Debbie Gibson joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top ahead of her long-awaited return to Australia as special guest on Go West’s 40th Anniversary Tour.

Debbie became one of the defining pop artists of the late 1980s with an extraordinary run of hits including “Only in My Dreams,” “Shake Your Love,” “Out of the Blue,” “Foolish Beat,” “Electric Youth” and “Lost in Your Eyes.”

At just 17, “Foolish Beat” made Debbie the youngest female artist to write, produce and perform a Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, a record she continues to hold. Every one of her US Top 20 singles was written solely by Debbie, establishing her as much more than a teenage pop star. She was a songwriter, musician and producer determined to maintain control of her own music.

In this revealing conversation, Debbie takes us inside the writing and production of her biggest songs. She discusses the heartbreak behind “Foolish Beat,” the enduring emotional connection fans have with “Lost in Your Eyes,” and why the message of “Electric Youth” remains relevant decades later.

Debbie also reflects on the pressures of achieving international fame as a teenager, fighting to be recognised as a serious songwriter, and the important role her mother played in protecting her creativity and career.

The conversation explores her remarkable life beyond the original hits, including her extensive musical theatre career, starring roles in productions such as Les Misérables, Grease, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago and Cabaret, her return to the charts with “Girls Night Out,” and the release of her album The Body Remembers.

Debbie also discusses her bestselling memoir, Eternally Electric, the meaning behind its title, and what she has learned from more than four decades of reinvention, resilience and making music on her own terms.

Debbie Gibson returns to Australian stages for the first time since 1989, joining Go West for shows in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and Brisbane from 25 August to 4 September 2026. Audiences can expect a celebration of classic pop featuring Debbie’s greatest hits alongside Go West favourites including “We Close Our Eyes,” “Call Me” and “King of Wishful Thinking.”

AUSTRALIAN TOUR AND TICKET INFORMATION

Tour dates, venues, VIP packages and tickets:
https://www.destroyalllines.com/tours/go-west

Official Ticketek ticket page:
https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=GOWEST26

Debbie Gibson official website:
https://debbiegibsonofficial.com/

Subscribe to Long Way to the Top for more in-depth conversations with the artists who created the songs, albums and unforgettable moments that shaped popular music.

Visit:
https://facebook.com/thelongwaytothetoppodcast

#DebbieGibson #GoWest #ElectricYouth #FoolishBeat #LostInYourEyes #OnlyInMyDreams #EternallyElectric #GoWestTour #AustralianTour #80sMusic #80sPop #PopMusic #Songwriting #MusicInterview #LongWayToTheTop #ShayneBrian

Debbie Gibson joins Shayne Brian on Long Way to the Top ahead of her long-awaited return to Australia as special guest on Go West&rsquo;s 40th Anniversary Tour.
Debbie became one of the defining pop artists of the late 1980s with an extraordinary run of hits including &ldquo;Only in My Dreams,&rdquo; &ldquo;Shake Your Love,&rdquo; &ldquo;Out of the Blue,&rdquo; &ldquo;Foolish Beat,&rdquo; &ldquo;Electric Youth&rdquo; and &ldquo;Lost in Your Eyes.&rdquo;
At just 17, &ldquo;Foolish Beat&rdquo; made Debbie the youngest female artist to write, produce and perform a Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, a record she continues to hold. Every one of her US Top 20 singles was written solely by Debbie, establishing her as much more than a teenage pop star. She was a songwriter, musician and producer determined to maintain control of her own music.
In this revealing conversation, Debbie takes us inside the writing and production of her biggest songs. She discusses the heartbreak behind &ldquo;Foolish Beat,&rdquo; the enduring emotional connection fans have with &ldquo;Lost in Your Eyes,&rdquo; and why the message of &ldquo;Electric Youth&rdquo; remains relevant decades later.
Debbie also reflects on the pressures of achieving international fame as a teenager, fighting to be recognised as a serious songwriter, and the important role her mother played in protecting her creativity and career.
The conversation explores her remarkable life beyond the original hits, including her extensive musical theatre career, starring roles in productions such as Les Mis&eacute;rables, Grease, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago and Cabaret, her return to the charts with &ldquo;Girls Night Out,&rdquo; and the release of her album The Body Remembers.
Debbie also discusses her bestselling memoir, Eternally Electric, the meaning behind its title, and what she has learned from more than four decades of reinvention, resilience and making music on her own terms.
Debbie Gibson returns to Australian stages for the first time since 1989, joining Go West for shows in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and Brisbane from 25 August to 4 September 2026. Audiences can expect a celebration of classic pop featuring Debbie&rsquo;s greatest hits alongside Go West favourites including &ldquo;We Close Our Eyes,&rdquo; &ldquo;Call Me&rdquo; and &ldquo;King of Wishful Thinking.&rdquo;
AUSTRALIAN TOUR AND TICKET INFORMATION
Tour dates, venues, VIP packages and tickets: <a href="https://www.destroyalllines.com/tours/go-west">https://www.destroyalllines.com/tours/go-west</a>
Official Ticketek ticket page: <a href="https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=GOWEST26">https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=GOWEST26</a>
Debbie Gibson official website: <a href="https://debbiegibsonofficial.com/">https://debbiegibsonofficial.com/</a>
Subscribe to Long Way to the Top for more in-depth conversations with the artists who created the songs, albums and unforgettable moments that shaped popular music.
Visit: <a href="https://facebook.com/thelongwaytothetoppodcast">https://facebook.com/thelongwaytothetoppodcast</a>
#DebbieGibson #GoWest #ElectricYouth #FoolishBeat #LostInYourEyes #OnlyInMyDreams #EternallyElectric #GoWestTour #AustralianTour #80sMusic #80sPop #PopMusic #Songwriting #MusicInterview #LongWayToTheTop #ShayneBrian

Every song has a story. Every legend has a journey.

Long Way to the Top is where those stories come alive — the raw, revealing, and often hilarious moments behind rock’s most enduring names. Hosted by Shayne Brian, this is the ultimate backstage pass into the minds of the artists who built the soundtrack of our lives.

From chart-topping anthems and studio secrets to the reinventions that kept them alive across decades, each episode dives deep into the grit, the glory, and the genius that made these icons who they are.

Featuring legendary guests including:


Stewart Copeland (The Police) — on the art of rhythm, rebellion, and creating one of the most innovative bands in rock history.


Leo Sayer — sharing stories from a five-decade career of global hits, resilience, and reinvention.


Russell Morris — reflecting on The Real Thing and the timeless spirit of Australian music.


Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock) — taking us through six decades of songs that shaped Aussie rock.


Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) — reliving the glamour, sound, and legacy of the 1980s New Romantic movement.


Steve Kilbey (The Church) — exploring mysticism, creativity, and the making of Under the Milky Way.

Whether you grew up spinning vinyl or streaming playlists, Long Way to the Top takes you deep into the world of the artists who defined generations — and are still climbing.

Hit plus or follow to subscribe to the podcast.

And head over to Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLongWayToTheTopPodcast,

Keep on Rocking!

Every song has a story. Every legend has a journey.
Long Way to the Top is where those stories come alive &mdash; the raw, revealing, and often hilarious moments behind rock&rsquo;s most enduring names. Hosted by Shayne Brian, this is the ultimate backstage pass into the minds of the artists who built the soundtrack of our lives.
From chart-topping anthems and studio secrets to the reinventions that kept them alive across decades, each episode dives deep into the grit, the glory, and the genius that made these icons who they are.
Featuring legendary guests including:
<ul data-start="899" data-end="1588">
<li data-start="899" data-end="1036">
Stewart Copeland (The Police) &mdash; on the art of rhythm, rebellion, and creating one of the most innovative bands in rock history.
</li>
<li data-start="1037" data-end="1143">
Leo Sayer &mdash; sharing stories from a five-decade career of global hits, resilience, and reinvention.
</li>
<li data-start="1144" data-end="1244">
Russell Morris &mdash; reflecting on The Real Thing and the timeless spirit of Australian music.
</li>
<li data-start="1245" data-end="1359">
Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock) &mdash; taking us through six decades of songs that shaped Aussie rock.
</li>
<li data-start="1360" data-end="1476">
Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) &mdash; reliving the glamour, sound, and legacy of the 1980s New Romantic movement.
</li>
<li data-start="1477" data-end="1588">
Steve Kilbey (The Church) &mdash; exploring mysticism, creativity, and the making of Under the Milky Way.
</li>
</ul>
Whether you grew up spinning vinyl or streaming playlists, Long Way to the Top takes you deep into the world of the artists who defined generations &mdash; and are still climbing.
Hit plus or follow to subscribe to the podcast.
And head over to Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheLongWayToTheTopPodcast,
Keep on Rocking!