Coming from a musically inclined family, it’s always been a part of my life. I enjoy a variety of genres, from rock, country, pop, and more. And artists also vary.
Deciding my 10 favourite artists was incredibly difficult, so this isn’t a strict top ten list (with the exception of number one), just some of my favourite bands/artists, their albums or songs that I love the most.
So here are some of my favourite musical artists.
10. Shania Twain
Favourite songs: Forever and Always, I’m Gonna Getcha Good, Man! I Feel Like a Woman!
I only got into Shania because of my older sister. She played the heck out of her albums, so I couldn’t escape her music. And that’s just fine with me!
Her mixture of country, rock, and pop really set the stage for future female country artists. Really breaking down barriers. Her songs really put you in a good mood, they always cheer me up, and leave you stomping your foot and clapping your hands.
I think what’s great about Shania Twain is regardless if you’re a guy or girl, anyone can get into her music, because it’s not making a statement, mostly because of the choice of words in her lyrics. And even if it’s more female centric, the rhythm and sound of her music are just so catchy you can’t help but love it.
And of course, it’s sealed with an incredible voice. The twang she gives is just enough country without the thick accent. Oh, and she’s Canadian, which is a bonus!
9. ABBA
Favourite Songs: Super Trouper, Dancing Queen, Dies Your Mother Know, Mamma Mia
Pure pop and disco, but so much more sophisticated. I’ve loved ABBA since I was little, before the movie Mamma Mia came out.
Though their songs are simple and very catchy and fun, lyrically they can be very deep as well, such as with When All is Said and Done, and Slipping Through my Fingers. But the music and sound just always puts you in a good mood, even when you’re down and sad. You just want to dance and move your body. I can listen to them pretty much any day.
The four members just worked so well together, and complemented each other’s vocals and instrumental work. Dancing Queen is probably the epitome of the disco pop genre, and fully represents ABBA’s musical, vocal, and lyrical talent.
Though they weren’t active for very long, their mark is still lighting up the musical world. They truly valued quality over quantity. Once you hear the vocals and the first musical beat, you know it’s an ABBA song. Their sound rises above the standard derivative sound of the genre, and has not gone out of style even today.
8. Linkin Park
Favourite Albums: Hybrid Theory, Meteora
Favourite Songs: In The End, Numb, Shadow of the Day, Crawling
A band I got into because of my older brother, I didn’t really get into Linkin Park until I was much older, in my late teens.
They really had a unique sound, especially in their early albums. I love the mixture of rap, metal, and rock, while at times having electronic, and alternative rock in the mix. They just came out at the right time, and exploded onto the musical stage with their debut album Hybrid Theory.
If you feel angsty and just want to scream, this is the band to listen to. If you want to reflect when you’re down, this is also the band to listen to. The vocal interplay with Mike Shinoda’s rapping and Chester Bennington’s standard vocals work incredibly well. Lyrically, their songs are quite varied, and deep. Breaking the stigma surrounding bands of this type and their music.
I’ve appreciated (for the most part) their willingness to experiment with other genres and styles, while still respecting and remembering their origins.
I was devastated by Chester Bennington’s suicide, and I don’t think the band will continue without him, but for nearly twenty years, they definitely left their mark on multiple music scenes.
7. Billy Talent
Favourite Albums: Billy Talent II, Dead Silence
Favourite Songs: Red Flag, Viking Death March, This Suffering, Stand Up and Run
Similar to Linkin Park, Billy Talent can go loud or melodically soft in their songs, though these guys from Mississauga lean on the punk/hardcore side.
Vocalist Ben Kowalewicz and guitarist Ian D’Sa combine their vocals into unique harmonies, contrasting from loud rock to melodic sounds that are so addictive to listen to.
Punk Rock works so well with political, rebellious songs, and Billy Talent excel at this. From Red Flag, Surprise Surprise, and Turn Your Back, they really get your fists pumping, getting you swept in a movement wanting change, tacking social and political issues. But when they go into slightly more softer songs, like Surrender, Stand Up and Run, or This Suffering, it’s nice to see a more vulnerable, soft side of them.
Their musical style has evolved slightly through their albums, just enough to appreciate them evolving and experimenting, but not too much you feel like they’re a completely different band.
They bring so much passion and energy into their songs that I can just play any of them and always enjoy listening to it.
6. Queen
Favourite Songs: Radio Ga Ga, We Are the Champions, We Will Rock You
If the original Queen lineup was still around, I’d absolutely go see them.
What a powerhouse of a band. Freddie Mercury is one of the few performers to galvanize an entire stadium, and that’s in part due to his mastery of the stage and performance, but also their songs, both lyrically and musically.
Their style was pretty diverse, but when they leaned into the stadium, arena rock, that’s where they were the King – or should I say Queen – of rock music. We Will Rock you is one of my favourite rock songs of all time. So simple, but a crowd engager, which was the point. But that also represents Freddie Mercury. He loved the crowd singing along, and it clearly showed at Live Aid.
Their songs are just so catchy, and they’ve been used in pop culture a lot, but never gets old or annoying.
A true rock legend, and despite Freddie’s untimely death, the music still lives on.
5. Kelly Clarkson
Favourite Albums: Breakaway, Stronger
Favourite Songs: My Life Would Suck Without You, Breakaway, Catch my Breath, Dark Side
There’s a reason American Idol was so successful. It was because of Kelly Clarkson.
She forged her own path and identity in the music industry. I love not only her songs, but her personality, and it really shines in her music and her image in the industry. Down to earth, but still respectful.
Whether dance, pop, rock, R&B, or country, she dips her musical toes in a wide variety of genres. It helps she has an incredible voice and a vocal range that makes the songs even more catchy and memorable.
And lyrics that touch on a variety of subjects that the music and sound reflects. She’s not afraid to delve into personal matters, like her parents’ divorce, and that makes her more relatable. She hasn’t fallen into the trap of female artists who just write songs about relationships, especially breakups. She does the highs, lows, and everything in between of a relationship. The songs of a relationship are a lot of the times more neutral, so anyone can get into them.
When my friends and I were out in the mall one day, I bought her greatest hits album, and forced them to play it in the car. Just the first two songs, but enough to make my day.
My favourite female artist, and one I plan on seeing live one day.
4. The Beatles
Favourite Albums: A Hard Day’s Night, The Beatles, 1
Favourite Songs: A Hard Day’s Night, Hey Jude, Help!, Birthday, Yellow Submarine
My dad introduced me to the Fab Four, but I’m sure there would have been no escaping The Beatles. The most popular rock-pop group of all time, there’s way, way too many classics and hits to discuss.
All four members had unique vocals to readily identify with, though it was Paul McCartney and John Lennon who provided the best harmonies.
The growth these men went through in under a decade was incredible. Starting with simple pop and rock songs, to more mature themes and topics, embracing the counterculture, and experimenting more with their sound, there’s something for everyone to listen to through their discography.
And for a variety of emotions, so whatever mood you’re in, you can always count on The Beatles. I can never get enough of this band, truly one of my all-time favourites that I listen to just as much now as I did when I was a kid.
3. Green Day
Favourite Albums: American Idiot, 21st Century Breakdown, Uno!
Favourite Songs: Holiday, 21 Guns, Wake Me up When September Ends, Know Your Enemy
My favourite punk rock band ever, and a big reason is because of their willingness to adapt, experiment, but stay grounded to their roots.
Though I enjoy their well-known album Dookie and their 90’s era punk rock sound, my favourite is when they reinvented themselves with American Idiot. And that’s because the album appeals to a younger audience, a generation who grew up in a post-9/11 world. The album is a rock opera, but you can listen to individual songs out of order and still enjoy them.
From heavier punk, to more pop-punk, and alternative rock, the trio from California always bring energy to their shows.
If I listen to them in my car, I instantly start speeding down the road (though still in respect of the speed limit). You just feel different listening to them. Green Day is the band that sings for the rebel in all of us.
Though I don’t listen to their newer stuff as consistently, I never get tired of listening to their eras. Seeing them change and evolve over time is very interesting, and each era not only allows new listeners, but established fans to enjoy something of their work. It’s something I find lacking in the original punk rock wave, and maybe that’s why Green Day is so popular and relevant even today, after decades of rebelling in the limelight.
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers
Favourite Albums: Californication, Stadium Arcadium, By The Way
Favourite Songs: Otherside, Californication, Can’t Stop, Dani California, Snow (Hey Oh)
Another band I listened to through my older brother, the song Calfifornication was endlessly played over, and became seared into my brain. And I’m happy about that.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers might not be the most consistent band in terms of albums I listen to, but the ones I have, and the songs they play, are some of my favourite ever. I’ll never get tired of listening to them.
The trials, tribulations, and experiences the band has gone through is well known, and embraced in their songs. From drug addiction, the loss of their founding guitarist, depression, loneliness, their songs have evolved through the years as the members have. The ups and downs, highs and lows they’ve endured represent life.
Their music varies widely, from early punk-funk, to rap, metal, funk rock, alternative rock, hard rock, and even pop, the band has gone through many phases that have found success. My favourite style of theirs is funk driven verses mixed with a melodic chorus. You just want to move your body around and do crazy, nonsensical moves. Who cares, you’re having fun with their music.
What I love about this band is how each members feels like the best in their position. Flea is one of the greatest bass players ever. I don’t know how slapping and popping the bass is possible, but he does it so effortlessly. John Frusciante is a guitarist for a generation, his riffs and melodic drives are genius. Anthony Kiedis vocals range from rap, to melodic almost instantly, his style and vocal ability improving with each album. And Chad Smith’s fast beats make him seem like he's Speedy Gonzales. All four members complement each other, but can still stand individually on their own. That’s a rare thing in a band.
After almost 40 years, if you get into the peppers now, you’ve got a very eclectic discography. From dark depressing topics, to party, California lifestyle, to reflective introverted themes, there’s nothing they won’t do. And that includes performing with nothing but a sock covering a certain body part…
1. Nickelback
Favourite Albums: All The Right Reasons, Dark Horse, Feed the Machine
Favourite Songs: Burn It To The Ground, Gotta Be Somebody, Animals, Far Away, Rockstar
I know, shocking! How can I have Nickelback at number one, let alone on this list?! I don’t care, I’m gonna own it. They’re my favourite band ever. The band I never, ever get tired of listening to.
For a Grade. 8 assignment, pairs of us had to research a song of the 21st Century, and my partner chose ‘How You Remind Me.’ Boy, was I hooked, as so many others were. No wonder it brought them so much success.
As I searched YouTube for more songs, I became addicted to them. Seriously, in Grade. 9 every day after school, the first thing I did was go on my computer and listen to ‘Burn It To The Ground.’ The first albums I ever owned were All The Right Reasons and Dark Horse.
Fortunately, I’ve been able to see them live two times, and those were some of my favourite memories.
I do enjoy how the band does dabble in other genres a bit. From straight up hard rock, alternative, pop rock, and even country, heavy metal, and electronic, I love nearly all their songs, whether they’re singles or not.
Yes, at times they focus so much on sexual innuendos, partying, that cliché rockstar stuff, but as they’ve moved away from it, I appreciated their diversity. They switch between loud, rock songs, to power ballad driven ones on the fly, and I think that’s amazing, actually hard, to successfully pull off.
Probably what helps is the band’s lineup has been very stable. Three of the four original members have been in the band since the beginning, only going through three drummers in the first ten years before their current lineup since 2005. That’s rare for bands to have that stability, and it shows with their output and longevity.
Nickelback is the bad that really got me into music, and that’s probably the biggest reason why they’re number one. For all the right reasons (pun intended).
So, these are my top 10 favourite bands/artists. What do you think? Any you agree or strongly disagree on? Who are some of your favourites? And why? Comment down below!
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