When we discuss the realm of rock and roll inmusic, all too often we stop with the frontmenof bands andmalesolo artists. Your Mick Jaggers, Robert Plants, Roger Daltreys, Steven Tylers, Bob Segers, Bruce Springsteens, and Freddie Mercurys of the world, with voices and a signature style often as tall as their personalities. This is for good reason, of course, given what their art and stories have contributed to culture and music as a whole, but we have to keep the discussion moving aboutthe awesomewomenin rock’s history as well.
The ones whose voices didn’t just shake up the moment but took their genres, their sound, and the very status quo itself for a ride with the way they upended the table of expectations. The ones who not only influenced their generation but continue to influence us even to this day, with modern contemporaries still aspiring to compareto the lofty halls these figures delved into the rooms of the many greats.There’s no better way to look at the legacy of these ladies than by studying the artistic gold buried within their signature songs.
10Rhiannon
Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac)
First recorded by Fleetwood Mac for their self-titled 1975 album, the track “Rhiannon” is FM singer Stevie Nicks at her most quintessential. As Nicks would so often introduce it in concert, this “song about an old Welch witch” reflects the vocalist and songwriter brilliantly in all of its pointedly slinky, ethereal sense of mystery. Even with legends like drummer Mick Fleetwood,guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, and fellow vocalist and piano player Christine McVie surrounding her at their peak levels,the spotlight on “Rhiannon” never once drifts from Nicks.
48 Years Ago, The Greatest Album Of All Time Only Happened Because Fleetwood Mac’s Lives Fell Apart
Fleetwood Mac’s beloved hit album Rumours was born of sorrow, strife, fear, and catharsis (not to mention a healthy dose of soap opera drama).
On this cut of “Rhiannon” from Fleetwood Mac’s 1997 concert albumThe Dance, the vocals and sheer presence of Nicks are even more dominant. From the plaintive opening by Nicks, simply backed by McVie’s piano, to the full band’s rocking, smoky swell,Nicks' bluesy, raspy climax puts her on another level with “Rhiannon.“There are few songs in music that are as blissfully witchy as this.
9Crazy On You
Ann Wilson (Heart)
What a song to hang your debut on. Released in 1975 as part of their first album,Dreamboat Annie, the band Heart(led by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson) sent out a message loud and clear with this record: men aren’t the only ones who know how to rock out and rock it right. That was most evident with theDreamboat Anniesingle “Crazy On You.” The track has a deftly serpentine acoustic solo introduction from Nancy Wilsonbefore gunning into an electrified full-band acceleratorled by Nancy Wilson’s righteously swaying vocal growl.
The band Heart (led by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson) sent out a message loud and clear with this record: men aren’t the only ones who know how to rock out and rock it right.
In this 1977 cut fromThe Midnight Specialtelevision show, every element is crisp, from Nancy Wilson’s guitar strings to the effortless rise and fall of Ann Wilson on the vocal heartbeat of “Crazy On You.” The passion and wish to forget the world within the song’s lyrics are brought out with perfection through the burn of Ann Wilson,the willingness to give everything up just to feel rather than think, with so much heat she’s about to burn the whole house down - and you’re here to enjoy every minute of it.
8Back On The Chain Gang
Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders)
At times, it feels like the impact of singer/songwriterChrissie Hyndeand her band The Pretenders is overlooked, almost as though the group was a subtle or understated type of rock band, if such a thing actually exists. Well, if that is indeed true, Hynde showed what an impactful force The Pretenders were in their heyday, practically underrated even with songs like “Back On The Chain Gang.” That all beginswith the soft yet expressively commanding singing voice of Hynde and her lyrics.
To listen to “Back On The Chain Gang,” as in this 1985 video of The Pretenders performing at Live Aid three years after the track’s release, is to initially take in a fun and catchy rock song. Under the surface, however, the listener will find words expressing deep sadness not onlyfor the loss of a close relationship, but also the loss of two of Hynde’s friends in the band to drug issues. One passed away from the addiction while in the group, and another died of it within months of being ousted from The Pretenders.
It almost feels like Hynde’s trademark voice is so silky and chilled just to keep the hurt and the power of the emotion away. Leaving it under the surface for the listener to find and cherish, even in its volume of pain. That makes this song absolutely unforgettable; vulnerability is a precious, valuable thing.
Joan Jett (The Blackhearts)
There are few better faces who embody the furiously cool and no-nonsense independence of female punk rock than the legend that is Joan Jett. After first embarking on her music career at age 16 with Cherie Currie in The Runaways, Jett finally went solo in 1980 with her band The Blackhearts and the albumBad Reputationand its iconic title track. The title felt fitting after Jett was forced to release the album independently in the USafter a lengthy series of record label rejections.
The 10 Best Uses Of Joan Jett Songs In Movies
Called the Queen of Rock and Roll, Joan Jett’s iconic tunes crank up the energy of any movie scene they’re played in, from Shrek to Birds of Prey.
If anything, those denials made “Bad Reputation” into the perfect punk rock anthem for Jett’s arrival.Caged by her roaring voice and an instantly iconic guitar riff in this 1981 video, “Bad Reputation” felt like an arrival over any kind of rejection. The punk world had found a queen to help lead them.
6Call Me
Debbie Harry (Blondie)
Released in 1980 as the theme to the filmAmerican Gigolo, new-wave rockers Blondie had another hit on their hands when it came to the song “Call Me.” Written by lead singer Debbie Harry as a response to the visuals of the movie, there’sa sultry, almost carnal sense of presenceto Harry’s vocals amidst the gritty instrumentation that so vividly echoes the film.
That’s captured well in this 1981 video, which features Harry in fine voice with that ever-present alluring bandleader stage persona. Amidst a swirling and at times surreal-looking backdrop, Debbie Harry makes “Call Me"a forever signature aspect of her musical catalog.
5Love Is A Battlefield
Pat Benatar
The 1980s were quite a time for momentous female vocalists, and Pat Benatar was right near the top of that mountainous peak, especially when it came to the 1983 release of Benatar’s signature song, “Love Is A Battlefield.” The track was a bit of added experimentation for Benatar at the time by adding some electronic, dance-oriented instrumentation to her more traditional rock themes,but it was the voice of the New York City-born musician that stuck out most timelessly.
The track was a bit of added experimentation for Benatar at the time by adding some electronic, dance-oriented instrumentation to her more traditional rock themes.
In this video clip from 1984, Benatar is guiding the ship of this song with that level of authority all the best, most confident, and forwardly charismatic lead singers do within their bands.It makes the listener stop and take notice of the engrossing nature of the performance, and that’s one of many parts of what makes music (and live music) so great, especially for the empowering anthem that is “Love Is A Battlefield.”
4Piece Of My Heart
Janis Joplin
Released by Janis Joplin while she was still a member of Big Brother and the Holding Company for their 1968 albumCheap Thrills, “Piece of My Heart” was the type of explosive track that felt like Joplin was making a statement. The fact she’d quickly go solo followingCheap Thrillsjust makes “Piece Of My Heart” even more of a declaration.It was a mission statement of self on Joplin’s part that would show something nobody had ever seen like her.
Much like her cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “Me & Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart” continues to feel like a nuclear-rocking, bluesy, passionately agonized take that still has no equals or comparisons to this day. Whatever the band does, in this video performance or otherwise, nobody was ever going to take their eyes off of Joplin. Much like howJimi Hendrix was here and sadly gone so quickly, Joplin wasn’t around long, and she and Hendrixboth still feel like musical unicorns.
3Proud Mary
Tina Turner
Tina Turner first covered the song “Proud Mary,” originally by Creedence Clearwater Revival, back in 1970 along with future ex-husband Ike Turner for their albumWorkin' Together. The definitive take, however, was still to come for Tina Turner, as she’d use the song in her solo career and make “Proud Mary"unmistakablyTina F’ing Turner.
12 Memorable Performances Of Tina Turner Songs On American Idol
Music superstar Tina Turner sadly passed away at the age of 83. Twelve times, American Idol paid tribute to the legendary Queen of Rock & Roll.
This is on fantastic display here with this 2009 performance of Turner doing “Proud Mary.” Here she is in perfect sync with her backup dancers and musicians,starting the song as a bit of slow-swishing blues and playing with the crowd a bitbefore “Proud Mary” kicks up into a full-band, razor-sharp display from Turner. Her vocals are on point and in command, and not a single detail has been missed. Even with Turner being a bit older at this point, it doesn’t show even slightly the way shebeltslike a true and unmistakable icon.
2You’re No Good
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt has long been an unstoppable force when it comes to the realm of female vocalists, and “You’re No Good” is one of her absolute bests. Recorded in 1974 for herHeart Like a Wheelalbum, this cover songfeels like a Ronstadt original simply because of the power, pop, and scorn she puts into every word and breath of her singing skills.
Linda Ronstadt has long been an unstoppable force when it comes to the realm of female vocalists.
In this 1973 performance fromThe Midnight Special, Ronstadt cranks up every lyric about a lover telling her ex she’s glad they’re over because he was no good for her. Ronstadt doesn’t just describe these words to tell this story;she makes youfeel it.Authenticity is the name of the game of a great singer, and Ronstadt maintained that throughout her entire career, especially with “You’re No Good.”
1Thing Called Love
Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raittfound the bluesy, hopping jam of “Thing Called Love” in the midst of her tenth breakout studio album, 1989’sNick of Time. The album not only exposed Raitt to a wider audience and base of well-deserved popularity but also showed how good she was in every aspect of her craft. Raitt canshred on the guitar, open up the raw vein of the blues, and croon with rocking furiosity and gentle tendernessin equal measures.
This 1989 live clip of Raitt performing “Thing Called Love” shows all of these aspects, though Raitt might just have a Fountain of Youth for how long and how much she’s been this good. Raittis a gem to the rock, the blues, the croons, and all the music from here to the moon. Dig in, and enjoy every note.
