The Billboard Hot 100 chart for 1981 features heavy hit makers such as John Lennon, Sheena Easton and Olivia Newton-John just to name a few.
| Date | Number 1 Song |
|---|---|
| Jan 3 | (Just Like) Starting Over – John Lennon |
| Jan 10 | (Just Like) Starting Over – John Lennon |
| Jan 17 | (Just Like) Starting Over – John Lennon |
| Jan 24 | (Just Like) Starting Over – John Lennon |
| Jan 31 | The Tide Is High – Blondie |
| Feb 7 | The Tide Is High – Blondie |
| Feb 14 | Celebration – Kool & The Gang |
| Feb 21 | I Love A Rainy Night – Eddie Rabbitt |
| Feb 28 | 9 To 5 – Dolly Parton |
| Mar 7 | Keep On Loving You – REO Speedwagon |
| Mar 14 | Woman – John Lennon |
| Mar 21 | Woman – John Lennon |
| Mar 28 | Rapture – Blondie |
| Apr 4 | Rapture – Blondie |
| Apr 11 | Kiss On My List – Daryl Hall & John Oates |
| Apr 18 | Morning Train (Nine To Five) – Sheena Easton |
| Apr 25 | Morning Train (Nine To Five) – Sheena Easton |
| May 2 | Morning Train (Nine To Five) – Sheena Easton |
| May 9 | Morning Train (Nine To Five) – Sheena Easton |
| May 16 | Morning Train (Nine To Five) – Sheena Easton |
| May 23 | Being With You – Smokey Robinson |
| May 30 | Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes |
| Jun 6 | Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes |
| Jun 13 | Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes |
| Jun 20 | Stars On 45 (Medley) – Stars On 45 |
| Jun 27 | Stars On 45 (Medley) – Stars On 45 |
| Jul 4 | Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes |
| Jul 11 | Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes |
| Jul 18 | The One That You Love – Air Supply |
| Jul 25 | Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield |
| Aug 1 | Elvira – Oak Ridge Boys |
| Aug 8 | Theme From “Greatest American Hero” (Believe It Or Not) – Joey Scarbury |
| Aug 15 | Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie |
| Aug 22 | Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie |
| Aug 29 | Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie |
| Sep 5 | Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie |
| Sep 12 | Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie |
| Sep 19 | Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie |
| Sep 26 | Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie |
| Oct 3 | Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie |
| Oct 10 | Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie |
| Oct 17 | Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) – Christopher Cross |
| Oct 24 | Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) – Christopher Cross |
| Oct 31 | Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) – Christopher Cross |
| Nov 7 | Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) – Christopher Cross |
| Nov 14 | Private Eyes – Daryl Hall & John Oates |
| Nov 21 | Physical – Olivia Newton-John |
| Nov 28 | Physical – Olivia Newton-John |
| Dec 5 | Physical – Olivia Newton-John |
| Dec 12 | Physical – Olivia Newton-John |
| Dec 19 | Physical – Olivia Newton-John |
| Dec 26 | Physical – Olivia Newton-John |