QuoteTurning The Tables: The 150 Greatest Albums Made By Women (As Chosen By You)
The results are in for the first-ever NPR Turning the Tables readers' poll, and they send a strong message to anyone fancying themselves a cultural justice warrior in 2018. It is this: check your intervention. The original list of 150 Greatest Albums Made By Women, assembled by a committee of nearly 50 NPR-affiliated women, sought to correct a historic bias against putting women's stories, and their artistry, at the center of popular music history. Your votes and comments, which deeply modify and sometimes openly challenge that list, challenged us to recognize that no matter how justified the correction may be, in popular music ? happily ? no center ever holds.
Instead, music's center shimmies and bops. Playing the game of lists and charts, we might serve music better with an animated version of the classic Venn diagram, in which circles overlap, obscure each other, and stay in motion. The queens of one era are the forgotten ancestors of another. Time can also amplify importance: Artists who found their places within loyal subcultures may eventually emerge as central figures in a generation's story, their legacies tended by fans until they grow sturdier and more vibrant. That's the one ruling principle in popular music ? fans matter. You make history.
Nearly 4,500 voters participated in this poll, stumping for a total of nearly 8,000 different albums. The story of your voting patterns is one of passionate advocacy for artists whose music changed your lives. "Another album that undoubtedly saved the lives of LGBT people and allowed many families to postpone funerals," wrote one voter about Melissa Etheridge's 1993 album Yes I Am, released shortly after the rocker came out as a lesbian and ranked at 26 on this list. Commenters showed similar intensity about Kate Bush ? one called 1985's Hounds of Love, which ranks at No. 4, "quintessential to being." For a fan who entered college the year Lauryn Hill released her masterwork (and your No. 3 pick) The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, the 1998 album was "both formative and transformative... like a diary I didn't quite know how to write myself yet." The overall message, throughout your comments (excerpted below), is that while music made by women is as innovative, virtuosic and historically relevant as any made by men, emotional resonance ? the risk of the personal ? is as crucial a criterion.
Indeed, at the top of the list, the 20th century's greatest poet and analyst of the personal resides, as she did in the first version of Turning the Tables. Joni Mitchell, in fact, charted here an astonishing seven times ? every album she released before making a hard experimental turn in 1977 with Don Juan's Reckless Daughter, excluding her folkie debut Song To a Seagull, makes the cut. Mitchell's predominance speaks to the way her albums serve as a guide to life's phases for many people, the earnestness of For the Roses giving way to the wounded catharsis of Blue, to the cool self-preservation of The Hissing of Summer Lawns and the soul renewal of Hejira.
Mitchell's impact shows on the list beyond her own work. Blue, the original lists' Number One, barely edged out the album that has long been considered its chief rival in heralding the dawn of women's liberation ? Carole King's Tapestry, which jumped from 10 on the original list to No. 2 here. Following not far behind are many singer-songwriters of the 1990s, who learned the fundamentals of artistic independence, defiant virtuosity and daring intimacy while holding Mitchell's and King's album covers in their hands. Tori Amos, whose Little Earthquakes ranks at 9, appears four times; so does Bjork, whose Homogenic appears at 15. Many who could be placed in Mitchell's and King's lineage appear here, though they didn't make the original list at all: not only Etheridge, but Sarah McLachlan, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Neko Case, Aimee Mann and Brandi Carlile.
Taylor Swift, whose music has dominated the current historical moment just as Mitchell's strongly defined the turn of the 1970s, stands for a different central tenet of canon-making, one the original document, assembled by "experts," obscured. Fan activism matters. Swifties place four of her albums here ? only one, Fearless, made the first Turning the Tables, squeaking into the Top 100 at 99. Here, Swift is the highest ranking artist under 30, with 1989 claiming lucky 13.
Other current mainstream artists with notoriously passionate fan bases, strangely, didn't see as much gain. Lemonade did come in at 8, but only one other Beyonc? album charted, and there's not even a whisper of Rihanna here. That omission, alongside the absence of most jazz and R&B musicians and any Latinx artist, may say more about who this poll reached, and the demographics of NPR Music readers, than those artists' legacies. (This is how a list becomes a signal to the organization that publishes it, to consider its own blind spots.) Legends whose careers peaked before 1960 also mostly dropped off the list or ranked low. I'm curious about what happened to Nina Simone. Her I Put a Spell on You, No. 3 on the original list, drops to 80 here. It makes me wonder: Has her re-emergence as a major historical figure been mostly symbolic? Is her music as resonant as her biography ? and if not, should those of us with the power of playlists be doing more to get it out there?
Maybe my questions here will prompt some responses from serious Nina fans. If this list doesn't satisfy, please feel free to argue ferociously. I hope you also simply celebrate. Your votes have already changed the shape of Turning the Tables: You've expanded the list's date range by voting in serious numbers for Billie Holiday and Etta James albums that came out before our original cut-off year of 1964 and also added many more artists whose contributions are coming into focus at this moment. As we said in July, our feminist canon is an open one. I'm overjoyed that this poll welcomes new voices into a conversation that should never truly be complete. From Lorde to Carly Rae Jepsen to Grimes and Courtney Barnett, your Turning the Tables points toward the future in exciting ways. Here's to you, and to the next spin of the circles.
1. Joni Mitchell
Blue (Reprise, 1971)"The standard by which all other singer/songwriter albums should be judged and with good reason. Starkly confessional and painfully detailed, Mitchell found the key to turning her most intimate feelings and experiences into universal art; the personal became public. It's impossible to hear this record without projecting your own relationships and experiences onto its canvas. And therein lies its power. This album means something entirely different to everyone who hears it. The best art is not always necessarily a painting, but sometimes instead, a mirror. "
2. Carole King
Tapestry (Ode, 1971)"The perfect combination of artistry and mass appeal songwriting. So many classics from this album have held up and withstood the test of time. Some artists are lucky to have one song that lasts through generations, Carole King has dozens and this album is just one pop standard after another. You can also see King's influence on artists today such as Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Sara Bareilles and Adele."
3. Lauryn Hill
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (Ruffhouse/Columbia, 1998)"This album was both formative and transformative. It came out my freshman year of college and as a young black woman away from home for the first time, this album was like a diary I didn't quite know how to write myself yet."
4. Kate Bush
Hounds of Love (EMI, 1985)"The timeless masterpiece sounds better than ever more than 30 years after its release. To me, the music of Kate Bush represents 'the elements' ? in a single album like Hounds of Love, she takes the listener on a journey through land and sky, icy seas, thunderstorms and clouds bursting with rains that eventually become the transcendent morning fog. After the hits-laden side A comes the conceptual "story-suite" Side B which is entitled "The Ninth Wave," a gorgeous and terrifying achievement that still sends chills down the spine. It is truly a journey of an album. Closer "The Morning Fog" sees Ms. Bush escaping the nightmare and awakening to a bittersweet vision of her own family: "I tell my loved ones how much I love them." Kate Bush embodies the Earth Mother with gusto. Her "hill" is our struggle for success. Her "big sky" is our realm of creative possibility, her "ice," our deepest fears. This is intensely personal, prophetic music from one of the great muses. And it's one hell of a rock and roll album."
5. Janis Joplin
Pearl (Columbia, 1971)"There is not a song on this album that is disposable, her voice, her energy. It is still relevant to today's generation of women, Janis elevates all of us. Joyful, intense, thrilling."
"Bluesy, honkey, and funky; Pearl refined blues rock down to its very best components while simultaneously breaking away from it and into new ground; one step ahead of its contemporaries."
6. Patti Smith
Horses (Arista, 1975)"Horses isn't pretty. It isn't apologetic. And it gives precisely zero f***s how you or anyone feels about it. It is the embodiment of punk."
"'Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine...' froze me where I stood, I needle-dropped 8 times, thinking God would strike me dead. When He didn't, I was set free."
7. Amy Winehouse
Back to Black (Island, 2006)"An absolute groundbreaking album. It shot a bit of rhythm and blues and jazz back into popular music, and paved the way for artists such as Duffy and Adele."
"It's all jagged corners with no need for smoothing or polish. Dark and haunting are often overused adjectives, but in this case, they are the highest of compliments."
8. Beyonc?
Lemonade (Parkwood/Columbia, 2016)"A love letter to black women. Each song is so vibrant and different from the rest yet they all come together each telling a chapter in a story of love, redemption and what it means to be a black woman in America."
"An amazing piece of art that is so many things at once: a feminist statement, an airing of grievences, a love letter letter, a musical masterpiece. And so much more."
9. Tori Amos
Little Earthquakes (Atlantic, 1992)"This album remains the most vital and dear to me of any ever recorded. At once traditional and strange, heartfelt and playful, this album broke the mold of what was possible in alternative music. While creating some of the most perfect melodies in existence, Amos also challenged the status quo of what women were allowed to say. This album is perfect and it is such a shame that systemic sexism and fear of feminine power in music criticism has caused it to be overlooked as one of the greatest of our time."
10. Joni Mitchell
Court and Spark (Asylum, 1974)"This is the best musical documentation of the challenges of being female and famous in the '70s music industry. While the narrator of the songs may be 'selfish and sad,' you can't help identifying with and rooting for her."
"Where Blue bore the soul of Joni, sad and sweet like holy wine, Court and Spark took us to the party. This is Joni, the Cool Cat. Her jazz tendencies began inflecting her work thanks to her confident delivery of her lyrics and a new backing band, the L.A. Express. Shedding the image of 'confessional' songwriter, this album focused on story-songs about those that surrounded her. ... Court and Spark feels deceptively lighthearted upon first listen (a Joni album with a Cheech and Chong cameo? 'Man, this kid is twisted!'). But decades later, its depth and wisdom feels essential to her musical canon, without having lost any of its sheen."
11. Adele, 21 (XL/Columbia, 2011)
12. Liz Phair, Exile in Guyville (Matador, 1993)
13. Taylor Swift, 1989 (Big Machine Records, 2013)
14. Aretha Franklin, I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (Atlantic, 1967)
15. Bj?rk, Homogenic (One Little Indian/Elektra, 1997)
16. Lucinda Williams, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (Mercury, 1998)
17. Tori Amos, Boys for Pele (Atlantic, 1996)
18. Tracy Chapman, Tracy Chapman (Elektra, 1988)
19. Taylor Swift, Reputation (Big Machine, 2017)
20. Joni Mitchell, Hejira (Asylum, 1976)
20. Joanna Newsom, Ys (Drag City, 2006)
22. Bonnie Raitt, Nick of Time (Capitol, 1989)
23. Hole, Live Through This (DGC, 1994)
24. Kate Bush, The Dreaming (EMI, 1982)
25. Sleater-Kinney, Dig Me Out (Kill Rock Stars, 1997)
26. Melissa Etheridge, Yes I Am (Island, 1993)
27. Tina Turner, Private Dancer (Capitol, 1984)
28. Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood (ANTI-, 2006)
29. Dusty Springfield, Dusty in Memphis (Atlantic, 1969)
30. Aretha Franklin, Lady Soul (Atlantic, 1968)
31. Fiona Apple, The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do (Epic, 2012)
32. Alanis Morissette, Jagged Little Pill (Maverick, 1995)
33. Taylor Swift, Red (Big Machine, 2012)
34. Lorde, Melodrama (Republic, 2017)
35. Stevie Nicks, Bella Donna (Modern/Atlantic, 1981)
36. Fleetwood Mac, Rumours (Warner Bros., 1977)
37. Bj?rk, Vespertine (One Little Indian/Elektra, 2001)
38. Bj?rk, Post (One Little Indian/Elektra, 1995)
39. Janet Jackson, Control (A&M, 1986)
40. Tori Amos, Under the Pink (Atlantic, 1994)
41. Solange, A Seat at the Table (Columbia, 2016)
42. Carly Rae Jepsen, E?MO?TION (Interscope, 2015)
42. PJ Harvey, To Bring You My Love (Island, 1995)
44. Linda Ronstadt, Heart Like a Wheel (Capitol, 1974)
45. Fiona Apple, When the Pawn... (Epic, 1999)
46. St. Vincent, St. Vincent (Loma Vista, 2014)
47. PJ Harvey, Rid of Me (Island, 1993)
48. Annie Lennox, Diva (Arista, 1992)
49. The Breeders, Last Splash (4AD/Elektra, 1993)
50. PJ Harvey, Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea (Island, 2000)
51. Rickie Lee Jones, Rickie Lee Jones (Warner Bros., 1981)
51. Lorde, Pure Heroine (Lava/Republic, 2013)
51. Blondie, Parallel Lines (Chrysalis, 1978)
54. Janelle Mon?e, The ArchAndroid (Bad Boy/Wondaland, 2010)
55. Kate Bush, The Kick Inside (EMI, 1978)
56. Indigo Girls, Indigo Girls (Epic, 1989)
57. Joni Mitchell, The Hissing of Summer Lawns (Asylum, 1975)
58. Bj?rk, Debut (Elektra, 1993)
59. M.I.A., Kala (XL/Interscope, 2007)
60. X-Ray Spex, Germfree Adolescents (EMI, 1978)
60. TLC, CrazySexyCool (LaFace, 1994)
60. Laura Nyro, Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (Columbia, 1968)
63. Rickie Lee Jones, Pirates (Warner Bros., 1981)
64. Sade, Diamond Life (Sony, 1984)
65. Dixie Chicks, Wide Open Spaces (Monument, 1998)
66. Laura Nyro, New York Tendaberry (Columbia, 1969)
67. Joni Mitchell, For the Roses (Asylum, 1972)
68. Madonna, Madonna (Sire, 1983)
68. Marianne Faithfull, Broken English (Island, 1979)
70. Fiona Apple, Tidal (Work Group/Clean Slate/Columbia, 1996)
71. Heart, Dreamboat Annie (Mushroom, 1976)
72. Brandi Carlile, The Story (Columbia, 2007)
73. Norah Jones, Come Away With Me (Blue Note, 2002)
74. St. Vincent, Strange Mercy (4AD, 2011)
75. Sarah McLachlan, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (Nettwerk /Arista, 1993)
76. Madonna, Like a Prayer (Sire, 1989)
77. Melissa Etheridge, Melissa Etheridge (Island Records, 1998)
78. Erykah Badu, Baduizm (Universal, 1997)
79. Grimes, Art Angels (4AD, 2015)
80. Nina Simone, I Put a Spell on You (Philips, 1965)
81. Missy Elliott, Supa Dupa Fly (Elektra/The Goldmind Inc., 1997)
82. Florence + the Machine, Lungs (Island Records, 2009)
83. Madonna, Like A Virgin (Sire, 1984)
83. Sinead O'Connor, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got (Ensign, 1990)
85. Janelle Mon?e, The Electric Lady (Bad Boy/Wondaland, 2013)
86. Lana Del Rey, Born to Die (Interscope, 2012)
86. Joni Mitchell, Ladies of the Canyon (Reprise Records, 1970)
88. k.d. lang, Ing?nue (Sire, 1992)
89. The Slits, Cut (Island Records, 1979)
90. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fever to Tell (Interscope, 2003)
90. Florence + the Machine, Ceremonials (Island Records 2011)
92. Laura Nyro and Labelle, Gonna Take a Miracle (Columbia, 1971)
93. Kate Bush, The Sensual World (Columbia Records, 1989)
94. Cocteau Twins, Heaven or Las Vegas (4AD, 1990)
94. Pretenders, Pretenders (Sire, 1980)
96. Bonnie Raitt, Luck of the Draw (Capitol, 1991)
97. Tegan and Sara, The Con (Sire , 2007)
97. Bonnie Raitt, Give It Up (Warner Bros., 1972)
97. St. Vincent, MASSEDUCTION (Loma Vista, 2017)
100. Joni Mitchell, Clouds (A&M, 1969)
100. Dolly Parton, Jolene (RCA, 1974)
102. Etta James, At Last! (Argo, 1960)
102. Alabama Shakes, Sound and Color (ATO, 2015)
104. Lady Gaga, The Fame Monster (Interscope, 2009)
105. Sade, Love Deluxe (Sony, 1992)
106. Whitney Houston, Whitney (Arista, 1987)
106. Beyonc?, 4 (Parkwood/Columbia, 2011)
108. Pat Benatar, Crimes of Passion (Chrysalis, 1980)
109. Grace Jones, Nightclubbing (Island Records, 1981)
109. Aimee Mann, Bachelor No. 2 (V2, 1999)
109. Joan Osborne, Relish (Mercury Records, 1995)
112. The Pretenders, Learning to Crawl (Sire Records, 1984)
113. Janet Jackson, Rhythm Nation (A&M, 1989)
113. Mary Chapin Carpenter, Stones in the Road (Columbia Records, 1994)
115. Cyndi Lauper, She's So Unusual (Portrait/Sony 1983)
115. Madonna, Ray of Light (Warner Bros., 1998)
117. Courtney Barnett, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit (Marathon Artists, 2015)
118. Sinead O'Connor, The Lion and the Cobra (Ensign/Chrysalis, 1987)
119. Whitney Houston, Whitney Houston (Arista, 1985)
120. Cat Power, Moon Pix (Matador, 1998)
121. Sarah McLachlan, Surfacing (Arista Records, 1997)
121. Emmylou Harris, Wrecking Ball (Elektra Records, 1995)
123. Mary Chapin Carpenter, Come On Come On (Columbia, 1992)
123. Tori Amos, Scarlet's Walk (Epic/Sony Records, 2002)
125. Angel Olsen, My Woman (Jagjaguwar, 2016)
126. The Go-Gos, Beauty and the Beat (I.R.S. Records, 1981)
127. Neko Case, Middle Cyclone (ANTI-, 2009)
128. Carly Simon, No Secrets (Elektra, 1972)
129. Sleater-Kinney, The Woods (Sub Pop, 2005)
129. Alice Coltrane, Journey in Satchidananda (GRP/Impulse!, 1971)
131. Erykah Badu, Mama's Gun (Motown/Puppy Love, 2000)
132. Jewel, Pieces of You (Atlantic, 1995)
133. PJ Harvey, Dry (Island Records, 1992)
133. Joan Baez, Diamonds and Rust (A&M, 1975)
135. Big Brother and the Holding Company, Cheap Thrills (Columbia, 1968)
136. Nico, Chelsea Girl (Verve, 1967)
137. HAIM, Days Are Gone (Columbia Records, 2013)
138. Donna Summer, Bad Girls (Casablanca, 1979)
139. Nina Simone, Pastel Blues (Philips, 1965)
140. Dolly Parton, Coat of Many Colors (RCA Records, 1971)
141. Dixie Chicks, Taking the Long Way (Open Wide/Columbia Nashville , 2006)
142. The Bangles, All Over the Place (Columbia Records, 1984)
143. Mariah Carey, The Emancipation of Mimi (Island Def Jam, 2005)
144. Joan Jett, Bad Reputation (Blackheart Records, 1980)
145. Annie Lennox, Medusa (Arista Records, 1995)
146. Kate Bush, Never For Ever (EMI, 1980)
147. Norah Jones, Feels Like Home (Blue Note Records, 2004)
148. Taylor Swift, Fearless (Big Machine, 2008)
149. Erykah Badu, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) (Universal Motown, 2008)
150. Joanna Newsom, Have One On Me (Drag City, 2010)
https://www.npr.org/2018/04/09/600116052/turning-the-tables-the-150-greatest-albums-made-by-women-as-chosen-by-you
