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!
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- Love songs in Western music that were hits in the 1980s. World-famous classics and popular tracks.
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- [1970s] Recommended Nostalgic Western Music: Female Singers
- [1980s] A Collection of Classic Western Ballads with Female Vocals
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Still Shining! Recommended Female Singers of 80s Western Music (21–30)
Cruel SummerBananarama
As one of the quintessential pop groups of the 1980s, Bananarama captivated music fans around the world.
Formed in London, they drew attention with their distinctive sound that skillfully blended pop, new wave, and synth-pop.
They broke through in 1984 with the album “Bananarama,” producing a string of hits with catchy melodies and harmonies.
Their influence remains strong to this day, as evidenced by being named Group of the Year at the 2018 Classic Pop Readers’ Awards.
They’re a highly recommended artist for anyone who loves energetic performances and 80s pop.
Call MeBlondie
A group that represents the new wave movement, fronted by the charismatic lone female vocalist Debbie Harry.
In the mid-1970s, during their early years, they were considered part of the so-called New York punk scene, but after the massive 1979 hit of their classic Heart of Glass, they gained worldwide popularity as an innovative band that flexibly incorporated cutting-edge sounds.
Although they disbanded in 1982, they reunited in 1997 and, as of 2020, are still active.
Debbie, known for her striking blonde hair and red lips, later also found success as an actress.
Love Is A BattlefieldPat Benatar
Pat Benatar shone as a quintessential rock queen of the 1980s.
With her powerful vocals and edgy sound, she was a pioneering female rocker who had a major impact on the music scene.
Since her 1979 debut, she has released a string of hits and achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Grammy Award four years in a row.
Trained as an opera singer, her vocal ability is exceptional, and her versatility—spanning not only rock but also blues and jazz—is a key part of her appeal.
Her partnership with her husband, Neil Giraldo, is also a major element that underpins her musical style.
CambodiaKim Wilde
A female singer from London, England, and one of the defining pop icons of the 1980s.
She’s also popular in Japan, and some may fondly remember her appearance in a soft drink commercial with the Masami Tsuchiya–produced track “Bitter is Better.” Although her popularity waned at one point, she made a strong comeback with her 1986 hit cover of the Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” and as of 2020 she continues to be active.
Touch Me (I Want Your Body)Samantha Fox
Samantha Fox, a captivating figure who lit up the pop scene of the 1980s.
She transitioned from glamour model to singer and scored a worldwide hit with her 1986 debut single.
Centered on dance-pop, her energetic and catchy songs earned widespread popularity and multiple chart entries.
During her modeling days, she won Page 3 Girl of the Year for three consecutive years.
She also received high acclaim in music, selling over 20 million albums.
She’s an artist who combines a powerful voice with sexy allure—highly recommended if you want to fully savor the vibe of ’80s pop.
Hand on Your HeartKYLIE MINOGUE
Kylie Minogue is a globally popular singer-songwriter and actress from Australia.
She made her debut as a singer in 1987, and her 1988 release “Lucky Love,” buoyed by the Eurobeat craze of the time, became a major hit in Japan.
In the early stages of her career she enjoyed idol-like popularity, but later grew into a bona fide artist, and as of 2020 she continues to thrive as a top performer.
I Think We’re Alone NowTiffany
Tiffany is an American pop singer who achieved worldwide popularity from the late 1980s through the 1990s.
She released her debut album, “Tiffany,” in 1987 and scored major hits with its singles.
Since then, she has showcased a wide range of musical styles—pop, dance, pop rock—and has even ventured into country pop.
In 2000, her album “The Color of Silence” was named one of Billboard’s Top 10 Albums, demonstrating her cross-genre prowess.
She has also appeared in films and on television, and has been active in various ventures such as launching a cooking club.
Carrying the allure of ’80s pop into the present, her music is recommended for those seeking both nostalgia and freshness.