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1981 in music

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Events

Bands formed

Bands disbanded

Albums released

Biggest hit singles

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

# Artist Title Year Country Chart Entries
1 Kim Carnes Bette Davis Eyes 1981 US BB 1 - Apr 1981, Canada 1 - Apr 1981, France 1 - Jun 1981, Switzerland 1 - Jun 1981, Norway 1 - Jun 1981, Germany 1 - Jun 1981, Australia 1 for 5 weeks May 1982, Grammy in 1981, US CashBox 2 of 1981, Austria 2 - Jul 1981, South Africa 2 of 1981, Sweden (alt) 4 - May 1981, Italy 5 of 1981, Australia 6 of 1981, UK 10 - May 1981, Holland 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 UK 1 - Aug 1981, Canada 1 - Nov 1981, France 1 - Aug 1981, Australia 1 for 3 weeks Jan 1983, Austria 2 - Dec 1981, Switzerland 2 - Nov 1981, Germany 2 - Jan 1982, Scrobulate 2 of 80s, Australia 3 of 1982, Sweden (alt) 4 - Oct 1981, RYM 4 of 1981, Holland 5 - Oct 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 Holland 1 - Feb 1981, Sweden (alt) 1 - Feb 1981, Austria 1 - Apr 1981, Switzerland 1 - Apr 1981, UK 2 - Jan 1981, France 2 - Mar 1981, Germany 2 - Mar 1981, Canada 3 - Jun 1981, Norway 4 - Mar 1981, OzNet 7, Poland 12 - Aug 1982, Europe 13 of the 1980s, RYM 15 of 1981, POP 16 of 1981, US BB 19 - Jul 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 UK 1 - Jan 1981, Canada 1 - Jan 1981, Éire 1 - Feb 1981, New Zealand 1 for 5 weeks Feb 1981, US BB 2 - Jan 1981, Switzerland 2 - Mar 1981, Austria 4 - Mar 1981, Norway 5 - Feb 1981, France 7 - Mar 1981, Germany 7 - Feb 1981, US CashBox 16 of 1981, Sweden (alt) 18 - Feb 1981, Holland 21 - Mar 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 1981 US BB 1 - May 1981, Holland 1 - Jan 1981, Austria 1 - May 1981, Switzerland 1 - May 1981, Germany 1 - Mar 1981, New Zealand 1 for 7 weeks Jun 1981, Australia 1 for 4 weeks Jun 1982, UK 2 - Apr 1981, Australia 2 of 1981, Germany 5 of the 1980s, Sweden (alt) 7 - Jun 1981, US CashBox 13 of 1981, Italy 54 of 1981

Chronological Table of US and UK Number One Hit Singles

US Number One Singles and Artist
(Weeks at Number One) 		UK Number One Singles and Artist
(Weeks at Number One)

"(Just Like) Starting Over" - John Lennon (3 weeks in 1980+ 2 weeks in 1981)
"The Tide Is High" - Blondie (1)
"Celebration" - Kool & The Gang (2)
"9 To 5" - Dolly Parton (2)
"I Love A Rainy Night" - Eddie Rabbitt (2)
"Keep On Loving You" REO Speedwagon (1)
"Rapture" - Blondie (2)
"Kiss On My List" - Daryl Hall & John Oates (3)
"Morning Train (9 To 5)" - Sheena Easton (2)
"Bette Davis Eyes" - Kim Carnes (9, best selling single of the year)
"Stars on 45 Medley" - Stars On 45 (1)
"The One That You Love" - Air Supply (1)
"Jessie's Girl" - Rick Springfield (2)
"Endless Love" - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie (9)
"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" - Christopher Cross (3)
"Private Eyes" - Daryl Hall & John Oates (2)
"Physical" - Olivia Newton-John (6 weeks in 1981 + 4 weeks in 1982)
"There's No One Quite Like Grandma" - St Winifred's School Choir (1 week in 1980 + 1 week in 1981)
"Imagine" - John Lennon (4)
"Woman" - John Lennon (2)
"Shaddup You Face" - Joe Dolce Music Theatre (3)
"Jealous Guy"- Roxy Music (2)
"This Ole House" - Shakin' Stevens (3)
"Making Your Mind Up" - Bucks Fizz (3)
"Stand And Deliver" - Adam & The Ants (5)
"Being With You" - Smokey Robinson (2)
"One Day In Your Life" - Michael Jackson (2)
"Ghost Town" - Specials (3)
"Green Door"- Shakin' Stevens (4)
"Japanese Boy" - Aneka (1)
"Tainted Love" - Soft Cell (2 - best selling single of 1981)
"Prince Charming" - Adam & The Ants (4)
"It's My Party" - Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin (4)
"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" - The Police (1)
"Under Pressure" - Queen & David Bowie (2)
"Begin the Beguine" - Julio Iglesias (1)
"Don't You Want Me" - Human League (3 weeks in 1981 + 2 weeks in 1982)

Other significant singles of the year