Debut songs by female Western artists from the 1980s
In the 1980s, female artists made striking debuts on the global music scene.
Their debut songs have transcended time and continue to resonate with many people today.
From powerful rock vocals to delicate ballads, their first tracks radiate a wide range of charms.
Along with dazzling stage outfits, they showcased strong individuality and brought a fresh breeze to the music world.
Here, we present a selection of brilliant debut songs that captivated music fans around the world in the 1980s.
The excitement from back then is sure to well up in your heart once more.
Debut songs by female Western artists from the 1980s (1–10)
Only In My DreamsDebbie Gibson
Included on the 1987 album “Out of the Blue.” A singer-songwriter born in 1970 from the state of New York.
This is her debut single, released by a major label when she was just 16.
It’s a track with a poppy, catchy melody brimming with youthful energy, and it’s turned out really well.
Tell It to My HeartTaylor Dayne
The title track from the 1987 album “Tell It to My Heart.” Born in 1962, a singer from New York State.
In the late ’80s, this debut single became an instant hit, propelling the artist to stardom.
The soulful vocals laid over a brisk, danceable melody make for a great finish.
I Want TomorrowEnya
This is the landmark first solo single by Enya from Ireland.
It was newly composed for a BBC documentary and released in 1987.
Her ethereal, multi-layered vocals sound like the opening of a grand story.
The mysterious choral lines and synthesizers weave a sonic world that draws you in.
The lyrics—said to be themed around an ancient queen—carry a strong wish for tomorrow and a sense of exhilaration toward the unknown.
That mingled feeling of hope and anxiety when stepping into a new world—this majestic, beautiful melody seems to gently stay close to such a wavering heart and give it courage, doesn’t it?
Knocked OutPaula Abdul
Included on the 1988 album “Forever Your Girl.” Born in 1962, she’s a singer and dancer from San Francisco.
She also worked as a choreographer for Janet Jackson, and this is her debut single as a singer.
The track features a danceable, catchy pop melody that perfectly suits her dancer background.
Girls Just Want To Have FunCyndi Lauper
By the time she finally made her solo debut after a long apprenticeship, Cyndi Lauper was already over 30.
It was a late-blooming debut, but there’s no need to explain how massively her first single, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” hit.
As an anthem for women aimed at elevating women’s social status, it resonated with many.
Of course, Cyndi’s energetic, soaring vocals and melodies can lift the spirits of listeners of all ages, anytime.
Love IsAlannah Myles
This is the landmark debut single released in 1989 by Canadian artist Alannah Myles.
Issued ahead of her global smash hit “Black Velvet,” it showcased her powerful appeal to the music scene.
With a blues-based, hard-edged rock sound, it stood apart from the glitzy pop of the time.
Riding a straightforward guitar riff, her husky voice boldly sings about “what love is,” leaving a strong impression.
Her vocals feel like they strike you not with reason but with soul, perhaps perfectly capturing both the intensity and purity that love can hold.
Stop Your Fussin’Toni Childs
This is the debut single released in 1988 by Toni Childs, a singer-songwriter from the United States.
Her sound, rooted in rock and boldly infused with elements of world music, felt incredibly fresh at the time.
The reggae-tinged rhythms that evoke African drums and Caribbean breezes set your spirit free just by listening.
The lyrics, telling an overly emotional partner to “stop making such a fuss,” overlap with her husky, earthy, deeply resonant voice to striking effect.
It’s a classic with a powerful energy—the kind that makes you feel like you can overcome your tangled worries if you just surrender to the song’s massive groove.