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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask which current singers have the voices to match Elton John, George Michael & Freddie Mercury?

280 replies

ItsABeautifulDay25 · 21/03/2025 09:27

Random playlist last night, Elton John & George Michael - Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me from 1991. The duet is amazing, the power in their voices. Got to add Freddie in the same (or better) category of voice, obviously. Asked my partner who today has the voice that will still make you say wow! in 30 years time? He said the music industry has changed, the ‘stars’ go through too fast now. I can recognise the talent of Chris Martin, Ed Sheeran and others, but where are those really powerful voices?

YABU - listen to …..
YANBU - no one can match them!

OP posts:
OvaHere · 21/03/2025 09:45

There will be plenty of people out there with excellent voices but the types of songs GM or FM were known for aren't that popular anymore. You need the right genre of music to showcase those really powerful voices.

Maitri108 · 21/03/2025 09:46

I don't think there's ever been anyone comparable to Freddie Mercury regarding range, writing ability and charisma.

Elton John is an amazing song writer but not a particularly special singer. George Michael had a very good voice and wrote his own songs. I wasn't aware of how good he was until I saw him do the Queen tribute concert.

David Bowie had his own category, he wasn't like anyone else. An amazing song writer and character, his voice wasn't great but very distinctive. He created his own musical genre.

I don't know that much about modern music and don't know anyone who compares to any of them.

itsnotabouthepasta · 21/03/2025 09:47

OvaHere · 21/03/2025 09:45

There will be plenty of people out there with excellent voices but the types of songs GM or FM were known for aren't that popular anymore. You need the right genre of music to showcase those really powerful voices.

I think that hits it on the head

Musical styles have changed so much that its almost comparing apples and oranges.

Cabinqueen · 21/03/2025 09:47

Hmmmm...

Have you heard Beverley Knight doing Rolling Stones - Can't get no satisfaction - it's a belter! What power!

Sam Ryder
Whitney Houston
George Michael
Hozier
Adele
Otis Redding

MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 21/03/2025 09:48

Bruno Mars!

theressomanytinafeysicouldbe · 21/03/2025 09:48

Axl Rose ❤ I know he isn't current but what a voice

SocksyTalk · 21/03/2025 09:53

Bob Dylan... end of

lisa12000 · 21/03/2025 09:55

I have to agree with the pp who said Adam lambert - to me his voice is incredible and his performances with queen both recorded and live are amazing!

Badbadbunny · 21/03/2025 09:58

@Glowingworms

A quick watch of the voice, x factor or even if you go round cruise ships/ pubs, west end singers shows thousands of really really good singers that are better than 90% of "stars" but are also just chronically boring, and don't have an edge that make you want to buy their singles or listen to whole albums or seem to "musical theatery"

Nail on the head there. For the real "stars", it's never really about the voice as most are pretty ordinary (or augmented by backing singers/tech). The voices on background singers on Disney films or in theatre musicals is often far superior in terms of vocal ability, range, etc., but the singers don't have the "extra" presence to make them a story, or some image surrounding them. Having a excellent producer, songwriter, etc makes far more of an impact than vocal ability.

Personally, I think Madonna was grossly over-rated, also Tina Turner, as if you actually analyse their vocal range/ability, it's pretty ordinary and nothing special. But in both cases, there was an entire industry behind them to launch/relaunch them, carefully planning and marketing the back story, carefully choosing the songs to record, carefully choosing live performances, carefully choosing costumes for the "right" amount of risque, special effects, etc. Everything is stage managed to promote the singer often to make up for their lack of vocal ability. Of course, someone who literally can't sing or is tone deaf is going to struggle, even with an entire promotion industry behind them, but there have been "singers" who have basically talked or shouted through their songs and still be highly successful.

It must be soul destroying for the ones who do have a brilliant voice but just can't get the breaks and can't get noticed.

beguilingeyes · 21/03/2025 09:59

Glowingworms · 21/03/2025 09:33

Its not about good singers, it's about star power

Elton john and george michael are great examples of this. They radiate something but it's not actually their voice. Hence there are many identical sounding tribute acts (and actually tribute acts that sing better than they do). Ed sheeran and Elton john are similar in that they have song writing power, performance power but vocals alone aren't anything special

A quick watch of the voice, x factor or even if you go round cruise ships/ pubs, west end singers shows thousands of really really good singers that are better than 90% of "stars" but are also just chronically boring, and don't have an edge that make you want to buy their singles or listen to whole albums or seem to "musical theatery"

Lots of people's favourite artists have a voice crack or something that makes them interesting to listen to

Edited

I doubt very much that there are tribute singers who are 'much better' than George Michael. His power and control were astonishing. Watch him sing Somebody To Love at the FM tribute. Not an easy song to sing and he did it better than Fred, IMO.
Elton was a great singer in his pomp.

ComeAsYouAreAsAFriend · 21/03/2025 10:00

Hozier has a stunning voice as did Sinead O'Connor

sugarandplum · 21/03/2025 10:02

I really like Benson Boone at the moment

scorpiogirly · 21/03/2025 10:06

I'm not sure anyone really can top George for me. But others I think of are Phil Collins and Bowie.

ItsABeautifulDay25 · 21/03/2025 10:07

Really interesting responses!

I like Hozier, agree he’s got a powerful voice. Probably not the same star quality, but I asked about power/voice.

Really enjoying Benson Boone’s current song, played it to my partner whilst having this discussion. Didn’t match up after playing GM & EJ, but pp totally correct that it’s a different style of song.

Sounds like I ought to give Sam Ryder more time…

OP posts:
Coffeeforayear · 21/03/2025 10:07

George Ezra, Chris Martin

PJ Harvey, Bjork, and Thom York - amazing voices.

Very Modern day - Chappel Roan

TessTickle0 · 21/03/2025 10:08

I like teddy swims

Starlight1984 · 21/03/2025 10:09

Raye and Celeste are currently on repeat on my Spotify playlist. Both have phenomenal voices and an unbelievable range.

Got to agree with another poster who said that Elton John's voice really isn't that outstanding. Don't get me wrong he's an amazing performer, musician and songwriter, but there are (and were) far better singers out there.

My all time favourites are Michael Stipe, Freddie Mercury, Stevie Nicks, Nina Simone and Otis Redding 😍

BunnyLake · 21/03/2025 10:10

I love a voice with character and I do find a lot of modern singers have no discernible character to their voice. It could be down to the cookie cutter production they use nowadays.

I don’t necessarily go for power voices over character. I currently like Noah Kahan, Korean singer Jo Jinho (lovely voice), Mitch Grassi (can go very high).

ItsABeautifulDay25 · 21/03/2025 10:12

scorpiogirly · 21/03/2025 10:06

I'm not sure anyone really can top George for me. But others I think of are Phil Collins and Bowie.

I was thinking about Phil Collins the other day. Would I really miss his songs if he never existed? I decided I’d miss Against All Odds. I like Two Hearts & Groovy Kind of Love but that’s more for the memories than the songs 😂

With regard to Bowie, totally can’t deny his talent and star quality, but different style to EJ, GM & FM.

I also love Stevie Wonder & Sting. But Sting doesn’t have the power, just a nice tone.

OP posts:
Picklepower · 21/03/2025 10:13

XWKD · 21/03/2025 09:34

I don't think Elton John's voice is anything special.

Me neither! Never really understood him tbh

GasPanic · 21/03/2025 10:13

It's hard to be both a talented songwriter and a great singer. The probability of being both is pretty unlikely.

A lot of the talented writers can sing ok like Ed Sheeran but not an amazing voice.

I think OP is right there are not many super talented singers around these days. You would think there would maybe be more, as it is much more likely for a talented singer to be discovered these days than say 50 years ago.

I don't think there is anyone around comparable to Freddie Mercury in the singing stakes. It could be years before we hear someone this good again.

scorpiogirly · 21/03/2025 10:14

ItsABeautifulDay25 · 21/03/2025 10:12

I was thinking about Phil Collins the other day. Would I really miss his songs if he never existed? I decided I’d miss Against All Odds. I like Two Hearts & Groovy Kind of Love but that’s more for the memories than the songs 😂

With regard to Bowie, totally can’t deny his talent and star quality, but different style to EJ, GM & FM.

I also love Stevie Wonder & Sting. But Sting doesn’t have the power, just a nice tone.

Ooh we forgot Michael Jackson.

Comefromaway · 21/03/2025 10:14

MintTwirl · 21/03/2025 09:35

Adam Lambert? I think he has a great voice. And Sam Ryder, he also seems like such a lovely man.

I saw him live last year. He was phenomenal. he also asked if a certain person was in the crowd. Turns out he had stopped for breakfast at a cafe en route that morning and invited the two cafe workers to go onto the guest list. I thought that was lovely.

FlyingontheGround · 21/03/2025 10:15

Joe McElderry belts it out. I also love Myles Kennedy from Alter Bridge’s voice in the same vein as Axl’s

Sam Fender can hold a tune and makes it look effortless, I love his voice.

XWKD · 21/03/2025 10:15

What about Celine Dion? I think she has the most annoying voice.