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1981 in music

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List of years in music (table)
In radio
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
In television
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
+...

This is a list of notable events in music that took place in 1981.

Specific locations

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Specific genres

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Events

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January–April

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May–August

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September–December

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Also in 1981

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Bands formed

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Bands disbanded

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Albums released

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January

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Day Album Artist Notes
12 The Nature of the Beast April Wine [22]
15 In Our Lifetime Marvin Gaye -
Stands for Decibels The dB's -
16 Paradise Theatre Styx [23]
The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent UFO -
Radioland Nicolette Larson -
19 Take My Time Sheena Easton [24]
23 Kiss Me Deadly Generation X -
Trust Elvis Costello and the Attractions -
28 Healing Todd Rundgren -
Welcome to the Wrecking Ball! Grace Slick -
30 Captured Journey Live
? Turn Back Toto -
Mondo Bongo The Boomtown Rats -
...And Don't the Kids Just Love It Television Personalities -
Evangeline Emmylou Harris -
Frost and Fire Cirith Ungol -
Playing to Win Rick Nelson
There Must Be a Better World Somewhere B. B. King -
To the Bone Kris Kristofferson -

February

[edit]
Day Album Artist Notes
6 The Fool Circle Nazareth -
9 Difficult to Cure Rainbow [25]
12 Moving Pictures Rush -
13 Face Value Phil Collins solo debut
St. Valentine's Day Massacre Motör Headgirl School EP
Fire Down Under Riot -
16 Killers Iron Maiden [26]
17 Being with You Smokey Robinson -
To Love Again Diana Ross Compilation
20 Another Ticket Eric Clapton -
27 Point of Entry Judas Priest -
? Working Class Dog Rick Springfield -
Another One Rides the Bus "Weird Al" Yankovic EP
Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks Hanoi Rocks -
Atomkraft? Nein, Danke! Earthstar -
Coconut Telegraph Jimmy Buffett -
Feels So Right Alabama -
From the Tea-rooms of Mars .... Landscape -
Higher Plane Al Green -
Juice Juice Newton -
My Life in the Bush of Ghosts Brian EnoDavid Byrne -
Seven Year Ache Rosanne Cash -
Stray Cats Stray Cats -
The League of Gentlemen Robert Fripp and The League of Gentlemen -
Wild-Eyed Southern Boys 38 Special -

March

[edit]
Day Album Artist Notes
2 Intensities in 10 Cities Ted Nugent Live[27]
6 Journeys to Glory Spandau Ballet -
10 There Goes the Neighborhood Joe Walsh -
13 Never Too Late Status Quo -
We'll Bring the House Down Slade -
16 Breaker Accept -
Face Dances The Who -
20 Time Tells No Lies Praying Mantis -
26 Fancy Free The Oak Ridge Boys -
The Dude Quincy Jones -
27 Carl Wilson Carl Wilson -
30 Extended Play The Pretenders EP
31 Music for Stowaways British Electric Foundation -
? Chariots of Fire Vangelis Soundtrack
Dad Loves His Work James Taylor -
Directions Miles Davis -
Sucking in the Seventies The Rolling Stones Compilation
Franke & The Knockouts Franke & The Knockouts -
Grand Slam The Isley Brothers -
Hardware Krokus -
Honi Soit John Cale -
Long Play Album aka Stars on Long Play Stars on 45 -
Magnets The Vapors -
Nightwalker Gino Vannelli -
No Fun After Midnight A II Z EP
Party 'Til You're Broke Rufus -
Rock Away Phoebe Snow -
Short Note Matt Finish -
Solid Gold Gang of Four -
Somewhere Over the Rainbow Willie Nelson -
Waiata Split Enz -
White Lace & Black Leather Helix -

April

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Day Album Artist Notes
1 Reckoning Grateful Dead Live
Rock Steady with Flo & Eddie Flo & Eddie -
2 Modern Times Jefferson Starship -
6 Come an' Get It Whitesnake -
The DeBarges DeBarge -
Fun in Space Roger Taylor -
Prayers on Fire The Birthday Party -
The Completion Backward Principle The Tubes -
7 Street Songs Rick James -
10 Faith The Cure -
The Flowers of Romance Public Image Ltd. -
Spellbound Tygers of Pan Tang [28]
11 A Woman Needs Love Raydio -
13 Don't Say No Billy Squier -
Of Skins and Heart The Church -
14 The Electric Spanking of War Babies Funkadelic -
15 What Cha' Gonna Do for Me Chaka Khan -
17 Future Shock Gillan [29]
Go for It Stiff Little Fingers -
20 Hit and Run Girlschool -
Twangin... Dave Edmunds -
23 Where Do You Go When You Dream Anne Murray -
27 Slates The Fall EP
29 Fair Warning Van Halen -
Zebop! Santana -
?
Bad for Good Jim Steinman -
Dedication Gary U.S. Bonds -
El Rayo-X David Lindley -
Goddo Live: Best Seat in the House Goddo Live
Mistaken Identity Kim Carnes -
The Nightcomers Holocaust -
Punks Not Dead The Exploited -

May

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Day Album Artist Notes
1 Nick Mason's Fictitious Sports Nick Mason's Fictitious Sports [30]
5 Hard Promises Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers -
8 Shock Tactics Samson -
The One That You Love Air Supply -
11 Computer World Kraftwerk -
Balin Marty Balin -
Nightclubbing Grace Jones -
Shut Up 'n' Play Yer Guitar Frank Zappa Live
14 Breaking All the Rules Peter Frampton -
It Must Be Magic Teena Marie -
15 East Side Story Squeeze -
Long Distance Voyager The Moody Blues -
Talk Talk Talk The Psychedelic Furs [31]
18 Knights of the Sound Table Cameo -
20 Magnetic Fields Jean-Michel Jarre -
The Fox Elton John -
22 Anthem Toyah -
25 Hard 'n' Heavy Anvil -
29 Heaven Up Here Echo & the Bunnymen -
In Concert Amy Grant Live
Present Arms UB40 -
? Tinsel Town Rebellion Frank Zappa -
As Falls Wichita, so Falls Wichita Falls Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays -
Beyond the Valley of 1984 The Plasmatics -
Dedicated to Peter Kürten Whitehouse -
Look Out! 20/20 -
Mecca for Moderns The Manhattan Transfer -
Positive Touch The Undertones -
Quasimodo's Dream The Reels -
Red Black Uhuru -
Sondra The Sports -
Wild Gift X -

June

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Day Album Artist Notes
1 The Baron Johnny Cash -
5 Somewhere in England George Harrison -
8 Season of Glass Yoko Ono -
12 Black & White The Pointer Sisters -
15 Duran Duran Duran Duran Debut
Love Songs Cliff Richard -
16 Made in America The Carpenters -
19 Jumpin' Jive Joe Jackson -
Juju Siouxsie & the Banshees -
Only a Lad Oingo Boingo -
29 Kim Wilde Kim Wilde Debut
30 As Far as Siam Red Rider -
Breakin' Away Al Jarreau -
? The Visitor Mick Fleetwood -
No Sleep 'til Hammersmith Motörhead Live
Children of Paradise – The Greatest Hits of Boney M. – Vol. 2 Boney M. Compilation
Magic, Murder and the Weather Magazine -
Cut Lunch Models EP
Deuce Kurtis Blow -
Fire of Unknown Origin Blue Öyster Cult -
Fresh Fruit in Foreign Places Kid Creole and the Coconuts -
Here Comes the Night David Johansen -
In the Pocket Commodores -
I've Got the Rock'n'Rolls Again The Joe Perry Project -
Party Iggy Pop -
A Product Of... (Participation) Thompson Twins -
Reflector Pablo Cruise -
Renaissance Village People -
RocKihnRoll The Greg Kihn Band -
Share Your Love Kenny Rogers -
Six Pack Black Flag EP
Some Days Are Diamonds John Denver -
Wanted Dread And Alive Peter Tosh -
Wha'ppen? The Beat -
What's THIS For...! Killing Joke -

July

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Day Album Artist Notes
3 4 Foreigner -
The Friends of Mr Cairo Jon and Vangelis -
6 High 'n' Dry Def Leppard -
Precious Time Pat Benatar -
8 Beauty and the Beat The Go-Go's -
20 Escape Journey -
El Loco ZZ Top -
Pleasant Dreams The Ramones -
27 Bella Donna Stevie Nicks Solo Debut
KooKoo Debbie Harry Solo Debut
Bucks Fizz Bucks Fizz Debut
28 You Want It You Got It Bryan Adams -
29 The Time The Time Debut
31 Time Electric Light Orchestra -
Step by Step Eddie Rabbitt -
? Blue and Gray Poco -
Document and Eyewitness Wire -
Dexterity Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons -
Dreamtime Tom Verlaine -
Endless Love Various Artists Soundtrack
Freetime Spyro Gyra -
Girls to Chat and Boys to Bounce Foghat -
Heavy Metal Soundtrack Various Artists Soundtrack
Hoy-Hoy! Little Feat Compilation
It's a Condition Romeo Void -
The Man with the Horn Miles Davis -
Marauder Blackfoot -
Night of the Demon Demon -
Party Mix! The B-52's Remix
Pirates Rickie Lee Jones -
The Pirates of Penzance Broadway Cast Album Various Artists Broadway cast recording
Sirocco Australian Crawl -
Three Quartets Chick Corea -
Walking Wild New England -
Was (Not Was) Was (Not Was) Debut
Whomp That Sucker Sparks -
Word of Mouth Jaco Pastorius -

August

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Day Album Artist Notes
7 Pretenders II The Pretenders [32]
10 Friday Night in San Francisco Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucía Live
12 Shot of Love Bob Dylan -
Never Too Much Luther Vandross Debut
18 Dark Continent Wall of Voodoo -
20 Love All the Hurt Away Aretha Franklin -
21 Sleep No More The Comsat Angels -
24 Tattoo You The Rolling Stones -
25 Scissors Cut Art Garfunkel -
Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash The Replacements Debut
26 Dead Set Grateful Dead Live
New Traditionalists Devo -
28 Alive Alone Mickey Thomas -
The Spirit's in It Patti LaBelle -
31 Fire of Love The Gun Club -
? Brothers of the Road The Allman Brothers Band -
Signals, Calls, and Marches Mission of Burma EP
Torch Carly Simon -
Give the People What They Want The Kinks -
Heartbreak Radio Rita Coolidge -
The Innocent Age Dan Fogelberg -
Joy The Minutemen EP
King Cool Donnie Iris -
Level 42 Level 42 -
The Pressure Is On Hank Williams, Jr. -
Short Back 'n' Sides Ian Hunter -
Simplicity Tim Curry -
Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call Simple Minds -
There's No Gettin' Over Me Ronnie Milsap -
Time Exposure Little River Band -
Whitford/St. Holmes Brad Whitford and Derek St. Holmes -

September

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Day Album Artist Notes
2 1234 Ronnie Wood -
4 Dead Ringer Meat Loaf -
Dance Gary Numan -
Special Forces Alice Cooper -
Strait Country George Strait -
Why Do Fools Fall in Love Diana Ross -
7 Burning Blue Soul Matt Johnson The The singer
11 Rage in Eden Ultravox -
14 Maiden Japan Iron Maiden Live EP
Songs in the Attic Billy Joel Live
Wired for Sound Cliff Richard -
18 Abacab Genesis [33]
21 You Could Have Been with Me Sheena Easton -
23 You Are What You Is Frank Zappa -
24 Something Special Kool & the Gang -
25 Denim and Leather Saxon [34]
Wild Things The Creatures EP
? Allied Forces Triumph -
Boonoonoonoos Boney M. -
Buchenwald Whitehouse -
Camouflage Rufus -
Cats & Dogs Mental As Anything -
Dangerous Acquaintances Marianne Faithfull -
Deaf You've Got Foetus on Your Breath -
Gosh It's... Bad Manners -
Grand Funk Lives Grand Funk Railroad -
Happy Birthday Altered Images -
Hooligans The Who Compilation
If I Should Love Again Barry Manilow -
Kix Kix -
Lord Upminster Ian Dury -
Love Byrd Donald Byrd and 125th St, NYC -
Magic Windows Herbie Hancock -
Mark of the Mole The Residents -
MSG Michael Schenker Group -
Nine Tonight Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band Live
Penthouse and Pavement Heaven 17 -
Private Eyes Hall & Oates -
Red Mecca Cabaret Voltaire -
Rock Until You Drop Raven -
Snaz Nazareth Live
Sunnyboys Sunnyboys -
Too Late the Hero John Entwistle -
Walk Under Ladders Joan Armatrading -
Wanna Be a Star Chilliwack -

October

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Day Album Artist Notes
2 Discipline King Crimson -
Ghost in the Machine The Police -
In the Garden Eurythmics Debut
7 Madness -
5 Kollaps Einstürzende Neubauten -
Speak & Spell Depeche Mode -
7 Get Lucky Loverboy -
8 Looking Back with Love Mike Love solo debut
9 Still Joy Division Compilation
12 October U2 -
14 Controversy Prince -
16 Mask Bauhaus -
Dare The Human League -
19 Underneath the Colours INXS -
21 Bobby and the Midnites Bobby and the Midnites -
23 Almost Blue Elvis Costello and the Attractions -
26 Freeze Frame The J. Geils Band -
Greatest Hits Queen Compilation
29 Exit...Stage Left Rush Live
? The Best of Blondie Blondie Compilation
Diary of a Madman Ozzy Osbourne [35]
Law and Order Lindsey Buckingham -
Sonic Attack Hawkwind -
Don't Stop Billy Idol EP
Camera Camera Renaissance -
Premonition Survivor -
Present Arms in Dub UB40 Remix
Big City Merle Haggard -
Chances Are Bob Marley & the Wailers Compilation of previously unreleased material
Christmas Album Boney M. Christmas
Circle of Love Steve Miller Band -
Coup de Grâce Mink DeVille -
Face to Face GQ -
Fourth Drawer Down Associates -
Gonna Ball Stray Cats -
Inside You The Isley Brothers -
Living Eyes Bee Gees -
Local and/or General Models -
Love Is Only Feeling Donovan -
Physical Olivia Newton-John -
Quarterflash Quarterflash -
Round Trip The Knack -
See Jungle! See Jungle! Go Join Your Gang, Yeah. City All Over! Go Ape Crazy Bow Wow Wow -
The Sound of the Sand and Other Songs of the Pedestrian David Thomas
& the Pedestrians
-
Strictly Personal The Romantics -
Tom Tom Club Tom Tom Club -
Wrap It! Doug and the Slugs -

November

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Day Album Artist Notes
2 Prince Charming Adam and the Ants -
Re·ac·tor Neil Young and Crazy Horse -
4 Mob Rules Black Sabbath US
6 Architecture & Morality Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark -
Shake It Up The Cars -
Tonight I'm Yours Rod Stewart -
Great Gonzos! The Best of Ted Nugent Ted Nugent Compilation
9 Business as Usual Men at Work Australia, debut
La Folie The Stranglers -
On the Way to the Sky Neil Diamond -
10 Too Fast for Love Mötley Crüe -
Music from "The Elder" Kiss -
Memories Barbra Streisand Compilation +3 new tracks
11 The Jacksons Live! The Jacksons Live
13 Movement New Order -
Till Deaf Do Us Part Slade -
Tin Drum Japan -
14 Raise! Earth, Wind & Fire -
15 Renegade Thin Lizzy -
16 Changestwobowie David Bowie Compilation
Take It Off Chic -
20 Stop and Smell the Roses Ringo Starr -
23 I Love Rock 'n' Roll Joan Jett & the Blackhearts -
A Collection of Great Dance Songs Pink Floyd Compilation with alternate mixes
The Catherine Wheel David Byrne -
Christmas Album Boney M. -
27 For Those About to Rock We Salute You AC/DC -
Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret Soft Cell -
Ten Out of 10 10cc -
30 Bad Religion Bad Religion EP
Best of the Blues Brothers The Blues Brothers Compilation
The Visitors ABBA -
? Crazy Nights Tygers Of Pan Tang -
Adventures in Modern Recording The Buggles -
In Concert Volume Two Amy Grant Live
The Ascension Glenn Branca -
Christmas Wishes Anne Murray Christmas
From the Lions Mouth The Sound -
Pearls Elkie Brooks -
The Poet Bobby Womack -
She Shot Me Down Frank Sinatra -
Still the Same Ole Me George Jones -
Take No Prisoners Molly Hatchet -

December

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Day Album Artist Notes
7 Ten Years of Harmony The Beach Boys Compilation
15 LC The Durutti Column -
30 For Those Who Think Young Rough Trade -
? Damaged Black Flag -
Drop Down and Get Me Del Shannon -
The Best of Top of the Pops '81 Top of the Poppers -
The Blasters The Blasters -
In God We Trust, Inc. Dead Kennedys EP
Peter Cetera Peter Cetera -
Small Change Prism -
Welcome to Hell Venom -
Wilder The Teardrop Explodes -

Release date unknown

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Biggest hit singles

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The following songs achieved the highest chart positions in the charts of 1981.[36]

# Artist Title Year Country Chart Entries
1 Kim Carnes Bette Davis Eyes 1981 United States US BB 1 – April 1981, Canada 1 – April 1981, France 1 – June 1981, Switzerland 1 – June 1981, Norway 1 – June 1981, Germany 1 – June 1981, Australia 1 for 5 weeks May 1982, Grammy in 1981, US CashBox 2 of 1981, Austria 2 – July 1981, South Africa 2 of 1981, Sweden (alt) 4 – May 1981, Italy 5 of 1981, Australia 6 of 1981, UK 10 – May 1981, Netherlands 16 – May 1981, RYM 16 of 1981, Germany 18 of the 1980s, OzNet 45, Scrobulate 66 of 80s, RIAA 268, Acclaimed 738
2 Soft Cell Tainted Love 1981 United Kingdom UK 1 – August 1981, Canada 1 – November 1981, France 1 – August 1981, Australia 1 for 3 weeks January 1983, Austria 2 – December 1981, Switzerland 2 – November 1981, Germany 2 – January 1982, Scrobulate 2 of 80s, Australia 3 of 1982, Sweden (alt) 4 – October 1981, RYM 4 of 1981, Netherlands 5 – October 1981, South Africa 5 of 1982, US BB 8 – May 1982, US BB 15 of 1982, POP 18 of 1982, Germany 37 of the 1980s, KROQ 38 of 1982, Virgin 41, US CashBox 50 of 1982, Party 142 of 2007, Acclaimed 163, Belgium 242 of all time, OzNet 451, WXPN 745
3 Phil Collins In the Air Tonight 1981 United Kingdom Netherlands 1 – February 1981, Sweden (alt) 1 – February 1981, Austria 1 – April 1981, Switzerland 1 – April 1981, UK 2 – January 1981, France 2 – March 1981, Germany 2 – March 1981, Canada 3 – June 1981, Norway 4 – March 1981, OzNet 7, Poland 12 – August 1982, Europe 13 of the 1980s, RYM 15 of 1981, POP 16 of 1981, US BB 19 – July 1981, Australia 23 of 1981, Italy 23 of 1981, US BB 27 of 1981, Germany 44 of the 1980s, Scrobulate 60 of pop, TheQ 87, Belgium 230 of all time, Acclaimed 1238
4 John Lennon Woman 1981 United Kingdom UK 1 – January 1981, Canada 1 – January 1981, Republic of Ireland 1 – February 1981, New Zealand 1 for 5 weeks February 1981, US BB 2 – January 1981, Switzerland 2 – March 1981, Austria 4 – March 1981, Norway 5 – February 1981, France 7 – March 1981, Germany 7 – February 1981, US CashBox 16 of 1981, Sweden (alt) 18 – February 1981, Netherlands 21 – March 1981, RYM 22 of 1981, US BB 30 of 1981, Italy 34 of 1981, POP 34 of 1981, Virgin 59, OzNet 139, Germany 213 of the 1980s
5 Stars On 45 Stars On 45 Medley 1981 Netherlands US BB 1 – May 1981, Netherlands 1 – January 1981, Austria 1 – May 1981, Switzerland 1 – May 1981, Germany 1 – March 1981, New Zealand 1 for 7 weeks June 1981, Australia 1 for 4 weeks June 1982, UK 2 – April 1981, Australia 2 of 1981, Germany 5 of the 1980s, Sweden (alt) 7 – June 1981, US CashBox 13 of 1981, Italy 54 of 1981

Chronological table of US and UK and Japan Number One hit singles

[edit]

US Number One singles and artist
(Weeks at Number One)

UK Number One singles and artist
(Weeks at Number One)

Japanese Oricon Number One singles and artist
(Weeks at Number One)

Chronological table of US and UK Number One hit albums

[edit]

US Number One album and artist
(Weeks at Number One)

UK Number One album and artist
(Weeks at Number One)

Top 40 Chart hit singles

[edit]
Song title Artist(s) Release date(s) US UK Highest chart position Other Chart Performance(s)
"'65 Love Affair" Paul Davis December 1981 6 n/a 6 (United States) See chart performance entry
"9 to 5 (Morning Train)" Sheena Easton February 1981 1 3 1 (4 countries) See chart performance entry
"Abacab" Genesis August 1981 26 9 3 (South Africa) See chart performance entry
"Absolute Beginners" The Jam October 1981 n/a 4 4 (United Kingdom) 35 (New Zealand)
"America" Neil Diamond April 1981 8 n/a 8 (United Kingdom) 1 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 10 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 15 (Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 45 (Canada RPM Top Singles)
"Angel of the Morning" Juice Newton February 1981 4 43 1 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"Antmusic" Adam & the Ants January 1981 n/a 2 1 (Australia) See chart performance entry
"Arc of a Diver" Steve Winwood April 1981 48 n/a 19 (Canada) 11 (US Billboard Rock Albums & Top Tracks)
"Atlanta Lady (Something About Your Love)" Marty Balin August 1981 27 n/a n/a 11 (US Billboard Adult Contemporary)
"Backfired" Debbie Harry July 1981 43 32 16 (Sweden) See chart performance entry
"Being With You" Smokey Robinson January 1981 2 1 1 (New Zealand, United Kingdom) See chart performance entry
"Bette Davis Eyes" Kim Carnes March 1981 1 10 1 (9 countries) See chart performance entry
"Blessed Are the Believers" Anne Murray March 1981 34 n/a 13 (Canada) 1 (Canadian RPM Country Tracks, Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks, U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs) - 10 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary)
"The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" The Greg Kihn Band March 1981 15 n/a 14 (Australia) 5 (U.S. Billboard Rock Albums & Top Tracks)
"Burnin' For You" Blue Öyster Cult July 1981 40 76 40 (United States) 1 (U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart) - 47 (Canada)
"Cambodia" Kim Wilde November 1981 n/a 12 1 (France, Sweden, Switzerland) See chart performance entry
"Can You Feel It" The Jacksons February 1981 77 6 1 (Belgium, South Africa) See chart performance entry
"Centerfold" The J. Geils Band September 1981 1 3 1 (Australia, Canada, United States) See chart performance entry
"Chant No. 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On)" Spandau Ballet July 1981 n/a 3 3 (United Kingdom) See chart performance entry
"Chariots of Fire" Vangelis March 1981 1 12 1 (United States) See chart performances entry
"Chequered Love" Kim Wilde April 1981 n/a 4 1 (South Africa) See chart performances entry
"Controversy" Prince September 1981 70 n/a 1 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs) - 3 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 15 (Australia) 28 (Netherlands [Dutch Singles Chart])
"Cool Night" Paul Davis October 1981 11 n/a 11 (United States) 2 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary)
"Counting The Beat" The Swingers March 1981 n/a n/a 1 (Australia, New Zealand) n/a
"Crying" Don McLean January 1981 5 1 1 (Belgium, Netherlands [Dutch Top 40], United Kingdom See chart performance entry
"Der Kommissar" Falco December 1981 n/a n/a 1 (4 countries) See chart performance entry
"Don't Let Him Go" REO Speedwagon May 1981 24 n/a 2 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"Don't Stop Believin'" Journey October 1981 9 62 9 (United States) 8 (U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock) - 9 (U.S. Billboard Adult contemporary) - 9 (Canada) - 50 (Netherlands [Single Top 100]) - 62 (United Kingdom) - 100 (Australia)
"Don't You Want Me" The Human League November 1981 1 1 1 (8 countries) See chart performance entry
"Elvira" The Oak Ridge Boys March 1981 5 n/a 5 (United States) See chart performance entry
"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" The Police November 1981 3 1 1 (4 countries) See chart performance entry
"Every Woman in the World" Air Supply January 1981 5 n/a 3 (Canada) 2 (U.S. Billboard Adult contemporary) - 3 (U.S. Record World) - 7 (New Zealand) - 8 (Australia) - 9 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100)
"Fade to Grey" Visage January 1981 n/a 8 1 (Switzerland, West Germany) See chart performance entry
"Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)" Haircut One Hundred October 1981 n/a 4 4 (United Kingdom) 97 (Australia)
"Fire" U2 August 1981 n/a 35 4 (Ireland) n/a
"Fire and Ice" Pat Benatar July 1981 17 n/a 3 (New Zealand) 2 (U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock) - 4 (Canada) - 30 (Australia)
"For Your Eyes Only" Sheena Easton June 1981 4 8 1 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]/[Single Top 100], Norway, Switzerland) See chart performance entry
"Games People Play" Alan Parsons Project January 1981 16 n/a 9 (Canada) 95 (Australia)
"Gemini Dream" The Moody Blues May 1981 12 n/a 1 (Canada) 12 (U.S. Mainstream Rock) - 13 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 36 (Australia) - 36 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs)
"Genius of Love" Tom Tom Club September 1981 31 65 26 (Belgium) 1 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs) - 2 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 28 (New Zealand)
"Girls on Film" Duran Duran July 1981 n/a 5 1 (Portugal) 4 (New Zealand) - 11 (Australia) - 15 (Sweden) - 16 (Ireland)
"Give It to Me Baby" Rick James February 1981 40 47 40 (United States) 1 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 1 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs) - 34 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100)
"Gloria" U2 October 1981 n/a 55 10 (Ireland) 15 (New Zealand) - 32 (Australia)
"Good Year for the Roses" Elvis Costello and the Attractions September 1981 n/a 6 6 (United Kingdom) 11 (Netherlands [Dutch top 40]) - 25 (Belgium) - 34 (Australia)
"Happy Birthday" Altered Images August 1981 n/a 2 2 (United Kingdom, South Africa) 3 (Ireland) - 16 (Sweden) - 23 (Australia) - 56 (West Germany)
"Harden My Heart" Quarterflash September 1981 3 49 3 (United States) 5 (Switzerland) - 6 (Australia) - 12 (New Zealand) - 15 (Austria) - 41 (U.S. Billboard Adult contemporary) - 51 (West Germany)
"Hearts" Marty Balin May 1981 8 n/a 4 (Canada) 9 (U.S. Billboard Adult contemporary) - 9 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 11 (Canada RPM Top Singles) - 19 (France) - 20 (U.S. Billboard Top Rock Tracks)
"Hearts on Fire" Randy Meisner January 1981 19 n/a 19 (United States) 34 (Canada)
"Hell's Bells" AC/DC February 1981 n/a n/a 7 (Australia) 16 (France) - 25 (Germany) - 50 (U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock)
"Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You)" Air Supply August 1981 5 n/a 5 (United States) 1 (U.S. Billboard Adult contemporary) - 5 (Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 5 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 43 (Australia)
"Hill Street Blues" Mike Post August 1981 10 n/a 10 (United States) 4 (U.S. Billboard Adult contemporary)
"History Never Repeats" Split Enz March 1981 n/a 63 4 (Australia) 5 (New Zealand) - 33 (U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock)
"Hold On Tight" Electric Light Orchestra July 1981 10 4 1 (Spain, Switzerland) See chart performance entry
"How 'Bout Us" Champaign February 1981 12 5 1 (Belgium, Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]/[Singles Top 100] See chart performance entry
"I Ain't Gonna Stand for It" Stevie Wonder January 1981 11 10 2 (New Zealand) See chart performance entry
"I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)" Hall & Oates November 1981 1 8 1 (United States) See chart performance entry
"I Could Never Miss You (More Than I Do)" Lulu July 1981 18 62 3 (New Zealand) 10 (Canada) - 71 (Australia)
"I Don't Need You" Kenny Rogers June 1981 3 n/a 2 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"I Go to Sleep" The Pretenders November 1981 n/a 7 4 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) 6 (Belgium) - 9 (Netherlands [Single Top 100] - 28 (New Zealand)
"I Love You" Climax Blues Band February 1981 12 n/a 14 (Canada) 9 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 20 (U.S. Billboard Adult contemporary) - 30 (Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary) - 59 (Australian)
"I Made It Through the Rain" Barry Manilow January 1981 10 37 20 (Ireland) 4 (U.S. Billboard Adult contemporary) - 18 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100)
"I Missed Again" Phil Collins February 1981 19 14 6 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"I Will Follow" U2 August 1981* n/a n/a 34 (New Zealand) 20 (U.S. Billboard Top Tracks) - 71 (Australia) *song released in October 1980
"I Surrender" Rainbow February 1981 50 3 1 (Finland) See chart performance entry
"I Want to Be Free" Toyah May 1981 n/a 8 8 (United Kingdom) 1 (UK Independent Singles Chart) - 10 (Ireland) - 10 (South Africa) - 30 (New Zealand) - 35 (Australia) - 61 (West Germany)
"I Wouldn't Have Missed It for the World" Ronnie Milsap October 1981 20 n/a 20 1 (U.S. Hot Country Songs, Canadian RPM Country Tracks, Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 3 (U.S. Billboard Adult contemporary) - 57 (Australia)
"If Leaving Me Is Easy" Phil Collins May 1981 n/a 17 17 (United Kingdom) 61 (Germany)
"If You Leave Me, Can I Come Too?" Mental As Anything May 1981 n/a n/a 4 (Australia) 16 (New Zealand)
"I'm in Love" Evelyn King June 1981 40 27 27 (United Kingdom) 1 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles, U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs) - 33 (U.S. Record World) - 44 (U.S. Cash Box)
"In the Air Tonight" Phil Collins June 1981 19 2 (6 countries) See chart performance entry
"In the Dark" Billy Squier August 1981 35 n/a 22 (Canada) 7 (U.S. Billboard Top Rock Tracks)
"Intuition" Linx February 1981 n/a 7 7 (United Kingdom) 10 (Ireland) - 38 (Netherlands [Single Top 100]) - 69 (Australia)
"Invisible Sun" The Police September 1981 n/a 2 2 (United Kingdom) 5 (Netherlands [Single Top 100]) - 89 (Australia)
"Is That Love" Squeeze May 1981 n/a 35 1 (Israel) 25 (Ireland)
"It Must Be Love" Madness November 1981 33 4 4 (United Kingdom) 5 (Ireland) - 6 (Australia) - 43 (Netherlands [Single Top 100])
"It Must Be Magic" Teena Marie May 1981 23 n/a 23 (United Kingdom) 2 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles)
"I've Done Everything for You" Rick Springfield February 1981 8 n/a 8 (United States) 19 (Canada RPM Charts) - 31 (Australia) - 40 (Canada)
"Jessie's Girl" Rick Springfield February 1981 1 n/a 1 (Australia, United States) 1 (U.S. Cash Box, U.S. Record World) - 6 (Canada) - 10 (U.S. Mainstream Rock) 21 (New Zealand)
"Jukebox Hero" Foreigner October 1981 26 48 7 (South Africa) 24 (Germany) - 34 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 39 (Canada) - 53 (Australia)
"Just Between You and Me" April Wine February 1981 21 52 21 (United States) 22 (Canada)
"Just Can't Get Enough" Depeche Mode September 1981 n/a 8 4 (Australia) 1 (UK Independent Singles Chart) - 14 (Sweden) - 16 (Ireland) - 18 (Spain) - 26 (U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs) - 29 (New Zealand) - 30 (Belgium)
"Just the Two of Us" Grover Washington, Jr. February 1981 2 34 2 (United States) See chart performance entry
"Kids in America" Kim Wilde January 1981 25 2 1 (Finland, South African) See chart performance entry
"Kiss on My List" Hall & Oates January 1981 1 33 1 (United States) 7 (Canada) - 13 (Australia) - 16 (U.S. Billboard Adult contemporary) - 33 (New Zealand) - 54 (U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock)
"Labelled with Love" Squeeze September 1981 n/a 4 2 (Ireland) 46 (Netherlands [Single Top 100])
"Leader of the Band" Dan Fogelberg November 1981 9 n/a 9 (United States) 1 (U.S. Billboard Adult contemporary) - 35 (U.S. Billboard Top Pop Singles)
"Leather and Lace" Stevie Nicks and Don Henley October 1981 6 n/a 6 (United States) See chart performance entry
"Let's Get It Up" AC/DC December 1981 n/a n/a 18 (Sweden) 33 (West Germany) - 73 (Australia)
"Let's Groove" Earth, Wind & Fire September 1981 3 3 2 (France, New Zealand) See chart performance entry
"Limelight" Rush February 1981 55 n/a 18 (Canada) 4 (U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock)
"A Little in Love" Cliff Richard January 1981 17 15 4 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"Living Inside Myself" Gino Vannelli March 1981 6 n/a 6 (United States) See chart performance entry
"Lock Up Your Daughters" Slade September 1981 n/a 29 19 (Netherlands [Dutch Singles Chart]) n/a
"Love Action (I Believe in Love)" The Human League July 1981 n/a 3 3 (United Kingdom) 11 (Ireland) - 12 (Australia) - 21 (New Zealand)
"Love is Alright Tonite" Rick Springfield August 1981 20 n/a 20 (United Kingdom) 26 (Canada RPM Top Singles) - 40 (U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock)
"Love on a Two-Way Street" Stacy Lattisaw June 1981 26 n/a 26 (United States) 2 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 19 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 23 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 26 (U.S. Billboard Hot 100) - 39 (Canada)
"Message of Love" The Pretenders February 1981 n/a 11 9 (Ireland) 5 (U.S. Billboard Top Rock Tracks) - 15 (Australia) - 33 (Netherlands) - 44 (U.S. Billboard Dance/Disco)
"The Model" Kraftwerk November 1981 n/a 1 1 (United Kingdom) 4 (Ireland) - 7 (West Germany) - 20 (Finland) - 33 (Australia)
*"Modern Girl" Sheena Easton May 1981 18 8 8 (United Kingdom) [[Modern Girl (Sheena Easton song)#Charts|]]
"More Than I Can Say" Leo Sayer January 1981 2 2 1 (Australia) 1 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 2 (Ireland, South Africa) - 3 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 5 (New Zealand) - 7 (Canada) [1980 overlap]
"Musclebound" b/w "Glow" Spandau Ballet March 1981 n/a 10 10 (United Kingdom) 18 (Ireland) - 32 (Netherlands [Single Top 100)] - 97 (Australia)
"Never Too Much" Luther Vandross October 1981 33 13 13 (United Kingdom) 1 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 4 (U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs) - 18 (Ireland) - 47 (New Zealand)
"New Life" Depeche Mode June 1981 n/a 11 11 (United Kingdom) 1 (UK Independent Singles chart) - 22 (Ireland) - 29 (U.S. Billboard Dance Clubs Songs)
"O Superman" Laurie Anderson October 1981 n/a 2 2 (United Kingdom) See chart performance entry
"Oh No" The Commodores September 1981 4 44 3 (Canada) 5 (U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 5 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 51 (Australia)
"Once in a Lifetime" Talking Heads January 1981 n/a 14 14 (United Kingdom) 16 (Ireland) - 23 (Australia) - 24 (Netherlands [Dutch Singles Chart]) - 28 (Canada) - 103 (U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100)
"One in Ten" UB40 August 1981 n/a 7 7 United Kingdom) 87 Australia)
"One of Us" ABBA December 1981 n/a 3 1 (6 countries) See chart performance entry
"Open Your Heart" The Human League October 1981 n/a 6 6 (United Kingdom) 8 (Ireland) - 12 (Belgium) - 20 (Netherlands [Single Top 100)] - 43 (New Zealand)
"Our Lips Are Sealed" The Go-Go's June 1981 20 47 2 (Australia) See chart performance entry
"Ooa hela natten" Attack 1981 n/a n/a 1 (Sweden) 2 (Norway)
"Pac-Man Fever" Buckner & Garcia December 1981 9 n/a 9 (Canada, United States) 7 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100)
"Physical" Olivia Newton-John September 1981 1 7 1 (Australia, Belgium, Canada, New Zealand) See chart performance entry
"Planet Earth" Duran Duran February 1981 n/a 12 8 (Australia) 1 (French Airplay Chart) - 14 (Ireland) - 70 (France)
"Queen of Hearts" Juice Newton June 1981 2 n/a 2 (South Africa, United States) See chart performance entry
"Rapture" Blondie January 1981 1 5 1 (United States) See chart performance entry
"The River" Bruce Springsteen May 1981 n/a n/a 5 (Norway) 5 (Norway) – 10 (Sweden) - 24 (Ireland) – 25 (Netherlands) – 35 (UK Singles Chart)
"Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution" AC/DC November 1980
(Charted in 1981)
n/a 15 7 (Australia) 15 (Ireland)
"Rock This Town" Stray Cats January 1981 9 9 3 (Belgium) See chart performance entry
"Sat in Your Lap" Kate Bush June 1981 n/a 11 11 (United Kingdom) 18 (Ireland) - 25 (Italy) - 30 (Spain) - 32 (Netherlands) - 93 (Australia)
"Shake It Up" The Cars November 1981 4 n/a 3 (Netherlands) See chart performance entry
"She's a Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)" Carl Carlton August 1981 22 34 22 (United States) 2 (US Billboard Soul Singles) - 23 (US Cash Box Top 100) - 27 (New Zealand)
"Should I Do It" The Pointer Sisters December 1981 12 50 6 (Belgium) See Chart performance entry
"(Si Si) Je Suis un Rock Star" Bill Wyman September 1981 n/a 14 5 (Australia) 6 (New Zealand) - 14 (Netherlands) - 20 (Belgium)
"Slow Hand" The Pointer Sisters May 1981 2 10 2 (3 countries) See Chart performance entry
"Souvenir" Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark August 1981 n/a 3 1 (Portugal, Spain) See Chart performance entry
"Spirits in the Material World" The Police December 1981 11 12 4 (France) See Chart performance entry
"Start Me Up" The Rolling Stones August 1981 2 7 1 (Australia) See Chart performance entry
"Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" Stevie Nicks with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers July 1981 3 50 3 (United States) 2 (U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock) - 4 (South Africa) - 5 (Canada) - 10 (Australia) - 11 (New Zealand) - 43 (Netherlands [Single Top 100)
"Stray Cat Strut" Stray Cats April 1981 3
(Charted in 1982)
11 3 (Canada, United States) 3 (US Cash Box Top 100) - 8 (Ireland) - 30 (South Africa) - 41 (US Billboard Mainstream Rock) - 78 (US Billboard Disco/Dance)
"The Stroke" Billy Squier May 1981 17 52 3 (Austria, United States) See Chart performance entry
"Sukiyaki" A Taste of Honey March 1981 3 n/a 3 (New Zealand, United States) See Chart performance entry
"Super Freak" Rick James August 1981 16 n/a 2 (Belgium, Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]) See Chart performance entry
"Sweetheart" Franke and the Knockouts March 1981 10 n/a 10 (United States) See Chart performance entry
"Take It on the Run" REO Speedwagon March 1981 5 19 2 (Canada) See Chart performance entry
"Tempted" Squeeze July 1981 49 41 41 (United Kingdom) 8 (US Billboard Mainstream Rock) - 45 (Canada) - 95 (Australia)
"Theme from The Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not)" Joey Scarbury May 1981 2 n/a 1 (New Zealand) See chart performance entry
"(There's) No Gettin' Over Me" Ronnie Milsap June 1981 5 n/a 5 (United States) See chart performance entry
"The Thin Wall" Ultravox April 1981 11 43 7 (Canada) 5 (US Billboard Mainstream Rock) - 7 (US Cash Box Top 100) - 11 (New Zealand)
"This Little Girl" Gary U.S. Bonds May 1981 n/a 14 14 (United Kingdom) 16 (Ireland) - 95 (Australia)
"Tom Sawyer" Rush August 1981 44 25 24 (Canada) 8 (US Billboard Mainstream Rock)
"Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me)" Rod Stewart October 1981 20 8 2 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"Too Much Time on My Hands" Styx February 1981 9 n/a 4 (Canada) 67 (Australia)
"Turn Me Loose" Loverboy February 1981 35 n/a 3 (Australia) 4 (South Africa) - 5 (New Zealand) - 6 (US Billboard Top Rock Tracks) - 7 (Canada)
"Turn Your Love Around" George Benson October 1981 5 29 5 (United States) See chart performance entry
"Two Hearts" Stephanie Mills & Teddy Pendergrass January 1981 40 49 40 (United States) 3 (US Billboard Hot Soul Singles) - 46 (New Zealand) - 82 (US Billboard Disco Top 100)
"Urgent" Foreigner June 1981 4 54 1 (Canada, South Africa) See chart performance entry
"Vienna" Ultravox January 1981 n/a 2 1 (3 countries) See chart performance entry
"The Voice" The Moody Blues July 1981 15 n/a 9 (Canada) 1 (US Billboard Mainstream Rock) - 15 (US Cash Box Top 100) - 16 (US Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 46 (Netherlands) - 91 (Australia)
"The Waiting" Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers April 1981 19 n/a 6 (Canada) 1 (US Billboard Top Tracks) - 14 (US Cash Box Top 100) - 27 (New Zealand)
"Waiting for a Girl Like You" Foreigner October 1981 2 8 2 (Canada, United States) See chart performance entry
"Waiting on a Friend" The Rolling Stones February 1981 13 50 10 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"Walking on Thin Ice" Yoko Ono November 1981 58 35 6 (Sweden) See chart performance entry
"Watching the Wheels" John Lennon March 1981 10 30 3 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"We Got the Beat" The Go-Go's July 1981 2 n/a 2 (United States) See chart performance entry
"Wedding Bells" Godley & Creme November 1981 n/a 7 7 (United Kingdom) See chart performance entry
"While You See a Chance" Steve Winwood February 1981 7 45 3 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"Who Can It Be Now?" Men at Work May 1981 1
(Charted in 1982)
45 1 (Israel, United States) See chart performance entry
"Who's Crying Now" Journey July 1981 4 46 4 (United States) See chart performance entry
"Why Do Fools Fall in Love" Diana Ross September 1981 7 4 1 (Belgium, Netherlands) See chart performance entry
"Wired for Sound" Cliff Richard August 1981 71 4 2 (Australia, South Africa) See chart performance entry
"Working for the Weekend" Loverboy September 1981 29 n/a 10 (Canada) 2 (US Billboard Rock Top Tracks) - 19 (Australia) - 19 (New Zealand)
"Working in the Coal Mine" Devo August 1981 43 n/a 10 (New Zealand) 17 (Canada) - 20 (Australia) - 30 (US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play) - 36 (US Cash Box Top 100) - 53 (US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks)
"You Better You Bet" The Who February 1981 18 9 4 (Canada) See chart performance entry
"You Make My Dreams" Hall & Oates April 1981 5 n/a 5 (United States) 4 (US Radio & Records Chart) - 7 (US Cash Box Top 100) - 17 (Canada) - 35 (US Billboard Mainstream Rock) - 40 (Australia)
"Young Turks" Rod Stewart October 1981 5 11 1 (Canada, Israel) See chart performance entry

Other Chart hit singles

[edit]

Notable singles

[edit]
Song title Artist(s) Release date(s) Other Chart Performance(s)
"Ceremony" New Order January 1981 7 (New Zealand) - 1 (UK Independent Singles Chart) - 62 (US Billboard Hot Dance Club Party)
"Christmas Wrapping" The Waitresses November 1981

See chart entry performance

"Closer to the Heart" (live) Rush November 1981 21 (U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock) - 69 (U.S. Billboard Hot 100)
"God morgon" Chips 1981 2nd at the Swedish Melodifestivalen 1981
"I've Seen That Face Before (Libertango)" Grace Jones May 1981 See chart performance entry
"Johnny Blue" Lena Valaitis 1981 Winner of the German national final of the Eurovision Song Contest 1981
"Kick in the Eye" Bauhaus March 1981 29 (US Billboard Dance Club Songs) - 59 (UK Singles Chart)
"O Superman" Laurie Anderson October 1981 See chart performance entry
"Procession/Everything's Gone Green" New Order September 1981 1 (UK Independent Charts) - 38 (UK Singles Chart)
"Pull Up to the Bumper" Grace Jones June 1981 See chart performance entry
"Release the Bats" The Birthday Party July 1981 3 (UK Indie Charts)
"Walking in the Rain" Grace Jones October 1981 34 (New Zealand) - 67 (West Germany) - 94 (Australia)
"Walking on Thin Ice" Yoko Ono February 1981 See chart performance entry
"Wordy Rappinghood" Tom Tom Club June 1981 See chart performance entry

Other Notable singles

[edit]
[edit]

Classical music

[edit]

Opera

[edit]

Births

[edit]

Deaths

[edit]

Awards

[edit]

Grammy Awards

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "New Order - New Order - Movement 'Definitive Edition'". Archived from the original on September 13, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  2. ^ The Rock Yearbook 1982. New York: Virgin Books Ltd. 1981. p. 22. ISBN 0-312-68784-2.
  3. ^ "Ultravox". Official Charts.
  4. ^ "Ultravox's 'Vienna' tops poll of greatest No 2 singles". nme.com. January 1, 2013.
  5. ^ Jones, Mikey IQ (January 22, 2015). "The Essential... Yellow Magic Orchestra". FACT Magazine. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  6. ^ Fricke, David (April 11, 1981). "One Ahead For Ozzy". Melody Maker. IPC Magazines Ltd.: 4.
  7. ^ "Russians Call Defection Of Shostakovich 'Personal'". The New York Times. April 28, 1981.
  8. ^ "GARY NUMAN'S 1981 'FAREWELL' CONCERTS". Dangerous Minds. July 17, 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Adam and the Ants". Official Charts.
  10. ^ "UK's million-selling singles: the full list". The Guardian. November 4, 2012.
  11. ^ a b c d "The Official Top 50 best-selling songs of 1981". Official Charts. March 5, 2021.
  12. ^ "The Sound of the Crowd". Official Charts.
  13. ^ "40 years ago, this month, Duran Duran released "Girls On Film" the song and its appearance on MTV was a pop culture game changer". louderthanwar.com. July 31, 2021.
  14. ^ "Duran Duran". Official Charts.
  15. ^ "The Human League". Official Charts.
  16. ^ "The Human League Dare". BPI. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  17. ^ "The Human League Dare". RIAA.
  18. ^ The Rock Yearbook 1983. New York: Virgin Books Ltd. 1982. p. 9. ISBN 0-312-68785-0.
  19. ^ "OMD". Official Charts.
  20. ^ "OMD Architecture & Morality". BPI. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  21. ^ "The Official Top 50 best-selling songs of 1981". Official Charts. March 5, 2021.
  22. ^ "Nature of the Beast overview at AllMusic". AllMusic.com. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
  23. ^ "BPI certifications for Styx".
  24. ^ "News" (PDF). Music Week. January 17, 1981. p. 2. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  25. ^ "News" (PDF). Record Mirror. January 17, 1981. p. 2. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  26. ^ "Killers certification".
  27. ^ Henke, James (March 19, 1981). "Ted Nugent Gets Intense". Rolling Stone. No. 339. Straight Arrow Publishers, Inc. p. 50.
  28. ^ "Tygers of Pan Tang albums".
  29. ^ Popoff, Martin (2018). The Deep Purple Family, vol 2 (2nd ed.). Wymer Publishing. p. 49. ISBN 978-1-908724-87-8.
  30. ^ "Pink Floyd official site".
  31. ^ "New Albums". Music Week. May 16, 1981.
  32. ^ "BPI".
  33. ^ "BPI".
  34. ^ "Denim and Leather certification".
  35. ^ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. p. 610. ISBN 9780862415419.
  36. ^ "Songs from the Year 1981".
  37. ^ Lewis, Randy (December 30, 2009). "James 'The Rev' Sullivan dies at 28; drummer for heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  38. ^ Proffa (March 22, 2011). "Hanna Pakarinen". Suosikki. Otavamedia. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012.
  39. ^ "Rwanda musician Kizito Mihigo dies in prison". edge.ug. February 17, 2020. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  40. ^ "Angelika Dela Cruz Biography – PINOYSTOP". PinoyStop. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015.