Top 50 Female Artist Songs of All Time

In this article, we list 50 of the biggest female artist singles that made a huge dent in the US and UK. Each of the singles is listed along with intro explaining why it’s distinctive and at what chart peak it hit. We are not numerically-ranking those that come afterwards at all; each one a distinct hit that hit or rose towards the very pinnacle of the charts. The compilation runs from a decade or more ago, from classic rock and soul singles through recent pop and R&B hits. Below each heading, there’s a comment about success (e.g., “No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100”). This intro provides a sense of the structure of the compilation. Now that we got that out of the way, let’s go into the individual singles and salute those classic female artist hits.

I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston

Houston’s belted Dolly Parton ballad was a massive 1992 pop hit. Whitney’s was No. 1 for a record 14 weeks (1992–93) on the US Billboard Hot 100 and also was the UK’s #1 single. Houston’s towering voice took this love ballad and made it a classic all-time best-selling single by a female artist. It’s one of the decade’s definitive ballads.

Rolling in the Deep by Adele

The 2011 soul-pop single by Adele was a global success. It hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks and also reached No. 1 in the UK. The pulsing beat and warm voice of Adele turned this song into a modern classic. The song won a few awards and was among the best-selling singles of the year.

Hello by Adele

The ballad released by Adele in 2015 was her second massive global hit. The song debuted at No. 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and stayed for ten weeks, also topping the UK chart. Universally, the voice and piano riffs of the emotional ballad resonated. The impromptu hit also smashed streams’ record and cemented the reputation as a top pop balladeer for Adele.

Respect by Aretha Franklin

The 1967 Aretha Franklin classic has aged well. The upbeat soul record went to No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was a Franklin signature song. The powerful voices and inspiring lyrics of the song resonated through the crowds, and it became a chart-topper in many countries. “Respect” remains revered as one of the greatest female artist songs.

Shake It Off by Taylor Swift

The clean pop anthem by Taylor Swift in 2014 was her entrance into clean pop music. The song debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (Swift’s first chart-topper) and was a four-week No. 1 hit and also reached the UK’s top 10. Having a catchy sing-along chorus and a feel-good summer vibe, it became a summer anthem. Swift’s success from the song aided her further development within her fan base worldwide.

Umbrella by Rihanna

The 2007 hit by Rihanna (in collaboration with Jay-Z) was a classic late-2000s pop anthem. The song stayed at No. 1 for seven weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100 and also reached No.1 on the UK Singles Chart. With its memorable hook and confident vocals from Rihanna, it was a track that couldn’t be avoided. “Umbrella” took home several awards and was one of Rihanna’s staple anthems.

Poker Face by Lady Gaga

The 2008 dance-pop anthem by Lady Gaga reached a historic No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped a number of other countries. Because of its catchy electro beat and unforgettable “poker face” chorus, it became a club staple. Gaga’s massive commercial success solidified her place as a pop icon and introduced her flamboyant style into mainstream airwaves.

Just Give Me a Reason by Pink

Their duet from the year 2013 was a staple at the radio. The track hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and went to No. 1 in the UK. The poignant, piano ballad showed a delicate side of Pink’s voice and was applauded for its power. The track was one of Pink’s biggest hits and went multi-platinum worldwide.

Hips Don’t Lie by Shakira

Shakira’s Latin-pop crossover hit in 2006 became a global phenomenon. It went to No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and also went to No. 1 in the UK. The song’s infectious rhythms and Shakira’s dancing voice made it a global dance floor sensation. “Hips Don’t Lie” was one of the decade’s top-selling singles by a female artist.

Wannabe by Spice Girls

The Spice Girls released their debut single in 1996 and it broke UK and US records. It was at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was the UK’s #1 single. The upbeat, girl-power lyrics and catchy tune brought “Girl Power” into the world. The song launched the Spice Girls into international fame and became a classic pop hit.

Jolene by Dolly Parton

The 1973 country-pop ballad was one of Dolly Parton’s signature songs. It stayed at No. 1 for some weeks at the US country chart and also hit pop radio. Even the UK’s top ten was achieved, with a peak in the neighborhood of #7. The plaintive lyrics and distinctive guitar riff have made “Jolene” a perpetual classic of her canon, though a middle-of-the-charts pop hit.

Heart of Glass by Blondie

Blondie’s 1979 disco-rock classic refused to be categorized. It hit No. 1 in both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. With new wave aesthetic and disco beat, this pairing of style and rhythm made it a dancefloor staple. Debbie Harry’s relaxed delivery over an electronica beat made it one of Blondie’s most recognizable singles.

Eternal Flame by The Bangles

The Bangles ballad hit of 1989 was proof of the group’s harmonious leads. It reached No. 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and also went straight to No. 1 in the UK. In soothing music and sappy lyrics, it was a transatlantic chart hit. Lead singer Susanna Hoffs’s whiny voice caused this ballad hit for many.

Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush

Kate Bush’s 1985 art-pop track gained renewed stardom in the intervening decades. In its initial release, it was a UK Top 5 single (peaking at #3) and charted in the mid-#30s or so of the US Hot 100. In 2022, it was catapulted (from a broadcast TV show) to #1 of the UK chart. The grand synth lead and Bush’s dramatic lead vocals have made it one of her most enduring singles over time.

It’s Too Late by Carole King

Carole King’s 1971 recording was a huge hit. It was a No. 1 hit in the US Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts for multiple weeks. Due to its relaxing piano-based tune and King’s soothing voice, it became a staple song of the 1970s. The recording also charted in the UK Top 10 (nearly #6), and took home the Record of the Year award, establishing King as a top singer-songwriter.

You’re So Vain by Carly Simon

Carly Simon’s one-hit wonder of 1972 became a classic almost instantly. The record was at No. 1 for three weeks at the US Billboard Hot 100 and also charted in the UK’s top 5. The witty inside lyrics concerning a prideful one-nighter resonated in the ears of the listeners. With a memorable chorus and a forceful voice by Simon, it remained a popular song for a very long period.

Bad Guy by Billie Eilish

The 2019 song by Billie Eilish was a global sensation. It hit No. 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 (becoming the first for her) and No. 2 in the UK chart. Whisper-like voice and eerie mood brought a modern frenzy. Eccentric style and huge streams helped make Billie a voice of her generation.

Drivers License by Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo’s debut single in 2021 was a sudden hit. It entered at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and also went No. 1 in the UK. The emotional lyrics of the piano ballad struck a chord with fans everywhere. It was a record-breaker for a female artist’s streams, and Rodrigo became a teen pop star at the age of 17.

Genie in a Bottle by Christina Aguilera

The debut single by Christina Aguilera in 1999 was a late-90s teen-pop classic. It became a five-week No. 1 at the US Billboard Hot 100 and a UK chart-topper. Aguilera’s unforgettable hook and teenaged voice signaled her arrival into the teen-pop world. The single was among the top-selling debut singles from a female artist in that year.

Vision of Love by Mariah Carey

Her first single (1990) was the start of her star-filled career. The track was released gradually from the bottom but worked its way up the chart and hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, staying there for four weeks. The belted-out voice and gospel-tinged run became a Mariah signature. It also charted Top 10 in the UK and took many awards and became a classic.

Only Girl (In the World) by Rihanna

Another No. 1 was her 2010 dance anthem. It went to No. 1 in the UK and topped the US Billboard Hot 100. With its clubby beat and upbeat vocals by Rihanna, it was a massive radio hit. It also won a Grammy and was multi-platinum certified, cementing Rihanna’s dominance over early 2010s pop.

thank u, next by Ariana Grande

Her 2018 hit single was a cultural phenomenon. It debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (her first No. 1). It also topped the UK and many other countries. The upbeat pop anthem for singing one’s heart out after a breakup broke female-artist streaming records. The memorable hook and cagey lyrics made it one of the definitive sounds of 2018.

Roar by Katy Perry

The 2013 anthem by Katy Perry was one of her biggest hits. The song hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and also went to No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. The inspiring words and energetic production turned “Roar” into a stadium anthem. “Roar” was among the best-selling singles of the year 2013 worldwide and one of Perry’s signature songs.

Big Girls Don’t Cry by Fergie

Fergie’s ballad from 2007 was a US No. 1. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, her third consecutive chart-topper from The Dutchess. In the UK it hit #2. The slow-burning build and Fergie’s emotional delivery made it a classic break-up song and one of her eventual solo chart-peaks.

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) by Beyoncé

Beyoncé’s dance single from 2008 was a global sensation. The track remained at the number one position for the US Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks and entered the top ten in nearly every country. The upbeat pop-R&B track and its popular dance video propelled it into stardom. With its anthem for autonomy, it was one of Beyoncé’s biggest and most recognizable singles.

Irreplaceable by Beyoncé

Since the year 2006, this song has proven to be one of Beyoncé’s staple singles. In the US Billboard Hot 100, it was a 10-week No. 1, and Top 5 in the UK (almost #4). The country-tinged pop ballad’s memorable guitar riff and “to the left, to the left” refrain about getting over someone struck a chord among fans and was a long-running No. 1 hit.

Womanizer by Britney Spears

Britney Spears’s comeback single for 2008 blasted all the way to the US Billboard Hot 100’s No. 1. The dance-pop anthem about facing a lover addicted to adultery was energetic and catchy. It even became a worldwide top-five single. “Womanizer” proved that Britney also had superstar mojo a decade after her arrival.

Baby One More Time by Britney Spears

Britney Spears’s debut single of 1998 marked the beginning of her career worldwide. The upbeat teen pop anthem was a No. 1 hit in the US Billboard Hot 100 and also a chart-topper in the UK. The song’s memorable chorus and schoolgirl-perfect video rendered it a hit. It is one of the best-selling debut singles ever by a female artist.

A Moment Like This by Kelly Clarkson

The coronation anthem by Kelly Clarkson for her victory at American Idol (2002) became a chart-topper. It went to the very top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart from her win. The ballad-like score and the emotional voice of Clarkson resonated well among viewers. Although her performance did not chart in the UK, it is remembered as that debut season’s winner’s anthem.

My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion

Celine Dion’s 1997 blockbuster ballad (from the movie Titanic) dominated charts worldwide. It spent two weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and also hit No. 1 in the UK. Its sweeping orchestration and Dion’s soaring vocals made it a cultural phenomenon. It became one of the best-selling singles of the 90s.

I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor

The 1978 disco hit by Gloria Gaynor became a classic anthem of fortitude. It reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and went to No. 1 on charts worldwide. Its infectious beat and declaration of fortitude after a broken heart propelled it as a gay anthem and karaoke staple. It’s one of the best-recognized disco-era singles by a female artist.

Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper

Her ballad from 1984 turned out to be one of Lauper’s signature numbers. It reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 2 in the UK. It was a warm ballad of delicate love with soothing music and warm Lauper vocals that became a hit among the pop lovers. It’s one of the classic ballads from the 1980s.

A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton

Carlton’s 2002 piano-pop hit was a fixture at radio. It reached No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached a high at the UK’s top 10. With a catchy piano riff and heartfelt lyrics, the song established a star out of Carlton. Never #1, it sold in the millions worldwide and is her best recognizable song.

Promiscuous by Nelly Furtado

The dance-pop duet that Nelly Furtado released with Timbaland in 2006 was a club anthem that went global. It went in at No. 3 and eventually hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK top 5. In its cheeky “na na na” call-and-response chorus and Furtado’s forceful delivery, it was a very catchy duet that was everywhere it seemed on radio.

Ironic by Alanis Morissette

Morissette’s hit song from 1996 became very popular. It went Top 5 (almost No. 4) in the US Billboard Hot 100 and entered the charts internationally. The multi-layered lyrics and ironic plot points struck a chord among the crowds. It’s among Morissette’s most popular singles from her critically acclaimed album Jagged Little Pill.

Say My Name by Destiny’s Child

This was issued as a single by Destiny’s Child (with Beyoncé) in 1999. The song went No. 1 on the US R&B chart and also went No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK, it was a Top-3 hit. With a catchy chorus and defiant attitude toward adultery, it was a classic R&B-pop crossover. It has long appeared as one of Destiny’s Child’s signature singles.

No One by Alicia Keys

The ballad Alicia Keys released in 2007 was a massive hit. It was at No. 1 for five weeks at the US Billboard Hot 100 and also reached the UK’s top 10. The smooth piano and drum support and Keys’s unique soul voice made it a classic. It also cemented Keys as a premier early-2000s singer-songwriter.

Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus’s 2013 ballad about heartbreak reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (as a lead). It also reached No. 2 in the UK. Raw, emotional lyrical material and a sweeping chorus made it one for the ages. The music video (which saw Cyrus astride a wrecking ball) was iconic, and it was one of Miley’s most popular singles.

Straight Up by Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul’s 1988 dance-pop release was a chart-topper. It reached No. 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100. Due to its catchy pop hooks and Abdul’s energetic choreography in the video, it achieved a massive level of success. It was Abdul’s debut as a singer after her career as a choreographer, and it’s her most popular solo recording.

Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani’s solo track from 2005 was a chart premiere for Billboard. It hit No. 1 on the US Hot 100 and was the solo female artist’s first track to sell a million digital singles. Marching-band beat and cheerleader chorus made it indelible straight away. It also reached No. 2 in the UK, one of Stefani’s largest singles.

Don’t Speak by No Doubt

No Doubt’s 1996 breakup ballad was everywhere on the radio. It went No. 1 on the US airplay chart (Billboard Hot 100 Airplay) and stayed at No. 1 on the US charts for 16 weeks even though it wasn’t even released as a commercial single. It also went No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. The emotional music and poignant voice of Gwen Stefani made it a classic of the 90s.

We Belong Together by Mariah Carey

Mariah’s 2005 return single was huge. It remained for a total of 14 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, one of the longest-running #1s of all time. It also reached the UK Top 10. The soulfully rendered song and memorable hook revitalized Mariah’s career and made it one of her classic contemporary standards.

Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes

Kim Carnes’s new-wave classic from 1981 was the epitome of the decade. It was at No. 1 for nine weeks at the US Billboard Hot 100. It had a memorable synth riff and rasping voice from Carnes and was a hit from the moment it was released. It also went into the UK’s top 10. It won the Grammy for Record of the Year and is the best-known recording of Carnes’s career.

Heaven Is a Place on Earth by Belinda Carlisle

Belinda Carlisle’s No. 1 hit from 1987 stayed at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks. With its inspiring chorus and Carlisle’s commanding voice, it became a symbol of late-80s pop. The song also hit No. 1 in some other countries. Even long into the next century, it’s remembered as one of the classic feel-good singles of the decade.

Midnight Train to Georgia by Gladys Knight & the Pips

The ballad from the year 1973 was Gladys Knight’s signature song. The record stayed at No. 1 for one week at the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 1 at the R&B chart as well. With a powerful soul voice and narrative lyrics, there was a soul classic. Although it wasn’t a high-charter at the UK, it was a huge hit in the US and also won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance.

Fast Car by Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman’s 1988 folk-rock classic was a massive success. It went to No. 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 in the UK. The mellifluous guitar riff and Chapman’s poignant voice told a heart-wrenching story of difficulties and hopes. Its easy-to-recognize words and sweet melody have given it a long and enduring career, despite the single not quite reaching the very top.

Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves

The 1985 pop-rock anthem by Katrina and the Waves was a Top 10 hit for both countries. It became No. 9 for one week at the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 in the UK. With its frenetic beat, catchy horn section, and energetic lead vocals from Katrina, it was a one-bolt lightning feel-good record. It is one of the classic happy pop singles from the 80s.

Cruel Summer by Bananarama

The track was a global hit in 1983. It reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart and was a Top 10 hit in the US, reaching No. 9. The summer lovelorn feel-good, synth-tinged pop anthem was a classic of the new wave. Now it’s a classic of best of 80s pop playlists.

Torn by Natalie Imbruglia

The single that was released by Natalie Imbruglia in 1997 was a huge hit. The single reached No. 2 in the US billboard Hot 100 chart and was at No. 1 for three consecutive weeks in the U.K. The heartfelt singing and sorrowful lyrics in the song touched hearts everywhere. Although it was a remake of a previous song, the version by Imbruglia was the ultimate one for everyone.

Waterfalls by TLC

Their 1995 consciousness track was a massive hit. It was at No. 1 for seven weeks at the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was among the longest #1s of the 90s. In its R&B, pop format and memorable tune (with the refrain concerning “don’t go chasing waterfalls”), it became a sensation. The record also hit the charts at the UK Top 5 and is TLC’s signature track.