# Who are the five worst singers of pop music in the second half of the 20th century? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 1, 2017, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037 "2017-01-01T11:24:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/41 "2017-01-03T05:32:21Z")
Sure Meatloaf is silly and has a histrionic, theatrical style but he seems to have a good powerful voice and some technical chops to back it up, at least to me anyway, the guy can definitely sing. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/42 "2017-01-03T05:33:55Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I love Neil Young’s vocals. Dylan’s too. > > But I cannot listen to any number of current pop singers, male and female, who think think the goal is to sing the loudest and hold the note the longest. It is increasingly noticeable on any of the singing competition programs. > > I call it the Big Finish Phenomenon. You can see the performer mustering their lung power for the Big Finish. And the audience cheers as though cancer was being cured on that stage. > > mmm It’s nothing new. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/1sFy5_kmEi4/hqdefault.jpg "Jay & The Americans - Cara Mia") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sFy5_kmEi4) ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/43 "2017-01-03T06:01:57Z")
Loving you, is easy cause you’re beautiful… Minnie Ripperton could sing, but the whistle register is a bit much. ---
**Author:** ![Shooby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f475e1/32.png) [@Shooby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shooby)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/44 "2017-01-03T09:43:34Z")
Rebecca Black. You may now close the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/45 "2017-01-03T11:13:18Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > [Release The Bats](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J8Ygt_t69A) has one of the all-time great vocal performances, and only Nick Cave could have pulled it off. > > SEX VAMPIRE HORROR BITE SEX VAMPIRE COOL MACHINE! As it happens, I saw the Birthday Party play that song live. I agree, in the context of the Birthday Party, NC was a very effective vocalist. His solo material, however, proves that he is no singer. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/46 "2017-01-03T14:09:22Z")
Are we talking “technically” bad or just those that we personally dislike? I know there’s an element of subjectivity but I’d think there are some universal standards, such as the ability to carry a tune / hold a note, etc. I don’t think anyone could say that Celine and all the other vocal gymnasts out their are “bad” singers. That style gets on my nerves but I can’t possibly see calling it bad. Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen? What they do can barely be called singing, imo (I do love Cohen though.)I suppose they get a pass because of their gorgeous lyrics but I find the sound of their voices pretty unpleasant. I can’t think of a voice that actually pisses me off like Billy Corgan’s. When I hear is off tune yelping I visualize hitting his bald head with a two by four. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr. Stevie Nicks sounds like a braying ass and I picture sticking my foot out and tripping her, mid twirl. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/47 "2017-01-03T17:41:16Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Leonard Cohen. Utterly brilliant lyricist, but his voice went from “unusual” to “painful” as he aged. > [@black\_rainbow](#): > > Leonard Cohen’s voice stopped me from getting into his music for a while. Are you guys serious? Cohen’s voice is perfectly suited to his material - if anything, it got significantly _better_ as he aged. His vocals on his final album are incredibly rich and resonant, and [perfectly on pitch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU5FPAR7ass). It’s certainly _unusual_, yes, and not your standard rock/pop fare. But to say it’s the worst is just… outside of my universe, let’s say. _And don’t even get me started on Tom Waits…_ ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/48 "2017-01-03T17:57:44Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Are we talking “technically” bad or just those that we personally dislike? I know there’s an element of subjectivity but I’d think there are some universal standards, such as the ability to carry a tune / hold a note, etc. I don’t think anyone could say that Celine and all the other vocal gymnasts out their are “bad” singers. That style gets on my nerves but I can’t possibly see calling it bad. > > Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen? What they do can barely be called singing, imo (I do love Cohen though.)I suppose they get a pass because of their gorgeous lyrics but I find the sound of their voices pretty unpleasant. I can’t think of a voice that actually pisses me off like Billy Corgan’s. When I hear is off tune yelping I visualize hitting his bald head with a two by four. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr. Stevie Nicks sounds like a braying ass and I picture sticking my foot out and tripping her, mid twirl. Technical is a big part of the question. But also that there was a kernel of music in there to begin with. Leonard never had a good voice, but Neil and Dylan? It’s just impossible to make that many songs of that high quality and to not be able to sing them. Kristofferson is a dude who should not sing and his career showed it. A handful of songs, and then, movies. There are moments of such perfect beauty in Neils vocal work. It certainly isn’t off key or uncommitted. Dylan is not off key either that I can hear. When he sings he is doing what he does for a living and it sounds like it. Leon Russell does not. In short rough singing isn’t bad singing. Dylan : [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a3ERxzuh80](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a3ERxzuh80) Neil Young : [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aYTWv2rhDA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aYTWv2rhDA) Here’s Leon: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2Z9qN8R9Bg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2Z9qN8R9Bg) The first two are natural singers of their own material. The third is painful to me. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/49 "2017-01-03T18:02:24Z")
No one has mentioned Geddy Lee, yet. Oversight? Professional courtesy? Or King Diamond? People actually listen to this stuff? ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/50 "2017-01-03T19:04:21Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > Dylan is not off key either that I can hear. When he sings he is doing what he does for a living and it sounds like it. “Queen Jane Approximately”, from _Blonde on Blonde_ is famously waaay out of tune, some have argued purposefully. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/51 "2017-01-03T19:08:48Z")
I wouldn’t even consider novelty acts like Tiny Tim in the discussion. Having something to say gives you somewhat of a pass on vocal quality. I like Willie Nelson but would never describe him as a good singer. But there is something “interesting” about his voice. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/52 "2017-01-03T19:08:56Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > No one has mentioned Geddy Lee, yet. Oversight? Professional courtesy? > Or King Diamond? People actually listen to this stuff? He’s not my taste but I would have thought Geddy Lee is considered one of the best in his genre(?) His voice is distinctive for sure, so I guess if one doesn’t like it, they \*really \*don’t like it. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/53 "2017-01-03T19:12:22Z")
Phil Collins deserves honorable mention, ISTR it was someone on this board that long ago branded him as a “power whiner” and that has always stuck with me as accurate. “You’re the only one who really knew me at all”, very difficult to listen to. Can we nominate those who don’t make their living as musicians? Lorne Greene did a passable job (sort of) singing _Ringo_, but there’s really nothing to compare with the dulcet tones of William Shatner and _Tambourine Man._ ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/54 "2017-01-03T19:23:44Z")
> [@Tread](#): > > ^ Nailed it My thoughts too. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/55 "2017-01-03T19:37:09Z")
Bjork Bjork Bjork Bjork Bjork ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/56 "2017-01-03T19:58:21Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Bjork > Bjork > Bjork > Bjork > Bjork What’s wrong with the Swedish Chef 😕 😛 ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/57 "2017-01-03T20:02:39Z")
No reason to limit this to human beings. In the frog category, [Michigan J. Frog](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evgEJlOPoeo) is of course a standout. After that the pond gets shallow pretty quickly. [Clarance “Frogman” Henry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atCwKBeq76w) boasted he could “sing like a frog” but forgot to include “one with a bad case of congestive heart failure”. And Kermit the Frog’s rendition of [The Rainbow Connection](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSFLZ-MzIhM) makes the [Budweiser Frogs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVcbasIb8lQ) sound positively melodic. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/58 "2017-01-03T20:05:49Z")
> [@Common\_Tater](#): > > “Queen Jane Approximately”, from _Blonde on Blonde_ is famously waaay out of tune, some have argued purposefully. Are you talking about his singing? I never noticed that. The guitars are supposed to be apparently, or were left that way intentionally. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/59 "2017-01-03T20:13:51Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > I wouldn’t even consider novelty acts like Tiny Tim in the discussion. > > Having something to say gives you somewhat of a pass on vocal quality. > > I like Willie Nelson but would never describe him as a good singer. But there is something “interesting” about his voice. I agree on all points. Also: Adam Duritz is really bad. And tasteless. Eddie Vedder is just tasteless. Adam makes the list but Eddie doesn’t. Here’s some bad: -A band who imitates another band I didn’t like anyway, and badly at that. Check out the singers line endings- Rancid. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/0P9QMkm9Eew/hqdefault.jpg "Rancid - "Ruby Soho"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P9QMkm9Eew) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037/60 "2017-01-03T21:03:22Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > I wouldn’t even consider novelty acts like Tiny Tim in the discussion… He actually was a great singer with an amazing vocal range. People only know his falsetto, but he could do so much more. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-five-worst-singers-of-pop-music-in-the-second-half-of-the-20th-century/776037.md?page=4)