See also: 1980 in music, other events of 1981, 1982 in music and the list of 'years in music'.
Albums Released
- Wild-Eyed Southern Boys - .38 Special
- Damaged - Black Flag
- Red - Black Uhuru
- My Life in the Bush of Ghosts - David Byrne & Brian Eno
- Made in America - The Carpenters
- Face Value - Phil Collins
- Trust - Elvis Costello & the Attractions
- 4 - Foreigner
- The Electric Spanking of War Babies - Funkadelic
- The Beauty and the Beat - The Go-Go's
- Private Eyes - Daryl Hall & John Oates
- Freeze Frame - J. Geils Band
- I Love Rock 'N Roll - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
- The Fox - Elton John
- Captured - Journey
- Escape - Journey
- Point of Entry - Judas Priest
- Discipline - King Crimson
- Computer World - Kraftwerk
- Get Lucky - Loverboy
- Quiero Ser - Menudo
- Minor Threat and In My Eyes - Minor Threat
- Fiyou on the Bayou - The Neville Brothers
- Physical - Olivia Newton-John
- Bella Donna - Stevie Nicks
- Diary Of A Madman - Ozzy Osbourne
- Ghost In The Machine - The Police
- Controversy - Prince
- Talk, Talk, Talk - Psychedelic Furs
- Quarterflash - Quarterflash
- Tattoo You - The Rolling Stones
- Moving Pictures - Rush
- Mainliner (The Wreckage Of The Past) - Social Distortion
- Non-Stop Erotic Caberet - Soft Cell
- East Side Story - Squeeze
- The Time - The Time
- Tom Tom Club - Tom Tom Club
- October - U2
- Never Too Much - Luther Vandross
- Fair Warning - Van Halen
Top Hits
- "Imagine" - John Lennon
- "Woman" - John Lennon
- "Yes, I'm Your Angel" - John Lennon
- "Heading Out To The Highway" - Judas Priest
- "Desert Plains" - Judas Priest
- "Solar Angels" - Judas Priest
- "Shaddap Your Face" - Joe Dolce Music Theatre
- "Jealous Guy" - Roxy Music
- "This Ole' House" - Shakin' Stevens
- "Makin' Your Mind Up" - Bucks Fizz
- "Stand and Deliver" - Adam & the Ants
- "Being With You" - Smokey Robinson
- "One Day In Your Life" - Michael Jackson
- "Ghost Town" - The Specials
- "Green Door" - Shakin' Stevens
- "Video Killed The Radio Star" - The Buggles
- "Japanese Boy" - Aneka
- "Rapture" - Blondie
- "Jessie's Girl" - Rick Springfied
- "Private Eyes' - Daryl Hall & John Oates
- "Celebration" - Kool & the Gang
- "Kiss on My List" - Daryl Hall & John Oates
- "Bette Davis Eyes" - Kim Carnes
- "What Makes You Think You're The One" - Fleetwood Mac
- "Tainted Love" - Soft Cell
- "In The Air Tonight" - Phil Collins
- "Morning Train" - Sheena Easton
- "Physical" - Olivia Newton-John
- "Endless Love" - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
- "Arthur's Theme" - Christopher Cross
- "Prince Charming" - Adam & the Ants
- "It's My Party" - Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin
- "Every Litte Thing She Does Is Magic" - The Police
- "Under Pressure" - Queen & David Bowie
- "Begin the Beguine (Volver a Empezar)" - Julio Iglesias
- "Don't You Want Me" - Human League
- "Don't Stop Believin'" - Journey
Events
- August 1 - MTV debuts on Cable television, playing music videos 24 hours a day
- The musical Cats begins its 18 year run on Broadway
- Menudo's golden era (1981-1985) officially begins in Latin America, parts of Europe and Asia.
- U2 appears on the Tomorrow show with Tom Snyder, their first U.S. television apperance
- R.E.M.'s musical career begins
- Phil Collins' solo career begins
- Joe Walsh leaves The Eagles
- Hunters & Collectors form
- Mötley Crüe forms
- Sonic Youth form
Births