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A backup vocalist or background singer (or, especially in the U.S., backup singer or sometimes background singer) is a singer who sings in harmony with the lead vocalist, other backing vocalists, or alone but not singing the lead. A backing vocalist will usually work with a lead vocalist, but this is not always true.

In many bands, one or more musicians other than the lead singer take on the duty of backing vocalist while playing their instruments. Some backing vocalists may also have solos from time to time. An example is guitarist John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who sings all backing vocals (few songs are recorded without backing vocals) often singing some parts without accompaniment from lead vocalist Anthony Kiedis.Another example is No Frontiers by the Corrs,which is sung by Sharon and Caroline. John usually covers a song by himself during concerts. Another example is former member of Scottish band Wet Wet Wet, Angus "Gusboyslim" Cameron whose dulcet tones can be heard in such classics as "Billy Boys" and "Follow Follow". Other examples include Mike Dirnt of Green Day, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park,HIM (band) Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Malcolm Young of AC/DC (along with Cliff Williams, who joined the band in 1977), Nick McCarthy of Franz Ferdinand, Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, The Edge of U2, Pete Townshend of The Who, Mick Jones of The Clash, Jason Newsted of Metallica, Benji Madden of Good Charlotte, Michael Anthony of Van Halen, Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe, Dusty Hill of ZZ Top, and Adrian Smith and Steve Harris of Iron Maiden.

Among the pioneers of pop music two producers should be noticed for their work with backing vocals - Phil Spector, who used b vox (backing vocals) and lavish orchestration to create a bombastic sound - and Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys who composed some of the most intricate vocal harmonies in pop music. Both producers have greatly influenced the vocal harmony style of The Beatles, who explored it further. Since all four members of The Beatles sang lead on various songs, all served as creative backup singers for the others at various times. The same can be said for the (main) members of KISS

The English rock group Queen are very famous for complex harmonies. Along with dynamic lead vocalist Freddie Mercury two bandmates Roger Meddows-Taylor and Brian May have strong voices which blend intricately together along with Freddie's voice and Queen songs were rarely recorded, particularly early on, without backing vocals.

In the recording studio, some lead singers choose to record their own backing vocals. Ian Gillan of Deep Purple is one of the best known examples, as are Brad Delp of Boston, who recorded all lead and backing vocals on the first three Boston albums, Lemmy of Motörhead, following the departure of Eddie Clarke, Justin Hawkins of The Darkness, Sting of The Police^{[citation needed]}, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, Ronnie James Dio of Dio, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and Thom Yorke from Radiohead.

Many metalcore and some post-hardcore bands, such as As I Lay Dying and Alexisonfire, feature a main vocalist who does the lead singing/screaming, whilst the backing vocalist sings harmonies during choruses to create a contrast to the music tone's color. Some bands, such as My Chemical Romance and Hawthorne Heights flip this process, and have screaming to highlight specific lyrics in contrast to the more harmonic and traditional lead vocals.

Famous singers who began as backing vocalists:

• Whitney Houston
• Mariah Carey
• Diana Ross
• Luther Vandross
• Melissa Manchester
• Patti LaBelle
• The Pointer Sisters
• Cher
• Glen Campbell
• Marc Anthony
• Minnie Riperton
• Deniece Williams
• Patti Austin
• Anita Baker
• Linda Ronstadt
• Laura Branigan
• Donna Summer
• Madonna
• Dionne Warwick
• Phyllis Hyman
• Chaka Khan
• Florence Ballard
• Mary Wilson
• Marvin Gaye
• Elton John
• Bette Midler
• Martha Reeves
• Brian Wilson
• Telma Hopkins
• Marianne Faithfull
• Joe Hahn
• Mike Shinoda