1
record label: Motown 1519chart position: RandB #1, UK #7, US #1, US AC #1written by: Lionel Richiealbum: Endless Love: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 12comments: [Motown Sound] [love ballad]
Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Endless Love
1981
Motown
2
record label: Tamla 54321chart position: RandB #1, UK #1, US #2, US AC #4written by: Smokey Robinsonalbum: Being with You / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 12comments: [Motown Sound]
Smokey Robinson
Being with You
1981
Tamla
3
record label: RCA 12357chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #8, US dance #1 US AC #12, US rock #28written by: Daryl Hall, John Oates & Sara Allenalbum: Private Eyes
Hall & Oates
I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)
1981
RCA
4
record label: Columbia 02536chart position: RandB #1, UK #3, US #3, US dance #3written by: Wayne Vaughn & Maurice Whitealbum: Raise!
Earth, Wind & Fire
Let's Groove
1981
Columbia
5
record label: Planet 47929chart position: RandB #7, UK #10, US #2, US AC #6written by: John Bettis & Michael Clarkalbum: Black & White
The Pointer Sisters
Slow Hand
1981
Planet
6
record label: RCA 13479chart position: RandB #6, UK #4, US #7, AC #2written by: Frankie Lymon, Herman Santiago (uncredited), George Goldner (uncredited) & Morris Levyalbum: Why Do Fools Fall in Love
Diana Ross
Why Do Fools Fall in Love?
1981
RCA
7
record label: Elektra 45128chart position: RandB #3, US #2, UK #34, AC #2written by: Bill Withers, Ralph MacDonald & William Salteralbum: Winelightcomments: [jazz funk]
Grover Washington, Jr. featuring Bill Withers
Just the Two of Us
1981
Elektra
8
record label: De lite 818chart position: RandB #4, UK #3, US dance #16, US #10written by: Ronald Bell (as Khalis Bayyan), Kool & the Gang & Jamesalbum: Something Special
Kool & the Gang
Get Down on It
1981
De lite
9
record label: Capitol 4953chart position: RandB #1, US #3, US AC #1written by: Rokusuke Ei, Hachidai Nakamura, Abraham Quintanilla III (as Abraham Quintanilla Jr.) & Pete Astudillalbum: Twice as Sweetcomments: [ballad]
A Taste of Honey
Sukiyaki
1981
Capitol
10
record label: Warner Bros. 17877 (UK)chart position: RandB #1, US #5, UK #29, US dance #32 written by: Bill Champlin, Jay Graydon & Steve Lukatheralbum: The George Benson Collection
George Benson
Turn Your Love Around
1981
Warner Bros.
11
record label: Motown 1527chart position: RandB #5, UK #44, US #4, AC #5written by: Lionel Richiealbum: In the Pocket / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 12comments: [ballad]
The Commodores
Oh No
1981
Motown
12
record label: Arista 0592chart position: RandB #1, US #4, AC #11written by: Ray Parker Jralbum: A Woman Needs Love
Ray Parker Jr (aka Raydio)
A Woman Needs Love
1981
Arista
13
record label: Motown 1235chart position: UK #2written by: Stevie Wonderalbum: Hotter Than Julycomments: [Motown Sound]
Stevie Wonder
Happy Birthday
1981
Motown
14
record label: Casablanca 2338chart position: RandB #1, UK #3, US #11, US AC #9written by: Marc Blatte & Larry Gottliebalbum: Tonight!
Four Tops
When She Was My Girl
1981
Casablanca
15
record label: Carrere 183(UK)chart position: UK #3written by: Jean Kluger, Daniel Vangarde and Nelly Bylalbum: Greatest Hitscomments: [pop soul] [disco]
Ottawan
Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart)
1981
Carrere
16
record label: Columbia 11433chart position: RandB #4, UK #5, US #12, US AC #1written by: Dana Waldenalbum: How 'Bout Uscomments: [slow jam]
Champaign
How 'Bout Us
1981
Columbia
17
record label: Motown 1514chart position: RandB #5, US #8, UK #56, US dance #53, US AC #13written by: Harold Hudson, Shirley King & William Kingalbum: In the Pocket / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 12
The Commodores
Lady (You Bring Me Up)
1981
Motown
18
record label: Arista 0588chart position: RandB #45, US #6, US AC #5written by: Gino Vannellialbum: Nightwalkercomments: [ballad]
Gino Vannelli
Living Inside Myself
1981
Arista
19
record label: Tamla Motown 976chart position: RandB #42, UK #1, US #55, US AC #37written by: Sam Brown & Rene Armandalbum: One Day in Your Life / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 12comments: [ballad]
Michael Jackson
One Day in Your Life
1981
Tamla Motown
20
record label: Solar 12154chart position: RandB #2, UK #9, US #28, US dance #4written by: William Shelby & Dana Meyersalbum: Imagination
The Whispers
It's a Love Thing
1981
Solar
21
record label: De lite 815chart position: RandB #1, US #17, UK #29, US dance #16 written by: George Brown, Kool & the Gang, Claydes Charles Smith & Jamesalbum: Something Special
Kool & the Gang
Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)
1981
De lite
22
record label: Gordy 7205chart position: US dance #1, RandB #3, US #16written by: Rick James & Alonzo Milleralbum: Street Songs / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 12comments: [disco funk]
Rick James
Super Freak
1981
Gordy
23
record label: Warner 49746chart position: RandB #6, US #15, UK #55, US AC #6written by: Roger Murrah & Keith Stegallalbum: Breakin' Away
Al Jarreau
We're in This Love Together
1981
Warner
24
record label: Tamla 54323chart position: RandB #29, UK #3, US #64, US AC #33written by: Stevie Wonderalbum: Hotter Than Julycomments: [ballad]
Stevie Wonder
Lately
1981
Tamla
25
record label: AandM 2309chart position: RandB #10, UK #14, US #28, US dance #3written by: Chas Jankel & Kenny Youngalbum: The Dudecomments: [disco jazz]
Quincy Jones featuring Dune
Ai No Corrida (I-No-Ko-ree-da)
1981
A&M
26
record label: AandM 2387chart position: RandB #10, US #14, US AC #5written by: Kathy Wakefield, Ben Wright & Tony Colemanalbum: The Dude
Quincy Jones featuring James Ingram
One Hundred Ways
1981
A&M
27
record label: 20th Century 2488chart position: RandB #2, US #22, UK #34, US dance #20written by: Leon Haywoodalbum: Carl Carlton
Carl Carlton
She's a Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)
1981
20th Century
28
record label: AandM 2357chart position: RandB #11, US #17, UK #76, US AC #7written by: Barry Mann & Cynthia Weilalbum: The Dudecomments: [ballad]
Quincy Jones featuring James Ingram
Just Once
1981
A&M
29
record label: Sire 49882chart position: RandB #2, US dance #1, US #31, UK #65, US rock #24written by: Adrian Belew, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, Monte Browne, Tyrone Downie & Uziah album: Tom Tom Club
Tom Tom Club
Genius of Love
1981
Sire
30
record label: MCA 13956chart position: UK #4written by: Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, Lee John, Ashley Ingram and Errol Kennedyalbum: Body Talk
Imagination
Body Talk
1981
MCA
31
record label: RCA Victor 12244chart position: RandB #1, US dance #1, UK #27, US #40written by: Kashifalbum: I'm in Lovecomments: [disco, dance, boogie]
Evelyn King (aka Evelyn Champagne King)
I'm in Love
1981
RCA Victor
32
record label: Epic 01052chart position: RandB #6, US #19, US AC #16written by: George Dukealbum: The Clarke/Duke Projectcomments: [ballad]
Stanley Clarke & George Duke
Sweet Baby
1981
Epic
33
record label: RCA 58(UK)chart position: UK #4written by: Berry Gordy, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards and Fonce Mizellalbum: Good Thing Goingcomments: [Reggae]
Sugar Minott
Good Thing Going (We've Got a Good Thing Going)
1981
RCA
34
record label: Epic 1857chart position: RandB #1, US #33, UK #44, US dance #4written by: Luther Vandrossalbum: Never Too Muchcomments: [dance, boogie]
Luther Vandross
Never Too Much
1981
Epic
35
record label: Elektra 47124chart position: RandB #27, US #15, US AC #15written by: Lee Ritenour, Eric Tagg & Eric Champlincomments: (vocal: Eric Tagg)
Lee Ritenour
Is It You?
1981
Elektra
36
record label: RCA 12240chart position: UK #4, RandB #68, US dance #55written by: Lamont Dozieralbum: I Got the Melody
Odyssey
Going Back to My Roots
1981
RCA
37
record label: Gordy 7197chart position: RandB #1, US dance #1, UK #47, US #40written by: Rick Jamesalbum: Street Songs / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 12comments: [disco funk]
Rick James
Give It to Me Baby
1981
Gordy
38
record label: Cotillion 46015chart position: RandB #2, US #26, US AC #19written by: Burt Keyes & Sylvia Robinsonalbum: With You / The Best of All Platinumcomments: [ballad]
Stacy Lattisaw
Love on a Two Way Street
1981
Cotillion
39
record label: WMOT 5356chart position: RandB #1, US #30, US dance #51written by: Frankie Smith & Bill Bloomalbum: Children of Tomorrowcomments: [disco funk]
Frankie Smith
Double Dutch Bus
1981
WMOT
40
record label: AandM 2334chart position: UK #11, RandB #17, US dance #3written by: Rod Tempertonalbum: The Dudecomments: [jazz funk]
Quincy Jones featuring Patti Austin
Razzamatazz
1981
A&M
41
record label: De lite 813chart position: RandB #33, UK #17, US #39written by: George Brown & Kool & the Gangalbum: Celebrate
Kool & the Gang
Jones vs. Jones
1981
De lite
42
record label: Chrysalis 2500chart position: UK #7written by: David Grant and Peter Martin [Peter Michael Martin]album: Intuition
Linx
Intuition
1981
Chrysalis
43
record label: De lite 816chart position: RandB #12, UK #12, US dance #16, US #88written by: Ronald Bell, James Taylor, Kool And The Gangalbum: Something Special
Kool & the Gang
Steppin' Out
1981
De lite
44
record label: Warner 49808chart position: RandB #3, US dance #1, US #70written by: Princealbum: Controversy
Prince
Controversy
1981
Warner
45
record label: Gordy 7202chart position: RandB #3, US dance #12, US #50, UK #76written by: Teena Mariealbum: It Must Be Magiccomments: [disco funk]
Teena Marie
Square Biz
1981
Gordy
46
record label: Cotillion 46007chart position: RandB #3, US dance #6, UK #41, US #79written by: Narada Michael Walden (as Narada Walden), Lisa Walden, Allee Willis & Joni Sledgealbum: All American Girlscomments: [disco dance]
Sister Sledge
All American Girls
1981
Cotillion
47
record label: Solar 12129chart position: RandB #1, US dance #12, US #55written by: Fred Alexander, Norman Beavers, Marvin Craig, Tiemeyer McCain, Thomas Shelby, Stephen Shockleyalbum: Fantastic Voyagecomments: [funk]
Lakeside
Fantastic Voyage
1981
Solar
48
record label: Island 6244(UK)chart position: UK #8written by: Vincent Ford and Bob Marley (uncredited)comments: re release [reggae]
Bob Marley & the Wailers
No Woman, No Cry
1981
Island
49
record label: Beggars Banquet 151.041chart position: UK #8written by: Andy Stennett, John Rocca and Peter Maasalbum: Southern Freeezcomments: [disco funk] feat. Ingrid Mansfield Allman
Freeez
Southern Freeez
1981
Beggars Banquet .
50
record label: Warner 49692chart position: RandB #1, US dance #22, US #53written by: Ned Doheny & Hamish Stuartalbum: What Cha' Gonna Do for Mecomments: [disco funk]
Chaka Khan
What Cha' Gonna Do for Me
1981
Warner
51
record label: Island 49697chart position: US dance #2 RandB #5, UK #53, US #101written by: Koo Koo Baya, Grace Jones & Dana Manoalbum: Nightclubbing
Grace Jones
Pull Up to the Bumper
1981
Island
52
record label: Columbia 02102chart position: RandB #5, US dance #5, UK #76, US #70written by: Mike Sutton & Brenda Suttonalbum: In the Night
Cheryl Lynn
Shake It Up Tonight
1981
Columbia
53
record label: Solar 12193chart position: RandB #6, UK #30, US #60written by: William Shelby, Ricky Smith & Kevin Spenceralbum: Three for Love
Shalamar
Make That Move
1981
Solar
54
record label: 20th Century 2492chart position: RandB #3, US #40, US dance #82written by: James Mtume & Reggie Lucasalbum: Stephanie
Stephanie Mills & Teddy Pendergrass
Two Hearts
1981
20th Century
55
record label: RFC/Atlantic 3809chart position: US dance #1, RandB #7, US #80written by: Davide Romani & Tanyayette Willoughbyalbum: Miracles
Change
Paradise
1981
RFC/Atlantic
56
record label: Warner 49857chart position: UK #11written by: Tom Snow and Nan O'Byrnealbum: Secret Combination
Randy Crawford
You Might Need Somebody
1981
Warner
57
record label: Polydor 375(UK)chart position: UK #12written by: Bill Sharpe (as William Sharpe) and Roger Odellalbum: Night Birdscomments: [jazz funk]
Shakatak
Easier Said Than Done
1981
Polydor
58
record label: Arista 0624chart position: RandB #6, UK #49, US #46written by: Sam Deesalbum: Love All The Hurt Awaycomments: [ballad]
Aretha Franklin & George Benson
Love All the Hurt Away
1981
Arista
59
record label: Prelude 8031chart position: UK #12, US Dance #31written by: Guiliano Salerni and Phil Hurttalbum: Hi Gloss
Hi-Gloss
You'll Never Know
1981
Prelude
60
record label: Arista 0616chart position: RandB #26, US #21, US AC #7written by: Ray Parker Jralbum: A Woman Needs Love
Ray Parker Jr (aka Raydio)
That Old Song
1981
Arista
61
record label: Warner 49786chart position: RandB #1, US #79, US dance #25written by: Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strongalbum: The Many Facets of Roger
Roger (Troutman)
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
1981
Warner
62
record label: Capitol 4993chart position: RandB #8, UK #41, US dance #3written by: Mauro Malavasi & Paul Sladealbum: The Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens Bandcomments: [disco, funk, boogie]
B.B. & Q. Band (Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens)
On the Beat
1981
Capitol
63
record label: Mercury 76101chart position: RandB #5, UK #47, US #60written by: Oliver Scott & Ronnie Wilsonalbum: Gap Band III
The Gap Band
Yearning for Your Love
1981
Mercury
64
record label: Capitol 5065chart position: RandB #6, US #42written by: Peabo Brysonalbum: I Am Lovecomments: [ballad]
Peabo Bryson
Let the Feeling Flow
1981
Capitol
65
record label: Warner 50002chart position: US dance #1, RandB #9, US #104written by: Princealbum: Controversy
Prince
Let's Work
1981
Warner
66
record label: Motown 1503chart position: RandB #13, UK #41, US #50written by: Jermaine Jacksonalbum: Jermaine [1980 album] / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 12
Jermaine Jackson
You Like Me Don't You
1981
Motown
67
record label: Prelude 8024chart position: US dance #5, RandB #57, UK #31written by: Willie Lester & Rodney Brownalbum: Sharon Reddcomments: [disco funk boogie]
Sharon Redd
Can You Handle It
1981
Prelude
68
record label: Qwest 49754chart position: US dance #1, RandB #24, UK #76written by: Rod Tempertonalbum: Every Home Should Have One
Patti Austin
Do You Love Me?
1981
Qwest
69
record label: Mercury 76126chart position: RandB #14, US dance #5, UK #42, US #84written by: Linton Beckles, Lipson Francis & Roy Carteralbum: Central Line
Central Line
Walking into Sunshine
1981
Mercury
70
record label: RFC/Atlantic 3813chart position: US dance #1, RandB #22, US #103written by: Gino Soccioalbum: Closercomments: [funk jazz]
Gino Soccio
Try It Out
1981
RFC/Atlantic
71
record label: Columbia 02170chart position: UK #10, RandB #88written by: Bunny Clarkealbum: Rock the Worldcomments: [Reggae]
Third World
Dancing on the Floor (Hooked On Love)
1981
Columbia
72
record label: Elektra 47067chart position: US dance #2, RandB #13, US #102written by: Patrice Rushen, Charles Mims , Freddie Washington & Sheree Brownalbum: Posh
Patrice Rushen
Look Up
1981
Elektra
73
record label: RFC/Atlantic 3832chart position: US dance #1, RandB #40, US #89written by: Davide Romani (as David Romani) & Paul Sladealbum: Miracles
Change
Hold Tight
1981
RFC/Atlantic
74
record label: Mirage 3780chart position: RandB #11, US dance #13, UK #63written by: Sandy Linzer & L. Russel Brownalbum: House of Musiccomments: [disco funk]
T.S. Monk
Bon Bon Vie (Gimme the Good Life)
1981
Mirage
75
record label: Solar 2232chart position: US dance #4, RandB #40, UK #44, US #105written by: Dana Meyers, Stephen Shockley & William Shelbyalbum: Imagination
The Whispers
I Can Make It Better
1981
Solar
76
record label: Pavillion 6407chart position: US dance #1, RandB #28, US #104written by: Tony Valoralbum: Fantasy
Fantasy
You're Too Late
1981
Pavillion
77
record label: Cotillion 46006chart position: RandB #11, UK #50, US #67written by: Mark Adams, Steve Arrington, Raye Turner (as Ray Turner), Steve Washington & Danny Websteralbum: Stone Jamcomments: [disco funk]
Slave
Watching You
1981
Cotillion
78
record label: AandM 8368chart position: RandB #11, UK #50, US #67written by: George Johnson & Louis Johnsonalbum: Winnerscomments: [disco funk jazz]
The Brothers Johnson
The Real Thing
1981
A&M
79
record label: Salsoul 7017chart position: RandB #6, US #71, US dance #35written by: Steve Washington, Curt Jones & Starleana Youngalbum: A Little Love
Aurra
Make Up Your Mind
1981
Salsoul
80
record label: Cotillion 46022chart position: RandB #6, US dance #21, US #91written by: Mark Adams, Steve Arrington, Charles Carter, Jimmy Douglass & Floyd Milleralbum: Show Timecomments: [funk]
Slave
Snap Shot
1981
Cotillion
81
record label: Elektra 12494 (UK)chart position: US dance #2, RandB #30, UK #66written by: Patrice Rushen & Freddie Washingtonalbum: Posh
Patrice Rushen
Never Gonna Give You Up
1981
Elektra
82
record label: Gordy 7215chart position: US dance #1, RandB #38, US #102written by: Rick Jamesalbum: Street Songscomments: [Motown Sound] [funk]
Rick James
Ghetto Life
1981
Gordy
83
record label: Warner 49744chart position: RandB #4, US #67written by: Larry Grahamalbum: Just Be My Ladycomments: [ballad]
Larry Graham
Just Be My Lady
1981
Warner
84
record label: Warner 49842chart position: RandB #25, US #43, US AC #30written by: Tom Canning, Jay Graydon & Al Jarreaualbum: Breakin' Away
Al Jarreau
Breakin' Away
1981
Warner
85
record label: ARC 02406chart position: RandB #11, US #53written by: Fritz Baskett, Clarence McDonald & Deniece Williamsalbum: My Melodycomments: [ballad]
Deniece Williams
Silly
1981
ARC
86
record label: Ice 4424chart position: UK #13written by: Eddie Grantalbum: Can't Get Enough
Eddy Grant
Can't Get Enough of You
1981
Ice
87
record label: Phase II 02449chart position: US dance #5, RandB #41, UK #49written by: Hamilton Bohannon & Perri Johnson
Hamilton Bohannon ft. Dr. Perri Johnson
Let's Start II Dance Again
1981
Phase II
88
record label: RandB 202(UK)chart position: UK #16written by: Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, Lee John, Ashley Ingram and Errol Kennedyalbum: Body Talk
Imagination
In and Out of Love
1981
RandB
89
record label: Arista 0587chart position: RandB #34, US #54, US AC #25written by: Melissa Manchester & Leon Warealbum: For the Working Girl
Melissa Manchester & Peabo Bryson
Lovers After All
1981
Arista
90
record label: Ensign 201(UK)chart position: UK #15written by: Breeze McKrieth, David Baptiste and Kenny Wellingtoncomments: [disco funk]
Beggar & Co
(Somebody) Help Me Out
1981
Ensign
91
record label: RandB 206chart position: UK #16written by: Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, Lee John, Ashley Ingram and Errol Kennedyalbum: Body Talk
Imagination
Flashback
1981
RandB
92
record label: ARC 11434chart position: RandB #15, US dance #57, US #59written by: Larry Dunn, David Foster, Brenda Russell, Maurice White & Verdine Whitealbum: Faces
Earth, Wind & Fire
And Love Goes On
1981
ARC
93
record label: Elektra 12559chart position: US dance #4, RandB #15written by: William Duckettalbum: Love Byrd: Donald Byrd and 125th St, N.Y.C.comments: [jazz funk]
Donald Byrd
Love Has Come Around
1981
Elektra
94
record label: Chocolate City 3225chart position: RandB #3, US dance #45, US #102written by: Larry Blackmon & Tomialbum: Knights of the Sound Tablecomments: [funk]
Cameo
Freaky Dancin'
1981
Chocolate City
95
record label: West End 1232chart position: US dance #6, RandB #10written by: Kenton Nix
Taana Gardner
Hearbeat
1981
West End
96
record label: Sugar Hill 553chart position: RandB #15, US dance #38, US #82written by: Cheryl Cook & Ronald LaPreadalbum: 8th Wondercomments: [hip hop]
The Sugarhill Gang
8th Wonder
1981
Sugar Hill
97
record label: Liberty 1424chart position: RandB #19, US #60written by: Ronnie Lawsalbum: Solid Groundcomments: [ballad] [jazz funk]
Ronnie Laws
Stay Awake
1981
Liberty
98
record label: Becket 101584chart position: RandB #9, US dance #7written by: Bert Reid & Ronald Millalbum: I'll Do Anything for You
Denroy Morgan
I'll Do Anything for You
1981
Becket
99
record label: Tamla 54327chart position: RandB #31, UK #76, US #59written by: Smokey Robinsonalbum: Being with Youcomments: [Motown Sound]
Smokey Robinson
You Are Forever
1981
Tamla
100
record label: Atlantic 3788chart position: RandB #15, UK #49, US dance 5written by: Norman Durham & Woody Cunninghamalbum: License to Dreamcomments: [disco funk]
Kleeer
Get Tough
1981
Atlantic
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