Let’s take a moment to talk about some of the female singers of the 70s who paved the way for all the queens ruling our playlists today. They were the blueprint—vocal powerhouses, genre trailblazers, and style icons. Even though us Gen Z folks weren’t born yet (we get it, TikTok fam), these ladies set the stage for the pop divas, indie stars, and rock legends we can’t stop streaming. Let’s dive in!
1. Linda Ronstadt
Best Song: “You’re No Good”
Linda was the genre-hopping queen of the 70s. She could rock out, hit you with country vibes, or croon a heartbreaking ballad. You’re No Good? Literally perfect for blasting after an “I don’t need you” moment. Linda’s voice? Iconic. Her vibe? Timeless.
2. Karen Carpenter (The Carpenters)
Best Song: “Close to You”
Karen’s voice was so smooth it could melt butter. She gave us soft pop perfection with The Carpenters, and Close to You still feels like a warm hug from the past. Karen also made it cool to embrace vulnerability, proving that sometimes soft is powerful.
3. Aretha Franklin
Best Song: “Respect”
Aretha wasn’t just the Queen of Soul—she was the queen of everything. Respect wasn’t just a song; it was a full-blown movement. With her powerhouse vocals and commanding presence, she turned Otis Redding’s original into an empowering anthem. Even now, we can’t spell “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” without singing it.
4. Carly Simon
Best Song: “You’re So Vain”
Carly’s You’re So Vain is basically the OG subtweet but in song form. Who was it about? We still don’t know (or care) because it’s so fun to sing dramatically. Carly made sass an art form, and we love her for it.
5. Ann Wilson (Heart)
Best Song: “Barracuda”
Ann Wilson brought full-on rock-star energy with her band Heart, and Barracuda was their ultimate anthem. That guitar riff? Absolute fire. If you’ve ever played Guitar Hero, you’ve probably pretended to shred along to it (don’t lie, we’ve all been there). And for the real ones who played GTA: San Andreas, you’ve definitely headbanged to it on K-DST while cruising through the desert in a stolen car. Ann’s voice? Pure power. Her attitude? Straight-up legendary.
6. Stevie Nicks
Best Song: “Edge of Seventeen”
Stevie’s raspy voice and witchy vibes are everything. Edge of Seventeen is a timeless jam with its hypnotic guitar riff and Stevie’s unmatched charisma. It’s the kind of song that makes you feel powerful just listening to it. While she slayed with Fleetwood Mac, this solo hit proved Stevie was a star all on her own.
7. Donna Summer
Best Song: “Hot Stuff”
Disco wouldn’t be disco without Donna Summer. Hot Stuff was a dance-floor anthem, and her voice could make even a “meh” party feel like Studio 54. She made the 70s sparkle, and honestly, we want to live in that glittery world.
8. Deborah Harry (Blondie)
Best Song: “Heart of Glass”
Debbie Harry was the cool-girl frontwoman of Blondie, and Heart of Glass gave punk a pop twist. With her edgy voice and punk-glam vibe, she made everyone want to be her—or date her. We still think she’s everything.
9. Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane)
Best Song: “White Rabbit”
Grace Slick’s psychedelic vibes were unmatched. White Rabbit was a trippy masterpiece that made us feel like we were falling down the rabbit hole. She’s the definition of edgy, and her influence is still all over alt-rock today.
10. Roberta Flack
Best Song: “Killing Me Softly”
Before the Fugees made it a hit, Roberta’s Killing Me Softly was already making us cry in the best way. Her voice was smooth, emotional, and so relatable. She’s the queen of making feelings feel like art.
11. Olivia Newton-John
Best Song: “Hopelessly Devoted to You”
Thanks to Grease, Olivia became a 70s icon. Her sweet, crystal-clear voice in Hopelessly Devoted to You? Literal angel vibes. She’s proof that pop and heart go hand in hand.
12. Helen Reddy
Best Song: “I Am Woman”
Helen Reddy gave us an anthem for empowerment with I Am Woman. It’s the kind of song you put on when you’re hyping yourself up for anything. She was all about strength and independence—major inspo.
13. Carole King
Best Song: “It’s Too Late”
Carole King wasn’t just a singer; she was a songwriter extraordinaire. It’s Too Late feels like your diary got turned into a song (but in a good way). Her album Tapestry is basically a rite of passage for anyone who loves music.
14. Joni Mitchell
Best Song: “Big Yellow Taxi”
Joni was all about thoughtful, poetic lyrics that made you stop and think. Big Yellow Taxi is an environmental bop, and her storytelling style? Still unmatched. She’s like the original “sad girl autumn” but with extra depth.
15. Patti Smith
Best Song: “Because the Night”
Patti Smith brought punk energy with a poetic twist. Because the Night is one of those tracks that still feels raw and fresh. She was rebellious, creative, and totally fearless—a true trailblazer.
16. Chaka Khan
Best Song: “I’m Every Woman”
Before Whitney took it to new heights, Chaka’s I’m Every Woman was already a vibe. Her voice is pure power, and she brought the funk with soul. Let’s just say she’s the queen of slay.
17. Nancy Wilson (Heart)
Best Song: “Magic Man”
Nancy Wilson brought both the guitar skills and vocals that made Heart one of the coolest bands ever. Magic Man was a rock anthem that made us all want to pick up an electric guitar. She was proof that women could absolutely dominate the rock world.
18. Maria Muldaur
Best Song: “Midnight at the Oasis”
Maria’s Midnight at the Oasis had the perfect mix of sultry and fun vibes. It’s one of those songs that makes you want to sway in a boho dress under twinkly lights. Her unique, jazzy style was pure 70s magic.
19. Christine McVie (Fleetwood Mac)
Best Song: “Songbird”
Christine McVie’s voice was like comfort food for your soul. While Stevie Nicks had the spotlight in Fleetwood Mac, Christine’s Songbird showed off her emotional depth and elegant songwriting. She was the glue that held Fleetwood Mac’s sound together.
20. Kate Bush
Best Song: “Running Up That Hill”
Kate Bush was always ahead of her time, but “Running Up That Hill” became the ultimate Gen-Z mood booster after it saved Max from Vecna in Stranger Things. That haunting beat and Kate’s ethereal voice hit different whether you’re sprinting through the Upside Down or just trying to survive Monday. It’s dramatic, it’s powerful, and it’s proof that Kate Bush is a forever icon. (Also, can we talk about how this song climbed back onto the charts decades later? Absolute queen behavior.)
21. Janis Joplin
Best Song: “Piece of My Heart”
Janis was the raw, rebellious queen of rock with a voice that could knock you over. Piece of My Heart is the kind of song you belt out when you’re feeling emotional and extra dramatic (we’ve all been there). She left us way too soon, but her legacy is eternal.
22. Bonnie Raitt
Best Song: “Love Me Like a Man”
Bonnie Raitt brought bluesy vibes and killer guitar skills to the 70s. Love Me Like a Man was soulful, sassy, and full of swagger. Bonnie proved that women could rock the blues just as hard—if not harder—than the guys.
Why They’re Unforgettable
Each of these women brought something unique to the 70s music scene. Nancy and Bonnie showed us how to shred a guitar, Christine gave us elegance, Maria brought jazzy charm, Kate brought theatrical drama, and Janis delivered raw rock energy. Together, they made the decade unforgettable.
Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Girl Gang of the 70s
The 70s female singers weren’t just amazing artists; they were trailblazers who set the stage for every iconic artist we stan today. Whether it’s Nancy Wilson’s guitar solos, Kate Bush’s haunting voice, or Janis Joplin’s raw energy, they brought it all. And don’t even get us started on the disco, rock, and soul vibes Donna Summer and Chaka Khan served.
So next time you’re curating your “retro vibes” playlist, don’t sleep on these legends. They’re the original queens, and their music hits just as hard now as it did back then. Who’s your favorite from this squad? Let’s talk! 🎶
