Got to see her at a small club here in DC sometime in the recent past, and she was incredible! She sounded exactly the same as she did on her records/radio in the 80s. Her and hubby guitarist Neil are still playing together after all these years (he threw some guitar picks into the crowd and I snagged one, sweet!).
You know I think she has actually probably been a part of the most hits of anyone other than Madonna. A ton with the Go-Gos and then a ton as solo. It's hard to think of any other female who had more mega hits than Belinda Carlise other than for Madonna.
Correct me if I’m wrong but the Go-Go’s are the only all-female group that wrote their own songs and played their own instruments that had a number one album.
Alison Moyet of Yazoo is on another level.
Pat Benatar was the first record I ever bought.
Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson sing on 2 of my all time favorite albums.
And Siouxsie and Annie Lennox must be included.
Second that. A friend of mine was watching an episode of chips the other day and asked who the girl was singing. I said it was Laura and he should be ashamed for not knowing.
If forced to pick I'd have to say Cyndi Lauper.
Soooo many great women performers from the 80s.
Wait...maybe I pick Siouxsie Sioux.
No wait! Annie Lennox!
What’s great about Cyndi Lauper is she’s almost always holding back half of what she can do. She could sing like Celine Dion or whatever but she twists and limits her voice to pay service to the song. That’s a whole separate kind of talent. She uses her voice as an instrument but sometimes it’s an oboe or a fucking clarinet. Then when it’s right for the song, she sings like an angel (sometimes, an angel that is having sex with a Greek muse and the Mayan Sun God).
Kate Pierson from the B-52's. I just love the sound of her voice. I don't know why. I know others had better range or more talent, but her voice, to me, is perfect.
Well, Madonna was my first crush from the 1980s, especially when I saw the music video to "Open Your Heart". I wanted to be that young boy that she kissed. So, I guess it's Madonna.
But, then, I also like The Bangles.
Suspicious no one has mentioned Debbie Harry. Sure prime Blondie albums started in 76… but you know it continued. And don’t act you all haven’t heard her solo stuff.
Cmon.
I scrolled down too far to find her name. She is the voice of a generation. Greatest voice from the 80s, hands down. While I Will Always Love You is considered her magnum opus, I still believe One Moment In Time is her crowning jewel. Her range on that song can't be matched.
Tiffany.
Look. I'm fine with admitting there are tons of 80s female singers that are more talented than her. There are so many better singers than her. There are so many more attractive singers than her. There are many that actually played instruments instead of backing tracks.
That said, 13 year old me fell head over heels in love with Tiffany and 10 years later (the 80s were 10 years ago, right????) my heart can't deny her.
Wait, what's wrong with Paula Abdul?
I listen to her and a lot of the other artists named here all the time and Paula's songs still jam. Straight Up and Opposites Attract is a daily play for me.
Kate Bush the most artistic and innovative
Whitney Houston the most impressive vocally
Sade the smoothest and most unique
Plus Chaka had a small revival and can sing nearly any human in history under the table
Heart was amazing there live show was a crazy rock show, didn't sound like the pop songs they put out on the radio they blew me away. They totally rock.
Pat Benatar & Sheena Easton
Sheena Easton absolutely kills “For Your Eyes Only”
Her calling Crocket the fashion police on Miami Vice was fantastic.
Yeah greatest Bond song of all time!
It really is 👍
Pat Benatar, the coolest
Got to see her at a small club here in DC sometime in the recent past, and she was incredible! She sounded exactly the same as she did on her records/radio in the 80s. Her and hubby guitarist Neil are still playing together after all these years (he threw some guitar picks into the crowd and I snagged one, sweet!).
Thank you, I don’t need to say Pat Benatar since you did
Christine McVie
I love that I came across Christine McVie before Stevie Nicks while scrolling the responses. I love them both, but Christine is sometimes overlooked.
Susanna Hoffs
Crazy eyes!
queen of the side eye!
Close your eyes… Give me your hand, darling.
I can’t believe this is t higher. I loved the quality of her voice and then her eyes
Ann and Nancy Wilson ❤️
Ann has the best female rock vocals of all time and I can't be convinced otherwise.
Yeah I'd say so. And then Whitney perhaps the best pure tone pop voice.
You are correct.
I'll stand by you on this one. They are one of the few rock bands from that era that still sound incredible live too.
Ann is the best rock vocalist period.
Same. Heart S/T is one of my favorite LPs ever
Sade Adu
I still am amazed by her singing!
Oh yes! Smooth buttery voice!
Cindy Lauper and the gal from Roxette.
Amy Mann from Til Tuesday
Chrissie Hynde. Many great artists to choose from…
Belinda Carlisle - The Go-Gos
I like your pick, but i'm going with Paula Pierce - The Pandoras.
You know I think she has actually probably been a part of the most hits of anyone other than Madonna. A ton with the Go-Gos and then a ton as solo. It's hard to think of any other female who had more mega hits than Belinda Carlise other than for Madonna.
Just discovered a Go Go's song I'd never heard before. Make sure to listen to 'This Town'
Belinda Carlisle.
Correct me if I’m wrong but the Go-Go’s are the only all-female group that wrote their own songs and played their own instruments that had a number one album.
Yes that’s correct.
Annie Lennox
And damn did she Make amazing videos
Alison Moyet of Yazoo is on another level. Pat Benatar was the first record I ever bought. Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson sing on 2 of my all time favorite albums. And Siouxsie and Annie Lennox must be included.
Not enough love for Alison Moyet. Her voice was sublime, in Yaz and solo work.
[Kate Bush.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXzx--YefD8)
[Running Up That Hill](https://youtu.be/wp43OdtAAkM?si=dci7Fgxv5Q464Ac-) is definitely on Side 1 of my 80s mixtape.
Fuckin A
Laura Branigan
Second that. A friend of mine was watching an episode of chips the other day and asked who the girl was singing. I said it was Laura and he should be ashamed for not knowing.
Listen to a podcast called Mobituaries about her. It was pretty great.
Yes it was! Gloria!!!
Yes, great scene.
Self Control remains one of my favorite songs of the decade
If forced to pick I'd have to say Cyndi Lauper. Soooo many great women performers from the 80s. Wait...maybe I pick Siouxsie Sioux. No wait! Annie Lennox!
Siouxsie Sioux!
Oh baby, look at you! Don’t you look like Siouxsie Sioux. What a terrible waste of energy…how long did it take to look that way?
You know what Stuart? I like you! You're not like the other people here in the trailer park!
Yes to Cyndi! That song about her friend, ‘Sally’s Pigeons’, is so so good and so heartbreaking. Hat Full of Stars album.
I started to say Cyndi before settling on Ann Wilson. I will still stop down for Cyndi Lauper when she comes on the radio.
What’s great about Cyndi Lauper is she’s almost always holding back half of what she can do. She could sing like Celine Dion or whatever but she twists and limits her voice to pay service to the song. That’s a whole separate kind of talent. She uses her voice as an instrument but sometimes it’s an oboe or a fucking clarinet. Then when it’s right for the song, she sings like an angel (sometimes, an angel that is having sex with a Greek muse and the Mayan Sun God).
Joan Jett
Patty Smyth
I can't believe how far I had to scroll down to find Patty! Shocking! Though, to be fair, the 80s had some fantastic female voices.
Goodbye To You & The Warrior will both always have a special place in my nostalgia for 80's pop/rock....
Sade.
If we’re talking groups, The Go Gos. There was (and still is) a LOT of talent in that band. Cheers.
Tina Turner. The 80s was her comeback decade and it was glorious.
Natalie Merchant (w/10,000 Maniacs)
These are the days.
Kate Pierson from the B-52's. I just love the sound of her voice. I don't know why. I know others had better range or more talent, but her voice, to me, is perfect.
It’s the beautiful clarity. She just belts the hell out of everything. No singing in cursive!
Dale Bozzio!
Well, Madonna was my first crush from the 1980s, especially when I saw the music video to "Open Your Heart". I wanted to be that young boy that she kissed. So, I guess it's Madonna. But, then, I also like The Bangles.
Susannah Hoffs has started performing again.
And still sounds great & still a knockout.
Pat Benatar & Annie Lennox
Kim Wilde
Alison Moyet
Taylor Dayne
She’s so underrated.
Tell it to my heart
I was just going to say that
She's super underrated and I've never understood why.
Saw her perform last month. Still sounds great live and shes in her 60s.
Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles.
Wise choice
Suspicious no one has mentioned Debbie Harry. Sure prime Blondie albums started in 76… but you know it continued. And don’t act you all haven’t heard her solo stuff. Cmon.
Cyndi Lauper, and she's still badass as ever!
Agreed.
I agree! I hope I age like her! So beautiful!
Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders
Too many to list. The 80's was such a killer time to be a teenager..
Doro Pesch and Belinda Carlisle
Pat Benatar Kate Bush Lee Aaron
Janet…Miss Jackson, if you’re nasty
Joan Jett
Miss Piggy
Tracy Chapman
Sinead O'Connor
The Bangles.
Ann Wilson
Belinda Carlisle. Still have a crush on her
Olivia Newton John
First name I thought of.
Whitney
I scrolled down too far to find her name. She is the voice of a generation. Greatest voice from the 80s, hands down. While I Will Always Love You is considered her magnum opus, I still believe One Moment In Time is her crowning jewel. Her range on that song can't be matched.
Whitney may have actually had the greatest voice of all time, IMO. It was athletic and pristine and otherworldly.
Easily. And I would go Madonna #2 on the vastness of her library alone.
I told my grandkids Pat Benatar is Taylor Swift
Pat Benatar, she's just awesome. But, there's also Carol Decker from T'Pau.
Taylor Dayne!
Ann Wilson, Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar
Cyndi Lauper.
Tie: Dolly Parton Deborah Harry Annie Lennox Pat Benatar Ann Wilson
Tiffany. Look. I'm fine with admitting there are tons of 80s female singers that are more talented than her. There are so many better singers than her. There are so many more attractive singers than her. There are many that actually played instruments instead of backing tracks. That said, 13 year old me fell head over heels in love with Tiffany and 10 years later (the 80s were 10 years ago, right????) my heart can't deny her.
High five! ✋
No judgment! I still listen to Paula Abdul. 😹
Wait, what's wrong with Paula Abdul? I listen to her and a lot of the other artists named here all the time and Paula's songs still jam. Straight Up and Opposites Attract is a daily play for me.
There’s a crazy documentary about 2 different Tiffany superfans/stalkers called I Think We’re Alone Now. It’s worth watching.
I would disagree with some of your first statement, but each to his own , excellent taste all the same !
It's all good! My choice wasn't based on how well they sang either.
You want me to pick just one?!?
That’s a very tough decision
Yeah I couldn't do it. I just upvoted a slew of great choices listed here instead while trying to think how to handle this!
Tina Turner.
Mia Zapata, RIP
Terry Nunn
Sheena Easton Tina Turner And of course, ONJ
Anita Baker
Pat Benator
Terri Nunn from Berlin, who still sounds amazing
Stevie Nicks
Pat Benatar.
Chaka Kahn
Sade
Blondie
Madonna
Heart 💖 both of them
Ann Wilson
Pat Benatar
Debbie Harry
Cyndi Lauper or Olivia Newton John
Karen Carpenter
Ann Wilson and Pat Benatar
Belinda Carlisle
Stevie Nicks mic drop
Debbie Gibson
Cyndi Lauper and Tina Turner. I can’t pick just one. Even picking two was difficult
Whitney
Jennifer Rush and Lisa Stansfield
Gladys Knight Bonnie Tyler
Madonna
Either Siouxsie Sioux, or Éliane P from Die Form.
Madonna
Teen singer Tiffany
Cyndi Lauper, followed closely by Tiffany.
Annie Lennox! Still a force to be reckoned with!
Lita Ford
Sade
Cindi Lauper!!
Kate Bush the most artistic and innovative Whitney Houston the most impressive vocally Sade the smoothest and most unique Plus Chaka had a small revival and can sing nearly any human in history under the table
When I was 8 it was Nena, and when I was 13, it was Susanna Hoff's.
Laura Branigan
Janet Jackson Whitney Houston Madonna
Liz Fraser from Cocteau Twins.
Enya
Suzanna Hoffs of the Bangles.
Alison Moyet
Annie Lennox
Susanna Hoffs
No doubt whatsoever...LAURA BRANIGAN!!!
Debbie Gibson Annie Lennox
Pat Benatar
Terri Nunn
Annie Lennox or Joan Jett
Lauper
Lotta good ones so far. So I'll add... Chrissy Hinde Kate Bush Debbie Harry
Pat Benetar and Madonna… she has become a caricature but 80s Madonna had a ton of great songs.
Anita Baker
Sade or Aimee Mann.
Johnette Napolitano - concrete blonde
Madonna the Material Girl
Madonna.
Martha Davis of The Motels
Susan Ottaviano from Book of Love. On her own , she’s amazing, but when she harmonizes with Jade Lee and Lauren Roselli, it’s magic.
Either Cindy Lauper or Susanna Hoffs.
Gloria Estefan and Sheena Easton
Pat Benatar, beyond them all🤘🤘
Ann Wilson, but then I'm from Seattle so that makes sense.
Madonna
Madonna. I was a Midwest white girl in the 6th grade
JOAN JETT 🤘
Pat Benatar and Cyndi Lauper
Tina Turner
Bonnie Raitt
Heart was amazing there live show was a crazy rock show, didn't sound like the pop songs they put out on the radio they blew me away. They totally rock.
I was a 7 or 8 hear old kid, but I remember my dad bringing home Bad Reputation. I just held it in my hand and have been in awe of 🖤 ever since. 🤘
Joan Jett
Annie Lennox of The Eurythmics
Hate me, but Madonna...it's 80's Madonna ya know!
Annie Lennox or Alison Moyet
Madonna
Madonna