10 Best 1980’s Debut Singles In Rock Music

The 1980s delivered some of the most unforgettable first impressions in rock history, from dazzling solo breakthroughs to bands that seemed fully formed the moment their debut singles hit the airwaves. These ten choices capture that rush, mixing legendary new groups with famous musicians stepping out on their own for the first time.

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Our “10 Best 1980s Debut Singles In Rock Music” article presents a fun look back at the most exciting debut singles of the 1980s. As we were putting this list together, we decided to include many legendary rockers who had left their bands and released their first solo albums. This definitely opened up the doors for a lot more choices and, of course, made it more difficult to narrow down to just 10. Overall, the article is a mix of brand-new artists and debut solo albums from legendary rockers. It’s not easy leaving a band, and not everyone succeeds as a solo artist. However, the ones we included here became big-time solo artists. And, of course, some went back to their bands if there was a band to go back to.

# 10 – “Love Struck Baby” – Texas Flood – Stevie Ray Vaughan

We start out this “10 Best 1980s Debut Singles In Rock Music” list with a single by one of the greatest musicians of all time. We are talking about Stevie Ray Vaughan, folks. In 1983, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble released their first album, Texas Flood. I have never heard a guitar player play like Stevie Ray Vaughan. What fueled his art was a total, undeniable passion for playing. It was just jaw-dropping to listen to Stevie Ray play.

Texas Flood was the first of only four studio albums Stevie Ray Vaughan released throughout his very short career. The first single released from the album was “Love Struck Baby.” Stevie Ray Vaughan wasn’t an artist who had big-time hits; he was an artist who played big-time. The album featured Stevie Ray Vaughan on guitar and vocals, Tommy Shannon on bass, and Chris Layton on drums. We miss you, Stevie.

# 9 – “The Way It Is” – The Way It Is – Bruce Hornsby

At number nine on our list, we go from one of the greatest guitar players of all time to one of the most striking and stunning piano players of the 20th century. Not many piano players in rock and roll can play like Bruce Hornsby. Do you remember the first time you heard the song “The Way It Is”? It was simply stunning. The virtuosity and musicianship were one thing, but just the beauty in the music itself was breathtaking.

“The Way It Is” was the debut single from Bruce Hornsby and the Range. This was a man who would prove to be no fluke. Bruce Hornsby continued to have a fabulous career after his debut album in 1986. His touring with the Grateful Dead for a couple of years only elevated his status among rock fans. “The Way It Is” hit number one in the US on the Billboard Hot 100.

# 8 – “We Got the Beat” – Beauty and the Beat – The Go-Go’s

In the early ’80s, the Go-Go’s brought a fresh new sound to the rock and roll world, straddling the lines between new wave and pop perfectly. The song “We Got the Beat” was captivating from the first moment you heard it. It was initially released as a standalone single in 1980 but was later re-recorded and reissued on the band’s debut album, Beauty and the Beat.

The Go-Go’s debut single “We Got the Beat” also became the band’s biggest hit of its career, going all the way to number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, being stopped only by Joan Jett’s massive hit single “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll.” Nonetheless, the Go-Go’s enjoyed great success throughout the decade with plenty of hits before the band broke up for a short while as Belinda Carlisle launched her solo career, which was also quite successful. These girls were a lot of fun.

# 7 – “I.G.Y. (What a Beautiful World)” – The Nightfly – Donald Fagen

In the number seven position on our “10 Best 1980s Debut Singles In Rock Music” list is the first of three famous musicians who left their bands to begin solo careers. In 1981, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker split up; Steely Dan, at that point in time, was over. One year later, in 1982, Fagen released his first solo album, The Nightfly. It was an extraordinary record, carrying on the Steely Dan tradition of pristine recordings and music of substance, performed by some of the best musicians in the world.

“I.G.Y. (What a Beautiful World)” was the first single released from the album. It broke into the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 26. The song was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Song of the Year. Steely Dan fans were heartbroken when the band broke up, but the return of Fagen with this album was the best consolation prize ever.

# 6 – “Mary’s Prayer” – Meet Danny Wilson – Danny Wilson

Danny Wilson’s “Mary’s Prayer” is the sleeper on this list. It’s a shame that so many people have never heard of this band or this song before. The band’s debut single, “Mary’s Prayer,” was just a breathtaking piece of music, stunning in its melody, lyrics, chord changes, and, of course, musical performances. However, it’s not just this song; the entire album is brilliant. It’s one of those records that should be in everybody’s collection, but sadly, it’s not. However, don’t take our word for it; just take a listen to the song below, and you’ll truly understand what we’re talking about here.

# 5 – “Blood and Roses” – Especially for You – The Smithereens

At the halfway point on our “10 Best 1980s Debut Singles In Rock Music” list, we present a song from one of the most loved bands in rock and roll. While they may not have been a household name around the world, they definitely cultivated a loyal following and an avid audience that recognized just how passionate this band was about rock and roll. Leading the charge was the band’s frontman, Pat DiNizio. The group’s first album, released in 1986, was called Especially for You. The first single, “Blood and Roses,” became a top 20 hit on the US Mainstream Rock chart.

# 4 – “In the Air Tonight” – Face Value – Phil Collins

Our second rock superstar solo artist to release his first solo album in the 1980s comes in at number four on our list with the legendary song “In the Air Tonight.” The song was released on Phil Collins’ debut solo album, Face Value, which was released in 1981. This is an interesting case because, even though the song was a pretty big hit when it was first released, it resurfaced a few years later when it was featured in an episode of Miami Vice and became even bigger than it had originally been. And, of course, as we all know, it is the most popular air-drumming song ever released.

# 3 – “Heat of the Moment” – Asia – Asia

If you were a teen or in your twenties in the early ’80s when MTV first launched, you most definitely remember the video for this song. Even with those little annoying boxes opening and closing across the screen, this was one of those songs that was completely captivating. Asia was a progressive rock supergroup formed by members of Yes and King Crimson. With Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer on drums, John Wetton from King Crimson on bass, Steve Howe from Yes on guitar, and Geoffrey Downes from the Buggles on keyboards, Asia enjoyed worldwide success with its debut album and this massively successful hit single, “Heat of the Moment.”

# 2 – “Crazy Train” – Blizzard of Ozz – Ozzy Osbourne

Our final rock star who released his first solo album in the 1980s, coming out of a famous band, is showcased in the number two spot on this list with the much-loved song “Crazy Train.” Yes, it’s Ozzy Osbourne we’re talking about here. Ozzy Osbourne left Black Sabbath and began his massively successful solo career with one of the biggest hits he’s ever had. “Crazy Train” was released on his debut album, Blizzard of Ozz, which was released in 1980. “Crazy Train” was written by Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Randy Rhoads, and bass player Bob Daisley. It is considered one of the greatest metal songs of all time. That laugh at the beginning is just so legendary.

# 1 – “It’s So Easy,” “Welcome to the Jungle,” and “Sweet Child o’ Mine” – Appetite for Destruction – Guns N’ Roses

We close out our “10 Best 1980s Debut Singles In Rock Music” list with Guns N’ Roses. The debut single varied for the band, depending on the country you lived in. In some places, it was “It’s So Easy,” in others, “Welcome to the Jungle,” and in some places, “Sweet Child o’ Mine.” It would be easy to argue that all of these were the strongest debut singles of any band that released its debut album in the 1980s. The songs were released on Guns N’ Roses’ debut album, Appetite for Destruction, in 1987. Guns N’ Roses had become the biggest rock band in the world for a couple of years. There was nobody bigger than Guns N’ Roses in the late ’80s.

This is part of our decade-by-decade look at debut singles in rock music. Check out our companion pieces covering the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1990s, and 2000s.

For more on the theme of first impressions in rock, check out 9 Artists Whose Debut Album Wasn’t Their Debut Album, A List of Artists’ Second Albums That Were Better Than Their Debuts, 10 Classic Rock Bands Whose First Album Remains Their Best, and Rock’s Finest Debut Solo Albums from Former Band Members.

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