In music, for example, it’s rare that right out of the gate, one gets the top spot or the trophies, but with the right singer, songwriters, production staff and promotional team, for starters, the stars can sometimes align, allowing the debut album to become one of the biggest moments in a career. Just ask these three dance/pop artists: Madonna; Jody Watley; Paula Abdul.

Madonna: Sire Records; Warner Bros.

Jody Watley: MCA Records

Paula Abdul: Forever Your Girl: Virgin Records

Three impressive initial offerings, all now-iconic debut albums of the ‘80s.