Billboard #1 Soul Songs Of 1981 Rankdown (COMPLETE)

[Soulsista]

In our next installment of The Billboard #1 Soul Songs Rankdown, we'll be covering the year 1981. Here are the 16 songs that topped the soul chart:

Fantastic Voyage - Lakeside
Burn Rubber (Why You Wanna Hurt Me) - The Gap Band
Don't Stop The Music - Yarbrough & Peoples
Being With You - Smokey Robinson
Sukiyaki - A Taste Of Honey
A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do) - Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio
What Cha' Gonna Do For Me - Chaka Khan
Give It To Me Baby - Rick James
Double Dutch Bus - Frankie Smith
I'm In Love - Evelyn "Champagne" King
Endless Love - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
When She Was My Girl - The Four Tops
Never Too Much - Luther Vandross
I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Roger
Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It) - Kool & The Gang
Let's Groove - Earth, Wind & Fire

Final ranking will use an inverse-point system (#1 get 16 pts, #2 gets 15, etc.)

Submissions are due May 10.

YouTube Playlist

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tags}@antigonerising Az Paynter bat1990 Linnethia Monique boysilver400 castleoblivion26 cedric stunnedout CF15 Choco George Zinc. g8erboi tim LBTrocks craziaskowboi Glove Slap Ling-Ling Crimsonio 🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾 Fancy filthy Ivy Leegue™ Troublemaker singingrulebritannia God newpower Hashtag Pow Sambalada .indulgecountry Me. I Am Justin... born Kanenrá:ke Juanca jtd Thee Stallion Zeebz Ky 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  lyhom  @mirza Mayman Caviar SHOOTER owenlovesmusic @pma2015 sergejdordij stallie tallen2001 tanooki tinawina toomuchboy Leigh trilogy Ty B-Boy walt91 Relaxing Cup wavey. mako willapted33 Janhova's Witness @jazzysoul47 Exclusive Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815... anitabakerfan jenglisbe @gabingston Doc Indie Party Rock #LisaRinna gonecountry Mirago rowellfarm490 @slipperyslope Red

[Deleted]

I see my top 2 already.

[Soulsista]

Kicking off the extras is the first Top 10 hit by a singer who was just featured on Unsung. It climbed to #6 soul and #15 on the Hot 100.

We're In This Love Together - Al Jarreau

[Soulsista]

Today's extra is a song that Jennifer Lopez sampled in 2002 for her #1 hit "All I Have". It peaked at #11 on the soul chart.

Very Special - Debra Laws

[Soulsista]

WEEKLY REMINDER!

Participants:

1. Soulsista
2. singingrulebritannia

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tags}@antigonerising Az Paynter bat1990 Linnethia Monique boysilver400 castleoblivion26 cedric stunnedout CF15 Choco George Zinc. g8erboi tim LBTrocks craziaskowboi Glove Slap Ling-Ling Crimsonio 🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾 Fancy filthy Ivy Leegue™ Troublemaker singingrulebritannia God newpower Hashtag Pow Sambalada .indulgecountry Me. I Am Justin... born Kanenrá:ke Juanca jtd Thee Stallion Zeebz Ky 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  lyhom  @mirza Mayman Caviar SHOOTER owenlovesmusic @pma2015 sergejdordij stallie tallen2001 tanooki tinawina toomuchboy Leigh trilogy Ty B-Boy walt91 Relaxing Cup wavey. mako willapted33 Janhova's Witness @jazzysoul47 Exclusive Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815... anitabakerfan jenglisbe @gabingston Doc Indie Party Rock #LisaRinna gonecountry Mirago rowellfarm490 @slipperyslope Red

[Soulsista]

Today's extra is a song that has been sampled numerous times, most notably in Ini Kamoze's "Here Comes The Hotstepper" and Musiq Soulchild's "B.U.D.D.Y." It was also covered by the group Seduction. The original climbed to #10 on the soul chart.

Heartbeat - Taana Gardner

[Soulsista]

The siganture ballad for this group is today's extra. It peaked at #17 on the soul chart.

This Is For The Lover In You - Shalamar

[SHOOTER]

Yasss! here for this!

[Soulsista]

Today's extra is one of her 11 Top 20 singles on the soul chart, peaking at #11. Monica sampled it in her 2010 hit "Everything To Me".

Silly - Deniece Williams

[Soulsista]

WEEKLY REMINDER!

Participants:

1. Soulsista
2. singingrulebritannia

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tags}@antigonerising Az Paynter bat1990 Linnethia Monique boysilver400 castleoblivion26 cedric stunnedout CF15 Choco George Zinc. g8erboi tim LBTrocks craziaskowboi Glove Slap Ling-Ling Crimsonio 🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾 Fancy filthy Ivy Leegue™ Troublemaker singingrulebritannia God newpower Hashtag Pow Sambalada .indulgecountry Me. I Am Justin... born Kanenrá:ke Juanca jtd Thee Stallion Zeebz Ky 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  lyhom  @mirza Mayman Caviar SHOOTER owenlovesmusic @pma2015 sergejdordij stallie tallen2001 tanooki tinawina toomuchboy Leigh trilogy Ty B-Boy walt91 Relaxing Cup wavey. mako willapted33 Janhova's Witness @jazzysoul47 Exclusive Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815... anitabakerfan jenglisbe @gabingston Doc Indie Party Rock #LisaRinna gonecountry Mirago rowellfarm490 @slipperyslope Red

SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE MAY 10!

[Soulsista]

Today's extra is the 3rd Top 10 soul hit for this Ohio band, climbing to #6.

Watching You - Slave

[Butterflies & Hurricanes]

RPJ deserves to be last place in most anything he competes in, but most definitely in this rankdown because all of these other songs are pretty good

[Soulsista]

Today's extra is the first Top 10 soul hit for this band from White Plains, NY. It peaked at #5.

When Love Calls - Atlantic Starr

[Soulsista]

Today's extra is the signature ballad for this group from Tulsa, Oklahoma. It peaked at #5 on the soul chart.

Yearning For Your Love - The Gap Band

[Soulsista]

10 DAYS LEFT TO TAKE A RIDE ON A FANTASTIC VOYAGE!

Participants:

1. Soulsista
2. singingrulebritannia

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tags}@antigonerising Az Paynter bat1990 Linnethia Monique boysilver400 castleoblivion26 cedric stunnedout CF15 Choco George Zinc. g8erboi tim LBTrocks craziaskowboi Glove Slap Ling-Ling Crimsonio 🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾 Fancy filthy Ivy Leegue™ Troublemaker singingrulebritannia God newpower Hashtag Pow Sambalada .indulgecountry Me. I Am Justin... born Kanenrá:ke Juanca jtd Thee Stallion Zeebz Ky 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  lyhom  @mirza Mayman Caviar SHOOTER owenlovesmusic @pma2015 sergejdordij stallie tallen2001 tanooki tinawina toomuchboy Leigh trilogy Ty B-Boy walt91 Relaxing Cup wavey. mako willapted33 Janhova's Witness @jazzysoul47 Exclusive Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815... anitabakerfan jenglisbe @gabingston Doc Indie Party Rock #LisaRinna gonecountry Mirago rowellfarm490 @slipperyslope Red Butterflies & Hurricanes

LET'S GET THESE RANKINGS IN!

[Soulsista]

Today's extra is this standout duet from his Street Songs album. It was never released as a single, but it's been a fan favorite and quiet storm staple for nearly 40 years.

Fire And Desire - Rick James & Teena Marie

[Soulsista]

9 DAYS LEFT!

Participants:

1. Soulsista
2. singingrulebritannia
3. @slipperyslope

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tags}@antigonerising Az Paynter bat1990 Linnethia Monique boysilver400 castleoblivion26 cedric stunnedout CF15 Choco George Zinc. g8erboi tim LBTrocks craziaskowboi Glove Slap Ling-Ling Crimsonio 🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾 Fancy filthy Ivy Leegue™ Troublemaker singingrulebritannia God newpower Hashtag Pow Sambalada .indulgecountry Me. I Am Justin... born Kanenrá:ke Juanca jtd Thee Stallion Zeebz Ky 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  lyhom  @mirza Mayman Caviar SHOOTER owenlovesmusic @pma2015 sergejdordij stallie tallen2001 tanooki tinawina toomuchboy Leigh trilogy Ty B-Boy walt91 Relaxing Cup wavey. mako willapted33 Janhova's Witness @jazzysoul47 Exclusive Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815... anitabakerfan jenglisbe @gabingston Doc Indie Party Rock #LisaRinna gonecountry Mirago rowellfarm490 @slipperyslope Red Butterflies & Hurricanes

[#LisaRinna]

Submitted!

[Soulsista]

Today's extra didn't get very far on the charts (#30 R&B, #77 Hot 100), but it's more well-known than those stats suggest.

Can You Feel It - The Jacksons

[singingrulebritannia]

The Gap Band is going to be in the 1983 edition with "Outstanding", right? Wanted to know before I proceeded with one of my own projects.

[Soulsista]

Yep.

[Soulsista]

8 DAYS LEFT!

Participants:

1. Soulsista
2. singingrulebritannia
3. @slipperyslope
4. #LisaRinna
5. rowellfarm490

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tags}@antigonerising Az Paynter bat1990 Linnethia Monique boysilver400 castleoblivion26 cedric stunnedout CF15 Choco George Zinc. g8erboi tim LBTrocks craziaskowboi Glove Slap Ling-Ling Crimsonio 🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾 Fancy filthy Ivy Leegue™ Troublemaker singingrulebritannia God newpower Hashtag Pow Sambalada .indulgecountry Me. I Am Justin... born Kanenrá:ke Juanca jtd Thee Stallion Zeebz Ky 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  lyhom  @mirza Mayman Caviar SHOOTER owenlovesmusic @pma2015 sergejdordij stallie tallen2001 tanooki tinawina toomuchboy Leigh trilogy Ty B-Boy walt91 Relaxing Cup wavey. mako willapted33 Janhova's Witness @jazzysoul47 Exclusive Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815... anitabakerfan jenglisbe @gabingston Doc Indie Party Rock #LisaRinna gonecountry Mirago rowellfarm490 @slipperyslope Red Butterflies & Hurricanes

[Soulsista]

Today's extra is another well-known song by this band, peaking at #13 on the soul chart. Beyonce covered it in 2019 for her concert film Homecoming.

Before I Let Go - Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly

[gonecountry]

I just submitted my list. My top 10 was incredibly solid, a few of the songs I had never heard before

The bottom 3 were not so great.

[Soulsista]

7 DAYS LEFT!

Participants:

1. Soulsista
2. singingrulebritannia
3. @slipperyslope
4. #LisaRinna
5. rowellfarm490
6. gonecountry

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tags}@antigonerising Az Paynter bat1990 Linnethia Monique boysilver400 castleoblivion26 cedric stunnedout CF15 Choco George Zinc. g8erboi tim LBTrocks craziaskowboi Glove Slap Ling-Ling Crimsonio 🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾 Fancy filthy Ivy Leegue™ Troublemaker singingrulebritannia God newpower Hashtag Pow Sambalada .indulgecountry Me. I Am Justin... born Kanenrá:ke Juanca jtd Thee Stallion Zeebz Ky 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  lyhom  @mirza Mayman Caviar SHOOTER owenlovesmusic @pma2015 sergejdordij stallie tallen2001 tanooki tinawina toomuchboy Leigh trilogy Ty B-Boy walt91 Relaxing Cup wavey. mako willapted33 Janhova's Witness @jazzysoul47 Exclusive Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815... anitabakerfan jenglisbe @gabingston Doc Indie Party Rock #LisaRinna gonecountry Mirago rowellfarm490 @slipperyslope Red Butterflies & Hurricanes

[Soulsista]

Today's extra is a standout duet by these superstars of soul. It spent 6 weeks at #3 on the soul chart, and managed to peak inside the Top 40 of the Hot 100 at #40.

Two Hearts - Stephanie Mills & Teddy Pendergrass

[Soulsista]

6 DAYS LEFT!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tags}@antigonerising Az Paynter bat1990 Linnethia Monique boysilver400 castleoblivion26 cedric stunnedout CF15 Choco George Zinc. g8erboi tim LBTrocks craziaskowboi Glove Slap Ling-Ling Crimsonio 🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾 Fancy filthy Ivy Leegue™ Troublemaker singingrulebritannia God newpower Hashtag Pow Sambalada .indulgecountry Me. I Am Justin... born Kanenrá:ke Juanca jtd Thee Stallion Zeebz Ky 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  lyhom  @mirza Mayman Caviar SHOOTER owenlovesmusic @pma2015 sergejdordij stallie tallen2001 tanooki tinawina toomuchboy Leigh trilogy Ty B-Boy walt91 Relaxing Cup wavey. mako willapted33 Janhova's Witness @jazzysoul47 Exclusive Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815... anitabakerfan jenglisbe @gabingston Doc Indie Party Rock #LisaRinna gonecountry Mirago rowellfarm490 @slipperyslope Red Butterflies & Hurricanes

[Soulsista]

Today's extra is one of the last hits by this band before Lionel Richie left. It peaked at #5 on the soul chart and #8 on the Hot 100.

Lady (You Bring Me Up) - The Commodores

[Soulsista]

TIME'S RUNNING OUT! ONLY 5 DAYS LEFT!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tags}@antigonerising Az Paynter bat1990 Linnethia Monique boysilver400 castleoblivion26 cedric stunnedout CF15 Choco George Zinc. g8erboi tim LBTrocks craziaskowboi Glove Slap Ling-Ling Crimsonio 🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾 Fancy filthy Ivy Leegue™ Troublemaker singingrulebritannia God newpower Hashtag Pow Sambalada .indulgecountry Me. I Am Justin... born Kanenrá:ke Juanca jtd Thee Stallion Zeebz Ky 🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲  lyhom  @mirza Mayman Caviar SHOOTER owenlovesmusic @pma2015 sergejdordij stallie tallen2001 tanooki tinawina toomuchboy Leigh trilogy Ty B-Boy walt91 Relaxing Cup wavey. mako willapted33 Janhova's Witness @jazzysoul47 Exclusive Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815... anitabakerfan jenglisbe @gabingston Doc Indie Party Rock #LisaRinna gonecountry Mirago rowellfarm490 @slipperyslope Red Butterflies & Hurricanes

[#LisaRinna]

I promise I will submit soon!