There are a few white singers throughout music history who are known for having a stereotypically “black” sounding voice or vocal style. This refers to things like a soulful or gospel-influenced singing voice, use of melisma and vocal runs, raspy or gritty vocal tone, etc. Some of the most famous examples include:
Teena Marie
Teena Marie was a white American singer-songwriter who was often referred to as “The Ivory Queen of Soul.” She was signed to Motown Records in the late 1970s and had a very successful R&B/soul career, collaborating with legends like Rick James. She had a versatile voice that could belt out soulful vocals as well as smoother pop stylings. Songs like “I Need Your Lovin’,” “Square Biz,” and “Lovergirl” highlighted her soul/R&B chops.
Dusty Springfield
British pop singer Dusty Springfield was a blue-eyed soul pioneer in the 1960s. She was inspired by Motown and jazz singers to develop a signature soulful, husky vocal style. Dusty could evoke a sultry, emotional quality with the best of them. Hits like “Son of a Preacher Man” and “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” showed off her R&B-flavored vocals that stood out among other white British invasion pop singers.
Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald first hit the scene in the 1970s as a keyboardist and background vocalist for Steely Dan. When he joined The Doobie Brothers in the late ’70s, he took over lead vocals and ushered in their smooth, R&B-inflected soft rock sound. McDonald’s distinctive, soulful tenor vocals were a signature of hits like “What a Fool Believes,” “I Keep Forgettin’,” and “Minute by Minute.”
Jon B
Jon B is an American R&B singer known for his commercial success in the late 1990s. He had a very mellow tone and smooth tenor range that worked well on romantic ballads and mid-tempo numbers. His biggest hit “They Don’t Know” was a laidback, G-funk influenced R&B track that showed off his soulful edge and adept riffing. Jon B made a career of tapping into new jack swing and urban contemporary sounds.
Lisa Stansfield
British pop/R&B singer Lisa Stansfield also emerged in the late 80s and had considerable crossover success. Inspired by disco and Motown, Stansfield has a husky, sensual voice perfect for belting out sultry ballads or uptempo funky tracks. “All Around the World” and “All Woman” are examples of her retro-soul vibe and impassioned vocals.
George Michael
Going solo after Wham!, George Michael quickly established himself as a versatile pop/R&B vocalist. He grew up on artists like Aretha Franklin and eventually developed an ecclectic, soul-influenced sound. On funky tracks like “Freedom ’90” or sensual ballads like “One More Try,” Michael showed off impressive range and emotion reminiscent of vintage soul singers.
Hall & Oates
The pop/soul duo Hall & Oates were one of the biggest chart acts of the 1980s. Daryl Hall’s smooth tenor blended seamlessly with John Oates’ higher range to create their signature soulful pop harmonies. Hall’s lead vocals on songs like “Sara Smile,” “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do),” and “Maneater” had an easygoing yet passionate blue-eyed soul style.
Robin Thicke
The son of actor Alan Thicke, Robin Thicke is an R&B singer-songwriter who had breakout success in the 2000s. His biggest hit “Blurred Lines” courted controversy but showcased his falsetto vocals. Thicke has cited Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and Michael Jackson as vocal inspirations to shape his own mix of retro and contemporary R&B.
Justin Timberlake
Originally known for his boy band roots with *NSYNC, Justin Timberlake established himself as a solo pop/R&B force in the 2000s. Channeling influences like Michael Jackson and Al Green, Timberlake’s versatile tenor can handle everything from love ballads to uptempo funk. His soulful riffing and falsetto runs have powered hits like “Cry Me a River,” “Suit & Tie” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling.”
Other Notable Examples
There are a few other white artists worth mentioning who have shown surprising soul and R&B sensibilities over the years:
- Adele – Known for her powerful, emotive voice on heartbreak ballads.
- Amy Winehouse – Her mix of soul, jazz and R&B influenced vocals spawned a retro-soul style.
- CeeLo Green – The former Gnarls Barkley frontman has incredible range and flair for vintage soul.
- Christina Aguilera – Possesses huge pipes and adept melisma that can belt soulful anthems.
- Duffy – Her 1960s/70s-inspired retro-soul sound was hugely popular in the late 2000s.
- Joss Stone – Became a rising soul/R&B star in her teens known for husky, emotive vocals.
- Marc Broussard – Smooth singer-songwriter with bluesy, soulful delivery akin to Hall & Oates.
- Michael Bolton – Had huge pop and adult contemporary success with his soaring soul tenor in the 80s/90s.
- Michael Bublé – Known for his jazz and swing music, but has a very old school R&B sensibility.
- Phil Collins – Showed a surprisingly convincing R&B/soul direction on hits like “Easy Lover” and his Genesis covers.
- Ray LaMontagne – Has a folky style but raspy, Van Morrison-esque voice that can sound gospel-tinged.
- Seal – rose to fame with his unique, deeply soulful baritone vocal style.
- Simply Red – Mick Hucknall’s smooth yet bluesy pop-soul tenor powered this English band.
- Taylor Dayne – Her big voiced 80s pop had unmistakable R&B and soul influences.
- Tevin Campbell – Major 1990s R&B/pop singer with a youthfully soulful voice.
Key Factors
There are a few key factors that allow white artists to possess and cultivate more “black” sounding vocals:
- Musical influences – Being raised on and studying R&B, soul, gospel, etc. instills the nuances of the genres.
- Vocal ability/control – Having the technical skills and vocal range to replicate difficult runs, riffs, raspy tones, etc.
- Natural tone – Some singers just naturally possess a certain timbre and tone to their voice that lends itself to soul/R&B.
- Emulating style – Consciously mimicking vocal stylings and techniques to evoke R&B/soul singers.
However, its important to note that possessing a more “black” sounding voice doesn’t always make someone an authentic R&B/soul singer if the material and delivery isn’t rooted in those genres. But for the artists mentioned, their vocal skills and influences allow them to fuse pop, rock or other styles with unmistakable soul. These white artists with black-sounding voices have had a major impact across the musical landscape.
Conclusion
In summary, while a “black” sounding voice is not inherently linked to race or ethnicity, there are particular vocal techniques, styles, and influences that are strongly associated with R&B, soul, gospel and other African-American musical forms. White artists like Teena Marie, Dusty Springfield, Hall & Oates, Adele and others are able to tap into these vocal stylings through some combination of natural talent, careful study of the genres, and emulating the greats that came before them. Their unique mixes of pop, rock, blues and soul sensibilities have helped broaden the musical landscape and blurred racial lines within various music genres over the years. While terminology like “blue-eyed soul” may seem problematic today, these white recording artists demonstrate that soul is something that can be felt and channeled through vocals regardless of race or background.
