[1990s] Still Shining! Recommended Female Singers in Western Music
The Western music scene of the 1990s was a transformative era, with bands and artists labeled as grunge and alternative rock overturning conventional hit-chart norms, while club music saw a steady stream of hits emerging from new genres like hip-hop and neo-soul.
This time, we’re focusing on female singers who, amid that turbulent scene, used their unique styles and talents to profoundly influence later generations of artists, presenting a diverse lineup that cuts across genres.
Alongside artists who debuted in the ’90s, we’re also featuring those active since the ’80s.
Enjoy the voices of the female singers who defined the vibrant landscape of the 1990s—a decade that has been receiving renewed appreciation in recent years!
- Debut songs by female Western artists from the 1990s
- All masterpieces! Western pop ballads that were hits in the ’90s
- Great Western pop masterpieces and hit songs of the 90s
- Ranking of Popular Songs by Female Singer-Songwriters of the 1990s [2026]
- Still Shining! Recommended Female Singers of 1980s Western Music
- Female Western music artists who are good singers
- [Back to the '90s!] Dance Music from Western Hits of the 1990s
- Western songs from the 90s featured in commercials. A roundup of CM songs.
- Debut song by a 90s Western girls' band
- Western music popular among women in their 40s. World-famous classics and hit songs.
- Looking back at the gem-like debut songs of female singers who debuted in 1990
- Top Female Singer-Songwriters and Popular Songs of the 2000s [2026]
- [Western Music] A roundup of debut songs by female artists from the 1970s
[1990s] Still Shining! Recommended Female Western Music Singers (21–30)
Stay (I Missed You)Lisa Loeb
Lisa Loeb, a key figure in the Western music scene of the 1990s, creates songs with a timeless, universal appeal.
In particular, her signature track “Stay (I Missed You)” showcases melodies and lyrics that are simple yet deeply moving, perfectly matched to stir your emotions from the very first listen.
Beneath those beautiful tunes lies a touch of bittersweet expression, which keeps her music engaging no matter how many times you hear it.
The narrative, almost poem-like quality of her lyrics is also striking.
I highly recommend listening while reading the lyrics!
IronicAlanis Morissette
Let me introduce Alanis Morissette, an artist who debuted in the 1990s and rose to success.
She made her debut in 1991, when she was still in high school.
Her extraordinary vocal ability quickly became a hot topic, and her CDs were instant hits.
After that, she produced many songs that portrayed the lives of real, everyday young people, steadily growing in popularity.
In 1996, she won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song.
It could be fun to listen to her releases in order and look back on the ’90s.
On & OnErykah Badu
She is a singer-songwriter known as the Queen of Neo-Soul.
Her 1997 debut album, “Baduizm,” was a major hit and drew attention for its unique style that blends R&B, hip-hop, and jazz.
She has won numerous awards, including Grammys and Soul Train Music Awards, and her influence extends beyond the music industry.
She is also dedicated to philanthropy, working to support urban youth.
Erykah Badu’s captivating voice and innovative musicality evoke deep emotion.
Be sure to experience her work, which brought a fresh breeze to the music scene of the ’90s.
CriminalFIONA APPLE
Fiona Apple, the American singer-songwriter, has a super cool, downbeat vocal style.
The aggressive, decadent vibe you can hear especially on “Criminal” is incredibly addictive once you listen to it.
In the ’90s, the rock scene was full of grunge and other bleak, aggressive sounds, and she captures that languid ’90s mood so strongly even within pop, which is irresistible.
I also love her hybrid sound—like on “Fast As You Can”—that incorporates elements of jazz and dance music, as it seems to embody a musicality that isn’t confined to the boundaries of the ’90s.
Un-Break My HeartToni Braxton
She is an R&B singer and actress from the U.S.
state of Maryland.
Both her debut album and her second album, released in the ’90s, were worldwide hits, and her signature ballad “Un-Break My Heart” was a massive success, spending 11 consecutive weeks at No.
1 in the United States.
Though her life has had its ups and downs—including filing for bankruptcy—her rich, sultry voice has continued to be loved well into the 2000s and beyond.
We Belong TogetherMariah Carey
Mariah Carey, an American singer, continues to captivate music fans around the world with her astonishing five-and-a-half-octave range and mastery of the whistle register.
She made her debut in 1990 with her self-titled album, Mariah Carey, establishing a unique style that blends R&B, pop, and gospel.
She has an outstanding record of achievements, including six Grammy Awards and twenty Billboard Music Awards.
In her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey, she candidly recounted her tumultuous life, drawing significant attention.
Her songs, woven with overwhelming vocal power and expressive nuance, are characterized by sophisticated melodies and deep emotional expression, making them highly recommended for anyone seeking a voice that truly resonates.
DressPJ Harvey
PJ Harvey is a female singer from England.
In 1991, she released her debut single, “Dress,” on an independent label, and its raw sound earned her recognition from Rolling Stone as one of the best songwriters.
Her debut album, Dry, in particular, was cited as a favorite by Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, the charismatic rock band of the ’90s grunge scene, clearly showing how strongly she influenced other artists of her generation.