It’s that time again, people. Award season. And instead of honoring Jay-Z, Taylor Swift and Britney Spears for their contributions to recent music and pop culture, THE POP FIX has decided to compile a list of musicians who have permanently left their mark on popular culture, influencing the current generations of superstars and wannabes. Although this may be shocking, music actually did exist before Kanye West. Just don’t tell him we said it.

This project was inspired by the “Rolling Stone” version of the 100 best singers. We hate to admit it, but basically we thought it was a joke. Sadly, it wasn’t. And although it’s understood that people will probably never agree on a list of the top 100 singers the world has ever seen (and especially with who lands at number one) THE POP FIX and fellow contributors comprised of music writers, former music students and music producers thought we could make a better list based on the following criteria:

1. First of all, and most importantly, actual singing ability…ie: As much as we love his wailing, Axl Rose will place below Freddie Mercury.

2. Pop culture importance of the band the singer fronted (or their own pop culture significance, if unattached to a band) ie: John Lennon of The Beatles will place above Karen Carpenter of The Carpenters.

3. Originality, or more specifically the “there will never again be anyone like this” factor. ie: Bjork and Tom Waits are prime examples of this, but they will probably not crack the top 20 due to the “popular culture” factor.

So, with these thoughts in mind, we began our top 100 list. Enjoy the fruits and edits of our labor…

THE POP FIX PRESENTS: THE TOP 100 SINGERS OF ALL TIME

1. Ella Fitzgerald

2. Aretha Franklin

3. James Brown

4. Frank Sinatra

5. Elvis Presley

6. Michael Jackson

7. Freddie Mercury

8. Janis Joplin

9. John Lennon

10. Billie Holiday

11. Al Green

12. Etta James

13. Judy Garland

14. Robert Plant

15. Ray Charles

16. Jeff Buckley

17. Stevie Wonder

18. Whitney Houston

19. Prince

20. Paul McCartney

21. Mariah Carey

22. Johnny Cash

23. Stevie Nicks

24. Smokey Robinson

25. Ann Wilson

26. Joe Cocker

27. Pat Benatar

28. Marvin Gaye

29. Steve Perry

30. Jimi Hendrix

31. Bob Dylan

32. Bono

33. Bjork

34. Roger Daltrey

35. Barbara Streisand

36. Joni Mitchell

37. Chuck Berry

38. Celine Dion

39. Elton John

40. David Bowie

41. Tina Turner

42. Christina Aguilera

43. Mick Jagger

44. Luther Vandross

45. Steven Tyler

46. Garth Brooks

47. Tony Bennett

48. Elvis Costello

49. David Byrne

50. Roy Orbison

51. Rufus Wainwright

52. Allison Kraus

53. Emmylou Harris

54. Bobby McFerrin

55. Sting

56. Carole King

57. Diana Ross

58. Brian Wilson

59. Jim Morrison

60. Rod Stewart

61. Grace Slick

62. Sly Stone

63. Mick Jones

64. Dolly Parton

65. Billy Joel

66. Debbie Harry

67. Morrissey

68. Eddie Vedder

69. Annie Lennox

70. Perry Farrell

71. Maynard James Keenan

72. Sarah Brightman

73. Phil Collins

74. Patti Griffin

75. Cyndi Lauper

76. Bonnie Raitt

77. Barry White

78. George Clinton

79. Anthony Kiedis

80. Karen Carpenter

81. Axl Rose

82. Ozzy Osbourne

83. Tori Amos

84. Scott Weiland

85. Buddy Holly

86. Tracey Thorn

87. Eva Cassidy

88. Thom Yorke

89. Julie Andrews

90. Cat Stevens

91. Neko Case

92. Norah Jones

93. Peggy Lee

94. Mary J. Blige

95. Daryl Hall

96. Bill Withers

97. Joanna Newsom

98. Justin Timberlake

99. David Lee Roth

100. Julian Casablancas