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.
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Debut songs by Western female artists from the 80s (21–30)
Pickin’ Up PiecesBrenda K. Starr
This is the debut single released in 1985 by Brenda K.
Starr, a New York–born artist from the United States.
At the time, she burst onto the music scene following a film appearance, and her powerful vocals left a strong impression.
Riding on a cutting-edge freestyle sound with heavy beats and shimmering synths, the song portrays a strong woman picking herself up after heartbreak.
Many listeners were surely encouraged by the lyrics about gathering the fragments of a broken heart and starting anew.
It’s a dance number that became the starting point of the brilliant career of the artist who would later be called the “Diva of Salsa.”
Your AlibisLisa Stansfield
This is the memorable debut single released by Lisa Stansfield from the UK when she was 15.
She would later captivate the world with her soulful voice, but on this 1981 track she offers a sound that fuses new wave and pop.
The airy synth tones and her still-innocent vocals are a perfect match, aren’t they? Despite the slightly grown-up title, “Your Excuse,” the melody seems to hold both the fragility and purity of youth.
It’s a captivating song that makes you feel that this raw, uncut brilliance was the prelude to her later global success.
Show Me the WayRegina Belle
Hailing from the United States, Regina Belle made a striking debut in the ’80s, armed with a luscious voice where soul and jazz meld together.
“Show Me the Way,” released in 1987, is a landmark track that brought her talent to wider attention.
Its mellow, urbane sound—evoking the nighttime city—epitomizes the Quiet Storm trend of the era.
The lyrics, pleading for guidance from a loved one, pair perfectly with her vocal delivery, which alternates between a whisper and a powerful appeal.
Many listeners may find themselves overlaying their own experiences onto the song’s aching sense of being lost in love and searching for answers.
Good TraditionTanita Tikaram
This is the debut single by Tanita Tikaram, a singer-songwriter born in Germany and based in the UK.
When the song was released in 1988, she was only 19! Her deep, calm voice and intellectually nuanced lyrics create a perfect contrast with her youth.
The cheerful folk-rock rhythm is layered with lively violin played by members of Dexys Midnight Runners, giving it a festive feeling—as if you’ve stumbled upon a street celebration somewhere in Europe.
Singing about her family’s “good traditions,” this track feels timeless, a song that warms the heart across generations.
Looking For A New LoveJody Watley
Included on the 1987 album “Jody Watley.” Born in 1959, she is a singer from Los Angeles.
This is the first solo single she released after leaving the music group Shalamar.
Her vocals blend nicely with the digital sound that evokes disco, giving the single a distinctive flavor.
Touch Me (I Want Your Body)Samantha Fox
Included on the 1986 album “Touch Me.” Born in 1966, she is a London-born singer.
This was her debut single as a singer after working as a model.
The song quickly became a hit not only in her home country of the UK but also in the United States, earning her fame as a vocalist.
It’s a single with a melody full of pop sensibility that’s pleasing to the ear.
All Night With MeLaura Branigan
Included on the 1982 album “Branigan.” Born in 1952, she was a singer from New York State.
In the 1980s, she scored a string of hits like “Self Control,” making her a popular star.
This is her debut single—a mid-tempo ballad with a richly emotive, ‘wet’ melody that really hits home.