If You Could Sing Like Anyone...

...who would it be?

I once had an editor say, if he could sing like anyone, he'd wanna sing like John Fogerty. That whiskey-yodel yelp is a helluva choice.

As for me, when talking about rockers, I hover between Robert Plant and Axl Rose, just for sheer crotch-thrusty, hell-hound-wailing ability. I'm not even that big of a Zeppelin fan, but to be able to sing Gallows Pole would be super cool.

Although as soon as I wrote that, Jackie Wilson singing Lonely Teardrops popped into my head. Sam Cooke is a badass choice, too. And then there's Elvis.

As for women, how about Aretha Franklin? Or Natalie Merchant? Or Stevie Nicks? Damn, that's tough.

But let's do it: If you could be any singer, who would it be?

(By the way, I have a vague feeling that I asked something like this two years ago. Screw it. It's a fun one, so we're doing it again.)

Comments

[kmcg]

Stevie Wonder. Livin in the City.

Bowie on Young Americans.

John Lennon on Twist and Shout; Please, Please Me

[Tonianne]

When I was little, I desperately wanted to be Ella Fitzgerald or Billie Holiday or Nina Simone. When the realization hit me that (1) I couldn't carry a tune if it had a handle, and (2) I would never - no matter how hard I prayed to God - become a soulful Black woman, I shifted my aspirations.

Today, I'd give my eye teeth to belt out a tune like China Forbes of Pink Martini. In any of the half dozen languages she is fluent in.

[Tonianne]

When I was little, I desperately wanted to be Ella Fitzgerald or Billie Holiday or Nina Simone. When the realization hit me that (1) I couldn't carry a tune if it had a handle, and (2) I would never - no matter how hard I prayed to God - become a soulful Black woman, I shifted my aspirations.

Today, I'd give my eye teeth to belt out a tune like China Forbes of Pink Martini. In any of the half dozen languages she is fluent in.

[Sean Daly]

I have a devastating crush on China Forbes. Love Pink Martini. Good one.

Bowie is an interesting choice -- a cool, distinctive, stylish voice. Would have never thought of him, tho.

[Steve Spears]

I'm going with Steve Perry, so I can live out my lifelong dream of being a part of Journey and wearing tuxedo tails over a leopard print t-shirt in concert.

Now, if I could only grow my hair long and drop about 100 pounds...

[Boe]

Steve Kilby - lead singer of The Church (Under the Milky Way Tonight).

[jane]

Easy -- Karen Carpenter. I'd give anything to have that pure, clear tone of her voice.

[sparky]

I'd have to go with Buddy Holly either on Everyday or Peggy Sue.

[Matty T]

Well you mentioned my first choice. Sam Cooke a voice so smooth you can see your reflection in it.

but Wynonie Harris, a gravely throated R&B singer would be kick butt as well as having Allison Moyet's clear one.

[DG]

Isaac Hayes.

I think that voice would end my much-too-long dating drought.

[Sean Daly]

Isaac Hayes is a bad mother------ shut yo mouth!

You gotta go to the Stax Museum in Memphis and see his 1972 gold-plated peacock blue caddy. It spins around on a pedestal as they play a soundtrack of Black Moses "Oohing" and "Oh yeahing."

It's very much the definition of badass.

[dolly]

in no particular order: annie lennox

[Birgit]

Hello,
Ich komme aus Germany und freue mich, wenn Ihr meine Webseite besucht.
Liebe Grüße an alle Deutschen in Florida.
Birgit Bach

Thank you and I wish you good luck wtih my letters:
www.california-dance-band.de ,
a lead singer from Germany.
Birgit

[Al]

How about Diamond Dave back in the day?

"Loooook at allllll the people here toniiiiiight!"

[Marissa]

Hey! This is a great question, Sean. Even if you've done it before it's worth repeating.
For oldies I wish I could do the croon of Karen Carpenter. Pure golden tones.
Throw in a little Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark...and what the heck, how about LuLu.
Sade would work for me, too.

[Ian H. from Down Under]

Dan Baird from the Georgia Satellites. I yearn to be depised by the world's entire population. Everybody all together now, "I got a little change in my pocket going jingle lingle ling"
But honestly, Colin Hay from Men at Work. Clean Crisp and Brilliant and Aussie (well sort of).

[Tom G.]

no question, Van Morrison, although his better days were before my time

[Guy]

Raul Malo - dude could sing the phone book and it would sound great.

[Sean Daly]

Malo! Man, how could I forget that guy? Nice one, Guy.

[Sarah]

Either Karen Carpenter or Axl Rose. It's a toss-up.

[Stevo]

Definitely John Fogerty or Jim Morrison. Two of the greatest rock icons if you ask me. Their voices are like nothing we had ever heard, nor will ever hear again. Nowadays its just the same old stuff....