If I’m perfectly honest with myself, I have probably had a mild crush on each of the six ladies below at one point or another. The accompanying tracks are the ones which I feel really seal the deal for me. If I found myself in the presence of any of them even today, I would certainly flip out and make an ass of myself. They’ve all got a great set of pipes, that’s for sure. I’ll swap you two Beyoncés, half a dozen Kelly Clarksons, three Avril Lavignes, the entire Mariah Carey musical library, and a six-pack of Bud for just ONE Sharleen Spiteri, kid.

Nicole Blackman, American, born 1971
performance artist, poet, author, vocalist

The Golden Palominos “Drown”

Elizabeth Fraser, Scottish, born 1963
former Cocteau Twins singer

Cocteau Twins “My Truth”

Toni Halliday, British, born 1964
former Curve singer

Curve “Frozen”

Sharleen Spiteri, Scottish, born 1967
lead singer of Texas

Texas “Dream Hotel”

Tracey Thorn, British, born 1962
singer of Everything But The Girl

Massive Attack “Protection”

Anka Wolbert, Dutch
former keyboardist/singer of Xymox

Xymox “Imagination”