10 Famous Canadian Female Singers of All Time
Canadian female singers stand out for their exceptional voices, groundbreaking artistry, and enduring influence. From Shania Twain’s heartfelt country ballads to Celine Dion’s powerful pop anthems, these singers have not only dominated the charts but also inspired countless fans worldwide.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the careers and contributions of some of the most famous Canadian female singers of all time, celebrating their unique styles and the legacy they continue to build in the music industry. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to their music, join us as we dive into the stories behind these iconic voices.
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10 Famous Canadian Female Singers
1: Celine Dion
Date of Birth: March 30, 1968, Charlemagne, Canada
Best Works:
- Because You Loved Me
- It’s All Coming Back to Me Now
- The Power of Love
- Where Does My Heart Beat Now
- My Heart Will Go On
Awards:
- Seven American Music Awards
- Fifty Félix Awards
- Twenty Juno Awards
- Twelve World Music Awards
- Nine Billboard Music Awards
Céline Dion, a prodigious talent, has emerged as one of the greatest voices in contemporary music. Her journey in singing began with her siblings at her parents’ club. At just 12, she caught the attention of René Angélil, who believed in her so deeply that he mortgaged his home to finance her debut album.
Dion’s breakthrough on the international stage came with her rendition of the theme song for Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” which earned her prestigious awards like the Grammy and Oscar. Her 1996 album “Falling Into You” remains one of the best-selling albums ever, solidifying her status as a powerhouse in pop and adult contemporary music.
Throughout her career, she dubbed 27 studio albums and over 400 songs, creating an incredible catalog of music. Although her songs revolved around different topics, love is the beating heart at the center of all her songs.
2: Joni Mitchell
Date of Birth: November 7, 1943, Fort McLeod, Canada
Best Works:
- A Case of You
- Big Yellow Taxi
- Both Sides Now
- Hejira
- The Hissing of Summer Lawns
Awards:
- Eleven Grammy Awards
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1997)
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2002)
Joni Mitchell, born Roberta Joan Anderson, is celebrated as one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 20th century. Renowned for her beautiful lyrics and distinctive voice, Mitchell’s music traversed genres from folk to jazz, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Her early hits like “Both Sides Now” and “Big Yellow Taxi” showcased her lyrical prowess and musical innovation.
Beyond music, Mitchell’s paintings adorned her album covers, reflecting her multifaceted talent. Her influence extended widely, inspiring generations of musicians and earning accolades such as multiple Grammy Awards and induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Mitchell’s legacy continues to resonate, her music and art enduring testaments to creativity, making her one of the most famous Canadian female singers.
3: Shania Twain
Date of Birth: August 28, 1965, Windsor, Canada
Best Works:
- You are Still the One
- Man! I Feel Like a Woman
- That Don’t Impress Me Much
- If You’re Not in It for Love (I’m Outta Here)
- Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under
Awards:
- Five Grammy Awards
- 27 BMI Songwriter Awards
- Induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame
Shania Twain, born Eilleen Regina Edwards, is a Canadian singer renowned for her impact on country pop. Twain’s early life was marked by performing in bars and appearing on “The Tommy Hunter Show” at age 13. However, her journey was not without its hardships.
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Tragedy struck when she was 22. She lost both parents in an accident and became the guardian of her half-brothers and sister. Despite this, she persevered, changing her name to Shania and signing with Mercury Nashville in 1991. Her second album, produced by her husband Mutt Lange, shattered sales records, solidifying her status as the “Queen of Country Pop.”
Her unique blend of country and pop, along with her powerful vocals, revolutionized the genre. Selling over 100 million records, she is one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
4: JJ Wilde
Date of Birth: July 3, 1992, Kitchener, Ontario
Best Works:
- The Rush
- Best of Me
- Hands
- Mercy
- Bad Side
Awards:
- Rock Album of the Year, 2021 Juno Awards
JJ Wilde, born Jillian Dowding, has quickly risen to prominence in the Canadian rock scene. Wilde released her debut EP, Wilde Eyes, Steady Hands, in 2019, showcasing her raw talent and unique sound. Her breakthrough single, “The Rush,” made history in May 2020 by simultaneously topping Canada’s modern rock, active rock, and mainstream rock charts, a rare and inspiring achievement. Her debut album, Ruthless, followed in 2020 and won Rock Album of the Year at the 2021 Juno Awards, making her the first woman to win this award since Alanis Morissette in 1996.
Wilde continued her momentum with the release of the Wild EP in 2021 and was selected by Collective Arts Brewing for their Audio/Visual Lager campaign, which promotes independent musicians through special band-themed cans.
5: Sass Jordan
Date of Birth: January 8, 1962, Birmingham, England, UK
Best Works:
- Make You a Believer
- Tell Somebody
- High Road Easy
- You Don’t Have to Remind Me
- Sun’s Gonna Rise
Awards:
- Juno Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist (1989)
Sass Jordan, a British-born Canadian rock singer, rose to fame with her debut single “Tell Somebody” from her 1988 album of the same name. In 1989, she earned the Juno Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist.
Known for her powerful voice and bluesy rock style, her 1992 album “Racine” was her highest-selling, featuring hits like “Make You a Believer.” Jordan’s versatility shines through her extensive discography, including the critically acclaimed “Rebel Moon Blues” and her latest live album “Live in New York Ninety-Four,” which features Taylor Hawkins on drums.
She has remained a significant figure in Canadian rock throughout her career, and she is celebrated amongst famous Canadian female singers for her dynamic stage presence and musical authenticity.
6: Alannah Myles
Date of Birth: December 25, 1958, Toronto, Canada
Best Works:
- Black Velvet
- Love Is
- Lover of Mine
- Song Instead of a Kiss
- Family Secret
Awards:
- Grammy Award
- Three Juno Awards
- Canadian Music Video Awards
Alannah Myles, born Alannah Byles, is a celebrated Canadian singer-songwriter known for her hit song “Black Velvet,” which topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1990. Myles began writing songs at the age of 9 and performed in a songwriting group in Toronto by the age of twelve.
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Her career took off after meeting Christopher Ward, leading to her first record contract with Atlantic Records in 1987. Her debut album, released in 1989, sold over six million copies internationally and won her a Grammy and three Juno Awards. Myles continued to release successful albums throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, earning numerous accolades, including a Grammy nomination for her second album, Rockinghorse.
Despite a quieter period in the 2000s, she remained active, releasing her fifth studio album, Black Velvet, in 2008, and continued to perform and produce music independently.
7: Terra Lightfoot
Date of Birth: August 1986, Hamilton, Canada
Best Works:
- Terra Lightfoot
- Every Time My Mind Runs Wild
- New Mistakes
- Consider the Speed
- Healing Power
Awards:
- Polaris Music Prize
- Juno Award
Terra Lightfoot, a Canadian musician from Hamilton, Ontario, is renowned for her bold vocals and electric guitar riffs that blend folk and roots rock.
Lightfoot began her career with the country-folk group Dinner Belles before releasing her self-titled debut album in 2011. Lightfoot’s second album, Every Time My Mind Runs Wild (2014), marked a shift towards a catchier power pop style, thanks to producers Gus van Go and Werner F. Her third album, New Mistakes (2017), garnered critical acclaim and a JUNO nomination.
Known for her powerful mezzo-soprano voice and dynamic performances, Lightfoot toured extensively, curated the all-female Longest Road Show, and collaborated with iconic musicians like Gordon Lightfoot and Willie Nelson.
8: Alanis Morissette
Date of Birth: June 1, 1974, Ottawa Canada
Best Works:
- Ironic
- You Oughta Know
- Hand in My Pocket
- Hand Over Feet
- Thank You
Awards:
- MTV Video Music Award
- Grammy Award
- Billboard Music Award
- Juno Award
Alanis Morissette, born in Ottawa, Ontario, is celebrated for her emotive mezzo-soprano voice and confessional songwriting. She burst onto the music scene in the early 1990s with dance-pop albums in Canada before achieving global fame with her 1995 alternative rock album “Jagged Little Pill,” which sold over 33 million copies, a testament to her global appeal and the pride of her fans worldwide.
Known for hits like “You Oughta Know” and “Ironic,” Morissette’s success earned her numerous awards, including seven Grammys and fourteen Junos. Standing as a paradigm for her era, Morissette’s career evolved with experimental works like “Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie” and continued creative ventures in later albums. Her influence on the music industry, recognized as the “Queen of Alt-Rock Angst,” continues to inspire new generations of musicians.
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9: Avril Lavigne
Date of Birth: September 27, 1984, Belleville, Canada
Best Works:
- Sk8er BoiComplicated
- Girlfriend
- My Happy Ending
- Don’t Tell Me
Awards:
- MTV Music Awards
- MTV European Music Awards
Avril Lavigne, the renowned Canadian female singer-songwriter, made a bold move at 16 when she relocated to Manhattan to pursue her music career, even at the cost of dropping out of high school after securing a record deal. Her debut single, ‘Complicated,’ from the album ‘Let Go,’ released just before she turned 18, became a massive hit, achieving 6x platinum status and reaching #1 on Billboard’s Top 100. This early success is a testament to her unwavering determination.
The success of ‘Complicated’ catapulted Avril Lavigne into the limelight, earning her five Grammy nominations and multiple MTV awards. Her petite skater-girl persona, coupled with her confidence and determination, set her apart, making her a significant figure in the music industry. Her influence as the princess of pop-punk is undeniable, and her songs continue to bring joy to countless music lovers, solidifying her status as one of the best female singers of her generation.
10: Emily Haines
Date of Birth: January 25, 1974, New Delhi, India
Best Works:
- Formentera
- White Gold
- Fortunes
- Black Sheep
- Wet Blanket
Awards:
- Canadian Screen Award
- Polaris Music Prize
Emily Savitri Haines, born in New Delhi and raised in Fenelon Falls, Ontario, is a Canadian female singer, songwriter, and member of the rock band Metric and the collective Broken Social Scene.
Emily Haines’ unique mezzo-soprano voice is a perfect match for her role as Metric’s lead singer and keyboardist. The band, known for albums like “Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?” and “Fantasies,” Has been a platform for her exceptional talent. Her solo career, under Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton, features the acclaimed album “Knives Don’t Have Your Back.” Growing up in a musically rich environment, Haines’ influences include Carla Bley and PJ Harvey.
With Metric, Emily Haines has not only released nine studio albums but also taken her music to international stages, connecting with fans across the globe. Her significant advocacy work, including support for Global Citizen’s #SheDecides campaign, further demonstrates her global impact.
FAQs
Who is the most famous Canadian female singer?
Celina Dion is currently the most famous Canadian female singer.
Who is the female country singer from Canada?
Shania Twain is a Canadian country singer known for her country melodies and pop vocals.
Who were the Canadian female singers in the 1990s?
Some of the famous Canadian female singers in the 1990s who nailed it were:
- Alanis Morissette
- Jane Arden
- Sara Harmer
- Deborah Cox
- Susan Aglukark
Has any Canadian female singer won a Grammy award?
Yes, Canadian female singers like Celina Dion, Joni Mitchell, Shania Twain, Alannah Myles, Alanis Morissette, and Avril Lavigne have won Grammy awards.
Who is the French female singer from Canada?
Céline Dion is a French female singer from Canada.