Capricorns—people born between December 22 and January 19—tend to be ambitious, focused, and highly responsible. The Capricorn zodiac sign is one of three earth signs, and those born under it often shine brightest by setting goals and accomplishing them.
Earth signs generally remain grounded and centered on their own wants and needs. Of the three earth signs, Capricorn tends to be associated with honesty and wisdom.
In this post, we’re going to look at 11 of the greatest and most famous Capricorn singers and how they have brought their focused ambition to their music and beyond. Let’s get to know them.
1. David Bowie
Born David Robert Jones in Brixton, London, on December 8, 1947, David Bowie was inspired by jazz music at a young age and started playing the saxophone at 13 years old.
By the time he was 21, he changed his last name to Bowie to avoid being confused with Davy Jones of The Monkeys. Throughout his life, Bowie experimented widely with music, art, and religion.
In 1969, at the age of 23, Bowie released his first album, Space Oddity, which climbed the charts and was a raging success. Up until his death in 2016, he continued to release music and explored the world of acting in both film and theater.
Selling over 100 million records during his lifetime, Bowie is considered one of the best-selling musicians of all time.
2. Dolly Parton
Born January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, Dolly Parton grew up in a poor family with 11 siblings. Before the age of 10, Parton was gifted a guitar by a family member, and she started writing her own songs and performing professionally soon thereafter.
Parton moved to Nashville after high school and got a record deal with RCA. It wasn’t long before her songs started climbing the charts, including some of her most famous releases like “Joshua” and “Jolene,” both #1 singles.
In the 1980s, Parton began a career in film and continued to produce hit after hit. Away from music, Parton has contributed to many philanthropic causes, especially those concerned with education and children.
3. Sade Adu
Born in Ibadan, Nigeria, on January 16, 1959, Sade Adu, later known simply as Sade, worked as a menswear designer and model after college. When she was asked to fill in as the lead singer for her friend’s band, Sade accepted. Thus began her journey as a vocalist and musical sensation.
Throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, Sade created albums that combined smooth jazz, funk, and R&B. She toured globally and became well-known for her unique and soulful sound.
Though largely out of the spotlight now, Sade released a box-set of her remastered hit songs in 2020.
4. John Denver
Born on December 31, 1943, as Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., one of the world’s most beloved singers and songwriters John Denver grew up in a military family. At a young age, he learned to play guitar and sang in a boys’ choir. After high school, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music.
In 1963, he was convinced to change his name to something that would be easier to identify and remember. He chose Denver, as it was the capital city of his favorite state.
In 1997, the world lost this great Capricorn singer to a plane crash, yet his legacy continues. His two famous songs “Rocky Mountain High” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” became official state songs for Colorado and West Virginia, respectively.
Denver’s songs continue to inspire audiences of all ages, and in 2011, he was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.
5. Elvis Presley
One of the most iconic and remembered rock stars in the world is a Capricorn. “The King” himself, Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935.
He started playing guitar at the age of 11 and won a high school talent show a few years later, spurring his excitement for musical success.
Presley’s first real success came in 1956 with a #1 record for “Heartbreak Hotel” and a movie contract. After a brief stint in the army, he continued to roll out chart-topping singles like “Stuck On You,” “It’s Now Or Never,” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight.”
The “King of Rock and Roll,” as he was widely known, sold tens of millions of records in his lifetime. Even today, his music continues to be covered, remixed, and listened to.
6. Mac Miller
Born on January 19, 1992, Malcolm McCormick, who went by the stage name Mac Miller, was a talented rapper from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Self-taught, Miller started performing at the age of 15 and rose to national acclaim at the age of 18 with his breakthrough mixtape K.I.D.S.
Miller released six studio albums and 13 mixtapes before his tragic death at the young age of 26.
During his short life, Miller was devoted to giving back and community-building. Reflecting that, a philanthropic fund was set up in his name to help underprivileged youth in the Pittsburgh area.
7. Janis Joplin
Known for her mezzo-soprano voice, Janis Joplin was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on January 19, 1943. She fell in love with blues and folk music early in her life.
After high school, she studied at college before giving it up and heading out west to San Francisco.
In 1963, she landed in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, a community that played an influential role in the counterculture movement. There, Joplin played music and eventually joined the band Big Brother.
Finally, in 1968, Joplin forged a solo career, one that was short-lived. Despite her untimely passing, her solo album Pearl remain critically acclaimed. In 1995, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
8. John Legend
Born John Roger Stephens to a family of musicians and singers on December 28, 1978, John Legend showed early promise as a pianist and singer.
In 2001, he met Kanye West, a producer at the time, and actively collaborated with him. He started by adding keyboard and backing vocals on tracks that would become West’s The College Dropout.
Legend put out his first studio album, Get Lifted, in 2004, which rose to #7 on the US Billboard 200 and eventually won a Grammy for Best R&B Album in 2006.
He continued to work with other musicians on several collaborations. Since then, Legend has released seven studio albums and won multiple accolades, including 11 more Grammys.
9. Mary J Blige
This “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” Mary J. Blige, was born in the Bronx, New York, on January 11, 1971.
At the age of 18, she was signed to Uptown Records and put out her debut album, What’s the 411? in 1992. That album went platinum three times, the first of multiple Blige albums to do so. She is known for her honest lyrics and her soulful, hip-hop style.
In 2008, Blige toured with rapper Jay-Z and took home the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album for her Growing Pains. She has won a total of nine Grammy Awards for her own music and collaborations.
10. LL Cool J
James Todd Smith, who was born January 14, 1978, is better known as LL Cool J, which stands for “Ladies Love Cool James.” Born in Long Island, New York, LL Cool J showed an early enthusiasm for hip-hop.
Signing with the label Def Jam at the age of 16, his major release was “I Need a Beat,” which became an instant hit. He continued creating music and made his acting debut in 1986. In 1990, he released his fourth and most popular album to date, Momma Said Knock You Out.
LL Cool J has gone on to act in movies and television shows, including a long-running stint on NCIS: Los Angeles.
11. Noah Cyrus
Last but not the least of our list of Capricorn singers is the youngest daughter of famed country singer, Billy Ray Cyrus, Noah Cyrus. She was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on January 8, 2000.
Since she came from a talented, successful family, Noah quickly picked up popularity as the voice of the lead character in the animated film Ponyo in 2008. That also gave her the opportunity to sing the movie’s theme song.
Her musical career soon took off with such hits as 2016’s “Make Me (Cry)” and 2021’s “July.” Noah’s latest release is The Hardest Part.
Summing Up Our List Of The Greatest Capricorn Singers
Capricorn singers have an impressive way of following through with their goals. It is truly inspiring to see how each of these singers has overcome obstacles in whatever form they take.
The singers on this list are a testament to the traits that are most commonly associated with Capricorns: honesty, uniqueness, and wisdom.
The Capricorn’s horns might be a signifier of stubbornness, but these 11 singers have demonstrated a strong will and determination to meet or exceed their goals.
