Soul R&B Music Charts of 1981 - Best-Selling Soul R&B Songs of 1981 With Free MP3 Download Links and Song Lyrics

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Below is a list of the best selling Soul R&B songs from 1981, sorted by the most popular or best selling first. Place mouse on

to see information about song. Click on song title to play song and to read details about the song including lyrics (if available) and to add to playlist. Click on

to play song. . Click on label to list songs from that record label. Following on from the top 100 chart are listings of hundreds of other lesser-known Soul R&B songs from 1981, arranged in order of highest US R&B and/or UK chart position.

More Soul R&B Songs From 1981 . . .

The following songs were released in 1981 but never made it into the Top 100 Chart.
Songs with chart position "---" either never made it into the US top 100 R&B or UK charts
of 1981 or we have no details of their highest chart positions if they did.

(Songs are sorted in highest US R&B Top 100 and/or UK Top 100 chart position order)
#		Artist (click for discography and biography of artist)	Title (click song title to play it, read lyrics etc.)	Year	Label
401	recordlabel: Capitol 551 chartposition: RandB #35 writtenby: Gary Goetzman and Mike Piccirillo album: Happy Love	Natalie Cole	You Were Right Girl	1981	Capitol
402	recordlabel: Capitol 4992 chartposition: RandB #76, US Dance #24 writtenby: Barry Strutt, Clyde Bullard, Jerry Anderson, Keith Gonzales and Sly Randolph album: Sixty Thrills a Minute comments: [disco funk]	Mystic Merlin	Sixty Thrills a Minute	1981	Capitol
403	recordlabel: Capitol 4961 chartposition: RandB #82 writtenby: C. Lynn, D. Shields, J. Rami album: Sixty Thrills a Minute comments: [disco funk]	Mystic Merlin	Got to Make It Better	1981	Capitol
---	recordlabel: Epic 1025 (UK) writtenby: J. Mtume, R. Lucas album: In Search of the Rainbow Seekers	Mtume	You Can't Wait For Love	1981	Epic(UK)
1	recordlabel: Beggars Banquet 60 (UK) chartposition: UK #43 writtenby: Mullen, Wonder album: Badness comments: [jazz funk]	Morrissey Mullen	Badness -- Do Like You	1981	Beggars Banquet(UK
2	recordlabel: Park Place 121081 chartposition: US dance #44 writtenby: David Williams comments: [disco funk]	Mona Raye	Do Me	1981	Park Place
3	recordlabel: Capitol 4955 chartposition: RandB #75 writtenby: Leonard Caston and Lila Hurtado album: Love Lives Forever comments: [ballad]	Minnie Riperton	Give Me Time	1981	Capitol
---	recordlabel: Spring 3021 writtenby: John Conlee, G.F. Babber album: Just A Lil' Bit Country	Millie Jackson	Rose Colored Glasses	1981	Spring
1	recordlabel: Spring 3019 chartposition: RandB #62 writtenby: Don Gibson album: Just a Lil' Bit Country	Millie Jackson	I Can't Stop Loving You	1981	Spring
2	recordlabel: Sam 12342 chartposition: RandB #45, US Dance #49 writtenby: Mike Sutton and Brenda Sutton album: Don't Hold Back comments: [disco funk]	Mike & Brenda Sutton	We'll Make It	1981	Sam
3	recordlabel: Vanguard 35221 chartposition: RandB #93 weeksinr&bchart: 3 writtenby: Master D (as Mike Mandel), Jack Perricone album: Utopia Parkway comments: [smooth jazz funk instrumental]	Mike Mandel	Don't Cha Give Up	1981	Vanguard
4	recordlabel: Elektra 47108 chartposition: RandB #60 writtenby: D'Lanie McQuaig and Mel Bolto album: No Time for Masquerading comments: [disco funk]	Mighty Fire	Love Attack	1981	Elektra
5	recordlabel: Elektra 47199 chartposition: RandB #91 writtenby: Marilyn McLeod and Pam Sawyer album: No Time for Masquerading comments: [ballad]	Mighty Fire	I Could Write a Love Song	1981	Elektra
6	recordlabel: Solar 47933 chartposition: RandB #36 writtenby: Bo Watson album: Standing Together comments: [disco dance]	Midnight Star	I've Been Watching You	1981	Solar
7	recordlabel: Solar 47948 chartposition: RandB #60 writtenby: Reggie Calloway, Vincent Calloway, Jeffery Cooper, Kenneth Gant, Melvin Gentry, Belinda Lipscomb album: Standing Together comments: [funk]	Midnight Star	Tuff	1981	Solar
8	recordlabel: RCA 12179 chartposition: RandB #52 writtenby: Merry Clayton album: Come to My World	Michael Wycoff featuring Merry Clayton	One Alone	1981	RCA
9	recordlabel: Tamla Motown 976 chartposition: RandB #42, UK #1, US #55, US AC #37 writtenby: Sam Brown & Rene Armand album: One Day in Your Life / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 12 comments: [ballad]	Michael Jackson	One Day in Your Life	1981	Tamla Motown
10	recordlabel: Buddah 626 chartposition: RandB #78 writtenby: Burt Bacharach and Hal David album: Wide Receiver comments: [ballad]	Michael Henderson	Reach Out for Me	1981	Buddah
11	recordlabel: Buddah 629 chartposition: RandB #51 writtenby: Curtiss Boone, Everett Boone, Herschel Boone and Timothy McGhee album: Slingshot comments: [disco funk]	Michael Henderson	(We Are Here to) Geek You Up	1981	Buddah
---	recordlabel: Sky Hero 133 writtenby: W. Johnson, M. Moore comments: [disco dance]	Melvin Moore	All Of A Sudden	1981	Sky Hero
1	recordlabel: Arista 0587 chartposition: RandB #34, US #54, US AC #25 writtenby: Melissa Manchester & Leon Ware album: For the Working Girl	Melissa Manchester & Peabo Bryson	Lovers After All	1981	Arista
2	recordlabel: EMI America 8092 chartposition: RandB #15, US Dance #12 writtenby: Kashif album: What a Woman Needs comments: [disco dance]	Melba Moore	Take My Love	1981	EMI America
3	recordlabel: WMOT 02909 chartposition: RandB #69, UK #76, US Dance #67 writtenby: Mel Brooks and Pete Wingfield comments: [novelty]	Mel Brooks	It's Good to Be the King	1981	WMOT
---	recordlabel: Malaco 2071 writtenby: McKinley Mitchell	McKinley Mitchell	Slave For Your Love	1981	Malaco
---	recordlabel: Capitol 5072 writtenby: Frankie Beverly album: Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly Live In New Orleans	Maze featuring Frankie Beverly	You	1981	Capitol
1	recordlabel: Capitol 5031 chartposition: RandB #13 writtenby: Frankie Beverly album: Live in New Orleans	Maze featuring Frankie Beverly	Before I Let Go	1981	Capitol
---	recordlabel: Capitol writtenby: Frankie Beverly album: Joy And Pain comments: [album cut]	Maze featuring Frankie Beverly	Joy And Pain	1981	Capitol
1	recordlabel: Capitol 5000 chartposition: RandB #7 writtenby: Frankie Beverly album: Live in New Orleans comments: [disco funk]	Maze featuring Frankie Beverly	Running Away	1981	Capitol
2	recordlabel: RCA Victor 12162 chartposition: US dance #66 writtenby: Maurice Starr and Michael Jonzun album: Flaming Starr comments: [funk] mpcode: mfBqSdIsz_w	Maurice Starr	Dance to the Funky Groove	1981	RCA Victor
3	recordlabel: Island 49741 chartposition: US Dance #2, UK #76 writtenby: Bill Laswell, Fred Maher, Michael Beinhorn, Nona Hendryx, T. Scott and Ronald comments: [disco dance]	Material with Nona Hendryx	Busting Out	1981	Island
4	recordlabel: Cotillion 46011 chartposition: RandB #90 writtenby: Ricardo Williams and Tiny Kelly (as Agnes Kelly) album: Turn Up the Music	Mass Production	I Can't Believe You're Going Away	1981	Cotillion
5	recordlabel: Cotillion 46013 chartposition: RandB #36 writtenby: Tyrone Williams album: Turn Up the Music comments: [disco funk]	Mass Production	Turn Up the Music	1981	Cotillion
6	recordlabel: Tamla 54322 chartposition: RandB #18, US #101 writtenby: Marvin Gaye album: In Our Lifetime comments: [Motown Sound]	Marvin Gaye	Praise	1981	Tamla
---	recordlabel: Tamla 54326 writtenby: Marvin Gaye album: In Our Lifetime comments: [Motown Sound]	Marvin Gaye	Far Cry	1981	Tamla
1	recordlabel: Tamla 54326 chartposition: RandB #61 writtenby: Marvin Gaye album: In Our Lifetime comments: [Motown Sound]	Marvin Gaye	Heavy Love Affair	1981	Tamla
---	recordlabel: Tamla 54322 writtenby: Marvin Gaye album: In Our Lifetime comments: [Motown Sound]	Marvin Gaye	Funk Me	1981	Tamla
---	recordlabel: Fantasy â€Ž198 (UK) writtenby: Marlon McClain album: Changes comments: [disco, funk, boogie] mpcode: UtsA4g3FPJ0	Marlon McClain	Shake It Up	1981	Fantasy â€Ž (UK)
1	recordlabel: Warner 49663 chartposition: RandB #34 writtenby: James Mtume and Reggie Lucas album: One Way Love Affair comments: [beat ballad]	Marc Sadane	One-Way Love Affair	1981	Warner
---	recordlabel: Warner Bros. 49775 writtenby: J. Mtume, R. Lucas album: One Way Love Affair	Marc Sadane	Never Gonna Stop This Heart Of Mine	1981	Warner Bros.
---	recordlabel: Warner Bros. 3503 writtenby: H. King, E. Moore album: One-Way Love Affair comments: [disco funk album cut]	Marc Sadane	You're The One For Me	1981	Warner Bros.
1	recordlabel: Warner 49727 chartposition: RandB #78, US Dance #71 writtenby: Basil Fearrington, James Mtume and Reggie Lucas album: One Way Love Affair comments: [disco funk]	Marc Sadane	Sit Up	1981	Warner
2	recordlabel: Casablanca 2329 chartposition: RandB #79 weeksinr&bchart: 4 writtenby: James Greathouse album: Mantra comments: [disco funk]	Mantra	Doin' It To The Bone	1981	Casablanca
3	recordlabel: Arista 0625 chartposition: RandB #61 writtenby: John Barnes album: Spirit of the Street comments: [disco funk]	Madagascar	Baby Not Tonight	1981	Arista
4	recordlabel: TSOP 02022 chartposition: UK #47 writtenby: Dexter Wansel album: Mysteries of the World comments: [jazz funk instrumental]	MFSB	Mysteries of the World	1981	TSOP
5	recordlabel: Epic 1857 chartposition: RandB #1, US #33, UK #44, US dance #4 writtenby: Luther Vandross album: Never Too Much comments: [dance, boogie]	Luther Vandross	Never Too Much	1981	Epic
6	recordlabel: Epic 02842 chartposition: RandB #72 writtenby: Luther Vandross album: Never Too Much comments: [disco, boogie]	Luther Vandross	Sugar and Spice (I Found Me a Girl)	1981	Epic
---	recordlabel: Epic 37451 writtenby: Luther Vandross album: Never Too Much comments: [ballad album cut] mpcode: CUNlpwqAYBw	Luther Vandross	You Stopped Loving Me	1981	Epic
---	recordlabel: Epic 37451 writtenby: Luther Vandross album: Never Too Much comments: [album cut] mpcode: Bc7vBEdYfbA	Luther Vandross	She's A Super Lady	1981	Epic
---	recordlabel: Epic 37451 writtenby: Burt Bacharach And Hal David album: Never Too Much comments: [ballad album cut] mpcode: CGib6okEeZ4	Luther Vandross	A House Is Not A Home	1981	Epic
---	recordlabel: Epic 37451 writtenby: Luther Vandross album: Never Too Much comments: [album cut] mpcode: qUbej5bGOL4	Luther Vandross	I've Been Working	1981	Epic
1	recordlabel: Zoo York 1324 chartposition: RandB #58 writtenby: Jimmy Levine and Lowrell (as Lowrell Simon)	Lowrell Simon	Love Massage	1981	Zoo York
---	recordlabel: Motown 8959 writtenby: M.L. Smith album: Lovesmith comments: [Motown Sound] [album cut]	Lovesmith	Look Out Below	1981	Motown
---	recordlabel: Motown 1526 writtenby: Michael L. Smith album: Lovesmith comments: [ballad]	Lovesmith	Shame On You	1981	Motown
1	recordlabel: Unlimited Gold 02135 chartposition: UK #76 writtenby: Webster Lewis and Barry White album: Welcome Aboard comments: [disco funk]	Love Unlimited Orchestra	Lift Your Voice and Say (United We Can Live in Peace Today)	1981	Unlimited Gold
2	recordlabel: Unlimited Gold 02479 chartposition: US Dance #59 writtenby: Barry White, Elwin Rutledge and Jack Perry album: The Love Unlimited Orchestra Presents Mr. Webster Lewis comments: [instrumental]	Love Unlimited Orchestra	Welcome Aboard	1981	Unlimited Gold
3	recordlabel: Radio 3820 chartposition: RandB #82 writtenby: George Kerr album: Feelings comments: [disco funk]	Lonnie Youngblood	The Best Way to Break a Habit	1981	Radio
4	recordlabel: Salsoul 2146 chartposition: RandB #80 writtenby: Leroy Burgess, James Calloway, Sonny T. Davenport and Doc Powell album: Logg comments: [disco funk]	Logg	I Know You Will	1981	Salsoul
5	recordlabel: TSOB 2006 chartposition: RandB #65 writtenby: Norvell Holmes and Paul Chevalier album: A Chance for Hope	Live	Strut Your Stuff	1981	TSOB
6	recordlabel: POLO 8 (UK) chartposition: UK #42 writtenby: Adrian Barker comments: [disco]	Liquid Gold	Don't Panic	1981	POLO(UK)
7	recordlabel: Casablanca chartposition: US dance #1 writtenby: S. Greenberg album: Mouth to Mouth comments: [disco dance]	Lipps, Inc.	All Night Dancing	1981	Casablanca
8	recordlabel: Casablanca 2303 chartposition: RandB #29, US Dance #4 writtenby: Paul Carrack album: Pucker Up comments: [disco]	Lipps, Inc.	How Long	1981	Casablanca
9	recordlabel: Casablanca 20238 chartposition: RandB #70, US Dance #11 writtenby: Steven Greenberg album: Designer Music comments: [disco dance]	Lipps, Inc.	Hold Me Down	1981	Casablanca
10	recordlabel: Chrysalis 2565(UK) chartposition: UK #55 writtenby: David Grant and Peter Martin [Peter Michael Martin] comments: [disco dance]	Linx	Can't Help Myself	1981	Chrysalis (UK)
11	recordlabel: Chrysalis 2500 chartposition: UK #7 writtenby: David Grant and Peter Martin [Peter Michael Martin] album: Intuition	Linx	Intuition	1981	Chrysalis
12	recordlabel: Chrysalis 2544 chartposition: UK #7 writtenby: David Grant and Peter Martin [Peter Michael Martin] album: Intuition	Linx	Throw Away the Key	1981	Chrysalis
13	recordlabel: Chrysalis 2521 chartposition: RandB #45 writtenby: Grant, Martin album: Intuition comments: [disco dance]	Linx	Together We Can Shine	1981	Chrysalis
14	recordlabel: Chrysalis 2546(UK) chartposition: UK #15 writtenby: David Grant and Peter Martin album: Go Ahead comments: [disco pop soul]	Linx	So This Is Romance	1981	Chrysalis (UK)
---	recordlabel: Groove 109 (UK) writtenby: R. Ahwai album: Taylor Made	Linda Taylor	(You're) In The Pocket	1981	Groove(UK)
1	recordlabel: Capitol 5074 chartposition: US dance #1 writtenby: Jesse Boyce album: I'll Keep On Loving You comments: [disco dance]	Linda Clifford	Let It Ride	1981	Capitol
2	recordlabel: Ensign 4612(UK) chartposition: UK #40 writtenby: Bob Marley album: Light of the World [1980 album] comments: [disco funk]	Light of the World	I Shot the Sheriff	1981	Ensign (UK)
3	recordlabel: EMI 5242(UK) chartposition: UK #49 writtenby: Ganiyu Bello, Jim Hawkins, Keith O'Connell, Nat Augustin and Mike Collins comments: [disco funk]	Light of the World	Ride the Love Train	1981	EMI (UK)
4	recordlabel: Mercury 64(UK) chartposition: UK #35 writtenby: Neville McKrieth, Paul Williams, Gee Bello, Nathanial Augustin, David Baptiste, Everton Mccalla album: Light of the World [1980 album] comments: [ballad]	Light of the World	I'm So Happy	1981	Mercury (UK)
---	recordlabel: Mercury 64 (UK) writtenby: McKrieth, Wellington, Baptiste album: Round Trip	Light Of The World	Time	1981	Mercury(UK)
---	recordlabel: Marlin 3347 writtenby: C. Reid, F. Stonewall, I.J. Kitts album: Just Arrived	Lew Kirton	Island Girl	1981	Marlin
1	recordlabel: Polydor 2207 chartposition: UK #47, US Dance #57 writtenby: Wally Badarou, Mark King and Phil Gould album: Level 42 comments: [jazz funk]	Level 42	Starchild	1981	Polydor
2	recordlabel: Polydor 234 (UK) chartposition: UK #38 writtenby: Mark King and Phil Gould album: Level 42 comments: [jazz funk]	Level 42	Love Games	1981	Polydor(UK)
3	recordlabel: Polydor 286 chartposition: UK #57 writtenby: Wally Badarou, Gould and Mark King album: Level 42 comments: [disco jazz funk]	Level 42	Turn It On	1981	Polydor
4	recordlabel: MJS 101 chartposition: US Dance #54 writtenby: Letta Mbulu and Caiphus Semenya album: Sound of a Rainbow comments: [disco dance]	Letta Mbulu	Kilimanjaro	1981	MJS
---	recordlabel: Headfirst 9708 writtenby: Lesette Wilson album: Now That I've Got Your Attention comments: [album cut]	Lesette Wilson	Caveman Boogie	1981	Headfirst
---	recordlabel: Excaliber 508 (UK) writtenby: Curtis Cumbo	Leprechaun	Loc It Up	1981	Excaliber(UK)
1	recordlabel: Elektra 47139 chartposition: RandB #74 writtenby: Leon Ware album: Rockin You Eternally comments: [ballad]	Leon Ware	Rockin' You Eternally	1981	Elektra
2	recordlabel: Elektra 47093 chartposition: RandB #66 writtenby: Leon Ware, Marcos Valle, Peter Cetera and Laudir de Oliveira album: Rockin' You Eternally	Leon Ware	Baby Don't Stop Me	1981	Elektra
3	recordlabel: P.I.R. 888 chartposition: RandB #57 writtenby: L. Huff album: Here to Create Music comments: [instrumental]	Leon Huff	I Ain't Jivin', I'm Jammin'	1981	P.I.R.
---	recordlabel: DeLite 3 writtenby: Jhon Christopher, Leon Bryant, Liz Temzin album: Leon Bryant comments: [disco dance]	Leon Bryant	Just The Way You Like It	1981	DeLite
1	recordlabel: DeLite 101510 chartposition: RandB #81 writtenby: Leon Bryant, Liz Temkin and Jhon Christopher album: Leon Bryant comments: [disco funk]	Leon Bryant	Mighty Body (Hotsy Totsy)	1981	DeLite
2	recordlabel: MCA 51033 chartposition: RandB #58 writtenby: Lenny Williams, Bernard Thompson, Steve Duboff album: Ooh Child (compilation album) comments: [disco dance]	Lenny Williams	Messing with My Mind	1981	MCA
3	recordlabel: MCA 51179 chartposition: RandB #57 writtenby: Lenny Williams album: Ooh Child (compilation album) comments: [disco, boogie]	Lenny Williams	Freefall (Into Love)	1981	MCA
4	recordlabel: Elektra 47124 chartposition: RandB #27, US #15, US AC #15 writtenby: Lee Ritenour, Eric Tagg & Eric Champlin comments: (vocal: Eric Tagg)	Lee Ritenour	Is It You?	1981	Elektra
5	recordlabel: Elektra 11515 chartposition: US Dance #43 writtenby: Lee Ritenour album: Rit comments: [jazz funk instrumental]	Lee Ritenour	Countdown (Captain Fingers)	1981	Elektra
---	recordlabel: Debbie 1 writtenby: Steele Bros. album: Sweet Magic comments: [album cut]	Lee McDonald	I'll Do Anything For You	1981	Debbie
---	recordlabel: Magnolia 300 writtenby: Barry Murphy	Lee Bates	Overnight Sensation	1981	Magnolia
1	recordlabel: Polydor 2156 chartposition: RandB #96 weeksinr&bchart: 4 writtenby: Tito Jackson, Mike McKinney and Leda Grace album: Amazing comments: [disco funk]	Leda Grace	No George	1981	Polydor
---	recordlabel: Laray 101 writtenby: Larry Nevilles and Sandra Simmons	Larry Nevilles	This Time It's Real	1981	Laray
1	recordlabel: Warner 49744 chartposition: RandB #4, US #67 writtenby: Larry Graham album: Just Be My Lady comments: [ballad] Â	Larry Graham	Just Be My Lady	1981	Warner
2	recordlabel: Warner 49833 chartposition: RandB #69 writtenby: Jesse Belvin and Jo Ann Belvin album: Just Be My Lady comments: [ballad]	Larry Graham	Guess Who	1981	Warner
---	recordlabel: Columbia 37129 writtenby: Lamont Dozier album: Working On You comments: [disco funk album cut] mpcode: DVR3ZZ_dw4Q	Lamont Dozier	You Made Me A Believer	1981	Columbia
---	recordlabel: MandM 104 writtenby: L.Dozier album: Lamont comments: [album cut]	Lamont Dozier	You Oughta Be In Pictures	1981	MandM
---	recordlabel: Columbia 18 02238 writtenby: L. Dozier album: Working On You	Lamont Dozier	Chained (To Your Love)	1981	Columbia
---	recordlabel: Columbia 02035 writtenby: L. Dozier album: Working On You comments: [disco dance]	Lamont Dozier	Cool Me Out	1981	Columbia
---	recordlabel: Columbia 18 02238 writtenby: L. Dozier album: Working On You	Lamont Dozier	Too Little Too Long	1981	Columbia

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