The No. 1s of
1981
Pick a day for its No. 1 song, film, and book — or scan every reign of 1981 below.
No. 1 songs · Billboard Hot 100
- (Just Like) Starting OverJohn LennonJan 3, 19814 weeks
- The Tide Is HighBlondieJan 31, 19811 week
- CelebrationKool & The GangFeb 7, 19812 weeks
- 9 To 5Dolly PartonFeb 21, 19811 week
- I Love A Rainy NightEddie RabbittFeb 28, 19812 weeks
- 9 To 5Dolly PartonMar 14, 19811 week
- Keep On Loving YouREO SpeedwagonMar 21, 19811 week
- RaptureBlondieMar 28, 19812 weeks
- Kiss On My ListDaryl Hall John OatesApr 11, 19813 weeks
- Morning Train (Nine To Five)Sheena EastonMay 2, 19812 weeks
- Bette Davis EyesKim CarnesMay 16, 19815 weeks
- MedleyStars On 45Jun 20, 19811 week
- Bette Davis EyesKim CarnesJun 27, 19814 weeks
- The One That You LoveAir SupplyJul 25, 19811 week
- Jessie's GirlRick SpringfieldAug 1, 19812 weeks
- Endless LoveDiana Ross & Lionel RichieAug 15, 19819 weeks
- Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)Christopher CrossOct 17, 19813 weeks
- Private EyesDaryl Hall John OatesNov 7, 19812 weeks
- PhysicalOlivia Newton-JohnNov 21, 19816 weeks
No. 1 films · U.S. weekend box office
- 9 to 5Jan 4, 19813 weekends
- Stir CrazyJan 25, 19811 weekend
- The Incredible Shrinking WomanFeb 1, 19811 weekend
- Fort Apache, The BronxFeb 8, 19815 weekends
- Back RoadsMar 15, 19811 weekend
- Omen III: The Final ConflictMar 22, 19812 weekends
- Hardly WorkingApr 5, 19813 weekends
- ExcaliburApr 26, 19811 weekend
- Friday the 13th Part 2May 3, 19812 weekends
- Happy Birthday to MeMay 17, 19811 weekend
- Bustin' LooseMay 25, 19811 weekend
- The Four SeasonsMay 31, 19811 weekend
- Cheech and Chong's Nice DreamsJun 7, 19811 weekend
- Raiders of the Lost ArkJun 14, 19811 weekend
- Superman IIJun 21, 19814 weekends
- Raiders of the Lost ArkJul 19, 19811 weekend
- Tarzan, the Ape ManJul 26, 19812 weekends
- Raiders of the Lost ArkAug 9, 19815 weekends
- ArthurSep 13, 19811 weekend
- Continental DivideSep 20, 19811 weekend
- Mommie DearestSep 27, 19811 weekend
- PaternityOct 4, 19813 weekends
- The French Lieutenant's WomanOct 25, 19811 weekend
- Halloween IINov 1, 19811 weekend
- Time BanditsNov 8, 19814 weekends
- Raiders of the Lost ArkDec 6, 19811 weekend
- RolloverDec 13, 19811 weekend
- NeighborsDec 20, 19812 weekends
No. 1 books · NYT fiction best sellers
- The CovenantJames MichenerJan 4, 198116 weeks
- Gorky ParkMartin Cruz SmithApr 26, 19812 weeks
- Noble HouseJames ClavellMay 10, 198115 weeks
- CujoStephen KingAug 23, 19815 weeks
- The Hotel New HampshireJohn IrvingSep 27, 19817 weeks
- An Indecent ObsessionColleen McCulloughNov 15, 19817 weeks