Patsy Cline was an influential American singer and generally one of the best vocalists of the 20th century. In 2004, she made a comeback with the Jack White-produced stunner "Van Lear Rose. Dolly Parton Her 60's and 70's material and her Porter duets are fantastic. Her breakthrough came after performing with Big Brother and The Holding Company at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. From Aretha Franklins classics to Chers dance hits, get ready for a trip down memory lane its time for the 60s! Moreover, she is among the few performers awarded an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Born Loretta Webb in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, Loretta Lynn had amassed an impressive 57 years of touring before retiring from performing in 2017. Just Because I'm A Woman - Dolly Parton, 8. Canadian country singer with an amazing voice. One of the youngest country music stars to rise to fame is Taylor Swift. It sold well over two million copies, earning the singer a new wave of well-deserved recognition and a platinum certification. Vote for who you think should be considered the best female country artists on this Ultimate List. River of Regret is an album worth searching for. Besides for her beautiful, soft voice, Mitchell is known for her songwriting skills Rolling Stone called her one of the greatest songwriters ever. She was on Buck Owens' tv show. Brenda Holloway 13. Lists of the greatest country bands, artists, and songs, ranked by fans like you. Though they sang sugary songs of love and romance, Ronnie Spector and The Ronettes became known as one of the bad girl groups. Her fusion of rock and blues influenced both male and female artists. Haggard helped it go mainstream in the 1960s. The Best Country Songs to Sing at Karaoke, Sad Country Songs About Taking One's Life, The Greatest Female Country Singers of All Time, The Very Best Country Pop Singers & Bands, The Best Country Artists of the Last 10 Years, The Best Country Christmas Albums of All Time, The Best Country Music Festivals in the World. Her 50's material and Dust on the Bible are her best stuff. Before Beyonc hit the stage, Alison Krauss was one of the most Grammy-awarded female artist. Tommaso Boddi/WireImage. Best Jazz Songs: 50 Timeless Great American Songbook Classics, Best Songwriters: 30 Great Artists Who Have Soundtracked Our Lives. (Margie's At) The Lincoln Park Inn - Bobby Bare, 26. But she is probably best known for her song Rockin Around The Christmas Tree well, its hard to imagine the holidays without this Christmas classic. Jim Reeves' smooth country stylings make him a trademark example of the Nashville sound. March was also the first white female singer to have a best-selling R&B single. The 60s definitely brought many changes in modern music, and leading figures in this revolution were influential female artists. Dianas poised persona mirrored her unique voice, which combined vulnerability and charm, making her completely different to the powerful gospel voices of Martha Reeves or Gladys Knight. For more of the best of country from across the decades, check out. At eighteen years of age, Tegan Marie is the youngest country female singer currently alive. ANd she is also credited for helping bring black music onto mainstream radio stations. Millers use of the honky-tonk, a novel sound at the time, was one of the prime features of his music. However, she is not the youngest ever to start her career. Country music gave us memorable traditionalists like Ray Price and Faron Young, then saw an outlaw rebellion, with Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings leading the charge. Essential Album: "Countrypolitan Classics: Kitty Wells". You will find the most famous legends like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Jim Reeves and Kris Kristofferson but also the most popular singers from this moment like George Strait, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Harper Valley P.T.A - Jeannie C. Riley, 5. Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs - Charlie Rich, 87. Remarkably, she toured until the age of 85. Ella Fitzgerald. The Best Solo Artists Who Used to Front a Band. His musical debut was one of his fathers songs, Long Gone Lonesome Blues, and he recorded duet albums with Williams Sr in 1965 and 1966. Springfield was known for her powerful voice as well as iconic style characterized by evening gowns and blonde hairstyles. They were innovative, hard-working, and fierce and their contribution and legacy will never be forgotten. She was also a fashion icon in the 60s, recognizable by her high boots and heavy make up. Nevertheless, the 60s was a decade when Wells rose to prominence and became known as the Queen of Motown., She is now remembered for her hits The One Who Really Loves You, Two Lovers, and the Grammy-nominated You Beat Me to the Punch.. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com. Diana Ross 2. Next up, we have country star Carrie Underwood, who skyrocketed to the top of country music charts after winning the fourth season of American Idol. Up first we have possibly the greatest of all time, Dolly Parton, who is one of the most recognizable names in music. Making an appearance on the next season of American Idol, she sang her debut song I Hope. This performance caught the attention of record labels, getting Barrett signed with Warner Music Nashville. Moving out west to California, meanwhile, allowed her to recreate herself. Conway Twitty, who began his career as a rock-and-roll singer, saw major success in the 1960s as a newly-minted country music artist. Best known for her timeless Christmas hit Santa Baby, Eartha Kitt is widely regarded as one of the best female singers of the 1960s. In the meantime, he kept churning out massive musical hits, cementing his status as one of the decades most foundational country music artists. She released many successful albums throughout the years, including the iconic album Blue. Sitting just behind Elvis Presley, Ray Charles and The Beatles, Brenda Lee was one of the most successful singers of the 60s yet she is rarely given much recognition. A trail-blazer for female country artists, Lynn was one of the first women to sell 500,000 albums, with her album Dont Come Home A-Drinkin (With Lovin On Your Mind). I prefer her Chart records even though I do like her 70's material. When thinking about blonde female singers from the 60s, France Gall also comes to mind. Merle Haggard had one of the most distinctive voices and wasone ofmusic'smost gifted songwriters. She is also remembered for her collaboration with French singer Michel Berger. This feat is particularly impressive, given that she has released only five studio albums since her career started in 1993. Her work is highly recognized, even outside of the country music scene, with 11 Grammy Awards, 3 American Music Awards, and nominations for Academy, Tony, and Emmy Awards. Partons hard work has paid off. Country singer Waylon Jennings brought a rock 'n' roll spirit to country music in the '70s. Known as the Queen of Country, Reba McEntire has earned this title after releasing an astonishing 34 studio albums since her career started in 1977. And regarding her voice, Cogan was certainly one of the best British female vocalists in the music industry. We'll Get Ahead Someday - Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, 71. Through this, Ronstadt has also made an acting career for herself on Broadway, television, and acting in movies. Twittys popularity skyrocketed with the release of The Image of Me and Next In Line in 1968. The partnership made her one of the most successful recording artists of the time, in both pop and R&B, with a string of mid-60s hits. She currently has one self-released and two studio albums available for fans, with more on the way as her career grows. Eventually, she became a well-known y-y singer. A trail-blazer for female country artists, Lynn was one of the Our next singers career had an unusual start: selling Garth Brooks souvenirs at his concerts. However, Martha also embarked on a solo career, and she continued performing well into her 70s. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alison Krauss (@alisonkrauss) 2. Although her life and career were cut too short, she managed to make a huge impact on popular culture and many artists who came after her. Non-personalized content and ads are influenced by things like the content youre currently viewing and your location (ad serving is based on general location). McEntire has created a career around songs about love, heartbreak, and family. She set out to be famous from a young age, and when she met Sonny Bono, then working with producer Phil Spector, she simultaneously found love and a perfect business opportunity. However, she is not the youngest ever to start her career. With his band The Strangers, Haggard recorded a 1967 album titled Branded Man that saw significant accolades. Her poised stage presence, combined with her emotive performances, led many fans to support her at the height of her career in the 1960s and 1970s. Must hear: I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You). He was also a notable songwriter and music industry figure who played a significant role in the careers of Hank Williams and Roy Orbison, among others. Email us about anything. She has released five studio albums since 2013, and her career is continuously growing. During her career, she got two Grammy Award nominations. In 2017, Lambert won the American Country Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year for the ninth time, taking the record from Reba McEntire. And her music still lives on her songs Heartbreaker and I Say A Little Prayer are timeless classics. In fact, she was the highest paid British female entertainer at the time. Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line - Waylon Jennings, 12. Waylon Jennings recorded several successful albums with RCA Victor in the 1960s. Though today she is a country and pop-crossover superstar, Dolly Parton was just getting started in the 1960s. Mainly known as a member of the folk-pop group The Carpenters, Karen Carpenter is arguably one of the most influential female figures of the 60s. She started out as a big band singer in 1939, and achieved commercial success in the 40s. Frizzell's warbling singing voice leaves an imprint on all who hear it. His own Red House Records has produced a number of successful artists like Eliza Gilkyson and others. Janis Joplin ("Me and Bobby McGee") and Johnny Cash ("Sunday Morning Coming Down") performed his songs before his gravelly voice proved itself a worthy instrument. Known for her powerful voice and impactful delivery, Bassey always stood out from the crowd. She now resides in California where she works as a session and live performer. Consequently, she became a member of the Rock and Roll, Country Music and Rockabilly Halls of Fame. Interestingly, he heard Johnny Cash perform there in 1958, which inspired him to become a country star once he was on parole. But she also released other popular songs during her career, including Angel Of The Morning.. She was also active in the civil rights movement and protests against the Vietnam War. Since the initial performance, Barretts song has reached the top 10 list of the Hot Country Music chart, top 3 on the Billboard Top 100 list, and went on to become five-times Platinum-certified. She won 18 Grammy Awards, and she was also the first woman to be listed in the Rock and roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Cline was one of the first country artists to cross over into pop music, and her music has influenced musicians of various styles and genres. Her and Bob Regan made good music together. Lists of the greatest country bands, artists, and songs, ranked by fans like you. After Rogers died of tuberculosis at 35, he became known as the Father of Country Music. Recorded by Johnny Cash but written by June Caarter, the 1963 song is a confession of Carter's love for Cash. 3. When thinking about the greatest female singers of all time, Nina Simone immediately comes to mind. WebThese country stars represent very different country music styles, from traditional and contemporary country to rock and alternative. Laura has over 12 years experience teaching both classical and jazz saxophone and clarinet. Bobbie did everything. Some of the most pivotal sounds arose from this era, including the various subgenres spawned when more traditional songwriters broke from the too-smooth Nashville sound. She was nicknamed the Girl with the Giggle in Her Voice, tha. Her career is rapidly growing, with each album topping the charts and winning Ballerini awards. He was country music's next big star, whose lovelorn "Walkin' the Floor Over You" stomped all over the charts in 1941. Considered pop crossover and part of the Nashville Sound, Campbell enjoyed tremendous success in this decade, with multiple albums reaching number one in the US Country charts between 1967 and 1969. Here are our ten best 60s female singers. Her number one hits on the Billboard Hot Country and Western Sides chart, I Fall to Pieces and Shes Got You, are two of the most iconic early country tunes from this era. Tegan Joplins greatest hits include Piece Of My Heart, Summertime, and Me & Bobby McGee.. One of the most famous country singer-songwriters of all time is June Carter Cash. Barretts career is still young but already very successful. In 1960, she signed Motown records she was only 17 at a time. Ernest Tubb's folksy delivery and lead guitar put him in the lineage of Jimmie Rodgers. However, he grew frustrated with the restrictions imposed as part of the Nashville Sound.. 1. Her embattled marriage with George Jones Backed by the blend of Native American sounds that trailed her career, she crafted an exotic character within the song. Canadian-born female singer Shania Twain was born in Ontario but moved to Nashville, Tennessee, when she was 28 to pursue a country music career. Country music is the most popular genre of music and its popularity stems from classic country songs such as these from the 1960s that have paved the way for other, more current artists. In the 1970s, the flinty singer courted controversy with the songs "Rated X" and "The Pill." His songs "On the Road Again" and "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain" showed that his singular style had commercial appeal. Garth recognized Martina McBrides talent and eagerness and agreed to let her open shows for him on the condition that she get signed by a record label. Sin City - The Flying Burrito Brothers, 82. Here are our ten best 60s female singers. Speaking of timeless classics, Dusty Springfields Son Of A Preacher Man is one of the most iconic songs from the 60s. They include, of course, Elvis Presley, along with Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Shania Twain, The Dixie Chicks and Glen Campbell. In fact, she first rose to fame as a leading figure of the y-y wave in the 60s, and continued to make music in the following decades. Beginning her career at a very young age, Lee started making regular television appearances from the age of ten, on Ozark Jubilee, a variety show dedicated to country music. Personalized content and ads can also include things like video recommendations, a customized YouTube homepage, and tailored ads based on past activity, like the videos you watch and the things you search for on YouTube. Although this feat didnt garner her much recognition, she continued to perform and grow her career. Evans has released many singles since then, but she remains mostly associated with the music scene of the 60s. Table of Contents 1. But during a decade also known for its gender restrictions and racial inequality, a swathe of female musicians broke down barriers and paved the way for more women to follow. "Mister Sandman" and "Boo Boo Stick Beat" are among the best. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Some country disc jockeys avoided his music because they saw him as belonging to another genre. Just Between You and Me - Charley Pride, 17. Best known in her native UK, Billie Davis was a true star in the 60s. British acts like The Beatles had already begun to emulate these artists on their albums, but Springfields program allowed UK audiences to see Motown groups perform their own songs for the first time. These legends have shown longevity, commercial success, and enduring influence. A few days before her high-school graduation, Cass Elliot dropped out and moved to New York. Belting out demanding tunes using her distinctive raspy voice, Joplin channelled her pain into her songs and earned her greatest accolades as a live performer. His amped-up honky-tonk sound gave Nashville a run for its money, electrifying the charts with the songs "Act Naturally" and "Tiger by the Tail. Beginning her career in the 60s, Cher was able to build upon her successes to reach multiple generations and audiences. As transatlantic flights were becoming more accessible, she was able to visit various countries, including Japan, Australia and continental Europe, enjoying unprecedented levels of global travel. She signed her first record deal in 1962, and the rest is history. Many have even crossed over finding audiences in the pop and rock worlds, including women country singers Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, and top selling female Hollywood, too, had a disappointing lack of brunette stars, so Audrey Hepburn became Chers main idol. Successfully crossing genres from country to rockabilly and pop music, Lee paved the way for other artists like Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt, forever ensuring her place among the best female 60s singers. She released her first album, The Barbra Streisand Album, in 1963, after signing a contract with Columbia Records. Karen Dalton 16. In 1967 the singer earned his own show on NBC, which ran for 13 weeks. Yes, I want to receive marketing messages with the latest news, events and releases from Dig!. She influenced many genres, including pop, Motown, and R&B. Just Someone I Used to Know - Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, 84. Singing Wishin And Hopin with Martha And The Vandellas, Dusty demonstrated how her voice was able to blend seamlessly with theirs. She was an important figure in the French pop music scene of the 60s. It's Such A Pretty World Today - Wynn Stewart, 44. She continued to make music in the following years, and she is now mostly remembered for her 60s hits Judys Turn to Cry and You Dont Own Me.. With his simple, folksy imagery and tunes inspired by his Midwest hometown, Greg Brown has become one of the most inimitable songwriters around these days. Thanks for stopping by and if you have any questions get in touch! Johnny Cashs deep baritone is popular karaoke fodder these days, but no one can quite match the tone of the legendary country icon. Female Country Singers: The Top 40 of All Time. 1 1. Loretta Lynn. In many ways, country music is about a sense of place. When we're home, we start dreaming about the world beyond our door. But when 2 2. Dolly Parton. 3 3. Patsy Cline. 4 4. Sara and Maybelle Carter. 5 5. Tammy Wynette. More items She now resides in California where she works as a session and live performer. Essential Album:"Down Every Road 1962-1994". An extremely catchy song, it is easy to overlook the intricate time changes that Warwick so gracefully navigates: quickly moving between 4/4 and 2/4, handling a tough 10/4 feel in the verses, and carrying striking moments of 3/4 in the chorus that create the impression of a difficult 11/4 time. She identifies first as a songwriter, pairing the songs with whatever genre fits her music best. Tegan Marie. Roger Miller smashed Grammy records in the 1960s with his most recognizable songs, including King of the Road, England Swings, and Dang Me.. Following a dark, alcohol-fueled period in the '70s, he rose like a phoenix from the ashes in 1980 with the album "I Am What I Am," which features his signature song "He Stopped Loving Her Today. She was best known for her roles in Calamity Jane (1953) and Hitchcocks The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956.). Country women like Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, and Lynn Anderson are responsible for early hits that made lasting impacts for other girl country singers. She started her music career at a young age, participating in violin competitions, and eventually joined the band Union Station. few cds are available of her. Incorporating the improvisational qualities and spiritual fervour of gospel music into secular song, Franklin tugged at each listeners heartstrings, creating a cathartic experience with each performance. His most notable records from the decade were Dreams of the Everyday Housewife, By the Time I Get To Phoenix, and Wichita Lineman.. She is a veteran in the industry, providing us with heartfelt songs since 1967. Today, she is one of the most successful country music singers of all time, with over 40 million records sold worldwide. The Carpenters were pioneers of the folk-pop genre, and they produced many timeless hits such as Top Of The World.. In fact, Lynn is the female recording artist in country music with the most awards. As a young girl in a preparatory magnet school in Detroit, Michigan, Ross aspired to become a fashion designer, taking classes in pattern-making and clothing design. The group released many hit singles, such as Nowhere to Run and Heat Wave.. Besides her distinctive vocals, she was also known for her 60s hippie look and energetic live performances. During this era, Cash famously performed at a number of prisons, including Folsom and San Quentin. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Often falling lower than Sonnys vocals, her deep contralto voice broke the typical gender roles, while Sonny And Chers signature style of bell-bottoms, fur vests and striped trousers helped popularise the iconic hippie look. Kasey Musgraves is another Nashville Star alum, placing seventh in the fifth season in 2007. https://www.ranker.com/list/best-60s-country-songs/ranker-music Rings of Gold - Dottie West, Don Gibson, 83. She is a retired singer and songwriter known for singing melancholic and sweet French ballads. The "Queen of Country Music," Kitty Wells set the mold for female country singers in 1952. ", Essential Album:"Glen Campbell: The Capitol Years 1965-1977". Lefty Frizzell's honky-tonk classics "Look What Thoughts Will Do," "I Love You a Thousand Ways," and "The Long Black Veil" rival those of his contemporary, Hank Williams. ', The Funniest Female Comedians of All Time, The Greatest Women in Music, 1980s to Today, The Greatest Artists Who Have Never Won a Grammy, The Greatest Singers of the Past 30 Years, The Greatest Female Vocalists of the Past 10 Years, American Public Figures Who Are National Treasures. Gail Davies 29 29. How Does That Grab You, Darlin'? See: The Best Albums Of Ella Fitzgerald. The Last Thing On My Mind - Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, 29. Jennings had given up his seat on the plane and always felt guilty about his survival. Webfavorites: Saunder's Ferry Lane, Help me make it through the night, He's everywhere 30 30. Robert Silva is an electronics and audiophile hobbyist who writes about entertainment technology and films for more than 20 years. But later on Patti LaBelle left the group and joined the Supremes, before embarking on a solo career. Her 60-year career is nearly unparalleled, with a whopping 50 studio albums to show for it. His career was overshadowed by the deaths of Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, who were on a plane that crashed in 1959. Enter your email below to be the first to hear about new releases, upcoming events, and more from Dig! With June Carter, his wife, and musical partner, Cash sold upwards of 90 million records, making him one of the most successful artists of all time. She was a skilled, dedicated, and conscious music artist, and she inspired many musicians that came after her. Singing alongside Michelle Phillips, Denny Doherty and Michelles husband, John, Cass flawless voice established a strong female presence that Michelle would not have been able to create alone. Im Dan and I run this website. When it comes to the best songs from the 60s, does it get more iconic than Be My Baby? In the 1970s, Ronstadt became known as the Queen of Rock and was applauded as the first female arena class rock star. While boyishly thin models such as Edie Sedgwick and Twiggy established the ideal woman look of the 60s, Cass redefined the concept of beauty standards in popular culture. ", Born and raised in Kentucky coal country, Loretta Lynn put her hardscrabble history to work in songs such as"Coal Miner's Daughter." So for todays article, we made a selection of the best 60s female singers. She famously wrote the song Ring of Fire about their relationship, which he subsequently sang and released. I Fall To Pieces - Patsy Cline, The Jordanaires, 41. Quickly making a name for herself, Franklin saw the potential to branch out. With a style that was equally erotic and innocent, and a Spanish Harlem accent to coat every word, Ronnie Spectors voice created a rough-around-the-edges sound that stood out against the best 60s female singers. Her hit "Don't Touch me" is great country. In this post, were going to dive into some of the artists making such amazing music as we look at the greatest and most famous country singers of the 60s. It was a subgenre that resisted the smooth packaging of the Nashville sound and included icons like Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and David Allan Coe. Sign up Log in For Artists Developers Advertising Investors Vendors Spotify for Work. It was truly a foundational era that brought us some of the most iconic country songs to exist and inspired hundreds of covers that continue in our current day of touring artists. It is their first collaborative album together, though they have been going strong together since the 90s. Im Dan and I run this website. The 60s - a decade that saw Loretta Lynn sign her first ever record deal, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum open in Nashville and the first-ever CMA Awards ceremony. She was known for her powerful voice and distinctive vocal style. Support Free Mobile App With her trifecta of voice, personality and fashion sense, she established the foundation for a career that has stood the test of time. That same year, Parton drew the attention of Porter Wagoner, who invited her on his show to replace Norma Jean as a regular performer. Many had a great vocal capacity, but few had the level of understanding and expertise that Aretha Franklin had of her musical creations. For the next seven years of her life, she gained the interest of various record labels but was continuously rejected. Because of her multi-genre work, the Country Music Hall of Fame created an exhibit in her honor titled Shania Twain: Rock This Country.. It would not be the same without the female leaders of the industry, who lend their talents to this genre so well. Mary Wells began her career as a teenager, singing in church and later in nightclubs. She started her career in the 1940s, and maintained her popularity and relevance well into the 1960s. This 1965 hit for Roger Miller spent 5 weeks at #1 and won a grammy. Barbara Lynn 19. Stand By Your Man, and D-I-V-O-R-C-E are two of her most famous tunes and show off her powerful mezzo-range belt. But she also became a big film star in the 50s and the 60s, during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Besides being active in the music industry, Springfield presented many British TV music series Ready Steady Go!, and she also hosted her own series. She also had numerous BBC television specials, including her own variety series. She has 12 major awards to her name already. Warwick is regarded as one of the best female singers of all time, and her musical style and expression influenced many performers of her time. Best known for "Stand by Your Man," Tammy Wynette was one of country's biggest female stars in the '60s and '70s. With an impeccable ability to harmonise in a group setting, she had also, by the end of the decade, proved successful in her solo career. During the 60s, she performed and spoke at civil rights meetings, and that was also a time when she recorded some of her best songs, including Feeling Good.. Like Porter Wagoner, Owens was another country music star with a popular TV show. Twains upbeat and twangy vocals combined with her punchy rock-and-roll instrumentals captured the hearts of country music lovers and rock lovers alike, propelling her to chart-topping success. At a time of racial discrimination, Warwick was able to blur the lines of segregation through her soothing performances. Throughout her career, she created music in various genres, including gospel, soul, jazz, blues, and R&B. She first started singing in a church choir, before becoming a 60s star. Though Son Of A Preacher Man was originally written with Aretha Franklin in mind, it became one of Springfields most remarkable and best-selling songs. Porter Wagoner did more than help introduce Dolly Parton to the world ("I Will Always Love You" was dedicated to him). Merle Haggards youth and young adult years were troubled, and he served time as an inmate of the San Quentin State Prison more than once. Simone blended each facet of her interests perfectly. Born to an Irish father and an African-American/Cherokee mother, Ronnie Spectors appearance complimented her distinct vocals. She rose to fame as the member of the Supremes, a group that remains one of the worlds best-selling girl groups of all time. After Where Did Our Love Go topped the charts in 1964, The Supremes scored four more consecutive No.1s, making them the first group to have five consecutive chart-topping hits. While Cash had a somewhat successful solo career, her most prominent success was the work she produced with her husband, male country singer Johnny Cash.
Olympic Wrestlers Who Started Late,
Anton Somewhere Where Is He From,
Articles OTHER
60s country singers female