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
101	recordlabel: Old Gold 9456 chartposition: UK #4, US #101, US Dance #41, US Rock #50 writtenby: Nick Heyward album: Pelican West comments: [disco funk]	Haircut 100	Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)	1981	Old Gold
102	recordlabel: Atlantic 3798 chartposition: RandB #32, US #52, US dance #22, US AC #45 writtenby: Richard Carpenter, John Bettis, Michael Zager	The Spinners	Yesterday Once More -- Nothing Remains the Same	1981	Atlantic
103	recordlabel: Prelude 8034 chartposition: US dance #1, RandB #35 writtenby: Andy Gierus & Nicholas Bailey album: The Nick Straker Band	The Nick Straker Band	A Little Bit of Jazz	1981	Prelude
104	recordlabel: Pavillion 02455 chartposition: US dance #1, RandB #60 writtenby: Colin Campsie & George McFarlane album: Fascinating Rhythm	The Quick	Zulu	1981	Pavillion
105	recordlabel: Atlantic 3847 chartposition: US Dance #1, US #109 writtenby: Denis LePage and Denyse LePage album: Voggue comments: [disco dance]	Voggue	Dancing the Night Away	1981	Atlantic
106	recordlabel: Casablanca chartposition: US dance #1 writtenby: S. Greenberg album: Mouth to Mouth comments: [disco dance]	Lipps, Inc.	All Night Dancing	1981	Casablanca
107	recordlabel: Prelude 8030 chartposition: US Dance #2 writtenby: William Anderson album: Now! comments: [disco funk]	France Joli	Gonna Get Over You	1981	Prelude
108	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
109	recordlabel: P.I.R. 81062 chartposition: US dance #1 album: Dee Dee comments: [philly sound disco dance]	Dee Dee Sharp Gamble	Easy Money	1981	P.I.R.
110	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
111	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)
112	recordlabel: Ariola 810 chartposition: US dance #2 writtenby: Gordon Lightfoot album: If You Could Read My Mind comments: [disco dance]	Viola Wills	If You Could Read My Mind	1981	Ariola
113	recordlabel: Creole 9 (UK) chartposition: UK #11 album: Ain't No Stoppin' comments: [disco]	Enigma	Ain't No Stopping	1981	Creole(UK)
114	recordlabel: AandM 12040 chartposition: UK #52, US Dance #3 writtenby: Stevie Wonder and Stephanie Andrews album: The Dude comments: [disco jazz funk]	Quincy Jones featuring Patti Austin	Betcha Wouldn't Hurt Me	1981	A&M
115	recordlabel: Chrysalis 2526 chartposition: US dance #29, RandB #71, UK #32, US #43 writtenby: Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers album: Koo Koo	Debbie Harry	Backfire	1981	Chrysalis
116	recordlabel: Atlantic 3790 chartposition: UK #14, US #19, US Rock #8 writtenby: Phil Collins album: Face Value	Phil Collins	I Missed Again	1981	Atlantic
117	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
118	recordlabel: SAM 5018 chartposition: US dance #4, RandB #47, UK #49 writtenby: Geoff Bastow comments: [electronic, disco]	K.I.D.	Don't Stop	1981	SAM
119	recordlabel: MCA 51203 chartposition: RandB #8, US #91 writtenby: Kevin Murphy album: Camouflage comments: [beat ballad]	Rufus (and Chaka Khan)	Sharing the Love	1981	MCA
120	recordlabel: Casablanca 2303 chartposition: RandB #29, US Dance #4 writtenby: Paul Carrack album: Pucker Up comments: [disco]	Lipps, Inc.	How Long	1981	Casablanca
121	recordlabel: Atlantic 3837 chartposition: RandB #64, US dance #4 writtenby: Jerry Cucuzzella, Johnny Dorazio and Sergio Panzera album: Get On Up Do It Again comments: [disco funk]	Suzy Q	Get On Up Do It Again	1981	Atlantic
122	recordlabel: Prelude 8025 chartposition: RandB #23, US Dance #4 writtenby: Willie Phillips and Carlton Maestro album: The Strikers comments: [disco funk]	The Strikers	Body Music	1981	Prelude
123	recordlabel: AandM 2349 chartposition: RandB #78, US rock #23, US #13, US AC #14 writtenby: David Jenkins, Cory Lerios & John Pierce album: Reflector	Pablo Cruise	Cool Love	1981	A&M
124	recordlabel: Roy B. 2516 chartposition: US Dance #3 writtenby: Barbara Gaskin, J.O.B. and Roy B. comments: [disco funk]	Ecstasy Passion & Pain featuring Barbara Roy	If You Want Me	1981	Roy B.
125	recordlabel: Moby Dick 233 chartposition: US dance #5, UK #46 writtenby: Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson album: Cruisin' the Streets comments: [disco, dance]	The Boys Town Gang	Remember Me -- Ain't No Mountain High Enough Suite	1981	Moby Dick
126	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)
127	recordlabel: AandM 2312 chartposition: RandB #5, US #101, US dance #80 writtenby: David Lewis and Wayne Lewis album: Radiant	Atlantic Starr	When Love Calls	1981	A&M
128	recordlabel: Mercury 76123 chartposition: RandB #5, US #101, US dance #49 writtenby: Allen Jones (as Allen A. Jones) album: Nightcruising comments: [funk]	The Bar-Kays	Hit and Run	1981	Mercury
129	recordlabel: Bang 02246 chartposition: RandB #10, US dance #64 writtenby: Regi Hickman, Jimmy Brown, Ray Ransom and Eddie Irons album: Summer Heat comments: [disco funk]	Brick	Sweat (Til You Get Wet)	1981	Bang
130	recordlabel: Emergency 4509 chartposition: RandB #49, US dance #3 weeksinr&bchart: 10 writtenby: Maurice Cavalieri and Maurizio Sangineto comments: [disco funk]	Firefly	Love (Is Gonna Be on Your Side)	1981	Emergency
131	recordlabel: Dep 1 (UK) writtenby: Astro, Jimmy Brown, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, Brian Travers, Ali Campbell album: Present Arms comments: [reggae]	UB40	Don't Let It Pass You By	1981	Dep(UK)
132	recordlabel: Radio 4019 chartposition: RandB #44, UK #17, US #28 writtenby: The Superstars album: The Superstars comments: [disco dance]	Stars on 45 -- Starsound	Stars on 45 III (A Tribute to Stevie Wonder)	1981	Radio
133	recordlabel: SAM 5020 chartposition: US dance #19 RandB #20, UK #20 writtenby: Adrian Sear comments: [novelty]	The Evasions	Wikka Wrap	1981	SAM
134	recordlabel: Chaz Ro 2519 chartposition: RandB #75, US Dance #6 writtenby: Richie Weeks, Roy B. and Jorge Barreiro comments: [disco]	Weeks & Co.	Rock Your World	1981	Chaz Ro
135	recordlabel: Cotillion 46017 chartposition: RandB #32, US Dance #6 writtenby: Allee Willis and Narada Michael Walden album: All American Girls comments: (A tribute to Bob Marley)	Sister Sledge	He's Just a Runaway	1981	Cotillion
136	recordlabel: Prelude 8023 chartposition: RandB #33, US Dance #6 writtenby: Lenny Underwood and Bert Reid album: Unlimited Touch comments: [disco funk boogie]	Unlimited Touch	I Hear Music in the Streets	1981	Prelude
137	recordlabel: Warner 49774 chartposition: RandB #6, US dance #16 writtenby: Prince album: The Time	The Time	Get It Up	1981	Warner
138	recordlabel: RCA 12056 chartposition: UK #36, US Dance #6 writtenby: Sandy Linzer and L. Russell Brown album: Hang Together comments: [disco dance]	Odyssey	Hang Together	1981	RCA
139	recordlabel: Prelude 8040 chartposition: RandB #24, US Dance #6 writtenby: Willie Lester and Rodney Brown album: Love Fever comments: [disco, funk, boogie]	Gayle Adams	Love Fever	1981	Prelude
140	recordlabel: Elektra 47142 chartposition: RandB #11, US #90 weeksinr&bchart: 19 writtenby: Lisa Peters and William Jeffery album: Very Special comments: [love ballad] (featuring Ronnie Laws, jr.)	Debra Laws	Very Special	1981	Elektra
141	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
142	recordlabel: Chrysalis 2544 chartposition: UK #7 writtenby: David Grant and Peter Martin [Peter Michael Martin] album: Intuition	Linx	Throw Away the Key	1981	Chrysalis
143	recordlabel: Mercury 76097 chartposition: RandB #7, US dance #73 writtenby: Allen Jones, Charles Allen, Frank Thompson, Harvey Henderson, James Alexander, Larry Dodson album: As One comments: [funk]	The Bar-Kays	Body Fever	1981	Mercury
144	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
145	recordlabel: P.I.R. 02462 chartposition: RandB #10, US #103 writtenby: Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff album: It's Time for Love comments: [slow jam]	Teddy Pendergrass	I Can't Live Without Your Love	1981	P.I.R.
146	recordlabel: AandM 2382 chartposition: RandB #10, US #102, US Dance #36 writtenby: Carle Vickers and Jimmie Davis album: Love Magic comments: [funk]	L.T.D.	Kickin' Back	1981	A&M
147	recordlabel: Casablanca 1006(UK) chartposition: UK #16 writtenby: Jerry Knight album: Tonight! comments: [disco dance]	Four Tops	Don't Walk Away	1981	Casablanca (UK)
148	recordlabel: Epic 02049 chartposition: US dance #4 writtenby: B. Ocean, K. Gold album: Night (Feel Like Getting Down) comments: [disco funk]	Billy Ocean	Stay the Night	1981	Epic
149	recordlabel: Emergency 6504 chartposition: RandB #21, US dance #8 writtenby: Stefano Pulga, Luciano Ninzatti and Matteo Bonsanto comments: [disco]	Kano	I'm Ready	1981	Emergency
150	recordlabel: Whitfield 17875 (UK) chartposition: UK #52, US Dance #8 writtenby: Norman Whitfield album: Jump Street comments: [disco funk]	Rose Royce	R.R. Express	1981	Whitfield(UK)
151	recordlabel: Cotillion 46016 chartposition: RandB #36, US #25, US AC #14 writtenby: Bill Bowersock, Trevor Veitch & Matt Vernon album: Take Me to Your Heaven	Stevie Woods	Steal the Night	1981	Cotillion
152	recordlabel: Magnet 198 (UK) chartposition: UK #27 writtenby: Trevor Walters comments: [reggae]	Trevor Walters	Love Me Tonight	1981	Magnet(UK)
153	recordlabel: Prelude 8023 chartposition: US dance #6 writtenby: Underwood, Reid, Anderson album: Unlimited Touch comments: [disco funk]	Unlimited Touch	In The Middle	1981	Prelude
154	recordlabel: Moby Dick 242 chartposition: US dance #6 writtenby: Sylvester Stewart and Perry Botkin album: Disc Charge comments: [disco, dance]	The Boys Town Gang	You're The One	1981	Moby Dick
155	recordlabel: Arista 9544 chartposition: RandB #9 writtenby: John Lewis Parker and Peter Iver album: Can't We Fall in Love Again comments: [beat ballad]	Phyllis Hyman & Michael Henderson	Can't We Fall in Love Again	1981	Arista
156	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
157	recordlabel: Warner 49821 chartposition: UK #18 writtenby: Tony Joe White album: Secret Combination comments: [ballad]	Randy Crawford	Rainy Night in Georgia	1981	Warner
158	recordlabel: RandB Records chartposition: US dance #9 writtenby: Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, Leee John, Ashley Ingram, Errol Kennedy album: Body Talk	Imagination	So Good, So Right	1981	RandB Records
159	recordlabel: RCA 12216 chartposition: US dance #6, US RandB #35, UK #48 writtenby: Ronald Brown & John Scroggins album: Never Gonna Be Another One comments: [disco dance]	Thelma Houston	If You Feel It	1981	RCA
160	recordlabel: A Side 2221 (UK) chartposition: UK #31 writtenby: R. Vanwarmer, T. Wilson album: Will It Last Forever comments: [reggae]	Barbara Jones	Just When I Needed You Most	1981	A Side(UK)
161	recordlabel: SAM 5017 chartposition: RandB #90, US Dance #10 writtenby: James Calloway, Leroy Burgess and Sonny T. Davenport comments: [disco dance]	Convertion	Let's Do It	1981	SAM
162	recordlabel: Capitol 4968 chartposition: RandB #10 writtenby: David Mackey album: Everything Is Cool comments: [disco funk]	T-Connection	Everything Is Cool	1981	Capitol
163	recordlabel: T Neck 37533 chartposition: RandB #10, US Dance #18 writtenby: Ronald Isley, Kelly Isley, Rudolph Isley, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley and Chris Jasper album: Inside You comments: [disco funk]	The Isley Brothers	Inside You	1981	T Neck
164	recordlabel: T Neck 02033 chartposition: RandB #17 US #58 writtenby: Ronald Isley, Kelly Isley, Rudolph Isley, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley and Chris Jasper album: Grand Slam	The Isley Brothers	Hurry Up and Wait	1981	T Neck
165	recordlabel: MCA 51148 chartposition: RandB #23, US #33 writtenby: Harry King & Lisa Tedesco album: General Hospi-tale comments: [disco funk]	The Afternoon Delights	General Hospi-Tale	1981	MCA
166	recordlabel: Boardwalk 122 chartposition: RandB #15, US #103 writtenby: Curtis Mayfield and Dino Fekaris album: Love Is the Place	Curtis Mayfield	She Don't Let Nobody (But Me)	1981	Boardwalk
167	recordlabel: GTO 290 chartposition: UK #34 writtenby: Rod Temperton album: Candles comments: [disco funk]	Heatwave	Jitterbuggin'	1981	GTO
168	recordlabel: Beggars Banquet 55 chartposition: UK #35 writtenby: Peter Maas album: Southern Freeez comments: [disco jazz funk]	Freeez	Flying High	1981	Beggars Banquet
169	recordlabel: Mango 7788 chartposition: UK #35 writtenby: Sting comments: [reggae]	Sheila Hylton	The Bed's Too Big Without You	1981	Mango
170	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
171	recordlabel: SAM 5024 chartposition: RandB #64, US Dance #11 writtenby: Andre Booth comments: [disco dance]	Vicky D	This Beat Is Mine	1981	SAM
172	recordlabel: RCA 146 (UK) chartposition: UK #38 writtenby: Arthur Adams, Bernie Hamilton and Sam Carlos Smith comments: [disco dance]	Arthur Adams	You Got the Floor	1981	RCA(UK)
173	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
174	recordlabel: MCA 51165 chartposition: RandB #12 writtenby: Kevin McCord album: Fancy Dancer comments: [funk]	One Way	Fancy Dancer -- Pull (Part 1)	1981	MCA
175	recordlabel: MCA 51110 chartposition: RandB #12 writtenby: Kevin McCord album: Love Is...One Way comments: [funk]	One Way	Push	1981	MCA
176	recordlabel: Ensign 216 chartposition: UK #37 writtenby: Eddy Grant album: Can't Get Enough comments: [reggae disco]	Eddy Grant	I Love You, Yes I Love You	1981	Ensign
177	recordlabel: Gordy 7212 chartposition: RandB #30, US dance #12 writtenby: Teena Marie album: It Must Be Magic / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 12 comments: [disco funk]	Teena Marie	It Must Be Magic	1981	Gordy
178	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)
179	recordlabel: MCA 689 chartposition: RandB #16, US #103, US AC #21 writtenby: Bill Summers, Kevin Toney and Larry Batiste album: Call It What You Want comments: [disco funk]	Bill Summers & Summers Heat	Call It What You Want	1981	MCA
180	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)
181	recordlabel: Mercury 76114 chartposition: RandB #60, UK #36, US Dance #19 writtenby: Charlie Wilson, Lonnie Simmons and Rudy Taylor album: Gap Band III comments: [funk]	The Gap Band	Humpin'	1981	Mercury
182	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)
183	recordlabel: Solar 12295 chartposition: RandB #17, US #76, US Dance #20 writtenby: William Shelby, Kevin Spencer and Nidra Beard album: This Kind of Lovin'	The Whispers	This Kind of Lovin'	1981	Solar
184	recordlabel: Mirage 3812 chartposition: RandB #69, US Dance #13, UK #58 writtenby: Boo Boo Monk, Sandy Linzer and Yvonne Fletcher album: House of Music comments: [disco dance]	T.S. Monk	Candidate for Love	1981	Mirage
185	recordlabel: Capitol 5031 chartposition: RandB #13 writtenby: Frankie Beverly album: Live in New Orleans	Maze featuring Frankie Beverly	Before I Let Go	1981	Capitol
186	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
187	recordlabel: Geffen 49664 chartposition: US #40, US dance #8 writtenby: Pete Bellotte, Sylvester Levay and Jerry Rix album: The Wanderer comments: [disco pop soul]	Donna Summer	Who Do You Think You're Foolin'	1981	Geffen
188	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)
189	recordlabel: RFC 7002 chartposition: RandB #50, US Dance #13 writtenby: Luciano Ninzatti, Stefano Pulga and Mel Turner album: First True Love Affair comments: [disco dance]	Jimmy Ross	First True Love Affair	1981	RFC
190	recordlabel: Capitol 9644 chartposition: RandB #14, US Dance #31 writtenby: Rene Moore and Angela Winbush album: Wall to Wall comments: [disco funk]	RenÃ© & Angela	I Love You More	1981	Capitol
191	recordlabel: Network 47950 chartposition: US #42 writtenby: Irene Cara and Bruce Roberts album: Anyone Can See comments: [ballad]	Irene Cara	Anyone Can See	1981	Network
192	recordlabel: Quality/RFC 001 chartposition: US dance #9 writtenby: Gino Soccio album: Set Me Free comments: [disco]	Karen Silver	Set Me Free	1981	Quality/RFC
193	recordlabel: Emergency 6520 chartposition: US dance #9 writtenby: Arthur Baker, Tony Carbone, Russell Presto comments: [disco, boogie] mpcode: c3avFRtT6SU	North End ft. Michelle Wallace	Happy Days	1981	Emergency
194	recordlabel: RCA 131(UK) chartposition: UK #43 writtenby: Lawrence Jones and Morrie Brown album: I'm In Love comments: [disco, boogie]	Evelyn King (aka Evelyn Champagne King)	If You Want My Lovin'	1981	RCA (UK)
195	recordlabel: Dynamic Sounds 12 10 (UK) chartposition: UK #44 writtenby: Leroy album: Wide Awake comments: [reggae]	Barry Biggs	Wide Awake in a Dream	1981	Dynamic Sounds (UK
196	recordlabel: Solar 12189 chartposition: RandB #14 writtenby: Stephen Shockley and Fred Alexander album: Fantastic Voyage comments: [disco funk]	Lakeside	Your Love Is on the One	1981	Solar
197	recordlabel: Prelude 8026 chartposition: US dance #9 writtenby: R. Telson album: Empress comments: [disco funk]	Empress	Dyin' To Be Dancin'	1981	Prelude
198	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
199	recordlabel: RCA 12348 chartposition: UK #43 writtenby: Allee Willis, David Foster and Jay Graydon album: I Got the Melody comments: [ballad]	Odyssey	It Will Be Alright	1981	RCA
200	recordlabel: POLO 8 (UK) chartposition: UK #42 writtenby: Adrian Barker comments: [disco]	Liquid Gold	Don't Panic	1981	POLO(UK)

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