Isolated vocal tracks, also known as vocal master tracks, offer an intimate listening experience where we can truly feel the emotion and expression in a singer’s voice. In this setting, you hear the vocalist in isolation, allowing their energy and raw performance to shine through. It’s like hearing a song for the very first time.
Unfortunately, it’s rare to come across completely isolated vocal tracks. What we often hear are homemade recreations that strive to capture the original. Despite this, we’ve come to appreciate these versions.
This list compiles isolated tracks available online—some fully isolated, others with minimal background music. Availability limits the selection, so not every incredible singer is included (yes, that might include your favorite one—such is the way with “best of” lists).
For the best experience, we recommend listening with headphones. Enjoy!
Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) in Smells Like Teen Spirit
Kurt Cobain was one of those rare singers who could almost entirely “carry” a song with the raw power of his voice. And what do I mean by “carry”? Just think about it—can you picture anyone but Kurt singing “Smells Like Teen Spirit” or “Come as You Are”? It’s unthinkable. His voice wasn’t just central to Nirvana; it became the voice of an entire genre and generation.
In my view, many of Nirvana’s songs wouldn’t have achieved the same level of success and recognition if they weren’t sung by Kurt. His voice was incredibly powerful and distinctive—brimming with energy and raw emotion. It’s truly irreplaceable.
Here’s one of Nirvana’s greatest hits from the album Nevermind, performed a cappella by Kurt Cobain.
Layne Staley (Alice in Chains) in Man in the Box
Layne Staley is undoubtedly one of the standout vocalists of the 90s. Kurt Cobain himself once remarked, “I know I haven’t got much of a voice, but Layne has one hell of a voice.” Staley’s powerful and distinctive voice was a crucial element of Alice in Chains, and the synergy between him and Jerry Cantrell created something truly special. Their collaboration was a defining factor in the band’s unique sound and success.
Here’s a song they wrote together for the group’s debut album “Facelift“, with Laney responsible for the lyrics.
Freddie Mercury (Queen) in Bohemian Rhapsody
This list wouldn’t be complete without one of the most celebrated vocalists of the last century—Freddie Mercury. Not only did he record with Queen, but he also collaborated with many renowned artists, including the Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé, who was thoroughly impressed by his voice.
Freddie wrote numerous Queen classics, including “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” and “We Are the Champions.” In the track below, you can experience his voice completely isolated from the instruments, showcasing the full range of his extraordinary vocal abilities.
Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) in Ramble On
When discussing the most memorable voices of the last century, Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin undoubtedly ranks near the top. Led Zeppelin is one of those iconic bands that virtually everyone knows, with a slew of hits like “Whole Lotta Love,” “Kashmir,” and “Stairway to Heaven.” Robert Plant’s powerful and distinctive voice was a crucial factor in the band’s immense success. His vocal prowess helped define the band’s sound and left an indelible mark on rock music.
Here’s one of their masterpieces – “Ramble On”.
Thom Yorke (Radiohead) in Creep
Thom Yorke is widely recognized as a brilliant songwriter, but his singing is sometimes a bit underrated. If you take a closer listen, it’s clear that he delivers his vocals with immense emotion and a deep connection to the words and feelings they convey.
If you’re among the skeptics, let this be a revelation. He performed this track back in 1992, and it later featured on Radiohead’s debut album, Pablo Honey, in 1993. Here’s “Creep”—a song that perfectly captures Thom’s vocal intensity and emotional depth.
Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) in Best of You
When Dave Grohl transitioned to a new career after Nirvana’s breakup, few anticipated the level of success he would achieve with Foo Fighters, especially not with him taking on the role of lead vocalist. Yet, he more than proved his musical prowess.
Here’s an isolated vocal track from one of Foo Fighters’ most successful songs—“Best of You.” It’s a testament to Dave’s remarkable talent and his ability to make a significant impact as a frontman.
Deborah Harry (Blondie) in Heart of Glass
Female singers in rock and roll may be less common, but when they do step up, they often rock harder than many of their male counterparts. Deborah Harry of Blondie is a prime example. She not only challenged and overcame the stereotypes about women in rock but also paved the way for many future female artists.
Here’s one of Deborah’s most acclaimed vocal performances—“Heart of Glass.”
Marvin Gaye in I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Marvin Gaye is truly a top-notch vocalist, whose voice evolved over the years from a smooth, soulful tone to a more raspy and powerful sound. He began his singing career in his father’s church, and it’s a tragic loss that their relationship ended as it did. One can only imagine the additional masterpieces we might have enjoyed had Marvin still been with us.
Here’s one of his greatest hits—“I Heard It Through the Grapevine.”
Michael Jackson in Billie Jean
Michael Jackson was undeniably born to be a star. From a young age, he displayed exceptional musical talent, and through immense dedication and hard work, he achieved remarkable success. It’s unfortunate that his eccentric behavior and controversial lifestyle sometimes overshadowed his status as the music legend he truly was.
Here’s one of the songs he’ll most likely be remembered for—“Billie Jean.”
Janis Joplin in Mercedes Benz
It’s rare to encounter a vocalist who embodies every word they sing as intensely as Janis Joplin did. Her ability to breathe new life into familiar songs made them feel fresh and vibrant. She remains one of the most passionate and compelling vocalists of the last century.
Here’s something special: while not an isolated vocal track, this is a private recording of Janis made by one of her friends. It offers a unique glimpse into her raw and emotive singing style.
Elton John in Tiny Dancer
Elton John is a fascinating example of an artist whose voice evolved over the years, partly due to drug use and a vocal cord surgery he underwent shortly after his 1986 Australian tour. Despite differing opinions, Elton believes the surgery enhanced his vocal abilities, transforming him from a piano player who sang into a singer who also plays the piano.
Here’s a song from 1971, famously featured in the film Almost Famous, that many of us remember as the ultimate “feel-good” tune.
Merry Clayton and Mick Jagger in Gimme Shelter
While Mick Jagger delivered a stellar performance on this song, it’s only fair to acknowledge the incredible contribution of Merry Clayton. Her haunting background vocals add a profound depth to the track, showcasing her immense talent and passion. She poured every ounce of her energy into her performance, exemplifying what it means to be a great musician—giving everything to the microphone.
Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) in Black Hole Sun
Chris Cornell was an exceptional singer and songwriter, and it’s no wonder that many artists, including Alice in Chains, Carlos Santana, and Alice Cooper, sought to collaborate with him. His contributions to the success of both Audioslave and Soundgarden are invaluable, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest vocalists of his era.
Here’s a song he wrote in 1994 for Soundgarden, featured on their fourth studio album, Superunknown.
Steve Perry (Journey) in Don’t Stop Believin’
Some rock critics initially doubted Steve Perry’s vocal abilities, but the success of Journey in the 70s with him as the lead singer proved that such criticism often misses the mark.
Today, Steve Perry is celebrated as one of the greatest vocalists of the 70s and beyond. Brian May of Queen has praised him as “a voice in a million,” Jon Bon Jovi has dubbed him “The Voice,” and Randy Jackson, Journey’s bassist, has remarked that “other than Robert Plant, there’s no singer in rock that even came close to Steve Perry.”
Experience his remarkable talent for yourself by listening to the isolated vocal track of “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
Ann Wilson (Heart) in Alone
We previously highlighted Blondie as a standout female rock singer, and she wasn’t alone in making waves. Ann Wilson from Heart also carved out a prominent place in rock music, impressing many with her extraordinary voice.
Here’s one of Heart’s biggest hits, showcasing Ann Wilson’s vocal prowess at its best.
Brad Delp (Boston) in More Than A Feeling
Many people enjoy singing along to their favorite songs, but few can match the vocal prowess of Brad Delp. He was a naturally gifted musician who honed his craft to perfection.
As a tribute to both the great musician and the remarkable person he was, here’s a song that will forever be associated with his legacy.
Bon Scott (AC/DC) in Let There Be Rock
Most people are familiar with at least one AC/DC song, but many, especially younger fans, might not know the significance of Bon Scott. He was there from the band’s inception, pouring his heart and soul into their early albums, including Highway to Hell, T.N.T., and High Voltage. Bon Scott was a key element in AC/DC’s initial success, and he’ll always be remembered as one of rock’s iconic voices.
There’s no better way to conclude this list than with Bon Scott’s powerful message to the universe: “Let There Be Rock!”
Honorable Mentions
We had intended to include several iconic vocalists in our list, but unfortunately, we couldn’t find isolated vocal tracks for them. Among those were Tina Turner, Paul Rodgers, Paul McCartney, Ella Fitzgerald, Tom Jones, Etta James, Nina Simone, Jeff Buckley, Eddie Vedder, Corey Taylor, Phil Anselmo, Bruce Dickinson, Roger Daltrey, Jon Anderson, and Lindsey Buckingham. Each of these artists has made a profound impact on music and is deserving of recognition.
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