Whitney Elizabeth Houston. A voice like no other—flawless vibrato, unmatched tone, effortless improvisation, rich resonance, stunning agility, raw power, and pure grace. There’s a fullness to her sound that defies explanation—it lifts you straight to heaven.
There were so many singers back to 100,000 years ago or more, who I have never heard. So it’s impossible for me to answer.
But Linda Ronstadt comes to mind.
Edit: I got downvoted, oh well. My point is that how can we know? People sometimes act like the world started in the 20th century. We have great singers now, and maybe there were even better ones in the past. Can you say for sure there weren’t?
What genre? I think it’s impossible to say any one person is the greatest when there’s so many genres. Because if that’s the case then it’s probably an Opera singer that’s the best but not many listen or go to the Opera anymore.
Geoff Castellucci. Not a mainstream guy, he doesn’t write his own music but with a vocal range of more than 4 octaves you have to be the greatest singer ever.
Dimash Qudaibergen. Can’t understand a single word of any of his songs, but he’s ludicrously impresive by pure technical skill. His vocal range and control is completely insane. Give him a listen.
I think Bob Dylan while not as technically blessed as Freddie Mercury or whoever can convey emotion with his voice better than anyone else. That is far more important to me than hitting crazy notes with vocal gymnastics.
A lot of rock/metal singers hold a much wider range, e.g. I think axl rose spanned a 5 almost 6 octave vocal range. However in terms of pure raw power and energy, I feel like there was no other like Freddie Mercury. That man could effortlessly captivate an entire crowd with a simple tune. A voice like that accompanied with a personality like his comes along maybe once in a lifetime. RIP Freddie
Who cares lol? Honestly at this point I think posts like this that talk about music like it can be in any way measured objectively, or as if consensus in this comment section or anywhere would imply that whoever we named was indeed the best singer, only work under the assumption Whitney Houston. It’s Whitney Houston
For something a little less Anglocentric, I’d like to suggest Lara Fabian (who is of Belgian/Italian descent, with dual Belgian & Canadian nationality)
Honestly, calling one person the greatest singer of all time is like trying to pick the best flavor of ice cream—some swear by vocal power (Whitney), others by emotion (Aretha), range (Mariah), showmanship (Freddie), or pure impact (MJ). But if I had to choose? Whitney Houston. Her voice wasn’t just technically perfect—it felt like something divine. Still, open to being convinced otherwise—who’s your pick?
Comments
Rick Astley
Lauryn hill or Amy Winehouse
William Hung.
Justin Bieber
Lata Mangeshkar
Maria Callas.
Whitney Houston
Sam Cooke
Me in the shower
Bob Ross
Ella Fitzgerald has everything I like in a singing voice
Whitney Elizabeth Houston. A voice like no other—flawless vibrato, unmatched tone, effortless improvisation, rich resonance, stunning agility, raw power, and pure grace. There’s a fullness to her sound that defies explanation—it lifts you straight to heaven.
Nina Simone robert plant jeff buckley
Whitney Houston
Amy Winehouse
It will be always subjective there’s no best singer
Mariah Carey
Not excusing all his crimes, But I think if he took his music career/life seriously R.Kelly could have done Micheal Jackson numbers
Freddie Mercury
Best female voice overall: Whitney. Best male voice overall: Marvin Gaye. Best female rocker: Ann Wilson. Best male rocker: Freddie Mercury.
Hayedeh ❤️
Posh Spice.
Liz Fraser and Edith Piaf.
There were so many singers back to 100,000 years ago or more, who I have never heard. So it’s impossible for me to answer.
But Linda Ronstadt comes to mind.
Edit: I got downvoted, oh well. My point is that how can we know? People sometimes act like the world started in the 20th century. We have great singers now, and maybe there were even better ones in the past. Can you say for sure there weren’t?
Stevie wonder clears
Floor Jansen, Celine Dion
Frank Sinatra
What genre? I think it’s impossible to say any one person is the greatest when there’s so many genres. Because if that’s the case then it’s probably an Opera singer that’s the best but not many listen or go to the Opera anymore.
Ronnie James Dio.
I can name the 5 best!
Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan and Dylan
1.Aretha Franklin
2.Whitney Houston
3.Same Cooke
4.Justin Biber
5.Honey singh
Ian Kenny. Doesn’t have a massive range but his voice is so pure that he can be a metal singer with a top 40 side project
Lots of great singers but it depends what song they are singing.
Wing
I genuinely believe it’s a woman named Donna Burke. She’s not like super famous or anything but her voice is just incredible.
Either Tony Martin or Tim Owens.
Geoff Castellucci. Not a mainstream guy, he doesn’t write his own music but with a vocal range of more than 4 octaves you have to be the greatest singer ever.
Seriously, if you don’t know him, look him up.
Mike Patton
Didn’t he win some silly contest years ago cause his voice has the widest range of notes or something?
Dimash Qudaibergen. Can’t understand a single word of any of his songs, but he’s ludicrously impresive by pure technical skill. His vocal range and control is completely insane. Give him a listen.
Bruce Dickinson
Michael Jackson without a doubt, he was the best, most influential and iconic singer, to this day there is still a lot of talk about him
Vince Gill
I think Bob Dylan while not as technically blessed as Freddie Mercury or whoever can convey emotion with his voice better than anyone else. That is far more important to me than hitting crazy notes with vocal gymnastics.
A lot of rock/metal singers hold a much wider range, e.g. I think axl rose spanned a 5 almost 6 octave vocal range. However in terms of pure raw power and energy, I feel like there was no other like Freddie Mercury. That man could effortlessly captivate an entire crowd with a simple tune. A voice like that accompanied with a personality like his comes along maybe once in a lifetime. RIP Freddie
Would have to pick between Geoff Tate, Freddie Mercury, Rob Halford, and Steve Perry. Which ever of them I listened to last would probably me pick.
Celine Dion and Whitney Houston for me x
Neil Young
Mr. Ronnie James Dio
Frankie Valli
David Bowie
Who cares lol? Honestly at this point I think posts like this that talk about music like it can be in any way measured objectively, or as if consensus in this comment section or anywhere would imply that whoever we named was indeed the best singer, only work under the assumption Whitney Houston. It’s Whitney Houston
Pavarotti
Robert Plant
For something a little less Anglocentric, I’d like to suggest Lara Fabian (who is of Belgian/Italian descent, with dual Belgian & Canadian nationality)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0ZiwyZStSw
Frank Sinatra.
Patsy Cline
Freddie without a doubt!
Freddy Mercury
this drunk woman I saw signing karaoke at a bar.
Nat King Cole
Norah Jones
SZA & Kendrick Lamar
Aretha Franklin and Dusty Springfield
Probably not the person you think. But I’d say Freddie Mercury. Dude could belt a note, switch styles, and still sound like he was having a blast.
Elvis
Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury and David Draiman
Came here to see George Michael.
And there he is: George Michael.
Btw, I can’t believe I’m the one that votes for him first.
Honestly, calling one person the greatest singer of all time is like trying to pick the best flavor of ice cream—some swear by vocal power (Whitney), others by emotion (Aretha), range (Mariah), showmanship (Freddie), or pure impact (MJ). But if I had to choose? Whitney Houston. Her voice wasn’t just technically perfect—it felt like something divine. Still, open to being convinced otherwise—who’s your pick?
Chester
George Michael
Chris Cornell