The Best Female Singers of the 80s

First up on our list of the best female singers from the 80s is Tina Turner. She made one of music’s greatest comebacks after leaving her abusive marriage to Ike Turner in the late 70s.

She kicked off the decade with the 1984 release of Private Dancer. This album showcased her distinctive raspy vocals and earned her multiple Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year for “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” This established her as the undisputed Queen of Rock & Roll. The 40th anniversary edition of this album is actually set to be released on March 21, featuring never-before-released songs.

As the 80s continued, Turner dominated charts with hits like “We Don’t Need Another Hero” from the Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome soundtrack and “The Best.” Her stage presence, characterized by her famous legs and energy, made her concerts legendary across the globe.

Next on our list of best female singers from the 80s is Gloria Estefan, who transformed Latin pop music in America as the lead singer of Miami Sound Machine.

She broke into the mainstream scene with the 1985 hit “Conga,” which blended Cuban rhythms with contemporary pop. This song to appeared on Billboard’s pop, Latin, soul, and dance charts, breaking barriers for Latin artists in the American music industry.

Throughout the decade, Estefan delivered many chart-toppers including “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” “1-2-3,” and the ballad “Anything For You.” By the late 80s, Estefan successfully paved the way for the Latin pop explosion that followed in the late 90s.

Also Read: 7 More of The Best Female Singers of the 70s

Of course, we also had to include Dolly Parton, who bridged country and pop throughout the decade. She kicked off the 80s with “9 to 5“, from her first starring film role, which topped both country and pop charts. This versatility as a singer became her trademark beyond her country roots.

Later, Dolly’s duet with Kenny Rogers, “Islands in the Stream,” dominated the radio. Her emotional delivery and soprano voice made every song authentic. Songs like “Starting Over Again” highlighted her storytelling abilities through song, too.

By decade’s end, Parton owned Dollywood as a multimedia star, starring in Steel Magnolias. Her diverse talents cemented her as a beloved icon, forever changing how audiences viewed country artists.

Related: Most Handsome Actors of the 70s

With Eurythmics partner Dave Stewart, Annie Lennox changed 80s pop music. Her unique short orange hair and androgynous suits created a bold look that everyone recognized.

You may know her for their breakthrough hit, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)“, which came out in 1983. The song showed off her deep, powerful voice against electronic beats. Later, songs like “Here Comes the Rain Again” and “Would I Lie to You?” proved she could sing anything. In the end, her songs brought some depth to pop music when most songs were simple.

Another one of the best female singers from the 80s is Whitney Houston, whose unparalleled vocal talent made her one of the most influential artists of the decade.

When Houston released her 1985 debut album, critics and fans alike were captivated by her extraordinary range and control. The album featured hits like “How Will I Know” and “You Give Good Love,” blending pop with R&B in a way that revolutionized both genres.

By the time her second album (also self-titled), Whitney, released in 1987, Houston was a phenomenon. She set new standards for vocal performance. Her emotional delivery transformed songs like “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” into classics, while her performances of uptempo tracks proved she could take on any style with equal starpower.

Up next on our list of best female singers of the 80s is Kate Bush. This British artist first burst into the music scene in 1978 with “Wuthering Heights.” For just a 19 year old, Bush showcased a voice with an insane range of highs and lows.

But, the 80s saw her artistic vision expand dramatically with albums like The Dreaming. Throughout the decade, Bush’s vocals and theatrical performances on songs like “Running Up That Hill” and “Cloudbusting” earned her a devoted following around the world. Her willingness to explore unconventional themes and sounds influenced generations of independent female musicians who followed.

Madonna transformed the 80s music with her bold style and catchy dance hits, quickly becoming one of the decade’s most talked-about stars. Her works, which incorporate social, political, sexual, and religious themes, have generated both controversy and acclaim.

She first grabbed attention with upbeat tracks like “Holiday” and “Lucky Star,” but soon showed she could do more than just dance music. Her albums Like a Virgin and True Blue delivered hit after hit while her ever-changing look kept fans watching.

By the time “Like a Prayer” finished off the decade, Madonna had changed what it meant to be a female pop star. She controlled her own image, spoke her mind, and mixed music with fashion in ways nobody had done before.

Another one of the best female singers of the 80s was Stevie Nicks, who had to make our list. She initially rose to fame as a member of Fleetwood Mac.

In the late 70s, as a part Fleetwood Mac, she sang several hits on their album Rumours, including “Dreams,” “Rhiannon,” and one of my mom’s favorites, “Landslide.“ Following this success, Nicks launched her solo career in 1981 with her debut album Bella Donna. This album featured hits like “Edge of Seventeen” and “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” a duet with Tom Petty.

Notably, Nicks’ influence also extended beyond her music, making her a fashion icon too. Her bohemian fashion often featured flowy dresses, shawls, and platform boots, becoming a signature look of the decade.

Also Read: Top 10 Highest-Grossing Movies of the 70s

Capping our list of the best female singers of the 80s is Cyndi Lauper. She truly embodied the decade’s vibrant spirit with her neon fashion and Queens accent that made her unforgettable.

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” became an anthem of female empowerment in 1983. Her four-octave range and unique, quirky delivery set her apart from other artists at the time. Her debut album, She’s So Unusual, also had four Top 5 hits, which was a record for a female artist’s first release. Lauper also showed her versatility with tender songs like “Time After Time.”

Beyond her punk-pop persona, Lauper proved herself to be a serious musician. Her theatrical performances and distinctive voice helped define the MTV generation’s sound and look.