And here are the #1 Singles of 1981. I included the #2 Singles because I wanted the video to be at least 5 minutes long. One of the #2 charting singles actually set a record for most weeks at #2 at that time. I could be mistaken so please let me know if i'm wrong. I want to say there might have been another song from the 40's or 50's that had a longer run at #2 , but I lost the book ... Not lost, stolen... In fact, I noticed several of my Whitburn books are gone. I couldn't have misplaced them ? They are not in my closet..... Is this what it feels like to get senile ? I'm far from being considered a senior though.... Getting old....don't believe what they tell ya, it's a cruel, cruel joke !
In 1981, on the Soul Album chart , a new record was set. 6 consecutive solo males hit #1
Smokey Robinson - Being With You (5 WEEKS @ #1)
Ray Parker Jr. - A Woman Needs Love (2 WEEKS @ #1)
Rick James - Street Songs (20 Non-consecutive weeks at #1)
Al Jarreau - Breakin' Away (2 WEEKS @ #1)
Roger - The Many Facets of Roger (1 WEEK @ #1) and finally
Luther Vandross - Never Too Much (1 WEEK @ #1)
Roger unofficially became the first act in the 1980's to have 2 #1 Albums. Roger's solo debut album "The Many Facets of Roger" topped the chart in November 1981 and in Oct/Nov 1980 as a member of the group Zapp, he hit #1 with their debut album "Zapp". If you discount the fact that he was solo and a member of a group....well then...in April 1982...The Whispers came along and became the first act to score 2 #1 Albums in the 80's.
The Jackson's had their 5th single stall at #2 ! Out of nowhere, Carl Carlton came back in a big way with the biggest hit of his career. ENOUGH of my idle chatter !
HERE they are ! the 16 #1 Soul Singles of 1981 !!!
