Music VF

Music VF
Contact us
I like MVF
US & UK hits charts

Support Music VF

Music VF.com

Rock VF.com

Music VF.fr
by year
2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906 1905 1904 1903 1902 1901 1900
by decade
2020s 2010s 2000s 1990s 1980s 1970s 1960s 1950s 1940s 1930s 1920s 1910s 1900s
by artist
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Other • Top 1000

Top Songs of 1981

1980 <-1981-> 1982

Video playlist


Cover
 
 
 
 
 
Date
down  up
 
Title down  up
Album
 
Points
down  up
 
US
peak
US
AC
peak
US
country
peak
US
dance
peak
US
R&B
peak
US
rock
peak
UK
peak
Comment
 
 
Video
 
 
1.
11/1981

Don't You Want Me by The Human League

from Dare!   Dare!
458

✫1
US




3
dance


4
rock
✫1
UK
written by Philip Oakey, Jo Callis & Philip Adrian Wright
2.
02/1981

Being with You by Smokey Robinson

from Being with You   Being with You
435

2
US
4
AC




✫1
R&B


✫1
UK
[Tamla 54321]
written by Smokey Robinson
3.
01/1981

Woman by John Lennon

from Double Fantasy   Double Fantasy
412

2
US
4
AC






26
rock
✫1
UK
[Geffen]
written by John Lennon
4.
04/1981

Medley: Stars on 45 by Stars on 45/Starsound

from Stars on Long Play   
406

✫1
US
11
AC


18
dance




2
UK
[venus, sugar sugar, no reply, i'll be back, drive my car, do you want to know a secret, we can work it out, i should have known better, nowhere man, you're going to lose that girl, stars on 45]
[Radio 3810]
written by various
5.
11/1981

Centerfold by J. Geils Band

from Freeze Frame   Freeze Frame
402

✫1
US




12
dance


✫1
rock
3
UK
charted as Centerfold / Flamethrower in US dance charts
[EMI America 8102]
written by Seth Justman
6.
09/1981

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police

from Ghost in the Machine   Ghost in the Machine
387

3
US








✫1
rock
✫1
UK
written by Sting
7.
12/1981

I Love Rock 'n Roll by Joan Jett

from I Love Rock n' Roll   I Love Rock n' Roll
386

✫1
US




31
dance


✫1
rock
4
UK
as Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
[Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #484]
[Boardwalk 7-11-135]
written by Alan Merrill & Jake Hooker
8.
11/1981

I Can't Go for That (No Can Do) by Hall & Oates

from Private Eyes   Private Eyes
379

✫1
US
12
AC


✫1
dance
✫1
R&B
28
rock
8
UK
[RCA 12357]
written by Daryl Hall, John Oates & Sara Allen
9.
07/1981

Endless Love by Diana Ross & Lionel Richie

from Endless Love: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack   Endless Love: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
377

✫1
US
✫1
AC




✫1
R&B


7
UK
[Motown 1519]
written by Lionel Richie
10.
08/1981

Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) by Christopher Cross

from Arthur: The Album   Arthur: The Album
355

✫1
US
✫1
AC






13
rock
7
UK
[Academy Award for Best Original Song 1981]
[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song 1981]
[Warner 49787]
written by Christopher Cross, Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager & Peter Allen
11.
10/1981

Let's Groove by Earth, Wind & Fire

from Raise!   Raise!
353

3
US




3
dance
✫1
R&B


3
UK
charted as Let's Groove/I've Had Enough in US dance charts
[Columbia 02536]
written by Wayne Vaughn & Maurice White
12.
10/1981

Physical by Olivia Newton-John

from Physical   Physical
335

✫1
US
29
AC


22
dance
28
R&B


7
UK
[MCA 51182]
written by Steve Kipner & Terry Shaddick
13.
08/1981

Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go? by Soft Cell

from Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret   Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
335

8
US




4
dance


12
rock
✫1
UK
written by Ed Cobb, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland Jr. (as Eddie Holland)
14.
03/1981

Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes

from Mistaken Identity   Mistaken Identity
328

✫1
US
15
AC


26
dance


5
rock
10
UK
[Grammy Award for Song of the Year 1982]
[Grammy Award for Record of the Year 1982]
[EMI America 8077]
written by Donna Weiss & Jackie DeShannon
15.
08/1981

Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones

from Tattoo You   Tattoo You
327

2
US




14
dance


✫1
rock
7
UK
[Rolling Stones 21003]
written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
16.
10/1981

Waiting for a Girl Like You by Foreigner

from 4   4
325

2
US
5
AC






✫1
rock
8
UK
[Atlantic 3868]
written by Mick Jones [Foreigner] & Lou Gramm
17.
05/1981

Chariots of Fire by Vangelis

from Chariots of Fire   Chariots of Fire
314

✫1
US
✫1
AC








12
UK
[instrumental]
[Polydor 2189]
written by Vangelis
18.
05/1981

All Those Years Ago by George Harrison

from Somewhere in England   Somewhere in England
295

2
US
✫1
AC






6
rock
13
UK
[Dark Horse 49725]
written by George Harrison
19.
05/1981

Slow Hand by The Pointer Sisters

from Black & White   Black & White
294

2
US
6
AC




7
R&B


10
UK
[Planet 47929]
written by John Bettis & Michael Clark
20.
10/1981

Why Do Fools Fall in Love? by Diana Ross

from Why Do Fools Fall in Love   Why Do Fools Fall in Love
288

7
US
2
AC




6
R&B


4
UK
[RCA 12349]
written by Frankie Lymon, Herman Santiago (uncredited), George Goldner (uncredited) & Morris Levy
21.
07/1981

Hooked on Classics by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

from Hooked on Classics   Hooked on Classics
274

10
US
8
AC








2
UK
[instrumental]
tchaikovsky piano concerto #1, flight of the bumble bee, mozart symphony #40 in g minor, rhapsody in blue, karelia suite, the marriage of figaro, romeo & juliet, trumpet voluntary, etc.
[RCA 12304]
written by various
22.
08/1981

When She Was My Girl by Four Tops

from Tonight!   Tonight!
267

11
US
9
AC




✫1
R&B


3
UK
[Casablanca 2338]
written by Marc Blatte & Larry Gottlieb
23.
10/1981

Get Down on It by Kool & The Gang

from Something Special   Something Special
261

10
US




16
dance
4
R&B


3
UK
B side to Steppin' Out ; charted as Take My Heart / Steppin' Out / Get Down on It in US dance charts
[De-Lite 818]
written by Ronald Bell (as Khalis Bayyan), Kool & The Gang & James "J.T." Taylor
24.
06/1981

For Your Eyes Only by Sheena Easton

from For Your Eyes Only: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack   For Your Eyes Only: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack
256

4
US
6
AC








8
UK
[Liberty 1418]
written by Bill Conti & Mike Leeson (as Michael Leeson)
25.
02/1981

Just the Two of Us by Grover Washington Jr.

from Winelight   Winelight
255

2
US
2
AC




3
R&B


34
UK
featuring Bill Withers
[Elektra 47103]
written by Bill Withers, Ralph MacDonald & William Salter
26.
01/1981

In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins

from Face Value   Face Value
254

19
US








2
rock
2
UK
[Atlantic 3824]
written by Phil Collins
27.
11/1981

Under Pressure by Queen & David Bowie

from Hot Space   Hot Space
251

29
US








7
rock
✫1
UK
written by Brian May, Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, Roger Taylor & David Bowie
28.
02/1981

How 'Bout Us by Champaign

from How 'Bout Us   How 'Bout Us
249

12
US
✫1
AC




4
R&B


5
UK
[Columbia 11433]
written by Dana Walden
29.
07/1981

Hold On Tight by Electric Light Orchestra

from Time   Time
249

10
US








2
rock
4
UK
[Columbia 02408 (Jet)]
written by Jeff Lynne
30.
08/1981

Private Eyes by Hall & Oates

from Private Eyes   Private Eyes
248

✫1
US
33
AC






33
rock
32
UK
[RCA 12296]
written by Daryl Hall, Sara Allen, Janna Allen & Warren Pash
31.
03/1981

Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield

from Working Class Dog   Working Class Dog
244

✫1
US








10
rock
43
UK
[RCA 12201]
written by Rick Springfield
32.
11/1981

Daddy's Home by Cliff Richard

from Wired for Sound   Wired for Sound
240

23
US
3
AC








2
UK
[live]
[EMI America 8103]
written by James Sheppard, Clarence Bassett & Charles Baskerville
33.
05/1981

The One That You Love by Air Supply

from The One That You Love   The One That You Love
237

✫1
US
2
AC










[Arista 0604]
written by Graham Russell
34.
04/1981

Stray Cat Strut by Stray Cats

from Built for Speed   Built for Speed
234

3
US




78
dance


41
rock
11
UK
produced by Dave Edmunds
[EMI America 8122]
written by Brian Setzer
35.
05/1981

Queen of Hearts by Juice Newton

from Juice   Juice
226

2
US
2
AC
14
country






76
UK
[Capitol 4997]
written by Hank DeVito
36.
04/1981

One Day in Your Life by Michael Jackson

from One Day in Your Life   One Day in Your Life
222

55
US
37
AC




42
R&B


✫1
UK
[Motown 1512]
written by Sam Brown III & Renée Armand
37.
02/1981

Kids in America by Kim Wilde

from Kim Wilde   Kim Wilde
220

25
US








29
rock
2
UK
written by Marty Wilde & Ricky Wilde
38.
02/1981

Shaddap You Face by Joe Dolce Music Theatre

from Shaddap You Face   Shaddap You Face
218

53
US










✫1
UK
written by Joe Dolce
39.
10/1981

Young Turks by Rod Stewart

from Tonight I'm Yours   Tonight I'm Yours
217

5
US




63
dance


23
rock
11
UK
[Warner 49843]
written by Rod Stewart, Carmine Appice, Duane Hitchings & Kevin Savigar
40.
01/1981

Sukiyaki by A Taste of Honey

from Twice as Sweet   Twice as Sweet
214

3
US
✫1
AC




✫1
R&B




[Capitol 4953]
written by Rokusuke Ei, Hachidai Nakamura, A.B. Quintanilla (as Abraham Quintanilla Jr.) & Pete Astudillo
41.
09/1981

It's My Party by Dave Stewart [David Lloyd Stewart]

213

72
US










✫1
UK
with Barbara Gaskin
written by Walter Gold, John Gluck (as John Gluck Jr.) & Herb Wiener (as Herb Weiner)
42.
06/1981

The Model by Kraftwerk

from Computer World   Computer World
211







13
dance




✫1
UK
charted as The Model / Computer Love in UK charts; charted as Pocket Calculator / Numbers / Computer-World / Computer Love in US dance charts
written by Karl Bartos & Ralf Hütter
43.
08/1981

Japanese Boy by Aneka

from Japanese Boy   Japanese Boy
211







15
dance




✫1
UK
written by Bob Heatlie
44.
06/1981

I Don't Need You by Kenny Rogers

from Share Your Love   Share Your Love
207

3
US
✫1
AC
✫1
country








produced by Lionel Richie
[Liberty 1415]
written by Rick Christian
45.
05/1981

Stand and Deliver by Adam and the Ants

from Prince Charming   Prince Charming
206







38
dance




✫1
UK
charted as Stand and Deliver / Beat My Guest in US dance charts
written by Adam Ant & Marco Pirroni
46.
05/1981

Believe It or Not (Theme from Greatest American Hero) by Joey Scarbury

from America's Greatest Hero   America's Greatest Hero
206

2
US
3
AC










[Elektra 47147]
written by Stephen Geyer & Mike Post
47.
10/1981

Harden My Heart by Quarterflash

from Quarterflash   Quarterflash
204

3
US
41
AC






✫1
rock
49
UK
[Geffen 49824]
written by Marv Ross
48.
07/1981

Green Door by Shakin' Stevens

from Shaky   Shaky
203













✫1
UK
written by Hutch Davie (as Bob Davie) & Marvin Moore
49.
09/1981

Prince Charming by Adam and the Ants

from Prince Charming   Prince Charming
203













✫1
UK
written by Adam Ant & Marco Pirroni
50.
02/1981

This Ole House by Shakin' Stevens

from Get Shakin'   Get Shakin'
202













✫1
UK
[Epic 02072]
written by Stuart Hamblen
51.
03/1981

Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz

from Bucks Fizz   Bucks Fizz
202













✫1
UK
[1981 Eurovision Song Contest winner]
[RCA 12242]
written by John Danter & Andy Hill
52.
06/1981

Ghost Town by The Specials

202













✫1
UK
written by Jerry Dammers
53.
11/1981

The Land of Make Believe by Bucks Fizz

from Are You Ready   Are You Ready
202













✫1
UK
written by Andy Hill & Peter Sinfield
54.
02/1981

Jealous Guy by Roxy Music

202













✫1
UK
[Atco 7329]
written by John Lennon
55.
10/1981

Begin the Beguine (Volver a Empezar) by Julio Iglesias

from De niña a mujer   
202













✫1
UK
written by Cole Porter
56.
02/1981

Rock This Town by Stray Cats

from Built for Speed   Built for Speed
201

9
US




35
dance


4
rock
9
UK
produced by Dave Edmunds; charted as Rock This Town/Runaway Boys in US dance charts
[EMI America 8132]
written by Brian Setzer
57.
11/1981

Freeze-Frame by J. Geils Band

from Freeze Frame   Freeze Frame
201

4
US






25
R&B
8
rock
27
UK
charted as Flamethrower / Freeze-Frame in US R&B charts
[EMI America 8108]
written by Seth Justman & Peter Wolf
58.
03/1981

Take It on the Run by REO Speedwagon

from Hi Infidelity   Hi Infidelity
200

5
US








6
rock
19
UK
[Epic 19-01054]
written by Gary Richrath
59.
09/1981

Oh No by The Commodores

from In the Pocket   In the Pocket
200

4
US
5
AC




5
R&B


44
UK
[Motown 1527]
written by Lionel Richie
60.
10/1981

Turn Your Love Around by George Benson

from The George Benson Collection   The George Benson Collection
198

5
US




32
dance
✫1
R&B


29
UK
[Warner 49846]
written by Bill Champlin, Jay Graydon & Steve Lukather
61.
07/1981

Stop Draggin' My Heart Around by Stevie Nicks

from Bella Donna   Bella Donna
196

3
US








2
rock
50
UK
with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
[Modern 7336]
written by Tom Petty & Mike Campbell
62.
07/1981

Urgent by Foreigner

from 4   4
194

4
US




32
dance


✫1
rock
54
UK
featuring Jr. Walker
[Atlantic 3831]
written by Mick Jones [Foreigner]
63.
01/1981

The Best of Times by Styx

from Paradise Theater   Paradise Theater
188

3
US
26
AC






16
rock
42
UK
[A&M 2300]
written by Dennis DeYoung
64.
03/1981

A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do) by Raydio

from A Woman Needs Love   A Woman Needs Love
187

4
US
11
AC




✫1
R&B




as Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio
[Arista 0592]
written by Ray Parker Jr
65.
07/1981

Medley II by Stars on 45/Starsound

185

67
US










2
UK
written by various
66.
07/1981

Who's Crying Now by Journey

from Escape   Escape
183

4
US
14
AC






4
rock
76
UK
[Columbia 02241 A]
written by Jonathan Cain & Steve Perry
67.
02/1981

Angel of the Morning by Juice Newton

from Juice   Juice
182

4
US
✫1
AC
22
country




57
rock


[Capitol 4976]
written by Chip Taylor
68.
11/1981

Shake It Up by The Cars

from Shake It Up   Shake It Up
181

4
US




14
dance


2
rock


charted as Shake It Up/Cruiser in US dance charts
[Elektra 47250]
written by Ric Ocasek
69.
06/1981

(There's) No Gettin' Over Me by Ronnie Milsap

from There's No Gettin' Over Me   There's No Gettin' Over Me
181

5
US
2
AC
✫1
country








[RCA 12264]
written by Walt Aldridge & Tom Brasfield
70.
07/1981

Step by Step by Eddie Rabbitt

from Step by Step   Step by Step
177

5
US
3
AC
✫1
country








[Elektra 47174]
written by David Malloy, Eddie Rabbitt & Even Stevens
71.
11/1981

867-5309 / Jenny by Tommy Tutone

from Tommy Tutone-2   Tommy Tutone-2
177

4
US








✫1
rock


written by Alex Call & Jim Keller
72.
05/1981

You Drive Me Crazy by Shakin' Stevens

from Get Shakin'   Get Shakin'
174













2
UK
[Epic 02217]
written by Ronnie Harwood
73.
01/1981

Vienna by Ultravox

from Vienna   Vienna
174













2
UK
[Chrysalis 2515]
written by Warren Cann, Chris Cross, Billy Currie & Midge Ure
74.
09/1981

The Birdie Song by The Tweets

174













2
UK
[instrumental]
written by Werner Thomas
75.
10/1981

O Superman by Laurie Anderson

from Big Science   Big Science
174













2
UK
written by Laurie Anderson
76.
05/1981

More Than in Love by Kate Robbins & Beyond

174













2
UK
written by Barry Leng & Simon May
77.
09/1981

Invisible Sun by The Police

from Ghost in the Machine   Ghost in the Machine
174













2
UK
written by Sting
78.
07/1981

Happy Birthday by Stevie Wonder

from Hotter Than July   Hotter Than July
174













2
UK
[Tamla 54331 (u)]
written by Stevie Wonder
79.
09/1981

Happy Birthday by Altered Images

from Happy Birthday   Happy Birthday
174













2
UK
written by Johnny McElhone (as John McElhone), Clare Grogan, Tony McDaid (as Anthony McDaid) & Michael "Tich" Anderson (as Michael Anderson)
80.
04/1981

Chi Mai (Theme from Life and Times of David Lloyd George) by Ennio Morricone

174













2
UK
[instrumental]
written by Ennio Morricone
81.
02/1981

Kings of the Wild Frontier by Adam and the Ants

from Kings of the Wild Frontier   Kings of the Wild Frontier
174













2
UK
[R]
written by Adam Ant & Marco Pirroni
82.
03/1981

You Better You Bet by The Who

from Face Dances   Face Dances
172

18
US








✫1
rock
9
UK
written by Pete Townshend
83.
04/1981

Elvira by The Oak Ridge Boys

from Fancy Free   Fancy Free
169

5
US
8
AC
✫1
country








[MCA 51084]
written by Dallas Frazier
84.
03/1981

Lately by Stevie Wonder

from Hotter Than July   Hotter Than July
166

64
US
33
AC




29
R&B


3
UK
[Tamla 54323]
written by Stevie Wonder
85.
01/1981

It's a Love Thing by The Whispers

from Imagination   Imagination
166

28
US




4
dance
2
R&B


9
UK
charted as It's a Love Thing / Up on Soul Train / I Can Make It Better in US dance charts
[Solar 12154]
written by William Shelby & Dana Meyers
86.
12/1981

Spirits in the Material World by The Police

from Ghost in the Machine   Ghost in the Machine
166

11
US








7
rock
12
UK
written by Sting
87.
12/1981

It Must Be Love by Madness

165

33
US










4
UK
written by Labi Siffre
88.
10/1981

The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known) by Juice Newton

from Juice   Juice
162

7
US
✫1
AC
✫1
country








[Capitol 5046]
written by Otha Young
89.
09/1981

Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You) by Air Supply

from The One That You Love   The One That You Love
161

5
US
✫1
AC










[Arista 0626]
written by Norman Saleet (as Norman Sallitt)
90.
01/1981

While You See a Chance by Steve Winwood

from Arc of a Diver   Arc of a Diver
160

7
US
17
AC






2
rock
45
UK
[Island 49656]
written by Steve Winwood & Will Jennings
91.
09/1981

Tryin' to Live My Life Without You by Bob Seger

from Nine Tonight   Nine Tonight
159

5
US








2
rock


[live]
written by Eugene Williams
92.
01/1981

I Surrender by Rainbow [British rock band]

from Difficult to Cure   Difficult to Cure
158

105
US








19
rock
3
UK
[Polydor 2163]
written by Russ Ballard
93.
01/1981

Hello Again by Neil Diamond

from The Jazz Singer   The Jazz Singer
157

6
US
3
AC








51
UK
[Capitol 4960]
written by Neil Diamond & Alan Lindgren
94.
11/1981

Mirror, Mirror by Diana Ross

from Why Do Fools Fall in Love   Why Do Fools Fall in Love
155

8
US




14
dance
2
R&B


36
UK
charted as Mirror, Mirror / Work That Body in US dance charts
[RCA 13021]
written by Dennis Matkosky & Michael Sembello
95.
07/1981

Chant No. 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On) by Spandau Ballet

from Diamond   Diamond
155







17
dance




3
UK
written by Gary Kemp
96.
12/1981

Sweet Dreams by Air Supply

from The One That You Love   The One That You Love
152

5
US
4
AC










[Arista 0655]
written by Graham Russell
97.
08/1981

Love Action (I Believe in Love) / Hard Times by The Human League

from Dare!   Dare!
150







37
dance




3
UK
written by Philip Oakey & Ian Burden
98.
06/1981

Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag by Pigbag

149







56
dance




3
UK
[instrumental]
written by Chip Carpenter (as Andrew Carpenter), Roger Freeman, Chris Hamlin (as Chris Hamlyn), James Johnstone, Chris Lee (as Christoper J. Lee), Timothy Moore & Simon Underwood
99.
10/1981

Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me) by Rod Stewart

from Tonight I'm Yours   Tonight I'm Yours
148

20
US








29
rock
8
UK
written by Rod Stewart, Jim Cregan & Kevin Savigar
100.
08/1981

Abacab by Genesis

from Abacab   Abacab
148

26
US




43
dance


4
rock
9
UK
written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins & Mike Rutherford
Contact us
I like MVF
Music VF
US charts info based on Billboard (www.billboard.com) charts   •   UK charts info based on The Official UK Charts Company's charts
Music VF  © 2007-2024 Howard Drake / VF Entertainment 24/11/24 22h53:00
  Music VF.com, music hits charts   •   Rock VF.com, rock music hits charts   •   Music VF.fr, tous les tubes   •