10 Best British Singers Female: Music Icons to Know
British female singers have significantly shaped the music industry with their distinctive tone and stunning performances. From soulful singers to rock stars, these remarkable talents have captured millions of fans worldwide, solidifying their position in the music industry.
Let us list down some of the top British female singers who have left an indelible mark on a diverse range of musical genres.
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List of British Singers Female
1: Julie Andrews
Date of Birth: October 1, 1935, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England
Best Songs:
- The Secret of Christmas
- Away in a Manger
- I Feel Pretty
- It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
- A Spoonful of Sugar
Accolades:
- British Academy Film Awards
- Golden Globe Awards
- Grammy Awards
- Primetime Emmy Awards
Julie Andrews is a well-known singer and actress who has become a legendary figure in the music industry. Known for her exceptional ability to produce a clear soprano voice and perfect pitch that captivates audiences, she excels in bringing songs to life. Andrews made her solo professional debut in 1947, singing an operatic aria in Starlight Roof at the London Hippodrome.
In addition to her singing prowess, Andrews made a film debut in Mary Poppins in 1964 and starred in various movies, making significant contributions to the entertainment industry.
2: Adele
Date of Birth: May 5, 1988, Tottenham, London, England
Best Songs:
- Rolling in the Deep
- Someone Like You
- Set Fire to the Rain
- Chasing Pavements
- Skyfall
Accolades:
- American Music Awards
- AIM Independent Music Awards
- Academy Awards
- Bravo Otto
- Grammy Awards
Adele is a famous singer-songwriter known for her mezzo-soprano vocals and sentimental songwriting. Her powerful and soulful voice made her a prominent figure in the music industry.
Adele made her debut in 2008 with the release of album 19, which was named one of the top 20 best-selling debut albums ever in the UK. With over 120 million records sold, she is also one of the world’s best-selling music artists and a renowned name in the list of famous British female singers.
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3: Shirley Bassey
Date of Birth: January 8, 1937, Tiger Bay, Cardiff, Wales
Best Works:
- Where Do I Begin
- The Greatest Performance of My Life
- As Long as He Needs Me
- Yesterday, When I Was Young
- Never, Never, Never
Accolades:
- Brit Awards
- NME Awards
Shirley Bassey is a Welsh singer recognized for her long career, powerful voice, strong vibrato, and outstanding breath control.
In 1953, Bassey made her first professional contract which highlighted her signature strong vocals on stage as a teenager. Bassey achieved her first hit in 1957 with “The Banana Boat Song”, which peaked at No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart.
With a career spanning over 70 years, Bassey sold over 140 million records globally, making her one of the best-selling artists ever. She is also the first woman to hold a Top 40 album for seven decades in a row in the UK.
4: Annie Lennox
Date of Birth: December 25, 1954, Aberdeen, Scotland
Best Songs:
- Love Song for a Vampire
- Walking on Broken Glass
- Little Bird
- Pavement Cracks
- Dark Road
Accolades:
- Billboard Music Awards
- BRIT Awards
- Grammy Awards
- Ivor Novello Awards
- MTV Video Music Awards
Annie Lennox is a Scottish singer-songwriter best recognized for her contralto vocal range, dominating stage presence, and androgynous style. Her unique voice and collaborations with Eurythmics partner Dave Stewart led to a successful solo career.
Lennox started a solo career in 1992 with the platinum-selling album Diva, which gained popularity due to music videos on MTV. Her 1995 album, Medusa, represented a start for her songwriting journey.
In addition to being a renowned name among British singers female, Lennox is a well-known political and social activist who has worked to raise money and awareness for HIV/AIDS in Africa. She also founded the Sing campaign in 2007 and the women’s empowerment charity The Circle in 2008.
5: Olivia Newton-John
Date of Birth: September 26, 1948, Cambridge, England
Date of Death: August 8, 2022, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
Best Songs:
- Let Me Be There
- If You Love Me, Let Me Know
- I Honestly Love You
- Have You Never Been Mellow
- Hopelessly Devoted to You
Accolades:
- Daytime Emmy Awards
- Grammy Awards
- People’s Choice Awards, USA
- American Music Awards
- Academy of Country Music Awards
Olivia Newton-John is a British-Australian singer and actress who gained worldwide fame for her gentle voice, pure tone, and perfect pitch. Her music genre ranges from pop to country music.
In 1971, Newton-John released her debut solo album, If Not for You. Her follow-up single, “Banks of the Ohio”, peaked at number 10 in the UK and Australia. She has also made a mark with over 100 million records sold.
Newton-John also spread her wings in acting and starred in the highest-grossing musical film, Grease, in 1978, with its soundtrack remaining one of the world’s best-selling albums.
6: Dua Lipa
Date of Birth: August 22, 1995, London, England
Best Songs:
- New Love
- Blow Your Mind (Mwah)
- New Rules
- Homesick
- Break My Heart
Accolades:
- American Music Awards
- APRA Music Awards
- ASCAP Latin Awards
- Brit Awards
- Grammy Awards
Dua Lipa is one of the most popular British female singers. She is a well-known English and Albanian singer-songwriter recognized for her upbeat pop hits and powerful vocals. Her music spans various genres, including pop, disco, dance-pop, synth-pop, and R&B.
Lipa’s first studio self-titled album, which features pop, dance, and R&B music, was released in 2017. In 2023, she made her film debut as Mermaid Barbie in the popular Barbie film and recorded the soundtrack single “Dance the Night”. She was included in the Sunday Times Rich List for 2024 as one of the wealthiest people in the UK.
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7: Sade
Date of Birth: January 16, 1959, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Best Songs:
- By Your Side
- No Ordinary Love
- Is It a Crime
- Hang On to Your Love
- Love Is Stronger Than Pride
Accolades:
- American Music Awards
- BRIT Awards
- Grammy Awards
- Porin Awards
Sade is a Nigerian-born British singer renowned for her unique blend of soul, funk, jazz, and Afro-Cuban rhythms. In 1983, she gained recognition as a performer and got a recording contract with Epic Records. The band’s album, Diamond Life, was released in 1984 and became a best-selling album and the best-selling debut by a British female vocalist.
Furthermore, she was chosen as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2002 and later promoted to Commander of the same Order (CBE) for her contributions to music.
8: Petula Clark
Date of Birth: November 15, 1932, Ewell, Surrey, England
Best Songs:
- Downtown
- This Is My Song
- Don’t Sleep in the Subway
- A Sign of the Times
- I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love
Accolades:
- Grammy Awards
Petula Clark is a renowned British singer and songwriter known for her clear, precise tone and breathy vibrato. She started her career as a child performer on BBC radio during the Second World War.
In 1954, she achieved her first UK chart hit with “The Little Shoemaker”, which showcased her talent and charm and rapidly grabbed the audience’s attention. She charted with nine US top 20 hits and was called “The First Lady of the British Invasion”, selling over 68 million records.
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9: Leona Lewis
Date of Birth: April 3, 1985, Islington, London, UK
Best Songs:
- Bleeding Love
- Run
- Better In Time
- Happy
- I Got You
Accolades:
- MOBO Awards
- MTV Europe Awards
- Virgin Media Awards
- World Music Awards
- MTV Europe Awards
Leona Lewis is a renowned British singer, songwriter, actress, and model. She gained fame as the winner of the music competition X Factor and her mezzo-soprano vocal range.
In 2007, she debuted studio album, Spirit, which was one of the best-selling albums in UK chart history and became the fourth-best-selling album of the 2000s. With over 35 million records sold globally, Lewis became the first British female solo artist to reach the top five, surpassing the famous British female singer Olivia Newton-John’s record.
10: Amy Winehouse
Date of Birth: September 14, 1983, Southgate, London, England.
Date of Death: July 23, 2011, Camden, London, England.
Best Songs:
- Love is a Losing Game
- I Heard Love is Blind
- You Know I’m No Good
- Back to Black
- Wake Up Alone
Accolades:
- Echo Music Awards
- Elle Style Awards
- GAFFA Awards
- Grammy Awards
- Ivor Novello Awards
Amy Winehouse is a renowned name amongst British female singers and songwriters. She was famed for her expressive contralto vocals and various musical genres, including soul, rhythm and blues, reggae, and jazz.
Her debut album, Frank, released in 2003, became a commercial success in the UK, and her second album, Back to Black, released in 2006, became a massive international success. Her distinctive voice captured millions of music enthusiasts, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.
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FAQs
Who are the top 10 British female singers?
- Julie Andrews
- Adele
- Shirley Bassey
- Annie Lennox
- Olivia Newton-John
- Dua Lipa
- Sade
- Petula Clark
- Leona Lewis
- Amy Winehouse
Who is the most popular British female singer?
Adele and Julie Andrews are widely regarded as the most popular British female singers. Her powerful and soulful voice has made her a prominent figure in the music industry.
Which British female singer has sold the most records?
Shirley Bassey is a British female singer who has sold over 140 million records globally.
Which British female artists won Grammy Awards?
- Julie Andrews
- Adele
- Annie Lennox
- Olivia Newton-John
- Dua Lipa
Who is the highest-paid British singer female?
Adele is widely regarded as the highest-paid British female singer, with a net worth of $220 Million.