I like MVF

by

Rock music hits charts

Support Music VF

Share|

our sites

by year
2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965

by decade
2010s 2000s 1990s 1980s 1970s 1960s

by artist
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Other • Top 1000

Top Songs of 1981

1980 <-

1981

-> 1982

Video playlist

Cover

Date

Title

Album

Comment

Video

08/1981

Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones

from Tattoo You

447

2
US

14
dance

✫1
rock

7
UK

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

12/1981

I Love Rock 'n Roll by Joan Jett

from I Love Rock n' Roll

439

✫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

Centerfold by J. Geils Band

from Freeze Frame

430

✫1
US

12
dance

✫1
rock

3
UK

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

12/1981

Don't You Want Me by The Human League

from Dare!

397

✫1
US

3
dance

4
rock

✫1
UK

written by Philip Oakey, Jo Callis & Philip Adrian Wright

09/1981

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police

from Ghost in the Machine

396

3
US

✫1
rock

✫1
UK

written by Sting

10/1981

Waiting for a Girl Like You by Foreigner

from 4

330

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

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

07/1981

Urgent by Foreigner

from 4

316

4
US

32
dance

✫1
rock

54
UK

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

10/1981

Harden My Heart by Quarterflash

from Quarterflash

305

3
US

41
AC

✫1
rock

49
UK

[Geffen 49824]
written by Marv Ross

10.

11/1981

867-5309 / Jenny by Tommy Tutone

from Tommy Tutone-2

297

4
US

✫1
rock

written by Alex Call & Jim Keller

11.

08/1981

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

from Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

291

8
US

4
dance

12
rock

✫1
UK

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

12.

07/1981

Hold On Tight by Electric Light Orchestra

from Time

280

10
US

2
rock

4
UK

[Columbia 02408 (Jet)]
written by Jeff Lynne

13.

08/1981

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

from Arthur: The Album

273

✫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

14.

01/1981

Woman by John Lennon

from Double Fantasy

270

2
US

4
AC

26
rock

✫1
UK

[Geffen]
written by John Lennon

15.

01/1981

In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins

from Face Value

267

19
US

2
rock

2
UK

[Atlantic 3824]
written by Phil Collins

16.

03/1981

You Better You Bet by The Who

from Face Dances

265

18
US

✫1
rock

9
UK

written by Pete Townshend

17.

07/1981

Stop Draggin' My Heart Around by Stevie Nicks

from Bella Donna

258

3
US

2
rock

50
UK

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

18.

11/1981

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

from Private Eyes

256

✫1
US

12
AC

✫1
dance

✫1
R&B

28
rock

8
UK

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

19.

11/1981

Shake It Up by The Cars

from Shake It Up

253

4
US

14
dance

2
rock

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

20.

06/1981

The Voice by The Moody Blues

from Long Distance Voyager

245

15
US

16
AC

✫1
rock

76
UK

[Threshold 602]
written by Justin Hayward

21.

03/1981

Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield

from Working Class Dog

238

✫1
US

10
rock

43
UK

[RCA 12201]
written by Rick Springfield

22.

09/1981

Tryin' to Live My Life without You by Bob Seger

from Nine Tonight

238

5
US

2
rock

[live]
written by Eugene Williams

23.

05/1981

The Waiting by Tom Petty

from Hard Promises

238

19
US

✫1
rock

written by Tom Petty

24.

01/1981

Rapture by Blondie

from Autoamerican

237

✫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

25.

02/1981

I Can't Stand It by Eric Clapton

from Another Ticket

236

10
US

✫1
rock

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

26.

05/1981

All Those Years Ago by George Harrison

from Somewhere in England

232

2
US

✫1
AC

6
rock

13
UK

[Dark Horse 49725]
written by George Harrison

27.

01/1981

While You See a Chance by Steve Winwood

from Arc of a Diver

228

7
US

17
AC

2
rock

45
UK

[Island 49656]
written by Steve Winwood & Will Jennings

28.

11/1981

Under Pressure by Queen & David Bowie

from Hot Space

227

29
US

7
rock

✫1
UK

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

29.

07/1981

Who's Crying Now by Journey

from Escape

222

4
US

14
AC

4
rock

76
UK

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

30.

11/1981

Freeze-Frame by J. Geils Band

from Freeze Frame

221

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

31.

02/1981

Rock This Town by Stray Cats

from Built for Speed

220

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

32.

03/1981

Take It on the Run by REO Speedwagon

from Hi Infidelity

207

5
US

6
rock

19
UK

[Epic 19-01054]
written by Gary Richrath

33.

03/1981

Too Much Time on My Hands by Styx

from Paradise Theater

197

9
US

2
rock

[A&M 2323]
written by Tommy Shaw

34.

08/1981

Abacab by Genesis

from Abacab

196

26
US

43
dance

4
rock

9
UK

written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins & Mike Rutherford

35.

07/1981

Burning for You by Blue Öyster Cult

from Fire of Unknown Origin

194

40
US

✫1
rock

76
UK

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

36.

08/1981

Private Eyes by Hall & Oates

from Private Eyes

191

✫1
US

33
AC

33
rock

32
UK

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

37.

10/1981

Young Turks by Rod Stewart

from Tonight I'm Yours

191

5
US

63
dance

23
rock

11
UK

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

38.

07/1981

Fire and Ice by Pat Benatar

from Precious Time

181

17
US

2
rock

76
UK

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

39.

12/1981

Spirits in the Material World by The Police

from Ghost in the Machine

178

11
US

7
rock

12
UK

written by Sting

40.

05/1981

The Stroke by Billy Squier

from Don't Say No

176

17
US

3
rock

52
UK

[Capitol 5005]
written by Billy Squier

41.

04/1981

Winning by Santana

from Zebop!

174

17
US

2
rock

[Columbia 01050]
written by Russ Ballard

42.

07/1981

Juke Box Hero by Foreigner

from 4

174

26
US

3
rock

48
UK

written by Lou Gramm & Mick Jones [Foreigner]

43.

05/1981

A Life of Illusion by Joe Walsh

from There Goes the Neighborhood

172

34
US

✫1
rock

[Asylum 47144]
written by Kenny Passarelli & Joe Walsh

44.

11/1981

Working for the Weekend by Loverboy

from Get Lucky

170

29
US

2
rock

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

45.

01/1981

The Best of Times by Styx

from Paradise Theater

168

3
US

26
AC

16
rock

42
UK

[A&M 2300]
written by Dennis DeYoung

46.

09/1981

Hang Fire by The Rolling Stones

from Tattoo You

166

20
US

2
rock

written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards

47.

08/1981

The Night Owls by Little River Band

from Time Exposure

163

6
US

33
AC

9
rock

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

48.

09/1981

No Reply at All by Genesis

from Abacab

160

29
US

2
rock

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

49.

08/1981

Hard to Say by Dan Fogelberg

from The Innocent Age

158

7
US

2
AC

14
rock

[Full Moon 02488]
written by Dan Fogelberg

50.

04/1981

This Little Girl by Gary U.S. Bonds

from Dedication

158

11
US

5
rock

43
UK

[EMI America 8079]
written by Bruce Springsteen

51.

08/1981

Don't Stop Believin' by Journey

from Escape

157

9
US

8
rock

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

52.

10/1981

Trouble by Lindsey Buckingham

from Law and Order

157

9
US

14
AC

12
rock

31
UK

[Asylum 47223]
written by Lindsey Buckingham

53.

05/1981

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

from Rockihnroll

154

15
US

5
rock

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

54.

02/1981

Kids in America by Kim Wilde

from Kim Wilde

151

25
US

29
rock

2
UK

written by Marty Wilde & Ricky Wilde

55.

04/1981

Stray Cat Strut by Stray Cats

from Built for Speed

150

3
US

78
dance

41
rock

11
UK

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

56.

03/1981

I Missed Again by Phil Collins

from Face Value

147

19
US

8
rock

14
UK

[Atlantic 3790]
written by Phil Collins

57.

11/1981

Flying High Again by Ozzy Osbourne

from Diary of a Madman

144

2
rock

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

58.

12/1981

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

from For Those About to Rock We Salute You

144

4
rock

15
UK

written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young & Brian Johnson

59.

02/1981

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

from Captured

143

34
US

2
rock

[Columbia 60505]
written by Steve Perry

60.

02/1981

Message of Love by The Pretenders

from Pretenders II

141

44
dance

5
rock

11
UK

written by Chrissie Hynde

61.

05/1981

The One That You Love by Air Supply

from The One That You Love

141

✫1
US

2
AC

[Arista 0604]
written by Graham Russell

62.

02/1981

Hold On Loosely by 38 Special

from Wild-Eyed Southern Boys

140

27
US

3
rock

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

63.

08/1981

Our Lips Are Sealed by The Go-Go's

from Beauty and the Beat

139

20
US

10
dance

15
rock

47
UK

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

64.

04/1981

Find Your Way Back by Starship

from Modern Times

138

29
US

3
rock

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

65.

03/1981

Watching the Wheels by John Lennon

from Double Fantasy

137

10
US

6
AC

25
rock

30
UK

[Geffen 49695]
written by John Lennon

66.

02/1981

Angel of the Morning by Juice Newton

from Juice

134

4
US

✫1
AC

22
country

57
rock

[Capitol 4976]
written by Chip Taylor

67.

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

68.

11/1981

Waiting on a Friend by The Rolling Stones

from Tattoo You

131

13
US

8
rock

50
UK

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

69.

05/1981

In the Dark by Billy Squier

from Don't Say No

127

35
US

7
rock

[Capitol 5040]
written by Billy Squier

70.

05/1981

Stand and Deliver by Adam and the Ants

from Prince Charming

124

38
dance

✫1
UK

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

71.

03/1981

Tom Sawyer by Rush

from Moving Pictures

124

44
US

8
rock

25
UK

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

72.

05/1981

You Make My Dreams by Hall & Oates

from Voices

122

5
US

35
rock

written by Sara Allen, Daryl Hall & John Oates

73.

08/1981

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

from Bella Donna

122

4
rock

written by Stevie Nicks

74.

12/1981

Let's Get It Up by AC/DC

from For Those About to Rock We Salute You

121

44
US

9
rock

13
UK

written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young & Brian Johnson

75.

05/1981

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

from Hard Promises

121

79
US

5
rock

written by Tom Petty & Mike Campbell

76.

05/1981

Hearts by Marty Balin

from Balin

120

8
US

9
AC

20
rock

[EMI America 8084]
written by Jesse Barish

77.

10/1981

Destroyer by The Kinks

from Give the People What They Want

119

85
US

3
rock

[Arista 0619]
written by Ray Davies

78.

03/1981

Sweetheart by Franke & the Knockouts

from Franke & the Knockouts

119

10
US

40
AC

27
rock

[Millennium 11801]
written by Billy Elworthy (as William Elworthy) & Franke Previte

79.

01/1981

I Surrender by Rainbow [British rock band]

from Difficult to Cure

118

105
US

19
rock

3
UK

[Polydor 2163]
written by Russ Ballard

80.

07/1981

Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride) by Don Felder

from Heavy Metal: Music from the Motion Picture

118

43
US

5
rock

[Elektra 47175 (Asylum)]
written by Don Felder

81.

03/1981

Limelight by Rush

from Moving Pictures

117

55
US

4
rock

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

82.

01/1981

Turn Me Loose by Loverboy

from Loverboy

116

35
US

6
rock

[Columbia 11421]
written by Paul Dean & Mike Reno

83.

09/1981

Prince Charming by Adam and the Ants

from Prince Charming

116

✫1
UK

written by Adam Ant & Marco Pirroni

84.

07/1981

Girls on Film by Duran Duran

from Duran Duran

114

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

85.

11/1981

Find Another Fool by Quarterflash

from Quarterflash

113

16
US

12
rock

[Geffen 50006]
written by Marv Ross

86.

03/1981

Don't Let Him Go by REO Speedwagon

from Hi Infidelity

113

24
US

11
rock

[Epic 19-02127]
written by Kevin Cronin

87.

08/1981

Tube Snake Boogie by ZZ Top

from El Loco

112

103
US

4
rock

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

88.

06/1981

Tempted by Squeeze

from East Side Story

110

49
US

8
rock

41
UK

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

89.

07/1981

The Model by Kraftwerk

from Computer World

109

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

90.

06/1981

Gemini Dream by The Moody Blues

from Long Distance Voyager

108

12
US

36
dance

13
rock

[Threshold]
written by Justin Hayward & John Lodge

91.

10/1981

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

from Tonight I'm Yours

103

20
US

29
rock

8
UK

written by Rod Stewart, Jim Cregan & Kevin Savigar

92.

07/1981

Really Wanna Know You by Gary Wright

from The Right Place

102

16
US

32
AC

17
rock

[Warner 49769]
written by Ali Thomson & Gary Wright

93.

09/1981

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

from The One That You Love

101

5
US

✫1
AC

[Arista 0626]
written by Norman Saleet (as Norman Sallitt)

94.

10/1981

Little T&A by The Rolling Stones

from Tattoo You

101

5
rock

written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards

95.

12/1981

Sweet Dreams by Air Supply

from The One That You Love

101

5
US

4
AC

[Arista 0655]
written by Graham Russell

96.

07/1981

Cool Love by Pablo Cruise

from Reflector

100

13
US

14
AC

78
R&B

23
rock

[A&M 2349]
written by David Jenkins, Cory Lerios & John Pierce

97.

03/1981

96 Tears by Garland Jeffreys

from Escape Artist

100

66
US

75
dance

5
rock

[Epic]
written by Rudy Martinez

98.

09/1981

Say Goodbye to Hollywood by Billy Joel

from Songs in the Attic

100

17
US

35
AC

11
rock

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

99.

10/1981

Magic Power by Triumph

from Allied Forces

100

51
US

8
rock

[RCA 12298]
written by Gil Moore, Mike Levine (as Michael Levine) & Rik Emmett

100.

11/1981

Leader of the Band by Dan Fogelberg

from The Innocent Age

100

9
US

✫1
AC

[Full Moon 02647]
written by Dan Fogelberg

I like MVF

US charts info based on Billboard (www.billboard.com) charts • UK charts info based on The Official UK Charts Company's charts

Music VF.com, music hits charts • Rock VF.com, rock music hits charts • Music VF.fr, tous les tubes • Comics VF.com
http://www.rockvf.com/top_songs_of_1981