The Sony Walkman fuels the fitness craze but dooms music on staticky AM as Top 40 moves to FM. Upbeat workout songs top the charts, fledgling MTV triples its subscribers and launches a “Second British Invasion” of video-savvy New Wave and Synthpop acts, John Cougar’s “Heartland Rock” soundtracks the recession-plagued first full year of the Reagan presidency, and Black artists hit a low ebb on the charts before Michael Jackson and Thriller at year’s end.
#1 Song of the Year
Artists of the Year
- John Cougar
- Hall & Oates
- Rick Springfield
Artist with Most Charting Songs
- 5-WAY TIE: Hall & Oates/Air Supply/Rick Springfield/Kool & The Gang/Sheena Easton (4)
Average #1 Artist Age
- 34.1 years
#1 Songs
- Hall & Oates – I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do) (January, 1 wk)
- J. Geils Band – Centerfold (February, 6 wks)
- Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – I Love Rock ‘n Roll (March, 7 wks)
- Vangelis – Chariots of Fire (May, 1 wk)
- Paul McCartney – Ebony and Ivory (May, 7 wks)
- Human League – Don’t You Want Me (July, 3 wks)
- Survivor – Eye of the Tiger (July, 6 wks)
- Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra (September, 2 wks)
- Chicago – Hard to Say I’m Sorry (September, 2 wks)
- John Cougar Mellencamp – Jack & Diane (October, 4 wks)
- Men at Work – Who Can It Be Now? (October, 1 wk)
- Joe Cocker – Up Where We Belong (November, 3 wks)
- Lionel Richie – Truly (November, 2 wks)
- Toni Basil – Mickey (December, 1 wk)
- Hall & Oates – Maneater (December, 4 wks)
