80s Female Pop Singers: Most Iconic Women of the Decade

Do you want to know what are the best 80s female pop singers?

The 80s were a time of big hair, neon colors, and iconic pop music. Many female singers rose to fame during this decade, and their songs are still popular today.

In this blog post, we will list some of the most famous 80s female pop singers. These women dominated the charts with their catchy tunes and powerhouse vocals.

If you’re looking for some nostalgic listening, then be sure to check out these amazing artists!

List of 80s Female Pop Singers

1. Mel & Kim Appleby

Best known for their 1987 chart-topping hit “Respectable”, sisters Mel and Kim Appleby were two of the most successful female pop singers of the 80s.

With their high-energy dance music and colorful outfits, they quickly won over fans around the world.

After a brief hiatus in the early 90s, Mel and Kim reunited for a tour in 1995. Sadly, Kim died of ovarian cancer later that year.

2. Pat Benatar

Pat Benata was one of the most successful female rock singers of the 80s. Her hard-hitting anthems like “Love Is a Battlefield” and “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” were huge hits with fans.

She was also one of the first women to front a heavy metal band, and she continued to tour and record throughout the 80s and 90s.

3. Laura Branigan

Laura Braniga wasn one of the most popular female pop singers of the 80s. Her hits like “Gloria” and “Self Control” were ubiquitous on radio stations throughout the decade.

She was also known for her powerful voice and energetic live performances.

Branigan died of a brain aneurysm in 2004.

4. Kate Bush

If you weren’t alive in the 80s, you’ve probably heard of Kate Bush. She was one of the most successful and innovative female pop singers of the decade, with hits like “Wuthering Heights” and “The Hounds of Love”.

Bush was also known for her theatrical stage shows and her idiosyncratic lyrics.

5. Irene Cara

Irene Cara was one of the most successful singers of the 80s, with hits like “Flashdance… What a Feeling” and “Fame”.

She began her career as a child actor and made her singing debut on the soundtrack to the film Fame.

6. Belinda Carlisle

Belinda Carlisle is an American singer who achieved popularity in the 1980s as the lead vocalist of the Go-Go’s, one of the most successful all-female bands of all time.

After the Go-Go’s disbanded in 1985, Carlisle embarked on a successful solo career, releasing her debut album Belinda in 1986.

Her second album, Heaven on Earth (1987), became one of the most successful albums of the decade, selling over ten million copies worldwide.

Her third album, Runaway Horses (1989), was also a commercial success, selling over four million copies worldwide.

7. Kim Carnes

Kim Carnes is another one of the best 80s female pop singers. She is most well-known for her song “Bette Davis Eyes,” which was a number one hit all over the world.

8. Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman is a folk singer who became popular in the 80s. Her song “Fast Car” was a huge hit, and she won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the song.

9. Cher

Cher is another one of the top 80’s female pop singers who are still popular today. She is known for her unique style and her songs such as “If I Could Turn Back Time” and “Believe.”

10. Neneh Cherry

Neneh Cherry burst onto the music scene in the late 80s with her unique and soulful sound. She quickly became a favorite among critics and fans alike, and her debut album, Raw Like Sushi, was a major success.

Cherry continued to release successful albums throughout the 90s and 2000s, and she remains a popular artist to this day.

Her songs are instantly recognizable and beloved by many, and she’s, without doubt, one of the most iconic women of the 80s.

11. Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey & Keren Woodward (Bananarama)

Bananarama had one of the most successful runs in pop music history, charting with 22 singles on the UK Singles Chart between 1982 and 1989.

Also, the trio was composed of Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey and Keren Woodward and became known for their upbeat pop tunes and sexy image.

12. Taylor Dayne

Taylor Dayne was one of the most popular 80s female pop singers. She had several hit songs, including “Tell It to My Heart,” “Love Will Lead You Back,” and “I’ll Always Love You.”

Her powerful voice and energetic stage presence made her a favorite among fans. She continues to perform today and has released several new albums.

13. Sheena Easton

Sheena Easton was one of the most successful pop singers of the 80s. She scored a string of hits, including “Morning Train (Nine to Five)”, “For Your Eyes Only”, and “Sugar Walls”.

She was also a successful actress, appearing in films such as “Beverly Hills Cop II” and “The Object of Beauty”.

14. Gloria Estefan

Gloria Estefan is a Cuban-American singer who was born in Miami, Florida. She became popular in the 1980s as the lead singer of the band Miami Sound Machine.

Moreover, the group achieved international success with their hit song “Conga.” Estefan went on to have a successful solo career, releasing several hit songs including “Rhythm is Gonna Get You” and “Turn the Beat Around.”

Estefan is widely considered one of the most successful female pop singers of the 1980s.

15. Agnetha Fältskog (ABBA)

Agnetha Fältskog was one of the most successful female pop singers of the 80s.

She is best known as a member of the Swedish pop group ABBA, which sold over 380 million records and dominated the charts in Europe during the 70s and early 80s.

After ABBA disbanded in 1982, Fältskog released a string of successful solo albums, including 1985’s Eyes of a Woman, which yielded the hit single “I Won’t Let You Go.”

16. Samantha Fox

British singer Samantha Fox shot to fame in the 1980s with her sultry voice and sexy image. Samantha’s debut album, “Touch Me,” spawned the massive hit singles “Do Ya Do Ya (Wanna Please Me),” “I’m All You Need,” and “Naughty Girls (Need Love Too).”

17. Marie Fredriksson (Roxette)

Marie Fredriksson, the lead singer of Roxette, is one of the most successful female pop singers of the 1980s.

She is a unique voice and her songs are a mix of pop and rock. Roxette had several hits in the 80s, including “The Look,” “Listen to Your Heart,” and “It Must Have Been Love.” Roxette is still active today and has released several new albums in the past few years.

18. Frida (ABBA)

Frida Lyngstad was one of the two female members of ABBA, which is considered to be one of the most successful pop groups of all time.

She was born in 1945 in Sweden and started her music career in the early 1970s. Her voice is distinctly unique – soulful and powerful – and her stage presence is electric.

ABBA released their first album in 1972 and had a string of hits throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.

19. Debbie Gibson

Debbie Gibson was one of the most successful female pop singers of the 80s. She released a number of platinum-selling albums and singles, and achieved international fame with songs like “Electric Youth” and “Only in My Dreams.”

20. Debbie Harry (Blondie)

Debbie Harry was the lead singer of Blondie, one of the most successful new wave bands of the 80s. The band scored a string of hits with songs like “Heart of Glass,” “Call Me” and “The Tide Is High.”

21. Susanna Hoffs (Bangles)

Susanna Hoffs is another one o the best 8-s female pop singers. She is most notably known as a member of the Bangles, who achieved major success in the early 80s.

Also, she has released three solo albums and has been involved in a number of collaborations.

22. Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston is without a doubt one of the most iconic female pop singers of the 80s.

She achieved massive success with her debut album, which spawned several hit singles.

Houston continued to achieve great success in the 80s and 90s, before tragically passing away in 2012.

23. Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders)

Chrissie Hynde is the lead singer and songwriter of the Pretenders. Also, she has a successful solo career.

Moreover, Hynde has been a part of numerous collaborations, most notably with the late Lou Reed.

24. Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson is one of the most successful female pop singers of all time. She has released 11 studio albums over her career and has won numerous awards, including five Grammy Awards.

Also, she has sold millions of copies worldwide, and she is widely considered to be one of the most influential figures in pop music.

25. Joan Jett

Joan Jett is a rock icon who was popular in the 80s. She is best known for her hits “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” and “Bad Reputation.”

Jett has released six studio albums over her career, and she is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

26. Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan is a legendary R&B singer who was popular in the 80s. She has released 11 studio albums and won six Grammy Awards.

Khan is also a well-known actress and has starred in films such as “The Color Purple” and “Sparkle.”

27. Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper is one of the most iconic female pop singers of all time. She rose to fame in the 80s with hits such as “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and “Time After Time.”

Lauper has released six studio albums over her career, and she has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards.

28. Madonna

Madonna is the most successful female pop singer of all time. She has released 13 studio albums and is the best-selling female artist of all time.

Madonna is also a successful actress, and she has starred in films such as “Evita” and “Desperately Seeking Susan.”

29. Bette Midler

Bette Midler is a singer, actress, and comedian who was popular in the 80s. She has released 11 studio albums and won three Grammy Awards.

Midler is also well-known for her roles in films such as “The Rose” and “Beaches.”

30. Juice Newton

Newton burst onto the music scene in 1981 with her hit song “Angel of the Morning.” She continued to have chart-topping singles throughout the decade, including “Queen of Hearts” and “The Sweetest Thing.”

31. Stevie Nicks

Nicks is one of the most iconic singers of all time, and her work with Fleetwood Mac in the 1970s is some of the most iconic music of that decade.

She also had a successful solo career in the 80s, with hits like “Stand Back” and “Edge of Seventeen.”

32. Dolly Parton

Parton is a country music legend and one of the most successful female artists of all time. She had a string of hits in the 80s, including “Here You Come Again,” “Islands in the Stream” and “I Will Always Love You.”

33. Jennifer Rush

Rush burst onto the music scene in 1985 with her smash hit “The Power of Love.” She had several other hits throughout the decade, including “Destiny” and “Heart Over Mind.”

Conclusion: 80s Female Pop Singers

We hope you enjoyed this list of the most iconic female pop singers of the 80s. These talented women have achieved massive success and continue to inspire musicians around the world.

Frequently Ask Questions

Q: Who was a popular singer in the 1980s?

A: Some of the most popular female singers in the 80s include Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Stevie Nicks, Bette Midler, and Dolly Parton.

Q: What were some of the biggest hits from female singers in the 80s?

A: Some of the biggest hits from female singers in the 80s include “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” by Joan Jett, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper, “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper, “The Power of Love” by Jennifer Rush and “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton.

Q: What was the decade of 80s female pop singers?

A: The decade of 80s female pop singers was the 1980s.

Q: What are some of the most iconic female pop singers?

A: Some of the most iconic female pop singers include Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Stevie Nicks, Bette Midler, and Dolly Parton.

Q: Who are some of the most successful female pop singers?

A: Some of the most successful female pop singers include Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Stevie Nicks, Bette Midler, and Dolly Parton.

You can also check out Best Songs for Anoushka Shankar (13 Remarkable) and Top 15 Beautiful Romantic Violin Love Songs.

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