Across the globe, audiences were also captivated by Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical,” a track that sparked conversation for its playful yet provocative lyrics, while Kim Carnes scored one of the year’s biggest hits with the smoky-voiced “Bette Davis Eyes.” For South African listeners, 1981 was also a powerful year: Juluka’s “Impi” became an anthem of pride and cultural storytelling, while Clout and Ballyhoo continued to fly the flag high for local music on the airwaves.

Film and television played a huge role too. Christopher Cross’s “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” earned him an Academy Award and etched itself into cinematic history. Over in Hollywood, the release of Raiders of the Lost Arkintroduced us to Indiana Jones — fedora, whip, and all — in a film that would define adventure cinema for decades.

Sports gave us equally iconic moments: the Springboks were in the wilderness due to isolation, but globally the world watched as Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett continued their gripping rivalry on the athletics track. In cricket, the infamous “underarm bowling incident” between Australia and New Zealand shocked fans worldwide, proving that 1981 was never short on drama.

Did You Know? When MTV launched on 1 August 1981, the very first music video it played was “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles. Fittingly, one of the year’s biggest songs — The Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me” — became an MTV staple soon after, making stars not just of singers but of music videos themselves.

1981 was truly a turning point — a year where rock icons like The Rolling Stones kept their swagger with “Start Me Up,” while fresh-faced stars like Sheena Easton brought new energy with “9 to 5.” It was a blend of old and new, innovation and nostalgia, perfectly capturing a world at the start of a remarkable musical decade.