Being overrated is in the eye of the beholder. Or in this case, the listener. Just because an artist is on this list of overrated singers, doesn’t necessarily mean they have a bad voice. Well, some do.
Many artists have hit it big thanks to their overall packaging and appeal as compared to singing talent. Some simply grew old while others can’t seem to find that right style. Whichever the case, this list portrays the best of the best in a different light.
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1. Katy Perry
Katy Perry is still one of the biggest music superstars of the 21st century thanks to her catchy tunes and sexy image. Hits like “Teenage Dream”, “Firework”, “Roar”, and “I Kissed a Girl” have young girls everywhere singing their hearts out but even though she’s an amazing performer, Perry’s voice isn’t her strong suit.
2. Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy’s work with Black Sabbath and later solo career, plus his reality TV antics endeared him to a whole new generation of fans. However, Ozzy doesn’t have the vocal range of other hard rock artists.
3. Camila Cabello
Cabello of Fifth Harmony and “Havana” fame is a great performer but that doesn’t mean that she’s a fantastic vocalist. Her girl group days and solo careers proved that she is a talented dancer, but her singing doesn’t always impress everyone.
4. Axl Rose
Guns N’ Roses took the rock scene by the collar in the late 1980s with catchy songs, a bad-boy image, and hedonistic antics. The vocals of lead singer Axl Rose does go with the band’s sound but it’s certainly not of a classically trained vocalist. This has been especially true in his live performances the past few years.
5. Britney Spears
Britney was the darling of the late 90’s with a great image, talent for dancing, and stage presence. As an overall talent, Britney had what it took when she was packaged as a pop star. However, her vocals aren’t as strong as they could be.
6. Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews and his band have become one of the most successful touring bands of all time. He may mumble from time to time but Matthews’s outstanding songwriting ability is the band’s real treasure.
7. Rihanna
Bahamian bombshell Rihanna boasts of a massive music carer in the last decade or so, with sales of over 250 million records, 14 number-ones, and 31 top-ten singles in the U.S. Maybe it’s the catchy tunes and dance beats since she doesn’t really have the strongest vocal talent.
8. Lou Reed
The singer and principal songwriter for avant-garde 1960s band the Velvet Underground built a huge career considering his lack of vocal talent. Reed was more known for his deadpan, almost spoken-word performances as compared to actually singing.
9. Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne emerged in 2002 as a pop-punk princess with spunky hits including “Sk8er Boi” and “Complicated.” Her success continued for almost two decades, moving from angry teen to full-fledged pop star. It must be the image and catchy songs since her vocal abilities are often questioned.
10. Liam Gallagher
Liam Gallagher’s rock-star swagger helps mask his vocals which sound more like a John Lennon impression than singing. It doesn’t help that his brother guitarist Noel Gallagher wrote most of the band’s biggest hits. Oasis imploded thanks to the sibling’s bickering in 2009.
11. Selena Gomez
Former Disney star Selena Gomez did have many hits during her music career. But it’s probably more to do with studio production and catchy melodies than her voice. Sometimes it’s as if Gomez sounds like she’s in auto-tune.
12. Adam Levine
The Maroon 5 singer doesn’t have the worst voice ever, but his sound can become a bit monotonous, as Levine doesn’t really to alter his style much. He’s not terrible but it would be nice if he changed it up a bit.
13. Janet Jackson
Janet’s vocals aren’t overly impressive in terms of her performing skills. Not terrible, but certainly nothing special either. But she is a Jackson and performing is in her blood.
14. Jon Bon Jovi
The 1980s and early 1990s saw Jon Bon Jovi as having one of the best voices in rock. He had a dynamic range but his smoking had his voice go through a decline.
15. Miley Cyrus
Miley is a super talented stage performer but that voice doesn’t always sound as pleasant as it could. Cyrus certainly made good use of her post-Disney star career by being controversial, helping her gain the attention of fans. Her vocals though aren’t the strongest, especially when she attempts other styles or genres.
16. Bono
In the 80s, Bono’s operatic vocals made sure U2 achieved international superstardom, but today, he can’t hit those high notes anymore, and not even expensive stage set-ups can hide that fact.
17. Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is arguably the biggest pop star in the world with hit after hit and stadium tours selling out everywhere she goes. Her relatively mediocre vocal range is masked by her presence and charm which seems to resonate with young girls everywhere.
18. Johnny Rotten
Punk rock “purists” refuse to hear it, but the Sex Pistols were prefabricated just like boy bands. None of them had definable musical skills. Singer Johnny Rotten simply snarled his way through their songs.
19. Lady Gaga
Gaga does have an amazing voice but the push to elevate her to the likes of all-time-great singers seems to be working against her. It’s a standard against which she falls short of despite her incredible range.
20. Kurt Cobain
Nirvana’s grunge sound coupled with Cobain’s songwriting in the early 90s changed how the public viewed alternative rock. He wasn’t the best singer, with a voice that sounded raspy and unintelligible but it was a sound many emulated after his passing.
21. Madonna
Madonna is the influence of many female artists including Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus. And just like them, Madonna’s career was more about her overall skills as a performer than it was her singing voice.
22. Chris Martin
Coldplay’s grandiose epic songs have made them one the biggest rock bands in the past 2 decades. Vocalist Chris Martin is not a terrible singer but his voice doesn’t exactly match the epic quality his band’s music has made.
23. Gwen Stefani
With the band No Doubt and in her solo career, Stefani has been a star for 25 years now. Her style has been copied by many, and her support for women has influenced a generation. But vocally, she’s just kind of okay.
24. Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an icon among musicians and is widely praised for his songwriting. His voice is grainy and mumbly though, but many seem to love that style.
25. Beyonce
Beyonce has a great voice, but because her fandom that treats her like a queen, it should be noted that her vocals don’t really reach the heights of the R&B pantheon. Still, she sounds fantastic all the time.
26. Ed Sheeran
Sheeran is a very talented songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist. Though his talent level doesn’t match up to his massive, stadium-filling popularity which makes it feel like he is a bit overrated.
27. Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber does have the vocal prowess, but it seems like he has been resting on his laurels a bit lately. He doesn’t even know the lyrics to his appearance on the hit that is “Despacito.”
28. Jennifer Lopez
J. Lo is a multimedia icon. She’s found huge success in films, television, and music. But that music career didn’t really take off thanks to her voice. Songs like “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” and “Jenny From The Block” are catchy, but they’re not exactly vocal masterpieces.
29. Bret Michaels
Poison lead singer Bret Michaels is still out there performing despite a successful three-decade career. The glam metal outfits to the cowboy look, all while appearing on reality television shows have kept his star shining even though he never had the vocal chops of many other rock singers of his time.
30. Shania Twain
Shania Twain has a good voice but there are many other women in country music with more dynamic voices. And yet they never matched the “Still the One” singer’s impact.
31. Kelly Clarkson
Clarkson won the inaugural season of American Idol back in 2002. With hits like “My Life Would Suck Without You”, Clarkson is a premier vocalist but that seems to be due to recency bias than her overall ability.
32. David Lee Roth
“Diamond” Dave brought the charisma to the first 6 Van Halen records. The poetic lyrics and bombastic stage presence went hand in hand with Eddie Van Halen’s “guitar god” skills. However, Roth’s voice never had a dynamic range. He wasn’t the most naturally talented vocalist either.
33. Cher
Cher has been around for the longest time. She is undoubtedly a music icon. Her voice and trademark warble is more recognizable as a part of her act.
34. Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder stands as one of the most influential songwriters of the last 3 decades. That trademark bassy mumble works for Pearl Jam but it’s not really a classically “good” voice.
35. Adele
Adele is a fantastic singer. And compared to the vast majority of singers on the pop charts today, she is arguably one of the best. But does she stand with the all-time greats? That’s up for debate.
36. Billie Eilish
When Billie chooses to use her voice in a more traditional sense, it’s clear that she has a good voice. But with music that is whispery and moody, it just masks her real talent. Though that style has helped her stand out and gain many fans.
37. James Hetfield
Metallica lead singer and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield is a metal god to many. For nearly four decades, Metallica has been the biggest and most popular metal band. His voice has deteriorated over time and is most noticeable on their current live recordings of the band’s 80s classics.
38. Michael Jackson
The king of pop’s catchy songs, unparalleled music videos, and spectacular dance moves are all proof of Jackson’s other-worldly talent. It’s just that his vocals might really have been the weakest part of his overall package.
39. Gerard Way
My Chemical Romance ruled the mid-00s emo and alternative rock scene. Artistic lead singer Gerard Way crafted the band’s image, including the elaborate backstories for concept albums. He created the successful non-MCR-related comic book The Umbrella Academy as well. It’s his vocal ability that doesn’t match up with those artistic pursuits.
40. Billy Joel
Joel is the “Piano Man” and the “Singing Man” for a reason. His vocals don’t seem to match his instrumental talent, and in recent decades, he’s had to slow down and drop in key during concerts just so he can keep up vocally.
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