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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


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1.
12/1981

Don't You Want Me by The Human League

from Dare!   Dare!
455

✫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
432

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
408

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   
403

✫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
398

✫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
384

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
383

✫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
376

✫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
374

✫1
US
✫1
AC




✫1
R&B


7
UK
[Motown 1519]
written by Lionel Richie
10.
01/1981

Rapture by Blondie

from Autoamerican   Autoamerican
370

✫1
US




✫1
dance
33
R&B
35
rock
5
UK
charted as Rapture / The Tide Is High in US dance charts
[Chrysalis 2485]
written by Debbie Harry & Chris Stein
11.
08/1981

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

from Arthur: The Album   Arthur: The Album
352

✫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
12.
10/1981

Let's Groove by Earth, Wind & Fire

from Raise!   Raise!
350

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
13.
10/1981

Physical by Olivia Newton-John

from Physical   Physical
332

✫1
US
29
AC


22
dance
28
R&B


7
UK
[MCA 51182]
written by Steve Kipner & Terry Shaddick
14.
08/1981

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

from Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret   Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
332

8
US




4
dance


12
rock
✫1
UK
written by Ed Cobb, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland Jr. (as Eddie Holland)
15.
03/1981

Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes

from Mistaken Identity   Mistaken Identity
325

✫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
16.
08/1981

Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones

from Tattoo You   Tattoo You
324

2
US




14
dance


✫1
rock
7
UK
[Rolling Stones 21003]
written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
17.
10/1981

Waiting for a Girl Like You by Foreigner

from 4   4
322

2
US
5
AC






✫1
rock
8
UK
[Atlantic 3868]
written by Mick Jones [Foreigner] & Lou Gramm
18.
05/1981

Chariots of Fire by Vangelis

from Chariots of Fire   Chariots of Fire
312

✫1
US
✫1
AC








12
UK
[instrumental]
[Polydor 2189]
written by Vangelis
19.
05/1981

All Those Years Ago by George Harrison

from Somewhere in England   Somewhere in England
293

2
US
✫1
AC






6
rock
13
UK
[Dark Horse 49725]
written by George Harrison
20.
05/1981

Slow Hand by The Pointer Sisters

from Black & White   Black & White
292

2
US
6
AC




7
R&B


10
UK
[Planet 47929]
written by John Bettis & Michael Clark
21.
10/1981

Why Do Fools Fall in Love? by Diana Ross

from Why Do Fools Fall in Love   Why Do Fools Fall in Love
286

7
US
2
AC




6
R&B


4
UK
[RCA 12349]
written by Frankie Lymon, Herman Santiago (uncredited), George Goldner (uncredited) & Morris Levy
22.
07/1981

Hooked on Classics by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

from Hooked on Classics   Hooked on Classics
271

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
23.
08/1981

When She Was My Girl by Four Tops

from Tonight!   Tonight!
265

11
US
9
AC




✫1
R&B


3
UK
[Casablanca 2338]
written by Marc Blatte & Larry Gottlieb
24.
12/1981

Get Down on It by Kool & The Gang

from Something Special   Something Special
259

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
25.
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
254

4
US
6
AC








8
UK
[Liberty 1418]
written by Bill Conti & Mike Leeson (as Michael Leeson)
26.
02/1981

Just the Two of Us by Grover Washington Jr.

from Winelight   Winelight
253

2
US
2
AC




3
R&B


34
UK
featuring Bill Withers
[Elektra 47103]
written by Bill Withers, Ralph MacDonald & William Salter
27.
01/1981

In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins

from Face Value   Face Value
252

19
US








2
rock
2
UK
[Atlantic 3824]
written by Phil Collins
28.
11/1981

Under Pressure by Queen & David Bowie

from Hot Space   Hot Space
249

29
US








7
rock
✫1
UK
written by Brian May, Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, Roger Taylor & David Bowie
29.
02/1981

How 'Bout Us by Champaign

from How 'Bout Us   How 'Bout Us
247

12
US
✫1
AC




4
R&B


5
UK
[Columbia 11433]
written by Dana Walden
30.
07/1981

Hold On Tight by Electric Light Orchestra

from Time   Time
247

10
US








2
rock
4
UK
[Columbia 02408 (Jet)]
written by Jeff Lynne
31.
08/1981

Private Eyes by Hall & Oates

from Private Eyes   Private Eyes
246

✫1
US
33
AC






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

Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield

from Working Class Dog   Working Class Dog
242

✫1
US








10
rock
43
UK
[RCA 12201]
written by Rick Springfield
33.
11/1981

Daddy's Home by Cliff Richard

from Wired for Sound   Wired for Sound
238

23
US
3
AC








2
UK
[live]
[EMI America 8103]
written by James Sheppard, Clarence Bassett & Charles Baskerville
34.
05/1981

The One That You Love by Air Supply

from The One That You Love   The One That You Love
235

✫1
US
2
AC










[Arista 0604]
written by Graham Russell
35.
04/1981

Stray Cat Strut by Stray Cats

from Built for Speed   Built for Speed
232

3
US




78
dance


41
rock
11
UK
produced by Dave Edmunds
[EMI America 8122]
written by Brian Setzer
36.
05/1981

Queen of Hearts by Juice Newton

from Juice   Juice
224

2
US
2
AC
14
country






76
UK
[Capitol 4997]
written by Hank DeVito
37.
04/1981

One Day in Your Life by Michael Jackson

from One Day in Your Life   One Day in Your Life
220

55
US
37
AC




42
R&B


✫1
UK
[Motown 1512]
written by Sam Brown III & Renée Armand
38.
02/1981

Kids in America by Kim Wilde

from Kim Wilde   Kim Wilde
218

25
US








29
rock
2
UK
written by Marty Wilde & Ricky Wilde
39.
02/1981

Shaddap You Face by Joe Dolce Music Theatre

from Shaddap You Face   Shaddap You Face
216

53
US










✫1
UK
written by Joe Dolce
40.
10/1981

Young Turks by Rod Stewart

from Tonight I'm Yours   Tonight I'm Yours
215

5
US




63
dance


23
rock
11
UK
[Warner 49843]
written by Rod Stewart, Carmine Appice, Duane Hitchings & Kevin Savigar
41.
01/1981

Sukiyaki by A Taste of Honey

from Twice as Sweet   Twice as Sweet
212

3
US
✫1
AC




✫1
R&B




[Capitol 4953]
written by Rokusuke Ei, Hachidai Nakamura, A.B. Quintanilla (as Abraham Quintanilla Jr.) & Pete Astudillo
42.
09/1981

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

211

72
US










✫1
UK
with Barbara Gaskin
written by Walter Gold, John Gluck (as John Gluck Jr.) & Herb Wiener (as Herb Weiner)
43.
07/1981

The Model by Kraftwerk

from Computer World   Computer World
210







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
44.
08/1981

Japanese Boy by Aneka

from Japanese Boy   Japanese Boy
209







15
dance




✫1
UK
written by Bob Heatlie
45.
06/1981

I Don't Need You by Kenny Rogers

from Share Your Love   Share Your Love
206

3
US
✫1
AC
✫1
country








produced by Lionel Richie
[Liberty 1415]
written by Rick Christian
46.
05/1981

Stand and Deliver by Adam and the Ants

from Prince Charming   Prince Charming
204







38
dance




✫1
UK
charted as Stand and Deliver / Beat My Guest in US dance charts
written by Adam Ant & Marco Pirroni
47.
05/1981

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

from America's Greatest Hero   America's Greatest Hero
204

2
US
3
AC










[Elektra 47147]
written by Stephen Geyer & Mike Post
48.
10/1981

Harden My Heart by Quarterflash

from Quarterflash   Quarterflash
202

3
US
41
AC






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

Green Door by Shakin' Stevens

from Shaky   Shaky
201













✫1
UK
written by Hutch Davie (as Bob Davie) & Marvin Moore
50.
09/1981

Prince Charming by Adam and the Ants

from Prince Charming   Prince Charming
201













✫1
UK
written by Adam Ant & Marco Pirroni
51.
02/1981

This Ole House by Shakin' Stevens

from Get Shakin'   Get Shakin'
201













✫1
UK
[Epic 02072]
written by Stuart Hamblen
52.
03/1981

Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz

from Bucks Fizz   Bucks Fizz
201













✫1
UK
[1981 Eurovision Song Contest winner]
[RCA 12242]
written by John Danter & Andy Hill
53.
06/1981

Ghost Town by The Specials

201













✫1
UK
written by Jerry Dammers
54.
11/1981

The Land of Make Believe by Bucks Fizz

from Are You Ready   Are You Ready
201













✫1
UK
written by Andy Hill & Peter Sinfield
55.
02/1981

Jealous Guy by Roxy Music

201













✫1
UK
[Atco 7329]
written by John Lennon
56.
10/1981

Begin the Beguine (Volver a Empezar) by Julio Iglesias

from De niña a mujer   
200













✫1
UK
written by Cole Porter
57.
02/1981

Rock This Town by Stray Cats

from Built for Speed   Built for Speed
200

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
58.
11/1981

Freeze-Frame by J. Geils Band

from Freeze Frame   Freeze Frame
199

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
59.
03/1981

Take It on the Run by REO Speedwagon

from Hi Infidelity   Hi Infidelity
199

5
US








6
rock
19
UK
[Epic 19-01054]
written by Gary Richrath
60.
09/1981

Oh No by The Commodores

from In the Pocket   In the Pocket
198

4
US
5
AC




5
R&B


44
UK
[Motown 1527]
written by Lionel Richie
61.
10/1981

Turn Your Love Around by George Benson

from The George Benson Collection   The George Benson Collection
196

5
US




32
dance
✫1
R&B


29
UK
[Warner 49846]
written by Bill Champlin, Jay Graydon & Steve Lukather
62.
07/1981

Stop Draggin' My Heart Around by Stevie Nicks

from Bella Donna   Bella Donna
194

3
US








2
rock
50
UK
with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
[Modern 7336]
written by Tom Petty & Mike Campbell
63.
07/1981

Urgent by Foreigner

from 4   4
192

4
US




32
dance


✫1
rock
54
UK
featuring Jr. Walker
[Atlantic 3831]
written by Mick Jones [Foreigner]
64.
01/1981

The Best of Times by Styx

from Paradise Theater   Paradise Theater
186

3
US
26
AC






16
rock
42
UK
[A&M 2300]
written by Dennis DeYoung
65.
03/1981

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

from A Woman Needs Love   A Woman Needs Love
185

4
US
11
AC




✫1
R&B




as Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio
[Arista 0592]
written by Ray Parker Jr
66.
07/1981

Medley II by Stars on 45/Starsound

183

67
US










2
UK
written by various
67.
07/1981

Who's Crying Now by Journey

from Escape   Escape
182

4
US
14
AC






4
rock
76
UK
[Columbia 02241 A]
written by Jonathan Cain & Steve Perry
68.
02/1981

Angel of the Morning by Juice Newton

from Juice   Juice
181

4
US
✫1
AC
22
country




57
rock


[Capitol 4976]
written by Chip Taylor
69.
11/1981

Shake It Up by The Cars

from Shake It Up   Shake It Up
180

4
US




14
dance


2
rock


charted as Shake It Up/Cruiser in US dance charts
[Elektra 47250]
written by Ric Ocasek
70.
06/1981

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

from There's No Gettin' Over Me   There's No Gettin' Over Me
179

5
US
2
AC
✫1
country








[RCA 12264]
written by Walt Aldridge & Tom Brasfield
71.
07/1981

Step by Step by Eddie Rabbitt

from Step by Step   Step by Step
176

5
US
3
AC
✫1
country








[Elektra 47174]
written by David Malloy, Eddie Rabbitt & Even Stevens
72.
11/1981

867-5309 / Jenny by Tommy Tutone

from Tommy Tutone-2   Tommy Tutone-2
175

4
US








✫1
rock


written by Alex Call & Jim Keller
73.
05/1981

You Drive Me Crazy by Shakin' Stevens

from Get Shakin'   Get Shakin'
173













2
UK
[Epic 02217]
written by Ronnie Harwood
74.
01/1981

Vienna by Ultravox

from Vienna   Vienna
173













2
UK
[Chrysalis 2515]
written by Warren Cann, Chris Cross, Billy Currie & Midge Ure
75.
09/1981

The Birdie Song by The Tweets

173













2
UK
[instrumental]
written by Werner Thomas
76.
10/1981

O Superman by Laurie Anderson

from Big Science   Big Science
173













2
UK
written by Laurie Anderson
77.
05/1981

More Than in Love by Kate Robbins & Beyond

173













2
UK
written by Barry Leng & Simon May
78.
09/1981

Invisible Sun by The Police

from Ghost in the Machine   Ghost in the Machine
173













2
UK
written by Sting
79.
07/1981

Happy Birthday by Stevie Wonder

from Hotter Than July   Hotter Than July
173













2
UK
[Tamla 54331 (u)]
written by Stevie Wonder
80.
09/1981

Happy Birthday by Altered Images

from Happy Birthday   Happy Birthday
173













2
UK
written by Johnny McElhone (as John McElhone), Clare Grogan, Tony McDaid (as Anthony McDaid) & Michael "Tich" Anderson (as Michael Anderson)
81.
04/1981

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

173













2
UK
[instrumental]
written by Ennio Morricone
82.
02/1981

Kings of the Wild Frontier by Adam and the Ants

from Kings of the Wild Frontier   Kings of the Wild Frontier
173













2
UK
[R]
written by Adam Ant & Marco Pirroni
83.
03/1981

You Better You Bet by The Who

from Face Dances   Face Dances
170

18
US








✫1
rock
9
UK
written by Pete Townshend
84.
04/1981

Elvira by The Oak Ridge Boys

from Fancy Free   Fancy Free
168

5
US
8
AC
✫1
country








[MCA 51084]
written by Dallas Frazier
85.
03/1981

Lately by Stevie Wonder

from Hotter Than July   Hotter Than July
165

64
US
33
AC




29
R&B


3
UK
[Tamla 54323]
written by Stevie Wonder
86.
01/1981

It's a Love Thing by The Whispers

from Imagination   Imagination
165

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
87.
12/1981

Spirits in the Material World by The Police

from Ghost in the Machine   Ghost in the Machine
164

11
US








7
rock
12
UK
written by Sting
88.
12/1981

It Must Be Love by Madness

163

33
US










4
UK
written by Labi Siffre
89.
10/1981

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

from Juice   Juice
161

7
US
✫1
AC
✫1
country








[Capitol 5046]
written by Otha Young
90.
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
160

5
US
✫1
AC










[Arista 0626]
written by Norman Saleet (as Norman Sallitt)
91.
01/1981

While You See a Chance by Steve Winwood

from Arc of a Diver   Arc of a Diver
159

7
US
17
AC






2
rock
45
UK
[Island 49656]
written by Steve Winwood & Will Jennings
92.
09/1981

Tryin' to Live My Life Without You by Bob Seger

from Nine Tonight   Nine Tonight
157

5
US








2
rock


[live]
written by Eugene Williams
93.
01/1981

I Surrender by Rainbow [British rock band]

from Difficult to Cure   Difficult to Cure
156

105
US








19
rock
3
UK
[Polydor 2163]
written by Russ Ballard
94.
01/1981

Hello Again by Neil Diamond

from The Jazz Singer   The Jazz Singer
156

6
US
3
AC








51
UK
[Capitol 4960]
written by Neil Diamond & Alan Lindgren
95.
07/1981

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

from Diamond   Diamond
153







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
151

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!
149







37
dance




3
UK
written by Philip Oakey & Ian Burden
98.
10/1981

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

from Tonight I'm Yours   Tonight I'm Yours
147

20
US








29
rock
8
UK
written by Rod Stewart, Jim Cregan & Kevin Savigar
99.
08/1981

Abacab by Genesis

from Abacab   Abacab
147

26
US




43
dance


4
rock
9
UK
written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins & Mike Rutherford
100.
08/1981

Wired for Sound by Cliff Richard

from Wired for Sound   Wired for Sound
146

71
US










4
UK
[EMI America 8095]
written by B. A. Robertson & Alan Tarney
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