Best Songs of 1981

Here is a list of the best and most influential songs from 1981. There may be overlap from 1980 and 1982, as it takes about 1 year for a song to reach the charts.

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1

Ain't Even Done With the Night - John Cougar

Ain't Even Done With the Night - John Cougar

2

Another One Bites the Dust - Queen

Another One Bites the Dust - Queen

3

Another One Rides the Bus - "Weird Al" Yankovic

Another One Rides the Bus - "Weird Al" Yankovic

4

Any Way You Want It - Journey

Any Way You Want It - Journey

5

Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes

Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes

6

Billy Squier - The Stroke

Billy Squier - The Stroke

7

The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'em) - Greg Kihn Band

The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'em) - Greg Kihn Band

8

Celebration - Kool & the Gang

Celebration - Kool & the Gang

9

A Country Boy Can Survive - Hank Williams Jr.

A Country Boy Can Survive - Hank Williams Jr.

10

Dancing With Myself - Billy Idol

Dancing With Myself - Billy Idol

11

Dead Ringer for Love - Meat Loaf Ft. Cher

Dead Ringer for Love - Meat Loaf Ft. Cher

12

Def Leppard - Bringin' on the Heartbreak (1981)

Def Leppard - Bringin' on the Heartbreak (1981)

13

Don't Stand So Close to Me - The Police

Don't Stand So Close to Me - The Police

14

Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

15

Down Under - Men at Work

Down Under - Men at Work

16

Elvira - Oak Ridge Boys

Elvira - Oak Ridge Boys

17

Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar

Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar

18

Hungry Heart - Bruce Springsteen

Hungry Heart - Bruce Springsteen

19

I Love a Rainy Night - Eddie Rabbitt

I Love a Rainy Night - Eddie Rabbitt

20

I Love Rock N' Roll - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

I Love Rock N' Roll - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

21

I Want Candy - Bow Wow Wow

I Want Candy - Bow Wow Wow

22

I'll Kill You If You Don't Come Back- Meat Loaf

I'll Kill You If You Don't Come Back- Meat Loaf

23

I'm Gonna Love Her for Both of Us- Meat Loaf

I'm Gonna Love Her for Both of Us- Meat Loaf

24

In the Air Tonight - Phil Collins

In the Air Tonight - Phil Collins

25

I've Done Everything for You - Rick Springfield

I've Done Everything for You - Rick Springfield

26

Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield

Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield

27

Keep on Loving You - REO Speedwagon

Keep on Loving You - REO Speedwagon

28

Lady - Kenny Rogers

Lady - Kenny Rogers

29

Mony Mony - Billy Idol

Mony Mony - Billy Idol

30

More Than You Deserve- Meat Loaf

More Than You Deserve- Meat Loaf

31

Old Flame- Alabama

Old Flame- Alabama

32

Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads

Once in a Lifetime - Talking Heads

33

Peel Out- Meat Loaf

Peel Out- Meat Loaf

34

Read 'em and Weep- Meat Loaf

Read 'em and Weep- Meat Loaf

35

Red Rider - Lunatic Fringe

Red Rider - Lunatic Fringe

36

The River - Bruce Springsteen (1980)

The River - Bruce Springsteen (1980)

37

Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through- Jim Steinman

Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through- Jim Steinman

38

Rock This Town - Stray Cats

Rock This Town - Stray Cats

39

Say Goodbye to Hollywood- Billy Joel

Say Goodbye to Hollywood- Billy Joel

40

Start Me Up - The Rolling Stones

Start Me Up - The Rolling Stones

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