Cultural Highlights of 1981
- Aug 1981: MTV Launches and Revolutionizes Pop Marketing – The musical landscape of 1981 was permanently altered on August 1 when Music Television (MTV) officially went on the air, broadcasting 'Video Killed the Radio Star' by The Buggles. The network inaugurated a completely new paradigm for pop stardom, where visual imagery, elaborate music videos, and fashion style became just as crucial to commercial success as the audio recording itself, reshaping global youth music culture.
- May 1981: Human League Champions Synth-Pop – British electronic pioneers The Human League released 'Don't You Want Me,' a masterclass in synthesizer-driven pop production. Featuring contrasting male and female vocals and catchy, sequenced electronic melodies, the track rocketed to the top of the charts, crystallizing the transition from traditional guitar-based pop into the futuristic, polished synth-pop sound that would define early-80s radio.
- Aug 1981: The Rolling Stones Launch Blockbuster Stadium Tours – Major rock touring reached unprecedented commercial heights as veteran stadium acts like The Rolling Stones embarked on massive, highly lucrative world tours. Setting new standards for stadium audio reinforcement, massive stage designs, and corporate sponsorship, these tours proved that classic 1970s rock royalty could command massive financial returns in the new decade.
- Oct 1981: Queen and David Bowie Release 'Under Pressure' – Two titanic figures of British rock, Queen and David Bowie, crossed paths in a Swiss recording studio to create 'Under Pressure.' Built around an iconic, instantly recognizable bassline and fueled by soaring, dramatic vocal interplay, the collaboration became an immortal pop-rock classic, showcasing the creative heights possible when distinct musical innovators collide.
Tattoo You
By The Rolling Stones
Label: Rolling Stones Records
Released: 1981
Rainbows
By Ron Cooley
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
French Record
By Kate & Anna McGarrigle
Label: Hannibal
Released: 1981
Place Without a Postcard
By Midnight Oil
Label: CBS
Released: 1981
Almost Blue
By Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Label: F-Beat
Released: 1981
Paraíso
By Orquesta Broadway
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
Bolderājas dzelzceļš
By Dzeltenie pastnieki
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
Sång Dans Sex
By TT-Reuter
Label: Heartwork Records
Released: 1981
Erector
By Whitehouse
Label: Come Organisation
Released: 1981
Insect and Individual Silenced
By Nurse With Wound
Label: United Dairies
Released: 1981
Walk Under Ladders
By Joan Armatrading
Label: A&M Records
Released: 1981
Don't Say No
By Billy Squier
Label: Capitol Records
Released: 1981
Wheels in Motion
By Any Trouble
Label: Stiff Records
Released: 1981
Corroboree
By Split Enz
Label: Mushroom Records
Released: 1981
What's the Name
By Ixthuluh
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
Claro que si
By Yello
Label: The Cryptic Corporation
Released: 1981
Joy
By Skids
Label: Virgin
Released: 1981
Visions, Scenes and Dreams
By Zero Nine
Label: Dig It
Released: 1981
Sons and Fascination
By Simple Minds
Label: Virgin
Released: 1981
Confidencial
By Tequila
Label: Zafiro
Released: 1981
Beskonačno
By Leb i sol
Label: PGP-RTB
Released: 1981
Physical
By Olivia Newton‐John
Label: MCA Records
Released: 1981
De zuipschuit
By Katastroof
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
Ağlamak Güzeldir
By Sezen Aksu
Label: Kervan Plak
Released: 1981
The Ascension
By Glenn Branca
Label: 99 Records
Released: 1981
Enorm in Form
By Polo's Schmetterding
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
Album
By Pierangelo Bertoli
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
Pleasure
By Girls at Our Best!
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
The Adventures of Kaptain Kopter & Commander Cassidy in Potatoland
By Spirit
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
Sei still, wisse ich bin
By Popol Vuh
Label: Innovative Communication
Released: 1981
Special Forces
By Alice Cooper
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Released: 1981
For Those Who Think Young
By Rough Trade
Label: True North Records
Released: 1981
Tonight I’m Yours
By Rod Stewart
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Released: 1981
Glorious Fool
By John Martyn
Label: wea
Released: 1981
Deal Done at Night
By Birth Control
Label: Ariola
Released: 1981
Hard ’n’ Heavy
By Anvil
Label: Attic
Released: 1981
Informulé
By Armande Altaï
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
Liaisons dangereuses
By Liaisons Dangereuses
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
By AC/DC
Label: Atlantic
Released: 1981
Skyrover
By Omega
Label: Bacillus Records
Released: 1981
Honky
By Keith Emerson
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
Solid Pleasure
By Yello
Label: Phonogram
Released: 1981
Sky 3
By Sky
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
Les Chants magnétiques
By Jean Michel Jarre
Label: Disques Dreyfus
Released: 1981
Interzone
By Interzone
Label: wea
Released: 1981
Questionnaire
By Chaz Jankel
Label: A&M Records
Released: 1981
What Cha' Gonna Do for Me
By Chaka Khan
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Released: 1981
Wall of Sound
By Killer
Label: Lark Records
Released: 1981
Nr. 100
By Dommelvolk
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
Grün
By Conrad Schnitzler
Label: Edition Block
Released: 1981
Gelb
By Conrad Schnitzler
Label: Edition Block
Released: 1981
Sugar & the Lollipops
By Sugar & the Lollipops
Label: CNR Music
Released: 1981
Schattenreiter
By Puhdys
Label: Pool
Released: 1981
Le Train du soir
By Gérard Manset
Label: Pathé
Released: 1981
Angel of Mine
By Frank Duval & Orchestra
Label: TELDEC
Released: 1981
Blues in Blond
By Achim Reichel
Label: Ahorn
Released: 1981
Moonlight of Asia
By 東祥高
Label: Columbia
Released: 1981
Love Will Carry Us
By Fred Small
Label: Aquifer
Released: 1981
Running Out of Time
By Rexy
Label: Alien Records
Released: 1981
Aquí estoy
By Nacha
Label: Hispavox
Released: 1981
Blood Run Hot
By Downchild Blues Band
Label: Unidisc
Released: 1981
Heart to Heart
By Reba McEntire
Label: Mercury Records
Released: 1981
Burning Candle
By Burning Candle
Label: Steyrer Disco
Released: 1981
Zingen en spelen met peuters
By Kinderkoor “De Lieverdjes”
Label: WSP
Released: 1981
Big Blues
By Jimmy Witherspoon
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
Trilha Sonora do Filme a Filha de Iemanjá
By Teixeirinha
Label: Chantecler
Released: 1981
Rio Grande de Outrora
By Teixeirinha
Label: Chantecler
Released: 1981
Gene Summers In Nashville
By Gene Summers
Label: Big Beat Records
Released: 1981
Lethe
By Lethe
Label: MMP
Released: 1981
Coconut Telegraph
By Jimmy Buffett
Label: MCA Records
Released: 1981
Look Out!
By 20/20
Label: Portrait
Released: 1981
Marauder
By Blackfoot
Label: ATCO Records
Released: 1981
Southern Rain
By Mel Tillis
Label: Elektra
Released: 1981
Jimi B.
By Jimi B.
Label: A&M Records
Released: 1981
Amansando soledades
By José Larralde
Label: RCA Victor
Released: 1981
Bad Man Wagon
By Teddy Brown
Label: Top Ranking International
Released: 1981
SEA BREEZE
By 角松敏生
Label: RCA
Released: 1981
Unicorns in Paradise
By Laraaji
Label: [no label]
Released: 1981
ACOUSTIC MOON
By ラジ
Label: CBS/Sony
Released: 1981
Snowy Red
By Snowy Red
Label: Dirty Dance
Released: 1981
Quinella
By Atlanta Rhythm Section
Label: Columbia
Released: 1981
Tommy Tutone-2
By Tommy Tutone
Label: Columbia
Released: 1981
Raffaella Carrà
By Raffaella Carrà
Label: Hispavox
Released: 1981
Le mie strade
By Gianni Togni
Label: Paradiso
Released: 1981
Dance Music
By Bombay Ducks
Label: United Dairies
Released: 1981
Sib Langis
By The Berlin Jazz Workshop Orchestra
Label: FMP
Released: 1981
Airs de Cour
By René Jacobs
Label: harmonia mundi
Released: 1981
Freedom
By Don Walker
Label: wea
Released: 1981
IV
By Ton Steine Scherben
Label: David Volksmund Produktion
Released: 1981
Rockabilly Fever
By Billy Hancock
Label: Big Beat Records
Released: 1981
Heavy Mental
By The Fools
Label: EMI America
Released: 1981
Romance Popular
By Nara Leão
Label: Philips
Released: 1981
First Serving
By Break Point
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
We're Just People
By Heritage Singers
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
Piel de Barrabás
By Barrabás
Label: Unknown Label
Released: 1981
I Know About the Life
By Archie Shepp
Label: Sackville
Released: 1981
Strictly Personal
By The Romantics
Label: Nemperor Records
Released: 1981
Guten Abend gute Laune
By Karel Gott
Label: AMIGA
Released: 1981