[Western Music] A roundup of debut songs by female artists from the 1970s
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.
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[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.
Come to MeFrance Joli
France Joli, a Canadian singer widely known for her disco classics, was a prodigy who showed her talent from a young age and was discovered by a producer at 13.
This track is her debut song.
Featured on her 1979 album “France Joli,” it spent three consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Billboard Dance Chart.
In it, she pleads with the object of her affection to “come to me,” delivering that earnest emotion with a powerful voice that belies her 16 years at the time.
The song is also famous for being included on the soundtrack of the film “54.” It’s a perfect pick when you want to feel the shimmering euphoria of the disco era.
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.
Think It OverCheryl Ladd
Actress Cheryl Ladd, who became a global star through the hit TV drama Charlie’s Angels.
While she’s best known for her acting, she actually made her debut as a singer in 1978, right at the peak of her popularity.
This track marks her first true step as a solo vocalist.
It’s a pop tune that embodies the late-’70s LA sound, crafted with shimmering strings and a breezy rhythm that feels just right.
In contrast to its glamorous arrangement, the lyrics seem to express a delicate plea to a drifting partner: “Please think it over one more time.” Released in July 1978, the song was also included on the album Cheryl Ladd and reached No.
34 on the U.S.
charts.
Its sparkling sound is perfect for an afternoon drive.
I’ve Cried The Blue Right Out Of My EyesCrystal Gayle
Crystal Gayle, who is also known as the younger sister of country music icon Loretta Lynn, is an artist famed for her strikingly beautiful floor-length hair.
Her debut song was a single released in August 1970, written and composed by her sister Loretta.
The lyrics portray an achingly pure and poignant heartbreak—crying until the blue in her eyes has all washed away—brought to life by Gayle’s clear, luminous vocals.
Unlike her later, more polished country-pop style, this work is characterized by a traditional sound so classic it earned the nickname “Little Loretta.” Interestingly, after Gayle’s popularity became unshakable, the single was reissued in 1978 and re-entered the charts.
It’s a precious track that lets you feel the very starting point of a great singer’s brilliant career.