Favorite Songs of 1981

In the Fall of 1980, I entered the nineth grade. This was a new experience. In my town we entered Junior High School for 9^th grade and then moved to the Senior High School for grades 10 through 12. I went to the Vocational High School instead because my deceased sister went there but I hated it, so I transferred out mid-year to the public junior high school. There I felt more comfortable with less memories.

I had been a Fleetwood Mac fan up to this point and when Stevie Nicks went solo I embraced everything she did musically. Bruce Springsteen was my favorite artist though. He is from New Jersey, so I always felt like his lyrics related to my experiences. They helped me get through a tragic time in my life. Music became so important to me as therapy.

There were other bands I favored such as Journey, Bon Jovi, U2, as well as others as I progressed through the eighties with my friends. I was fortunate to have parents who did not limit my purchase or listening to music. They left me to my own devices most of the time as long as I was safe. I took it for granted at the time but as I reminisce I appreciate their tolerance more and more.

The following is a list of my favorite songs from 1981. I will only list my favorite song from each album, despite liking several. (The list contains affiliate links that if you click, I may earn a commission if purchased within a limited time.)

Don’t Stop Believin‘– Journey. From their Escape album that has several other hits such as Open Arms, Who’s Crying Now, and Stone in Love. The album was released in July 1981. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Feeling That Way – Journey. From their Captured album that produced several other hits such as Lights and Just the Same Way. The album was released in January 1981. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Drive All Night – Bruce Springsteen. From The River album which produced several hits such as The River, Two Hearts, Hungry Heart, Out in the Streets, and The Ties That Bind. The River was released in October of 1980. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Edge of Seventeen – Stevie Nicks. From her first solo album Bella Donna was released in July 1981 but the single was not released till 1982. Stop Draggin My Heart Around (with Tom Petty) is also on this album as is Leather and Lace (with Don Henley). Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
I Will Follow – U2. This song is from their album Boy which was released in October of 1980. An Cat Dubh, Into the Heart, Surrender, and Out of Control are also on this album. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
In the Dark – Billy Squier. This song is from his Don’t Say No album released in April of 1981. It contains several other hits such as The Stroke, Lonely is the Night, and My Kinda Lover. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Take it On the Run – Reo Speedwagon. This song is from their Hi Infidelity album released in November of 1980. It contains several other hits such as Keep On Loving You and Don’t Let Him Go. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Wuthering Heights – Pat Benatar. This song is from her Crimes of Passion album released in August of 1980. It contains several other hits such as Treat Me Right, You Better Run, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, and Hell is For Children. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Promises in the Dark – Pat Benatar. This song is from her Precious Time album released July of 1981. It contains several other hits such as Fire and Ice, Precious Time, and Helter Skelter. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Bringin’ On the Heartbreak – Def Leppard. This song is from their High ‘N’ Dry album released in July of 1981. It contains other hits such as On Through the Night and You Got Me Runnin’. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Start Me Up – Rolling Stones. This song is from their Tattoo You album released in April of 1981. It contains other hits such as Waiting for a Friend, Little T & A, and Hang Fire. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes. This song is from her Mistaken Identity album released in January of 1981. Mistaken Identity and Draw of the Cards are also on this album. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Endless Love – Lional Ritchie & Diana Ross. This song is from the Endless Love soundtrack released in Spring of 1981. It contains other hits such as Dreamin’ by Cliff Richard, and I was Made for Loving You by Kiss. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Waiting for a Girl Like You – Foreigner. This song is from the Foreigner 4 album which contains other hits such as Urgent and Juke Box Hero. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Our Lips Are Sealed – Go Go’s. The song is from their Beauty and the Beat album released in July of 1981. Other hits on this album include We Got the Beat and Lust to Love. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Living Inside Myself – Gino Vannelli. This song is from his Nightwalker album released in March 1981. I Just Wanna Stop is an earlier hit of his from his Brother to Brother album in 1978. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Young Turks – Rod Stewart. This song is from his Tonight I’m Yours album released in November of 1981. The title song of the album was also a hit. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
The Waiting – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. This is from their Hard Promises album released in May of 1981. Other hits on this album include Insider (with Stevie Ncks) and Thing About You. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Blue Lamp – Stevie Nicks. This song is on the Heavy Metal soundtrack, which was released in 1981. Other hits on this album include Open Arms by Journey, Reach Out and I Must Be Dreamin’ by Cheap Trick, and All of You by Don Felder among others. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins. This is from his Face Value album. It includes other hits such as I Missed Again and This Must Be Love. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
Sign of the Gypsy Queen – April Wine. This song is from their The Nature of the Beast album which also contains Just Between You and Me. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.
The Kid is Hot Tonight – Loverboy. This song is from their Loverboy album released in August 1980. Other hits on this album include Turn Me Loose and Always on My Mind. Other available versions include vinyl and a download of the album.

I created a playlist on my Youtube Channnel – Musical Pier entitled “Favorite Songs of 1981” so you can listen to these songs performed by the artists listed. Check it out! Thanks for reading!

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