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
301	recordlabel: MCA 51110 chartposition: RandB #12 writtenby: Kevin McCord album: Love Is...One Way comments: [funk]	One Way	Push	1981	MCA
302	recordlabel: Island 49697 chartposition: US dance #2 RandB #5, UK #53, US #101 writtenby: Koo Koo Baya, Grace Jones & Dana Mano album: Nightclubbing	Grace Jones	Pull Up to the Bumper	1981	Island
303	recordlabel: Tamla 54322 chartposition: RandB #18, US #101 writtenby: Marvin Gaye album: In Our Lifetime comments: [Motown Sound]	Marvin Gaye	Praise	1981	Tamla
---	recordlabel: Atlantic 3881 writtenby: Kenton Nix album: Gwen McCrae comments: [disco funk]	Gwen McCrae	Poyson	1981	Atlantic
---	recordlabel: KR 1001 album: The Definitive Collection comments: [funk jazz]	Rick Clarke	Potion	1981	KR
---	recordlabel: GTO 294 (UK) writtenby: R. Temperton album: Candles comments: [disco dance]	Heatwave	Posin' Til Closin'	1981	GTO(UK)
1	recordlabel: Gordy 7216 chartposition: RandB #54 writtenby: Teena Marie album: It Must Be Magic comments: [jazz soul beat ballad]	Teena Marie	Portuguese Love	1981	Gordy
2	recordlabel: MCA 51182 chartposition: US dance #22 RandB #28, UK #7, US #1, US AC #29 writtenby: Steve Kipner & Terry Shaddick album: Physical comments: [disco pop]	Olivia Newton-John	Physical	1981	MCA
3	recordlabel: AandM 2304 chartposition: RandB #16, US Dance #37 writtenby: Jean Knight album: Perfect Fit comments: [disco dance]	Jerry Knight	Perfect Fit	1981	A&M
---	recordlabel: RCA 13045 writtenby: L. Vandross album: I Only Have Eyes for You	The Main Ingredient ft. Cuba Gooding	Party People	1981	RCA
1	recordlabel: MCA 5159 chartposition: US Dance #64 writtenby: David Wolinski comments: [disco funk]	Rufus (and Chaka Khan)	Party 'Til You're Broke	1981	MCA
---	recordlabel: Jewel Prod. 181 writtenby: K. Stevens, O. Miller	Jewel	Paradise	1981	Jewel Prod.
1	recordlabel: RFC/Atlantic 3809 chartposition: US dance #1, RandB #7, US #80 writtenby: Davide Romani & Tanyayette Willoughby album: Miracles	Change	Paradise	1981	RFC/Atlantic
---	recordlabel: Magnolia 300 writtenby: Barry Murphy	Lee Bates	Overnight Sensation	1981	Magnolia
1	recordlabel: Fountain 81 1 chartposition: US Dance #21 writtenby: Lawrence Hanks and Rodney Massey album: All for the One comments: [disco dance]	Omni	Out of My Hands (Love's Taken Over)	1981	Fountain
2	recordlabel: Island 961 chartposition: US Dance #16 writtenby: David Was and Don Was album: Was (Not Was) comments: [disco funk]	Was (Not Was)	Out Come the Freaks	1981	Island
3	recordlabel: Panorama 12196 chartposition: RandB #79, US Dance #39 writtenby: Frank Hooker album: Frank Hooker and Positive People comments: [funk]	Frank Hooker & Positive People	Ooh Suga Wooga	1981	Panorama
4	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
5	recordlabel: Dep 2 (UK) chartposition: UK #7 writtenby: Astro, Jimmy Brown, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Ali Campbell album: Present Arms comments: [reggae]	UB40	One in Ten	1981	Dep(UK)
6	recordlabel: SRI 00011 chartposition: RandB #93 writtenby: Michael Johnson album: Silver Platinum comments: [sweet soul ballad]	Silver Platinum	One More Chance	1981	SRI
7	recordlabel: AandM 2387 chartposition: RandB #10, US #14, US AC #5 writtenby: Kathy Wakefield, Ben Wright & Tony Coleman album: The Dude	Quincy Jones featuring James Ingram	One Hundred Ways	1981	A&M
8	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
9	recordlabel: RCA 12179 chartposition: RandB #52 writtenby: Merry Clayton album: Come to My World	Michael Wycoff featuring Merry Clayton	One Alone	1981	RCA
10	recordlabel: Capitol 4993 chartposition: RandB #8, UK #41, US dance #3 writtenby: Mauro Malavasi & Paul Slade album: The Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens Band comments: [disco, funk, boogie]	B.B. & Q. Band (Brooklyn, Bronx & Queens)	On the Beat	1981	Capitol
11	recordlabel: Gordy 7213 chartposition: US #102 writtenby: Thom Bell and Linda Creed album: The Temptations comments: [Motown Sound]	The Temptations	Oh What a Night	1981	Gordy
12	recordlabel: Motown 1527 chartposition: RandB #5, UK #44, US #4, AC #5 writtenby: Lionel Richie album: In the Pocket / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 12 comments: [ballad] Â	The Commodores	Oh No	1981	Motown
13	recordlabel: Atlantic 3796 chartposition: RandB #41 writtenby: Brian Holland and Eddie Holland Jr. album: Love Keys	Eddie Kendricks	Oh I Need Your Loving	1981	Atlantic
14	recordlabel: Warner 49795 chartposition: RandB #22, US Dance #13 writtenby: Ralf Hutter, Karl Bartos, Emil Schult album: Computer World comments: [electro]	Kraftwerk	Numbers	1981	Warner
15	recordlabel: Arista 419 (UK) chartposition: UK #76 writtenby: Gerry Goffin and Michael Masser album: Hot! Live And Otherwise comments: [ballad]	Dionne Warwick	Now We're Starting Over Again	1981	Arista(UK)
16	recordlabel: ARC 02535 chartposition: RandB #68 writtenby: Jeff Hull, Gary Poirot and Stephen Landau (as S. Londo) album: New Affair comments: [ballad]	The Emotions	Now That I Know	1981	ARC
---	recordlabel: TMG 11979 writtenby: M. Forrest	Tommy McGee	Now That I Have You	1981	TMG
1	recordlabel: EMI America 8083 chartposition: RandB #43 writtenby: Fred Harris and Ella Mitchell album: Wanted Dread and Alive comments: [Reggae]	Peter Tosh & Gwen Guthrie	Nothing But Love	1981	EMI America
2	recordlabel: Capitol 5045 chartposition: RandB #34 writtenby: Bill Amesbury album: Happy Love comments: [ballad]	Natalie Cole	Nothin' but a Fool	1981	Capitol
3	recordlabel: Quality/RFC 4 chartposition: US dance #15 writtenby: Gino Soccio album: Set Me Free comments: [disco funk]	Karen Silver	Nobody Else	1981	Quality/RFC
4	recordlabel: Island 6244(UK) chartposition: UK #8 writtenby: Vincent Ford and Bob Marley (uncredited) comments: re release [reggae]	Bob Marley & the Wailers	No Woman, No Cry	1981	Island (UK)
5	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
6	recordlabel: West End 22137 chartposition: US Dance #52 writtenby: Kenton Nix comments: [disco dance]	Taana Gardner	No Frills	1981	West End
7	recordlabel: EMI 8091 chartposition: RandB #64 writtenby: Michael Toles album: To The Point comments: [disco funk]	Kwick	Nightlife	1981	EMI
8	recordlabel: 20th Century 2506 chartposition: RandB #33 writtenby: James Mtume and Reggie Lucas album: Stephanie comments: [ballad]	Stephanie Mills	Night Games	1981	20th Century
9	recordlabel: Epic 02053 chartposition: RandB #7 writtenby: Billy Ocean and Nigel Martinez album: Night (Feel Like Getting Down) comments: [disco dance]	Billy Ocean	Night (Feel Like Getting Down)	1981	Epic
10	recordlabel: Cotillion 46012 chartposition: RandB #28, US #82 writtenby: Narada Michael Walden and Allee Willis album: All American Girls comments: [ballad]	Sister Sledge	Next Time You'll Know	1981	Cotillion
---	recordlabel: Land Of Hits 903 writtenby: Osborne Hunter, Steve Boston comments: [disco dance]	Ahzz	New York's Movin	1981	Land Of Hits
1	recordlabel: Solar 47931 chartposition: RandB #74 writtenby: Cheryl Cooley and Bernadette Cooper album: Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman comments: [disco funk]	Klymaxx	Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman	1981	Solar
2	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
---	recordlabel: Columbia writtenby: A. Sanderson, K. Echols, M. Titus album: Tell Me Where It Hurts comments: [album cut]	Walter Jackson	Never Sing The Song	1981	Columbia
1	recordlabel: RCA 138(UK) chartposition: UK #52 writtenby: Don Addrisi and Dick Addrisi album: Good Thing Going comments: [reggae]	Sugar Minott	Never My Love	1981	RCA (UK)
2	recordlabel: Fantasy 906 chartposition: RandB #55 writtenby: Eric Robinson and Hailey album: Backatcha	Two Tons o' Fun (aka The Weather Girls)	Never Like This	1981	Fantasy
---	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.
1	recordlabel: Elektra 12494 (UK) chartposition: US dance #2, RandB #30, UK #66 writtenby: Patrice Rushen & Freddie Washington album: Posh	Patrice Rushen	Never Gonna Give You Up	1981	Elektra(UK)
2	recordlabel: WEA 18867 (UK) chartposition: UK #47 writtenby: Bugatti, Musker album: The Dukes Bugatti and Musker comments: [disco, boogie]	The Dukes	Mystery Girl	1981	WEA(UK)
3	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
4	recordlabel: MCA 51054 chartposition: RandB #52 writtenby: Kevin McCord album: Love Is...One Way	One Way	My Lady	1981	MCA
5	recordlabel: Polydor 2164 chartposition: RandB #81, US Dance #93 writtenby: Alton McClain and S. Scarborough album: [disco funk boogie]	Alton McClain & Destiny	My Destiny	1981	Polydor
---	recordlabel: Setting Sun 004 writtenby: R. McNeir, P. Houston, W. Moore album: Ronnie McNeir and The Instant Groove	Ronnie McNeir	My Baby	1981	Setting Sun
1	recordlabel: RCA 130(UK) chartposition: UK #37 writtenby: David Baptiste, Kenny Wellington and Breeze McKrieth album: Monument comments: [disco funk]	Beggar & Co	Mule (Chant No2)	1981	RCA (UK)
---	recordlabel: Gordy 1002 writtenby: Rick James album: Street Songs comments: [album cut] mpcode: qUKYiOfFCHo	Rick James	Mr. Policeman	1981	Gordy
---	recordlabel: Solid Smoke 45 1 writtenby: Parks album: Movin' In The Right Direction	Steve Parks	Movin' In The Right Direction	1981	Solid Smoke
---	recordlabel: Capitol 4990 writtenby: Spencer, Hayes, Corprew, Stiggers, Johnson, Glover, Lawhorn, Debro album: Pure Gold comments: [disco, funk, boogie]	Pure Gold	Move Your Sexy Body	1981	Capitol
---	recordlabel: Hi 81534 writtenby: Homer Banks, Chuck Brooks	Ann Peebles featuring Donald Bryant	Mon Belle Amour	1981	Hi
1	recordlabel: RCA 12163 chartposition: RandB #47 writtenby: Anita Jones and David T. Garner album: Soft Lights, Sweet Music comments: [sweet soul ballad]	Enchantment	Moment of Weakness	1981	RCA
---	recordlabel: Atlantic 292 writtenby: M. Malavasi, T. Willoughby album: Miracles	Change	Miracles	1981	Atlantic
1	recordlabel: Gold Coast 1100 chartposition: RandB #50 writtenby: Jesse Boyce album: Surprise! Surprise! comments: [funk]	TTF	Mighty Fine	1981	Gold Coast
2	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
3	recordlabel: MCA 51158 chartposition: RandB #45 writtenby: Isaac Suthers album: It's Winning Time comments: [ballad]	Klique	Middle of a Slow Dance	1981	MCA
4	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
5	recordlabel: Boardwalk 70073 chartposition: US #62 writtenby: Rudy Salas album: City Nights comments: [disco dance]	Tierra	Memories	1981	Boardwalk
6	recordlabel: Motown 1488 chartposition: UK #76, US dance #46 writtenby: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland Jr., Nickolas Ashford and Valerie comments: [Motown Sound]	The Supremes (with Diana Ross)	Medley of Hits	1981	Motown
7	recordlabel: Elektra 47198 chartposition: RandB #47 writtenby: David Lasley and Roxanne Joy Seeman album: Very Special	Debra Laws	Meant for You	1981	Elektra
8	recordlabel: Chi Sound 2503 chartposition: RandB #70 writtenby: Carl Davis and Eugene Record album: Me and You comments: [disco dance]	The Chi-Lites	Me and You	1981	Chi Sound
9	recordlabel: AandM 2375 chartposition: RandB #74 writtenby: Herb Alpert, Michael Stokes and Michel Colombier album: Magic Man comments: [jazz funk instrumental]	Herb Alpert	Manhattan Melody	1981	A&M
---	recordlabel: Polydor 6320 writtenby: C. Drayton, J. Wieder, P.M. Jackson,, Jr. album: Gonna Tell The World comments: [album cut]	Alton McClain & Destiny	Making Room For Love	1981	Polydor
1	recordlabel: Elektra 47112 chartposition: RandB #26, US Dance #73 writtenby: Darryl Ross album: Portraits comments: [disco jazz funk]	Side Effect	Make You Mine	1981	Elektra
2	recordlabel: Salsoul 7017 chartposition: RandB #6, US #71, US dance #35 writtenby: Steve Washington, Curt Jones & Starleana Young album: A Little Love	Aurra	Make Up Your Mind	1981	Salsoul
3	recordlabel: Solar 12193 chartposition: RandB #6, UK #30, US #60 writtenby: William Shelby, Ricky Smith & Kevin Spencer album: Three for Love	Shalamar	Make That Move	1981	Solar
4	recordlabel: Knockout 33101 chartposition: US Dance #51 writtenby: Herschel Dwellingham album: The Escorts comments: [disco dance]	The Escorts	Make Me Over	1981	Knockout
---	recordlabel: Epic 02521 writtenby: Betty Wright album: Betty Wright	Betty Wright	Make Me Love The Rain	1981	Epic
---	recordlabel: Gordy 1002 writtenby: Rick James album: Street Songs comments: [album cut] mpcode: QEXjgTI9aZU	Rick James	Make Love To Me	1981	Gordy
1	recordlabel: Columbia 02615 chartposition: RandB #59, US Dance #9 writtenby: Herbie Hancock, David Rubinson, A. Willis and Jeffrey Cohen album: Magic Windows comments: [disco jazz funk]	Herbie Hancock featuring Sylvester	Magic Number	1981	Columbia
2	recordlabel: AandM 2356 chartposition: RandB #37, US #79, US AC #22 writtenby: Herb Alpert, Melvin Ragin and Michael Stokes album: Beyond comments: [jazz funk instrumental]	Herb Alpert	Magic Man	1981	A&M
3	recordlabel: Buddah 496 chartposition: RandB #11, US #101 writtenby: Georgan Tones, Lloyd Chiate, Ray Dewey and Robert Winters album: Magic Man comments: [ballad]	Robert Winters & Fall	Magic Man	1981	Buddah
---	recordlabel: AandM 64890 album: Special Delivery comments: [album cut]	Alvin Fields	Lucky Number Seven	1981	A&M
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: Capitol 5043 chartposition: RandB #47 writtenby: Paul Laurence album: Loveline comments: [disco dance]	Tavares	Loveline	1981	Capitol
---	recordlabel: Blaster 520 writtenby: L.V. Capel, C. Nakisa album: The Beginning comments: [disco dance]	Tony Fox	Love, Let Love And Be Loved	1981	Blaster
1	recordlabel: MCA 51099 chartposition: RandB #24 writtenby: Michael Cooper and T. Crossley album: It's Winning Time comments: [disco funk]	Klique	Love's Dance	1981	MCA
2	recordlabel: Wheel 5001 chartposition: RandB #29 writtenby: Lamont Dozier album: Zingara comments: [ballad]	Zingara	Love's Calling	1981	Wheel
3	recordlabel: Cotillion 46015 chartposition: RandB #2, US #26, US AC #19 writtenby: Burt Keyes & Sylvia Robinson album: With You / The Best of All Platinum comments: [ballad]	Stacy Lattisaw	Love on a Two Way Street	1981	Cotillion
4	recordlabel: Handshake 5304 chartposition: RandB #75, US Dance #17 writtenby: Johnny Bristol and Hense Powell album: Free To Be Me comments: [disco dance]	Johnny Bristol	Love no Longer Has a Hold on Me	1981	Handshake
5	recordlabel: Solar 47946 chartposition: RandB #31 writtenby: Nidra Beard, William Shelby and Kevin Spencer album: The Second Adventure comments: [disco funk]	Dynasty	Love in the Fast Lane	1981	Solar
6	recordlabel: MCA 51077 chartposition: RandB #88 weeksinr&bchart: 3 album: Winter Love Affair comments: [disco dance]	Jerry Bell	Love Will Make It All Right	1981	MCA
---	recordlabel: Prelude 8039 writtenby: L. Underwood album: Unlimited Touch comments: [ballad]	Unlimited Touch	Love To Share	1981	Prelude
1	recordlabel: Magnet 198 (UK) chartposition: UK #27 writtenby: Trevor Walters comments: [reggae]	Trevor Walters	Love Me Tonight	1981	Magnet(UK)
2	recordlabel: Malaco 1202 chartposition: US Dance #30 writtenby: Al Bell III, Freddie Young album: Let The Good Times Roll comments: [disco dance]	Fern Kinney	Love Me Tonight	1981	Malaco
3	recordlabel: Zoo York 1324 chartposition: RandB #58 writtenby: Jimmy Levine and Lowrell (as Lowrell Simon)	Lowrell Simon	Love Massage	1981	Zoo York
4	recordlabel: Ariola 2206 chartposition: US Dance #58 writtenby: Royal Bayyan and Amir Bayyan comments: [disco dance]	Forecast	Love Line	1981	Ariola
5	recordlabel: Alfa 7004 chartposition: RandB #61, US #81 writtenby: Yutaka Yokokura and Marti McCall album: Love Light comments: [smooth jazz soul ballad]	Yutaka	Love Light	1981	Alfa
6	recordlabel: Atlantic 3803 chartposition: RandB #46 writtenby: Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack album: Love Is a Waiting Game comments: [disco dance]	Roberta Flack & Peabo Bryson	Love Is a Waiting Game	1981	Atlantic
---	recordlabel: RCA 4024 writtenby: Rundgren album: You're The Best comments: [album cut]	Keni Burke	Love Is The Answer	1981	RCA
---	recordlabel: Chi Sound 2505 (UK) writtenby: Thompson, Dixon album: Here's To Love	Gene Chandler	Love Is The Answer	1981	Chi Sound(UK)
---	recordlabel: Epic 1210 (UK) writtenby: A. Willis, D. Laskey, S. Redd album: Sharon Redd	Sharon Redd	Love Is Gonna Get Ya	1981	Epic(UK)

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