Women Who Changed The Face Of Music Forever
When you think of your favorite singers, don’t you wonder where they got their inspiration from? After all, everyone gets it from somewhere. For Women’s History Month this March, here is a brief list of some women that have shaken up the music industry and influenced countless others along the way.
Björk – This Icelandic wonder taught listeners that pop has no boundaries or conventions. Her sound is often hard to describe, it’s jazzy and electronic with ambient influences. Her one of a kind voice made her stand out while she was a singer in The Sugarcubes. This propelled her forthcoming solo career, which established her as an act like no other. Many have tried to deliver her style of beautiful and absurd, but she has branded it as her own. Sia, Imogen Heap, and M.I.A. all owe her a thing or two.
Madonna – The original female provocateur and queen of pop herself. Madonna shocked parents across the nation way before Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, or Christina Aguilera. Her songs were fun and poppy, with lyrics alluding to sexuality and romance, a risk that soon became a trend. Countless female pop stars became hard to escape, delivering her signature risqué formula. However, many of them lacked Madonna’s innate charisma, which is why she will always stand out for her great pop songs.
Joni Mitchell – During the late 60’s, the American folk scene was a fairly obvious boys club, with a few exceptions, such as the great Joan Baez. You had the brilliant Graham Nash, James Taylor, and Neil Young, to name a few. Despite their brilliance, there was a need for alternative themes and perspectives that could only be captured by a woman. Mitchell challenged her male counterparts. Her songs were beautifully crafted, with poetic lyrics that were confessional and sentimental. A guide for artists such as John Mayer, Laura Marling, Feist, and even Taylor Swift.
Aretha Franklin – A magnetic entertainer with a captivating soulful voice. These days it feels pretty common because of artists like Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, and Christina Aguilera. But, each of them have drawn inspiration from Franklin. Deemed the “Queen of Soul”, Franklin is the archetype of a powerhouse singer, and she is incomparable. Her gospel roots shone through her passionate vocals, which brought her much success during the 1960’s.
Patti Smith – The image of a tough, rebellious, rocking girl (think Debbie Harry, Chrissie Hynde, Kim Gordon) all leads back to the great Patti Smith. She fused rock and poetry and provided intense energy in her music through her bold and audacious style. After releasing her debut album Horses in 1975, it was evident that Smith had created a body of work that could not be duplicated, but would inspire generations to come. One of the key players of the New York punk rock scene of the 70’s, Smith’s deep voice and masculine image was a sight that few had seen before her.
Dolly Parton – These days, country music is not as appreciated as it once was. Artists like Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash shaped the genre with confessional ballads about heartbreak and despair. Dolly Parton offered a new twist with her stellar voice, and more folk and pop friendly country sound. Perhaps the first female crossover country artist, Parton has influenced many artists outside her genre such as Shania Twain, Norah Jones, and Alison Krauss.
Lauryn Hill – As a solo artist and a member of The Fugees, Lauryn Hill’s bold image and messages made her an idol to modern artists like Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliott, and Alicia Keys. Her particular style of Hip-Hop was sensual with hints of R&B and reggae infusions. Her music possessed a sense of honesty expressing the life of women and relationships that many could relate to. Despite only releasing one solo record, The Emancipation of Lauryn Hill, it was enough for her to leave her mark on pop music. She has since disappeared from the public eye due to a troublesome relationship with the media and the music industry, but her soulful voice and iconic status prevails.
