1981

The following is a list of the number-one singles (main sides only) in the U.S. in 1981, based on a comparison between its three main charts at the time, from Billboard, Cash Box and Record World magazines.
Issue date 	Song 	Artist(s)
January 3 	"(Just Like) Starting Over" 	John Lennon
January 10 	"(Just Like) Starting Over" 	John Lennon
January 17 	"(Just Like) Starting Over" 	John Lennon
January 24 	"(Just Like) Starting Over" 	John Lennon
January 31 	"The Tide Is High" 	Blondie
February 7 	"The Tide Is High" 	Blondie
February 14 	"Celebration" 	Kool & The Gang
February 21 	"9 to 5" 	Dolly Parton
February 28 	"9 to 5" 	Dolly Parton
March 7 	"9 to 5" 	Dolly Parton
March 14 	"9 to 5" 	Dolly Parton
March 21 	"Keep on Loving You" 	REO Speedwagon
March 28 	"Rapture" 	Blondie
April 4 	"Rapture" 	Blondie
April 11 	"Kiss on My List" 	Daryl Hall & John Oates
April 18 	"Kiss on My List" 	Daryl Hall & John Oates
April 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 	"Angel of the Morning" 	Juice Newton
May 23 	"Being with You" 	Smokey Robinson
May 30 	"Bette Davis Eyes" 	Kim Carnes
June 6 	"Bette Davis Eyes" 	Kim Carnes
June 13 	"Bette Davis Eyes" 	Kim Carnes
June 20 	"Medley" 	Stars on 45
June 27 	"Bette Davis Eyes" 	Kim Carnes
July 4 	"Bette Davis Eyes" 	Kim Carnes
July 11 	"Bette Davis Eyes" 	Kim Carnes
July 18 	"The One That You Love" 	Air Supply
July 25 	"The One That You Love" 	Air Supply
August 1 	"Jessie's Girl" 	Rick Springfield
August 8 	"Jessie's Girl" 	Rick Springfield
August 15 	"Endless Love" 	Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
August 22 	"Endless Love" 	Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
August 29 	"Endless Love" 	Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
September 5 	"Endless Love" 	Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
September 12	"Endless Love" 	Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
September 19	"Endless Love" 	Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
September 26	"Endless Love" 	Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
October 3 	"Endless Love" 	Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
October 10 	"Endless Love" 	Diana Ross and Lionel Richie
October 17 	"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"	Christopher Cross
October 24 	"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"	Christopher Cross
October 31 	"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"	Christopher Cross
November 7 	"Private Eyes" 	Daryl Hall & John Oates
November 14 	"Private Eyes" 	Daryl Hall & John Oates
November 21 	"Physical" 	Olivia Newton-John
November 28 	"Physical" 	Olivia Newton-John
December 5 	"Physical" 	Olivia Newton-John
December 12 	"Physical" 	Olivia Newton-John
December 19 	"Physical" 	Olivia Newton-John
December 26 	"Physical" 	Olivia Newton-John