Easton released her debut album, Take My Time, in 1980, and the single "Morning Train (9 to 5)" reached number 12 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 in 1981.

Whilst her success was somewhat limited in her native Scotland and the United Kingdom, she scored one number one song in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1981 and 1991.

Easton became the first and only recording artist in Billboard history to have a top five hit on each of Billboard's primary singles charts: "Morning Train (Nine to Five)" (Pop and Adult Contemporary), "We've Got Tonight" with Kenny Rogers (Country and Adult Contemporary) and "Sugar Walls" (R&B and Dance).

Easton's other hit singles include the James Bond theme "For Your Eyes Only", "You Could Have Been with Me", "Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair)", "Almost Over You", "Strut", "U Got the Look" and "The Arms of Orion" with Prince, "The Lover in Me" and "What Comes Naturally".

She has worked with prominent singers, writers and producers, such as Prince, Christopher Neil, Kenny Rogers, David Foster, Luis Miguel, L.A. Reid, Babyface, Patrice Rushen and Nile Rodgers.