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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- Nothing but classics! A nostalgic collection of ’80s Western ballads
- Top 1980s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- [Western Music] A Recommendation of the Lady of Soul: Wonderful Female Soul Singers
- [1990s] Still Shining! Recommended Female Singers in Western Music
- Ranking of Popular Western Music Artists of the 1980s [2026]
- [80s Western Music] A roundup of debut songs by girl bands
- Club Hits: Dance music from Western artists that energized the dance floors in the 1980s
- [1980s Western Music] Nostalgic 80's Best Hit Songs
- 80s Western pop hits featured in commercials. A roundup of nostalgic CM songs.
- 1970s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
Still Shining! Recommended Female Singers of 80s Western Music (21–30)
Fast CarTracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman is a folk singer known for her powerful messages and rich, soulful voice.
She debuted in 1988 and achieved worldwide success with her self-titled album, Tracy Chapman, released the same year.
Her songs, which sharply address social issues, drew significant attention and earned her multiple Grammy Awards.
In 1995, she released the album New Beginning, which became another major hit.
Chapman’s music is characterized by a simple yet deeply resonant strength.
Her lyrics carry strong social messages, and her warm, expressive voice is part of her appeal.
She’s an artist recommended not only for fans of folk and blues, but for anyone seeking music that truly speaks to the heart.
If I Could Turn Back TimeCher
Cher, often hailed as the “Goddess of Pop,” has dazzled with brilliant reinventions throughout each era.
Since her debut in the 1960s, she has been a rare figure who reached the pinnacle not only as a singer but also as an actress.
In the 1980s, she fully showcased her talent by winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for the film Moonstruck.
On the music front, she leaned more into rock with If I Could Turn Back Time, released in July 1989, which became a worldwide smash hit.
Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024, her powerful vocals alone can fill you with energy.
When you’re feeling down or need to fire yourself up, her songs are sure to give you that push you need.
MandinkaSinéad O’Connor
Sinead O’Connor, a singer-songwriter from Dublin, Ireland, captivated the world with her sharp yet beautiful voice.
She was known for her genre-defying musicality, spanning alternative rock, folk, and more.
After debuting with the album “The Lion and the Cobra” in 1987, her 1990 release “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” achieved worldwide success.
Among its tracks, her cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” remains beloved as a masterpiece that highlights her soulful vocals.
Despite winning a Grammy Award, she famously declined it, and her actions driven by strong convictions, along with her striking visual presence, made a powerful impact on the music scene of the time.
Her fearless approach to social messages and her powerful singing voice make her highly recommended for those seeking a true artist.
AloneHeart
Heart is a rock band formed in Seattle, USA, centered around the sisters Ann, who possesses a commanding singing voice, and Nancy, the band’s guitarist.
Loved for many years for their wide-ranging musicality from hard rock to folk, they made their album debut in 1975 and scored U.S.
No.
1 hits in the 1980s with songs like “These Dreams” and “Alone.” As pioneers of a rock band fronted by women, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023, among countless other accolades.
Their catalog—melding powerful vocals with delicate guitar work—is perfect for anyone wanting to feel the vibrant energy of ’80s Western pop and rock.
Buffalo StanceNeneh Cherry
Neneh Cherry from Sweden is an artist with a diverse background, and her stepfather was jazz legend Don Cherry.
Raised in a multicultural environment from an early age, she pursued boundary-crossing work across genres such as punk and hip-hop.
Her 1989 album Raw Like Sushi was a global success, and the hit Buffalo Stance lit up charts around the world.
She received high acclaim, including a win at the 1990 BRIT Awards, and her unique style as a “singer who raps a little,” blending rap and singing, was remarkably innovative at the time.
Her free expression unconstrained by existing frameworks is perfect for anyone who wants to feel the energetic spirit of the ’80s.
The WarriorPatty Smyth
She’s the female singer known as the face of Scandal, the rock band that emerged from New York’s club scene.
They made their debut with a mini-album in 1982, and many will remember “The Warrior,” which lit up the U.S.
charts, as a defining rock anthem of the ’80s.
After the band broke up, she went solo, earning a Grammy nomination for her 1992 duet with Don Henley, “Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough.” There’s even the astonishing story that Van Halen approached her to join the band—testament to her overwhelming vocal prowess.
Her husky voice, blending power and delicacy, is a must-hear not only for longtime rock fans but for anyone who loves great vocals.
Flashdance What A FeelingIrene Cara
She balanced on-screen acting with overwhelming vocal power, making her a defining figure of the 1980s soundtrack boom.
Born and raised in the Bronx, Irene Cara honed her singing and dancing talents from a young age.
She starred in the 1980 film Fame and sang its title track, drawing global attention.
In 1983, she cemented her status as a pop icon by winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy for the theme to Flashdance, Flashdance…
What a Feeling.
Her voice, blending disco rhythms with R&B passion, is a must-hear for anyone seeking dramatic uplift.
Though she passed away in 2022, her achievement in brilliantly fusing image and music will continue to be celebrated.