Top 5 Best Pop Singers of All Time

You want to be sure to start an argument with passionate musicians? Ask them who belongs in the top 10 best singers of all time list. Given enough time you'd come up with at least 50 names because so much of it comes down to taste and preference.

Fortunately, because so many of us have voiced our opinions we can tell which vocalists have the most mass appeal, which should be taken into account. But splashed in here are my personal picks, and I expect to hear two types of complaints: "that person shouldn't be in there" and "where's my favorite singer on the list?"

#1 - Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson is without a doubt one of, if not the best singer of all time. Like others, he was given a title as the "King of Pop." He's one of the most significant cultural figures and is the greatest entertainer in the history of music. Even attempting to talk about all of his awards would be pointless. They even extend into the dance world. He is truly the king.

#2 - Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is one of the most successful songwriters and musicians of all time. He's seen as a pioneer of genres such as R&B, Funk, Rock, Pop, and Soul due to his heavy inclusion of electronic instruments before others caught on.

He's sold over 100 million records and has won 25 Grammys. He's in all of the Halls of Fame and even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Uniquely among musicians, he was even named a United Nations Messenger of Peace. He was given many honorary degrees, including a Doctor of Music from Yale University.

#3 - Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye is one of the royalty that shaped the sound of Motown, garnering him the titles of "Prince of Motown" and the "Prince of Soul." He went on to influence the sound of future R&B sub-genres like neo-soul and quiet storm. To no surprise, he landed in the R&B Music, Songwriters, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Gaye's four-octave vocal range was well known, and a testament to his singing talents, because he mainly recorded in baritone and tenor ranges, which are quite the opposite of each other. He's widely covered and sampled by artists in tons of genres, including even metal.

#4 - Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury is possibly the best lead singer in rock music, ever. He's known for having an unbelievable four-octave vocal range. Though he passed on at an early age, he still managed to find his way into every music hall of fame and receive countless awards. He's even ranked as one of the Greatest Britons according to the BBC.

His life and singing talent was so incredible that there's been stage plays, musicals, biographical films, and TV shows all based around his life and that of his glam-rock band Queen. With Queen, he's one of the best-selling artists of all time.

#5 - Ella Fitzgerald

Known as "The First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald is recognized not only for her entertainment value but her vocal skill set. Professionals respected her diction, purity of tone, intonation, timing, phrasing, and improvisation with her scat singing. Her most prestigious accolades are 14 Grammys, the National Medal of Arts, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Her musical career stabilized with the Chick Webb Orchestra, grew with her illustrious solo career, and was hit a peak when she began appearing as a guest on daytime and nighttime TV shows and having roles in films. She was solidified as one of the best singers ever once she began collaborating with other vocal greats.