![[Western Music] A roundup of debut songs by female artists from the 1970s](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/g1kDd6yBQZ4/hqdefault.jpg)
The 1970s were a golden era that saw the debuts of many female artists who left a brilliant mark on music history.
A distinctive feature of that time was the emergence of numerous singer-songwriters—women who wrote and composed their own music and created masterpieces that moved listeners with their remarkable expressive power.
Their debut songs, which can be considered the starting point of their journeys, brim with the radiance of young talents paving the way for a new era.
In this piece, we focus on the first singles of female singers who debuted in the ’70s, introducing a selection of gems that colored the music scene of the time.
- [1970s] Recommended Nostalgic Western Music: Female Singers
- [A Collection of Classics] Nostalgic 70s Western Hit Songs
- Classic and hit Western pop songs from the 1970s
- Love songs in Western music that were hits in the 1970s. World-famous classics and popular tracks.
- Dance music from Western artists that was a hit in the 1970s. World-famous and popular songs.
- [Golden Age of Rock] Debut Songs by Western Rock Bands of the 1970s
- The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs
- Debut songs by female Western artists from the 1980s
- [Definitive Edition] Masterpieces of 70s Disco Music
- Debut songs by female Western artists from the 1990s
- [80s Western Music] A roundup of debut songs by girl bands
- [Timeless Melodies] A Collection of Classic 70s Western Ballad Masterpieces
- [80s Western Music] Debut Songs by Male Artists
[Western Music] Summary of debut songs by female artists of the 70s (1–10)
Les FleursMinnie Riperton
From an epic orchestral opening that feels like the start of a film, a one-of-a-kind voice rings out.
The singer is the legendary Minnie Riperton, known for her five-octave range.
After her work with a psychedelic soul band, she made her solo debut in September 1970 with the classic album Come to My Garden.
This piece is the track that opens the album, sung from the perspective of a flower about the renewal and rebirth of life.
Its dreamlike sound—where gospel and psychedelia meld—seems to draw listeners into a grand, story-like world.
Though it was not a commercial success at the time, it was later reassessed after being used in the films Us and Back to Black.
It’s a song to play when you want to step away from the everyday and immerse yourself fully in a musical world.
Shameevelyn champagne king
Evelyn “Champagne” King is a female singer born into a musical family, with a well-known story of having her vocal talent discovered by a producer.
Among the works she released during the peak of the disco era, her debut single—which launched her career—is essential listening.
It captures the delicate emotion of feeling “embarrassed” by the bewilderment of falling in love and the frustrating inability to stop thinking about the other person, all sung over a vibrant, propulsive sound.
The track is a dazzling disco tune, distinguished by a groovy bassline and a brilliant horn section.
Released in September 1977, it reached No.
9 on the U.
S.
charts despite being a debut.
It was included on the album Smooth Talk and was also featured in the game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
Got To Be RealCheryl Lynn
Cheryl Lynn is a female singer who has won popularity with her overwhelming vocals honed in a church choir.
A true talent, she seized her debut opportunity after scoring a perfect mark on a TV show in 1976.
The work that marked the beginning of her brilliant career is this debut single.
Exuberantly celebrating the joy of being true to oneself, the song perfectly fuses dazzling disco sounds with her soulful voice.
Released in 1978, it reached No.
1 on the Billboard R&B chart.
Later sampled by many artists, it remains a timeless disco classic that continues to enjoy enduring popularity.
Torn Between Two LoversMary MacGregor
Mary MacGregor, a talented singer discovered by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary, made her breakthrough with a debut song that lays bare the anguish of a woman torn between her husband and her lover.
Even knowing it’s a forbidden relationship, she can’t choose just one—a poignant inner conflict exquisitely conveyed by her clear, transparent voice.
Released in 1976, the track became a massive hit, reaching No.
1 on the U.
S.
charts in February 1977.
In Japan, she is also known for performing the theme song of the animated film “Farewell to Space Battleship Galaxy Express 999.” It’s a perfect recommendation for nights when you want to sink into the gentle sway of soft rock and feel just a touch sentimental.
Delta DawnTanya Tucker
Bursting onto the country scene like a comet at age 13, Tanya Tucker became an icon of outlaw country.
Her 2020 Grammy wins are still fresh in our minds—she’s truly a living legend.
The song that launched her brilliant career was her debut single, released in April 1972.
It tells a dreamlike, sorrowful story of a woman who waits, longing to reunite with a former lover—brought to life by Tucker’s husky, remarkably expressive voice that’s hard to believe belonged to a 13-year-old.
The arrangement, which opens with a cappella harmonies, was remarkably innovative for its time.
The track reached No.
6 on the Billboard Country chart and catapulted her to stardom.
It’s the perfect song for when you want to immerse yourself in narrative-driven music.
FreeDeniece Williams
Deniece Williams, known for her four-octave range and crystalline voice, first worked as a backup singer for Stevie Wonder.
Her talent caught the eye of Maurice White, leading to her solo debut.
This is her debut song, included on the classic 1976 album “This Is Niecy.” It expresses a longing for liberation from constraints and the pursuit of independence.
Set against a minimal arrangement, her soaring, spectacular vocals were so acclaimed that the track reached number one on the UK charts.
Warm and dreamlike, the song gently resonates with anyone who wishes to stay true to themselves.
I need a manGrace Jones
Grace Jones is an artist who began her career as a model and went on to forge a singular artistic vision as a singer and actress.
Rooted in disco while incorporating reggae and new wave, her innovative sound became her hallmark and influenced countless artists.
Her debut song was released in France in 1975, then remixed in 1977, when it reached No.
1 on the U.
S.
dance chart.
This track is a number that rides a glittering disco-funk beat to express, with directness and passion, a heart yearning for a partner.
It beautifully fuses club-shaking exhilaration with a heartfelt, urgent cry from deep within.
Also included on the album “Portfolio,” it’s a song that reveals the origins of her artistry.