Every musician has to follow their own creative impulses. However, sometimes those impulses are wrong…Okay, maybe not wrong, but perhaps short-sided. Yes, there are several musicians that would wow in a different genre than the one they are currently in. For evidence, check out four pop singers who should’ve been rock stars, below.
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Lady Gaga
We’re starting our list of pop singers that should’ve been rock stars with an obvious choice: Lady Gaga. Gaga has proven her rock chops on a number of occasions. Moreover, Gaga has experimented so much with her sound, that she really transcends genre–meaning she could really do anything she sets her mind to. Take the cover of 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up?” below. She strips away her polished pop exterior for something far more rugged and deserving of rock royalty.
And so I cry sometimes when I’m lying in bed
Just to get it all out what’s in my head
And I, I am feeling a little peculiar
And so I wake in the morning and I step outside
And I take a deep breath and I get real high
And I scream from the top of my lungs
“What’s going on?”
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus has always been universally recognized as talented, but she really hit her stride when she started leaning into the rough texture of her voice. Her album, Plastic Hearts, was a great exhibition of her rockier vocals, however, we think she could turn the dial up even more. We’d love to see a tried and true rock album from Cyrus, one that leaves any notion of pop prestige behind.
You may think I’m ghostin’, but the truth is I’m a liar
I sell you what I tell you, but you ain’t a f***ing buyer
You thinkin’ that I’m sleepin’ when I’m creepin’ in the night
They say it’s bad karma when you live a double life
They say it’s bad karma bein’ such a heart breaker
I’ve always picked a giver, ’cause I’ve always been the taker
I’d rather just do it, then I’ll think about it later
Beyoncé
Beyoncé has no problem experimenting with her sound. She proved that by releasing Cowboy Carter. She has delivered several rock covers that tease us with what could’ve been. if you haven’t heard her rendition of Prince’s “The Beautiful Ones,” check it out below. You’ll join us in begging Beyoncé to join the rock ranks.
Baby, baby, baby
Is it him or is it me
Don’t make me waste my time
Don’t make me lose my mind baby
Baby, baby, baby
Can’t you stay with me tonight
Oh baby, baby, baby
Don’t my kisses please you right
You were so hard to find
The beautiful ones, they hurt you everytime
Harry Styles
Using his collaborations with Stevie Nicks as evidence, we’d love to see Harry Styles take the soft rock route. While his debut album definitely had elements of ’70s rock, we’d like to see him lean into that affinity even more. We’d like an album like Rumours or Tapestry from Styles. But, we will have to wait and see what he’s been cooking up amid his hiatus from the public eye. Hopefully, he’ll shirk his pop duties for a new rock persona.
I took my love, I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
‘Til the landslide brought me down
Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changin’ ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
(Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
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