List of Hot Country Singles number ones of 1981 explained

Hot Country Songs is a chart that ranks the top-performing country music songs in the United States, published by Billboard magazine. In 1981, 48 different singles topped the chart, then published under the title Hot Country Singles, in 52 issues of the magazine, based on playlists submitted by country music radio stations and sales reports submitted by stores.[1]

Alabama, Razzy Bailey, T. G. Sheppard and Hank Williams Jr. tied for the most number ones of the year, with three chart-toppers each. As Alabama's "Feels So Right" was one of the few songs to spend a second week at number one, the band had the highest total number of weeks in the top spot, with four. Ten other acts achieved more than one number one in 1981. Several acts topped the chart for the first time in 1981: Charly McClain with "Who's Cheatin' Who",[2] Sylvia with "Drifter",[3] Rosanne Cash with "Seven Year Ache",[4] Earl Thomas Conley with "Fire and Smoke",[5] Ronnie McDowell with "Older Women",[6] [7] Steve Wariner with "All Roads Lead to You",[8] and the duo of David Frizzell and Shelly West with "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma".[9] [10] Shelly West's appearance at number one fell between two chart-toppers achieved in 1981 by her mother, Dottie West.[11]

"King of Rock and Roll" Elvis Presley, who had died in 1977,[12] achieved a posthumous number one in March with the single "Guitar Man". Upon its original release in 1967, the song had been a minor hit on Billboard all-genres chart, the Hot 100. More than three years after his death, however, the song was re-released to promote a similarly-titled album which combined existing Presley vocals with new instrumental backing tracks created in Nashville by producer Felton Jarvis, and this time became a country number one.[13] [14] Two songs which topped the country chart consecutively in January also topped the Hot 100, albeit several weeks later. Eddie Rabbitt's "I Love a Rainy Night" topped the country chart in the issue of Billboard dated January 10, and was replaced the following week by Dolly Parton's "9 to 5". On the Hot 100, Parton's song reached the top in the issue dated February 21,[15] was replaced by Rabbitt's song the following week,[16] but then returned to the top spot in the issue dated March 14.[17] The two songs were among just four country songs which topped the Hot 100 during the 1980s, and the only two to do so consecutively.[18] Both songs, along with "I Don't Need You" by Kenny Rogers, also crossed over to adult contemporary radio with sufficient impact to top Billboards Adult Contemporary airplay chart,[19] reflecting increasing pop and soft rock influences on mainstream country music.[20]

Chart history

scope=colIssue datescope=colTitlescope=colArtist(s)scope=col class=unsortable
scope=row"One in a Million"[21]
scope=row"I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink"[22]
scope=row"I Love a Rainy Night"[23]
scope=row"9 to 5"[24]
scope=row"I Feel Like Loving You Again"[25]
scope=row"I Keep Coming Back" / "True Life Country Music"[26]
scope=row"Who's Cheatin' Who"[27]
scope=row"Southern Rains"[28]
scope=row"Are You Happy Baby?"[29]
scope=row"Do You Love as Good as You Look"[30]
scope=row"Guitar Man"[31]
scope=row"Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground"[32]
scope=row"Texas Women"[33]
scope=row"Drifter"Sylvia[34]
scope=row"You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma" and Shelly West[35]
scope=row"Old Flame"Alabama[36]
scope=row"A Headache Tomorrow (Or a Heartache Tonight)"[37]
scope=row"Rest Your Love on Me" / "I Am the Dreamer (You Are the Dream)"[38]
scope=row"Am I Losing You"[39]
scope=row"I Loved 'Em Every One"[40]
scope=row"Seven Year Ache"[41]
scope=row"Elvira"[42]
scope=row"Friends" / "Anywhere There's a Jukebox"[43]
scope=row"What Are We Doin' in Love" with Kenny Rogers[44]
scope=row"But You Know I Love You"[45]
scope=row"Blessed Are the Believers"[46]
scope=row"I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool"[47]
scope=row"Fire and Smoke"[48]
scope=row"Feels So Right"Alabama[49]
scope=row[50]
scope=row"Dixie on My Mind"[51]
scope=row"Too Many Lovers"[52]
scope=row"I Don't Need You"[53]
scope=row[54]
scope=row"(There's) No Gettin' Over Me"[55]
scope=row[56]
scope=row"Older Women"[57]
scope=row"You Don't Know Me"[58]
scope=row"Tight Fittin' Jeans"[59]
scope=row"Midnight Hauler"[60]
scope=row"Party Time"[61]
scope=row"Step by Step"[62]
scope=row"Never Been So Loved (In All My Life)"[63]
scope=row[64]
scope=row"Fancy Free"[65]
scope=row"My Baby Thinks He's a Train"[66]
scope=row"All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)"[67]
scope=row"My Favorite Memory"[68]
scope=row"Bet Your Heart on Me"[69]
scope=row"Still Doin' Time"[70]
scope=row"All Roads Lead to You"[71]
scope=row"Love in the First Degree"Alabama[72]

a. Double A-sided single

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Whitburn, Joel. Joel Whitburn

    . Joel Whitburn's Top Country Songs: 1944-2005. ix. Joel Whitburn. Record Research. 2005. 9780898201659.

  2. Book: Bufwack, Mary A.. Finding Her Voice: Women in Country Music, 1800-2000. 346. Country Music Foundation Press. 2003. 9780826514325.
  3. Web site: Country Music's Sylvia Returns With New Music And A New Outlook On Life. Dustin. Fitzharris. The Huffington Post. October 11, 2016. March 8, 2018. October 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171008224932/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dustin-fitzharris/country-music-sylvia_b_12388802.html. live.
  4. Web site: 36 Years Ago: Rosanne Cash Earns First No. 1 Single with 'Seven Year Ache'. The Boot. Townsquare Media. Gayle. Thompson. May 23, 2017. March 8, 2018. March 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180309120301/http://theboot.com/rosanne-cash-seven-year-ache-no-1/. live.
  5. Book: The Encyclopedia of Country Music. 108. Oxford University Press. 2004. 9780199770557. Kingsbury, Paul. McCall, Michael. Rumble, Paul.
  6. Web site: Ronnie McDowell Biography & History. AllMusic. Steve. Huey. March 8, 2018. March 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054449/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ronnie-mcdowell-mn0000336842/biography. live.
  7. Ronnie McDowell Chart History. Billboard. March 8, 2018. November 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211117212117/https://www.billboard.com/artist/ronnie-mcdowell/chart-history/csi/. live.
  8. Web site: 10 best Steve Wariner songs. Donna. Nolan-Wilson. May 22, 2015. March 8, 2018. AXS TV. https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054626/https://www.axs.com/uk/10-best-steve-wariner-songs-54855. 2018-03-09.
  9. Shelly West Chart History. Billboard. March 8, 2018. March 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180322235448/https://www.billboard.com/music/shelly-west. live.
  10. Book: The Encyclopedia of Country Music. 184. Oxford University Press. 2004. 9780199770557. Kingsbury, Paul. McCall, Michael. Rumble, Paul.
  11. Book: Carlin, Richard. Country Music: A Biographical Dictionary. 424. Routledge. 2014. 9781135361044.
  12. Web site: Elvis Presley Biography & History. Richie. Unterberger. AllMusic. September 16, 2019. January 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210102174134/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/elvis-presley-mn0000180228/biography. live.
  13. Book: Collins, Ace. Untold Gold: The Stories Behind Elvis's #1 Hits. registration. guitar man elvis country number one.. 251. 2005. Chicago Review Press. 9781569765074.
  14. Web site: Blake Shelton Sings 'Guitar Man' With Elvis Presley During 'All-Star Tribute'. The Boot. Townsquare Media. Angela. Stefano. February 17, 2019. September 15, 2019. July 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190703133647/https://theboot.com/blake-shelton-guitar-man-elvis-all-star-tribute/. live.
  15. Hot 100 chart for February 21, 1981 . Billboard . March 8, 2018 . February 19, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180219164434/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1981-02-21 . live .
  16. Hot 100 chart for February 28, 1981 . Billboard . March 8, 2018 . February 19, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180219164437/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1981-02-28 . live .
  17. Hot 100 chart for March 14, 1981 . Billboard . March 8, 2018 . February 19, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180219164439/https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1981-03-14 . live .
  18. Book: Garner, Kelly K.. So You Want to Sing Country: A Guide for Performers. 31. 2016. Rowman & Littlefield. 9781442246416.
  19. Web site: Adult Contemporary - 1981 Archive. Billboard. September 15, 2019. September 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190924022401/https://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/1981/adult-contemporary. live.
  20. Web site: Country-Pop Music Genre Overview. AllMusic. September 15, 2019. August 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190814221542/https://www.allmusic.com/style/country-pop-ma0000004416. live.
  21. Hot Country Songs chart for January 3, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095130/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-01-03 . live .
  22. Hot Country Songs chart for January 10, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095132/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-01-10 . live .
  23. Hot Country Songs chart for January 17, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095137/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-01-17 . live .
  24. Hot Country Songs chart for January 24, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095142/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-01-24 . live .
  25. Hot Country Songs chart for January 31, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095145/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-01-31 . live .
  26. Hot Country Songs chart for February 7, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095148/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-02-07 . live .
  27. Hot Country Songs chart for February 14, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095152/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-02-14 . live .
  28. Hot Country Songs chart for February 21, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095155/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-02-21 . live .
  29. Hot Country Songs chart for February 28, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095158/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-02-28 . live .
  30. Hot Country Songs chart for March 7, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095201/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-03-07 . live .
  31. Hot Country Songs chart for March 14, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095204/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-03-14 . live .
  32. Hot Country Songs chart for March 21, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . April 3, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170403140448/http://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-03-21 . live .
  33. Hot Country Songs chart for March 28, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095210/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-03-28 . live .
  34. Hot Country Songs chart for April 4, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095215/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-04-04 . live .
  35. Hot Country Songs chart for April 11, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095218/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-04-11 . live .
  36. Hot Country Songs chart for April 18, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095221/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-04-18 . live .
  37. Hot Country Songs chart for April 25, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095223/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-04-25 . live .
  38. Hot Country Songs chart for May 2, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095227/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-05-02 . live .
  39. Hot Country Songs chart for May 9, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095233/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-05-09 . live .
  40. Hot Country Songs chart for May 16, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095239/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-05-16 . live .
  41. Hot Country Songs chart for May 23, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170331095425/http://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-05-23 . live .
  42. Hot Country Songs chart for May 30, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095247/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-05-30 . live .
  43. Hot Country Songs chart for June 6, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 14, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170314221627/http://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-06-06 . live .
  44. Hot Country Songs chart for June 13, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095255/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-06-13 . live .
  45. Hot Country Songs chart for June 20, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095303/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-06-20 . live .
  46. Hot Country Songs chart for June 27, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095306/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-06-27 . live .
  47. Hot Country Songs chart for July 4, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095308/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-07-04 . live .
  48. Hot Country Songs chart for July 11, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095313/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-07-11 . live .
  49. Hot Country Songs chart for July 18, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095315/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-07-18 . live .
  50. Hot Country Songs chart for July 25, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095318/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-07-25 . live .
  51. Hot Country Songs chart for August 1, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095321/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-08-01 . live .
  52. Hot Country Songs chart for August 8, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095324/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-08-08 . live .
  53. Hot Country Songs chart for August 15, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . December 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161201104912/http://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-08-15 . live .
  54. Hot Country Songs chart for August 22, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095333/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-08-22 . live .
  55. Hot Country Songs chart for August 29, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . April 1, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180401100107/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-08-29 . live .
  56. Hot Country Songs chart for September 5, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095344/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-09-05 . live .
  57. Hot Country Songs chart for September 12, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095346/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-09-12 . live .
  58. Hot Country Songs chart for September 19, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095350/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-09-19 . live .
  59. Hot Country Songs chart for September 26, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . April 1, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180401100111/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-09-26 . live .
  60. Hot Country Songs chart for October 3, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . April 1, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170401172652/http://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-10-03 . live .
  61. Hot Country Songs chart for October 10, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095406/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-10-10 . live .
  62. Hot Country Songs chart for October 17, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095409/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-10-17 . live .
  63. Hot Country Songs chart for October 24, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095412/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-10-24 . live .
  64. Hot Country Songs chart for October 31, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095416/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-10-31 . live .
  65. Hot Country Songs chart for November 7, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . April 19, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160419121059/http://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-11-07 . live .
  66. Hot Country Songs chart for November 14, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095425/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-11-14 . live .
  67. Hot Country Songs chart for November 21, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095428/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-11-21 . live .
  68. Hot Country Songs chart for November 28, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095434/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-11-28 . live .
  69. Hot Country Songs chart for December 5, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095439/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-12-05 . live .
  70. Hot Country Songs chart for December 12, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095442/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-12-12 . live .
  71. Hot Country Songs chart for December 19, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095457/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-12-19 . live .
  72. Hot Country Songs chart for December 26, 1981 . Billboard . October 3, 2010 . March 31, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180331095500/https://www.billboard.com/charts/country-songs/1981-12-26 . live .

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