Top 10 Bands with the Best Harmonies
#10: ABBA
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As Swedish pop stars, ABBA got the world singing in the 1970s. Many of their best tracks are anchored by the harmonies of lead vocalists Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Others like “Take a Chance on Me” include the entire quartet. In these catchy hits, co-writers Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus snuck in incredible musicality. The layered productions allow every vocal to shine. Brightening up your day, these singers have an energy that’s nothing short of magic. Try listening to “Dancing Queen,” for example, without joining along. Their inviting melodies draw in the listener, never failing to cause a reaction.
#9: The Association
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Hailing from California, The Association might not be the first band you think of from the Golden State. They do however have an underrated sound that deserves mention among pop icons. In the 1960s, the six-man collective created blissful harmonies on all kinds of hit records. Their singles like “Never My Love” are able to convey so much more emotion through the beauty of their vocals. It also helped that every band member could sing, giving variety and musical nuance to many of their tracks. With appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and at major festivals, the group earned a successful place for themselves in popular culture.
#8: The Four Seasons
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The Four Seasons are one of many links between doo-wop and more modern musical genres. Their vocal prowess can be heard on an endless stream of hits from “Big Girls Don’t Cry” to later releases like “Who Loves You.” Led by Frankie Valli, this group helped shape the sound of the 1960s. Their vocal range could make anybody swoon with its staggering highs. Harmonies are one of their specialities, a signature element of their deep catalog that inspired a Broadway musical and film. Even with lineup changes, their voices kept listeners’ attention into the 1970s and beyond.
#7: Boyz II Men
There are many R&B acts from the 1990s, but few could match the style of Boyz II Men. Their harmonies work on so many different levels that they’ll have your head spinning. Few groups can tell a story, engage an audience, and show off their talents quite like this one. Anybody that listens to “End of the Road” knows that the quartet has a knack for performing together. Not only can they work well as a unit, they also can amaze audiences with collaborations alongside Mariah Carey. Michael, Nathan, Shawn, and Wanyá defined a decade of excellent music.
#6: The Beatles
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Few groups have more than one songwriter, let alone multiple and distinctive singers. John, Paul, and George were the dominant voices in the band with their harmonies. In the early days, those three created amazing work on “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” The act then spent the mid to late 1960s in the studio, tinkering away with all kinds of revolutionary recording techniques. Their singing on records like “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Abbey Road” still amazes audiences to this day. Blending pop, rock, and other musical influences together, the group combined their voices in timeless ways.
#5: Fleetwood Mac
All Mother Never Going Back Again Fleetwood Mac Cover
Even in a band full of personal drama, the stellar music rises to the top. The most popular era of Fleetwood Mac features the eclectic voices of Lindsay Buckingham, Christine McVie, and Stevie Nicks. Each one is essential to what makes this group legendary. Combining their vocal and songwriting talents, this rock act loves to flaunt their abilities on hits like “Dreams.” Many choruses like “Go Your Own Way” wouldn’t be the same without their rich harmonies ratcheting up the track’s intensity. No matter which person spearheaded the writing process, they frequently allowed the others to play along. This team effort, despite all of the backstage antics, make for one of the most beloved bands of the time.
#4: Queen
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While Freddie Mercury was the frontman for Queen, he was surrounded by highly talented backup singers. Guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor were multi-talented artists that filled out the band’s harmonies. It’s impossible not to talk about their work on “Bohemian Rhapsody” or the hit song’s suite of epic singing. Along with their classics, the group also sings their hearts out on underappreciated tracks like “Bicycle Race.” Mercury and company all put in the work to make a fierce unit of vocalists. From operatic tunes to arena rock staples, these men were more than capable of pushing their vocal chords to the max.
#3: The Carpenters
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The Carpenters were a brother and sister duo that produced some of the 1970s’ best music. Karen’s distinct voice matched well with Richard to form one of the core elements of their sound. There’s a calm and serene quality to the band’s harmonies on tracks such as “(They Long to Be) Close to You.” In heartbreaking ballads, these vocalists could provide the soundtrack for any emotional highs or lows. You can’t help but feel something when you hear them perform on “Rainy Days and Mondays” or the classic “We’ve Only Just Begun.” They might not always be put among the all-time greats, but these musicians were just as talented as many of their era.
#2: Bee Gees
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The Gibb brothers had a storied career as the Bee Gees. Their catalog spanned rock, pop, and disco in a multi-decade run. All through their success, the trio depended on their amazing vocals. They could make you cry just as easily as they could make you want to dance. “How Deep Is Your Love” and “Too Much Heaven” are two ballads that rely on their beautiful voices. With incredible high notes, the band had a shocking range that few groups could match. This came in handy for tracks such as “Stayin’ Alive” which, as part of the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack, gave them one of their most successful periods. The siblings had such pristine voices that they could make a song in any style perfect.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
The Everly Brothers
Don & Phil Were Massively Influential for Vocals & 1950s Hits
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Supergroups Harmonies Never Sounded as Good as “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”
The Mamas & the Papas
Serving up 1960s Classics, This Group Delivered Sun-Soaked Harmonies at Every Turn
Extreme
This Hard Rock Act Shifted Gears for a Classic Ballad Using Impressive Harmonies
The Seekers
This Australian Four-Piece Mixed Folk & Pop Influences in Top-Ten Hits
The Temptations
This Motown Vocal Group Was One of the Greatest R&B Acts of All Time
#1: The Beach Boys
The History of The Beach Boys
From their early days, The Beach Boys’ hits like “Surfin’ Safari” and “I Get Around” were made special by the group’s vocal harmonies. The Wilson brothers, Al Jardine, and Mike Love came together to perform numbers that defined 1960s America. Brian Wilson then dared them to do even better with “Pet Sounds,” which features many of their greatest tracks and a seamless blend of their voices on songs like “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” The single “Good Vibrations” also allowed the band to stand out from the competition with a memorable chorus. Elevating popular music, this musical act influenced generations of vocalists to try harder.
Did we forget your favorite harmonizers? Let us know in the comments below.
