See of you can guess the year of these news events? A gallon of gasoline cost $1.25, Iran released 52 American hostages, the space shuttle Columbia flew for the first time, and MTV launched in August of this year. Yup, the year is 1981. What were the top songs of 1981?
“Don’t Stop Believing” Journey
“Super Freak (Part 1)” Rick James
“I Love Rock and Roll” Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
“Start Me Up” Rolling Stones
“Our Lips Are Sealed” The Go Gos
“Under Pressure” Queen and David Bowie
“In The Air Tonight” Phil Collins
“Waiting For A Girl Like You” Foreigner
“Don’t You Want Me?” The Human League
“Jesse’s Girl” Rick Springfield
“Let’s Groove” Earth, Wind, & Fire
Conclusions: As good as the artists listed here; there are plenty of Hall of Famers. Sadly Foreigner, Phil Collins as a solo artist, Rick, the Go Gos, and Rick are not yet in. Maurice White of Earth, Wind, and Fire, David Bowie, Freddie of Queen, and Rick James are no longer with us.
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Photo credit: Matt Becker