27 Best Songs From 1981

11. “Stand and Deliver” by Adam and the Ants

Bridging the gap between punk and new wave/glam punk, Adam and the Ants released their second most acclaimed single, “Stand and Deliver,” in 1981.

The lyrics and the music video heavily reference Monty Python and its themes of rebellion. This track played a central role in the band’s popularity and public perception of them as eccentric and playful.

12. “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

The 1970s band, The Arrows, wrote and performed this song in 1975. However, it became popular after Joan Jett released her remake, which became one of the best songs from 1981.

The flirtatious track recounts two teens meeting at a bar and touches on themes of rebellion in the face of tradition.

Fans immediately recognized it as a punk rock anthem, and the band sold over a million copies of the affiliated album, releasing the song as a single that next year.

In 2002, Britney Spears famously covered the song.

13. “Controversy” by Prince

It wouldn’t be the ‘80s without Prince, and “Controversy,” released in 1981, remains one of the defining songs of the 20th century.

“Controversy” was Prince’s hit single from an album of the same name, and the song touches on essential themes of social justice and political change unique to this tumultuous era.

The album marked the iconic association between Prince and the color purple.

14. “Woman” by John Lennon and Yoko Ono

This list wouldn’t be complete without some mention of John Lennon.

Lennon died in December 1980—just days before the new year—and his single with Yoko Ono, “Woman,” emerged a month after his death.

The song, which received considerable acclaim, is an ode to all women—particularly Lennon’s wife, Yoko. Its lyrics showcase Lennon’s admiration of the women who supported him throughout his career.

John Lennon reflected on his inspiration, noting how one day while in Bermuda he realized all that women do. A promotional video featured Lennon and Yoko Ono walking through Central Park.

15. “Rapture” by Blondie

The American new wave band Blondie released “Rapture” in the early days of 1981. It became a certified gold single and hovered at number one on the charts for two weeks.

This song owes its existence to the band attending a rap concert in the Bronx. Inspired, they decided to meld hip-hop and pop in what has become a timeless classic. “Rapture” was the first hip-hop single to use original music instead of sample tracks.

16. “Morning Train (9 to 5)” by Sheena Easton

This hit single catapulted Sheena Easton to fame.

Although Easton released the song in 1980 in the U.K., it appeared on the U.S. music scene in 1981 and became a top hit in both countries.

Easton’s single was initially called “9 to 5.” Coincidentally, Dolly Parton had just released a song by the same name, so Sheena Easton revised the title to avoid confusion.

Easton’s song recounts the tale of a woman awaiting her husband’s return home. It touches on themes of 20th-century feminism by suggesting that the woman is bored at home.

17. “Queen of Hearts” by Juice Newton

This list wouldn’t be complete without a nod to country music, as the 1980s witnessed the birth of country pop.

“Queen of Hearts,” initially written by Hank DeVito, was Juice Newton’s second country-pop single on the Juice album. Newton sings about the dangers of seduction and flirtatious manipulation, warning against unwanted attention.

Her single immediately topped the charts and received a Gold certification.

18. “Slow Hand” by the Pointer Sisters

Michael Clark and John Bettina wrote this song—and never intended it for The Pointer Sisters.

However, the track sounded similar to their previous hit, “Fire,” and the songwriters agreed to give it to the group when they heard the band sing “Slow Hand.”

The ballad discusses the value of patience and gentleness in intimate relationships. Referred to as “countrypolitan-tinged soul,” this track birthed a new genre that, despite its popularity, was short-lived.

19. “Champagne and Reefer” by Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters was a lead figurehead of the Chicago Blues movement of the late 20th Century, and his song, “Champagne and Reefer,” captures the genre’s mournful sound and rich vocals.

The song has become representative of Delta blues, the particular style of music that Muddy Waters introduced to the scene. His lyrics explore the advantages of harm reduction and speaks to how the musician has been humbled throughout his life.

20. “Over the Mountain” by Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne released Diary of a Madman in December of 1981, and “Over the Mountain,” the opening track, debuted at number 42 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart.

“Over the Mountain” is about death since the song refers to the soul leaving the body. However, many speculate it is about astral projection, an out-of-body experience typically associated with hallucinogenic drugs and extreme meditative states.