite songs with female vocalists. It was so difficult to narrow it down, but I’ve managed to keep it to just 16. There’s a mix available here on 8tracks of the songs I ended up choosing, and if you love any of them, I 100% recommend checking out their other work and supporting them!
And now, in no particular order, the ladies who made this mix possible.
so if you’re out there in the cold
I’ll cover you in moonlight
if you’re a stranger to your soul
I’ll bring you to your birthright
I want the storm inside you awoken now
I want your warm bright eyes
to never look away
I’ve been a fan since hearing "Blue Caravan" by chance a few years ago, and choosing just one of her songs was probably the hardest decision of making this list. Everything she writes is absolutely beautiful and I’ve listened to Aims on repeat for days without getting sick of it. Eventually I had to choose the song that lead to me finding out she’d released a new album: "Never Look Away".
"Never Look Away" incorporates upbeat pop and dance elements, empathetic lyrics layered with urgency, and some absolutely gorgeous imagery (x). It blew me away the first time I heard it, and still leaves me breathless.
SARA BAREILLES
and since your history of silence
won’t do you any good,
did you think it would?
let your words be anything but empty
why don’t you tell them the truth?
say what you wanna say
and let the words fall out
honestly I wanna see you be brave
Sara Bareilles is an American musician, pianist and singer-songwriters who achieved mainstream success with her hit single "Love Song" in 2007. Her sound has been described as a slightly edgy, piano-based pop rock with jazz and soul influences. Her songwriting has been praised as both vulnerable and wise; she offers a unique and honest look at life and relationships from a woman's perspective. Sara is currently on her Little Black Dress tour, and her fifth album The Blessed Unrest was released in July 2013. It has been nominated for a Grammy.
I chose "Brave", an uplifting pop song that urges everyone to speak out honestly and be themselves; it was inspired by the struggles of a close friend in regards to coming out, and was co-written with Jack Antonoff. Sara has discussed "Brave" in interviews, saying, "there's so much honor and integrity and beauty in being able to be who you are, [and] it's important to be brave because by doing that you also give others permission to do the same."
The music video is set in public places and each of her performers have to dance alone with unknowing bystanders streaming around them, occasionally pulled into the dance or joining of their own volit.
CORRINE BAILEY RAE
'twas more than I could take
pity for pity's sake
some nights kept me awake
I thought that I was stronger
when you gonna realise
that you don't even have to try any longer?
do what you want to
Corrine Bailey Rae is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Leeds, West Yorkshire. She describes herself as a "musician, songmaker, world citizen, peace lover, avid reader, brand new gardener, bad knitter." Her music falls into the genres soul, R&B, jazz, and blues. She is currently working on her third album.
"Put Your Records On" comes from her self-titled debut album released in February 2006, and was released again as a single in 2007 and went on to become her biggest hit to date. It has a "pulsating back-to-basics R&B beat" (x), and Corrine's vocals on the track have been described as silken and fragile, singing in such a carefree manor that it feels effortless. It was, deservedly, nominated for multiple awards in the years of release for both the album and single, and won BMI Pop Awards' Song of the Year in 2007.
EMILIANA TORRINI
some people think
that I'm heading for a meltdown
that I'm sitting by the phone
that I worry but no
when I need your body close
I burn up in smoke
and I swore I'd keep waiting
Emiliana Torrini is an Icelandic singer song-writer, best known for her single "Jungle Drum". Her sound has indie-pop, alternative rock, trip hop, and electronica influences. She has been a member of an Icelandic group GusGus and co-written songs for Kylie Minogue. She released her eighth album Tookah in late 2013.
"Me and Armini" is off her sixth album of the same name, released in 2008. The whole album has been described as a move to an "amorphous, soul-jazzy alternative" (x), and "Me and Armini" has a very chilled out, soothing sound both in vocals and melody. It received generally positive reviews, and was compared to Lily Allen and Gwen Stefani.
TEGAN AND SARA
build a wall of books
between us in our bed
repeat, repeat the words
that I know we both said
relax into the need
we get so comfortable
remember when I was
so strange and likable
Tegan and Sara are twin sisters born in Calgary, Alberta, with seven studio albums and an avid global following. They are songwriters, performers and artists, and their music generally falls into the genres indie rock, new wave, indie pop, indie folk, and synthpop. Their most recent album is Heartthrob, released in 2012, thirteen years after their first independent album, Under Feet Like Ours, in 1999.
"Back in Your Head" comes from their 2007 album The Con, which received critical and commercial acclaim. It's a pop song with an electro edge, minimalist melodic writing, and a "quick tempo snare smack and a rudimentary piano counter-melody" (x).
MARIA MENA
but every wrong turn that you make
will also be my mistake
cause we’re connected through our hearts
and the devastating part
is that I foolishly defended you to myself
but secrets always have a way of coming out
Maria Mena is a Norwegian singer-songwriter, whose music is primarily pop, folk, rock. She got her breakthrough in Norway just after turning 16 with her song "My Lullaby." She describes creating music as "my way of putting into words what I’m feeling, my salvation, and still it’s like that." She released her sixth studio album, Weapons in Mind, in September 2013, and has had 15 award nominations with 5 wins.
I was first introduced to her through her 2004 song "You're the Only One," an upbeat and cheeky pop song, with hints of insecurity. I chose to highlight "Secrets" though, off her 2011 album Viktoria, which is slower, stripped-down, and her sweet, sad vocals are backed by a soft piano melody.
[Edit 26/09/14: "Secrets" is no longer available & has been replaced by "You're the Only One"]
[Edit 26/09/14: "Secrets" is no longer available & has been replaced by "You're the Only One"]
I'll give you one more chance
to say we can change or part ways
and you take what you need
and you don't need me
Chvrches (pron. churches) are a Scottish band consisting of Lauren Mayberry (lead vocals, additional synthesisers and samples), Iain Cook (synthesisers, guitar, bass, vocals), and Martin Doherty (synthesisers, samples, vocals). They describe their sound as electronic pop. Their debut studio album, The Bones of What You Believe, was released in September 2013.
Lauren Mayberry is best known as a singer-songwriter, but she spent seveeral years as a journalist prior to her music career. She plays piano and drums, and has been involved in two other bands. Using her experience in journalism, Lauren spoke out against online misogyny in an article written for The Guardian in 2013.
"Recover" comes from both the EP of the same name and The Bones of What You Believe. It is described as being "a simple electro-pop song that feels anything but simple ... a blurry, two-note synth lead; a flickering electronic beat; a throbbing synth-bass pulse," and it certainly wouldn't be the same without Lauren's vocals, "grooving the upbeats in blissful melancholy" (x).
sometimes you have to throw your heart in
sometimes everything fades to grey
something shots of you won't open
sometimes nothing's the worst thing you can say
Megan Washington is a singer-songwriter and musician from Australia. She is also know mononymously as Washington until a recent rebranding decision to use her full name. Originally performing jazz, Megan's style evolved into indie pop and alternative rock. She plays both piano and guitar. She released her debut album, I Believe You, Liar, in July 2010, and in the same year won ARIA Music Awards in two categories: Best Female Artist, and Breakthrough Artist. She received four further nominations.
"Who Are You" was premiered on Triple J, an Australian radio station, in February 2014; it comes from her second full length album, There There, which is due out later this year. Megan describes it as "less nasty" than her previous album (x), and also one that comes from a much healthier place than much of her previous music (x). "Who Are You" still has a gorgeous, haunting quality to it that I loved in "Holy Moses" off I Believe You, Liar, but it is much less aggressive and it has, I think, much more heart.
LONDON GRAMMAR
excuse me for a while
turn a blind eye
with a stare caught right in the middle
have you wondered for a while?
I have a feeling deep down
you’re caught in the middle
London Grammar is a British trio formed by Hannah Reid, Dan Rothman and Dominic 'Dot' Major. They met in university, and moved down to London to pursue their music career together after finishing in 2011. Their sound is trip-hop, electronica, and indie pop, and has been described as "a blend of ambient, ethereal and classical". Their debut album, If You Wait, was released in September 2013.
Hannah Reid is the lead vocalist, originally from London. She began collaborating with Dan Rothman (guitar) after he saw a photo of her playing the guitar on Facebook, and they were joined by Dominic Major (keyboard, djembe, drums) about a year later. Regarding the songwriting process, Hannah has said, "I write the lyrics and the top lines. But the songs initiate from all three of us. Dot will write a piano part or a music score. Dan will add some guitars."
"Strong" comes from If You Wait, and it is Hannah's breathless vocal that draw you in, but Dan and Dot's production is just as phenomenal with airy guitar riffs, hypnotic sways of piano and snare taps. The final result has been described as "both current and timeless; like a phantom gramophone echoing through the digital era" (x).
SIA
I've been neglecting the good things
what I mean is I need the good things
I'm finding the light in the good things
I've might need help to see the good things, oh
shake me out of my misery, woah woah, oh, oh
Sia Furler, better known mononymously as Sia, is an Australian singer-songwriter. Her main genres are downtempo, soul jazz, alternative rock, pop, dance, trip hop, and indie rock. She writes both for herself and in collaboration with a huge array of artists, from Eminem and Flo Rida, to Christina Aguilera, Shakira, and Beyonce.
"Clap Your Hands" was released on Sia's fifth studio album, We Are Born, in 2010, and it was around the same time that Sia began to receive international recognition. The album received six nominations at the ARIA Music Awards; "Clap Your Hands" won Best Video.
THELMA PLUM
I'm gonna keep on walking
cos I've been walking for days
and there are blisters in my feet
and they have turned to graze
it's like I'm walking through a maze
of my own
Thelma Plum is an Aboriginal Australian singer-songwriter who won a Triple J Unearthed competition for new indigenous talent in July 2012, winning the opportunity to perform at the National Indigenous Music Awards. Her demo "Father Said" amazed Triple J staff and listeners with her acoustic craft, disarmingly charming lyrics, and honeyed indie-folk roots, and has received an average rating of 4.5 stars with over 45,000 plays on her Unearthed profile. Her debut EP, Rosie, was released in 2013.
"Around Here" is the first track off Rosie, a "sunny burst of self-assertion," stylistically recognisable as Thelma's work by its beautiful musically-muted acoustic track and the forthright lyrics from a wonderful voice full of character.
DAUGHTER
and if you're still breathing you're the lucky ones
'cause most of us are heaving through corrupted lungs
setting fire to our insides for fun
collecting names of the lovers that went wrong
the lovers that went wrong
Daughter is an indie folk band based in England. It was originally intended to be a solo effort by Elene Tonra (vocals, guitar), but Daughter formed as a trio instead in 2010 after the addition of Swiss-born Igor Haefeli (guitar, producer) and Remi Aguilella (drummer, percussion) of France. Their sound is also described as alternative rock and ambient. They released their debut album, If You Leave, in March 2013, which was received favourably by the press and won the Independent Album of the Year at the AIM Independent Music Awards in London.
"Youth" is the third track of If You Leave, co-written by Elena and Igor. It is described as enchanting, wholly hypnotic, and "a standout, with a cascading melody and rushes of sheer passion" (x), and it has gorgeous imagery in the heartbreaking lyrics.
DAPHNE WILLIS
and you know that the key is under the rock on the front lawn
and you know how lonely I get when you’re gone
you know what I’m saying, a
nd I will be waiting
and when you get home I’m gonna lock you in
I won’t let you go, no I won’t let you leave again
Daphne Willis is a singer-songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. She began singing at a young age, and picked up guitar during her high school years. Her style is alternative pop, and her debut full length album, What to Say, was released in 2010 after two previous EPs in 2007 and 2008.
Her second album, Because I Can, was released in 2011. "I Will Be Waiting" is one of its tracks, with an upbeat, breezy melody and country influences. She hits high notes almost casually, matching the laid-back, lighthearted approach of her songwriting. It's an easily song to relate to, and has been described as adorable and a song that "playfully tugs at the heartstrings of romantics and everyone else" (x).
LISA MITCHELL
there I was
sitting on the top of the world
in a coin laundry
well I could have been royalty
sitting in the palace like a queen
Lisa Mitchell is an English-born Australian singer-songwriter; she finished sixth in the 2006 season of Australian Idol. Her debut studio album, Wonder, was recorded in the UK and released in July 2009. Her sound is described as indie pop, acoustic, folk. She is currently working on her third album.
"Coin Laundry" is the fourth track from Wonder; it charted in the top 30 in Australia and was nominated for an ARIA Award in 2009. Of writing it, Lisa has said that "the concept of the song was developed when she was waiting for the spin cycle to finish in a coin laundry ... I was thinking about love, of course, and if I'd ever find that special one." The melody was co-created by Lisa with the song's producer Hume when they began messing around with beats in the studio. The result was an extremely cute song, with a interesting, cheerful beat layered with sound effects like a coin dropping.
MS MR
welcome to the inner workings of my mind
so dark and foul I can't disguise,
can't disguise
nights like this
I become afraid
of the darkness in my heart
hurricane
MS MR is a New York based duo consisting of vocalist Lizzy Plapinger and producer Max Hershenow. Their sound is described as indie pop, alternative rock, dream pop, and dark wave, and has been compared to Florence and the Machine, Lana Del Rey and Kavinsky. They released two singles, "Hurricane" and "Fantasy," in 2010 after graduating from Vassar College together. Their debut album, Secondhand Rapture, was released in May 2013. Lizzy is also known for her work as co-founder of the New York City/London-based Independent record label Neon Gold Records.
"Hurricane" was re-released as the first track on Secondhand Rapture. On it, Lizzy's voice, of which she has spoken about not feeling confident, is unconventional and compelling; she "conveys the air of a girl in her mid-to-late teens feeling disillusionment for the first time, mistrustful of herself and others" (x). Max's production skills are best illustrated on "Hurricane" too, where "the droning bass line could’ve smothered everything, yet each metallic clang and string pluck slices through" (x).
RIHANNA
find light in the beautiful sea
I choose to be happy
you and I, you and I
we’re like diamonds in the sky
you’re a shooting star I see
a vision of ecstasy
when you hold me, I’m alive
Robyn Rihanna Fenty, known mononymously as Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist, actress, and fashion designer. Her music generally falls into the genres R&B, pop, reggae, hip hop and dance. Her debut album, Music of the Sun, was released in 2005, and has since released six more. She is currently working on her eighth studio album.
"Diamonds" comes from her latest, Unapologetic, which was released in November 2012. It was co-written by Sia Furler, Benjamin Levin, and Mikkel S. Eriksen. It has been described as an "inspirational pop ballad," with Rihanna "doing one of her throatiest, most impassioned vocals to date" (x).
*Unfortunately the original version of "Diamonds" became unavailable on 8tracks between the time of creating the mix and this post, so the version is a remix. Listen to the original here on YouTube.
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Much of the information on each artist is taken from their Wikipedia pages or own websites. Other sources are credited by an (x).
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