Gabriella Cilmi song 'inspired by the 80s'

Gabriella Cilmi has revealed that her new single 'On A Mission' is inspired by the 1980s.

The 18-year-old Aussie admitted that her parents influenced the music she listens to and her fashion.

"My mum and my dad grew up in the '80s, so I got all their hand-me-down clothes and their hand-me-down CDs and their hand-me-down movies," she told the BBC.

"There was definitely some inspiration behind it, but the whole song is a tribute to the early '80s disco sound - Flashdance, Donna Summer, the Bee Gees, and movies like Some Kind Of Wonderful and The Breakfast Club.

The singer added that she hopes the new single will appeal to women who want to feel empowered.

"It's kind of like 'I Will Survive' for the 21st Century. It's a song for the ladies in stilettos," she said.

Cilmi releases 'On A Mission' on March 7. Her second album Ten follows on March 22.