The 1980s were a decade of innovative music, giving rise to numerous timeless tunes that continue to be popular today, hence this article on the best 80s female songs. Women have produced a large number of hits in a variety of genres, significantly influencing the era’s musical environment. Female musicians ruled the charts and changed the course of music in every way, including pop, rock, R&B, and country. A number of female idols rose to prominence in the 1980s, and their voices and fashion sense have influenced subsequent generations of women.
Many of the most enduring and iconic songs in music history from the decade were composed and sung by female performers. These songs encapsulated the zeitgeist and spoke to the experiences of all women. In this post, we’ll take a look back at some of the top 80s female songs that helped define the decade and still motivate and inspire women today.
12 Best 80s Female Songs – Here are our recommendations!
12: Edge Of Seventeen – Stevie Nicks
This song by Stevie Nicks was inspired by the death of her uncle from cancer. An older woman dating a younger man is one of the song’s numerous interpretations. It’s a song about persevering despite pain, something that many people relate to, and can use for strength.
11: Fast Car – Tracy Chapman
The theme of “Fast Car” is yearning to leave your existing life behind. The narrator’s erratic life is reflected in Chapman’s steady voice, which contrasts their own desires with the obligations they had assumed as a daughter.
10: Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar
The 1980 single “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by American singer Pat Benatar is a classic rock tune, one of the classic 80s female rock songs. Benatar received a Grammy nomination and cemented her position in music history thanks to the song’s energetic speed and catchy chorus, which made it an instant hit. It is still among her most well-known and lasting tunes.
9: Express Yourself – Madonna
Madonna is the epitome of musical royalty and a living legend. The message of this song is to value yourself and refuse to accept anything less from men, regardless of how endearing and adorable they may appear to be.
8: She Works Hard For The Money – Donna Summer
With an uplifting melody and a message about how servers are treated and how hard they genuinely work, many listeners might overlook the song’s true message. You should always be considerate of other people since you never know what they are going through.
7: Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi is another song that really screams the 1980s, and it oozes nostalgia. The carefree mood of this girl gang song is nicely matched by her love of vivid colours and huge hair. Girls genuinely want to have fun, regardless of who is looking.
6: Gloria – Laura Branigan
This popular, high-intensity pilates routine will also transport you to the era of neon spandex and legwarmers. You don’t need to get in touch with anyone again; simply live life to the fullest.
5: What’s Love Got To Do With It – Tina Turner
Tina Turner sings the truth in every song with her stunning voice. Even if it’s not always the best course of action, there are moments when you feel as though you must cut yourself off from the outside world. Tina understands this, and the rest of us would do well to follow suit.
4: Love Is a Battlefield – Pat Benatar
Rocker queen Pat Benatar revolutionised the genre in the 1980s. This song is ideal to dance and jam to when you need to motivate yourself or support a buddy who is going through a painful breakup because of the high-energy music she creates. “We are strong / No one can tell us we’re wrong / Searching our hearts for so long / Both of us knowing / Love is a battlefield”.
3: Flashdance… What A Feeling – Irene Cara
Even though it wasn’t necessarily the best film of the decade, there were some truly unforgettable scenes in it. The dancing routine from the film “Flashdance” is among them. Everything about the 80s workout spirit is captured in this song. As you begin to dance, you can almost feel the neon-covered spandex engulfing you.
2: Bad Reputation – Joan Jett
This song, which is another rocker girl classic, is all about flipping your reputation upside down and sticking it to the man. Both you and Joan don’t have time for snide remarks and snark. “I don’t give a damn ’bout my reputation / You’re living in the past it’s a new generation / A girl can do what she wants to do and that’s/ What I’m gonna do”.
1: I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross
With her voice and sense of style, Diana Ross has become a legend and symbol in nearly every culture, including the drag queen world. As a result, this song has evolved into a motivating “coming out” song because it emphasises flaunting your individuality and being unabashedly you. “The time has come for me / To break out of the shell / I have to shout / That I’m coming out”.
12 Best 80s Female Songs – Closing remarks and thoughts
In conclusion, both female musicians and music enthusiasts in general may agree that the 1980s were a fantastic decade. Female musicians dismantled stereotypes, defied expectations, and forever changed the course of music. The strength, resiliency, and inventiveness of women were celebrated through their music and performances. The best female songs from the 1980s perfectly encapsulated the era, reflecting women’s experiences and empowering them to be who they are. These songs encouraged women to stand up for themselves and fight for their rights in addition to being a source of amusement.
Closing Remarks:
Looking back on the decade, it’s obvious that these female musicians paved the way for later generations of female musicians, encouraging them to pursue their passions and speak out. The greatest female songs from the 1980s are still timeless classics that speak to us today and will do so for countless generations to come.
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A music enthusiast who has taken his passion for music to the next level by starting his own blog. He spends most of his free time listening to new albums, attending concerts, and researching emerging artists.
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John’s love for music started at a young age when he discovered classic rock through his father’s vinyl collection. Since then, he has expanded his musical horizons to include everything from indie rock to hip hop and beyond.
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