mtd singers: Top 100 Favorite Singers 90-81

Here is the next installment of my list of favorite singers of all-time. As always, these are my favorite singers, not necessarily the universal best singers ever. Simply put, these are the singers who have spoke to me the most.

Robin Gibb is the little scrawny one in the middle. Barry's the handsome one with all the songwriting gusto in the 70's. Robin is the little scrawny one. Maurice is the one with the guitar or keyboard who sadly passed away recently. Robin is the little scrawny one. Andy was the even more handsome than Barry one who enjoyed and didn't enjoy a lot of success too early in life, who might have been a casualty of love, at the hands of the incredibly gorgeous Victoria Principal. Robin is the little scrawny one in the middle plugging away and singing like a beautiful songbird taking shots of helium but still very very beautiful sounding.

There is nothing weak or second rate about this Christian Rock singer. Petra, probably the most popular and significant Christian Rock bands of all time has had two main lead singers during their 30 years of activity. The first being the amazing Greg X Volz. Prior to joining Petra Volz was asked to join several mainstream bands, one of which I remember being REO Speedwagon. Volz's religious convictions led him to Petra and the result was tons of great music during the late 70's early 80's. "Clean" is a good example of both Petra and Volz's power. Get a load of those gnarly 80's threads.

One day Nirvana came along and changed everything. Kurt Cobain, for the most part, sounded like some sort possessed child, scratching and screeching through "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Regardless, I was instantly changed. In 1992, I must have been one of the first kids in Concord, NH to get into this strange new music later known as grunge. At the time, everyone else was listening to Firehouse and Slaughter and hairbands like that. Meanwhile, I was holding onto these two precious pieces of gold: Nirvana's Nevermind and Pearl Jam's Ten. Nirvana's cover of the Bowie classic, "The Man Who Sold The World" from the MTV unplugged show is one of my favorite Nirvana songs.

Back in the 80's Aimee Mann scared the bejesus out of me. Til Tuesday's smash hit was quite popular and in the video, Mann's big eyes are all over the place freaking little kids out. I'm not even getting into the hair. Thankfully, we all grow up. And what once was scary, seems to go away, and you finally appreciate something for what it's worth. I rediscovered Til Tuesday after hearing the song "Coming Up Close" on some digital radio station. I was impressed beyond belief. Then I bought Til Tuesday's greatest hits and was surprised to find out that this band definitely should not have been a one-hit-wonder. Just about every song on that compilation was great. I'm glad Aimee Mann was able to find success as a solo artist, but she should have had success all along. She is a gifted songwriter and possesses a very haunting and beautiful voice.

I don't know what it is about Eddie Money's voice but it just seems to resonate. It's scratchy, like he's been smoking since he's been 5, and yet very smooth. He's had a lot more hits than you probably know about. And a lot of them are so catchy it's ridiculous. "Baby Hold On To Me", "Two Tickets to Paradise", "Shakin'" and "Take Me Home Tonight". Here is a live version of "Two Tickets to Paradise." These songs are so great, from the catchy verses to the uproarious choruses.

When Boy George and Culture Club came along, I don't think anyone knew what to think. The man was like a living and breathing carnival of color and movement. He was so mainstream, he even appeared on an episode of the A-Team. Culture Club's Kissing To Be Clever album was the first album I ever bought. At 10, I had no idea there was such a thing as gay. I had no idea that most of the Culture Club songs were about Boy George's love/hate relationship with the band's drummer, Jon Moss. All I knew was I loved the music. And looking back, it's easy to overlook the fact that Boy George, sure was wild and crazy, but he was actually very talented and had surprisingly silky and smooth voice. Here's an example, "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me".

Peter Gabriel has some sort of naturally metallic voice. I don't know how to describe it. I've always loved his sound. Some of my favorites would be "Solsbury Hill", "Red Rain", and "Don't Give Up". I've included a video of "Don't Give Up" here. The best version is the original track off of Peter Gabriel's So album which was with Kate Bush. Also, there's another performance with Sinead O'Connor. This version has Paula Cole, who gives a surprisingly good interpretation.

This guy looks nothing like the angelic sound he produces. It's really amazing. He looks like a big bruiser but sounds like an angel. I first heard when I was a kid, during the Arthur days, when he crashed on the scene with smash hits like "Arthur's Theme (If You Get Caught Between The Moon And New York City)" and "Sailing". He must have won his weight in trophies, including Grammies upon Grammies. My favorite song of his is "Laura" a song he wrote about a friend who was tragically killed by a stray bullet. What a sad and heart-stirring tribute.

I don't listen to a lot of country, just a couple artists. But Natalie Maine generates such wild and vibrant spunk, it's hard not to like her. Great voices like hers transcend any genre anyway, similar to KD Lang who came before her. It's strange to think of yourself as a Dixie Chicks fan, but really I'm not. It's all Natalie all the time. She is the heart and soul of the group. Some great songs would include "Ready To Run", "Wide Open Spaces", and "Goodbye Earl". My favorite is "Ready to Run".

I first heard Lulu was when I saw The Man With The Golden Gun, my favorite James Bond movie. When Lulu delivered the title song with her thunderous voice I was completely blown away. Later, I heard "To Sir With Love", a much sweeter side of Lulu. I don't hear much about Lulu and I wonder if she's ever got her due. Anyway here's the opening for "The Man With The Golden Gun" which showcases the little powerhouse singer and her incredible and sex-soaked voice.