Scotland is sometimes overlooked by the “musical hierarchy,” but they have produced some great talent over the years. One of those is Sheena Easton. So, today we are going to seek out the Top 10 Sheena Easton songs.
She isn’t the only famous musician from Scotland. Bon Scott from AC/DC, Annie Lennox, singer-songwriter Donovan, and Emeli Sande. Then there has been Jimmy Somerville from the Communards, Mark McLachlan (Marti Pellow) of Wet, Wet, Wet, singer Jim Diamond and guitarist Bert Jansch. I could go on.
A Strange Start
But let’s focus on Sheena Easton, who benefited from a strange start in music. She was born in Lanarkshire and became known after she competed in one of those worse-than-awful “reality” TV shows. Just what is “reality” about them I have never quite worked out?
Anyways, the program centered on her trying to obtain a record deal which she finally got with EMI. Whether the whole thing was scripted, as most are, there is no need to discuss here. However, it was quite plain that she had a talent and signed with EMI in 1981.
It Doesn’t Always Work
Just as not all American acts are successful in the UK, the reverse also applies. It doesn’t always work that success on one side of the Atlantic brings it on the other. However, as we shall see, she did enjoy some measure of success on both sides of the pond.
So, let’s take a look at some of the best Sheena Easton songs and see what she was all about. The order and those included are subjective, of course. What one likes another may not. But, this is my top 10.
Top 50 Best Sheena Easton Songs
1 Modern Girl
Let’s go back right to the beginning. This is a song that was released in February of 1980. At that stage, she hadn’t got a record contract, but it reached #56 in the UK chart. The recording contract was arranged and signed with EMI soon after.
It was released again in August of 1980 with EMI support and reached #8. The next year it was released in America and reached #18. “Modern Girl” was included on her debut album, Take My Time. The song was written by Frank Musker and Dominic Bugatti.
2 I Like the Fright
This is a song that wasn’t released as a single but was included on her fourth studio album, Best Kept Secret, from 1983. Written by Paul Bliss and Steve Kipner, it was the opening track of the album.
It is a strange song that seems to be about someone being scared at night in the dark but quite enjoying the sensation. It was a song that feels like it was firmly placed in the New Wave sound, popular with some at the time.
In the UK, the record-buying public seemed to have lost interest in her…
The album only reached #99 on the album chart and was her last charting album for five years. It did better in America, where it reached #33. However, there was somewhere she was doing better than in both the UK and America. She had cemented her place in the eyes of Japanese fans as it reached #4, her third Top 5 album on their chart.
3 The Lover In Me
As I mentioned, Sheena had fallen out of favor in the UK. For five years, other than a collaboration with Kenny Rogers, chart success dried up at home. Although, she remained popular in America. Then, in 1988, she released this single from the album of the same name. It proved to be a success for her. “The Lover In Me” reached #15 in the UK and #2 in America.
A lot of fuss was made about this person and that person coming on board to help. At times, it seemed like they were only there to get some credit for themselves. In the case of one “character,” that can hardly be a surprise.
But, it was her that sang it, not them, and she would have done just as good a job if they weren’t there. And, as far as producers go, there are a lot of good people out there. Her performance is the thing that sticks out on the track. It turned out to be one of Sheena Easton’s best-selling songs.
4 Sugar Walls
A song from the 1984 album A Private Heaven. This is the kind of typical Synth-Pop track that had fallen out of favor in the UK. But, evidently not in America. In the UK, its highest position was #95, but it reached #9 in America. An interesting contrast in musical tastes at the time.
For all those fans of this genre and its electronics, it was a hugely popular song. And, if you prefer to hear her sing this material, then this song and the album were must-haves for your collection.
5 You Could Have Been With Me
A song now from 1981 and taken from her second album of the same name, excluding the film soundtrack album released in the same year.
“You Could Have Been With Me” was written by Lea Maalfrid and enjoyed reasonable success. It peaked at only #54 in the UK but did better in America, reaching #15 on the main chart.
It’s a slower, almost ballad-like song that is not buried in electronics and allows her voice to shine through. And, if anyone needed convincing she was a great singer, then this would be one of the tracks that will do just that. A good vocal performance on a good song.
6 Strut
1984 was the period when she was advised to take on a “racier” style. And we can see that in this track and the album it was taken from, A Private Heaven. Was this an attempt to move into “Madonna mode”? If so, the question is, why? Hardly a role model, Madonna is someone whom a large part of the world saw as a subject of ridicule.
This song moves into Dance-Pop territory in terms of its style with an added provocative image that, for many, just didn’t work. I wonder who was giving that advice? It is an image that worked in certain circumstances but certainly didn’t in others.
For fans of this style of Sheena Easton, it was a great track, for others one to forget. No doubt, it was a song that went down well in the discos.
7 Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair)
Taken from her 1983 album Best Kept Secret, this song is a return to the Synth-Pop sound. Once again, it was more successful in America. It reached only #84 in the UK and peaked at #9 in America. A very synth/keyboard-based song which makes it ideal for Techno-Pop fans.
8 Morning Train (Nine to Five)
Released in 1980 from her first album, Take My Time; this was Sheena Easton’s most successful song. It reached #3 in the UK and #1 in America. As a result, it’s one of the Top 10 Sheena Easton songs.
This was released very early in her career and still has an innocent freshness about it. It is one of the most well-known Sheena Easton songs, with its catchy sing-along chorus. And, not a techno keyboard in earshot.
When listening to this song and then some of the tracks that were influenced by other people, you can only come to one conclusion. This type of song suited her better. And she fitted this style more than the alternate brooding “pretend” version others created.
9 For Your Eyes Only
Not many singers get the chance to sing the theme to a James Bond film, but our Scottish lass did. And she didn’t do a bad job of it, did she?
Of course, it was a big hit. Most title songs for Bond films are. It reached #8 in the UK, #4 in America, and the top spot in Holland. It was written by Mike Leeson and Bill Conti.
10 We’ve Got Tonight
And so, to my choice for Sheena Easton’s top song. This might surprise a few people at #! on this list. It is a song that she recorded in collaboration with Kenny Rogers in 1983. It was included on his album of the same name. The single reached #28 in the UK and #2 in America. Much of that may well be down to his popularity rather than hers. Nevertheless, she played her part on this track.
Two things stand out for me. First, she is actually singing the song rather than just providing a tune over an electronic New Wave beat. And secondly, she is clearly a little out of her comfort range.
That may be because the key was picked to suit Kenny Rogers rather than her. But she still manages to put in a great performance even though she is right at the top of her range. That is the mark of a good singer.
11Ice Out in the Rain
12Almost Over You
13So Far So Good
14Take Me Home
15Magic of Love
16Follow My Rainbow
17One Love
18Telepathy
19Cool Love
20Back In The City
21The Arms of Orion (with Prince)
22A Private Heaven
23Jimmy Mack
24Money Back Guarantee
25Wind Beneath My Wings
26You Make Me Nervous
27Days Like This
28All I Ask of You (with Cliff Richard)
29Sugar Free
30Still Willing to Try
31Don’t Leave Me This Way
32Prisoner
33When He Shines
34Sweet Talk
35101
36If You’re Not Back in Love by Monday
37James Bond Theme (For Your Eyes Only)
38Love Me With Freedom
39You’ve Learned to Live Without Me
40Dance Away The Blues
41Giving Up Giving In
42Don’t Break My Heart
43Savoir Faire
44Telefone (1983 Remix)
45When He Shines (1981 Remix)
46Machinery (1985 Remix)
47Almost Over You (1983 Remix)
48Do It For Love
49Love and Affection
50Eternity
Looking for More Great Female Singers?
We can help. So, check out our thoughts on the Best Female Singers, the Most Famous Female Country Singers Of All Time, the Most Famous British Female Singers, the Most Famous Female Singers Of The 1980s, and the Most Famous Female Singers Of The 1970s for more fantastic song selections.
50 Most Popular Sheena Easton Songs – Final Thoughts
As with many artists, Sheena Easton had her ups and downs. Some will say she was a leading female light in the 80s. Others will say that she didn’t achieve what she could have. That is probably down to her perceived genre limitations.
She was often seen as a Techno/Synth-Pop singer. In some ways, that was a bit unfair because there was more to her than that. But that would be enough to alienate her from some markets.
In America, she was far more popular than she was at home…
And, in Japan, for a period of time, even more so. She could sing and produce some excellent material. You can hear some extra tracks on The Best Of Sheena Easton. One thing she had plenty of was staying power.
After ten years of releasing material and receiving very little credit or success, she suddenly came up with the album, Fabulous in 2000. A track from that album, “Giving Up, Giving In,” returned her to the UK chart at #54. She has certainly not “given up or given in,” and most would agree that is a good thing.
Until next time, happy listening.
