# Singers that make you reach for the dial **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [February 12, 2024, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480 "2024-02-12T16:46:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/41 "2024-02-12T19:35:29Z")
I used to switch stations any time they played Rod Stewart, because he sounded like that horrible chick who sang “It’s a Heartache.” I eventually got over it. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/42 "2024-02-12T19:40:30Z")
Most female melisma power wailers, as soon as someone goes into a booming vocal run, I’m outta there. Clarkson, Grande, Carey, Adele, etc. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/43 "2024-02-12T19:42:24Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > Michael McDonald (competent singer, just cant stand him) Yup, I don’t know why, but his voice just grates on me like a chalk squeak on a blackboard. He can sing in tune, including harmonies and good timing and diction etc, and he’s a good key player. But I don’t like the timbre of his voice…? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/44 "2024-02-12T19:43:40Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Natalie Merchant She enunciates like Charlie Brown’s teacher. Can’t stand her either. > [@snowthx](#): > > System of a Down has a singer (Serj Tankian) with a voice that is utterly horrible First time I heard this guy, I honestly thought it was some kind of joke, or parody of something. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/45 "2024-02-12T20:15:20Z")
Celine Dion. Cher. Gone baby, if I hear one note. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/46 "2024-02-12T20:21:52Z")
Ok, in that context I can understand Clarkson. Adele is one I’m not hot on myself, but like all the professional singers and teachers I know seem to think she is among the best. Actually, Fogerty comes to mind now. I’m probably just tired of hearing CCR songs, but I can’t stand that voice anymore. Same with Joe Cocker. Used to love him. Now? Not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/47 "2024-02-12T20:44:59Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Guns N’ Roses. Squeaky greasy Axl Rose Any woodworker will know what I mean when I say that Axl Rose’s voice sounds like someone using a power planer: NEEEEEEEOWWWWWWWW! We mostly listen to a jazz station at home. There’s one singer (whose name I don’t know) who thinks that yodeling is singing. Not just an occasional warble, but full on yodeling. I want to hunt him down and rip out his larynx. I also don’t like Eartha Kitt’s voice. Or Cher’s. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/48 "2024-02-12T20:57:09Z")
Axl and Geddy have outstanding rock & roll voices but only in short, loud bites. Like ultra spicy food, maybe. I don’t want it most of the time but, when I do, it hurts so good. And when I’m done, I’m done. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/49 "2024-02-12T21:34:10Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > The late, great Melanie. I actually enjoyed a lot of her work, as well as her stage persona. But there was something about her voice that went through me like a squeaky styrofoam cup. I love Melanie’s voice and a great many of her songs, but her voice is unusual and distinctive, so I can easily see how it would not be pleasing to everybody. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/50 "2024-02-12T21:48:41Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Celine Dion. > Cher. > > Gone baby, if I hear one note Right there with you, Beck. Also Mariah Carey and J.Lo. ---
**Author:** ![Philliam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/philliam/32/3011_2.png) [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/51 "2024-02-12T22:44:39Z")
Leon Thomas? ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/52 "2024-02-12T22:46:00Z")
I will go ahead and say it: Neil Young. I know he’s revered but the pitch of his voice is just not for me. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2024, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/53 "2024-02-12T23:00:28Z")
> [@Philliam](#): > > Leon Thomas? We have a thread winner. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/54 "2024-02-13T05:41:43Z")
Mariah Carey any soprano opera singer (just can’t take the super-high pitches) ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/55 "2024-02-13T05:42:05Z")
Gotta agree here. Same with Bob Dylan. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/56 "2024-02-13T06:12:30Z")
Willie Nelson has an awful voice. But I don’t mind it. It’s iconic and surprisingly easy to listen to. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/57 "2024-02-13T13:07:56Z")
Many of these shock me. James Taylor? Really? > [@needscoffee](#): > > I can’t stand breathy little girl voices. > > There’s another style that it seems every woman who isn’t doing “breathy little girl” is doing. I can’t really describe it. It’s a kind of forced affect that sounds very unnatural and unpleasant. This describes my main ear-itation very well. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/58 "2024-02-13T13:15:08Z")
how about “breathy big guy”? … David Coverdale comes to mind… 😉 I generally like him - and he is one of the best RnR / Blues singers … but yeah … him breathing down my (acoustic) neck - isnt always the thing I want ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/59 "2024-02-13T13:58:11Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > James Taylor? Really? Nasal, flat, sings crap tunes. No wait, I do like one: Her Town Too. It was on an old K-tel album I had as a kid, I think that’s why it gets a pass. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2024, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480/60 "2024-02-13T14:01:41Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Willie Nelson has an awful voice. But I don’t mind it. It’s iconic and surprisingly easy to listen to It’s been quite some time, like decades, since Willie was doing anything resembling actual singing. But luckily for him, he’s got a pleasant speaking voice and a lot of personal charm, so he gets by. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singers-that-make-you-reach-for-the-dial/997480.md?page=4)