You are invited to spend the next ninety minutes in the company of twenty-five music divas, so turn up the volume or move closer to the speakers to indulge your ears in these divine voices.
| Title | Artist | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Respect | Aretha Franklin | Otis Redding wrote “Respect” and originally recorded it in 1965. It was Aretha Franklin’s idea to cover this song. She came up with the arrangement, added the “sock it to me” lines, and played piano on the track. Her sister Carolyn, also helped work up the song. The “ree, ree, ree, ree…” refrain is a nod to Franklin’s nickname, Ree (as in A-Ree-tha). Both her younger sister Carolyn and elder sister Erma provided backing vocals. Dubbed the “Queen of Soul” for her awe-inspiring talent and unmatched soulful voice, she effortlessly moved through different genres, from gospel and R&B to pop and jazz. With 18 Grammy Awards and over 75 million records sold, there’s no doubt that she was one of the most influential and celebrated female vocalists in history. |
| Piece Of My Heart | Erma Franklin | “Piece of My Heart” is a romantic soul song written by Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Berns, originally recorded by Aretha Franklin’s older sister Erma in 1967. Bert Berns asked Van Morrison, whom he was producing, to record the song, but Morrison declined, preferring to do his own material. The song came to mainstream attention when Big Brother and the Holding Company featuring Janis Joplin on lead vocals covered the song in 1968. |
| Little Girl Blue | Janis Joplin | “Little Girl Blue” was originally written by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart to be used in the 1935 musical Jumbo. Since then it has been covered by many artists. Janis put her own touch on the song by changing up the lyrics. “Janis: Little Girl Blue” is a 2015 American documentary film directed by Amy J. Berg, Forever immortalized as one of the most iconic voices in rock history, her raw, gritty vocals and electrifying stage presence captured the spirit of the late 1960s counterculture. Her incredible talent shone through in unforgettable songs like “Piece of My Heart,” “Me and Bobby McGee,” and “Cry Baby,” leaving an indelible mark on the music world despite her untimely death at 27. |
| My Baby Just Cares for Me | Nina Simone | “My Baby Just Cares for Me” is a jazz standard written by Walter Donaldson (music) and Gus Kahn (lyrics) for the 1930 film adaptation of the musical comedy Whoopee!, where it was first performed by Eddie Cantor. Nina Simone recorded “My Baby Just Cares for Me” for her debut album “Little Girl Blue” in 1957. Nina Simone is a supremely talented singer, composer, and pianist, her unique, emotive voice was perfectly suited for conveying the raw truth and pain in her music. With unforgettable songs like “Feeling Good,” “Sinnerman,” and “I Put a Spell on You,” she became a leading figure in the civil rights movement and left an indelible mark on the worlds of jazz, blues, and soul music. |
| A Tisket, A Tasket | Ella Fitzgerald | “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” is a nursery rhyme first recorded in the US in the late 19th century and used as a basis by Ella Fitzgerald for her 1938 composition in conjunction with Al Feldman (later known as Van Alexander). Nicknamed the “First Lady of Song,” she was an extraordinary singer whose flawless pitch and impeccable diction earned her a place among the pantheon of jazz greats. Throughout her illustrious career spanning over six decades, she amassed a total of 13 Grammy Awards and sold more than 40 million records, leaving behind an indelible imprint on the fabric of music. |
| Broken Hearted Melody | Sarah Vaughan | Sarah Vaughan’s commercial success peaked in 1959 with “Broken Hearted Melody”, written by Hal David and Sherman Edwards, a song she considered “corny” which nevertheless became her first gold record, and a regular part of her concert repertoire for years to come. Sarah Lois Vaughan (March 27, 1924 – April 3, 1990) was an American jazz singer. Nicknamed “Sassy” and “The Divine One”, she won four Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. She was given an NEA Jazz Masters Award in 1989. Critic Scott Yanow wrote that she had “one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century”. |
| La vie en rose | Édith Piaf | “La Vie en rose” (French for ‘Life in pink’) is the signature song of French singer Édith Piaf, who wrote the lyrics in 1945 with music composed by Louiguy and released as a single in 1947. Édith Piaf (born Édith Giovanna Gassion, 19 December 1915 – 10 October 1963) was a French singer, songwriter, cabaret performer and film actress noted as France’s national chanteuse and one of the country’s most widely known international stars. |
| How Deep Is The Ocean (How High Is The Sky) | Diana Krall | “How Deep Is the Ocean?” is a popular song written by Irving Berlin in 1932. The song was developed from an earlier Berlin song “To My Mammy” which was sung by Al Jolson in his film Mammy (1930). In the earlier song, the lyrics include the questions “How deep is the ocean? / How high is the sky?” and this was the genesis of “How Deep Is the Ocean?”. Diana Jean Krall (born November 16, 1964) is a Canadian jazz pianist and singer known for her contralto vocals. |
| My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from “Titanic”) | Céline Dion | Canadian singer Céline Dion held the world spellbound with a remarkable ability to hit the highest notes with ease with her epic ballad “My Heart Will Go On” as the theme for the 1997 film Titanic. Renowned for her awe-inspiring vocal range and powerful, emotive performances, she is one of the most successful and beloved artists in the history of pop music. Over her illustrious career, she’s sold more than 250 million albums worldwide, earning numerous awards and accolades that firmly cement her status as a bonafide vocal powerhouse. |
| Greatest Love Off All | Whitney Houston | This was written by songwriters Michael Masser and Linda Creed, recovering from breast cancer, in 1977 for the soundtrack of Muhammad Ali’s biography movie, The Greatest, recorded by George Benson. Whitney Houston’s version was originally the B-side of “You Give Good Love” With over 200 million records sold worldwide, she was a beloved icon and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, using her incomparable vocal prowess to captivate audiences with unforgettable renditions of “I Will Always Love You,” “Greatest Love of All,” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”. |
| Don’t Know Why | Norah Jones | “Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones, released in 2002, is a song originally written composed and performed by Jesse Harris in 1999. Norah Jones, born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar on March 30, 1979, is recognized internationally as a distinguished singer, songwriter, and pianist. Born in New York City and raised in Texas, her distinctive blend of jazz, pop, and soul music has earned her substantial acclaim across her career. She is the daughter of famed Indian sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar and concert producer Sue Jones, a lineage that undoubtedly contributed to her profound musical talent. Jones’s stellar career began in earnest with the release of her debut album, Come Away with Me, in 2002. |
| Sodade | Cesária Évora | “Sodade” is a Cape Verdean song written in the 1950s by Armando Zeferino Soares, and best popularized by Cesária Évora on her 1992 album Miss Perfumado. She released her debut album, La Diva Aux Pieds Nus, in 1988. Cesária Évora (27 August 1941 – 17 December 2011) was a Cape Verdean singer known for singing morna, a genre of music from Cape Verde, in her native Cape Verdean Creole. Sodade describes the nostalgia experienced by Cape Verdeans emigrants who have been seafarers and emigrants for centuries, repeating the question “Ken mostro-b es kaminhu longe?” (“Who showed you the faraway path?”) |
| Anyone Who Had A Heart | Dionne Warwick | “Anyone Who Had a Heart” is a song written by Burt Bacharach (music) and Hal David (lyrics) for Dionne Warwick in 1963. During her career, Warwick has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and she has won many awards, including six Grammy Awards. |
| Sweet Love | Anita Baker | “Sweet Love” was written by Anita Baker, Louis A. Johnson, and Gary Bias, and Anita Baker’s first big hit in 1986. Anita Denise Baker (born January 26, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter. “Sweet Love” won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards (1987). |
| What’s Love Got To Do With It | Tina Turner | “What’s Love Got To Do With It” was Tina Turner’s comeback song at age 44 in 1984. In 1993, the title was used for a movie about her life starring Angela Bassett as Turner. With a career spanning six decades, countless accolades, and over 200 million records sold, Tina Turner remains an enduring symbol of strength and resilience. |
| I Feel The Earth Move | Carole King | I Feel the Earth Move” is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Carole King, an iconic singer-songwriter whose incredible career has spanned over six decades, her emotive voice and timeless compositions have left a lasting impact on the world of music. With beloved hits like “You’ve Got a Friend,” “It’s Too Late,” and “I Feel the Earth Move,” she’s penned some of the most enduring tunes in the pop and rock canon, earning multiple Grammy Awards and selling millions of records. |
| Jolene | Dolly Parton | Dolly Parton is a true country music legend, her distinctive, angelic voice and unparalleled songwriting prowess have secured her place as one of the most successful and influential artists in the genre. With beloved hits like “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You” to her name, she’s not only charmed listeners with her heartfelt storytelling but also inspired generations of female artists to follow in her footsteps. According to Parton, the song was inspired by a red-headed bank clerk who flirted with her husband, Carl Dean, at his local bank branch around the time they were newly married. In an interview, she also revealed that Jolene’s name and appearance are based on that of a young fan who came on stage for her autograph. |
| You Don’t Know My Name | Alicia Keys | “You Don’t Know My Name” is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, released in 2003. Best known for soulful anthems like “Fallin’,” “No One,” and “If I Ain’t Got You,” she’s won countless awards and accolades, including 15 Grammy Awards and more than 40 million records sold. |
| People | Barbra Streisand | “People” is a song composed by Jule Styne with lyrics by Bob Merrill for the 1964 Broadway musical Funny Girl starring Barbra Streisand, who introduced the song. From unforgettable ballads like “The Way We Were” and “Evergreen” to powerful showstoppers like “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “People,” her incredible talent has earned her numerous awards, including ten Grammy Awards and an impressive record as the only artist to have number-one albums in six consecutive decades. |
| Lady Sings the Blues | Billie Holiday | “Lady Sings the Blues” is a song written by jazz singer Billie Holiday and jazz pianist Herbie Nichols. She put this new signature sound on scores of stirring ballads such as her self-reflecting composition “Lady Sings The Blues”. Holiday’s complicated life and her genre-defining autobiography “Lady Sings the Blues” made her a cultural icon. Despite a relatively short career marred by tragedy and hardship, she left an enduring legacy in the music world, influencing countless artists and selling millions of records. |
| Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To) | Diana Ross | “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)” was initially recorded by American singer Thelma Houston in 1973, and then by Diana Ross as the theme to the 1975 Motown/Paramount film Mahogany that also starred Ross. Produced by Masser, the song is a ballad that portrays its protagonist (Ross) as a black woman who becomes a successful Rome fashion designer. A legendary diva with a voice as smooth as silk, she was the epitome of glamour and sophistication as the lead singer of one of the most successful female groups before launching a wildly successful solo career. |
| Hero | Mariah Carey | “Hero” is one of American singer-songwriter, and record producer Mariah Carey’s most inspirational and personal ballads released on October 18, 1993. Blessed with a stunning five-octave vocal range, Mariah Carey is widely regarded as one of the most technically skilled singers in the industry. With more than 200 million records sold, 19 number-one singles, and countless awards under her belt, there’s no question that she’s a living legend and one of the best-selling female artists of all time. |
| Rolling In The Deep | ADELE | Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” made her a legend, as far as the whole world was concerned. Reeling from the “rubbish relationship” that inspired her breakthrough 21, Adele poured all her pain into this smash. On this revenge song, Adele lays into a former boyfriend.. With more than 120 million records sold and a legion of devoted fans, this British powerhouse is undeniably one of the most influential female vocalists of her generation. |
| Back To Black | Amy Winehouse | “Back to Black” was written by Amy Winehouse and Marc Ronson. Her ex went back to his girlfriend and Winehouse went back to drinking and dark times. This song is about Winehouse’s breakup with her then-boyfriend Blake Fielder-Civil. They got back together and married in 2007. Despite her untimely death at just 27, she left behind a legacy of groundbreaking music, earning numerous posthumous awards and accolades, and selling over 33 million records worldwide. |
| This Is My Life | Shirley Bassey | “This Is My Life (La vita)”, written by (Bruno Canfora, Antonio Amurri and Norman Newell is Shirley Bassey’s statement. Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey, (born 8 January 1937) is a Welsh singer whose career began in the mid-1950s, best known both for her powerful voice and for recording the theme songs to the James Bond films Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and Moonraker (1979). In January 1959, Bassey became the first Welsh person to gain a No. 1 single.In 2000, Bassey was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to the performing arts. In 1977 she received the Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist in the previous 25 years. Bassey is considered one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the second half of the 20th century. |
Sources
The information sources of the song facts include, but are not limited to, Wikipedia, songfacts.com, discogs.com, secondhandsongs.com, YouTube and artists’ related websites.
