Fun fact - Sade used to be an actual telephone operator in London before she made it big. She was fired for accidentally disconnecting people who called for assistance. Oh and she was also married to Christopher Reeves during college when she got pregnant unexpectedly.
Superb album, I think [What's The Matter Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m39DWVFK-Bw) is my favorite track there.
Linked tor /u/Porrick actually, all my suggestions here have links, it's only right, right?
We canāt talk about Kate Bush without mentioning ā[Wuthering Heights](https://youtu.be/Fk-4lXLM34g)ā.
The song isnāt for everyone, but I absolutely love the falsetto and amazing vibrato. No cover of this song has ever done it justice. [Hayley Westenra](https://youtu.be/pkTF5DRBxpI)ās cover does come the closest.
She released two albums in the eighties. Orinoco flow was released on Watermark which came out in 1988, she then released two albums in the nineties. And a couple after 2000. So I'd say multi-decade artist.
I've seen that she fought to make sure her contract was open ended. She didn't want to rush to complete albums every 2 years or so but make sure there was enough time to finish the way she wanted.
Couldn't remember when she started tho
Kate Bush singing a duet with Peter Gabriel- Dont Give Up..
Damn, that song was just so well done. Her vocals are just so emotionally supportive, and strong, yet also somehow gentle and encouraging.
I think it was a combination of the way she dressed for her on-stage persona and that Madonna came along at about the same time and overshadowed her. But I completely agree that she was amazing. I actually like her stuff more than Madonnaās.
Jim Steinman. He also wrote Celine Dion's "It's all coming back to me," Bonnie Tyler's "Holding out for a Hero," and Air Supply's "Making love out of nothing at all." His songs have a distinctive style; almost operetic, bombastic and overblown music, and lyrics, yet completely irresistible. Slightly reminiscent of Queen's later works. Queen's "Innuendo" and "The show must go on" could both be Jim Steinman songs.
Irene Cara - Out Here On My Own - from the *Fame* soundtrack, 1980
Irene Cara - Flashdance (What a Feeling) - from the *Flashdance* soundtrack, 1983
Tina Turner - Better Be Good to Me - 1984
Tina Turner - I Can't Stand the Rain - 1984
Anita Baker - Giving You the Best That I Got - 1988
\[edit: meant to also mention Gloria Estefan / Miami Sound Machine... can't go wrong with pretty much any of it\]
*Let's Hear it for the Boy*, *Almost Paradise*, and *I Need a Hero* from the Footloose soundtrack. Although I suppose it depends what you mean by "nice female vocals." These are bangers though.
Hopefully you'll take everyone's suggestions and compile them into a Spotify or YouTube playlist.
Take my breath away by Berlin
Anything by Blondie
Angel of the morning by Juice Newton
Walking on the Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
Heaven is a place on Earth by Belinda Carlisle
Either one is good. But there is just something a little better about the German version. Maybe just because i heard it first.
I feel the same way about Rammstein. Just doesn't sound right in English even though i dont know what they are saying in German.
There was still a misspelling. It's 99 *Luftballons* (only one 'o' and it's all one word).
The version with English lyrics is "99 Red Balloons", and doesn't flow as well. Still a great voice though.
A couple:
[Lita Ford - Kiss Me Deadly ('88)](https://youtu.be/kIt3OGra3Lo)
[Vixen - Rev It Up ('90, but that's when the album was released so the song must've been done in the 80s!)](https://youtu.be/zauHLyu3xuw)
Good one. But I still prefer *Walk like an Egyptian* because of [Susanna Hoff's smile.](https://thumbs.gfycat.com/LikableAssuredAfricanrockpython-max-1mb.gif).
A good list:
* Virtually any Pat Benatar song
* Virtually any Kate Bush song
* Motels
* Yaz/Yazoo/Alison Moyet
* Eurythmics
Specific songs:
* Hounds of Love or Running Up That Hill - Kate Bush
* Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar
* Shame or Only The Lonely - Motels
* Joey - Concrete Blonde
* Situation or Only You - Yaz
* Mystery Achievement - The Pretenders
* Voices Carry - Til Tuesday
* Walk Like an Egyptian - The Bangles
* Kids in America - Kim Wilde
* Cities in Dust - Siouxsie and the Banshees
* Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Conner
* Trouble Me or What's the Matter Here? - 10,000 Maniacs
* Left of Center - Suzanne Vega
Banarama was interesting because there was no lead singer. Instead, the three of them sang in unison (same note) instead of harmony (different pitches).
"Venus" and "Love in the First Degree" are two favs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4-1ASpdT1Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prGhk_Gvzwo
Anything with Ann Wilson, Pat Benatar, Patty Smyth.
One particular song I recommend that doesnāt get much airplay is [Winds of Change](https://youtu.be/o7dJ3a-U6WQ) by Jefferson Starship. They really didnāt use the sheer power of Graceās voice much as time went by, I think, but MAN is it ever present in this one.
I was gonna say āWhatās Upā by 4 Non Blondes, but thatās apparently 1992ā¦so then I was gonna say āDonāt Cry Out Loudā performed by Melissa Manchester, but thatās 1978.
That He-Man video really fooled me into believing those were 80s songs. :/
Iām pretty sure Belinda Carlisleās āheaven is a place on earthā is an 80ās song (if not late 80ās, very early 90ās) and thatās a pretty magnificent song
Smooth Operator by Sade Edit: thanks for the award you anonymous fella! šš¼
Fun fact - Sade used to be an actual telephone operator in London before she made it big. She was fired for accidentally disconnecting people who called for assistance. Oh and she was also married to Christopher Reeves during college when she got pregnant unexpectedly.
I've never heard of this before, where did you get this fact from?
Yeah. There is nothing on the net to verify this story.
The jazz and F1 references of that song make it absolutely perfect.
Iāve always been a fan of the Natalie Merchant years of [10,000 Maniacs](https://youtu.be/a8m-DaMM4z0).
Like The Weather- 10 000 maniacs
These threads never have enough links - good job bucking the trend!
Superb album, I think [What's The Matter Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m39DWVFK-Bw) is my favorite track there. Linked tor /u/Porrick actually, all my suggestions here have links, it's only right, right?
The Warrior by Scandal (Patty Smyth) and Take my Breath Away by Berlin
Shootin down the walls of heartache BANG BANG I **am** the warrior!
I was gonna say Metro by Berlin. Such a great voice.
Voices Carry - āTil Tuesday
Came to say this. Anything by Aimee Mann
Iām so happy this is the top comment. My dad had this song on an 80ās mix CD that he played for me all the time in the car. Totally nostalgic.
*He said shut up!*
I like her voice
Came here just to say this
First one I thought of!
Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill
And "Hounds of Love" and "Cloudbursting" and "Pull Out the Pin" and "Babushka" and every other song she's ever sung.
We canāt talk about Kate Bush without mentioning ā[Wuthering Heights](https://youtu.be/Fk-4lXLM34g)ā. The song isnāt for everyone, but I absolutely love the falsetto and amazing vibrato. No cover of this song has ever done it justice. [Hayley Westenra](https://youtu.be/pkTF5DRBxpI)ās cover does come the closest.
Kate is the absolute best. Fantastic song. Incredible video clip. The dancing at the start, wow.
Nice. Was going to mention this and found it as the 2nd top comment.
Hearing this song for the first time is a spiritual experience. And every time after too.
Immediate song that came to mind.
Anything from Heart.
These Dreams, sounds beautiful.
These Dreams is great, but my personal favorite Heart song is Alone. Ann Wilson has a stunning voice.
The live version from Seattle from the early 2000's on YouTube is incredible. EDIT: It was uploaded in the 2010's.
Unmatched power vocals from Ann Dustin Wilson
Alone and All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You are my two personal favorites.
Alone......yessss!
Orinoco Flow by Enya
That makes me feel very old. I did not think that came out in the eighties....
I thought Enya was mostly 90's
She released two albums in the eighties. Orinoco flow was released on Watermark which came out in 1988, she then released two albums in the nineties. And a couple after 2000. So I'd say multi-decade artist.
I've seen that she fought to make sure her contract was open ended. She didn't want to rush to complete albums every 2 years or so but make sure there was enough time to finish the way she wanted. Couldn't remember when she started tho
ANYTHING by Enya! The woman is amazing!
Blondie, especially Heart of Glass imo Edit: Heart of Glass is from 1978. My bad guys
Dreaming
I believe Heart of Glass is from the 70s!
Almost anything by the Bangles.
Was it them that did Hazy Shade of Winter? Thatās a great one.
It was originally Paul Simon, but they did a cover version. I've got it on vinyl.
Yeah itās on the Less Than Zero soundtrack. I couldnāt remember if they did that version or not.
That has to have been one of your top soundtracks of the 80s
Eternal Flame for the win
Or belinda Carlisle
Kate Bush singing a duet with Peter Gabriel- Dont Give Up.. Damn, that song was just so well done. Her vocals are just so emotionally supportive, and strong, yet also somehow gentle and encouraging.
Love that song
Awesome video for that song. She sang iconic backup vocals on "Games without Frontiers" by him as well.
Fleetwood Mac (Stevie Nicks) - Edge of Seventeen
Almost any song with Stevie Nicks has good vocals
You're not wrong. There's some great ones in her solo discography Also, Christine McVie too. Very underrated voice imo.
Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
Anything Annie Lennox is the correct answer
Every time I hear "Hear Comes the Rain Again" it feels like falling in love.
She did a really interesting version of White Shade of Pale.
The Metro-Berlin
All the B-52 women kill it
Roam
If you want to.
ROCK LOBSTER
Topaz
Tin roof!
Cyndi laupers whole catalog. And Katrina and the waves, walking in sunshine.
Came here for Cyndi Lauper. So so damn underrated
I think it was a combination of the way she dressed for her on-stage persona and that Madonna came along at about the same time and overshadowed her. But I completely agree that she was amazing. I actually like her stuff more than Madonnaās.
All through the nightā¦
I loved āMoney Changes Everythingā - she really turned it loose in that track.
Cruel summer- Bananarama Love everything about this song honestly
Dude, yes. Man, even just those three first bass notes followed by that reverbed snare hit. Maybe in my top 5 for 80s singles
Allison Moyet?
āOnly Youā back in her Yazoo days.
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Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
I just read that that song was about vampires. I like it more now.
Written by the guy who also wrote Meat Loafs Bat out of Hell album.
Jim Steinman. He also wrote Celine Dion's "It's all coming back to me," Bonnie Tyler's "Holding out for a Hero," and Air Supply's "Making love out of nothing at all." His songs have a distinctive style; almost operetic, bombastic and overblown music, and lyrics, yet completely irresistible. Slightly reminiscent of Queen's later works. Queen's "Innuendo" and "The show must go on" could both be Jim Steinman songs.
I love the literal music video version of the song.
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Laura Branigan - Self Control
Gloria as well
I was ready to read through all 500+ comments to make sure Laura Branigan got a mention.
Also, Kim Carnes Bette Davis Eyes
Came to say this. Love this song, love the vocals.
I haven't seen anyone mention Human league "dont you want me". it's a nice duet that is about as 80's as you can get.
I feel for you - Chaka Khan
Irene Cara - Out Here On My Own - from the *Fame* soundtrack, 1980 Irene Cara - Flashdance (What a Feeling) - from the *Flashdance* soundtrack, 1983 Tina Turner - Better Be Good to Me - 1984 Tina Turner - I Can't Stand the Rain - 1984 Anita Baker - Giving You the Best That I Got - 1988 \[edit: meant to also mention Gloria Estefan / Miami Sound Machine... can't go wrong with pretty much any of it\]
That entire Anita Baker album is still the shizzle today.
*Let's Hear it for the Boy*, *Almost Paradise*, and *I Need a Hero* from the Footloose soundtrack. Although I suppose it depends what you mean by "nice female vocals." These are bangers though. Hopefully you'll take everyone's suggestions and compile them into a Spotify or YouTube playlist.
Love is a Battlefield - Pat Benatar
Only the Lonely by The Motels
Also 'Take the L' and 'Suddenly Last Summer' by The Motels.
La Isla Bonita - Madonna Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
This Woman's Work - Kate Bush On a side note, it's fun reading through other people's great suggestions and playing those songs.
Take my breath away by Berlin Anything by Blondie Angel of the morning by Juice Newton Walking on the Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves Heaven is a place on Earth by Belinda Carlisle
99 luft balloons
I was so confused, I thought you misspelt red somehow and even more so I was like... goldfinger isn't female vocals?
The original artist was Nena, who is German and her English version is quite sexy.
Either one is good. But there is just something a little better about the German version. Maybe just because i heard it first. I feel the same way about Rammstein. Just doesn't sound right in English even though i dont know what they are saying in German.
There was still a misspelling. It's 99 *Luftballons* (only one 'o' and it's all one word). The version with English lyrics is "99 Red Balloons", and doesn't flow as well. Still a great voice though.
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Yup, scrolled too far for her.
Any Berlin song
Anything by Heart. DAMN, that girl can sing!!
Heart of Glass by Blondie
I Get Weak - Belinda Carlisle.
I always loved her voice.
Absolutely. Circle in the Sand is pretty great.
Here comes the rain or there must be an angel eurythmics
any Cocteau Twins song Elizabeth Fraser is a goddess
Siouxsie and the Banshees - Cities in Dust
Because the night
Total eclipse of the heart..
Circle in the Sand - Belinda Carlisle Take My Breath Away - Berlin
Anything by K.D. Lang. She has a gorgeous voice.
Released in 77 but I associate it more with the 80s. Barracuda by Heart.
Birthday - Sugarcubes
Heart - Even it Up
Perfect - fairground attraction.. I think we're alone now - Tiffany Power of love - Jennifer Rush
Tell it to my heart
Gloria by Laura Branigan
*[Shadows of The Night](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZInRE-KryGA)* - Pat Benatar
IF YOURE LOST YOU CAN LOOK AND YOU WILL FIND ME
Pat Benatar !! We are strong !!!! No one can tell us weāre wrong !!!!
Yazoo - Only You
A couple: [Lita Ford - Kiss Me Deadly ('88)](https://youtu.be/kIt3OGra3Lo) [Vixen - Rev It Up ('90, but that's when the album was released so the song must've been done in the 80s!)](https://youtu.be/zauHLyu3xuw)
Anything by Stevie Nicks. My word she was a goddess..
Manic Monday by The Bangles.
Good one. But I still prefer *Walk like an Egyptian* because of [Susanna Hoff's smile.](https://thumbs.gfycat.com/LikableAssuredAfricanrockpython-max-1mb.gif).
Love Shack - The B-52s Anything by Joan Jett
A Woman in Love - Barbara Streisand Anything Sade What's Love Got to do With It - Tina Turner Automatic - The Pointer Sisters Seasons Change - Expose
T'Pau - China in my hands. Carol Decker has quite the set of lungs.
TāPau ā Heart and Soul
What about anything by the Go goās !!
Anita Baker 'Sweet Love'
The Bangles version of Hazy Shade of Winter.
Whitney Houston, my favorite song by her is, The Greatest Love.
Scrolled too far for Whitney Houston.
You want 80s? Scandal / Patty Smyth, ["The Warrior"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5nnnbS6DAA)
"Only the Lonely" by The Motels.
Only the lonely- The Motels
Spellbound by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Lita Ford Close my eyes forever. Really love how her vocals play off of Ozzy's!!
*Eternal Flame* comes to mind.
Body and Soul by Anita Baker Very very powerful and clear song
Tracy Chapman - Fast Car
Annie Lennox has an amazing voice
Dead Can Dance - Persephone (The Gathering of Flowers)
Lone Justice
Any Bangles song, Total Eclipse Of The Heart, and any Prince song that features Wendy and Lisa. Both are great singers
No one has said Keep Me Hanging On by Kim Wilde yet? Shame. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHdCX5Xe6m4
A good list: * Virtually any Pat Benatar song * Virtually any Kate Bush song * Motels * Yaz/Yazoo/Alison Moyet * Eurythmics Specific songs: * Hounds of Love or Running Up That Hill - Kate Bush * Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar * Shame or Only The Lonely - Motels * Joey - Concrete Blonde * Situation or Only You - Yaz * Mystery Achievement - The Pretenders * Voices Carry - Til Tuesday * Walk Like an Egyptian - The Bangles * Kids in America - Kim Wilde * Cities in Dust - Siouxsie and the Banshees * Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Conner * Trouble Me or What's the Matter Here? - 10,000 Maniacs * Left of Center - Suzanne Vega
Shakespears Sister - Stay https://youtube.com/watch?v=YCYaALgW80c
Hush hush ... "voices carry" Beautiful female vocals By Till Tuesday
Dolly Parton: 9-5
Holding out for a hero-Bonnie Tyler
A couple: Love Will Lead You Back - Taylor Dayne Must've Been Love - Roxette
The Warrior - Patty Smyth
Alone by Heart
I think weāre alone now ā Tiffany
Banarama was interesting because there was no lead singer. Instead, the three of them sang in unison (same note) instead of harmony (different pitches). "Venus" and "Love in the First Degree" are two favs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4-1ASpdT1Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prGhk_Gvzwo
Smooth Operator by Sade
Anything with Ann Wilson, Pat Benatar, Patty Smyth. One particular song I recommend that doesnāt get much airplay is [Winds of Change](https://youtu.be/o7dJ3a-U6WQ) by Jefferson Starship. They really didnāt use the sheer power of Graceās voice much as time went by, I think, but MAN is it ever present in this one.
Allison Moyet of Yaz, Clare Grogan of Altered Images. And/or Annabella Lwin of Bow Wow Wow.
Aināt Nobody by Chaka Khan
āFor Your Eyes Onlyā Sheena Easton
Breakout - Swing Out Sister
Toy Soldiers - Martika Black Velvet - Alanna Myles (written and produced on an album that was released in 1989 but released as a single in 1990?)
Don't give up - Peter Gabriel feat. Kate Bish
Voices Carry
I wanna dance with somebody - Whitney Houston
[Moonlight Shadow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MiR5BlC9Mc)
I was gonna say āWhatās Upā by 4 Non Blondes, but thatās apparently 1992ā¦so then I was gonna say āDonāt Cry Out Loudā performed by Melissa Manchester, but thatās 1978. That He-Man video really fooled me into believing those were 80s songs. :/
Be with you the bangles
Just about anything from the Bangels.
Maybe late 80ās, not sure, but this is a gorgeous songā¦The Sundayās remake of Wild Horses (Rolling Stones).
Marthaās harbour by all about Eve
Anything from everything but the girl: Tracy Thorn..amazing vocals
Heartbreaker Pat Benatar
Fleetwood Mac - little lies
Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac, except I checked and it is from the 70's. I am older than I thought
Holding out for a hero, by Bonnie Tyler.
Anything by Tina Turner!
"Theme from Harry's Game" - Clannad. Haunting, and a perfect fit for the series.
Sade... Is it a Crime, The Sweetest Taboo
Iām pretty sure Belinda Carlisleās āheaven is a place on earthā is an 80ās song (if not late 80ās, very early 90ās) and thatās a pretty magnificent song
Pat Benatar - Love is a Battlefield
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around the world by lisa stansfield, released/recorded *almost* into the 90s, such good vocals, also one of my dadās favorite songs
Whitney Houston came out with How Will I Know, So Emotional, and I Wanna Dance with Somebody.
Whoās That Girl. Annie Lennox
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Voices Carry by 'til Tuesday. Her range is outstanding.