1981- THE 200 GREATEST SONGS. This post: #200- 1, This concludes the countdown.

Caffe´Latte´presents~

1981

THE 200

 GREATEST SONGS

MCMLXXXI

 

It was the year of the first space shuttle flight. Prince Charles married Diana. Anwar Sadat was assassinated. Solidarity strikes brought martial law to Poland. Ronald Reagan was elected President of the United States. Riots broke out in British cities against Margaret Thatcher’s government. Audiences flocked to the cinema, enjoying films like ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’, ‘Endless Love’, ‘On Golden Pond’, ‘Porky’s’, ‘Reds’ and the latest 007 instalment ‘For Your Eyes Only’.

Here are 200 examples of the music that was the soundtrack for the year 1981:

1

 

UNDER PRESSURE

Queen & David Bowie

Arguably the coolest collab ever, was recorded at Mountain Studios in Montreux. The impromptu session spawned one of the biggest hits for both titans of British rock.  

2

 

I LOVE ROCK ‘N ROLL

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

When Joan Jett first heard the original version of “I Love Rock ‘N Roll” by The Arrows, she recognized its hit potential. The former Runaways member had a task ahead to get a remake out, but her determination paid off. It met with global success and remains a rock anthem to this day.

 

3

 

ELTON’S SONG

Elton John

“Elton’s Song”, a tender deep cut from Elton John's ‘The Fox’ album deals with unrequited love from a gay perspective. Few songs dealt with the subject matter so sensitively at the time. The music video for the track emphasizes the protagonist’s state.

 

4

 

WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU

Foreigner

Foreigner was known for its rock sound as exemplified on past hits such as “Feels Like The First Time” and “Long Way From Home”. The group unleashed a power ballad as the follow-up single for "Urgent" from the ‘4’ album. Thomas Dolby contributed synthesizer on the track which was produced by group member Mick Jones and Robert John “Mutt” Lange.

 

5

 

I CAN’T GO FOR THAT

(NO CAN DO)

Hall & Oates

The second single off the ‘Private Eyes’ album not only made #1 in the U.S.A. Pop Chart, but also topped the Soul listing: a rare occurrence for a white act.

 

6

 

VIENNA

Ultravox

 

Ultravox easily could have faded into obscurity had the group not undergone some personnel changes that included recruiting Midge Ure. The revamped outfit finally scored a major hit single with “Vienna”. The song is still remembered as a defining moment in synth-pop

 

7

 

MEMORY

Barbra Streisand

The stage musical “Cats” premiered in London in 1981. Barbra Streisand covered the song for her ‘Memories’ compilation that same year. Andrew Lloyd Webber composed the music and Trevor Nunn wrote the lyrics.

 

8

 

WHILE YOU SEE A CHANCE

Steve Winwood

After stints in the groups Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith, Steve Winwood issued his solo debut album in 1977. ‘Arc Of A Diver’ followed and expanded his audience. “While You See A Chance” remains one of his most beautiful songs. It was co-written with Will Jennings.

 

9

 

I LET THE MUSIC SPEAK

ABBA

When ABBA began sessions to record ‘The Visitors’, the band members were unaware that it would be its last. The disc finds the Swedish band embracing new musical directions for the new decade. “I Let The Music Speak” is one of the group’s underrated and overlooked gems. Should new tracks emerge – as promised- later this year, the ABBA catalogue could have at least one new addition.

 

10

 

IN THE AIR TONIGHT

Phil Collins

 

Phil Collins had only recently stepped out from behind his drum kit as lead vocalist for the band Genesis before launching his solo career with this signature song. There is an urban myth that the song deals with a man looking on while another drowns. This is pure fiction.

 

 

 

11 TAINTED LOVE Soft Cell

12 BETTE DAVIS EYES Kim Carnes

13 HEAD OVER HEELS ABBA

14 NOBODY WINS Elton John

15 WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE Diana Ross

16 THAT GIRL Stevie Wonder

17 ROCK AND ROLL DREAMS COME THROUGH Jim Steinman

18 SLIPPING THROUGH MY FINGERS ABBA

19 SLEEPWALK Ultravox

20 URGENT Foreigner

 

21 GOLDEN BROWN The Stranglers

22 ARC OF A DIVER Steve Winwood

23 CHLOE Elton John

24 WIRED FOR SOUND Cliff Richard

25 STOP DRAGGIN’ MY HEART AROUND

Stevie Nicks with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

26 THE VISITORS ABBA

27 JOHNNY AND MARY Robert Palmer

28 SPIRITS IN THE MATERIAL WORLD The Police

29 WHAT A BITCH IS LOVE Marcia Hines

30 ALL THOSE YEARS AGO George Harrison

 

31 JUST CAN’T GET ENOUGH Depeche Mode

32 SOLDIERS ABBA

33 YOUNG TURKS Rod Stewart

34 JESSIE’S GIRL Rick Springfield

35 ONE DAY IN YOUR LIFE Michael Jackson

36 BAD HABITS Billy Field

37 SHAKE IT UP The Cars

38 YOUR LOVE STILL BRINGS ME TO MY KNEES

Marcia Hines

39 IT’S MY TURN Diana Ross

40 PRIVATE EYES Hall & Oates

 

41 ONE OF US ABBA

42 LOUISE (WE GET IT RIGHT) Jona Lewie

43 BACKFIRED Debbie Harry

44 TEMPTED (UK) Squeeze

45 I KNOW YOU, I LIVE YOU Chaka Khan

46 SUPER FREAK Rick James

47 ENDLESS LOVE Lionel Richie & Diana Ross

48 ARTHUR’S THEME (BEST THAT YOU CAN DO)

Christopher Cross     

49 AI NO CORRIDA Quincy Jones ftg. Dune

50 EVERY LITTLE THING SHE DOES IS MAGIC The Police

 

51 ROCK HARD Suzi Quatro

52 BERSERK WARRIORS Mental As Anything

53 SHOULD I DO IT? Pointer Sisters

54 SAY I LOVE YOU Renée Geyer   

55 ONE HUNDRED WAYS Quincy Jones ftg. James Ingram

56 LOVE IN MOTION Icehouse

57 STARS ON 45 Stars On 45

58 LADY (YOU BRING ME UP) Commodores

59 WAITING ON A FRIEND Rolling Stones

    60 FLASH Queen

 

61 LET’S GROOVE Earth, Wind & Fire   

    62 JUST LIKE BELGIUM Elton John

63 THE VOICE Moody Blues

64 TROUBLE Lindsey Buckingham   

65 CONTROVERSY Prince

66 CHEQUERED LOVE Kim Wilde

    67 NEVER TOO MUCH Luther Vandross   

68 SUKIYAKI A Taste Of Honey

69 COUNTING THE BEAT The Swingers  

70 EDGE OF SEVENTEEN Stevie Nicks

 

71 BEAUTIFUL BOY John Lennon

72 RAZZAMATAZZ Quincy Jones ftg. Patti Austin

73 YOU’RE MY HOME Live Billy Joel

74 GEMINI DREAM Moody Blues

75 SLOW HAND Pointer Sisters

   76 TURN YOUR LOVE AROUND George Benson  

     77 WHEN SHE WAS MY GIRL The Four Tops

    78 BEING WITH YOU Smokey Robinson  

79 COMIN’ IN AND OUT OF YOUR LIFE Barbra Streisand

80 FOR YOUR EYES ONLY Sheena Easton

 

81 WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE ABBA

     82 CARLA / ETUDE Elton John

83 WHO CAN IT BE NOW? Men At Work

84 OUR LIPS ARE SEALED The Go-Go’s

   85 PRECIOUS TO ME Phil Seymour

86 LOOKING FOR CLUES Robert Palmer

87 IT AIN’T WHAT YOU DO (IT’S THE WAY THAT YOU DO IT)

Fun Boy Three & Bananarama

88 MAKING YOUR MIND UP Bucks Fizz

89 ONCE IN A LIFETIME Talking Heads

90 WALKING ON THIN ICE Yoko Ono

 

91 TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS Styx

92 LET’S COOK Mental As Anything

93 SHE’S GOT A WAY Live Billy Joel

94 JUST ONCE Quincy Jones ftg. James Ingram

95 FIRE AND ICE Pat Benatar

96 ROOF GARDEN Al Jarreau

 97 MR. SANDMAN

Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton & Linda Ronstadt

98 GOOD YEAR FOR THE ROSES Elvis Costello

99 SO LONG Fischer-Z

100 CHARIOTS OF FIRE (TITLE) Vangelis

 

101 GIVE IT TO ME BABY Rick James

102 TONIGHT I’M YOURS Rod Stewart

103 MISPLACED LOVE Rupert Hine

104 ANT MUSIC Adam & The Ants

105 HOLD ON TIGHT ELO

106 TURN ME LOOSE Loverboy

107 BOY FROM NEW YORK CITY Manhattan Transfer

108 CHANT NO. 1 (I DON’T NEED THIS PRESSUTRE ON)

Spandau Ballet

109 THEY WON’T LET MY GIRLFRIEND TALK TO ME

Jimmy & The Boys

110 THE BEST OF TIMES Styx

 

111 THE WAITING

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

112 I’LL FIND MY WAY HOME Jon & Vangelis

113 MAKE A MOVE ON ME Olivia Newton-John

114 YOU BETTER YOU BET The Who

115 HARDEN MY HEART Quarterflash

116 I LOVE A RAINY NIGHT Eddie Rabbitt

117 WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND Loverboy

118 I MISSED AGAIN Phil Collins

119 JUST SO LONELY Get Wet

120 (ROUND, ROUND, ROUND) BLUE RONDO A LA TURK

Al Jarreau

 

121 CENTREFOLD J. Geils Band

122 APACHE Sugarhill Gang

123 ONE STEP AHEAD Split Enz

124 STAND & DELIVER Adam & The Ants

125 ACCORDING TO MY HEART The Reels

126 THE BREAKUP SONG Greg Kihn Band

127 DID IT IN A MINUTE Hall & Oates

128 YOU WEREN’T IN LOVE WITH ME Billy Field

129 ROMEO AND JULIET Dire Straits

130 HIP SHAKE JERK The Quick

 

131CASTLES IN THE AIR Don McLean

132 AFTER THE NEWS The Reels

133 HOW ‘BOUT US Champaign

134 (SI, SI) JE SUIS UN ROCK STAR Bill Wyman

135 PHYSICAL Olivia Newton-John

136 OH NO Commodores

137 THE STROKE Billy Squier

138 START ME UP Rolling Stones

139 GHOST TOWN The Specials

140 SKATEAWAY Dire Straits

 

141 HARD TO SAY Dan Fogelberg

142 QUEEN OF HEARTS Juice Newton

143 THE NIGHT OWLS Little River Band

144 TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE ABBA

145 TUNNEL OF LOVE Dire Straits

146 BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS Elton John

147 RUNAWAY BOYS The Stray Cats

148 TIME IS TIME Andy Gibb     

149 LOVE WILL FIND A WAY The Reels

150 PASSION Rod Stewart

 

151 JAPANESE BOY Aneka

152 FADE TO GREY Visage

153 DON’T YOU WANT ME Human League   

154 BOYS IN TOWN Divinyls   

155 LIKE AN ANGEL PASSING THROUGH MY ROOM ABBA

156 WE’RE IN THIS LOVE TOGETHER Al Jarreau

157 THE ONE THAT YOU LOVE Air Supply

158 LOVE SONG Simple Minds   

159 PLANET EARTH Duran Duran

    160 SAT IN YOUR LAP Kate Bush

 

161 HEARTS Marty Balin   

    162 SOMEBODY’S KNOCKING Terri Gibbs

163 SAME OLD LANG SYNE Dan Fogelberg   

164 ABACAB Genesis   

165 ANGEL OF THE MORNING Juice Newton

166 LOVE ON THE ROCKS Neil Diamond

    167 THIS LITTLE GIRL Gary U.S. Bonds   

168 OPEN ARMS Journey

169 HEELS OF THE WIND Elton John  

170 TAKE IT EASY ON ME Little River Band

 

171 MIRROR MIROR Diana Ross

172 I LOVE YOU Climax Blues Band

173 I WON’T LET YOU DOWN PHD

174 THIS OLE HOUSE Shakin’ Stevens

175 THAT’S NO WAY TO LOVE SOMEONE John Farnham

   176 I WANT TO BE STRAIGHT

Ian Dury & The Blockheads

     177 ELVIRA Oak Ridge Boys

    178 COOL WORLD Mondo Rock  

179 WE GOT THE BEAT The Go-Gos

180 WHO’S CRYING NOW Journey

 

181 TREAT ME RIGHT Pat Benatar

     182 YOU DRIVE ME CRAZY Shakin’ Stevens

183 LIVING INSIDE MYSELF Gino Vannelli

184 HER TOWN TOO James Taylor & J.D. Souther

   185 LADY Kenny Rogers

186 STRAY CAT STRUT Stray Cats

187 JEALOUS GUY Roxy Music

188 THINGS DON’T SEEM Australian Crawl

189 HOOKED ON CLASSICS

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

190 HELLO AGAIN Neil Diamond

 

191 BELIEVE IT OR NOT Joey Scarbury

192 TIME Alan Parsons Project

193 GIRLS ON FILM Duran Duran

194 KEEP ON LOVING YOU REO Speedwagon

195 FANTASTIC VOYAGE Lakeside

196 O SUPERMAN Laurie Anderson

 197 ONE MORE CHANCE Diana Ross

198 DON’T STOP THE MUSIC Yarbrough & Peoples

199 IT’S MY PARTY Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin

200 POP GOES THE MOVIES Meco

The 1981 Greatest Songs Playlist is available on Spotify. Updated with each new post:

 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3o0E7iylFv8QAB3IuJ4I2q?si=fb28498f154b4419