We know it, you know it, and the whole world knows it too – Australia makes great music! And a lot of that is owed to our famous female singers.
We’ve rounded up a list of 10 of the best Australian female singers that have graced the country and the world with their amazing music.
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10. Courtney Barnett
Best Known For: Pedestrian at Best, Avant Gardener
Courtney’s unique blend of singer-songwriter garage pop has brought her international acclaim, earned her a handful of Grammy nominations, and netted her a whole bunch of ARIA Music Awards, including an award for Best Female Artist of 2015.
9. Jessica Mauboy
Best Known For: Never Be the Same, Pop a Bottle (Fill Me Up)
Jessica Mauboy may have only been the runner-up on Australian Idol, but she’s been one of the most successful Australian singers of the last decade.
This Darwin-born and Sydney-based singer has had multiple number one albums and singles, with her debut album, Been Waiting, being the second best-selling Australian album of 2009. She’s also won two ARIA Music Awards – one for Best Selling Single and another for Best Female Artist.
8. Missy Higgins
Best Known For: Scar, Where I Stood
Missy Higgins’ sound is a unique blend of all her musical influences, which include Nirvana, Sarah McLachlan and even Sigur Rós. The combination of this unique sound and her emotional lyrics has led her to the top of Australian charts in the early 00s, and to nine ARIA Music awards.
This Melbourne native doesn’t have any new albums coming out anytime soon, but she did release a new song in 2019 on Mother’s Day, which talks about the emotional rollercoaster of motherhood.
7. Iggy Azalea
Best Known For: Fancy, Black Widow
She may rap with a southern US accent and live in L.A. today, but Iggy Azalea was born and raised in New South Wales. She moved to the US at the age of 16 and has grown to become one of the most famous Australian musicians of all time.
Since her debut in the American hip-hop scene, she’s been nominated for four Grammys, won multiple awards from Billboard and MTV and has even started her own record label.
6. Delta Goodrem
Best Known For: Lost Without You, Born To Try
Ever since she made her debut in 2001, Delta Goodrem has been killing it! She produced multiple best-selling albums and makes frequent appearances #1 spot of the top 40. On top of all of that, she’s won multiple ARIA Music awards, MTV awards and World Music awards.
In addition to her successful music career, the Sydney-based pop star has also been all over Australian TV. She’s been on Neighbours as Nina Tucker, and she’s even portrayed fellow Aussie singer Olivia Newton-John in a miniseries based on her life. Also, for the last couple of years, she’s been a judge on The Voice Australia.
5. Natalie Imbruglia
Best Known For: Torn, Wishing I Was There
Though she’s lived in London for a large part of her life, this talented lady was raised Aussie; she was born in Sydney and grew up in Berkeley Vale. Her career has earned her three Grammy nominations and awards from ARIA, MTV and Billboard.
4. Sia
Best Known For: Chandelier, Titanium
While she was born and raised in Adelaide, Sia’s been active in multiple music scenes all around the world. She’s done vocals for bands like Zero 7 in the UK and collaborated with the biggest pop stars in the US.
On top of all of that, she’s broken out as a solo artist with songs like ‘Chandelier’ and ‘Cheap Thrills’. All of this led her to ARIA Music awards, MTV awards and Grammy nominations.
3. Kylie Minogue
Best Known For: Can’t Get You Out of My Head, I Should Be So Lucky
She may be a London resident and an officer of the Order of the British Empire, but the Melbourne-born Princess of Pop is still one of Australia’s most beloved female pop singers. Not only is she one of the best ‘90s female singers of all time, but she’s also won Grammys and ARIA Music awards. On top of all that, she’s also been inducted into the ARIA Music Hall of Fame in 2015.
2. Olivia Newton-John
Best Known For: You’re The One That I Want, Physical
Olivia John got her start early! Her performance in Grease paved her way to becoming one of the most revered and famous ‘80s female singers of all time. In addition to her amazing music career, the Cambridge-born star is also known for her work as an environmental and animal rights activist and as an advocate for cancer research and wellness.
The Grammy award-winning singer has been recognised as a Companion of the Order of Australia for her contributions as a singer and her philanthropic work.
1. Tina Arena
Best Known For: Burn, I Want To Spend My Time Loving You
What else can we say about Tina Arena, that hasn’t already been said? She’s one of Australia’s greatest singers, a member of the ARIA Hall of Fame, and one of the few musicians that have been active in the music industry for more than 40 years. From her humble beginnings as the adorable Tiny Tina all the way to starring in Opera Australia’s production of Evita, the Melbourne-based singer has done it all.
And just last year, another accolade was added to her already long list with Support Act awarding her the Excellence in Community Award last May.
And That’s Our List!
With every passing year, the list of great Australian female singers just keeps getting longer and longer.
We may only have a modest population of 25-million, but in terms of musical talent, we’re putting the rest of the world to shame!
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