On the Radio: 150 Killer Singles (1972-2022)

Since the mid-1960s the album has been elevated as the primary metric of an artist’s talent. The logic was something like “Well, sure anyone can have a hit but it takes real talent to make a great album.” This is misguided for several reasons 1) Lots of musicians want “hits” but never make a dent on the charts so maybe it’s not so easy 2) Many genres, such as various subgenres of dance-pop, are primarily about dancing so albums are not the point and 3) For most listeners “singles” are the most efficient way to listen to new artists 4) Sometimes less is more; there are many undeniable singles that capture our attention in the moment. It’s like the difference between a one-night stand and a relationship. Both are great but sometimes the former is just right.

In that spirit: My lists of influential careers and highly accomplished albums are fun to compile and involve a rigorous process yet they inevitably exclude many gifted female artists who excel in the art of the single. In that vein I surveyed the landscape of singles released by female artists over the last 50 years and selected some standouts.

The selection process:

Expanding the voices: Instead of duplicating artists I cover on the careers and/or albums list I focus on artists who excel at the art of the single. There’s disco, country, funk, punk, freestyle, soft rock, New Jack, southern soul, and everything in between. I hope you enjoy the list! (Note: Some of these artists might appear on future lists)

Rules: The main rule was that all of the songs had to be released as singles for sales or just radio airplay in 1972 forward. Some of the singles were released by groups with female leads or co-leads so these are included. Some tunes were written and/or produced by the artists. Others are interpretations. Again, what matters most is the listening experience. For variety I limit the singles to one song per artist.

My biases: I tend to favor melodic songs with smart lyrics, memorable hooks, and interesting rhythms. I also appreciate strong vocal performances. All of these qualities vary in relevance depending on genre so I try to listen widely and enjoy songs for what they are rather than forcing them into a narrow aesthetic standard.

Just for You: I made a few playlists to suit different moods and styles. They include the following:

·       For the Dancefloor (73 songs): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6d5QxG8UOpy6dizTIvp0iG

·       Pop, Punk, Rock+ (31 songs): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1MkMpOeXT1megOrLqxMSvX

·       Some Country & Folk (15 songs): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/66jeAXImzdWUviVIgZqKMV

·       Soul Jams (31 songs): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/65oHohEWNaJtXtHJjqvpTk

1.     1234 (Feist, 2007)

2.     100% Pure Love (Crystal Waters, 1994)

3.     Ain’t No Other Man (Christina Aguilera, 2006)

4.     All Around the World (Lisa Stansfield, 1990)

5.     And I am Telling You [I’m Not Going] (Jennifer Holiday, 1982)

6.     Are You That Somebody? (Aaliyah, 1998)

7.     As We Lay (Shirley Murdock, 1987)

8.     Baby Come to Me (Regina Belle, 1989)

9.     Baby One More Time (Britney Spears, 1999)

10.  Best of My Love (The Emotions, 1977)

11.  Bette Davis Eyes (Kim Carnes, 1981)

12.  Blue (LeAnn Rimes, 1996)

13.  Brown Skin (India.Arie, 2001)

14.  Buffalo Stance (Neneh Cherry, 1989)

15.  C’mon Get My Love (D-Mob f/ Cathy Dennis, 1989)

16.  Call Me Maybe (Carly Mae Jepsen, 2012)

17.  Can’t Get You Out of My Head (Kylie Minogue, 2002)

18.  Caught Out There (Kelis, 2000)

19.  Closer to Fine (Indigo Girls, 1989)

20.  Come to My Window (Melissa Etheridge, 1994)

21.  Congratulations (Vesta Williams, 1989)

22.  Crush (Jennifer Paige, 1998)

23.  Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover (Sophie B. Hawkins, 1992)

24.  Dance Tonight (Lucy Pearl, 2000)

25.  Dancing on My Own (Robyn, 2010)

26.  Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue (Crystal Gayle, 1977)

27.  Don’t Leave Me This Way (Thelma Houston, 1977)

28.  Don’t Start Now (Dua Lipa, 2020)

29.  Don’t You Want Me Baby (Human League; co-lead vocal Susan Ann Sulley, 1981)

30.  Every Day of the Week (Jade, 1995)

31.  Fast as You Can (Fiona Apple, 1999)

32.  Finally (CeCe Peniston, 1992)

33.  Flashdance…What a Feeling (Irene Cara, 1983)

34.  Free (Deniece Williams, 1976)

35.  Funkin’ For Jamaica (N.Y.) (Tom Browne; vocal by Toni Smith, 1980)

36.  Genius of Love (Tom Tom Club, 1982)

37.  Ghetto Heaven (The Family Stand, 1990)

38.  Glamorous Life (Sheila E., 1984)

39.  Gloria (Laura Branigan, 1982)

40.  Got to Be Real (Cheryl Lynn, 1979)

41.  Groove is in the Heart (Deee-Lite, 1990)

42.  Hazy Shade of Winter (The Bangles, 1988)

43.  Heart Don’t Fail Me Now (Holly Knight, 1988)

44.  Hey Baby (No Doubt f/ Bounty Killer, 2002)

45.  Hey Mr. DJ (Zhane, 1993)

46.  Hold You Tight (Tara Kemp, 1991)

47.  I Can’t Stand the Rain (Anne Peebles, 1973)

48.  I Didn’t Mean to Turn you On (Cherrelle, 1984)

49.  I Don’t Care (Icona Pop f/ Charlie XCX, 2012)

50.  Don’t Wanna Fall in Love (Jane Child, 1990)

51.  I Heard a Rumour (Bananarama, 1987)

52.  I Hope You Dance (Lee Ann Womack, 2001)

53.  I Love You Always Forever (Donna Lewis, 1996)

54.  I Love Your Smile (Shanice, 1991)

55.  I Try (Macy Gray, 2000)

56.  I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor, 1978)

57.  I’ll Always Love You (Taylor Dayne, 1988)

58.  I’m Going Down (Rose Royce, 1977)

59.  If I Can’t Have You (Yvonne Ellman, 1978)

60.  If Loving is Wrong [I Don’t Want to Be Right] (Millie Jackson, 1975)

61.  If You Love Me (Brownstone, 1994)

62.  In My House (Mary Jane Girls, 1985)

63.  Invisible (Alison Moyet, 1985)

64.  Jesus Take the Wheel (Carrie Underwood, 200x)

65.  Juicy Fruit (Mtume; vocal by Tawatha Agee, 1983)

66.  Jump [For My Love] (Pointer Sisters, 1984)

67.  Ladyfingers (Luscious Jackson, 1999)

68.  Let It Go (Idina Menzel, 2013)

69.  Let the Beat Hit ‘Em (Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, 1991)

70.  Let the Music Play (Shannon, 1983)

71.  Looking for a New Love (Jodi Watley, 1987)

72.  Lovefool (The Cardigans, 1997)

73.  Love Come Down (Evelyn “Champagne” King, 1982)

74.  Love Like This (Faith Evans, 1998)

75.  Love on a Two Way Street (Stacy Lattisaw, 1983)

76.  Love Shack (B-52s, 1989)

77.  Love Under New Management (Miki Howard, 1990)

78.  Love Will Keep Us Together (Captain & Tennille, 1975)

79.  Luka (Suzanna Vega, 1987)

80.  Man! I Feel like a Woman (Shania Twain, 1995)

81.  Maybe it Was Memphis (Pam Tillis, 1991)

82.  Meeting in the Ladies Room (Klymaxx, 1985)

83.  Mercedes Boy (Pebbles, 1988)

84.  Mercy (Duffy, 2008)

85.  Misty Blue (Dorothy Moore, 1976)

86.  No One Else on Earth (Wynonna, 1992)

87.  Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here (Deborah Cox, 1998)

88.  Only the Lonely (The Motels, 1982)

89.  Oops [Oh My] (Tweet, 2002)

90.  Our Lips Are Sealed (Go-Gos, 1981)

91.  Point of No Return (Exposé, 1987)

92.  Possession (Sarah McLachlan, 1994)

93.  Put Your Records On (Corinne Bailey Rae, 2006)

94.  Razzamatazz (Patti Austin, 1981)

95.  Rebel Girl (Bikini Kill, 1993)

96.  Reunited (Peaches & Herb, 1979)

97.  Right on Time (Brandi Carlisle, 2022)

98.  Savage Remix (Megan Thee Stallion f/ Beyoncé, 2020)

99.  Save the Best for Last (Vanessa Williams, 1992)

100.                 Secret Lovers (Atlantic Starr, 1986)

101.                 Shoop (Salt-N-Pepa f/ EnVogue, 1993)

102.                 Show Me Love (Robin S., 1993)

103.                 Since U Been Gone (Kelly Clarkson, 2005)

104.                 Sittin’ Up in My Room (Brandy, 1996)

105.                 Situation (Yaz, 1982)

106.                 Sk8er Boi (Avril Lavigne, 2002)

107.                 Sleeping Satellite (Tasmin Archer, 1993)

108.                 Slow Down (Loose Ends, 1987)

109.                 Solid (Ashford & Simpson, 1984)

110.                 Smooth Operator (Sade, 1985)

111.                 SOS (Rihanna, 2006)

112.                 St. Teresa (Joan Osborne, 1995)

113.                 Stranger in My House (Tamia, 2001)

114.                 Street Life (The Crusaders f/ Randy Crawford, 1979)

115.                 Strike it Up (Black Box; vocal by Martha Wash, 1991)

116.                 Strut (Sheena Easton, 1984)

117.                 Sunny Came Home (Shawn Colvin, 1997)

118.                 Superwoman (Karyn White, 1989)

119.                 Breakout (Swing Out Sister, 1987)

120.                 Tell Me (Groove Theory, 1995)

121.                 The First Night (Monica, 1998)

122.                 The Sign (Ace of Base, 1994)

123.                 These Are the Days (10,000 Maniacs; lead vocal Natalie Merchant, 1992)

124.                 Think Twice (Celine Dion, 1995)

125.                 This Time I’ll Be Sweeter (Angela Bofill, 1978)

126.                 Time and Tide (Basia, 1987)

127.                 Total Eclipse of the Heart (Bonnie Tyler, 1983)

128.                 Turn the Beat Around (Vickie Sue Robinson, 1976)

129.                 Turn Off the Light (Nelly Furtado, 2002)

130.                 Two to Make it Right (Seduction, 1990)

131.                 Voices Carry (Til Tuesday, 1985)

132.                 Waiting for Tonight (Jenifer Lopez, 1999)

133.                 Walk My Way (Beth Nielsen Chapman, 1991)

134.                 Walking on Sunshine (Katrina & the Waves, 1985)

135.                 We Are Family (Sister Sledge, 1979)

136.                 We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor Swift, 2012)

137.                 We’re a Melody (Jones Girls, 1979)

138.                 Weak (SWV, 1993)

139.                 When Will I See You Again (Three Degrees, 1974)

140.                 Where Have All the Cowboys Gone? (Paula Cole, 1997)

141.                 Where You’ve Been (Kathy Mattea, 1989)

142.                 Who Can I Run To? (Xscape, 1995)

143.                 Who Will Save Your Soul (Jewel, 1996)

144.                 Who’s That Girl? (Eve, 2001)

145.                 Wish I Didn’t Miss You (Angie Stone, 2000)

146.                 Woman to Woman (Shirley Brown, 1974)

147.                 You Gotta Be (Des’ree, 1994)

148.                 You Know How to Love Me (Phyllis Hyman, 1979)

149.                 You Oughta Know (Alanis Morissette, 1995)

150.                 Young Hearts Run Free (Candi Staton, 1976)

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