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We Are Strong: Women of ’80s Pop Music
I grew up admiring strong women. (and not just my mom, aunts and sisters) More than anywhere else in pop culture and any other time in music, the female recording artists of the 1980s were powerful.
’70s greats Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Debbie Harry and Donna Summers still kicked it on the radio, but a new breed were stealing the spotlight. With the advent of MTV, the prevalence of music videos birthed a slew of stars.
Annie Lennox led Eurythmics, Joan Jett fronted the Blackhearts, Chrissie Hynde kickstarted The Pretenders and there was The Go-Go’s for groups. Add soloists like Sade, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, Sheila E, Taylor Dayne and Chaka Khan to the list or powerhouses.
When I decided to draw the better-half counterpart to my series of “Men Who Shaped Me,” there were eight greats who came to mind first. Each so different from the next, but each incredible talented. And all more strong, in voice and beyond, than most of the men from their decade.
All went on to further success in the ’90s, but I’ll limit sharing my favorite songs from their ’80s hits. Even then, it’s hard not to include them all.
