September 10 2008
Top 5 voices I wish God blessed me with
Tagged Under : Chris Cornell, Elvis Costello, Jeff Buckley, John Legend, Ryan Adams, singing, voice
Very often I listen to music I love and think, “I wish I could sing like him” or “I wish I wrote this song”. So today I thought I’d start with the top 5 voices I covet.
Jeff Buckley - With this voice the sky is the limit. There’s nothing I couldn’t sing, the pinnacle of flexibility and range. His voice has graced us(no pun intended - his greatest album was called Grace) with some of the most beautiful songs ever written, Everybody Here Wants You, Last Goodbye, Morning Theft to name a few.- Ryan Adams - Ryan’s voice has matured a lot since his early stuff. His tone is so perfect, like a warm blanket in front of a fire, sippin on a decaf Cafe Mocha with extra chocolate hold the whip cream. Live his voice is just as good if not better than on record. I have a problem with lust after this man, pray for me.
- Chris Cornell - When I’m feeling quite masculine I imagine I can sing like Chris Cornell. He is my go to shower voice. This guy just embodies rock star, he sings down and dirty, but yet when he sings softly the raspiness comes across very gently and adds a bit of sincerity to his emotional songs. If I could yell like him I’d be screaming my entire life. Can you imagine how effective a father he’ll be disciplining his children? His yell would strike fear into any grown man much less a child.
- Elvis Costello - This is a bit more fantasy than anything. He has just the coolest, wacky voice, it would be fun to sing like that. If you are in the camp that says Elvis has a terrible voice, then shame on you. All I can say is you have no idea what you’re talking about. Watch this video and get saved.
John Legend - When my inner soul, funk, R&B guy comes out and wants to sing about making babies John Legend is the voice I need. I wrote a song for my wife that I played to her on our wedding and it was very much a white man acoustic, John Mayer type thing. Would have been so much more effective if I could have swung behind a piano, shirt unbuttoned, chest hair poppin out(I don’t have any of that either) and sung some sweet soooouuuuuullllllll.
Who’s voice (or chest hair) do you wish you had?
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Dude! Thanks for the Elvis video! That was AWESOME.
1 - Peter Gabriel
2 - Sting
3 - Elvis Costello (yep. I agree with you. AmaIng voice!)
4 - Bill Withers
5 - Prince
For me, off the top of my head, James Taylor. Smooth, strong, good range, and he has withstood the test of time. I have seen him in concert, and in comparison to others his age (or time period), he ranks highest. Neil Diamond, old and shaky, B52’s O&S, even the ever popular Bon Jovi is getting old and shaky. But not my man JT.
It took me a little while to narrow the field… since most sing better than me!! But as for the voices I wish I had, here’s the list:
1. Sarah McLachlan - she is timeless and controlled gorgeous.
2. Fiona Apple - is she crazy? maybe. but it just lends to the edginess. I can’t think of anyone I am more drawn to while still fearing a little bit for my life.
3. India Arie - Smooth like butta’.
4. Norah Jones - Skills that are rare and hard to come by. You hear her and know within 2 words that this is Norah.
5. The final spot was hard to fill. I think it’s a tie between Aimee Mann and Bonnie Raitt. Soulful. A little rockish. All-in-all well worth coveting!
Everybody’s been intentionally avoiding him, so I’m mention him - Bono.
Gavin Rossdale (Bush/Institute/Solo)
Ryan Tedder (One Republic)
hey christy - how about Poe? One of my favorite chick voices!!!
Thomas, Prince!!! I love Prince, but I think I’d rather be as talented as him musically.
Jeff, Bono for sure. Always admired the power and clarity in his voice.
Morrissey - man that guy’s voice is awesome.
@Kyle - I guess I should say, I wish I had the musical “jewels” to be able to sing an entire song in falsetto and still sound amazing!