15 STELLAR FEMALE VOCAL PERFORMANCES

There’s nothing like starting off a hectic Monday morning with some vocal inspiration. These are the songs that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up- make your toes curls- make you want to sing just a bit better, practice a bit longer, perform with more GUSTO. You know the feeling. We want you to feel MOVED like you just booked “the job of a lifetime,” like it’s your birthday and there’s unlimited cake and unicorns at your disposal---without further adieu, we present the songs that’ll rock your SOUL.

In no particular order:

1. Barbra Streisand- “The Way We Were”

It’s a classic and while we could pick from a million Barbra songs that are equally SPECTACULAR, this performance is especially moving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-KPGh3wysw

2.  Beyonce- “Listen” at The Grammy’s ‘07

It’s not like Beyonce can do ANY wrong---we put her on the “DIVA” pedestal and look to her for performance inspiration whenever we need that extra boost of “rawr” before a show--- this performance, from Dream Girls is classic, moving and hey....a great audition song for future reference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKlGcrFpoWU&ob=av2n

3. Katie Thompson “It Doesn’t Hurt”

Sure, Katie is still unknown to a lot of the general public-but she certainly isn’t unknown in the musical theater scene---pianist, vocalist, songwriter---her songs will literally shake you to the CORE, if you can pull off the range Katie uses in her tunes, her music is bound to SLAY.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnyeLYpmzqY


4. Heather Headley- “Easy as Life.”

The very first note of this song from Broadway play, Aida, will have you on the edge of your seats. Heather Headley is a FORCE, she captivates you with her presence, her storytelling and her mighty voice, stunning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2PAg6neH8E

5. Idina Menzel- “Defying Gravity”

Any true singer has found herself in a bathroom (hey, there are great acoustics in bathrooms!) at one time or another working on the last few bars of this song from Wicked, no one sings it like Idina.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g4ekwTd6Ig

6.  Aretha Franklin- “Eleanor Rigby”

She’s playing the piano, the video is in black and white, the back-up singers are shakin’ it---one of the most underrated Aretha songs and a personal favorite over here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quveWDT89mU&feature=related

7.  Faith Hill- “I Surrender All”

While a lot people think of Faith Hill, they automatically associate her with, “Country. Breathe. Tim McGraw.” We on the other hand remember this performance on the Oprah Winfrey Show of her singing some good old Gospel tunes---lovely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12GPrKP_34Q

8. Fantasia- “I’m Here”

….the whole Oprah thing got us thinking about The Color Purple, one of my favorite shows, which also has one of the most moving songs I can think of in all of history-- “I’m Here” is that sort of song that gets you through any sort of day with your head held a little higher.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZpTQtcr1YI

9.  Amy Winehouse- “Valerie”

With the recent death of Amy Winehouse, it seemed appropriate that we honor what incredible talent she had---Valerie is one of those magical performances that knocks you off your feet--how does a voice like that, come out of her? Incredible. She will be very missed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqSKVv6YO8g

10.  Whitney Houston- “I Will Always Love you”

Undoubtedly, Whitney was an idol for singers everywhere, for a very. very. long time. Her rendition of “I Willy Always Love You” from The Bodyguard, (originally by Dolly Parton) is such a PURE. quality, flawless performance. No one can top it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eho6m_H1q2c

11. Annie Lennox- “Why”

Can we get anymore emotional than this?? I don’t think so, watch it and weep my friends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLuDP0przys

12. Jennifer Hudson- “You Pulled Me Through”

Jennifer Hudson’s performance at The Grammys after the tragic loss of multiple family members was not only the representation of strength, resilience and grace-but also, proved that singing has a healing affect like nothing else.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI-FAaaN8QY

13. Christina Aguilera- “It’s a Man’s World”

When Christina hit the stage at The Grammy’s to perform for the James Brown Tribute, head to toe looking like an actual angel, she brought her pipes with her---we’ve gotta say, Christina does “the growl” like no one else, study up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hYi4bxaMbs

14. Nina Simone- “Ain’t Got No....I Got Life”

When you start feeling down about life; finances, a bad audition, worry/stress, Nina will set you straight and give you hope again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUcXI2BIUOQ

15. Bette Midler “Stay With Me”

and in closing...one of the greats, who doesn’t love The Divine Miss M!?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc1oznH5bNE