Harden My Heart – Quarterflash
The early 1980s produced countless memorable rock songs, but few combined emotional vulnerability with musical sophistication as effectively as “Harden My Heart.” Blending rock,…
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– 1981
Crying – Don McLean
Some songs are so perfectly written that they invite reinterpretation by every generation of artists. Roy Orbison’s “Crying” is one of those rare masterpieces.…
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Urgent – Foreigner
By 1981, Foreigner had already established themselves as one of the premier arena rock bands in the world. Albums like Foreigner, Double Vision, and…
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Think of Laura – Christopher Cross
Christopher Cross enjoyed one of the most remarkable breakthroughs in pop music history. His self-titled debut album swept the 1981 Grammy Awards, earning Album…
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How ‘Bout Us – Champaign
Some love songs don’t need grand orchestras or dramatic vocal fireworks to leave a lasting impression. Sometimes all it takes is an unforgettable melody,…
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Through the Years – Kenny Rogers
Few artists have been able to communicate warmth, sincerity, and emotional honesty quite like Kenny Rogers. Throughout a career that spanned more than six…
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Young Turks – Rod Stewart
Released in October 1981, “Young Turks” represented one of the boldest reinventions of Rod Stewart’s remarkable career. Already a superstar thanks to his work…
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The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known) – Juice Newton
Released in August 1981, “The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known)” showcased another side of Juice Newton’s remarkable versatility. While many listeners remember her for…
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The One That You Love – Air Supply
Released in May 1981, “The One That You Love” became one of Air Supply’s signature songs and cemented the Australian duo’s place among the…
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Ain’t Even Done With the Night – John Cougar
The Breakthrough Ballad That Introduced John Cougar to America Released in January 1981 as the third single from Nothin’ Matters and What If It…
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Working for the Weekend – Loverboy
The Ultimate Blue-Collar Party Anthem of the 1980s Released in September 1981 as the lead single from Get Lucky, “Working for the Weekend” became…
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Waiting for a Girl Like You – Foreigner
The Power Ballad That Showed Foreigner’s Softer Side Released in October 1981 as the lead single from 4, “Waiting for a Girl Like You”…
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Theme From Greatest American Hero (Believe It or Not) – Joey Scarbury
The Television Theme That Became One of the Biggest Pop Hits of the 1980s Released in 1981 as the theme song for the ABC…
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Slow Hand – The Pointer Sisters
The Sultry Hit That Showed a New Side of The Pointer Sisters Released in May 1981 as the second single from Black & White,…
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Get Down on It – Kool & the Gang
The Funk Anthem That Kept the Party Going Released in November 1981 as the second single from Something Special, “Get Down on It” became…
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Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty – Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around
The Duet That Launched Stevie Nicks’ Solo Career in Spectacular Fashion Released in July 1981 as the lead single from Stevie Nicks’ debut solo…
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Physical – Olivia Newton-John
The Song That Reinvented Olivia Newton-John and Defined a New Era of Pop Released in September 1981, “Physical” didn’t just become Olivia Newton-John’s…
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All Those Years Ago – George Harrison
The death of John Lennon on December 8, 1980, sent shockwaves through the music world. Fans struggled to comprehend how one of the most…
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Morning Train (Nine to Five) – Sheena Easton
The early 1980s produced no shortage of memorable pop songs, but few debut singles made as immediate an impact as Sheena Easton’s “Morning Train…
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Lost in Love – Air Supply
Few duos have ever become as closely associated with romantic ballads as Air Supply. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Russell Hitchcock and…
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Kids in America – Kim Wilde
When Kim Wilde burst onto the music scene in 1981 with “Kids in America,” she didn’t slowly work her way up the charts—she exploded…
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While You See a Chance – Steve Winwood
Released in 1981 as the lead single from Arc of a Diver, “While You See a Chance” marked a remarkable turning point in Steve…
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Queen of Hearts – Juice Newton
Released in 1981, “Queen of Hearts” became the signature hit of Juice Newton’s career and one of the defining crossover songs of the early…
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Endless Love – Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
Great musical duets are surprisingly rare. While countless artists have shared the microphone over the years, only a handful of collaborations have become timeless…
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Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) – Christopher Cross
Movie theme songs have long occupied a special place in popular music, but only a select few have become classics that endure well beyond…
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Who’s Crying Now – Journey
Long before power ballads dominated rock radio, Journey had already mastered the art of combining soaring melodies with heartfelt storytelling. While the band was…
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867-5309 (Jenny) – Tommy Tutone
Almost everyone who grew up in the 1980s can recognize the opening guitar riff or instantly complete the famous telephone number in the chorus…
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Just the Two of Us – Grover Washington, Jr. & Bill Withers
Great songs often emerge from unexpected collaborations, and “Just the Two of Us” is one of the finest examples in modern music. Released in…
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Chariots of Fire – Vangelis
Instrumental songs rarely dominate popular music charts. Even fewer become cultural landmarks that remain instantly recognizable decades later. Yet “Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis…
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At This Moment – Billy Vera & the Beaters
Music history is filled with songs that became instant hits, climbing the charts within weeks of their release. “At This Moment” took a very…
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Rapture – Blondie
When “Rapture” hit radio in 1981, it sounded unlike anything else in the Top 40. Part disco, part funk, part new wave, part rock,…
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Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes
Every so often, a song comes along that completely reshapes an artist’s career while becoming inseparable from an entire decade. For Kim Carnes, that…
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Private Eyes – Daryl Hall & John Oates
Most pop songs about relationships focus on romance, heartbreak, or reconciliation. Daryl Hall & John Oates took a different route with “Private Eyes,” transforming…
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Kiss on My List – Daryl Hall & John Oates
Love songs usually aim for grand declarations. They celebrate soulmates, everlasting devotion, or romance that conquers all. When Daryl Hall & John Oates released…
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Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’
Few songs have experienced a second life as extraordinary as “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey. Released in 1981, it was certainly a successful single,…
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Angel of the Morning – Juice Newton
Released in early 1981 as the lead single from Juice, “Angel of the Morning” became the signature hit of Juice Newton’s career and one…
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You Make My Dreams – Daryl Hall & John Oates
Released in July 1981 as the third single from Voices, “You Make My Dreams” became one of the most joyful and enduring songs in…
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Who Can It Be Now? – Men at Work
Released in June 1981 in Australia and later internationally in 1982, “Who Can It Be Now?” became the breakthrough hit that introduced Men at…
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Take It on the Run – REO Speedwagon
Released in March 1981 as the second single from Hi Infidelity, “Take It on the Run” became one of REO Speedwagon’s biggest hits and…
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Elvira – Oak Ridge Boys
Released in March 1981 as the lead single from the album Fancy Free, “Elvira” became the signature song of The Oak Ridge Boys and…
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Woman – John Lennon
Released in January 1981 as the second single from Double Fantasy, “Woman” became one of John Lennon’s most moving and beloved solo recordings. Written…
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Let’s Groove – Earth, Wind & Fire
Released in September 1981 as the lead single from Raise!, “Let’s Groove” became one of Earth, Wind & Fire’s biggest hits and one of…
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Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic – The Police
Released in September 1981 as the lead single from Ghost in the Machine, “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” became one of The…
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We Got the Beat – The Go-Go’s
Released in July 1981 as the second U.S. single from the Go-Go’s debut album Beauty and the Beat, “We Got the Beat” became one…
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Being With You – Smokey Robinson
Released in February 1981 as the title track from his album Being with You, “Being With You” marked one of the greatest solo triumphs…
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