She began her career in the late 1970s as the frontwoman of the new wave band Regina Richards and Red Hot.

The second single "Don't Want You Back", with "Company Girl" as the B-side, was followed by a self-titled album; the records did not attain mainstream success.

Subsequently, she dissolved the group and focused on writing songs for other artists and helping them record demos with Stephen Bray, her former Red Hot drummer.

[3] In 1986, Regina and Bray co-wrote "Baby Love", initially planning on selling it to Madonna or another artist.

Music publications of the time often commented on perceived similarities to Madonna, and called her the "queen of the wanna-bes".