Here are the number one songs from 1981:



01/31/81 "The Tide Is High" - Blondie (1 week)

Even though it only spent one week at the top of the chart, this was Blondie's longest lasting single, staying on the charts for 26 weeks.

02/07/81 "Celebration" - Kool And The Gang (2 weeks)

From 1973 to 1987 the band had a string of hits. This was their only number one, although 1983's "Joanna" and 1985's "Cherish" both made it to number two.

02/21/81 "9 To 5" - Dolly Parton (2 weeks)

Her first number one song, from the movie of the same name, in which she also starred.

02/28/81 "I Love A Rainy Night" - Eddie Rabbitt (2 weeks)

Back to back country artists had number one hits in February of 1981. This was Rabbitt's only number one along with three other songs that made the top 10.

03/21/81 "Keep On Loving You" - REO Speedwagon (1 week)

Their first song to hit the Top 40 chart, and the first of two number ones for the quintet from Champaign, Illinois that was named after a type of fire truck.

03/28/81 "Rapture" - Blondie (2 weeks)

The 4th and final number one song Blondie had in the '80s, and their second of 1981.

04/11/81 "Kiss On My List" - Hall and Oates (3 weeks)

The first number one of the '80s for the duo from Philadelphia. They previously hit the top of the charts with 1977's "Sara Smile," and would have several hits throughout the '80s.

05/02/81 "Morning Train (Nine To Five)" - Sheena Easton (2 weeks)

The sexy Scot's first single went all the way to number one and would be her only chart topper. She did have 6 other top 10 hits in the '80s.

05/16/81 "Bette Davis Eyes" - Kim Carnes (9 weeks)

The number two song of 1981 was written by the legendary Jackie DeShannon. Carnes was a former member of the New Christy Minstrels in the late '60s. Her only other top 10 song was 1980's duet with Kenny Rogers, "Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer."

06/20/81 "Medley" - Stars On 45 (1 week)

This novelty song had Dutch session singers redo classic songs from the '60s. They released three other Medley singles, but none even cracked the Top 40.

07/25/81 "The One That You Love" - Air Supply (1 week)

The only number one song for the Australian balladeers. They had seven consecutive top 5 singles from 1980 to 1982.

08/01/81 "Jessie's Girl" - Rick Springfield (2 weeks)

1981 was a great year for Australians, with 3 different artists reaching number one. Springfield played Dr. Noah Drake on the hit soap opera General Hospital in the early '80s. This would be his only number one song, but he also had 4 other singles hit the top 10.

08/15/81 "Endless Love" - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie (9 weeks)

The title song for the movie starring Brooke Shields became a wedding staple and was Ross' final number one. It was Richie's first.

10/17/81 "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" - Christopher Cross (3 weeks)

The second movie theme in a row to top the charts in '81, it was Cross' second and final number one.

11/07/81 "Private Eyes" - Hall and Oates (2 weeks)

Another one of their 6 number one singles.

11/21/81 "Physical" - Olivia Newton-John (10 weeks)

The number one song of the year, and the song spending the most weeks at number one in the decade of the '80s. In addition to 10 weeks at number one, it spent a total of 21 weeks in the Top 40.