In honor of Women's History Month coming up in March, I have compiled a list of singers whose voices are powerful enough to make you cry.
1. Celine Dion
This one is a no-brainer. Celine’s voice is very soothing and beautiful. She could sing me to sleep. However, her voice is also very powerful. There are some songs where she hits a high note and I almost get misty-eyed. Honestly, I can't be the only one who wants to bawl my eyes out at the end of “My Heart Will Go On”.
2. Whitney Houston
Although she may be deceased, Whitney’s music will always live on. Songs like “I Will Always Love You”, “Greatest Love of All”, and “I Have Nothing” showcase the richness and strength of her voice. My personal favorite Whitney performance however is her rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XXV in ‘91.
3. Jennifer Hudson
JHud can really sing. A vast array of her songs, such as those in “Dreamgirls”, packs a punch, but her performance in “Hairspray” really seals the deal. “I Know Where I’ve Been” is a tearjerker on its own, but Jennifer takes it to a whole other level.
4. Adele
Adele’s music has a classic vibe which I love. Her songs range from love songs to breakup songs. Some of my go to’s for a good cry are “Someone Like You”, which I have referenced before, and “When We Were Young”. They are such beautiful pieces that bring out the best of Adele’s range.
5. Demi Lovato
Demi has come a long way from her Disney Channel days. Her albums tell the story of how she has overcome personal battles and grown over the years. This is emphasized in the song “Skyscraper”. I was instantly moved the first time I heard it and have listened to it for inspiration ever since. “Stone Cold” also has a strong impact as well.
6. Christina Aguilera
Over the past decade or so, Xtina has been making waves in the pop music industry. Songs such as “Beautiful” and “Fighter” were staples in my childhood playlists. However, tracks like “Hurt” make it extremely hard for me to stay dry-eyed. “Hurt” is an emotional ballad that showcases Christina’s voice very well. But then there's “Say Something”, which instantly puts me into a state of depression.
7. Jojo
I spent most of my childhood listening to Jojo. Even to date, I still find myself reliving the nostalgia of my elementary school days by turning up her songs. “Too Little, Too Late” is one of my all-time favorite songs. The final chorus highlights Jojo’s belted range and falsetto perfectly and is enough to make me want to cry.
8. Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson paved the way for all other “American Idol” alum behind her. Her voice is breathtaking between her performance at Barack Obama’s inauguration and one of my other favorite songs, “Because Of You”. A heartbreaking song to begin with, Kelly’s pain is conveyed in a way that pushes it even further and really tugs on the heartstrings.
9. Lindsay Lohan
Before jumping off the deep end and going off the grid, Lindsay Lohan had a successful music career. A few of her songs are still in my playlist rotation, including “Confessions Of A Broken Heart (Daughter To Father)”. “Confessions” was released to address Lindsay’s father who had been arrested for getting in a car crash while intoxicated. It's hard not to feel a little bit sorry for her when you hear the song and watch the video.
10. Christina Grimmie
Maybe it's because the murder of my hometown hero still haunts me at times, but I often get choked up listening to Christina’s performances on “The Voice”, YouTube covers, and solo tracks. She had the voice of an angel and transformed any song into a masterpiece. Even though all her tracks are amazing, her cover of “Just A Dream” with Sam Tsui is a difficult pill to swallow. “Just A Dream” on its own is a sad song, then you add Christina’s extraordinary pipes harmonizing with Sam, resulting in the ultimate breakup song.
There are other artists whom I failed to mention but these are my top 10 favorites.
