Lauper remains of the worlds greatest and most unique artists to this day, with AllMusic stating that Lauper is an iconic vocalist who revolutionized the role of women in rock and roll.. Yet while all these outfits broadly shared a pro-feminist stance, they were all very different and distinctive, with their sounds varying from Kleenexs exuberant but ramshackle post-punk thrash to Delta 5s tight, Gang Of Four-esque, twin-bass-driven sound. Perhaps known best as the lead vocalist of the all-female band the Go-Gos, Belinda Jo Carlisle managed to have a successful career throughout the 1980s as both a frontwoman and solo artist. The jacket, the simple black top, the red lippie However, it's the gobstopper necklace our magpie eyes focus on. Shout-out to Courteney Cox for wearing this on the red carpet preMonica Gellar days. For almost 30 years, Kim Gordon was bassist (also sometimes vocalist and songwriter) with enormously influential NYC art-punks Sonic Youth; in her sleevenotes for the Rough Trade/DGC reissue of The Raincoats second LP, Odyshape, she wrote: I loved The Slits because of their boldness and that they actually had commercial songs, but it was The Raincoats I related to the most they had enough confidence to be vulnerable and to be themselves without having to take on the mantle of male punk/rock aggression.. Madonna, Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton, Cyndi Lauper, Kate Bush. Having won a total of 10 Grammy Awards, Chaka Khan is one of the most successful female singers of the 1980s. Bob Geldof rallied the troops for a once-in-a-lifetime live music extravaganza, MTV landed on TV screens for the first time, and Michael Jackson's signature moonwalk was being imitated on dancefloors everywhere. Bush has since described herself as a storyteller who embodies the character singing the song, and has been described by New Musical Express as a woman who was not afraid to tackle sensitive and taboo subjects in her work.. Having been designated one of the great soul voices from the BBC, June Deniece Chandler (known professionally as Deniece Williams) became a staple voice of the 1980s with her hits Lets Hear It for the Boy and Too Much, Too Little, Too Late. These women were chosen not only for their talent, but for their popularity and cultural impact on music. Really. In the 80s, hip-hop made its way from the streets to the mainstream, and while the genre was often thought of as male-dominated, trailblazers like MC Lyte, Queen Latifa and Salt-N-Pepa showed that rap wasnt just for the guys. It wasnt until Newton-John starred alongside John Travolta in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Grease in 1978. I know all then words to her songs. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. Shakin' Stevens. With one of the most distinct voices of the 1980s, Gaynor Hopkins (known professionally as Bonnie Tyler) became known and loved for her solo hits Total Eclipse of the Heart and Its a Heartache. These are the best 80s rock songs by females. It has been deemed as her signature song, though she continued to release hit singles throughout the 1980s, with her single You Keep Me Hangin On topping the US charts in 1986. Each and every one of them had to work, fight and play harder just to be accepted on the same terms as their male counterparts. Some of her biggest hits throughout the 80s include Pull Up To The Bumper, Ive Seen That Face Before (Libertango) and Slave To The Rhythm. At the age of 11, Bush began teaching herself piano and often played the organ and violin. In 1977 she became the lead singer of the band the Tourists where she met Dave Stewart, who she formed the Eurythmics with in 1980. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Style Notes:Geek-chic glassesmight be commonplace now, but it was during the '80s that they really took off. in psychology with a minor in French. Next up:All of the '90s Fashion Trends That Have (and Haven't) Made a Comeback. The Go-Go's The Go-Go's - We Got The Beat First up on our list is The Go-Go's, who was one of the biggest girl bands in the '80s. 2 behind Prince's monolithic . Jane Fonda started it in the 1970s, but by the time the 1980s arrived, Spandex leggings, leotards, and legwarmers were commonplace. Throughout her adolescence, she experimented with unique hair colors and fashion styles, though she was bullied by her classmates. Top 80s Pop Stars: The True Artists And Their Biggest Pop Songs Parton starred in the film 9 to 5 that same year which was centered around the iconic song alongside Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. At the age of 14, Newton-John got her start in music when she formed an all-girl group with three of her friends, Sol Four. 1. Today, Wilde holds the record for the most-charted British female solo act of the 1980s, according to The Scotsman, and has inspired numerous artists such as Dave Grohl, Tiffany and Charlotte Hatherley. Ann Wilson (Heart) Grace Slick (Starship) Joni Mitchell Tori Amos Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac) Debbie Harry (Blondie) Linda Ronstadt Suzanne Vega Bonnie Tyler What made them different is that they played all of their instruments and even wrote all of their own music. 1. This songs popularity was rekindled when it was played up in the superhero film Captain Marvel in 2019. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 15 Of The Most Famous British Singers Of The 1980s - Hello Music Theory Basil directed and choreographed the music video for Mickey, which went on to become one of the most popular videos that was put on rotation on MTV. Now, if you're not too familiar with the nuances of this era, there are a few standout looks we're sure you'll recognize: big shoulders, white jeans,underwear as outerwear and oversize jewelry. At the age of 19, Houston began her professional solo career. Her music was considered acclaimed by music critics, with her 1981 album Nightclubbing being considered one of her best, as it became NMEs album of the year. Though Williams attained moderate success throughout the 1970s as a solo artist, her career took off in 1984 with her album Lets Hear It for the Boy, which featured the hit single of the same name. One of the UK's top-selling rock-and-roll singers in the 1980s was Shakin' Stevens. (Purple makeup optional, of course.). The 1980s are remembered for music artists who achieved phenomenal success with just one or two songs. This song Heaven is a place on earth is a solo by Belinda Carlisle in her album Heaven on earth from the 80s which touched hearts, emphasising romance. Layering that checked jacket over a shirt and a turtleneck is exactly the kind of street style we saw during last fashion week. 15 Best 80s Rock Songs by Female Artists - All Women's Talk The Eurythmics split in 1990 after Lennox ended her personal relationship with Stewart, through she went on to pursue a solo career. Guitar Lobby is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. Looking for more? 100+ Best Girl (Female) Bands of the 80s - Complete List By Ollie / All About Music / January 18, 2023 The 80s was a great time for music with tons of amazing bands and artists emerging onto the scene. How am I going to get you alone? she wonders. Help this is making me crazy. This successful rock artist gained fame during the 1980's as a member of the Sonic Youth band, which she co-founded with her then boyfriend and later husband, Thurston Moore in the year of 1981. She shared the stage with Elvis Presley in the mid-'50s and became known as the Queen of Rockabilly. Style Notes:When aren't sequins a great idea? While you may not go out and strut your stuff in a full-on 80s outfit (unless youre feeling really confident or going to an 80s theme party, that is), the empowered attitude inherent in the rocker, hip-hop and punk styles of the time is definitely worth channeling. As seen on Diana Ross, this look is making us wish the festive season was already here. Whileleggings have definitely come on a bit since then, take inspo from this look and pair your leggings with a leather jacket this weekend. The two married five years later. New artists Pretenders, Bangles, Go-Go's recalled classic pop/rock. The songs narrator realized that romantic relationships are difficult and that she had to make the right decision despite her distress by freely giving her love to someone who may not return it. In 1975 at the age of 17, Jett formed the Runaways who became one of the most popular all female rock bands of the 1970s, spawning the hit songs Cherry Bomb, Queens of Noise and Hollywood. Heinrich Klaffs via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-2.0) '80s/'90s Female Rock Singers While every decade in music has had its share of incredible rock singers, the '80s and '90s propelled female singers to a whole new level. Some of the pastel colors, novelty patterns and full skirts that were popular in the 80s also took inspiration from the 1950s. Your email address will not be published. The women on this list arent just as good as men, theyre better. This post was originally published at an earlier date on Who What Wear UK. If you buy something through our link, we may earn a Style Notes:Before Sex and the City, SJP was already someone who liked to push the fashion boundaries. Though Estefans career only continued to rise into the 1990s, her early music alongside Miami Sound Machine in the 1980s was what truly made her a household name, as the group defined the Latin-American and Contemporary sounds throughout the latter half of the decade. The album quickly became an international hit with the singles Time After Time and She Bop becoming instant classics. For radio stations, black women singers arent taboo anymore. AllMusic has also spoken on Houstons legacy, stating that Houston was able to handle big adult contemporary ballads, effervescent, stylish dance-pop, and slick urban contemporary soul with equal dexterity.. So whether youre going to an 80s-themed party, a Halloween get-together, or you just want to give your wardrobe a nostalgic burst of energy, weve gathered 80s looks inspired by rock, hip-hop and punk legends that are totally bodacious. Anyone else bummed that this story wasnt written by a woman to amplify the women to the front ethos during womens history month? Ann Lennox (known professionally as Annie Lennox) is known primarily for her success with Dave Stewart in the music group the Eurythmics and for her signature androgynous appearance that made her one of the most unique female artists of the 1980s. This song from the 80s by the female artist Whitney reflects on one of those quagmires that many single people face, that twilight restlessness that comes over you when you dont want to spend another evening alone and yearn for true love. This song was included in their 1987 album Bad Animal. This song by Pat Benatar titled Love Is A Battlefield is another song from the 80s by a female rockstar. Carlisle had a difficult childhood, as her father abandoned her family when she was just five years old, and her mother later remarried an alcoholic. The album became certified gold, and OConnor performed in the US for the first time in 1988 on the television show Late Night with David Letterman. and punk women embraced their dark sides with messy black eyeliner, un-ladylike leather jackets, dark lipstick and shaggy hair. Toni Basil. Having sold over 70 million records across the globe, the Queen of Funk Yvette Marie Stevens (known professionally as Chaka Khan) became one of the most prominent female R&B artists of the 1980s, as she went on to inspire numerous artists across a variety of genres. Jefferson Airplanes Grace Slick, the late Janis Joplin, and acclaimed singer-songwriters including Joni Mitchell and Carole King had begun to make a mark in the late 60s and early 70s, but as far as all-girl bands were concerned only a few, such as Anglo-Canadians The She Trinity and New Hampshire proto-punks The Shaggs, dared to try writing and recording their own material, and those that did struggled to gain any kind of commercial foothold. Newton-John released her debut studio album in 1971, If Not for You, which led her to be voted as Best British Female Vocalist for two years in a row in Record Mirror Magazine. It gave us Madonna, Tina Turner,and Cher, plus numerous other superstars whose sense of style influences many in 2023. Bonnie Tyler wasnt singing a song about a human love story, she was singing about a vampire love story. For all its faults and inconsistencies, however, one of punks more lasting achievements was its success in beginning the process of balancing rocknrolls gender equality scales. This is upbeat yet the light song is quite an emotional judging lyrically. These bands brought the punk sound and punk fashion to the mainstream, with ripped stovepipe jeans, black leather jackets, Converse, and too-small tees. Don't believe us? Though she originally planned to attend the Juilliard School, Benatar attended Stony Brook University where she pursued an education in health sciences. The group partied hard on their own terms and enjoyed a success akin to Beatlemania in Japan, while their two guitarists, Jett and Lita Ford, later went on to launch successful solo careers. Everything was big, from teased hair to linebacker-worthy shoulder pads. 25 Best 80s Female Singers - Music Grotto Joan Jett rose to popularity in the punk and rock scenes of Los Angeles and Japan. A killer player, noted teacher and a key touchstone in the world of bass. Use right arrow key to move into submenus. One of the biggest 80s rock artists, Bruce Springsteen's landmark Born In The USA album yielded seven US hits. Underrated first-wave punks The Adverts were one of the first UK outfits to play Londons legendary punk haunt The Roxy, but their frontman was the cynical, intense (and male) TV Smith, while the bands bassist was Gaye Advert, one of the UKs most iconic female punks, of whom music writer Dave Thompson suggested: her panda-eye make-up and omnipresent leather jacket defined the face of female punkdom well into the next decade.. Later that same year, her song ranked to be second highest-charting rock single following Close My Eyes Forever from the same album . Tracy Chapman explored folk-rock. Known for her unique and experimental themes, lyrics and overall style, Catherine Bush (known professionally as Kate Bush) became one of the most successful British female artists at the brink of the 1980s. It wasnt until 1983 that Madonna began working towards a career in music, and she produced her debut studio album, Madonna.