Top 10 - 1981 Hit Songs We'll Never Forget

[@ChatNoirVibes]

First Off Shoutout to class of 1981!! 🙌 Let me know your favorite 1981 song and which one you think shouldn’t have made the top 10 list! 😄

[@RobertGayeski-z5o]

I love waiting for a girl like you by Foreigner, I'm Robert Gayeski I was the class of 1981!

[@davidhart1919]

Class of 81 Reo Speedwagon

[@leomarkteleg1347]

Here are some of my favorite songs from year 1981 that weren't included in the list. 1.) Earth , Wind And Fire - Let's Groove ( 1981 ) 2.) Helen Reddy - I Can't Say Goodbye To You ( 1981 ) 3.) The Manhattan Transfer - Smile Again ( 1981 ) 4.) Marty Balin - Hearts ( 1981 ) 5.) The Police - Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic ( 1981 ) 6.) Gary Wright - Really Wanna Know You ( 1981 ) 7.) Diana Ross - Why Do Fools Fall In Love ( 1981 ) 8.) Albert Hammond - When I'm Gone ( 1981 ) 9.) Blondie - Rapture ( 1981 ) 10.) Lani Hall Duet With Herb Alpert - Come What May ( 1981 ) 11.) Abba - Lay All Your Love On Me ( 1981 ) 12.) The Pointer Sisters - Slow Hand ( 1981 ) 13.) The Pointer Sisters - Should I Do It ( 1981 ) 14.) Thelma Houston - If You Feel It ( 1981 ) 15.) Hall And Oates - I Can't Go For That ( 1981 ) 16.) Aneka - Japanese Boy ( 1981 ) 17.) Grace Jones - Pull Up To The Bumper ( 1981 ) 18.) Olivia Newton - John - Carried Away ( 1981 ) 19.) Donna Summer - Who Do You Think You're Foolin' ( 1981 ) 20.) Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime ( 1981 ) 21.) The Carpenters - Back In My Life Again ( 1981 ) 22.) The Carpenters - Touch Me When We're Dancing ( 1981 ) 23.) Patti Austin - Do You Love Me ( 1981 ) 24.) The Nolans - Sexy Music ( 1981 ) 25.) Dan Fogelberg - Leader Of The Band ( 1981 ) 26.) Randy Crawford - People Alone ( 1981 ) 27.) Juice Newton - Queen of Hearts ( 1981 ) 28.) Chaka Khan - What Cha Gonna Do For Me ( 1981 ) 29.) Go Go's - Our Lips Are Sealed ( 1981 ) 30.) Go Go's - We Got The Beat ( 1981 ) 31.) Ottawan - Hands Up ( 1981 ) 32.) Angela Bofill - You Should Know By Now ( 1981 ) 33.) Angela Bofill - Break It To Me Gently ( 1981 ) 34.) Angela Bofill - Time To Say Goodbye ( 1981 ) 35.) Sister Sledge - All American Girls ( 1981 ) 36.) Lipps Incorporated - Designer Music ( 1981 ) 37.) Debra Laws - Very Special ( 1981 ) 38.) Cheryl Lynn - Shake It Up Tonight ( 1981 ) 39.) Kelly Marie - Feels Like I'm In Love ( 1981 ) 40.) Madleen Kane - You Can ( 1981 ) 41.) Sheena Easton - 9 To 5 Morning Train 42.) Sheena Easton - For Your Eyes Only ( 1981 ) 43.) Sheena Easton - You Could Have Been With Me ( 1981 ) 44.) Evelyn Champagne King - I'm In Love ( 1981 ) 45.) Kim Wilde - Kids In America ( 1981 ) 46.) Kim Wilde - Cambodia ( 1981 ) 47.) Stacy Lattisaw - Love On A Two Way Street ( 1981 )

[@RobertGayeski-z5o]

@@ChatNoirVibes I love Sweetheart by Frankie and the Knockouts!

[@michaelgunnell9354]

It’s pronounced Betty, not Bet.

[@sandrabryant2450]

Class of 82 here! This was my senior year and I danced to every one of these songs. Disco tried to slip in then, but thankfully didn’t stay. The 80s has the best music💕

[@mooseangelbelle]

Same year I graduated. I remember all of these well.

[@ctblvr6408]

Class of 82. It was an incredible time!

[@blackhawk6695]

Yup! Remember even though I was a sophomore

[@sweetcharlotte1218]

Class of 68 here, and I agree, 80’s music was the best! My kids were teenagers in the 80’s, and those songs just grew on me. Most of my playlists songs are 80’s songs.

[@BarbHoskins-eh3ky]

Me too

[@ardythburger7088]

Loved the 80s music, still love

[@yyzwdm]

The early 80's was the peak of American Pop music.

[@MrJestyler]

Variety was awesome

[@0159ralph]

I was 17 a junior in high school working at night flipping burgers and saving enough money to buy a used Dodge Charger. Times were better and so much optimism. You couldn't wait to graduate and be on your own. Today Y and Z generations are missing out on so much.

[@NorbertoFontanez]

🥲 I turned 16 in '81, and it was a BLAST🎉💥... I have a memory for each tune ...😢 I can't believe I'm turning 60 in a couple o' months😂....good years 🤙🍺🥃😎

[@philspd473]

Video killed the radio star.

[@GreggSadler]

Same here

[@philspd473]

@@Johnny.1965 did you wear a bra on your head? Lol

[@annrodriguez2891]

Video killed the radio star...first video ever played on MTV

[@RobYounce-e4o]

Same here,the 80s were a great time to grow. I lost my V to my friend's mom. 😊

[@annrodriguez2891]

Class of '83 here!!!I was 15 and Foreigner 4 had Urgent ❤❤❤❤So good..Fast Times came out that summer..and it had a wonderful soundtrack...1981.. Great music 🎵

[@mooseangelbelle]

@@annrodriguez2891 Great music and fun movies back then.

[@KatieGarrawurra-kj7zj]

No matter what or what and who ever talks about this program but to me it's my style forever yes the 80s I won't forget

[@peterfantoni919]

The 80s were the best of everything music,girls,partys ! Everything! everybody got along the best times ever! If you grew up in the 80s, you know exactly what i am talking about. Im 60 now, and i dream about going back and staying in the 80s!

[@elvisrandolph4936]

Class of 82 and love most of these songs. Dang, I'm 60 now!

[@floyd8153]

I turned 21 in 1981. Yeah, I'm one of the lucky few who got to fully enjoy the best decade in human history, the 1980's. Its everything you've heard about. An alcohol, orgy and cocaine fueled love fest!!❤

[@John-ix3mz]

The best song of 1981 in my opinion was Centerfold from the J Giel's band. That song takes me back to a special girl whenever I hear it now.

[@CarolynnTubman-r9m]

I absolutely remember these songs - such great memories

[@massimo625]

Unforgettable early 80's 😊

[@retluoc]

I was barely sentient in 81. 😄 I have a few vague memories of kindergarten, but that's about it. I know every song you played now, but I didn't listen to any of them in 81. 😄 I'll try to look it up, but if Waiting (for a girl like you) was stuck at #2, what was #1? 😀 When I hear Physical, I always think of Olivia. Dua Lipa's version is crap... but I'm getting old. 😆

[@MrJestyler]

1981 was best year musically for all of 80’s. Lots of crossover hits and two of longest charting hits of entire decade. Top 40 radio was a blast to listen to because all over place with different sounds. Love all the 80’s but first half more so. 1981 was spot on in many ways. 👍

[@raylink2987]

82 graduate lots of partying to these tunes

[@massimocometti6529]

"In the air tonight" (Phil Collins), released February 1981

[@marcduchamp5512]

Really didn’t like that song

[@pcl8993]

I have most of these on my playlist!👏👏👏👍👍👍

[@m.y.o.b.724]

My favorite year in music. I remember listening to the radio for hours on end. New Wave had a major impact around this time.

[@JustMe-ho6vg]

Class of 83 checking in REO Speedwagon yes

[@Bonorock1]

I think my favorite song of 1981 is "Every little thing she does is magic" by The Police.

[@tswizard13]

Joined USN in May of 80, 80s was the decade of Rush and metal!

[@NorbertoFontanez]

I joined in June of '85 until '90... right outta High School...best decision I EVER MADE> OS-3 US NAVY inactive reserve NAB Little Creek VA. 🤙🍺🥃🥃😎🇺🇸🫡

[@lolamedley8172]

My brother was and still is a mega Rush fan.

[@jimgardner5129]

Rush 1981 Moving Pictures. I've yet to find another release that has 3 killer tracks in a row from the very beginning of the album.

[@dimitrikotsianas2852]

This year was great and appreciative in music NTM memories of happier times.

[@jim6025]

Glad the disco era is long over. Stones Start me Up is a classsic so is Betty Davis Eyes

[@vaughnslavin9784]

Great selection.

[@jacquelinefickis1734]

I love all the songs and I don’t want to choose what song I like ❤

[@jimbartalone8773]

Class of 84. Coming of age to this music. Back then my best friend was named Jeff. Jeff had a knockout girlfriend that I crushed on. I would secretly sing, "I wish that I had Jeffy's girl."

[@bethbuzzanco304]

This was the time of my life!I was young and in love❤my stomping days!!

I was 34 and a Border patrol Agent in San Diego. We got overrun every night but I listened to all these great songs on the Good Time Radio in my Ram Charger while chasing thundering herds of tonks.

[@cmb5489]

Love it

[@joyfulanomaly3984]

1983!! The year I graduated from undergrad and got married!

[@mariobrosxsuper]

Classic 🙏

[@ddoghfx]

What strikes me here is that so many of the songs I remember from that era were not on this list. In fact when I think about songs like "Let's Get Physical" I think about what pablum they were. The best songs of 1981 were not on this list but are still with us.

[@trishafoster8019]

1981...Journey, Styx, REO, Billy Squire

[@tyalayton5930]

Well done! I think you captured great song from ‘81.

[@SweptAway529]

Unsure what the source material is here, but Billboard lists 1981's top ten singles as - #1- Bette Davis Eyes #2 - Endless Love, #3 - Lady (Kenny Rogers), #4 - Starting Over (John Lennon), #5 - Jessie's Girl, #6 - Celebration, #7 - Kiss On My List (Hall/Oates), #8 -I Love a Rainy Night (E. Rabbit), #9 - 9 to 5, #10 - Keep On Loving You (REO Speedwagon). Cashbox listed "Endless Love" as top single of the year on their survey.

[@DavidBeserock]

Doesn't say top songs

[@SweptAway529]

@@DavidBeserock The host's opening comment in the video is "Today we'll be looking at the top ten songs of 1981" implying a sales ranking of hits. You can look at it otherwise if you'd like to.

[@DavidBeserock]

@@SweptAway529 then reread your comment. I took it one way since you started off with " unsure of the source material."

[@SweptAway529]

@@DavidBeserock Oh! You think you're being helpful. Bless your heart.

[@DavidBeserock]

@@SweptAway529 Isn't that sweet, you've learned sarcasm. So what was the point of your original post then? Were you confused, or just wanted to show off your Google skills?

[@rtcpsurveys6753]

Club Fizz on Richmond in Houston was awesome later became Hippos then 6400. All were hitting good.

[@sallyfitzgerald3912]

Smokie " If you think you know how to love me" reached no 2 in 1975 they had very unique backing vocals!

[@LoganLavery]

I turned 16 in July ‘81 and honestly, there were more great songs that year than usual. I loved The Break Up Song by Greg Kihn Band and You Better You Bet by The Who probably the most. Urgent by Foreigner was hot. My favourite ballad was probably Same Old Lang Syne by Dan Fogelberg. Loved Styx that year and went to their Paradise Theater concert in the July. I also saw Split Enz in concert that year after they released the Waiata album and toured parts of North America.

[@leomarkteleg1347]

Here are some of my favorite songs from year 1981 that weren't included in the list. 1.) Earth , Wind And Fire - Let's Groove ( 1981 ) 2.) Helen Reddy - I Can't Say Goodbye To You ( 1981 ) 3.) The Manhattan Transfer - Smile Again ( 1981 ) 4.) Marty Balin - Hearts ( 1981 ) 5.) The Police - Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic ( 1981 ) 6.) Gary Wright - Really Wanna Know You ( 1981 ) 7.) Diana Ross - Why Do Fools Fall In Love ( 1981 ) 8.) Albert Hammond - When I'm Gone ( 1981 ) 9.) Blondie - Rapture ( 1981 ) 10.) Lani Hall Duet With Herb Alpert - Come What May ( 1981 ) 11.) Abba - Lay All Your Love On Me ( 1981 ) 12.) The Pointer Sisters - Slow Hand ( 1981 ) 13.) The Pointer Sisters - Should I Do It ( 1981 ) 14.) Thelma Houston - If You Feel It ( 1981 ) 15.) Hall And Oates - I Can't Go For That ( 1981 ) 16.) Aneka - Japanese Boy ( 1981 ) 17.) Grace Jones - Pull Up To The Bumper ( 1981 ) 18.) Olivia Newton - John - Carried Away ( 1981 ) 19.) Donna Summer - Who Do You Think You're Foolin' ( 1981 ) 20.) Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime ( 1981 ) 21.) The Carpenters - Back In My Life Again ( 1981 ) 22.) The Carpenters - Touch Me When We're Dancing ( 1981 ) 23.) Patti Austin - Do You Love Me ( 1981 ) 24.) The Nolans - Sexy Music ( 1981 ) 25.) Dan Fogelberg - Leader Of The Band ( 1981 ) 26.) Randy Crawford - People Alone ( 1981 ) 27.) Juice Newton - Queen of Hearts ( 1981 ) 28.) Chaka Khan - What Cha Gonna Do For Me ( 1981 ) 29.) Go Go's - Our Lips Are Sealed ( 1981 ) 30.) Go Go's - We Got The Beat ( 1981 ) 31.) Ottawan - Hands Up ( 1981 ) 32.) Angela Bofill - You Should Know By Now ( 1981 ) 33.) Angela Bofill - Break It To Me Gently ( 1981 ) 34.) Angela Bofill - Time To Say Goodbye ( 1981 ) 35.) Sister Sledge - All American Girls ( 1981 ) 36.) Lipps Incorporated - Designer Music ( 1981 ) 37.) Debra Laws - Very Special ( 1981 ) 38.) Cheryl Lynn - Shake It Up Tonight ( 1981 ) 39.) Kelly Marie - Feels Like I'm In Love ( 1981 ) 40.) Madleen Kane - You Can ( 1981 ) 41.) Sheena Easton - 9 To 5 Morning Train 42.) Sheena Easton - For Your Eyes Only ( 1981 ) 43.) Sheena Easton - You Could Have Been With Me ( 1981 ) 44.) Evelyn Champagne King - I'm In Love ( 1981 ) 45.) Kim Wilde - Kids In America ( 1981 ) 46.) Kim Wilde - Cambodia ( 1981 ) 47.) Stacy Lattisaw - Love On A Two Way Street ( 1981 )

[@jaybo6881]

Grab that special girl or special guy it’s time for the couples skate!

[@christopherward9230]

Soft Cell , Tainted Love 🇬🇧

[@larryeinzig3316]

Great review of 1981 songs. It may be spelled Bette Davis but it’s pronounced Betty Davis.

[@ericneff9908]

In my opinion, #9 was the song of the 80s!

[@markgulbranson-qe3ky]

Those songs bring back so many memories. The song from Christopher Cross I play for my fiance and even the song from Foreigner . But there was one song song I think you forgot it's was the first song MTV played by the buggles video killed the radio star . But to me all the songs back in the 80's were great those were the years of my childhood.

[@thomasackerly5367]

When MTV actually played music.

[@michaelriffey1268]

Yes that's for sure

[@headlibrarian1996]

Iconic genre? Metal, of course. The 1980s was the decade of metal.

[@thomasackerly5367]

The best years of my life.

[@DaveDeBoer-g2f]

From highschool to the Navy and remember the days🎉

[@DeanTitus-m6d]

Fun fact about Physical: When you mentioned that Waiting For A Girl Like You spent 10 weeks at #2, Physical teamed up with Hall and Oates' I Can't Go For That to keep Foreigner out of the #1 spot!! LMAO

[@kennethlee1031]

AcDc ... For those about to rock ! Nov 81 .. epic rock song.. Inwas vlass of 81 . Theres SO many . I l9ve rock and roll , joan jett ! J Giels , Freeze Frame ! ..... red rider, Lunatic Fringe! .... The Stones, Start me up ! .. just the best time for music and so much more .. cars.. pretty girls.. miss it terribly.

[@basss902a]

"Betty Davis Eyes" was good but Rick Springfield with "Jessie's Girl" should of been #1. That song is still loved by millions of teenagers and adults in this new generation. It outlasted every song on this list in terms of being a fan favorite in multiple generations including today. PEACE!

[@undrtakr2222]

The 80's was the freest time in our lives, under the Reagan presidency. But, what made it the best decade of music is, because of the heavy drug use, by the musicians and the song writers. The drug's is, what got them to dive deep into their own mind's, and come up with all of the banger music. I mean, it really was from the mid-50's to the mid-90's...

[@MarieBotes-g5r]

Ek was 10 gewees my fam het hulle eie band gehad met die muskiek groot geword en lekr boeremuskiek alle danse geleer 🎉🎉

[@denlih]

For your eyes only by Sheena Easton is the best song in 1981 in my point of view!

[@alfredtolsma5389]

New wave was my thing

[@bradtaylor4765]

I’m trying me best to forget any song from this time period that made the top 40

[@charlottestephens9756]

Love Dolly Parton and the Rolling Stones and REO Speedwagon ❤

[@foomoo1088]

Pretty smooth content from AI.

[@MsMtwardy]

Year I was born!!!!

[@jerlewis4291]

Stars on 45 was the huge hit

[@journeykid1]

Wait..... were in the world is Don't Stop Believin' by Journey? This song is iconic.

[@dabroncobabe]

Journey’s Escape and Loverboy’s Get Lucky albums were released that summer - how could they not make the list??

[@jolieb9138]

Voices (Hall & Oats),Freeze Frame (J. Geils Band)

[@ModestaSolis-t9d]

My favorite genre was Yacht Rock. It started in the late 70's but crossed over to the 80s. Artist like Christopher Cross, Toto, Michael McDonald and more. . .How I enjoyed their music 🎶.

[@ChatNoirVibes]

I love Yacht Rock, Honestly was thinking of doing a video on just that genre.

[@jerlewis4291]

New Wave was the defining sound in the 80s

[@chrisphillips348]

Start Me Up was a bad Reggae unfinished song. Mick redid it himself completely, then played the Demo to a non H addicted Richards who was so surprised he thought it was Flashbacks! He loved it .

[@akfreed6949]

This title is misleading . Ive forgotten some of these songs .

[@nicholasmaude6906]

"Keep on loving you" sounds like a late 70s song.

[@harveymckay6335]

I always love “everybody wants to Rule the World. “

[@chipcook5346]

And these are just the tip of the iceberg. I'm more of a fan of the mid 80s to early 90s; however, the best thing about the late 70s and early 80s was that radio was not especially genre defined. The year I graduated from high school, 1982, on one station you could hear any of these R&B, pop, rock, plus seriously hard rock, what is now called yacht yock, glam, classic pop, new British Invasion, and cross over country. I'm sure I missed something, but all on one station.

[@ChatNoirVibes]

You’re so right about the radio back then-it was a real musical melting pot! 🎶

[@mbrow]

Nice list from my first years in adulthood. Thanks. BTW, please learn about who Bette Davis is and how her name is pronounced. Or just listen to the lyrics. :)

[@woodydavis8287]

Unfortunately i looked like Rick Springfield in 1982 and it was a rough pony to ride. I made it through somehow. 😛

[@alacran63]

Days gone by…time to move on😊

[@Steve-3P0]

CRAZY TRAIN - OZZY OSBOURNE!!!

[@donaldahumphreys8827]

Survivor eye of the tiger

[@deguzmanjrrobertom]

Maybe top 20

[@ModestaSolis-t9d]

I Love Rock n Roll Joan Jett and the Black Hearts

[@SweptAway529]

Released as a single May 1982

[@SweptAway529]

@@ModestaSolis-t9d Released as a single January 1982

[@ModestaSolis-t9d]

@SweptAway529 The album was released in November of 1981. It was released as a single in 1982 and became a hit. It was also a cover song. All of these songs bring back memories of my childhood. I remember my parents buying the album for my sibling. How time flies...

[@paulfowler2378]

Juice Newton!!

[@petej4752]

If Keven wrote KOLY to his wife because he loved her. Then listing to the lyric. Read also the story of the song In Your Letter from the same album.

[@jerryc3093]

Bette = Betty

[@davidrathbun1345]

Punk funk Rick James

[@leeerotica]

What was the number 9 song? I may have missed it.

[@ChatNoirVibes]

Best That You Can Do by Christopher Cross i was made for the movie Arthur’s Theme.

[@leeerotica]

It didn't skip from 10 to 8, omitting 9?

[@mariskacandice890]

What were these songs? I forgot!

[@richg.2296]

Maybe 3 or r songs were top 10 however so many top 10 sings were left out

[@Mediaworkscpv]

I hated "Bette Davis Eyes" They kept that song on constant repeat on the radio in the summer of 81 -uggghh

[@BadgerBoy5150]

Did he miss #9? How could you miss the overplayed ‘Don’t Stop Believing’?

[@ctblvr6408]

Sheena Easton "You Could Have Been with Me"

[@tiomoidofangle102]

Rick Springfield: 4-chord song on steroids.

[@derekparkins9799]

Hi-energy

[@deverewalker6252]

Crazy Train..

[@troyarthur9342]

What happened to number 9?

[@ChatNoirVibes]

Had to take it out due to copyright issues. sorry about that. :(

[@antoniograncino3506]

Fun fact: Bette Davis pronounced her first name as "Betty". Bette Midler is "Bet"

[@MikeCee7]

Did he say “Bet” Davis eyes? 6:16, 6:31, & 6:46

[@Thrive7]

Ah yea, my first year of college

[@mickeynewsome5412]

I am puzzled because Physical was the biggest song of the 80's. So how did it rank so low in your countdown?

[@lwh7301]

Physical came out late in 81, so most of its rise came in 82. It's a bad song nevertheless. No one plays it anymore for good reason.

[@DavidSoholt]

I had an editing 📼 VCR that did frame by frame.

[@robertnattrass8672]

Where is number 9?

[@federalpipingco.inc.7700]

If you shut up and play the music with little talk and asking us to make comments it would be refreshing.😮

[@JoelWelter]

Is this an AI narrative? "Bet Davis" ??? Nobody makes that mistake.

[@yehudap]

Bette (Davis) is pronounced the same as "Betty".

[@MikeCee7]

Is that Trump shining JR shoes? 2:44

[@paulchoudhury2573]

OMG! Betty Davis not Bette!