Playlist Time Machine

Graduation year

Class of 1981 songs

The class of 1981 grew up with the number one hits from 1976 to 1986. Here they are, year by year, in the order they reached the top.

237 songs, listed in the order they reached the top.

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1976

In 1976, Tonight's the Night by Rod Stewart holds No. 1 for 8 weeks, the longest run of the year. The year opens with Saturday Night by Bay City Rollers. Diana Ross has 2 No. 1s.

  1. Saturday NightBay City Rollers
  2. ConvoyC.W. McCall
  3. I Write the SongsBarry Manilow
  4. Theme from MahoganyDiana Ross
  5. Love RollercoasterOhio Players
  6. 50 Ways to Leave Your LoverPaul Simon
  7. Theme from S.W.A.T.Rhythm Heritage
  8. Love MachineThe Miracles
  9. December 1963 (Oh What a Night)The Four Seasons
  10. Disco LadyJohnnie Taylor
  11. Let Your Love FlowThe Bellamy Brothers
  12. Welcome BackJohn Sebastian
  13. Boogie FeverThe Sylvers
  14. Silly Love SongsWings
  15. Love HangoverDiana Ross
  16. Afternoon DelightStarland Vocal Band
  17. Kiss and Say GoodbyeManhattans
  18. Don't Go Breaking My HeartElton John and Kiki Dee
  19. You Should Be DancingBee Gees
  20. Shake Your BootyKC and the Sunshine Band
  21. Play That Funky MusicWild Cherry
  22. A Fifth of BeethovenWalter Murphy
  23. Disco DuckRick Dees
  24. If You Leave Me NowChicago
  25. Rock'n MeSteve Miller Band
  26. Tonight's the NightRod Stewart

1977

In 1977, You Light Up My Life by Debby Boone holds No. 1 for 10 weeks, the longest run of the year. The year opens with You Don't Have to Be a Star by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.. Barbra Streisand and Stevie Wonder each have 2 No. 1s.

  1. You Don't Have to Be a StarMarilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.
  2. You Make Me Feel Like DancingLeo Sayer
  3. I WishStevie Wonder
  4. Car WashRose Royce
  5. Torn Between Two LoversMary MacGregor
  6. Blinded by the LightManfred Mann's Earth Band
  7. New Kid in TownEagles
  8. Love Theme from A Star Is BornBarbra Streisand
  9. EvergreenBarbra Streisand
  10. Rich GirlDaryl Hall and John Oates
  11. Dancing QueenABBA
  12. Don't Give Up on UsDavid Soul
  13. Don't Leave Me This WayThelma Houston
  14. Southern NightsGlen Campbell
  15. Hotel CaliforniaEagles
  16. When I Need YouLeo Sayer
  17. Sir DukeStevie Wonder
  18. I'm Your Boogie ManKC and the Sunshine Band
  19. DreamsFleetwood Mac
  20. Got to Give It UpMarvin Gaye
  21. Gonna Fly NowBill Conti
  22. Undercover AngelAlan O'Day
  23. Da Doo Ron RonShaun Cassidy
  24. Looks Like We Made ItBarry Manilow
  25. I Just Want to Be Your EverythingAndy Gibb
  26. Best of My LoveThe Emotions
  27. Star Wars Theme/Cantina BandMeco
  28. You Light Up My LifeDebby Boone
  29. How Deep Is Your LoveBee Gees

1978

In 1978, Night Fever by Bee Gees holds No. 1 for 8 weeks, the longest run of the year. The year opens with Baby Come Back by Player. Bee Gees and Andy Gibb each have 2 No. 1s.

  1. Baby Come BackPlayer
  2. Stayin' AliveBee Gees
  3. (Love Is) Thicker Than WaterAndy Gibb
  4. Night FeverBee Gees
  5. If I Can't Have YouYvonne Elliman
  6. With a Little LuckWings
  7. Too Much, Too Little, Too LateJohnny Mathis and Deniece Williams
  8. You're the One That I WantJohn Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
  9. Love Is in the AirJohn Paul Young
  10. Shadow DancingAndy Gibb
  11. Miss YouThe Rolling Stones
  12. Three Times a LadyCommodores
  13. GreaseFrankie Valli
  14. Boogie Oogie OogieA Taste of Honey
  15. Kiss You All OverExile
  16. Hot Child in the CityNick Gilder
  17. You Needed MeAnne Murray
  18. MacArthur ParkDonna Summer
  19. You Don't Bring Me FlowersBarbra Streisand and Neil Diamond
  20. Le FreakChic

1979

In 1979, My Sharona by The Knack holds No. 1 for 6 weeks, the longest run of the year. The year opens with Too Much Heaven by Bee Gees. Bee Gees has 3 No. 1s.

  1. Too Much HeavenBee Gees
  2. Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?Rod Stewart
  3. I Will SurviveGloria Gaynor
  4. TragedyBee Gees
  5. What a Fool BelievesThe Doobie Brothers
  6. Knock on WoodAmii Stewart
  7. Heart of GlassBlondie
  8. ReunitedPeaches and Herb
  9. Hot StuffDonna Summer
  10. Love You Inside OutBee Gees
  11. Ring My BellAnita Ward
  12. Bad GirlsDonna Summer
  13. Good TimesChic
  14. My SharonaThe Knack
  15. Sad EyesRobert John
  16. Don't Stop 'Til You Get EnoughMichael Jackson
  17. RiseHerb Alpert
  18. Pop MuzikM
  19. Heartache TonightEagles
  20. StillCommodores
  21. No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand
  22. BabeStyx
  23. Escape (The Pina Colada Song)Rupert Holmes

1980

In 1980, Call Me by Blondie and Lady by Kenny Rogers each hold No. 1 for 6 weeks, the longest runs of the year. The year opens with Please Don't Go by KC and the Sunshine Band. Queen has 2 No. 1s.

  1. Please Don't GoKC and the Sunshine Band
  2. Rock with YouMichael Jackson
  3. Do That to Me One More TimeCaptain & Tennille
  4. Crazy Little Thing Called LoveQueen
  5. Another Brick in the WallPink Floyd
  6. Call MeBlondie
  7. FunkytownLipps Inc.
  8. Coming UpPaul McCartney
  9. It's Still Rock and Roll to MeBilly Joel
  10. MagicOlivia Newton-John
  11. SailingChristopher Cross
  12. Upside DownDiana Ross
  13. Another One Bites the DustQueen
  14. Woman in LoveBarbra Streisand
  15. LadyKenny Rogers
  16. (Just Like) Starting OverJohn Lennon

1981

In 1981, Physical by Olivia Newton-John holds No. 1 for 10 weeks, the longest run of the year. The year opens with The Tide Is High by Blondie. Daryl Hall and John Oates and Blondie each have 2 No. 1s.

  1. The Tide Is HighBlondie
  2. CelebrationKool and the Gang
  3. 9 to 5Dolly Parton
  4. I Love a Rainy NightEddie Rabbitt
  5. Keep On Loving YouREO Speedwagon
  6. RaptureBlondie
  7. Kiss On My ListDaryl Hall and John Oates
  8. Morning Train (Nine to Five)Sheena Easton
  9. Bette Davis EyesKim Carnes
  10. Stars on 45 MedleyStars on 45
  11. The One That You LoveAir Supply
  12. Jessie's GirlRick Springfield
  13. Endless LoveDiana Ross
  14. Arthur's ThemeChristopher Cross
  15. Private EyesDaryl Hall and John Oates
  16. PhysicalOlivia Newton-John

1982

In 1982, I Love Rock 'n' Roll by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Ebony and Ivory by Paul McCartney each hold No. 1 for 7 weeks, the longest runs of the year. The year opens with I Can't Go for That by Daryl Hall and John Oates. Daryl Hall and John Oates has 2 No. 1s.

  1. I Can't Go for ThatDaryl Hall and John Oates
  2. CenterfoldJ. Geils Band
  3. I Love Rock 'n' RollJoan Jett and the Blackhearts
  4. Chariots of FireVangelis
  5. Ebony and IvoryPaul McCartney
  6. We Got the BeatGo-Go's
  7. Don't You Want MeHuman League
  8. Eye of the TigerSurvivor
  9. AbracadabraSteve Miller Band
  10. Hard to Say I'm SorryChicago
  11. Jack and DianeJohn Cougar
  12. Who Can It Be NowMen at Work
  13. Up Where We BelongJoe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
  14. TrulyLionel Richie
  15. MickeyToni Basil
  16. ManeaterDaryl Hall and John Oates

1983

In 1983, Every Breath You Take by The Police holds No. 1 for 8 weeks, the longest run of the year. The year opens with Down Under by Men at Work. Michael Jackson has 2 No. 1s.

  1. Down UnderMen at Work
  2. AfricaToto
  3. Baby Come to MePatti Austin and James Ingram
  4. Billie JeanMichael Jackson
  5. Come On EileenDexys Midnight Runners
  6. Beat ItMichael Jackson
  7. Let's DanceDavid Bowie
  8. Flashdance... What a FeelingIrene Cara
  9. Every Breath You TakeThe Police
  10. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)Eurythmics
  11. ManiacMichael Sembello
  12. Tell Her About ItBilly Joel
  13. Total Eclipse of the HeartBonnie Tyler
  14. Islands in the StreamKenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
  15. All Night LongLionel Richie
  16. Say Say SayPaul McCartney and Michael Jackson

1984

In 1984, Like a Virgin by Madonna holds No. 1 for 6 weeks, the longest run of the year. The year opens with Owner of a Lonely Heart by Yes.

  1. Owner of a Lonely HeartYes
  2. Karma ChameleonCulture Club
  3. JumpVan Halen
  4. FootlooseKenny Loggins
  5. Against All OddsPhil Collins
  6. HelloLionel Richie
  7. Let's Hear It for the BoyDeniece Williams
  8. Time After TimeCyndi Lauper
  9. The ReflexDuran Duran
  10. When Doves CryPrince
  11. GhostbustersRay Parker Jr.
  12. What's Love Got to Do with ItTina Turner
  13. Missing YouJohn Waite
  14. Let's Go CrazyPrince and the Revolution
  15. I Just Called to Say I Love YouStevie Wonder
  16. Caribbean QueenBilly Ocean
  17. Wake Me Up Before You Go-GoWham!
  18. Out of TouchDaryl Hall and John Oates
  19. Like a VirginMadonna

1985

In 1985, We Are the World by USA for Africa and Say You Say Me by Lionel Richie each hold No. 1 for 4 weeks, the longest runs of the year. The year opens with I Want to Know What Love Is by Foreigner. Phil Collins has 3 No. 1s.

  1. I Want to Know What Love IsForeigner
  2. Careless WhisperWham!
  3. Can't Fight This FeelingREO Speedwagon
  4. One More NightPhil Collins
  5. We Are the WorldUSA for Africa
  6. Crazy for YouMadonna
  7. Don't You (Forget About Me)Simple Minds
  8. Everything She WantsWham!
  9. Everybody Wants to Rule the WorldTears for Fears
  10. HeavenBryan Adams
  11. SussudioPhil Collins
  12. A View to a KillDuran Duran
  13. Everytime You Go AwayPaul Young
  14. ShoutTears for Fears
  15. The Power of LoveHuey Lewis and the News
  16. St. Elmo's FireJohn Parr
  17. Money for NothingDire Straits
  18. Oh SheilaReady for the World
  19. Take On Mea-ha
  20. Saving All My Love for YouWhitney Houston
  21. Part-Time LoverStevie Wonder
  22. Miami Vice ThemeJan Hammer
  23. We Built This CityStarship
  24. Separate LivesPhil Collins
  25. Broken WingsMr. Mister
  26. Say You Say MeLionel Richie

1986

In 1986, That's What Friends Are For by Dionne Warwick and Walk Like an Egyptian by The Bangles each hold No. 1 for 4 weeks, the longest runs of the year. Whitney Houston and Madonna each have 2 No. 1s.

  1. That's What Friends Are ForDionne Warwick
  2. How Will I KnowWhitney Houston
  3. KyrieMr. Mister
  4. SaraStarship
  5. These DreamsHeart
  6. Rock Me AmadeusFalco
  7. KissPrince and the Revolution
  8. Addicted to LoveRobert Palmer
  9. West End GirlsPet Shop Boys
  10. Greatest Love of AllWhitney Houston
  11. Live to TellMadonna
  12. On My OwnPatti LaBelle and Michael McDonald
  13. There'll Be Sad SongsBilly Ocean
  14. Holding Back the YearsSimply Red
  15. Invisible TouchGenesis
  16. SledgehammerPeter Gabriel
  17. Glory of LovePeter Cetera
  18. Papa Don't PreachMadonna
  19. Higher LoveSteve Winwood
  20. VenusBananarama
  21. Take My Breath AwayBerlin
  22. Stuck with YouHuey Lewis and the News
  23. When I Think of YouJanet Jackson
  24. True ColorsCyndi Lauper
  25. AmandaBoston
  26. HumanHuman League
  27. You Give Love a Bad NameBon Jovi
  28. The Next Time I FallPeter Cetera and Amy Grant
  29. The Way It IsBruce Hornsby and the Range
  30. Walk Like an EgyptianThe Bangles
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