I'm going to start off with:

Gen X - Dancing With Myself
OMD - Souvenir
Mission of Burma - Academy Fight Song
Hall and Oates - I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)

But there are lots of others.

a) nice call on Gen X. I can't believe that song is 30 years old.

b) is it your birthday? HAPPY 30TH DAVE!! Having a big celebration, I hope?

c) I just looked at a list of songs from 1981. Bwahaha "TV Party" by Black Flag. Also,

Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode
Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes
Ghosts - Japan

Excellent! And yes, it is my birthday. 30 years old on the 30th.

For the Canadians out there, 1981 was the year of "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", "Working For The Weekend" and "Tom Sawyer". Thanks Wikipedia!

It was also the year of Scientist's AMAZING "Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires". I'm not sure I could pick a favorite off of that, though.

I'm just glad they got rid of the vampires in time for my birth.

that's so funny! i just had my 28th on the 28th! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DUDE. hmmm... i'll have to do some research on this topic, though...

Wooo! Happy belated birthday, Rink!

sly and robbie-lovers bop

HAPPY BDAY!

The Cure: Charlotte Sometimes

(it's really hard for me to realize that the Smiths weren't formed yet. It's hard to think of a time with no Smiths or Morrissey)

OMG!!!

Blondie: Rapture

so fuckin' sweet

Oingo Boingo: Only A Lad
Red Rider: Lunatic Fringe
Kraftwerk: Computer Love

ooooo, 1981 is when David Bowie and Queen did Under Pressure. nice.

Well I don't remember a time when The Smiths weren't around. I do remember a time when I wasn't aware of them and was more in to Bon Jovi, but we won't talk about that.

Herbie Hancock-Rockit
George Clinton-Free Alterations
Jean Luc Ponty-Rhythms of Hope
Steel Pulse-Earth Crisis
King Crimson-Larks Tongue in Aspic part 3
B.B. King-You're Going with Me
George Clinton-One Fun at a Time
Stevie Wonder-Master Blaster (Jammin')

SORRY DAVE LATE and without repeats from earlier...

Tom Tom Club - Genius of Love
Mission of Burma - That's When I Reach for My Revolver
Rush - Tom Sawyer
Human League - Don't You Want Me
The Specials - Ghost Town
Adam and the Ants - Stand and Deliver
Scitti Politti - The Sweetest Girl
Journey - Don't Stop Believing
R.E.M - Radio Free Europe

also dave no Down Under by Men at Work?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY BUT ALSO TODAY

Evangeline-Jerry Garcia Band