100 Best Female Pop Singers of the ‘80s and ‘90s
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Madonna
Wikipedia Commons
Pop music reinvented itself theatrically in the ‘80s and ‘90s. As the use of digital recording grew prominent, non-traditional instruments such as synthesizers became the signature sound across numerous electronic genres. Synth-pop and new wave took the world by storm in the ‘80s. Artists associated with these genres had a great deal of success globally. Female pop singers created a new identity and ideology with their music and image in the ‘80s and ‘90s, paving the way for a new wave of female artists in the decades to follow.
The list below showcases the best female pop singers of the ‘80s and ‘90s. If you are a fan of all things pop, you will have a lot to say. Feel free with you views, opinions, and suggestions in the comments section.
10 Best Female Singers of the ‘80s and ‘90s
1. Madonna
2. Whitney Houston
3. Mariah Carey
4. Celine Dion
5. Janet Jackson
6. Gloria Estefan
7. Cyndi Lauper
8. Kylie Minogue
9. Barbara Streisand
10. Diana Ross
Female Pop Singers of the ‘80s
The ‘80s are remembered for showcasing some of the biggest selling music artists in pop history. As the sounds of disco started diminishing in popularity, genres such as dance-pop, R&B, and synth-pop gained new ground. Female pop singers stamped their authority with their dance friendly synthesized sounds and rhythms. Synthpop productions fueled by dance beats and catchy lyrics formed an integral part of pop music. Teen pop emerged with a bang in the mid-80s. A great number of artists associated with this style of music became excessively popular with teen audiences globally.
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As electronic dance music gained momentum through the ‘80s, a number of young female singers began implementing electronic elements in their scheme of pop. Women singers of the ‘80s employed dance-oriented rhythms that focused on melodies, hummable choruses, and catchy hooks to connect with younger audiences. Themes about love and romantic relationships were exceedingly popular with pop artists in the decade. Contemporary R&B which came into being in the ‘80s became a rage in the realms of mainstream pop. The highly sophisticated production techniques that incorporated synth sounds and disco-like beats with elements of soul, hip hop, and rhythm and blues struck a chord with older audiences globally.
Musicians associated with R&B had tremendous chart-topping success with their albums and singles in the decade. Quiet storm, a radio format associated with R&B was marketed and promoted in a big way. This jazz-influenced style of romantic and smooth R&B became excessively popular with urban African-American audiences. New styles of R&B enriched with rhythmic elements of funk, disco, and soul made their way in mainstream pop in the latter part of the decade. A number of artists from the country genre achieved widespread success with their style of country pop. The melodic pop structure infused with the nasal twang of country appealed to the mainstream audiences in the ‘80s
#11—20
11. Tina Turner
12. Aretha Franklin
13. Linda Ronstadt
14. Cher
15. Laura Branigan
16. Chaka Khan
17. Tracy Chapman
18. Sade Adu
19. Donna Summer
20. Sheena Easton
Whitney Houston
Wikipedia Commons
Female Pop Singers of the ‘90s
Teen pop and dance-pop trends became magnanimous in the ‘90s. The new wave of female pop singers started experimenting with fusion genres such as neo-soul, new jack swing, g-funk and blue-eyed soul. This experimentation paved the way for new sounds in contemporary R&B. As electronic music grew popular with urban audiences, certain musicians explored new musical directions that incorporated elements of rave, techno, house, and drum and bass in their music. The singer-songwriter movement became epic in the decade.
The ‘90s witnessed the revival of the reggae and ska movement in a big way. Both reggae and ska which remained isolated from mainstream in the ‘80s, suddenly found success in the ‘90s owing it to artists fusing sounds from diverse dance genres. Although numerous girl groups emerged with their stylistic blend of of dance-pop and R&B in the realms of pop, only few among the many managed to achieve widespread commercial success. Certain women pop singers released critically acclaimed albums that became hugely successful globally. As R&B ballads grew in popularity, the Urban adult contemporary radio format became prominent playing a diverse mix of R&B hits.
A number of songs in the Adult contemporary format became hugely successful on radio charts. With American cable channel MTV airing music videos and segments of emerging pop acts, a significant number of female acts were able to reach out with their music to a wider audience. A number of Latin pop artists with their style of electrifying dance rhythms and catchy beats took the pop world by storm in the ‘90s. Soul-inspired vocal harmonies and gospel vocal traditions found their way in songs of mainstream pop artists. A number of female artists displayed the characteristic emphasis on melisma through their R&B flavored tunes.
#21—40
21. Sinead O’ Connor
22. Roberta Flack
23. Shania Twain
24. Debbie Gibson
25. Patti LaBelle
26. Belinda Carlisle
27. Bjork
28. Kate Bush
29. Jennifer Rush
30. Annie Lennox
31. Kim Wilde
32. Amy Grant
33. Brandy
34. Natalie Cole
35. Trisha Yearwood
36. Dionne Warwick
37. Rita Coolidge
38. Olivia Newton-John
39. Bette Midler
40. Sarah McLachlan
Mariah Carey
Wikipedia Commons
Electronic Pop Music in the ‘90s
As computers and technology made a big impact in the ‘90s, a number of musicians started embracing digitized sounds in their songs. With use of computers, music production techniques changed considerably bringing a new flavor in music. Certain female musicians who started experimenting with slow-paced music, such as ambient, downtempo and chill-out made a statement with their hypnotic electronic dance songs.
Electronic dance music became excessively popular in mainstream in the latter part of the decade. A number of house acts emerged from Chicago, while the major techno movement spread from Detroit. Experimental electronic artists from Europe, especially from Germany, Britain, France, Belgium, and Italy exploded onto the pop scene with their energized synth elements and electronic sampling. The HI-NRG and Eurodance movement that emerged from these countries became a global phenomenon in the ‘90s.
#41—60
41. Paula Abdul
42. k.d. Lang
43. Debbie Harry
44. Selena
45. Kim Carnes
46. Alison Moyet
47. Taylor Dayne
48. Jennifer Holiday
49. Des’ree
50. Faith Hill
51. Tiffany
52. Vanessa Williams
53. Gloria Gaynor
54. Shawn Colvin
55. Faith Evans
56. Carole King
57. Stephanie Mills
58. Lulu
59. Anita Baker
60. Chante Moore
#61—80
61. Shanice
62. Irene Cara
63. Sophie B. Hawkins
64. Gladys Knight
65. Diana King
66. Tanita Tikaram
67. Fiona Apple
68. Cathy Dennis
69. Gabrielle
70. CeCe Peniston
71. Tina Arena
72. Joan Armatrading
73. Sandra
74. Jody Watley
75. Beverly Craven
76. La Toya Jackson
77. Samantha Fox
78. Deborah Cox
79. Pebbles
80. Martika
#81—100
81. Julee Cruise
82. Karyn White
83. Crystal Waters
84. Lauryn Hill
85. Shannon
86. Tasmin Archer
87. Caron Wheeler
88. Neneh Cherry
89. Teena Marie
90. Vanity
91. Rebbie Jackson
92. Siobhan Fahey
93. Angela Winbush
94. Lara Fabian
95. Paula Cole
96. Evelyn “Champagne” King
97. Tracie Spencer
98. Amanda Marshall
99. Karen Woodward
100. Thelma Houston
Other Notable Female Pop Singers of the ‘80s and ‘90s
- Mica Paris
- Cynthia Johnson
- E.G. Daily
- Jennifer Paige
- Maxine Jones
- Tara Kemp
- Cherelle
- Juice Newton
- Alisha
- Cheryl Lynn
- Dina Carroll
- Regina Belle
- Ultra Nate
- Marie Osmond
- Rebecca St. James
- Lil Suzy
- Donna Lewis
- Miki Howard
- Linda Clifford
- Adina Howard
- Sonia
- Barbara Weathers
- Nicole Wray
- Betty Boo
- Merril Bainbridge
- Lisa Lisa
- Martha Wash
- Barbara Mandrell
- Stacey Q
- Melanie Thornton
- Joya
- Keedy
- Melissa Manchester
- Lisette Melendez
- Mona Lisa
- Deniece Williams
- Wendy Moten
- Brenda K. Starr
- Gina Thompson
- Yazz
- Rockell
- Ana Rodriguez
- Marilyn Martin
- Chantay Savage
- Ruth-Ann Boyle
- Jane Child
- Regina
- Mari Wilson
- Rachel Sweet
- Jeanie Tracy
- Michelle Gayle
- Debelah Morgan
- Princess
- Ammi Stewart
- Tina Moore
- Shana
- Danni Minogue
- Rozalla
- Gina G
- Nancy Martinez
- Meli’sa Morgan
- Sybil
Celine Dion
Wikipedia Commons
© 2022 Ansel Pereira
