1981 representative songs

11 songs

1981: MTV launches; synth-pop and soft rock share the spotlight.

Song of the year

Bette Davis Eyes

Song of the year

Kim Carnes

Lyrics by:: Donna Weiss / Jackie DeShannon
Music by:: Donna Weiss / Jackie DeShannon

「She'll tease you, she'll unease you」

Representative songs

Endless Love

Diana Ross / Lionel Richie

Lyrics by:: Lionel Richie
Music by:: Lionel Richie

「My love, there's only you」

Physical

Olivia Newton-John

Lyrics by:: Steve Kipner / Terry Shaddick
Music by:: Steve Kipner / Terry Shaddick

「Let's get physical」

Start Me Up

The Rolling Stones

Lyrics by:: Mick Jagger / Keith Richards
Music by:: Mick Jagger / Keith Richards

「Start me up」

Jessie's Girl

Rick Springfield

Lyrics by:: Rick Springfield
Music by:: Rick Springfield

「Jessie's girl」

Private Eyes

Hall & Oates

Lyrics by:: Daryl Hall / Sara Allen
Music by:: Daryl Hall / John Oates

「Private eyes are watching you」

Keep on Loving You

REO Speedwagon

Lyrics by:: Kevin Cronin
Music by:: Kevin Cronin

「Keep on loving you」

Woman in Love

Barbra Streisand

Lyrics by:: Barry Gibb / Robin Gibb / Maurice Gibb
Music by:: Barry Gibb

「Life is so crazy」

The Tide Is High

Blondie

Lyrics by:: John Holt / Tyrone Evans / Howard Barrett
Music by:: John Holt

「The tide is high」

Celebration

Kool & the Gang

Lyrics by:: Ronald Bell / James Taylor
Music by:: Kool & the Gang

「Celebrate good times」

I Love a Rainy Night

Eddie Rabbitt

Lyrics by:: Eddie Rabbitt
Music by:: Eddie Rabbitt

「I love a rainy night」

Only short lyric excerpts are shown for identification. Full lyrics may be subject to copyright.