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.
- Still Shining! Recommended Female Singers of 1980s Western Music
- [1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80's Best Hit Songs
- [Western Music] A roundup of debut songs by female artists from the 1970s
- Top 1980s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- [1980s] A Collection of Classic Western Ballads with Female Vocals
- Debut songs by female Western artists from the 1990s
- Club Hits: Dance music from Western artists that energized the dance floors in the 1980s
- The appeal of Western female duos: Recommended popular songs and classics
- Debut songs by female artists from the 1980s
- [1980s] Debut Songs and Classics by Japanese All-Girl Bands
- [80s Western Music] A roundup of debut songs by girl bands
- [80s Western Music] Debut Songs by Male Artists
- 1970s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
Debut songs by Western female artists from the 80s (21–30)
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.
Mad About YouBelinda Carlisle
Included on the 1986 album “Belinda.” Born in 1958.
A musician from Los Angeles.
This was her first solo single released after the breakup of The Go-Go’s.
It’s an uptempo single with a strikingly catchy, very pop-leaning melody.
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.
Your Love Is KingSade
Sade, from the UK, is known for their extremely sparse output.
It’s not a person’s name, but a band centered around the lone female singer Sade Adu.
It’s no exaggeration to say that this song helped propel their debut album Diamond Life to worldwide success.
Set to a blend of British soul and smooth jazz, the melodies woven by Sade Adu’s mysterious, sultry, one-of-a-kind voice deliver a bliss you can’t experience with any other band.
Modern GirlSheena Easton
Included on the 1981 album “Take My Time.” Born in 1959.
A singer from Scotland.
This is her debut single, and she surged into popularity in the 1980s with a string of hit singles.
The album featuring this song was also a hit in Japan.
A refreshing track with a light, breezy pop melody.
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.”