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.
- [Definitive Edition] Masterpieces and Hit Songs of 80s Disco
- 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 (41–50)
9 to 5Dolly Parton
For Dolly Parton—an icon of country music and the songwriter behind Whitney Houston’s classic “I Will Always Love You”—the 1980s were a time when she moved closer to pop music.
Hits like the theme song for the Jane Fonda–starring film “9 to 5” topped the charts.
It’s no surprise that Taylor Swift, who also transitioned from country to pop, has openly said she listened to Dolly’s music.
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.
Let’s Hear It for the BoyDeniece Williams
A shining presence in the American soul, R&B, and gospel scenes.
Born in 1950, Deniece Williams is known for her soft, emotive vocals.
Her 1976 debut single “Free” drew attention for a soprano reminiscent of Minnie Riperton.
Centered on soul and R&B, her appeal lies in a musical style that spans a wide range of genres, from pop to dance.
In 1982, she topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle.” She has an illustrious track record, including a Grammy win for her 1986 album So Glad I Know.
She’s a recommended songstress for anyone seeking to be soothed by a sweet, gentle voice.
The Way You Love MeKaryn White
This is the landmark debut single released in 1988 by American singer Karyn White.
The sound crafted by era-defining hitmakers L.A.
Reid and Babyface still hasn’t lost its shine even today.
Riding an effervescent New Jack Swing beat, her powerful, soulful vocals are absolutely captivating! With lyrics that exuberantly declare, “I love the way you love me!” and celebrate the joy of being in love, just listening makes your heart leap and your body start to move.
This track brimming with positive energy might just make your feelings for that special someone burn even brighter.
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.
She Works Hard For The MoneyDonna Summer
When it comes to the Queen of Disco, that would be Donna Summer.
For those who remember the disco boom that swept from the 1970s into the 1980s, her name is a nostalgic one.
Her sound, which fused danceable disco tunes with pop-rock elements, managed to appeal to many listeners beyond disco fans.
Her massive hit Hot Stuff even achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.
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!
Angel Of The MorningJuice Newton
She’s a female singer-songwriter rooted in country who also scored major hits in the pop music world.
Her 1981 album “Juice” was a huge success, and singles like “Angel of the Morning” and “Queen of Hearts” became hits across the U.S.
In Japan, the upbeat pop song “Sunshine of Love,” used in a Honda commercial, is also well known.
Another noteworthy point is that Andrew Gold played guitar.
What’s Love Got to Do with ItTina Turner
Tina Turner, a singer, dancer, and actress known for her strikingly flashy, quintessentially ’80s hairstyles.
With a career spanning over 50 years, the 1980s were a period when she achieved great success both as a singer and as an actress.
Many people likely think of her when they hear about ’80s hit Western music.
Her soulful, energetic voice never fails to put you in a positive mood.
Freeway Of LoveAretha Franklin
Even within the long career of Aretha Franklin, the world’s most famous “Lady Soul,” the late 1970s to early 1980s—when the disco boom was in full swing—was a period short on hits.
In 1985, however, Who’s Zoomin’ Who, produced by Narada Michael Walden, became a smash and the biggest hit of Aretha’s career, which seems to have drawn mixed reactions from classical soul fans.
That said, I want to emphasize that even with a poppier sound, the appeal of Aretha’s voice was not diminished in the slightest!