Top 10 Best Singers of the 1980s

The Top Ten

K.S. Chithra

Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra, often credited as K. S. Chithra or simply Chithra, is an Indian playback singer from Kerala. She also sings Indian classical, devotional, and popular music. Chithra has recorded over 25,000 songs in various languages and is a recipient of six National Film Awards.

Chithra has always been amazing since she started singing in the late 1980s. She always has been and always will be.

Incredible range and emotion-filled highs and lows. Amazing!
Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication, which was ruled a homicide. Jackson is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures... read more

He had the best-selling album not just of the '80s but of all time. He created the most groundbreaking music video of all time, Thriller, and the most groundbreaking dance move called the moonwalk, which looks like he is walking backward.
Who can forget his amazing songs like Billie Jean, Beat It, Bad, Man in the Mirror, Dirty Diana, and Smooth Criminal? Michael was a phenomenal singer, dancer, songwriter, and entertainer. He had it all.
He was also the greatest humanitarian. He gave away all his money from his BAD tour to charity. He is the most generous celebrity the world has seen, as well as the most humble, thoughtful, and kind. Michael Jackson was too good for this world.
People were so jealous of his success and talents that they slandered and ruined his reputation, saying he molested children when Michael Jackson would never do such a thing. He loved children. Years later, those children admitted they lied because their parents wanted money.
The media also slandered him, saying he bleached his skin when he had a skin disease, vitiligo, that destroys pigmentation in the skin. Michael Jackson was a proud Black man who spoke out against discrimination in the music industry.
No matter what the media said, we fans always knew the real Michael and still love him, even though he is gone from this world. Goodbye, Michael. We love you. You will always be the King of Pop and in our hearts forever.
Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury was a Zanzibari‑born British singer of Indian descent, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Queen. He achieved fame for his flamboyant stage persona and remarkable four-octave vocal range.... read more

Although he was more '70s, Freddie is still a legend! He was the Elvis of the '70s and was so talented. Sadly, he died before I was born, and I didn't get to live in his generation.

Michael Jackson was great, but this list is about "singers," and in singing, Freddie Mercury was much, much better than Michael Jackson. Sure, Michael was a good entertainer, a great dancer, an innovator, and a good singer, but if we just see "singing skills," Freddie wins that competition.

Dude, he was so good. People nowadays don't appreciate music that was actually good. He was kinda more '70s but still good. So sad that he died.
Tony Hadley

Great power, control, and conviction in Tony Hadley's voice. In the 1980s, he was hot: tall, handsome, with amazing vocal talent.

At the moment, Tony is 14th. In reality, others may have been commercially better, but not vocally.

I think he is one of the best. His voice still sounds natural, powerful, and confident.
Bruce Dickinson

Paul Bruce Dickinson (born August 7, 1958) is an English musician, airline pilot, and broadcaster. He's best known as the lead singer of Iron Maiden and for his solo career... read more
Rob Halford

Robert John Arthur "Rob" Halford (born August 25, 1951) is an English singer and songwriter. He co-founded the heavy metal band Judas Priest in 1969 and has served as its lead vocalist throughout most of its history. Halford is often called the "Metal God" and is celebrated for his powerful, wide-ranging,... read more
Tom Araya

Tomás Enrique "Tom" Araya Díaz is a Chilean-American musician best known as the bassist and vocalist of the American thrash metal band Slayer. He joined Slayer in 1981 and remained with the band until their retirement in 2019. Araya is recognized for his powerful vocal delivery and stage presence.

You may not think he has a good singing voice, but his way of rap-yelling influenced the whole death metal genre and is still unique to this day.
George Michael

Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, known professionally as George Michael, was an English singer, songwriter, record producer, and philanthropist. He rose to fame in the 1980s as one-half of the pop duo Wham! with hits like Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go and Last Christmas.... read more

His voice is second to none. Freddie Mercury had an amazing, powerful voice, but it didn't have the purity of George Michael's. Plus, can you see anyone else being able to pull off Somebody to Love at Freddie's tribute concert and not sound awful in comparison to the original artist?

There were so many great singers in the '80s, but George Michael is probably the most underappreciated.

Incredible range and emotion-filled highs and lows. Amazing!
Kate Bush

Catherine "Kate" Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. She gained prominence in 1978 with her debut single "Wuthering Heights," which topped the UK Singles Chart. Bush is known for her eclectic musical style and has received critical acclaim and numerous awards throughout... read more
Dave Gahan

Good to see Dave Gahan on the list. Depeche Mode is often overlooked on "Best of" lists, but they have made an enormous contribution to electronic music, and Gahan has a distinctive voice.

Omg, this guy in concert was something to see. He loves making music, and he is a gift to the world!

His charismatic performance and deep baritone push him over the top.

The Newcomers

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Annabella Lwin
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Miki Matsubara

Miki Matsubara (November 28, 1959 - October 7, 2004) was a Japanese singer, lyricist, and composer from Kishiwada, Osaka, Japan. She is best known for her 1979 hit song Mayonaka no Door ~ Stay With Me, which gained renewed popularity in recent years thanks to social media platforms like TikTok. Matsubara... read more

The Contenders

Morrissey

Steven Patrick Morrissey, known mononymously as Morrissey, was born on May 22, 1959. He is an English singer, songwriter, and author who gained fame as the lead vocalist of the indie rock band The Smiths, which was active from 1982 to 1987. After the band disbanded, Morrissey began a solo career and... read more

Beautiful voice and lyrical genius. Everyone in the world should be like Morrissey.
Ronnie James Dio

Ronnie James Dio (born Ronald James Padavona. July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010) was an American heavy metal singer, songwriter, and musician. He led and performed with several bands including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, and Heaven & Hell... read more
Whitney Houston

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. She holds the Guinness World Record as the most awarded female artist of all time, with over 400 career awards as of 2006, and was named the most awarded female act in 2009.... read more

Greatest singer of all time. Most iconic head voice, most iconic vibrato, and purest tone of any singer to ever pick up a microphone. Oozing stage presence, she was truly an icon. There isn't one female pop singer who doesn't cite Whitney as one of, if not their biggest, influences.

I love her so much. She was the greatest!
Ozzy Osbourne

John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne (December 3, 1948 - July 22 2025) was an English singer, songwriter, and television personality, often nicknamed "The Prince of Darkness." He rose to fame in the early 1970s as the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath... read more
Cyndi Lauper

Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and LGBT rights activist. Her career has spanned over 40 years. She gained fame in the 1980s with her debut album She's So Unusual, which included hits like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun."

Unique and genuine performer with a real heart given to her audience.

Go to one of her shows and then explain why she's not number one.

In my opinion, she should be higher on the list.
Simon Le Bon
Morten Harket

Morten Harket is a Norwegian musician best known as the lead singer of the synthpop and rock band A-ha. The band gained international fame in 1985 with their hit single "Take on Me." A-ha has released ten studio albums, and Harket's distinct voice and dynamic performances have contributed to the group's... read more

Try and sing Take On Me. Ever wondered why one of the most popular songs of all time is not a karaoke classic? Because it's impossible to sing well unless your name is Morten Harket. Oh yes, then try and sing Summer Moved On and hold that note. Bloody impossible.

He also holds (or did at one time) the record for the longest held recorded note sung in a song. His range and performance skills are excellent. He's still making great music in and out of A-ha.

Singer from the Norwegian band A-ha, the voice behind "Take On Me." He has a beautiful, soothing voice and a very expansive vocal range. It's hard not to love it.
Madonna

Madonna Louise Ciccone, known professionally as Madonna, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She has influenced many artists, including Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Beyoncé Knowles, and Britney Spears. Often referred to as the "Queen of Pop," she has played a significant... read more

She had such a beautiful voice, and all her songs have meaning behind them. My favorite songs are La Isla Bonita and Like a Prayer. They both have very good background stories which fit the music perfectly.
When you look at her then and look at her now, she has changed quite a lot.
Steve Perry

Stephen Ray "Steve" Perry (born January 22, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the rock band Journey during their most successful periods from 1977 to 1987 and again from 1995 to 1998. Perry is celebrated for his soaring vocals on hits... read more

This man has a voice like no other. Everything I have ever heard him sing, and I own all of Journey's albums as well as Perry's Street Talk, has been amazing. One of the best things I can imagine happening is for him to rejoin Journey. To attend one of their concerts would be a dream come true, and I would very much like to hear a new album... or two... or ten. He was a very important factor in turning Journey into something special. Journey with Steve Perry is a combination that is perfect in every way.

My opinion on this will never, ever change. Steve Perry is the best singer I have ever heard. He is capable of so much emotion, and you can hear the passion he has in every note. He is amazingly talented and has an incredible range.
Listening to certain songs, like the earlier ones from Infinity and Evolution, often leaves me breathless. He never ceases to amaze me, even when I have heard all of his songs several dozen times.
Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson is an English singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the Australian rock band AC/DC since 1980. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 as a member of the band. As of April 2016, he was unable to participate in the remainder of the Rock or Bust World... read more
Axl Rose

William Bruce Rose Jr., better known as Axl Rose, is an American singer born on February 6, 1962, in Lafayette, Indiana. He is the founding member and lead vocalist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, which rose to international fame with their debut album Appetite for Destruction (1987). Known for... read more

Axl Rose is the best, of course! His unique voice cannot be accurately imitated by anyone. He can really move and does the snake dance and other dances so smoothly.

I'm not even a true fan of Guns N' Roses, but his unique sound and style deserve attention.
Peter Gabriel

Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and humanitarian activist who rose to fame as the original lead singer and flautist of the progressive rock band Genesis. After leaving Genesis in 1975, he launched a successful solo career with hits like Solsbury Hill and In Your Eyes. Gabriel... read more

Another amazing singer who changed at least a decade of music.
Prince

Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 - April 21, 2016) was an American musician, widely regarded as one of the most popular and influential artists of the 1980s. He was known for his eclectic musical style, flamboyant stage presence, and mastery of multiple instruments. Some of his most iconic songs include... read more

Prince has more talent than any other artist in history. He sings, dances, writes, composes, and is also the master of over twenty-seven instruments. It's obvious why they call him the Purple Yoda. He's truly a master of the force.

How is he not at least at #2? You guys have no culture.

Very distinguished style and lifestyle.
Roland Orzabal

The best singer from new wave. So much talent. He has a very vast vocal range. Also, he sounds the same in live performances as he would in a regular song.

He sang some of the greatest songs of the 80s and 90s.
Mariya Takeuchi

Mariya Takeuchi (竹内まりや) (born March 20, 1955) is a Japanese singer and songwriter from Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. She is best known internationally for her 1984 city pop hit "Plastic Love," which saw a resurgence in popularity in the 2010s due to internet sharing and YouTube algorithms.... read more