Top Songs of 1981 Greatest Hits and Chart Singles

1980 <-1981-> 1982
Top songs: #1: Centerfold by J. Geils Band - #2: I Love Rock 'n Roll by Joan Jett - #3: Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police - #4: Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones - #5: Don't You Want Me by The Human League
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Centerfold
#1
11/1981

Centerfold
J. Geils Band

from Freeze Frame   Freeze Frame
494 pts
1
US




12
dance


1
rock
3
UK
charted as Centerfold / Flamethrower in US dance charts
[EMI America 8102]
written by Seth Justman
I Love Rock 'n Roll
#2
12/1981

I Love Rock 'n Roll
Joan Jett

from I Love Rock n' Roll   I Love Rock n' Roll
485 pts
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
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
#3
09/1981

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
The Police

from Ghost in the Machine   Ghost in the Machine
484 pts
3
US








1
rock
1
UK
[A&M 2371]
written by Sting
Start Me Up
#4
08/1981

Start Me Up
The Rolling Stones

from Tattoo You   Tattoo You
453 pts
2
US




14
dance


1
rock
7
UK
[Rolling Stones 21003]
written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
Don't You Want Me
#5
11/1981

Don't You Want Me
The Human League

from Dare!   Dare!
448 pts
1
US




3
dance


4
rock
1
UK
[A&M/Virgin 2397]
written by Philip Oakey, Jo Callis & Philip Adrian Wright
Waiting for a Girl Like You
#6
10/1981

Waiting for a Girl Like You
Foreigner

from 4   4
445 pts
2
US
5
AC






1
rock
8
UK
[Atlantic 3868]
written by Mick Jones [Foreigner] & Lou Gramm
Harden My Heart
#7
10/1981

Harden My Heart
Quarterflash

from Quarterflash   Quarterflash
373 pts
3
US
41
AC






1
rock
49
UK
[Geffen 49824]
written by Marv Ross
In the Air Tonight
#8
01/1981

In the Air Tonight
Phil Collins

from Face Value   Face Value
369 pts
19
US








2
rock
2
UK
[Atlantic 3824]
written by Phil Collins
Urgent
#9
07/1981

Urgent
Foreigner

from 4   4
368 pts
4
US




32
dance


1
rock
54
UK
featuring Jr. Walker
[Atlantic 3831]
written by Mick Jones [Foreigner]
#10
07/1981

Hold On Tight
Electric Light Orchestra

from Time   Time
363 pts
10
US








2
rock
4
UK
[Jet 02408]
written by Jeff Lynne
867-5309 / Jenny
#11
11/1981

867-5309 / Jenny
Tommy Tutone

from Tommy Tutone-2   Tommy Tutone-2
356 pts
4
US








1
rock


[Columbia 18-02646]
written by Alex Call & Jim Keller
You Better You Bet
#12
03/1981

You Better You Bet
The Who

from Face Dances   Face Dances
353 pts
18
US








1
rock
9
UK
[Warner 49698]
written by Pete Townshend
Bette Davis Eyes
#13
03/1981

Bette Davis Eyes
Kim Carnes

from Mistaken Identity   Mistaken Identity
352 pts
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
Stop Draggin' My Heart Around
#14
07/1981

Stop Draggin' My Heart Around
Stevie Nicks

from Bella Donna   Bella Donna
334 pts
3
US








2
rock
50
UK
with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
[Modern 7336]
written by Tom Petty & Mike Campbell
#15
11/1981

Shake It Up
The Cars

from Shake It Up   Shake It Up
324 pts
4
US




14
dance


2
rock


charted as Shake It Up/Cruiser in US dance charts
[Elektra 47250]
written by Ric Ocasek
All Those Years Ago
#16
05/1981

All Those Years Ago
George Harrison

from Somewhere in England   Somewhere in England
318 pts
2
US
1
AC






6
rock
13
UK
[Dark Horse 49725]
written by George Harrison
The Voice
#17
06/1981

The Voice
The Moody Blues

from Long Distance Voyager   Long Distance Voyager
318 pts
15
US
16
AC






1
rock
76
UK
[Threshold 602]
written by Justin Hayward
I Can't Stand It
#18
02/1981

I Can't Stand It
Eric Clapton

from Another Ticket   Another Ticket
315 pts
10
US








1
rock


as Eric Clapton & His Band
[RSO 1060]
written by Eric Clapton
While You See a Chance
#19
01/1981

While You See a Chance
Steve Winwood

from Arc of a Diver   Arc of a Diver
309 pts
7
US
17
AC






2
rock
45
UK
[Island 49656]
written by Steve Winwood & Will Jennings
Tryin' to Live My Life Without You
#20
09/1981

Tryin' to Live My Life Without You
Bob Seger

from Nine Tonight   Nine Tonight
309 pts
5
US








2
rock


live
[Capitol 5042]
written by Eugene Williams
The Waiting
#21
05/1981

The Waiting
Tom Petty

from Hard Promises   Hard Promises
301 pts
19
US








1
rock


[Backstreet 51100]
written by Tom Petty
Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)
#22
08/1981

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

from Arthur: The Album   Arthur: The Album
300 pts
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
Woman
#23
01/1981

Woman
John Lennon

from Double Fantasy   Double Fantasy
295 pts
2
US
4
AC






26
rock
1
UK
[Geffen 49644]
written by John Lennon
Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go?
#24
08/1981

Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go?
Soft Cell

from Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret   
292 pts
8
US




4
dance


12
rock
1
UK
[Sire 49855]
written by Ed Cobb, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland
Rock This Town
#25
02/1981

Rock This Town
Stray Cats

from Built for Speed   Built for Speed
291 pts
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
Too Much Time on My Hands
#26
03/1981

Too Much Time on My Hands
Styx

from Paradise Theater   Paradise Theater
284 pts
9
US








2
rock


[A&M 2323]
written by Tommy Shaw
Burning for You
#27
07/1981

Burning for You
Blue Öyster Cult

from Fire of Unknown Origin   Fire of Unknown Origin
284 pts
40
US








1
rock
76
UK
[Columbia 02415]
written by Donald Roeser & Richard Meltzer
Who's Crying Now
#28
07/1981

Who's Crying Now
Journey

from Escape   Escape
281 pts
4
US
14
AC






4
rock
76
UK
[Columbia 02241]
written by Jonathan Cain & Steve Perry
A Life of Illusion
#29
05/1981

A Life of Illusion
Joe Walsh

from There Goes the Neighborhood   There Goes the Neighborhood
280 pts
34
US








1
rock


[Asylum 47144]
written by Kenny Passarelli & Joe Walsh
Under Pressure
#30
11/1981

Under Pressure
Queen & David Bowie

from Hot Space   Hot Space
280 pts
29
US








7
rock
1
UK
[Elektra 47235]
written by Brian May, Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, Roger Taylor & David Bowie
I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)
#31
11/1981

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

from Private Eyes   Private Eyes
272 pts
1
US
12
AC


1
dance
1
R&B
28
rock
8
UK
[RCA 12357]
written by Daryl Hall, John Oates & Sara Allen
Fire and Ice
#32
07/1981

Fire and Ice
Pat Benatar

from Precious Time   Precious Time
270 pts
17
US








2
rock
76
UK
[Chrysalis 2529]
written by Pat Benatar, Tom Kelly & Scott Sheets
#33
04/1981

Winning
Santana

from Zebop!   Zebop!
265 pts
17
US








2
rock


[Columbia 01050]
written by Russ Ballard
Take It on the Run
#34
03/1981

Take It on the Run
REO Speedwagon

from Hi Infidelity   Hi Infidelity
261 pts
5
US








6
rock
19
UK
[Epic 19-01054]
written by Gary Richrath
Abacab
#35
08/1981

Abacab
Genesis

from Abacab   Abacab
260 pts
26
US




43
dance


4
rock
9
UK
[Atlantic 3891]
written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins & Mike Rutherford
Hang Fire
#36
09/1981

Hang Fire
The Rolling Stones

from Tattoo You   Tattoo You
259 pts
20
US








2
rock


[Rolling Stones 21300]
written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
Working for the Weekend
#37
11/1981

Working for the Weekend
Loverboy

from Get Lucky   Get Lucky
250 pts
29
US








2
rock


[Columbia 02589]
written by Paul Dean, Matt Frenette & Mike Reno
No Reply at All
#38
09/1981

No Reply at All
Genesis

from Abacab   Abacab
249 pts
29
US








2
rock


[Atlantic 3858]
written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins & Mike Rutherford
Jessie's Girl
#39
03/1981

Jessie's Girl
Rick Springfield

from Working Class Dog   Working Class Dog
247 pts
1
US








10
rock
43
UK
[RCA 12201]
written by Rick Springfield
The Party's Over (Hopelessly in Love)
#40
02/1981

The Party's Over (Hopelessly in Love)
Journey

from Captured   Captured
244 pts
34
US








2
rock


[Columbia 60505]
written by Steve Perry
The Stroke
#41
05/1981

The Stroke
Billy Squier

from Don't Say No   Don't Say No
239 pts
17
US








3
rock
52
UK
[Capitol 5005]
written by Billy Squier
Freeze-Frame
#42
11/1981

Freeze-Frame
J. Geils Band

from Freeze Frame   Freeze Frame
238 pts
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
Flying High Again
#43
11/1981

Flying High Again
Ozzy Osbourne

from Diary of a Madman   Diary of a Madman
230 pts










2
rock


[Columbia 02582 (Jet)]
written by Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads, Bob Daisley & Lee Kerslake
Juke Box Hero
#44
07/1981

Juke Box Hero
Foreigner

from 4   4
229 pts
26
US








3
rock
48
UK
[Atlantic 4017]
written by Lou Gramm & Mick Jones [Foreigner]
Spirits in the Material World
#45
12/1981

Spirits in the Material World
The Police

from Ghost in the Machine   Ghost in the Machine
228 pts
11
US








7
rock
12
UK
[A&M 2390]
written by Sting
This Little Girl
#46
04/1981

This Little Girl
Gary U.S. Bonds

from Dedication   
223 pts
11
US








5
rock
43
UK
[EMI America 8079]
written by Bruce Springsteen
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)
#47
12/1981

For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)
AC/DC

from For Those About to Rock We Salute You   For Those About to Rock We Salute You
219 pts










4
rock
15
UK
written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young & Brian Johnson
#48
02/1981

Hold On Loosely
38 Special

from Wild-Eyed Southern Boys   Wild-Eyed Southern Boys
215 pts
27
US








3
rock


[A&M 2316]
written by Don Barnes, Jeff Carlisi & Jim Peterik
#49
04/1981

Find Your Way Back
Starship

from Modern Times   Modern Times
213 pts
29
US








3
rock


as Jefferson Starship
[Grunt 12211]
written by Craig Chaquico & Thos Borsdorf
Message of Love
#50
02/1981

Message of Love
The Pretenders

from Pretenders II   Pretenders II
212 pts






44
dance


5
rock
11
UK
written by Chrissie Hynde
The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)
#51
05/1981

The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)
Greg Kihn Band

from Rockihnroll   Rockihnroll
206 pts
15
US








5
rock


[Beserkley 47149]
written by Greg Kihn, Gary Philippet & Steve Wright
Destroyer
#52
10/1981

Destroyer
The Kinks

from Give the People What They Want   Give the People What They Want
197 pts
85
US








3
rock


[Arista 0619]
written by Ray Davies
I Missed Again
#53
03/1981

I Missed Again
Phil Collins

from Face Value   Face Value
196 pts
19
US








8
rock
14
UK
[Atlantic 3790]
written by Phil Collins
The Night Owls
#54
08/1981

The Night Owls
Little River Band

from Time Exposure   Time Exposure
190 pts
6
US
33
AC






9
rock


produced by George Martin
[Capitol 5033]
written by Graham Goble
Limelight
#55
03/1981

Limelight
Rush

from Moving Pictures   Moving Pictures
189 pts
55
US








4
rock


[Mercury 76095]
written by Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee & Neil Peart
The Best of Times
#56
01/1981

The Best of Times
Styx

from Paradise Theater   Paradise Theater
187 pts
3
US
26
AC






16
rock
42
UK
[A&M 2300]
written by Dennis DeYoung
Young Turks
#57
10/1981

Young Turks
Rod Stewart

from Tonight I'm Yours   Tonight I'm Yours
184 pts
5
US




63
dance


23
rock
11
UK
[Warner 49843]
written by Rod Stewart, Carmine Appice, Duane Hitchings & Kevin Savigar
Tube Snake Boogie
#58
08/1981

Tube Snake Boogie
ZZ Top

from El Loco   El Loco
183 pts
103
US








4
rock


[Warner 49865]
written by Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill & Frank Beard
Private Eyes
#59
08/1981

Private Eyes
Hall & Oates

from Private Eyes   Private Eyes
183 pts
1
US
33
AC






33
rock
32
UK
[RCA 12296]
written by Daryl Hall, Sara Allen, Janna Allen & Warren Pash
Edge of Seventeen (Just Like the White Winged Dove)
#60
08/1981

Edge of Seventeen (Just Like the White Winged Dove)
Stevie Nicks

from Bella Donna   Bella Donna
182 pts










4
rock


written by Stevie Nicks
Don't Stop Believin'
#61
08/1981

Don't Stop Believin'
Journey

from Escape   Escape
181 pts
9
US








8
rock


[Columbia 02567]
written by Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry & Neal Schon
Waiting on a Friend
#62
11/1981

Waiting on a Friend
The Rolling Stones

from Tattoo You   Tattoo You
176 pts
13
US








8
rock
50
UK
[Rolling Stones 21004]
written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)
#63
07/1981

Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)
Don Felder

from Heavy Metal: Music from the Motion Picture   Heavy Metal: Music from the Motion Picture
176 pts
43
US








5
rock


[Full Moon 47175]
written by Don Felder
Trouble
#64
10/1981

Trouble
Lindsey Buckingham

from Law and Order   Law and Order
174 pts
9
US
14
AC






12
rock
31
UK
[Asylum 47223]
written by Lindsey Buckingham
Kids in America
#65
02/1981

Kids in America
Kim Wilde

from Kim Wilde   Kim Wilde
173 pts
25
US








29
rock
2
UK
[EMI America 8110]
written by Marty Wilde & Ricky Wilde
96 Tears
#66
03/1981

96 Tears
Garland Jeffreys

from Escape Artist   Escape Artist
171 pts
66
US




75
dance


5
rock


[Epic]
written by Rudy Martinez
A Woman in Love (It's Not Me)
#67
05/1981

A Woman in Love (It's Not Me)
Tom Petty

from Hard Promises   Hard Promises
171 pts
79
US








5
rock


[Backstreet 51136]
written by Tom Petty & Mike Campbell
Let's Get It Up
#68
12/1981

Let's Get It Up
AC/DC

from For Those About to Rock We Salute You   For Those About to Rock We Salute You
167 pts
44
US








9
rock
13
UK
[Atlantic 3894]
written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young & Brian Johnson
Hard to Say
#69
08/1981

Hard to Say
Dan Fogelberg

from The Innocent Age   The Innocent Age
167 pts
7
US
2
AC






14
rock


[Full Moon 02488]
written by Dan Fogelberg
Turn Me Loose
#70
01/1981

Turn Me Loose
Loverboy

from Loverboy   Loverboy
166 pts
35
US








6
rock


[Columbia 11421]
written by Paul Dean & Mike Reno
Stray Cat Strut
#71
04/1981

Stray Cat Strut
Stray Cats

from Built for Speed   Built for Speed
166 pts
3
US




78
dance


41
rock
11
UK
produced by Dave Edmunds
[EMI America 8122]
written by Brian Setzer
Little T&A
#72
10/1981

Little T&A
The Rolling Stones

from Tattoo You   Tattoo You
164 pts










5
rock


written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
Tom Sawyer
#73
03/1981

Tom Sawyer
Rush

from Moving Pictures   Moving Pictures
159 pts
44
US








8
rock
25
UK
[Mercury 76109]
written by Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee, Neil Peart & Pye Dubois
I Surrender
#74
01/1981

I Surrender
Rainbow [British rock band]

from Difficult to Cure   Difficult to Cure
159 pts
105
US








19
rock
3
UK
[Polydor 2163]
written by Russ Ballard
In the Dark
#75
05/1981

In the Dark
Billy Squier

from Don't Say No   Don't Say No
153 pts
35
US








7
rock


[Capitol 5040]
written by Billy Squier
#76
08/1981

In the Heartland
Michael Stanley Band

from North Coast   
150 pts










6
rock


written by Michael Stanley
Livin' in the Limelight
#77
12/1981

Livin' in the Limelight
Peter Cetera

from Peter Cetera   Peter Cetera
150 pts










6
rock


[Warner 49885 (Full Moon)]
written by Peter Cetera
#78
04/1981

Another Tricky Day
The Who

from Face Dances   Face Dances
150 pts










6
rock


written by Pete Townshend
Girls on Film
#79
04/1981

Girls on Film
Duran Duran

from Duran Duran   Duran Duran
148 pts






26
dance


19
rock
5
UK
charted as Planet Earth/Girls On Film in US dance charts
[Capitol 5070 (Harvest)]
written by Nick Rhodes, Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, Roger Taylor [Roger Meddows-Taylor] & Andy Taylor
#80
06/1981

Tempted
Squeeze

from East Side Story   East Side Story
146 pts
49
US








8
rock
41
UK
[A&M 2345]
written by Chris Difford & Glenn Tilbrook
The One That You Love
#81
05/1981

The One That You Love
Air Supply

from The One That You Love   The One That You Love
144 pts
1
US
2
AC










[Arista 0604]
written by Graham Russell
Talk to Ya Later
#82
05/1981

Talk to Ya Later
The Tubes

from The Completion Backward Principle   The Completion Backward Principle
138 pts
101
US








7
rock


[Capitol 5016]
written by The Tubes, David Foster & Steve Lukather
Gemini Dream
#83
06/1981

Gemini Dream
The Moody Blues

from Long Distance Voyager   Long Distance Voyager
138 pts
12
US




36
dance


13
rock


[Threshold]
written by Justin Hayward & John Lodge
Say Goodbye to Hollywood
#84
09/1981

Say Goodbye to Hollywood
Billy Joel

from Songs in the Attic   Songs in the Attic
137 pts
17
US
35
AC






11
rock


(originally released on Turnstiles May 1976) live
[Columbia 02518]
written by Billy Joel
Magic Power
#85
10/1981

Magic Power
Triumph

from Allied Forces   Allied Forces
134 pts
51
US








8
rock


[RCA 12298]
written by Gil Moore, Michael Levine & Rik Emmett
Our Lips Are Sealed
#86
07/1981

Our Lips Are Sealed
The Go-Go's

from Beauty and the Beat   Beauty and the Beat
134 pts
20
US




10
dance


15
rock
47
UK
[I.R.S. 9901]
written by Jane Wiedlin & Terry Hall
#87
11/1981

Find Another Fool
Quarterflash

from Quarterflash   Quarterflash
134 pts
16
US








12
rock


[Geffen 50006]
written by Marv Ross
Hearts
#88
05/1981

Hearts
Marty Balin

from Balin   Balin
132 pts
8
US
9
AC






20
rock


[EMI America 8084]
written by Jesse Barish
Leather and Lace
#89
10/1981

Leather and Lace
Stevie Nicks

from Bella Donna   Bella Donna
130 pts
6
US
10
AC






26
rock


with Don Henley
[Modern 7341]
written by Stevie Nicks
Watching the Wheels
#90
03/1981

Watching the Wheels
John Lennon

from Double Fantasy   Double Fantasy
130 pts
10
US
6
AC






25
rock
30
UK
[Geffen 49695]
written by John Lennon
Love Is Like a Rock
#91
12/1981

Love Is Like a Rock
Donnie Iris

from King Cool   King Cool
129 pts
37
US








9
rock


[MCA/Carousel 51223]
written by Mark Avsec, Donnie Iris, Marty Lee Hoenes, Albritton McClain & Kevin Valentine
Just Between You and Me
#92
02/1981

Just Between You and Me
April Wine

from The Nature of the Beast   The Nature of the Beast
129 pts
21
US








11
rock


[Capitol 4975]
written by Myles Goodwyn
Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me)
#93
10/1981

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

from Tonight I'm Yours   Tonight I'm Yours
129 pts
20
US








29
rock
8
UK
[Warner 49886]
written by Rod Stewart, Jim Cregan & Kevin Savigar
Don't Let Him Go
#94
03/1981

Don't Let Him Go
REO Speedwagon

from Hi Infidelity   Hi Infidelity
128 pts
24
US








11
rock


[Epic 19-02127]
written by Kevin Cronin
Angel of the Morning
#95
02/1981

Angel of the Morning
Juice Newton

from Juice   Juice
126 pts
4
US
1
AC
22
ctry




57
rock


[Capitol 4976]
written by Chip Taylor
#96
05/1981

Stand and Deliver
Adam and the Ants

from Prince Charming   Prince Charming
125 pts






38
dance




1
UK
charted as Stand and Deliver / Beat My Guest in US dance charts
written by Adam Ant & Marco Pirroni
Believe It or Not (Theme from Greatest American Hero)
#97
05/1981

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

from America's Greatest Hero   
125 pts
2
US
3
AC










[Elektra 47147]
written by Stephen Geyer & Mike Post
Fly Away
#98
06/1981

Fly Away
Blackfoot

from Marauder   Marauder
125 pts
42
US








9
rock


[Atco 7331]
written by Rickey Medlocke & Jakson Spires
Green Door
#99
07/1981

Green Door
Shakin' Stevens

from Shaky   Shaky
123 pts












1
UK
written by Bob Davie & Marvin Moore
#100
03/1981

Time Out of Mind
Steely Dan

from Gaucho   Gaucho
123 pts
22
US
13
AC






13
rock


[MCA 51082]
written by Donald Fagen & Walter Becker

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