1981

In 1981 The Residents were largely dedicated to the creation of their Mark of the Mole album. They also began work on The Tunes of Two Cities and Title in Limbo. 1981 was a period of incredible financial stability for Ralph Records, perhaps explaining the group's lack of activity within this particular year.
This year, Ralph Records released and financed Fred Frith's Speechless, which had been partly recorded in Ralph's studios, MX-80 Sound's Crowd Control, and Renaldo & the Loaf's Songs for Swinging Larvae. They also distributed Yello's second album via Vertigo records, as well as Tuxedomoon's second album Desire via Pre Records. 
== Timeline ==
=== January ===
* 24th: KUOI FM broadcast "Don't Make Me Ralph," a 52 minute radio special celebrating Ralph Records, but mostly The Residents. This special featured interviews with Hardy Fox, Snakefinger & Tom Timony, sliced between various tracks available on Ralph Records.
* The Commercial Album is released in France, along with "Shut Up, Shut Up", a bonus single exclusive to the French release.
=== March ===
*The Residents along with Renaldo & The Loaf, record "4 Daze" a demo album that would eventually be adapted into "Title In Limbo"
=== April ===
* Fast Foward magazine release a tape containing various interesting artists of the time, The Residents "Act of Being Polite" & "Nameless Souls" were featured.
=== July ===
* 11th: Frank Johnson's Favorites is released.
*Edigsa Records release "Miniatures" in Spain. Gary Panter releases "Tornader To The Tater" a single that featured production & performance by The Residents. The Residents finish recording "Mark of the Mole"
=== September ===
* 15th: The Residents release "Mark of the Mole."
*Babyfingers is released to members of the WEIRD club, with the original unused artwork.
=== October ===
* The Residents purchase two EMU-Eumlators, and begin recording The Tunes of Two Cites with it.
=== December ===
* The Virgin Records sampler 'Methods of Dance' is released.
== Unknown Dates ==
*A Censored version of "The Third Reich 'n Roll" is released in Germany.
* Snakefinger's Chewing Hides The Sound is re-released worldwide, alongside a re-release of "The Model"
== Releases ==
* Shut Up, Shut Up
* Tornader To The Tater
* Mark Of The Mole
=== Various Artists Compilations ===
* Fast Forward 004
* Frank Johnson's Favorites
* Ralph Radio Special
* Methods Of Dance
== Re-releases ==
* The Third Reich 'n Roll (Censored) 
* Babyfingers (New Artwork)
* Chewing Hides The Sound (Worldwide Release)
* The Model
* The Commercial Album
* Miniatures
Category:Years