00:05Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're looking at 10 singers who, either through age and
00:11deterioration or intentional choices, no longer really sound like their old selves anymore.
00:30Taylor Swift, bursting onto the scene as a country artist, Taylor Swift's trajectory
00:46has carried over into the world of pop music. To say that she has pulled off the transition
00:51well would be a massive understatement. Now regarded as one of the most important pop
01:08stars of her generation, it's no surprise that she has changed her vocal approach in the process.
01:14The country twang that she favored in her early years has been replaced by a greater warmth and
01:19maturity. Swift is also quite a versatile performer, blending genres with a level of fluidity that
01:25only a truly dynamic performer can pull off.
01:36Steven Tyler
01:50As a rock legend who was renowned for his soaring screams, bluesy phrasing, and incredible range,
01:56Steven Tyler retained his singing voice well into his 70s. Even in later performances,
02:01he proved his versatility by adapting some of the more challenging songs to fit his register.
02:17Unfortunately, in 2023, he suffered vocal cord injuries and a fractured larynx that would
02:23ultimately force Aerosmith into retirement. Tyler enjoyed a long and successful career that spanned
02:29from the 1960s right up to the present day. But sadly, it appears as though his singing days are
02:34officially at an end. Arrowsmith's longtime followers know if he could, Steven Tyler would
02:40do what it takes to get back in the saddle once more. But since his vocal cord injury makes that
02:46impossible, New Englanders are left to dream on. Miley Cyrus
02:51The difference between the Miley Cyrus who shot to fame in her role as Hannah Montana and the modern
02:56chart-topping artist is kind of staggering.
03:06She started with a relatively bright pop voice during her Disney years. Over time,
03:11her tone became noticeably raspier and more textured, reflecting the wider musical palette
03:16she would eventually dip into.
03:26This transformation resulted partly from natural maturation and partly from Reinke's
03:33edema, a vocal condition that thickened her vocal folds and contributed to her husky sound.
03:38Instead of avoiding the change, she embraced it artistically and made it a part of her signature
03:44singing style.
03:51Justin Bieber
03:59If you make it big as a teen star, it's only natural that you're going to encounter some
04:04challenges when you eventually mature into manhood. Navigating these hurdles is truly something that
04:09can make or break a career. Thankfully, Justin Bieber was more than up to the task.
04:23Although he still has the delicate style of his youth, he has grown into a far more mature singer
04:29over the years. On top of all this, his prowess as a technical singer has clearly improved,
04:34even if he sometimes gravitates towards a more understated style. Bieber is a performance
04:38veteran at this point, so you should expect his evolution to continue the longer his career goes on.
04:43What would I do? If I didn't love you, baby? What would I do? Do?
04:54Ian Anderson
05:01The Jethro Tull frontman, Ian Anderson, is as famous for his instrumental skills and compositional
05:08talents as he is for his singing. However, his expressive and extremely charismatic vocal style
05:13noticeably began to deteriorate in the 1980s due to overuse. While his work through the late 60s and
05:1970s showed a singer who had full command of his voice, Anderson began to struggle from there onwards.
05:36These days, though you can still hear that inimitable phrasing and character, he simply doesn't have
05:42the power anymore to push those notes as far as he used to. In fact, modern Jethro Tull shows rely
05:48almost entirely on the instrumental strength of the band, as Anderson's voice continues to grow fragile.
05:53I think of God, he stole the handle, and a train hit, won't stop going, no way too slow down.
06:03Elton John
06:03I remember when I was young, he assumed he had so much fun.
06:09As one of the greatest rock and pop singers of all time, Elton John, alongside his longtime
06:14collaborator Bernie Taupin, has created an incredible body of work. John's voice permanently
06:20changed in 1987, after he underwent major throat surgery in Australia to remove vocal cord nodules.
06:27The bright tenor range that had been his trademark through the 1970s was replaced by a much deeper
06:32register.
06:38In the grand scheme of things, it didn't affect his show-stopping performances. Sure, a few keys were
06:43changed and arrangements adjusted, but Elton John remained a strong live presence right
06:48up until retirement from touring.
07:05Britney Spears
07:07The difference between stylistic choices and actual vocal limitations is perfectly proven
07:12by Britney Spears. Early demos revealed a deeper tone, but producers encouraged the distinctive
07:25babyish style that eventually became her trademark.
07:41Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, she relied heavily on breathiness, vocal layering,
07:47and studio production rather than strong belts. That didn't mean she couldn't sing well though,
07:52make no mistake. Eventually, when Britney started to let her full strength and range show, some found
07:57it genuinely surprising, and arguably quite refreshing compared to her earlier output.
08:13Bob Dylan
08:14Despite being known as a singer who firmly splits people down the middle, Bob Dylan has had many
08:19singing styles over the years.
08:29The youthful folk artist channeling Woody Guthrie, the sneering electrified delivery of Like a Rolling Stone,
08:35and even some country crooning, Dylan has dipped his toe in many genres. These days, he has largely used
08:41the natural deterioration of his voice to his advantage, styling himself as a gruff and weathered poet.
08:46I'm logging on, then it's done
08:52Just like so many times before
08:57Sure, he's never been Frank Sinatra, but Dylan's fans would argue pretty heavily in favor of him
09:02being one of music's most compelling and unique vocalists. Like the times themselves, Dylan's voice
09:08has done plenty of a change in.
09:19Axl Rose
09:20The early albums that put Guns N' Roses on the map stood out instantly due to the vocal stylings
09:25of frontman Axl Rose.
09:39That aggressive rasp was a real hit with the fans when the band burst onto the scene. However,
09:44it was hard to shake the feeling that it would be hard to sustain in the long run. As the
09:48years
09:48progressed, age touring demands and changing techniques altered his sound considerably.
10:07His upper register became thinner and less reliable, while nasal tones and a lighter approach became
10:13more prominent. Sure, he can still pull out a great delivery every now and then,
10:16but for the most part, Rose has become far more inconsistent.
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10:59Ariana Grande
11:10There's no denying Ariana Grande's status as one of the standout mainstream vocalists of this decade.
11:16During her initial move towards pop success, she frequently showcased vocal acrobatics and
11:21powerful belts, channeling major influences like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.
11:26It made me feel so cool
11:34Over time, her approach became more restrained and technically economical. Not because of overuse or
11:41strain necessarily, but because her tone is generally evolving to fit her style of music.
11:45It's an artistic shift that has paid off in more ways than one, and will likely serve her longevity
11:51better as she continues to tour and record.
12:01But what famous singer do you think has suffered the most vocal deterioration over the years?
12:06Let us know in the comments.
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