Deep Voices: Top Songs and Singers with Lower Range
Have you ever been captivated by a powerful voice that seemed to shake the very foundation of your being? Deep voices have a way of evoking emotions and leaving unforgettable impressions on listeners.
As the saying goes, “It’s not about the quantity, but the quality.” Here, we celebrate the art of deep voices, whether it’s in the realm of music or through the singers themselves.
Top Songs for Deep Voices
1. Johnny Cash – “God’s Gonna Cut You Down”
Starting with the man in black, Johnny Cash was renowned for his deep and mournful voice in songs infused with religious themes.
“God’s Gonna Cut You Down” is a particular standout, where his voice reverberates throughout the entire track, leading to a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impact. 2.
Richard Armitage – “
Misty Mountains”
Featured in “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” this song features Armitage’s captivating bass-baritone voice, combining with a choir of male voices that creates a breathtaking experience that’s perfect for anyone looking for something epic yet down-to-earth. 3.
Paul Robeson – “Ol’ Man River”
This classic tune features Robeson’s signature bass-baritone voice, a poignant choice for this song, which describes the hard work and struggles of the African American community. The song, however, contains offensive lyrics, a testament to the times when it was written.
4. Bill Withers – “Ain’t No Sunshine”
This smooth and soulful hit features Withers’ electric baritone voice that adds depth to the rhythm of the song.
With memorable lyrics and an unforgettable melody, it’s no wonder why this song has remained a staple in many playlists. 5.
The Doors – “
Light My Fire”
Jim Morrison, the frontman of The Doors, had a rich voice that was unmistakable in its depth and power. “
Light My Fire” is one of their most famous tracks, showing off Morrison’s hypnotic and captivating presence that made him a star.
6. The Calling – “Wherever You Will Go”
Featuring post-grunge elements, this hit song showcases Alex Band’s high-energy vocals that give the song its compelling edge.
With fantastic lyrics and a memorable melody, this song is perfect for anyone looking for a powerful yet modern track. 7.
Rick Astley – “Never Gonna Give You Up”
While this song is more famously known as an internet meme, there’s no denying Astley’s deep vocals that gave the track its groove. Astley’s baritone voice added a quality that made the song memorable beyond its status as a meme.
8. B.B. King – “The Thrill Is Gone”
This soulful and smooth classic hit is a perfect example of the immense vocal power that B.B. King possessed.
With a lower register that added depth to the lyrics, it’s no wonder why this song has remained as iconic as it has. 9.
Billy Idol – “Rebel Yell”
Billy Idol is known for his distinctive voice, which was epitomized in hits like “Rebel Yell.” His gritty and powerful vocals helped energize rock music during the 80s, leaving a lasting impact on the genre. 10.
Leonard Cohen – “You Want It Darker”
In this somber song, Leonard Cohen’s deep and rich voice is complemented by a choir and pipe organ, creating a haunting melody that’s both religious and personal. It’s a prime example of the artistry that Cohen brought to his music.
11. The Wellermen – “Wellerman”
This viral hit became famous on TikTok for a reason, featuring sea shanties that blend perfectly with deep and rich voices.
The relaxing melody makes it perfect as an escape from the usual noise of songs heard nowadays. 12.
Elvis Presley – “Are You Lonesome Tonight”
With a voice that’s lower than most men, Elvis Presley showcases his baritone range in this sweet croon. The unconventional nature of his voice is part of what made him such a standout star in the 50s and beyond.
13. Pearl Jam – “Jeremy”
Eddie Vedder’s voice has a perfect lethargic drawl that fits Pearl Jam’s grunge style in “Jeremy.” With a deep and gritty story, Vedder’s lower register adds a poignant quality to the song.
14. Josh Turner – “Lay Low”
This country hit showcases Josh Turner’s deep and rich voice, making no secrets about his deep baritone vocals that make him stand out among other country artists.
15. Metallica – “The Unforgiven II”
Despite being more famous for their hard-rock sounds, Metallica creates an excellent power ballad showcasing James Hetfield’s lower register in “The Unforgiven II.”
16.
RagnBone Man – “
Human Race”
This hit song showcases RagnBone Man’s deep and powerful voice that can take over a room. His voice itself is enough to make this hit worthy of recognition, showcasing the power of lower register vocals.
17. Five Finger Death Punch – “House of The Rising Sun”
This lower-register tune has been covered extensively, but Five Finger Death Punch’s version gives it a gritty and heavy quality with Ivan’s deep vocals.
18. Barry White – “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love Baby”
This soulful disco fusion classic features Barry White’s resounding bass voice, making it iconic and instantly recognizable to many.
With his lower register, he creates a sexy and irresistible vibe that makes the song unforgettable. 19.
Frank Sinatra – “
My Way”
This jazz classic was made famous by the legendary Frank Sinatra. With a triumphant vocal range, Sinatra was a master of his craft, making anything he touched instantly classy and stylish.
20. Avi Kaplan – “Change on the Rise”
As a bass singer in a cappella group Pentatonix, Avi Kaplan is no stranger to showcasing his deep and resonant voice.
“Change on the Rise” serves as a perfect example of his unique and captivating lower register. 21.
Colter Wall – “
The Devil Wears a Suit And Tie”
Wall has been heralded as a legend in his own right, an up-and-coming blues artist that has already made waves with his gravelly voice. “
The Devil Wears a Suit And Tie” showcases his artistry, evoking a sense of timelessness and authenticity through his lower register.
22. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Purple Haze”
Jimi Hendrix’s iconic guitar playing may have dominated most of his tracks, but his voice is equally memorable.
In “Purple Haze,” he showcases a voice that’s evocative and energetic, perfectly interleaving with his guitar mastery. 23.
Queen – “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”
Freddie Mercury was known for his high register and skilled falsetto, but his lower range is just as impressive in “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” His vocal range is what makes him such a dynamic and unforgettable presence in the music industry. 24.
Tom Waits – “
Downtown Train”
Tom Waits’ unique and unconventional voice is part of what makes him an acquired taste, but it’s what also makes his music unforgettable. “
Downtown Train” showcases a covered yet lasting power for Waits, showing his gravely, growling tone.
Famous Singers with Lower Range
1. Johnny Cash
Known as the man in black, Johnny Cash had a voice that was unmistakable in its deep country tone.
His bass voice added a gravitas quality to any song he sang, making him a hallmark in the country music scene. 2.
Paul Robeson
Paul Robeson was a renowned bass-baritone singer who mesmerized audiences with his voice’s depth and richness. His signature voice set him apart, making him a legend in the music industry.
3. Bill Withers
Combining his smooth rhythm with an electric baritone voice, Bill Withers’ signature song is a perfect example of how his unconventional style and voice made him instantly recognizable to fans.
4. Jim Morrison
Jim Morrison’s voice was a defining element of The Doors’ success, where his deep vocals added hypnotic and captivating presence to their music.
5. Elvis Presley
Although officially classified as a baritone, Elvis Presley’s singing range could drop lower than most men, adding his sweet croon an unconventional yet unforgettable quality.
6. Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury is famous for his high register and skilled falsetto, but he expertly explored his lower range to add a dynamic and powerful quality to his music.
7. Barry White
Famous for his soul and disco fusion hits, Barry White’s resounding bass vocals became as iconic as his music itself.
With his lower-register voice, White evoked a seductive and deeply sensual vibe that made his music unforgettable. 8.
Avi Kaplan
As a bass singer in a cappella group Pentatonix, Avi Kaplan gained attention for his mesmerizingly low voice. His bass singing style has become his trademark, capturing audiences with his unique and captivating sound.
9. Brad Roberts
Lead singer of the band Crash Test Dummies, Brad Roberts’ instantly recognizable voice straddles between a bass and baritone register, adding a quirky yet memorable quality to the band’s hits.
10. Tom Waits
Tom Waits’ unique and unconventional voice has made him an acquired taste in the music industry.
His gravelly and growling tone adds an air of authenticity and roughness to his music, making him a standout artist. Deep voices leave an unforgettable impression, and these singers have left their mark on the music industry.
With a unique blend of charisma, soul, and artistry, these singers have created hits and timeless hits that showcase the power and versatility of lower-register vocals.
History and Origins of Songs for Deep Voices
Deep voices have the power to evoke emotions, whether it’s sadness, joy, or triumph. These songs showcase the power and versatility of lower-register vocals, making them unforgettable in the music industry.
God’s Gonna Cut You Down
“God’s Gonna Cut You Down” has a long history, dating back to the Civil War era, where it was known as “Run On For a Long Time.” The song’s religious themes have made it a traditional American track, with the message being about redemption and judgment. Johnny Cash’s rendition has become the most famous one, with his take on the song being a reflection on his past self and former sinful ways.
Misty Mountains
“
Misty Mountains” was featured in “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” and it was performed by Thorin Oakenshield and the dwarves in an a cappella style. It was composed by Howard Shore, who also worked on the music for the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
The song’s lyrics are based on a poem from J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, “The Hobbit.”
Ol’ Man River
“Ol’ Man River” was made famous by Paul Robeson, one of the most renowned bass-baritone singers in history. The song comes from the musical “Show Boat,” written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II.
The song describes the hard work and struggle of the African American community, but it also contains offensive lyrics that reflect the times when it was written. Ain’t No Sunshine
“Ain’t No Sunshine” was a hit that launched Bill Withers’ career, becoming widely considered his signature song.
It won a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues Song and has been covered numerous times over the years. The song’s melancholic tone and emotive lyrics helped to establish Withers as an instantly recognizable artist.
Light My Fire
“
Light My Fire” is one of the most famous hits of The Doors, with Jim Morrison’s rich voice being one of the defining elements of the song. It was a trailblazing track in the psychedelic and blues-rock genre, and Morrison’s distinct voice played a significant role in its success.
Human Race
Rag’n’Bone Man’s hit “
Human Race” is complex yet evocative, showcasing his deep and powerful voice that can take over a room. The meaningful lyrics combined with Rag’n’Bone Man’s unique vocal style have elevated the song, peaking on the UK charts and cementing his status as one of the most celebrated artists in the industry.
My Way
“
My Way” was a hit for Frank Sinatra, released in 1969. The song’s lyrics were written by Paul Anka, but the melody comes from a French song called “Comme D’habitude.” Sinatra’s signature triumphant vocal range is on display, with the song becoming one of his most popular hits.
The Devil Wears a Suit And Tie
Colter Wall’s “
The Devil Wears a Suit And Tie” tells the story of a blues artist who sold his soul to the devil, with the song highlighting his unique and gravelly voice. Wall’s rendition of the song adds a timeless quality to the story, making it more captivating for modern audiences.
Downtown Train
“
Downtown Train” has been covered extensively, but it was Bob Seger’s version that gained commercial success in 1983. However, it was Rod Stewart’s cover in 1991 that propelled the song even more, becoming one of his most famous hits.
The song’s lyrics focus on a man reminiscing about his past loves and relationships, with a sense of melancholy pervading the entire track. In conclusion, these songs showcase the power and versatility of deep voices in various music genres.
From traditional American tracks to modern hits, each song has its own history and background, making them unforgettable in their own right. These singers and their music have left a lasting impact on the industry, with their voices immortalized for generations to come.