During the 80s, female singers made a huge impact on the music industry. They gave us some of the most memorable songs of that decade. They carved their names in music history and proved that women can make it in the male-dominated world of music. They paved the way for women to become successful in their careers.
Sheena Easton
The female singer Sheena Easton had a successful career when she broke into the mainstream during the 1980s. She has had several hit singles over the years and has won two Grammy Awards. Her hits include “Morning Train,” “For Your Eyes Only,” and “Strut.” In addition to being a pop singer, Easton has also made appearances on television, and starred in movies.
Sheena Easton was one of the biggest female pop stars of the 1980s, winning two Grammys for her albums and releasing a platinum-selling album in the US. She sang the theme song for the movie “James Bond”, and sung backup vocals for Kenny Rogers on the hit single “U Got The Look.” Regardless of her career stage, Easton has a unique voice and a versatile style that suits her varied musical tastes.
Sinead O’Connor
Sinead O’Connor came on the music scene in the late 80’s with a radical style and political message. She refused to follow the usual gender roles and sung songs about the abuse of Black people by police. Her songs about this subject matter became timeless classics, and even today, her voice can still inspire millions.
She was born Sinead O’Connor, but later changed her name to Magda Davitt. Upon signing with Atlantic Records, she released her debut album, Faith & Courage. In 2001, she married British journalist Nick Sommerlad, but the couple later divorced. In 2002, O’Connor released an album of traditional Irish music, which won her critical praise.
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston was an African American singer in the 80’s who had a very successful solo career. Her first album, “Whitney,” was one of the most successful debut albums of all time, selling more than 22 million copies worldwide. It also received a diamond certification. Her debut album was followed by a world tour, dubbed The Greatest Love World Tour, which began in North America in November 1986, and continued through December, ending in Hawaii.
Aside from being a great singer, Whitney Houston also made a successful acting debut in the 1992 romantic thriller film “The Bodyguard”. The movie became the tenth highest grossing film of all time, and Houston performed six songs on the soundtrack. Her hit “I Will Always Love You” won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year and became the highest selling single by a woman in music history. In addition, her album, which won a Grammy for Album of the Year, was the highest-selling soundtrack album of all time.
Pat Benatar
By the 1980s, Pat Benatar had established herself as a singer who spoke about “tough” subjects. Her 1983 hit “Love Is a Battlefield” became a No. 5 pop hit. The song was reminiscent of Michael Jackson and was accompanied by a slick music video that was aimed at MTV. The video featured choreographed dance moves and was directed by Bob Giraldi. The song went on to become a huge hit and remains one of the most popular songs of the 1980s.
Benatar released seven studio albums during the 80’s. Five of them went platinum and two reached gold. Her singles were widely successful and her albums sold over 10 million copies worldwide. Benatar’s popularity reached the highest levels in Australia and Canada. Her albums were also highly successful in the United Kingdom.
Alison Moyet
Alison Moyet was born on 18 June 1961 and grew up in Basildon, Essex, England. She became known for her distinctive voice and was a part of the successful 1980’s duo Yazoo. She also was a member of the R&B group The Vicars and later became a solo artist.
After Essex, Moyet did not record another studio album for eight years. However, she continued to record vocals for Tricky, Ocean Colour Scene, King Britt and The Lightning Seeds. She also appeared on a British tour of Lilith Fair, and released the compilation album The Essential Alison Moyet. In 2008, Moyet teamed up with veteran British producer Steve Jolley and released a video for the single “Too Much Love.”
Sade Adu
Sade Adu was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, to Nigerian parents. Her father was a university teacher and her mother was an English nurse. When she was four, her parents moved back to Nigeria, but she grew up in England. She attended school in London and later graduated from Saint Martin’s School of Art.
Adu’s popularity has always been based on her vocal talents and expressive song-writing. She also has a demeanour that exudes sophistication and elegance. Unlike many of today’s female singers, her looks aren’t based on sex appeal. This makes her stand out in a music industry that tends to be overly focused on pitch-perfect singing and sexuality.