Into this minefield of potential resentment and painful rancour, stepped a slight, soft-voiced chanteuse.

BBC: Goettingen: The song that made history

But Makeba fiercely resisted being pigeonholed as a musician, describing herself simply as a chanteuse, a singer.

NPR: South African Singer Makeba Dies

If the lead singer of Radiohead and country music's legendary chanteuse seem an unlikely mix, Carlile's upbringing should explain.

NPR: Brandi Carlile Goes Straight for the Gut

Sometimes on Show Your Bones, she's a pained lover, sometimes she's a cryptic chanteuse and sometimes she's a sort of good-natured cheerleader.

NPR: Yeah Yeah Yeahs: 'Show Your Bones'

"I can't wait to see them all again, " says Minnelli, 66, who won an Academy Award playing Sally Bowles, the fishnet-and-bowler hat wearing chanteuse.

WSJ: 'Cabaret' celebrates 41st birthday with a party

Just last month in their Brooklyn-based birdcage where they have hand-sewn cocktail toppers and trilled coronets since October 2008 the best-friend duo made seven custom pieces for Lady Gaga, the pop diva chanteuse known for her outrageous style.

FORBES: Haute Heads