Still Shining! Recommended Female Singers of 1980s Western Music
The 1980s saw dramatic changes—from technological advances to the birth of MTV—and produced many massive hit songs that made music history.
At the same time, a wide range of genres flourished, from new wave and soul to disco and pop, and it was also an era that saw the rise of many leading female singers.
This article highlights female Western artists who colored the era, focusing on those who debuted in the 1980s while also including artists who had been active since the 1970s.
Enjoy it together with the hit songs these women sang in the ’80s!
- Debut songs by female Western artists from the 1980s
- Love songs in Western music that were hits in the 1980s. World-famous classics and popular tracks.
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- [1980s] A Collection of Classic Western Ballads with Female Vocals
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Still Shining! Recommended Female Singers of 80s Western Music (11–20)
I’m Coming OutDiana Ross
A giant in the world of Black music and one of the most successful Black female singers in America.
She had already secured her status as a top star in the 1960s as the lead singer of The Supremes, and she went on to achieve great success in her solo career from the 1970s onward, when she also ventured into acting.
Speaking of her in the 1980s, it has to be Upside Down, created with Chic’s Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards in step with the disco boom.
A definitive dance classic that’s frequently sampled!
I’m Every WomanChaka Khan
She is the queen of R&B, blessed with overwhelming vocal power and a soaring high-tone voice, and has influenced countless female singers.
Her career dates back to the 1970s, when she debuted as the lead vocalist of a funk band and churned out hit songs through the mid-1980s.
Although she also went through a difficult period without major hits, she continued to work across genres, and in 2019 she proved she was still going strong by releasing her first new album in 12 years.
Tell It to My HeartTaylor Dayne
Taylor Dayne is an American pop singer who debuted in the late 1980s and gained worldwide popularity.
Her 1988 debut single was a massive hit, propelling her to instant stardom.
With her powerful vocals and danceable tracks, she has thrived across a wide range of genres, from dance-pop and R&B to rock.
Her talent has been highly acclaimed, earning her three Grammy nominations.
In 2016, she gave a talk at TEDWomen, leaving a strong impression with her active advocacy for women’s rights.
She’s recommended not only for those who love ’80s music but also for anyone drawn to strong, empowering female artists.
Don’t Wanna Lose YouGloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan, who reigns as the Queen of Latin music.
Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, she scored global dance hits mainly throughout the 1980s.
She debuted in 1985 as the lead vocalist of Miami Sound Machine and quickly rose to stardom with pop music infused with Latin elements.
In 1988, she achieved her first number-one hit and went on to receive numerous awards, including Grammys.
Although she suffered serious injuries in an accident in 1990, she made a miraculous comeback, leaving an indelible mark on music history.
Her songs, woven from Latin rhythms and catchy pop melodies, are highly recommended for anyone who loves to dance.
I’ve Seen That Face Before (Libertango)Grace Jones
If you’re going to talk about New Wave in the ’80s, you can’t leave out Grace Jones.
She’s a Jamaican-American singer who wields a powerful, low-register voice.
One of her signature songs is Pull Up to the Bumper, released in 1981, which received high acclaim not only in the United States but also in the United Kingdom.
And of course, Grace Jones is also well known for leveraging her tall stature to work as a model and an actress.
If Anyone FallsStevie Nicks
Let me introduce Stevie Nicks, a member of the rock band Fleetwood Mac.
After joining the band in 1975, her powerful vocals quickly earned her star status.
She also launched a solo career in 1981 and has produced many hit songs.
In 2019, her achievements were recognized with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Why not take this opportunity to enjoy the voice of this legendary singer?
Still Shining! Recommended Female Singers of 80s Western Music (21–30)
9 to 5 (Morning Train)Sheena Easton
Sheena Easton, the Scottish songstress, is one of the defining female singers of the 1980s.
She debuted in 1980, and the following year topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “9 to 5 (Morning Train).” She also won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
Versatile across genres from pop to soul to disco, she performed a James Bond theme song as well.
A multi-talented artist, she has also worked as an actress and appeared in Broadway musicals.
With her powerful voice and dazzling stage presence, Sheena’s music is highly recommended for anyone who wants to savor the sound of the ’80s.