Another repeat countdown played just last year, but still I totally enjoyed the countdown this week from late August 1981, with the amazing eclectic set of songs. It started with rock, novelty funk, big pop, then super-slow prog rock. Along the way, lots of country records, adult contemporary, classic rock, light R&B, jazz, plus early 80's staples of a medley and a TV theme. The previous week had 4 bona fide country records in the top 10.
The two biggest hits of 1981 and among the top charting songs of all time are at either end, Bette Dais Eyes exiting and Endless Love at the top, both 9-week #1s. Yet, the most iconic? Arguably stuck at #19 for a 2nd week -- "In the Air Tonight." Similarly the lead single from Journey's album, never heard on the radio today, is heading to #4, while it's most iconic hit would only make it to #9 in coming months, "Don't Stop Believin'"
First hit: Stevie Nicks (solo), Greg Kihn, Alabama, Billy Squier,
Last hit: Carpenters, who ruled the charts in the early 70's
Favorites: so many! Fire and Ice, Endless Love, Lady, ... But #1 is "The Voice"
1 1 ENDLESS LOVE –•– Diana Ross and Lionel Richie (Motown)-7 (2 weeks at #1) (1)
2 2 THEME FROM “GREATEST AMERICAN HERO” (Believe It Or Not) –•– Joey Scarbury (Elektra)-16 (2)
3 3 I DON’T NEED YOU –•– Kenny Rogers (Liberty)-11 (3)
4 6 SLOW HAND –•– The Pointer Sisters (Planet)-13 (4)
5 4 JESSIE’S GIRL –•– Rick Springfield (RCA)-22 (1)
6 21 STOP DRAGGIN’ MY HEART AROUND –•– Stevie Nicks (with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) (Modern)-5 (6)
7 7 BOY FROM NEW YORK CITY –•– The Manhattan Transfer (Atlantic)-14 (7)
8 9 QUEEN OF HEARTS –•– Juice Newton (Capitol)-13 (8)
9 10 (There’s) NO GETTIN’ OVER ME –•– Ronnie Milsap (RCA)-9 (9)
10 11 LADY (You Bring Me Up) –•– The Commodores (Motown)-10 (10)
11 13 WHO’S CRYING NOW –•– Journey (Columbia)-6 (11)
12 8 HEARTS –•– Marty Balin (EMI-America)-14 (8)
13 5 ELVIRA –•– The Oak Ridge Boys (MCA)-15 (5)
14 14 IT’S NOW OR NEVER –•– John Schneider (Scotti Brothers)-13 (14)
15 18 URGENT –•– Foreigner (Atlantic)-8 (15)
16 16 TOUCH ME WHEN WE’RE DANCING –•– The Carpenters (A&M)-10 (16)
17 17 THE STROKE –•– Billy Squier (Capitol)-15 (17)
18 20 COOL LOVE –•– Pablo Cruise (A&M)-8 (18)
19 19 IN THE AIR TONIGHT –•– Phil Collins (Atlantic)-13 (19)
20 25 THE BREAKUP SONG (They Don’t Write ‘Em) –•– The Greg Kihn Band (Beserkley)-13 (20)
21 23 REALLY WANNA KNOW YOU –•– Gary Wright (Warner Brothers)-8 (21)
22 24 FIRE AND ICE –•– Pat Benatar (Chrysalis)-6 (22)
23 27 STEP BY STEP –•– Eddie Rabbitt (Elektra)-5 (23)
24 26 FEELS SO RIGHT –•– Alabama (RCA)-12 (24)
25 36 THAT OLD SONG –•– Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio (Arista)-7 (25)
26 28 DON’T GIVE IT UP –•– Robbie Patton (Liberty)-7 (26)
27 29 YOU’RE MY GIRL –•– Frankie and the Knockouts (Millenium)-8 (27)
28 33 HOLD ON TIGHT –•– ELO (Jet)-5 (28)
29 31 LOVE ON A TWO WAY STREET –•– Stacy Lattisaw (Cotillion)-10 (29)
30 37 THE BEACH BOYS MEDLEY –•– The Beach Boys (Capitol)-5 (20)
31 39 THE VOICE –•– The Moody Blues (Threshold)-3 (31)
32 34 EVERLASTING LOVE –•– Rex Smith/Rachel Sweet (Columbia)-9 (32)
33 12 THE ONE THAT YOU LOVE –•– Air Supply (Arista)-15 (1)
34 46 I COULD NEVER MISS YOU (More Than I Do) –•– Lulu (Alfa)-4 (34)
35 47 FOR YOUR EYES ONLY –•– Sheena Easton (EMI-America)-5 (35)
36 40 BREAKING AWAY –•– Balance (Portrait)-7 (36)
37 15 TIME –•– The Alan Parsons Project (Arista)-19 (15)
38 22 BETTE DAVIS EYES –•– Kim Carnes (EMI-America)-22 (1)
39 30 DOUBLE DUTCH BUS –•– Frankie Smith (WMOT)-15 (30)
40 32 ROCK AND ROLL DREAMS COME THROUGH –•– Jim Steinman (with Rory Dodd) (Cleveland International)-13 (32)
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