Dame Shirley Bassey

When Dame Shirley Bassey hit the stage at the 2013 Academy Awards, a new generation of fans rediscovered the woman who helped make it possible for Adele to rule as the latest Bond girl. Yet, this monument of song has been performing around the globe for years and this week we honor her legacy with Way Back Wednesday.

Bassey wields a voice with more than enough power to rival that of Whitney Houston and the stage presence to match. Although, her career spans over than 55 years, her instrument remains intact  and she continues to leave audiences shocked by the unbelievable magnitude of her range. Simply, Bassey is the definition of diva.

To help you appreciate Bassey’s greatness, I have compiled a list of some of her best performances. Watch them below:

“As I Love You”

“As Long As He Needs Me”

“Ave Maria”

“Climb Ev’ry Mountain”

“Diamonds are Forever”

“Goldfinger”

“I (Who Have Nothing)”

“The Lady is a Tramp”

If the three greatest singers of our generation are Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and Houston, then who ruled the the group that came before them? Many would argue that Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand and Bassey were at the top of their field, and quite frankly, even I would find it difficult to object.

Bassey’s voice is so immensely powerful, even without the aid of a microphone. It’s as though she can shake a person’s core with literally one note, and she does it without the overuse of runs or wails. We don’t have many singers of her calibre left in the industry and the younger generation would do well to learn from her.

What is the best Bassey song? What is the best tune from those listed above? Vote in our Way Back Wednesday poll and share your opinion!