Just a simple list of songs
September 5, 2010 6:19 PM Subscribe
Help me make a list of great songs for altos/low sopranos!
I don't want to pore thru those huge karaoke books to find songs I can sing, or have to just stick with one or two tried-and-true artists. I would like to make a list of songs that I can sing...mostly with female singers (guy's songs are usually pitched too low), and mostly familiar (I don't want to take too much time learning new songs I've never heard of and may or may not like.)
I pretty much have a Susan Boyle-type voice, so I can sing whatever she sings. I have done Linda Rondstadt, the Beatles, the Cranberries, Anne Murray, Suzie Boggus and probably some other female country singers. I don't quite have the aggressiveness to do Nancy Wilson (from Heart) or Pat Benatar. I can't do Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac either. I could probably sort of do Barbra Streisand. Ooh, ooh...I did Brooks & Dunn's "My Maria" once. That was fun!
I would prefer to have a list of particular songs, not just artists.
These don't have to all be songs that are in karaoke books. I would also like to have a list at hand, or on my Ipod, of songs that I would enjoy singing around the house to keep in lively spirits and keep my voice in good shape. Songs from musicals work (again, I have limited familiarity, although I am slowly working on it). Simple opera arias would also work. (No hip-hop plz)
I don't want to pore thru those huge karaoke books to find songs I can sing, or have to just stick with one or two tried-and-true artists. I would like to make a list of songs that I can sing...mostly with female singers (guy's songs are usually pitched too low), and mostly familiar (I don't want to take too much time learning new songs I've never heard of and may or may not like.)
I pretty much have a Susan Boyle-type voice, so I can sing whatever she sings. I have done Linda Rondstadt, the Beatles, the Cranberries, Anne Murray, Suzie Boggus and probably some other female country singers. I don't quite have the aggressiveness to do Nancy Wilson (from Heart) or Pat Benatar. I can't do Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac either. I could probably sort of do Barbra Streisand. Ooh, ooh...I did Brooks & Dunn's "My Maria" once. That was fun!
I would prefer to have a list of particular songs, not just artists.
These don't have to all be songs that are in karaoke books. I would also like to have a list at hand, or on my Ipod, of songs that I would enjoy singing around the house to keep in lively spirits and keep my voice in good shape. Songs from musicals work (again, I have limited familiarity, although I am slowly working on it). Simple opera arias would also work. (No hip-hop plz)
Songs by women:
Lisa Loeb - Stay (I Missed You)
Jem - They
Regina Spektor - Fidelity
Regina Spektor - Samson
Sara Bareilles - Love Song
Uh Huh Her - Not a Love Song
Tori Amos - Sorta Fairytale
Tori Amos - Crucify (watch those key changes!)
Lenka - The Show
Lenka - Trouble is a Friend
And one by a man (actually, I think this goes higher than any of the above):
Mika - Grace Kelly
posted by John Cohen at 6:58 PM on September 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
Lisa Loeb - Stay (I Missed You)
Jem - They
Regina Spektor - Fidelity
Regina Spektor - Samson
Sara Bareilles - Love Song
Uh Huh Her - Not a Love Song
Tori Amos - Sorta Fairytale
Tori Amos - Crucify (watch those key changes!)
Lenka - The Show
Lenka - Trouble is a Friend
And one by a man (actually, I think this goes higher than any of the above):
Mika - Grace Kelly
posted by John Cohen at 6:58 PM on September 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
Musicals:
Send in the Clowns -- Sally Ann's is by far my favorite version!
On My Own
Someone to Watch Over Me
The Miller's Son
And many more. Sounds like you should see what else Ruthie Henshall, Lea Solonga, Susan Terry Petra and Jodi Benson have performed. Most of their performances on various songs have the range you are looking for -- a few may be lower and a few higher than you could do, but a YouTube search of their names should bring up quite a bit.
posted by zizzle at 7:07 PM on September 5, 2010
Send in the Clowns -- Sally Ann's is by far my favorite version!
On My Own
Someone to Watch Over Me
The Miller's Son
And many more. Sounds like you should see what else Ruthie Henshall, Lea Solonga, Susan Terry Petra and Jodi Benson have performed. Most of their performances on various songs have the range you are looking for -- a few may be lower and a few higher than you could do, but a YouTube search of their names should bring up quite a bit.
posted by zizzle at 7:07 PM on September 5, 2010
If you enjoy country at all, Martina McBride and Faith Hill are right in your range, and fun to belt as well.
Otherwise, Madonna has a lot of good options, especially for karaoke.
posted by altopower at 7:16 PM on September 5, 2010
Otherwise, Madonna has a lot of good options, especially for karaoke.
posted by altopower at 7:16 PM on September 5, 2010
Musicals - the titular role in Calamity Jane is an alto, so all her songs would work.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:22 PM on September 5, 2010
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 7:22 PM on September 5, 2010
Maybe Aretha Franklin - (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman?
posted by sigmagalator at 8:06 PM on September 5, 2010
posted by sigmagalator at 8:06 PM on September 5, 2010
In the musical genre, one alto song I love is "I'm Not That Girl" from Wicked.
posted by datarose at 8:17 PM on September 5, 2010
posted by datarose at 8:17 PM on September 5, 2010
Here are some popular tunes by low-singing /not-aggressive ladies:
Sarah McLachlan: Angel, Building a Mystery
Sarah Bareilles - Love Song
Sheryl Crow - My Favorite Mistakes
Eva Cassidy's rendition of Fields of Gold
This song wasn't quite a hit in America, but it's freaking fun to sing: The Cardigans - I Need Some Fine Wine And You, You Need To Be Nicer
posted by wondermouse at 8:27 PM on September 5, 2010
Sarah McLachlan: Angel, Building a Mystery
Sarah Bareilles - Love Song
Sheryl Crow - My Favorite Mistakes
Eva Cassidy's rendition of Fields of Gold
This song wasn't quite a hit in America, but it's freaking fun to sing: The Cardigans - I Need Some Fine Wine And You, You Need To Be Nicer
posted by wondermouse at 8:27 PM on September 5, 2010
kd lang - Constant Craving is slow and balladish, Miss Chatelaine more upbeat.
Sinead O'Connor - Black Boys on Mopeds
Annie Lennox - Money Can't Buy It or from the Eurythmics Sweet Dreams Are Made of This
If you're looking for rewarding, singable classical rep, Handel has written a lot of songs for the alto voice.
posted by thatdawnperson at 5:41 AM on September 6, 2010
Sinead O'Connor - Black Boys on Mopeds
Annie Lennox - Money Can't Buy It or from the Eurythmics Sweet Dreams Are Made of This
If you're looking for rewarding, singable classical rep, Handel has written a lot of songs for the alto voice.
posted by thatdawnperson at 5:41 AM on September 6, 2010
She isn't well known, but I find Vienna Teng's music to be fun to sing, and not too high for my altoish self. Here's Whatever you Want, Gravity, and Blue Caravan.
posted by WowLookStars at 5:56 AM on September 6, 2010
posted by WowLookStars at 5:56 AM on September 6, 2010
There's a Fine, Fine Line - Avenue Q
posted by BusyBusyBusy at 10:24 AM on September 6, 2010
posted by BusyBusyBusy at 10:24 AM on September 6, 2010
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posted by Melismata at 6:33 PM on September 5, 2010 [1 favorite]