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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

Cover

Date

Title

Album

Comment

Video

11/1981

Centerfold by J. Geils Band

from Freeze Frame

476

✫1
US

12
dance

✫1
rock

3
UK

charted as Centerfold / Flamethrower in US dance charts
[EMI America 8102]
written by Seth Justman

09/1981

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police

from Ghost in the Machine

467

3
US

✫1
rock

✫1
UK

written by Sting

12/1981

I Love Rock 'n Roll by Joan Jett

from I Love Rock n' Roll

466

✫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

11/1981

Don't You Want Me by The Human League

from Dare!

454

✫1
US

3
dance

4
rock

✫1
UK

written by Philip Oakey, Jo Callis & Philip Adrian Wright

08/1981

Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones

from Tattoo You

428

2
US

14
dance

✫1
rock

7
UK

[Rolling Stones 21003]
written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards

10/1981

Waiting for a Girl Like You by Foreigner

from 4

420

2
US

5
AC

✫1
rock

8
UK

[Atlantic 3868]
written by Mick Jones [Foreigner] & Lou Gramm

03/1981

Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes

from Mistaken Identity

348

✫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

01/1981

In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins

from Face Value

347

19
US

2
rock

2
UK

[Atlantic 3824]
written by Phil Collins

07/1981

Hold On Tight by Electric Light Orchestra

from Time

342

10
US

2
rock

4
UK

[Columbia 02408 (Jet)]
written by Jeff Lynne

10.

10/1981

Harden My Heart by Quarterflash

from Quarterflash

336

3
US

41
AC

✫1
rock

49
UK

[Geffen 49824]
written by Marv Ross

11.

07/1981

Urgent by Foreigner

from 4

331

4
US

32
dance

✫1
rock

54
UK

featuring Jr. Walker
[Atlantic 3831]
written by Mick Jones [Foreigner]

12.

01/1981

Woman by John Lennon

from Double Fantasy

324

2
US

4
AC

26
rock

✫1
UK

[Geffen]
written by John Lennon

13.

11/1981

867-5309 / Jenny by Tommy Tutone

from Tommy Tutone-2

317

4
US

✫1
rock

written by Alex Call & Jim Keller

14.

03/1981

You Better You Bet by The Who

from Face Dances

316

18
US

✫1
rock

9
UK

written by Pete Townshend

15.

05/1981

All Those Years Ago by George Harrison

from Somewhere in England

315

2
US

✫1
AC

6
rock

13
UK

[Dark Horse 49725]
written by George Harrison

16.

08/1981

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

from Arthur: The Album

313

✫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

17.

08/1981

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

from Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

307

8
US

4
dance

12
rock

✫1
UK

written by Ed Cobb, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland Jr. (as Eddie Holland)

18.

07/1981

Stop Draggin' My Heart Around by Stevie Nicks

from Bella Donna

303

3
US

2
rock

50
UK

with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
[Modern 7336]
written by Tom Petty & Mike Campbell

19.

11/1981

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

from Private Eyes

303

✫1
US

12
AC

✫1
dance

✫1
R&B

28
rock

8
UK

[RCA 12357]
written by Daryl Hall, John Oates & Sara Allen

20.

11/1981

Shake It Up by The Cars

from Shake It Up

294

4
US

14
dance

2
rock

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

21.

01/1981

While You See a Chance by Steve Winwood

from Arc of a Diver

278

7
US

17
AC

2
rock

45
UK

[Island 49656]
written by Steve Winwood & Will Jennings

22.

11/1981

Under Pressure by Queen & David Bowie

from Hot Space

277

29
US

7
rock

✫1
UK

written by Brian May, Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, Roger Taylor & David Bowie

23.

09/1981

Tryin' to Live My Life Without You by Bob Seger

from Nine Tonight

277

5
US

2
rock

[live]
written by Eugene Williams

24.

06/1981

The Voice by The Moody Blues

from Long Distance Voyager

275

15
US

16
AC

✫1
rock

76
UK

[Threshold 602]
written by Justin Hayward

25.

02/1981

Rock This Town by Stray Cats

from Built for Speed

274

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

26.

02/1981

I Can't Stand It by Eric Clapton

from Another Ticket

273

10
US

✫1
rock

as Eric Clapton & His Band
[RSO 1060]
written by Eric Clapton

27.

07/1981

Who's Crying Now by Journey

from Escape

260

4
US

14
AC

4
rock

76
UK

[Columbia 02241 A]
written by Jonathan Cain & Steve Perry

28.

05/1981

The Waiting by Tom Petty

from Hard Promises

255

19
US

✫1
rock

written by Tom Petty

29.

03/1981

Take It on the Run by REO Speedwagon

from Hi Infidelity

248

5
US

6
rock

19
UK

[Epic 19-01054]
written by Gary Richrath

30.

03/1981

Too Much Time on My Hands by Styx

from Paradise Theater

248

9
US

2
rock

[A&M 2323]
written by Tommy Shaw

31.

03/1981

Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield

from Working Class Dog

245

✫1
US

10
rock

43
UK

[RCA 12201]
written by Rick Springfield

32.

08/1981

Abacab by Genesis

from Abacab

238

26
US

43
dance

4
rock

9
UK

written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins & Mike Rutherford

33.

07/1981

Burning for You by Blue Öyster Cult

from Fire of Unknown Origin

236

40
US

✫1
rock

76
UK

written by Buck Dharma (as Donald Roeser) & Richard Meltzer

34.

05/1981

A Life of Illusion by Joe Walsh

from There Goes the Neighborhood

233

34
US

✫1
rock

[Asylum 47144]
written by Kenny Passarelli & Joe Walsh

35.

07/1981

Fire and Ice by Pat Benatar

from Precious Time

232

17
US

2
rock

76
UK

[Chrysalis 2529]
written by Pat Benatar, Tom Kelly & Scott Sheets

36.

11/1981

Freeze-Frame by J. Geils Band

from Freeze Frame

231

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

37.

04/1981

Winning by Santana

from Zebop!

226

17
US

2
rock

[Columbia 01050]
written by Russ Ballard

38.

09/1981

Hang Fire by The Rolling Stones

from Tattoo You

220

20
US

2
rock

written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards

39.

12/1981

Spirits in the Material World by The Police

from Ghost in the Machine

216

11
US

7
rock

12
UK

written by Sting

40.

11/1981

Working for the Weekend by Loverboy

from Get Lucky

209

29
US

2
rock

[Columbia 02589]
written by Paul Dean, Matt Frenette & Mike Reno

41.

09/1981

No Reply at All by Genesis

from Abacab

208

29
US

2
rock

[Atlantic 3858]
written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins & Mike Rutherford

42.

05/1981

The Stroke by Billy Squier

from Don't Say No

208

17
US

3
rock

52
UK

[Capitol 5005]
written by Billy Squier

43.

02/1981

The Party's Over (Hopelessly in Love) by Journey

from Captured

203

34
US

2
rock

[Columbia 60505]
written by Steve Perry

44.

04/1981

This Little Girl by Gary U.S. Bonds

from Dedication

200

11
US

5
rock

43
UK

[EMI America 8079]
written by Bruce Springsteen

45.

07/1981

Juke Box Hero by Foreigner

from 4

196

26
US

3
rock

48
UK

written by Lou Gramm & Mick Jones [Foreigner]

46.

08/1981

Private Eyes by Hall & Oates

from Private Eyes

196

✫1
US

33
AC

33
rock

32
UK

[RCA 12296]
written by Daryl Hall, Sara Allen, Janna Allen & Warren Pash

47.

10/1981

Young Turks by Rod Stewart

from Tonight I'm Yours

193

5
US

63
dance

23
rock

11
UK

[Warner 49843]
written by Rod Stewart, Carmine Appice, Duane Hitchings & Kevin Savigar

48.

12/1981

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

from For Those About to Rock We Salute You

191

4
rock

15
UK

written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young & Brian Johnson

49.

02/1981

Message of Love by The Pretenders

from Pretenders II

189

44
dance

5
rock

11
UK

written by Chrissie Hynde

50.

11/1981

Flying High Again by Ozzy Osbourne

from Diary of a Madman

186

2
rock

[Columbia 02582 (Jet)]
written by Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads, Bob Daisley & Lee Kerslake

51.

01/1981

The Best of Times by Styx

from Paradise Theater

186

3
US

26
AC

16
rock

42
UK

[A&M 2300]
written by Dennis DeYoung

52.

02/1981

Kids in America by Kim Wilde

from Kim Wilde

186

25
US

29
rock

2
UK

written by Marty Wilde & Ricky Wilde

53.

03/1981

I Missed Again by Phil Collins

from Face Value

183

19
US

8
rock

14
UK

[Atlantic 3790]
written by Phil Collins

54.

02/1981

Hold On Loosely by 38 Special

from Wild-Eyed Southern Boys

182

27
US

3
rock

[A&M 2316]
written by Don Barnes, Jeff Carlisi & Jim Peterik

55.

04/1981

Stray Cat Strut by Stray Cats

from Built for Speed

180

3
US

78
dance

41
rock

11
UK

produced by Dave Edmunds
[EMI America 8122]
written by Brian Setzer

56.

05/1981

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

from Rockihnroll

179

15
US

5
rock

[Beserkley 47149]
written by Greg Kihn, Gary Phillips (as Gary Philippet) & Steve Wright

57.

04/1981

Find Your Way Back by Starship

from Modern Times

179

29
US

3
rock

as Jefferson Starship
[Grunt]
written by Craig Chaquico & Thos Borsdorf

58.

08/1981

The Night Owls by Little River Band

from Time Exposure

178

6
US

33
AC

9
rock

produced by George Martin
[Capitol 5033]
written by Graeham Goble (as Graham Goble)

59.

10/1981

Trouble by Lindsey Buckingham

from Law and Order

167

9
US

14
AC

12
rock

31
UK

[Asylum 47223]
written by Lindsey Buckingham

60.

08/1981

Don't Stop Believin' by Journey

from Escape

164

9
US

8
rock

[Columbia 02567 B]
written by Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry & Neal Schon

61.

05/1981

The One That You Love by Air Supply

from The One That You Love

163

✫1
US

2
AC

[Arista 0604]
written by Graham Russell

62.

08/1981

Hard to Say by Dan Fogelberg

from The Innocent Age

163

7
US

2
AC

14
rock

[Full Moon 02488]
written by Dan Fogelberg

63.

01/1981

I Surrender by Rainbow [British rock band]

from Difficult to Cure

162

105
US

19
rock

3
UK

[Polydor 2163]
written by Russ Ballard

64.

10/1981

Destroyer by The Kinks

from Give the People What They Want

161

85
US

3
rock

[Arista 0619]
written by Ray Davies

65.

11/1981

Waiting on a Friend by The Rolling Stones

from Tattoo You

160

13
US

8
rock

50
UK

[Rolling Stones 21004]
written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards

66.

03/1981

Limelight by Rush

from Moving Pictures

156

55
US

4
rock

[Mercury 76095]
written by Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee & Neil Peart

67.

12/1981

Let's Get It Up by AC/DC

from For Those About to Rock We Salute You

153

44
US

9
rock

13
UK

written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young & Brian Johnson

68.

06/1981

The Model by Kraftwerk

from Computer World

151

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

69.

08/1981

Tube Snake Boogie by ZZ Top

from El Loco

149

103
US

4
rock

[Warner 49865]
written by Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill & Frank Beard

70.

04/1981

Girls on Film by Duran Duran

from Duran Duran

148

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

71.

08/1981

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

from Bella Donna

148

4
rock

written by Stevie Nicks

72.

05/1981

Stand and Deliver by Adam and the Ants

from Prince Charming

147

38
dance

✫1
UK

charted as Stand and Deliver / Beat My Guest in US dance charts
written by Adam Ant & Marco Pirroni

73.

07/1981

Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride) by Don Felder

from Heavy Metal: Music from the Motion Picture

147

43
US

5
rock

[Elektra 47175 (Asylum)]
written by Don Felder

74.

09/1981

Prince Charming by Adam and the Ants

from Prince Charming

144

✫1
UK

written by Adam Ant & Marco Pirroni

75.

03/1981

Tom Sawyer by Rush

from Moving Pictures

141

44
US

8
rock

25
UK

[Mercury 76109]
written by Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee, Neil Peart & Pye Dubois

76.

03/1981

96 Tears by Garland Jeffreys

from Escape Artist

141

66
US

75
dance

5
rock

[Epic]
written by Rudy Martinez

77.

05/1981

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

from Hard Promises

140

79
US

5
rock

written by Tom Petty & Mike Campbell

78.

02/1981

Angel of the Morning by Juice Newton

from Juice

140

4
US

✫1
AC

22
country

57
rock

[Capitol 4976]
written by Chip Taylor

79.

01/1981

Turn Me Loose by Loverboy

from Loverboy

139

35
US

6
rock

[Columbia 11421]
written by Paul Dean & Mike Reno

80.

10/1981

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

from Tonight I'm Yours

134

20
US

29
rock

8
UK

written by Rod Stewart, Jim Cregan & Kevin Savigar

81.

03/1981

Watching the Wheels by John Lennon

from Double Fantasy

133

10
US

6
AC

25
rock

30
UK

[Geffen 49695]
written by John Lennon

82.

10/1981

Little T&A by The Rolling Stones

from Tattoo You

133

5
rock

written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards

83.

10/1981

Leather and Lace by Stevie Nicks

from Bella Donna

131

6
US

10
AC

26
rock

with Don Henley
[Modern 7341]
written by Stevie Nicks

84.

05/1981

In the Dark by Billy Squier

from Don't Say No

129

35
US

7
rock

[Capitol 5040]
written by Billy Squier

85.

05/1981

Hearts by Marty Balin

from Balin

129

8
US

9
AC

20
rock

[EMI America 8084]
written by Jesse Barish

86.

06/1981

Gemini Dream by The Moody Blues

from Long Distance Voyager

127

12
US

36
dance

13
rock

[Threshold]
written by Justin Hayward & John Lodge

87.

06/1981

Tempted by Squeeze

from East Side Story

126

49
US

8
rock

41
UK

[A&M 2345]
written by Chris Difford & Glenn Tilbrook

88.

07/1981

Our Lips Are Sealed by The Go-Go's

from Beauty and the Beat

125

20
US

10
dance

15
rock

47
UK

[I.R.S. 9901]
written by Jane Wiedlin & Terry Hall

89.

01/1981

Vienna by Ultravox

from Vienna

124

2
UK

[Chrysalis 2515]
written by Warren Cann, Chris Cross, Billy Currie & Midge Ure

90.

09/1981

Invisible Sun by The Police

from Ghost in the Machine

124

2
UK

written by Sting

91.

09/1981

Happy Birthday by Altered Images

from Happy Birthday

124

2
UK

written by Johnny McElhone (as John McElhone), Clare Grogan, Tony McDaid (as Anthony McDaid) & Michael "Tich" Anderson (as Michael Anderson)

92.

02/1981

Kings of the Wild Frontier by Adam and the Ants

from Kings of the Wild Frontier

124

2
UK

[R]
written by Adam Ant & Marco Pirroni

93.

09/1981

Say Goodbye to Hollywood by Billy Joel

from Songs in the Attic

123

17
US

35
AC

11
rock

(originally released on Turnstiles May 1976) [live]
[Columbia 02518]
written by Billy Joel

94.

08/1981

In the Heartland by Michael Stanley Band

from North Coast

122

6
rock

written by Michael Stanley

95.

12/1981

Livin' in the Limelight by Peter Cetera

from Peter Cetera

122

6
rock

[Warner 49885 (Full Moon)]
written by Peter Cetera

96.

04/1981

Another Tricky Day by The Who

from Face Dances

122

6
rock

written by Pete Townshend

97.

11/1981

Find Another Fool by Quarterflash

from Quarterflash

120

16
US

12
rock

[Geffen 50006]
written by Marv Ross

98.

10/1981

Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl) by Haircut 100

from Pelican West

119

101
US

41
dance

50
rock

4
UK

[Arista 0708]
written by Nick Heyward

99.

05/1981

You Make My Dreams by Hall & Oates

from Voices

117

5
US

35
rock

written by Sara Allen, Daryl Hall & John Oates

100.

03/1981

Her Town Too by James Taylor and J.D. Souther

from Dad Loves His Work

116

11
US

5
AC

21
rock

[Columbia 60514]
written by J.D. Souther, James Taylor & Waddy Wachtel

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