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1981 Singles Poll Info Page


We're rolling back the clocks to 1981 in the latest set of music polls, running on X. From the beginning of August, 200 singles released that year will be battling it out. There is a real eclectic mix, reflecting the music scene of the time. We have everything from The Exploited to Joe Dolce, The Fall to Shakin' Stevens, Discharge to Bucks Fizz and lots more in between.

Whilst the polls are running, I will be updating this page so please do bookmark and revisit.

If you're following the polls on X remember to use the hashtag #1981singlespoll so you don't miss out. And if you're reading this and you would like to follow me I can be found by tapping on the icon below.


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Day Eight – Wednesday 13th August

Today's YouTube links are as follows:

Poll One

Elaine Page – Memory
Heaven 17 – Play to Win

Poll Two

Roger Taylor – My Country
The Members – Working Girl

Poll Three

Mobiles – Drowning in Berlin
Ultravox – The Thin Wall

Poll Four

Styx – The Best of Times

Poll Five

The Fall – Lie Dream of a Casino Soul
ELO – Ticket to the Moon

Day Seven – Tuesday 12th August


Phew! One of yesterday’s polls was scarily close! Genesis, Toyah and Bauhaus jostled for third place. It wasn’t until the 11th hour that 'Abacab' dropped into fourth place, with 10% of the vote, and 'Thunder in the Mountains' scraped into third place with 11.1%.

Madness, The Human League, Adam and the Ants and The Jam stormed ahead from the get-go. You can’t think 1981 without thinking Adam Ant, so a big thank you to everyone who shared a gif/photo of the inimitable Mr Goddard.

These songs were voted out tonight:

The Jones Girls – Nights Over Egypt
Genesis – Abacab
Rush – Tom Sawyer
Bow Wow Wow - W.O.R.K. (N.O. Nah No! No! My Daddy Don't)
Motorhead/Girlschool – Please Don’t Touch

Here are today’s YouTube links.

Poll One

Gary Numan & Dramatis - Love Needs No Disguise 
Kate Bush - Sat in YourLap

Poll Two

Showaddywaddy – Footsteps
Stiff Little Fingers –Silver Lining

Poll Three

Kraftwerk – Computer Love

Poll Four

Simple Minds - TheAmerican
ELO – Twilight
Killing Joke - Follow the Leaders

Poll Five

D.A.F. - Der Mussolini
Theatre of Hate - RebelWithout A Brain


Day Six – Monday 11th August


It was pretty obvious from the outset which songs were going to go by the wayside in each of yesterday’s polls. Romping ahead in style were tracks from Blondie, Pigbag and Depeche Mode, with Phil Collins, The Selecter, The Teardrop Explodes, Stray Cats and Smokey Robinson not far behind.

Several people commented on female trio Dolly Mixture, whose 1981 single ‘Been Teen’ was the first to be released on Paul Weller’s Respond label. My earliest memory of DM was seeing them playing 'Been Teen' on an episode of ‘Something Else’ broadcast in October 1981. Paul Weller and friends wrote the content of that particular show. There’s a little piece dedicated to it on this page of my blog. Barry also recalled the show and said he recorded it on a VHS tape, which subsequently got played to death. He has fond memories of seeing Dolly Mixture supporting The Jam and is a fan of their version of ‘Walk Away Renée. 

The songs voted out today:

Gary Wright – Really Wanna Know You
Cheap ‘n’ Nasty – Covergirl
Dolly Mixture – Been Teen
Roger Taylor – Future Management
Magazine – About The Weather

And here are YouTube links corresponding to some of the songs in today’s polls

Poll One

Scritti Politti – The SweetestGirl
New Order – Everything’sGone Green

Poll Two

Bow Wow Wow - W.O.R.K.(N.O. Nah No! No! My Daddy Don't)

Poll Three

John Foxx – Europe AfterThe Rain
Rush – Tom Sawyer

Poll Four

Genesis – Abacab
Bauhaus – The Passionof Lovers

Poll Five

The Jones Girls –Nights Over Egypt


Day Five - Sunday 10th August

Things got pretty intense in yesterday’s polls! There were serious battles for third place going on in two of the polls.

The Cure’s ‘Charlotte Sometimes’ and Simple Minds’ ‘Love Song’ pushed each other back and forth for a place in the next round from start to finish, causing headaches for some. In the end 'Love Song' nudged ahead.

The other tussle was something I never thought I’d see. The Damned versus Shakin’ Stevens! ‘Limit Club’, taken from The Damned’s Friday 13th EP overtook ‘This Ole House’ in the finish. But fear not fans of Shakey, because 'Green Door' has made it through.

There was a show of support for pioneers of 80s experimental music – Sheffield based Clock DVA, but alas it wasn’t enough to carry them through to round two. Digressing slightly, but through searching for a little background info about the band I discovered founding member Adi Newton is a gifted artist. It’s well worth seeking out his work when you have some time.

A summary of the tracks voted out today is as follows:

Clock DVA – 4 Hours
Slade – Wheels Ain’t Coming Down
Shakin’ Stevens – This Ole House
Billy Squier – In The Dark
The Cure – Charlotte Sometimes

The YouTube links accompanying tonight’s polls are…

Poll One

Magazine – About The Weather
Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl

Poll Two

Ultravox – The Voice
Roger Taylor – Future Management

Poll Three

Dolly Mixture – Been Teen
Genesis – No Reply At All 

Poll Four

The Selecter – Celebrate The Bullet
Cheap ‘n’ Nasty - Covergirl

Poll Five

Gillan – New Orleans
Gary Wright – Really Wanna Know You


Day Four - Saturday 9th August

Yesterday's polls threw up yet more unexpected results. There were more than a few disgruntled voters, especially in poll one, where Sheena Easton ousted Orange Juice. Mixed feelings were expressed over Roxy Music's 'Jealous Guy' and Graham Bonnet's 'Night Games'. There was disappointment and disbelief that The Undertones were eclipsed by Duran Duran.

We said goodbye to these five songs tonight:

Orange Juice - Poor Old Soul
Graham Bonnet - Night Games
The Undertones - When Saturday Comes
Adam & The Ants - Ant Rap
The Bureau - Let Him Have It

Please do feel free to share any special memories or stories for the songs featured in the polls. They'll be included on this page as we go along.

And here are YouTube links to assist you in making informed choices in today's five polls.

Poll One




Day two of the 1981 singles poll proved to be an interesting one! Poll five saw Joe Dolce battling it out against Tony Capstick, which prompted a few interesting comments! Joe scraped through to the next round, but could Ultravox's 'Vienna' end up going against him in a later round? A chance to settle the score maybe.

The five songs voted out today were:

Third World - Dancing on the Floor (Hooked on Love)

I must admit the lukewarm response surprised me and several others. I love Shaun's description of the song. "It's a great blend of funk disco and reggae - a proper summer-night-heat-vibe. Quite like the 70s Isley Brothers, actually."

For Ted it brings back memories of his 18th birthday. It's a great tune and was certainly a dance floor filler back in the day.

The Who - Don't Let Go The Coat

George Harrison - All Those Years Ago

The song was one of the suggestions made by Jason. He did a bit of digging beforehand and told me what he found out about it. "It was George's tribute to John and it was the first time that Harrison/Starr/McCartney had all recorded together since The Beatles split. It also featured Linda McCartney and Denny Laine on backing vocals"

I reckon it should have gone further on the strength of that alone.

Diana Ross/Lionel Richie - Endless Love

This song has a special place in Deb's heart. It was first dance at her wedding.

Tony Capstick - Capstick Comes Home

Someone who voted for the above was Dave. He shared his special memories. "A comic take on the Hovis ads. Plus, I could play the tune on the trumpet. Great memories. And yes, I bought the single. (Quote) I'll never forget first day at pit..."

Please do feel free to share any stories you have relating to the songs in the poll. I shall keep on adding them on a daily basis.

Here are your You Tube memory refreshers to accompany today's polls:

Poll One


Poll Two


Poll Three


Poll Four


Poll Five

Day Two – Thursday 7th August 

Well things got off to a fantastic start last night! Over 4600 votes were cast across all five polls and there was the usual sprinkling of lively comments. I can’t tell you how heartwarming it is to see people getting behind the polls and riding the nostalgia train with me! Thank you to everyone who voted and interacted.

Rather than posting on X, I shall be updating here on my blog each day with the songs voted out the previous night. The first five casualties were:

Gang of Four – To Hell With Poverty
Saxon – And The Bands Played On
Sugar Minott - Good Thing Going
Foreigner – Juke Box Hero
Material/Nona Hendryx – Bustin’ Out

Here are today’s YouTube memory refreshers.

Poll One

Third World – Dancing on the Floor (Hooked on Love) I defy you not to tap your feet to this!
Angelic Upstarts – Kids on the Street 

Poll Two

The Who – Don’t Let Go The Coat 
Depeche Mode – New Life 

Poll Three

Japan – Quiet Life (I’d forgotten how good this one was!)
George Harrison – All Those Years Ago 

Poll Four

The Chords – One More Minute 
Japan – The Art of Parties 

Poll Five

The Undertones – Julie Ocean 
Tony Capstick – Capstick Comes Home (I did warn you there was an eclectic mix of songs!) 

Day One - Wednesday 6th August

For the next ten days I'll be posting five polls each night at around 19:00. There will be four songs in each poll. The three songs with the most votes will go through to round two. I've included YouTube links to some of the tracks, which I hope act as a memory refresh - or maybe even an introduction. All of the links open in new windows.

Poll One

Gang of Four - To Hell With Poverty
Tom Tom Club - Wordy Rappinghood

Poll Two

Heaven 17 - (We Don't Need) This Fascist Groove Thang
Saxon - And The Bands Played On

Poll Three

Sugar Minott - Good Thing Going
The Beat - Drowning

Poll Four

Foreigner - Juke Box Hero
Dexys Midnight Runners - Show Me

Poll Five

Material With Nona Hendryx - Bustin' Out
Whitesnake - Don't Break My Heart Again




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