You may not remember it, but a gallon of gas costs $1.35 that year. ‘Raiders of the Lost Arc’ and ‘9 to 5’ were big hits on the silver screen as well. What were the top songs from 1981 though?
Rush – “Tom Sawyer”
Journey – “Who’s Crying Now”
Phil Collins – In the Air Tonight
Rolling Stones – “Start Me Up”
The Police – “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” and “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic”
REO Speedwagon – “Keep On Loving You”
John Lennon – “Woman”
Foreigner – “Waiting For a Girl Like You”
AC/DC – “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution”
Conclusions: 1981 was a terrific year for music. The Rolling Stones, Police, Journey, John Lennon, AC/DC, Phil Collins and Rush made it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, while REO and Foreigner dominated the 80s. Every song was a million seller and every tune is still a song we’d love to hear in the car on the radio.
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Photo credit: Matt Becker