great to see new entries from Rick James (a classic and Im not even sure if it went top 40 for me!), Duran, Journey, Keith Marshall, and KIm Wilde shooting up, Carpenters sweet final minor hit doing well, and Urgent too. There are still quite a lot of US hits that I only half-recall, and may or may not have charted! I still want to properly review 1975 through 1981 for retro charts as I could include a lot of them! If I ever get time to start them up again....

great charts!

On 04/03/2026 at 10:15, Popchartfreak said:

great to see new entries from Rick James (a classic and Im not even sure if it went top 40 for me!), Duran, Journey, Keith Marshall, and KIm Wilde shooting up, Carpenters sweet final minor hit doing well, and Urgent too. There are still quite a lot of US hits that I only half-recall, and may or may not have charted! I still want to properly review 1975 through 1981 for retro charts as I could include a lot of them! If I ever get time to start them up again....

great charts!

Hi there!

Glad that you like the new entries from Rick James, Duran Duran, Journey, Keith Marshall and Kim Wilde, as well as the success from the Carpenters and Foreigner's "Urgent".

Hope you like the new change of including music videos of the new entries like I do with my current chart.
This won't be the only makeover on my retro chart, as I will change the chart completely, when I continue to do them again, let's say, it'll be a big change.

Thank you for your comment.
Take care.

Big News for Sergej’s Personal Retro Charts!

Get ready for even more music history: Starting with the September 1981 charts, a massive change is coming your way. As the music landscape of the early '80s exploded with creativity and groundbreaking hits, the usual space simply wasn't enough anymore!

I am officially expanding the field: Instead of the traditional Top 40, my charts will now be featuring the Top 75 every week!

What does this mean for you?

• More Variety: More room for New Wave, Post-Punk, the emerging Synth-Pop sounds and many more.

• Deeper Insights: Even the hidden gems and songs that narrowly missed the Top 40 will now get the spotlight they deserve.

• Longer Time Travel: More music means more memories of that legendary autumn of '81 (we'll see if the charts will expand more coming in 1982)

Keep an eye out for the first expanded list—your journey through the era of shoulder pads and Walkmans just got nearly twice as big!

22 hours ago, Sergej said:

Hi there!

Glad that you like the new entries from Rick James, Duran Duran, Journey, Keith Marshall and Kim Wilde, as well as the success from the Carpenters and Foreigner's "Urgent".

Hope you like the new change of including music videos of the new entries like I do with my current chart.
This won't be the only makeover on my retro chart, as I will change the chart completely, when I continue to do them again, let's say, it'll be a big change.

Thank you for your comment.
Take care.

Sounds good to me! I will be starting to post my original 1981 charts at some stage soon - there may even be one or two tracks that you dont know! It would be great if you find the odd gem, at any rate 🤩

Sergej's Personal Chart Highlights – August 21, 1981

👑 Still Untouchable at #1

• Diana Ross & Lionel Richie hold the crown again with “Endless Love”, continuing their emotional domination at the top. The ballad remains the defining sound of late summer 1981 on the chart.

🔥 Big Moves in the Top 5

• Marty Balin climbs 3 spots to #2 with “Hearts”, now closer than ever to challenging for #1.

• Juice Newton continues her unstoppable rise, jumping 3 places to #3 with “Queen Of Hearts”, becoming one of the biggest late-summer hits.

• The Pointer Sisters slip slightly to #4, while Joey Scarbury falls to #5 after a strong run near the top.

🚀 Top 10 Highlights

• Duran Duran break into the Top 10, jumping 6 spots to #8 with “Girls On Film”, marking a major new-wave breakthrough.

• Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers make a surprise re-entry at #10 with “Stop Dragging My Heart Around”, instantly returning to the Top 10.

• Rick Springfield continues his longevity, climbing back up to #7 with “Jessie’s Girl”.

📈 Biggest Climbers

• Gary Wright surges 9 places to #29 with “Really Wanna Know You”.

• Duran Duran score the biggest Top 10 climb (+6).

• Marty Balin and Juice Newton both gain strong Top 5 momentum (+3 each).

• Pat Benatar rises 4 spots to #27 with “Fire and Ice”.

📉 Biggest Fallers

• Kim Wilde takes the steepest Top 20 drop, falling 8 places to #12 with “Chequered Love”.

• Ronnie Milsap drops 7 spots to #18.

• Pablo Cruise slides 10 places to #31.

• Michael Jackson continues descending, down 9 to #35 with “One Day In Your Life”.

🆕 New Entry

• With the only chart debut this week, Sheena Easton debuts at #39 with “For Your Eyes Only”, giving her a second simultaneous hit on the chart alongside “Modern Girl”.

🎶 Notable Trends

• The Heart dominates the Top 5, led by Endless Love, Hearts, and Queen Of Hearts.

• New wave gains ground with Duran Duran rising quickly.

• Multiple artists hold double entries:

  • Sheena Easton

  • Kim Wilde

  • Rick James

• Several early-summer hits continue their gradual fade, signaling a late-summer transition.

This week shows Endless Love still ruling, but Hearts, Queen Of Hearts, and Girls On Film are clearly building momentum for a potential shake-up soon.

1) Diana Ross & Lionel Richie - Endless Love (=)

2) Marty Balin - Hearts (+3)

3) Juice Newton - Queen Of Hearts (+3)
4) The Pointer Sisters - Slow Hand (-1)

5) Joey Scarsbury - Theme From "The Greatest American Hero" (-3)

6) Kenny Rogers - I Don't Need You (+1)

7) Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl (+1)

8) Duran Duran - Girls On Film (+6)

9) The Oak Ridge Boys - Elvira (+1)

10) Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Stop Dragging My Heart Around (Re-Entry)

11) Commodores - Lady (You Bring Me Up) (-2)

12) Kim Wilde - Chequered Love (-8)

13) Daryl Hall & John Oates - You Make My Dreams (Come True) (-1)

14) Foreigner - Urgent (-1)

15) Air Supply - The One That You Love (+3)

16) The Manhattan Transfer - Boy From New York City (-1)

17) Sheena Easton - Modern Girl (+2)

18) Ronnie Milsap - (There's) No Gettin' Over Me (-7)

19) Kim Wilde - Kids In America (+1)

20) Shakin' Stevens - You Drive Me Crazy (-4)

21) The Moody Blues - Gemini Dream (-4)

22) Rick James - Super Freak (=)

23) Rick James - Give It To Me Baby (=)

24) Journey - Who's Crying Now (+1)

25) Ricchi & Poveri - Sarà Perche Ti Amo (+3)

26) Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes (-2)

27) Pat Benatar - Fire and Ice (+4)

28) Ottawan - Hands Up (Give Me Your Love) (+1)

29) Gary Wright - Really Wanna Know You (+9)

30) Adam and the Ants - Stand and Deliver (-3)

31) Pablo Cruise - Cool Love (-10)

32) John Schneider - It's Now Or Never (+1)

33) REO Speedwagon - Don't Let Him Go (-3)

34) The Carpenters - Touch Me When We're Dancing (=)

35) Michael Jackson - One Day In Your Life (-9)

36) Billy Squier - The Stroke (=)

37) Santana - Winning (=)

38) Stars On 45 - Stars On 45 (-3)

39) Sheena Easton - For Your Eyes Only (debut)

40) The Greg Kihn Band - The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em) (=)

New entries this week:

39) Sheena Easton - For Your Eyes Only (Highest debut this week)

Ooh, spooky coincidence, I watched For Your Eyes Only on Sunday night, for the first time in 30 or 40 years, I barely remembered anything except the great theme tune sequence. I remember not being impressed when I went to the cinema in 1981 to see the film, and it's still a bit dull! Good to see Stevie & Tom back in the chart, Duran top 10.

great charts, I have started transferring my January 1981 charts to spreadsheets so I may be following in your footsteps for my first january 1981 posts before too long 😎

20 hours ago, Popchartfreak said:

Ooh, spooky coincidence, I watched For Your Eyes Only on Sunday night, for the first time in 30 or 40 years, I barely remembered anything except the great theme tune sequence. I remember not being impressed when I went to the cinema in 1981 to see the film, and it's still a bit dull! Good to see Stevie & Tom back in the chart, Duran top 10.

great charts, I have started transferring my January 1981 charts to spreadsheets so I may be following in your footsteps for my first january 1981 posts before too long 😎

Hi John!

Wow, what a coincidence! I still need to watch all James Bond movies (except the ones I've seen), as a preparation for the new Bond video game First Light, but yeah "For Your Eyes Only" is a beautiful song and great that you like Stevie & Tom back in the chart and Duran Duran in my top 10.

Can't wait to see your January 1981 charts! I still need to catch up with my archive charts, but hey, step by step.

Thank you for your comment and take care.

Sergej's Personal Chart Highlights – August 28, 1981

👑 Still #1 – Late Summer Dominance

• Diana Ross & Lionel Richie remain firmly at #1 with “Endless Love”, continuing their powerful late-summer reign and holding off a reshuffled Top 5.

🔥 Top 5 Shake-Up

• Joey Scarbury rebounds strongly, climbing 3 places to #2 with “Theme From “The Greatest American Hero” — now the closest challenger.

• The Pointer Sisters move up to #3 with “Slow Hand”, keeping the slow-burn hit in contention.

• Rick Springfield surges back into the Top 5 at #4, as “Jessie’s Girl” shows remarkable longevity.

• Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers jump 5 spots to #5, with “Stop Dragging My Heart Around” now a major contender.

📈 Biggest Climbers

• Shakin’ Stevens rockets 10 places to #10 with “You Drive Me Crazy”, reaching the Top 10 in style.

• Rick James makes a huge move as “Super Freak” jumps 10 to #12.

• Santana scores the biggest leap of the week, soaring 14 spots to #23 with “Winning”.

• Kim Wilde rebounds strongly as “Chequered Love” climbs back into the Top 10 at #8.

📉 Biggest Fallers

• Marty Balin takes a major hit, plunging 9 places to #11 with “Hearts” after its recent Top 3 run.

• Daryl Hall & John Oates drop 11 spots to #24 with “You Make My Dreams (Come True)”.

• Air Supply also tumble 11 to #26.

• Ottawan fall sharply 10 places to #38.

🚀 Top 10 Highlights

• Juice Newton slips slightly to #6 but remains a major summer force.

• Kenny Rogers holds steady at #7.

• The Oak Ridge Boys maintain Top 10 presence with “Elvira” at #9.

• The Top 10 now mixes ballads, country-pop, new wave, and rock, showing a diverse late-summer chart.

🆕 New Entries & Returns

• Eddie Rabbitt debuts at #28 with “Step By Step”.

• Electric Light Orchestra enter at #32 with “Hold On Tight”.

• Stevie Wonder debuts at #36 with “Happy Birthday”.

• The Beach Boys arrive at #37 with “Beach Boys Medley”.

• Alabama debut at #40 with “Feels So Right”.

• Keith Marshall returns at #27 with “Only Crying”.

🎶 Notable Trends

• Endless Love continues its strong grip, but challengers are stacking up.

• Rock and new wave gain momentum with Rick Springfield, Duran Duran, and Rick James all prominent.

• Multiple veteran hits from early summer continue sliding, signaling a transition toward early fall 1981.

This week sets up a wide-open battle behind #1, with several songs now poised to challenge the long-running leader.

1. Diana Ross & Lionel Richie – Endless Love (=)

2. Joey Scarbury – Theme From „The Greatest American Hero“ (+3)

3. Pointer Sisters – Slow Hand (+1)

4. Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl (+3)

5. Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers – Stop Dragging My Heart Around (+5)

6. Juice Newton – Queen Of Hearts (-3)

7. Kenny Rogers – I Don’t Need You (-1)

8. Kim Wilde – Chequered Love (+4)

9. The Oak Ridge Boys – Elvira (=)

10. Shakin‘ Stevens – You Drive Me Crazy (+10)

11. Marty Balin – Hearts (-9)

12. Rick James – Super Freak (+10)

13. Duran Duran – Girls On Film (-5)

14. Sheena Easton – Modern Girl (+3)

15. Ronnie Milsap – (There’s) No Gettin‘ Over Me (+3)

16. Foreigner – Urgent (-2)

17. The Commodores – Lady (You Bring Me Up) (-6)

18. The Moody Dream – Gemini Dream (+3)

19. The Manhattan Transfer – Boy From New York City (-3)

20. Kim Wilde – Kids In America (-1)

21. Journey – Who’s Crying Now (+3)

22. Ricchi & Poveri – Sarà Perché Ti Amo (+3)

23. Santana – Winning (+14)

24. Daryl Hall & John Oates – You Make My Dreams (Come True) (-11)

25. Adam and the Ants – Stand and Deliver (+5)

26. Air Supply – The One That You Love (-11)

27. Keith Marshall – Only Crying (Re-Entry)

28. Eddie Rabbitt – Step By Step (debut)

29. Pat Benatar – Fire and Ice (-2)

30. Pablo Cruise – Cool Love (+1)

31. Gary Wright – Really Wanna Know You (-2)

32. Electric Light Orchestra – Hold On Tight (debut)

33. The Greg Kihn Band – The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write Em) (+7)

34. John Schneider – It’s Now Or Never (-2)

35. Michael Jackson – One Day In Your Life (=)

36. Stevie Wonder – Happy Birthday (debut)

37. The Beach Boys – Beach Boys Medley (debut)

38. Ottawan – Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart) (-10)

39. Sheena Easton – For Your Eyes Only (=)

40. Alabama – Feels So Right (debut)

New entries this week:

28) Eddie Rabbitt – Step By Step (Highest debut this week)

32) Electric Light Orchestra – Hold On Tight

36) Stevie Wonder – Happy Birthday

37) The Beach Boys – Beach Boys Medley

40) Alabama – Feels So Right

classic new entry faves entering there from ELO, Stevie Wonder and a forgotten goodie Keith Marshall. As a huge Beach Boys fan the Medley was nice as it got them into the charts. KIm Wilde leaping up is great, Super Freak climbing too, higher than it peaked in my charts and quite right too. Shaky's You Drive Me Crazy is his best early hit by quite some distance, pity he went back to covers mostly and didnt get hot new songs from professional songwriters - though Ronnie Harwood in this case did write some more for him.

On 09/04/2026 at 11:24, Popchartfreak said:

classic new entry faves entering there from ELO, Stevie Wonder and a forgotten goodie Keith Marshall. As a huge Beach Boys fan the Medley was nice as it got them into the charts. KIm Wilde leaping up is great, Super Freak climbing too, higher than it peaked in my charts and quite right too. Shaky's You Drive Me Crazy is his best early hit by quite some distance, pity he went back to covers mostly and didnt get hot new songs from professional songwriters - though Ronnie Harwood in this case did write some more for him.

Glad that you like the debuts for ELO, Stevie Wonder and the Beach Boys Medley, as well as the return for Keith Marshall, the climbs for "Super Freak", Kim Wilde and "You Drive Me Crazy", for me still Shakin' Stevens best song (excluding "Merry Christmas Everyone").

Thank you for your comment.

Sergej's Personal Chart Highlights – September 4, 1981

👑 #1 Stays Untouchable

• Diana Ross & Lionel Richie continue their incredible reign at #1 with “Endless Love”, standing tall even as massive challengers rise beneath them.

---

🔥 Top 5 Explosion

• The Pointer Sisters rise to #2 with “Slow Hand”, now the closest contender to the throne.

• Foreigner make a huge statement, rocketing 13 spots to #3 with “Urgent” — now a serious #1 threat.

• Journey go even further, soaring 17 places to #4 with “Who’s Crying Now?”, completing one of the biggest climbs ever into the Top 5.

• Joey Scarbury drops to #5, but “Greatest American Hero” remains a defining hit of the summer.

---

📈 Biggest Climbers (Whole Chart)

• Journey – “Who’s Crying Now?” (+17 → #4) → massive breakout moment

• Pablo Cruise – “Cool Love” (+15 → #15) → now a major mid-chart force

• Electric Light Orchestra – “Hold On Tight” (+15 → #17) → gaining serious traction

• Foreigner – “Urgent” (+13 → #3) → biggest Top 10 surge

• Keith Marshall – “Only Crying” (+11 → #16) → quietly becoming a big hit

---

📉 Biggest Fallers

• John Schneider collapses 32 places to #66 — the most dramatic drop of the entire chart.

• The Moody Blues – “Gemini Dream” plunge 21 spots to #39.

• Kim Wilde – “Kids In America” falls 14 to #34.

• The Oak Ridge Boys – “Elvira” drop 13 to #22.

• Santana – “Winning” also down 13 to #36.

---

🚀 New Entries Dominate the Expanded Top 75
The first Top 75 brings a wave of fresh energy:

⭐ Major new arrivals:

• Max Werner – “Rain In May” (#26)

• The Moody Blues – “The Voice” (#27)

• Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio – “That Old Song” (#37)

• Christopher Cross – “Arthur’s Theme” (#43)

• The Rolling Stones – “Start Me Up” (#45) → huge rock debut

• Daryl Hall & John Oates – “Private Eyes” (#57) → future contender?

• Kraftwerk – “The Model / Das Model” (#59) → electronic influence arrives

• Al Jarreau – “We’re In This Love Together” (#74)

• Evelyn King – “I’m In Love” (#75)

---

🔁 Re-Entries & Longevity

• Kim Carnes – “Bette Davis Eyes” returns at #46 — proving its timeless appeal.

• ABBA – “Lay All Your Love On Me”, Phil Collins – “In The Air Tonight”, and Quincy Jones – “Ai No Corrida” all re-enter, showing strong staying power.

• Stars On 45 also returns, keeping the medley craze alive.

---

🎶 Top 10 Trends

• A clear mix of ballads (#1, #2) and rock/new wave (#3, #4, #10) dominates.

• Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” drops to #11, just outside the Top 10 after its reign.

• Commodores climb into the Top 10 at #10, adding funk flavor.

---

🌍 Big Picture: A New Era Begins

• The expansion to a Top 75 transforms this chart into a much deeper, more dynamic landscape.

• Rock (Foreigner, Journey, Rolling Stones), new wave (Duran Duran, Kraftwerk), and R&B/funk (Rick James, Commodores) are all surging.

• Meanwhile, early summer hits are rapidly fading or returning nostalgically.

---

This week isn’t just another chart… it’s a milestone moment — the birth of the Top 75 era, packed with movement, diversity, and the sound of late 1981 evolving in real time 🎶

1. Diana Ross & Lionel Richie – Endless Love (=)

2. Pointer Sisters – Slow Hand (+1)

3. Foreigner - Urgent (+13)

4. Journey – Who’s Crying Now? (+17)

5. Joey Scarbury – Theme From Greatest American Hero (Believe It Or Not) (-3)

6. Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Stop Dragging My Heart Around (-1)

7. Kenny Rogers – I Don’t Need You (=)

8. Juice Newton – Queen Of Hearts (-2)

9. Kim Wilde – Chequered Love (-1)

10. Commodores – Lady (You Bring Me Up) (+7)

11. Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl (-7)

12. Ronnie Milsap – (There’s) No Gettin‘ Over Me (+3)

13. Rick James – Super Freak (-1)

14. The Manhattan Transfer – Boy From New York City (+5)

15. Pablo Cruise – Cool Love (+15)

16. Keith Marshall – Only Crying (+11)

17. Electric Light Orchestra – Hold On Tight (+15)

18. Marty Balin – Hearts (-7)

19. Eddie Rabbitt – Step By Step (+9)

20. Shakin‘ Stevens – You Drive Me Crazy (-10)

21. Sheena Easton – Modern Girl (-7)

22. The Oak Ridge Boys – Elvira (-13)

23. Pat Benatar – Fire and Ice (+6)

24. Duran Duran – Girls On Film (-11)

25. Gary Wright – Really Wanna Know You (+6)

26. Max Werner – Rain In May (debut)

27. The Moody Blues – The Voice (debut)

28. The Beach Boys – Beach Boys Medley (+9)

29. Daryl Hall & John Oates – You Make My Dreams (Come True) (-5)

30. Greg Kihn Band – The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write Em) (+3)

31. Sheena Easton – For Your Eyes Only (+8)

32. Shakin‘ Stevens – Green Door (debut)

33. Air Supply – The One That You Love (-7)

34. Kim Wilde – Kids In America (-14)

35. Ricchi & Poveri – Sarà Perché Ti Amo (-13)

36. Santana – Winning (-13)

37. Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio – That Old Song (debut)

38. Stevie Wonder – Happy Birthday (-2)

39. The Moody Blues – Gemini Dream (-21)

40. Michael Jackson – One Day In Your Life (-5)

41. Alabama – Feels So Right (-1)

42. Lulu – I Could Never Miss You (More Than I Do) (debut)

43. Christopher Cross – Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) (debut)

44. Stars On 45 – Stars On 45 (Re-Entry)

45. The Rolling Stones – Start Me Up (debut)

46. Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes (Re-Entry)

47. REO Speedwagon – In Your Letter (debut)

48. Kenny Rogers – Share Your Love With Me (debut)

49. Little River Band – The Night Owls (debut)

50. Robbie Patton – Don’t Give It Up (debut)

51. Stacy Lattisaw – Love On A Two Way Street (debut)

52. Kim Carnes – Draw Of The Cards (debut)

53. Ottawan – Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart) (-15)

54. ABBA – Lay All Your Love On Me (Re-Entry)

55. Elton John – Chloe (debut)

56. REO Speedwagon – Don’t Let Him Go (Re-Entry)

57. Daryl Hall & John Oates – Private Eyes (debut)

58. Adam and the Ants – Stand and Deliver (Re-Entry)

59. Kraftwerk – The Model / Das Model (debut)

60. Balance – Breaking Away (debut)

61. Shakin‘ Stevens – This Ole House (Re-Entry)

62. Phil Collins – In The Air Tonight (Re-Entry)

63. Rex Smith and Rachel Sweet – Everlasting Love (debut)

64. Rick James – Give It To Me Baby (Re-Entry)

65. Squeeze – Tempted (debut)

66. John Schneider – It’s Now Or Never (-32)

67. Silver Condor – You Could Take My Heart Away (debut)

68. Franke & The Knockouts – You’re My Girl (debut)

69. Point Blank – Nicole (debut)

70. John Denver – Some Days Are Diamonds (Some Days Are Stone) (debut)

71. Quincy Jones – Ai No Corrida (Re-Entry)

72. The Afternoon Delights – General Hospi-tale (debut)

73. Rick Springfield – I’ve Done Everything For You (debut)

74. Al Jarreau – We’re In This Love Together (debut)

75. Evelyn King – I’m In Love (debut)

New entries this week:

26) Max Werner – Rain In May (Highest debut this week)

27) The Moody Blues – The Voice

32) Shakin‘ Stevens – Green Door

37) Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio – That Old Song

42) Lulu – I Could Never Miss You (More Than I Do)

43) Christopher Cross – Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)

45) The Rolling Stones – Start Me Up

47) REO Speedwagon – In Your Letter

48) Kenny Rogers – Share Your Love With Me

49) Little River Band – The Night Owls

50) Robbie Patton – Don’t Give It Up

51) Stacy Lattisaw – Love On A Two Way Street

52) Kim Carnes – Draw Of The Cards

55) Elton John – Chloe

57) Daryl Hall & John Oates – Private Eyes

59) Kraftwerk – The Model / Das Model

60) Balance – Breaking Away

63) Rex Smith and Rachel Sweet – Everlasting Love

65) Squeeze – Tempted

67) Silver Condor – You Could Take My Heart Away

68) Franke & The Knockouts – You’re My Girl

69) Point Blank – Nicole

70) John Denver – Some Days Are Diamonds (Some Days Are Stone)

72) The Afternoon Delights – General Hospi-tale

73) Rick Springfield – I’ve Done Everything For You

74) Al Jarreau – We’re In This Love Together

75) Evelyn King – I’m In Love

yay expanding to 75 is always a good thing when there are tracks that are good but maybe not great enough to go top 40 🙂 I pretty much like most of the chart but Ive never heard Rain In May before. Quite like it actually! The Voice is under-rated, Tempted and Evrlasting Love both good, The Model and Private Eyes classics, Shaky's OK, Lulu good, Rolling Stones a banger, REO Speedwagon, Little River Band, Kim Carnes, Eveleyn King, Arthurs Theme all ones I like, and the rest I only have vague recollection of or don't know! Playing them now for any sursprises...

Al Jarreau as smooth as ever, I was watching a very professional jazz group of musicians do Stevie Wonder's songbook last night - they normally play with Jools Holland, Elton, and Ronnie Scott's jazz club, but were having a ball with Stevie songs. Rick Springfield covering Sammy Hagar OK, The Afternoon Delights is a funky one new to me, John Denver's I've heard of the song and John's vocal sounding a little deeper

than in his heyday. Nicole another newie, ditto You're My Girl, seem OK, ditto the chirpier Silver Condor track. Balance another mystery track, dance-rock-ish OK, and Elton's Chloe is very nice, not a single in the UK I think.

Love On A Two Way Street sounds familiar now I hear it, good song. She was still basically a mid-teenager in 1981 and very young. Robbie Patton OK, (I rarely dislike things on one listen, hah), Ray Parker Jr treading water in between his 70's hits and solo career fairly decently, and Kenny Rogers is Kenny Rogers - mellow and pleasant. Great chart!

On 12/04/2026 at 18:04, Popchartfreak said:

yay expanding to 75 is always a good thing when there are tracks that are good but maybe not great enough to go top 40 🙂 I pretty much like most of the chart but Ive never heard Rain In May before. Quite like it actually! The Voice is under-rated, Tempted and Evrlasting Love both good, The Model and Private Eyes classics, Shaky's OK, Lulu good, Rolling Stones a banger, REO Speedwagon, Little River Band, Kim Carnes, Eveleyn King, Arthurs Theme all ones I like, and the rest I only have vague recollection of or don't know! Playing them now for any sursprises...

Al Jarreau as smooth as ever, I was watching a very professional jazz group of musicians do Stevie Wonder's songbook last night - they normally play with Jools Holland, Elton, and Ronnie Scott's jazz club, but were having a ball with Stevie songs. Rick Springfield covering Sammy Hagar OK, The Afternoon Delights is a funky one new to me, John Denver's I've heard of the song and John's vocal sounding a little deeper

than in his heyday. Nicole another newie, ditto You're My Girl, seem OK, ditto the chirpier Silver Condor track. Balance another mystery track, dance-rock-ish OK, and Elton's Chloe is very nice, not a single in the UK I think.

Love On A Two Way Street sounds familiar now I hear it, good song. She was still basically a mid-teenager in 1981 and very young. Robbie Patton OK, (I rarely dislike things on one listen, hah), Ray Parker Jr treading water in between his 70's hits and solo career fairly decently, and Kenny Rogers is Kenny Rogers - mellow and pleasant. Great chart!

Hi John!

Sorry for the delayed comment, my busy schedule really gives me no time to do the retro charts, hope to get some time to do them, like tomorrow or when I get my appartment!

I've expanded them to 75, for now, will be a matter of time, before going up to 100.

Glad that you like many of these songs on here. Many of them spread through from the charts in the US, UK and Germany for now.

Thank you for your comment, take care!

Sergej's Personal Chart Highlights – September 11, 1981

👑 A New #1!

The Pointer Sisters take the crown with “Slow Hand”, climbing 2–1 and ending the reign of Diana Ross & Lionel Richie. It is a major milestone for the song after its steady climb through the summer.

Diana Ross & Lionel Richie fall just one place to #2 with “Endless Love”, while Journey continue their spectacular ascent, moving 4–3 with “Who’s Crying Now?”.

The Top 5 is completed by two more big movers: Kenny Rogers rises to #4, while Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty move to #5.

🚀 Journey of the Week

The biggest story is arguably the enormous number of songs making serious upward progress:

• The Rolling Stones – “Start Me Up”: +27 → #18

• REO Speedwagon – “In Your Letter”: +25 → #21

• Christopher Cross – “Arthur’s Theme”: +21 → #22

• Max Werner – “Rain In May”: +18 → #9

• Greg Kihn Band – “The Breakup Song”: +14 → #16

• Daryl Hall & John Oates – “Private Eyes”: +14 → #43

• Rick Springfield – “I’ve Done Everything For You”: +13 → #60

• Balance – “Breaking Away”: +12 → #48

The Rolling Stones deliver the biggest numerical climb of the week, jumping an extraordinary 27 places. Their arrival in the Top 20 gives the chart a major rock 'n' roll moment.

🌧️ Max Werner Breaks Into the Top 10

One of the week's most impressive breakthroughs comes from Max Werner. “Rain In May” rockets 18 places from #27 to #9, becoming a brand-new Top 10 hit.

That's especially notable because the Top 10 now contains a fascinating mixture of pop and electronic from the Netherlands, but very popular on here.

🎸 Rock Takes Over

Rock is everywhere this week.

Foreigner's “Urgent” drops from #3 to #10, but remains a Top 10 force. Journey reaches #3, while The Rolling Stones charge toward the Top 10. REO Speedwagon also make a huge move with “In Your Letter” at #21.

And Christopher Cross jumps 21 places to #22 with “Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)”.

It's a clear sign that the chart is entering a much more rock-oriented phase.

📈 Other Major Climbers

Eddie Rabbitt has a fantastic week, soaring 12 places to #8 with “Step By Step”. That's enough to put him firmly into the Top 10.

Keith Marshall climbs six to #11, while Electric Light Orchestra also rise six to #12 with “Hold On Tight”.

Greg Kihn Band reach a new high of #16, while Sheena Easton moves five places to #26 with “For Your Eyes Only”.

📉 Some Big Names Take a Hit

Not everybody has a good week.

Kim Wilde suffers a particularly sharp fall, with “Chequered Love” dropping 11 places to #20.

Rick Springfield's “Jessie's Girl” falls 13 places to #24, after spending so much of the summer near the top.

Other major declines include:

• Marty Balin – “Hearts”: −11 → #29

• Sheena Easton – “Modern Girl”: −9 → #30

• Pat Benatar – “Fire and Ice”: −11 → #34

• Shakin' Stevens – “You Drive Me Crazy”: −12 → #32

• The Oak Ridge Boys – “Elvira”: −20 → #42

• Michael Jackson – “One Day In Your Life”: −16 → #56

The biggest fall is “Elvira”, which crashes 20 places after its long Top 10 run.

💿 The Double-Entry Battle

Several artists continue to dominate with multiple songs:

• Sheena Easton — #26 and #31

• Shakin' Stevens — #32, #33 and #74

• The Moody Blues — #28 and #39

• Daryl Hall & John Oates — #35 and #43

• Kim Wilde — #20 and #36

• Kim Carnes — #46 and #51

• REO Speedwagon — #21 and #59

• Rick Springfield — #24 and #60

• Rick James — #17 and #73

🆕 New Arrivals

There are four fresh entries in the Top 75:

#70 – Quincy Jones feat. James Ingram – “Just Once”
A smooth new entry bringing sophisticated R&B into the chart.

#71 – The Allman Brothers Band – “Straight From The Heart”
A classic rock presence enters the countdown.

#72 – Four Tops – “When She Was My Girl”
The legendary group return with a brand-new entry.

#75 – Dan Fogelberg – “Hard To Say”
A new arrival closes out this week's Top 75.

🔄 Re-entries

The expanded chart continues to give older favorites another chance:

• Stars On 45 return at #49.

• ABBA – “Lay All Your Love On Me” returns at #55.

• Phil Collins – “In The Air Tonight” returns at #66.

⭐ Chart Story of the Week

The 11th September 1981 chart feels like the moment the Top 75 really starts to establish its own identity.

At the top, The Pointer Sisters finally reach #1. Behind them, Journey, Kenny Rogers, Eddie Rabbitt and Stevie Nicks/Tom Petty are all strengthening their positions, while an enormous wave of rock hits — The Rolling Stones, REO Speedwagon, Christopher Cross, ELO and Greg Kihn Band — is charging upward.

And with “Start Me Up” +27, “In Your Letter” +25, and “Arthur's Theme” +21, this is easily one of the most explosive weeks yet in Sergej's Personal Chart.

Sergej's Personal Chart 11.09.1981:

1) The Pointer Sisters - Slow Hand (+1)

2) Diana Ross & Lionel Richie - Endless Love (-1)

3) Journey - Who's Crying Now (+1)

4) Kenny Rogers - I Don't Need You (+3)

5) Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Stop Dragging My Heart Around (+1)

6) Ronnie Milsap - (There's) No Gettin' Over Me (+6)

7) Juice Newton - Queen Of Hearts (+1)

8) Eddie Rabbitt - Step By Step (+12)

9) Max Werner - Rain In May (+18)

10) Foreigner - Urgent (-6)

11) Keith Marshall - Only Crying (+6)

12) Electric Light Orchestra - Hold On Tight (+6)

13) Joey Scarbury - Theme From Greatest American Hero (Believe It Or Not) (-7)

14) Commodores - Lady (You Bring Me Up) (-6)

15) The Manhattan Transfer - The Boy From New York City (-1)

16) Greg Kihn Band - The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em) (+14)

17) Rick James - Super Freak (-4)

18) The Rolling Stones - Start Me Up (+27)

19) Pablo Cruise - Cool Ove (-4)

20) Kim Wilde - Chequered Love (-11)

21) REO Speedwagon - In Your Letter (+25)

22) Christopher Cross - Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) (+21)

23) Gary Wright - Really Wanna Know You (+2)

24) Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl (-13)

25) Beach Boys - Beach Boys Medley (+3)

26) Sheena Easton - For Your Eyes Only (+5)

27) Duran Duran - Girls On Film (-3)

28) The Moody Blues - The Voice (-1)

29) Marty Balin - Hearts (-11)

30) Sheena Easton - Modern Girl (-9)

31) Stevie Wonder - Happy Birthday (+5)

32) Shakin' Stevens - You Drive Me Crazy (-12)

33) Shakin' Stevens - Green Door (-1)

34) Pat Benatar - Fire and Ice (-11)

35) Daryl Hall & John Oates - You Make My Dreams (Come True) (-6)

36) Kim Wilde - Kids In America (-2)

37) Air Supply - The One That You Love (-4)

38) Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio - That Old Song (-1)

39) The Moody Blues - Gemini Dream (=)

40) Alabama - Feels So Right (+1)

41) Lulu - I Could Never Miss You (More Than I Do) (+1)

42) The Oak Ridge Boys - Elvira (-20)

43) Daryl Hall & John Oates - Private Eyes (+14)

44) Ricchi & Poveri - Sarà Perché Ti Amo (-9)

45) Little River Band - The Night Owls (+4)

46) Kim Carnes - Draw Of The Cards (+6)

47) Santana - Winning (-11)

48) Balance - Breaking Away (+12)

49) Stars On 45 - Stars On 45 (-5)

50) Stacy Lattisaw - Love On A Two Way Street (+1)

51) Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes (-5)

52) Ottawan - Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart) (+1)

53) Kraftwerk - The Model / Das Model (+6)

54) Elton John - Chloe (+1)

55) ABBA - Lay All Your Love On Me (-1)

56) Michael Jackson - One Day In Your Life (-16)

57) Kenny Rogers - Share Your Love With Me (-9)

58) Silver Condor - You Could Take My Heart Away (+9)

59) REO Speedwagon - Don't Let Him Go (-3)

60) Rick Springfield - I've Done Everything For You (+13)

61) Adam and the Ants - Stand and Deliver (-3)

62) Squeeze - Tempted (+3)

63) Rex Smith and Rachel Sweet - Everlasting Love (=)

64) John Denver - Some Days Are Diamonds (Some Days Are Stone) (+6)

65) The Afternoon Delights - General Hospi-tale (+7)

66) Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight (-4)

67) Quincy Jones - Ai No Corrida (+4)

68) Al Jarreau - We're In This Love Together (+6)

69) Evelyn King - I'm In Love (+6)

70) Quincy Jones - Just Once (feat. James Ingram) (debut)

71) The Allman Brothers Band - Straight From The Heart (debut)

72) Four Tops - When She Was My Girl (debut)

73) Rick James - Give It To Me Baby (-9)

74) Shakin' Stevens - This Ole House (-13)

75) Dan Fogelberg - Hard To Say (debut)

New entries this week:

70) Quincy Jones - Just Once (feat. James Ingram) (Highest debut this week)

71) The Allman Brothers Band - Straight From The Heart

72) Four Tops - When She Was My Girl

75) Dan Fogelberg - Hard To Say

Hi Sergej!

Im in a wet Spain at the moment! Good to see Pointer Sisters on top and climbers from Keith Marshall ELO Rolling Stones stevie Wonder Squeeze Kraftwerk Hall and Oates Sheena Easton Beach Boys and Lulu. I am off to see Lulu soon in concert 👍 Great to see The Four Tops enter still with the original line up for almost another decade. I saw them in 1989!

Great chart👍

1 hour ago, Popchartfreak said:

Hi Sergej!

Im in a wet Spain at the moment! Good to see Pointer Sisters on top and climbers from Keith Marshall ELO Rolling Stones stevie Wonder Squeeze Kraftwerk Hall and Oates Sheena Easton Beach Boys and Lulu. I am off to see Lulu soon in concert 👍 Great to see The Four Tops enter still with the original line up for almost another decade. I saw them in 1989!

Great chart👍

Hi there!

Glad that you like Pointer Sisters at the top, as well as many of the climbers and the debut for The Four Tops.

Thank you for your comment and take care.