Throughout the history of music, British female singers have been at the forefront of the industry, making waves with their unique styles, soulful voices, and captivating performances. From the legendary icons of the 60s to the modern-day pop sensations, British female singers have played a pivotal role in shaping the music industry as we know it today. This article explores the careers and accomplishments of 20 famous female British singers who have left an indelible mark on the music scene.
Starting with Dusty Springfield, whose soulful voice and hits like “Son of a Preacher Man” made her one of the most beloved singers of the 60s, we will explore the impact of female British artists such as Annie Lennox, Adele, and Amy Winehouse. We will delve into the diverse genres that these women have explored, from the rock anthems of Joan Armatrading to the dance-pop hits of Dua Lipa.
Through their powerful lyrics, captivating melodies, and electrifying performances, these female singers have not only inspired and entertained millions of fans worldwide but have also challenged societal norms and broken down barriers for women in the music industry. This article celebrates the remarkable careers of these talented women and their contributions to the rich tapestry of British music.
1. Adele
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, known professionally as Adele, is an English singer-songwriter. Her powerful and soulful voice has made her a prominent figure in the music industry. She first gained popularity with her debut album “19” in 2008, which included hits like “Chasing Pavements” and “Hometown Glory.” She then achieved worldwide success with her album “21” in 2011, which included chart-topping hits like “Rolling in the Deep,” “Someone Like You,” and “Set Fire to the Rain.” Known for her emotional ballads and honest lyrics, Adele has won numerous awards, including 15 Grammy Awards, and is one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
2. Amy Winehouse
Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer and songwriter known for her soulful, unique voice and eclectic mix of musical genres, including soul, R&B, jazz, and ska. She gained widespread recognition with her second album, “Back to Black,” released in 2006, which included hits like “Rehab,” “You Know I’m No Good,” and “Back to Black.” Winehouse was known for her personal struggles, including addiction and mental health issues, which were often reflected in her music. Despite her short-lived career, Winehouse’s influence on the music industry has been significant, and she has been posthumously recognized for her talent, earning five Grammy Awards after her death in 2011.
3. Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa is an English singer and songwriter known for her upbeat pop hits and powerful vocals. She rose to fame with her self-titled debut album in 2017, which included hits like “New Rules” and “IDGAF.” Her second album, “Future Nostalgia,” released in 2020, further solidified her status as a pop superstar, with hits like “Don’t Start Now,” “Levitating,” and “Physical.” Lipa has won numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards, and has become known for her bold fashion sense and energetic live performances.
4. Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding is an English singer and songwriter known for her ethereal voice and blend of electronic and indie-pop music. She gained widespread recognition with her debut album “Lights” in 2010, which included hits like “Starry Eyed” and “Guns and Horses.” Goulding has continued to release successful albums, including “Halcyon” in 2012 and “Delirium” in 2015. Her music has been featured in numerous films and television shows, and she has collaborated with artists like Calvin Harris and Diplo. In addition to her music career, Goulding is also known for her activism and philanthropy, particularly in the areas of climate change and mental health.
5. Florence Welch (of Florence and the Machine)
Florence Welch is an English singer, songwriter, and frontwoman of the band Florence and the Machine. Known for her unique voice and theatrical performances, Welch has become a prominent figure in the indie and alternative music scene. Her debut album, “Lungs,” released in 2009, included hits like “Dog Days Are Over” and “You’ve Got the Love.” She has continued to release successful albums, including “Ceremonials” in 2011 and “High as Hope” in 2018. Welch’s music is known for its emotional intensity and themes of love, loss, and self-discovery.
6. Kate Bush
Kate Bush is an English singer, songwriter, and musician known for her eclectic and avant-garde music style. She gained widespread recognition with her debut single, “Wuthering Heights,” in 1978, which topped the charts in the UK. Bush’s music incorporates elements of progressive rock, art rock, and pop, and often features complex instrumentation and poetic lyrics. She has released numerous successful albums, including “The Kick Inside,” “Hounds of Love,” and “Aerial.” Bush has also been recognized for her contributions to the music industry, earning numerous awards and accolades, including a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II.
7. Jessie J
Jessie J is an English singer, songwriter, and musician known for her powerful vocals and versatile music style. She gained popularity with her debut single, “Do It Like a Dude,” in 2010, and her debut album, “Who You Are,” released in 2011, which included hits like “Price Tag” and “Domino.” Jessie J’s music incorporates elements of pop, R&B, soul, and hip-hop, and she is known for her energetic live performances. In addition to her music career, she has also served as a judge on various music competition shows, including “The Voice UK” and “The Singer.”
8. Lily Allen
Lily Allen is an English singer, songwriter, and actress known for her witty and irreverent lyrics and blend of pop and ska music. She gained widespread recognition with her debut album, “Alright, Still,” in 2006, which included hits like “Smile” and “LDN.” Allen’s music often tackles controversial topics, such as politics and feminism, and she has become known for her outspokenness and activism. In addition to her music career, Allen has also acted in films and television shows and has written a memoir. She has won numerous awards, including a BRIT Award and an Ivor Novello Award.
9. Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis is an English singer, songwriter, and actress known for her powerful vocals and soulful ballads. She gained widespread recognition with her appearance on the third season of the British television show “The X Factor,” which she won in 2006. Lewis’s debut single, “A Moment Like This,” became the fastest-selling UK single at the time. Her debut album, “Spirit,” released in 2007, included hits like “Bleeding Love” and “Better in Time.” Lewis has continued to release successful albums and has also pursued acting, appearing in films like “Walking on Sunshine” and “Cats.”
10. Paloma Faith
Paloma Faith is an English singer, songwriter, and actress known for her unique voice and eclectic music style. She gained popularity with her debut album, “Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful?” in 2009, which included hits like “Stone Cold Sober” and “New York.” Faith’s music incorporates elements of pop, soul, jazz, and R&B, and she is known for her theatrical live performances. In addition to her music career, Faith has also acted in films and television shows and has served as a judge on the UK version of “The Voice.” She has won several awards, including a BRIT Award and an Ivor Novello Award.
11. Joss Stone
Joss Stone is an English singer, songwriter, and actress known for her soulful and bluesy voice. She gained popularity with her debut album, “The Soul Sessions,” released in 2003, which included covers of classic soul songs. Stone has since released several successful albums, including “Mind, Body & Soul” and “Introducing Joss Stone.” She is known for her powerful live performances and has collaborated with a wide range of musicians, including Mick Jagger, Melissa Etheridge, and Jeff Beck. In addition to her music career, Stone has also acted in films and television shows and has been involved in philanthropic work.
12. Charli XCX
Charli XCX is an English singer, songwriter, and musician known for her unique voice and genre-bending music style. She gained popularity with her hit single, “Boom Clap,” in 2014, and has since released several successful albums, including “True Romance” and “Charli.” Charli XCX’s music incorporates elements of pop, electro-pop, and experimental music, and she has collaborated with numerous artists, including Iggy Azalea and Troye Sivan. She is known for her unconventional fashion sense and has been praised for her contributions to pop music. In addition to her music career, Charli XCX has also been involved in various philanthropic and social causes.
13. Lianne La Havas
Lianne La Havas is a British singer-songwriter who has gained popularity for her soulful and intimate style of music. She was born in London in 1989 and began playing the guitar at the age of seven. La Havas’s music blends elements of jazz, folk, and soul, and is characterized by her powerful voice and emotional lyrics. She released her debut album, “Is Your Love Big Enough?” in 2012, which received critical acclaim and earned her a nomination for the BBC Sound of 2012 poll. Since then, she has released two more albums and collaborated with several other musicians, including Prince and Coldplay.
14. Birdy
Birdy, born Jasmine Lucilla Elizabeth Jennifer van den Bogaerde, is an English singer-songwriter known for her ethereal voice and haunting melodies. She first gained recognition at the age of 14 with her cover of Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love,” which became a viral hit on YouTube. Her music style is characterized by introspective lyrics and piano-driven melodies that showcase her emotive vocals. Since then, she has released four albums and collaborated with several other musicians, including Mumford & Sons and David Guetta. Her music has been featured in various movies and TV shows, including The Hunger Games and Grey’s Anatomy.
15. M.I.A.
“M.I.A.” is a song by the English rapper and artist, M.I.A., released in 2007. The track, produced by Diplo, features a fusion of electronic, hip-hop, and world music elements with a catchy, politically charged chorus. The lyrics touch upon M.I.A.’s experience as a refugee and the cultural clashes and struggles she faced while growing up. The song’s music video, directed by M.I.A. herself, features colorful and chaotic visuals that depict the singer as a revolutionary leader, referencing various political movements around the world.
16. Duffy
“Duffy” is a soulful ballad by Welsh singer-songwriter Duffy, released in 2008. The track, produced by Bernard Butler, features a stripped-down instrumental arrangement and showcases Duffy’s powerful vocals. The song’s lyrics are about heartbreak and regret, with Duffy singing about a failed relationship and how she wishes she could turn back time. The music video, directed by Daniel Wolfe, features a cinematic, retro aesthetic and depicts Duffy wandering through the streets of New York City, reminiscing about her past love.
17. Jorja Smith
Jorja Smith is a British singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice and introspective lyrics. Her music draws inspiration from various genres such as R&B, hip-hop, and jazz. In 2016, she released her debut single “Blue Lights,” which gained critical acclaim and led to collaborations with artists such as Drake and Kali Uchis. The song “On Your Own,” released in 2018, showcases Smith’s range and emotional depth, as she sings about loneliness and the challenges of growing up. Her music video for the song “Be Honest,” featuring Nigerian singer Burna Boy, was praised for its vibrant visuals and playful choreography.
18. Anne-Marie
Anne-Marie is an English singer-songwriter known for her pop-infused tracks and upbeat energy. Her music often deals with themes of self-acceptance and empowerment, as showcased in her hit single “2002” which references nostalgic moments from her teenage years. Anne-Marie’s 2019 album, “Speak Your Mind,” features collaborations with artists such as Marshmello and Ed Sheeran, and showcases her versatile vocal range and songwriting skills. Her music video for the song “Ciao Adios” features a high-energy dance routine and showcases her confident stage presence.
19. Rita Ora
Rita Ora is a British singer-songwriter and actress known for her pop hits and distinctive fashion sense. Her debut single, “How We Do (Party),” released in 2012, reached the top of the UK charts and led to collaborations with artists such as Calvin Harris and Iggy Azalea. Ora’s music often blends pop and dance elements with her powerful vocals and catchy hooks. In 2015, she made her acting debut in the film “Fifty Shades of Grey” and has since appeared in several other films and TV shows. Her music video for the song “Let You Love Me” features stunning visuals and showcases her emotive performance.
20. Ellie Rowsell (of Wolf Alice)
Ellie Rowsell is the lead vocalist and guitarist of the British alternative rock band Wolf Alice. Her unique vocal style and introspective lyrics have earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. The band’s music draws inspiration from various genres such as grunge, shoegaze, and folk, resulting in a distinctive sound that has earned them accolades such as the Mercury Prize. Rowsell’s performance in the music video for the song “Don’t Delete The Kisses” showcases her raw, emotional delivery and the band’s signature dreamy aesthetic. Her songwriting often deals with personal struggles and relationships, adding an intimate touch to the band’s music.
Macey West is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
