Billboard Magazine's Top Five Songs of 1981

These are Billboard Magazine's top five songs for the year 1981, with a little behind the scenes info on their respective success.

1. Physical - Olivia Newton John

Physical arrived at the top spot on Billboard's Hot 100 in November 1981 and held on to it for ten weeks. It also holds the title of the most successful song of the entire decade, according to Billboard Magazine. The guitar solo in Physical is performed by Toto front man Steve Lukather. It's hard to believe - but true - that this song was censored and even banned by some adult contemporary radio stations, which resulted in landing only the 29th spot on their charts. Physical holds the number 6 spot in Billboard's Top 100 of All Time.

2. Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes

Bette Davis Eyes was first penned in 1974, at which time Kim Carnes turned it down. Years later, once a new instrumental was added, she agreed to give it a go. The song was number one for nine weeks on the US singles charts and the album itself was in the number one spot for four weeks. Bette Davis herself was also a fan of the song and thanked Kim for recording it. She also requested her to perform it at a tribute held in Bette's honor shortly before her death. In 1982, the song went on to win Kim two Grammy awards. Bette Davis Eyes is a close second for Billboard's top song of the decade.

3. Endless Love - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie

Endless Love, written by Lionel Richie, was released as a single off the soundtrack for the movie of the same name. It held the top spot on three of Billboard's charts - Pop, R&B, and Adult Contemporary and stayed there for nine weeks. Endless love was the best selling record of the year and resulted in an Academy Award nomination for Richie.

4. Arthur's Theme (The Best That You Can Do) - Christopher Cross

This song was the title track from the movie Arthur, starring Dudley Moore. It was a number one hit on Billboard charts in the US as well as on the VG chart in Norway. In 1981, Arthur's Theme won both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.

5. Kiss On My List - Hall & Oates

Kiss On My List was Hall & Oates second Billboard Hot 100 chart topper. Their first was back in 1975 with Rich Girl. Darryl Hall insists that Eddie Van Halen copied the synthesizer parts of this song and implemented them into Van Halen's song Jump. It is not clear whether there is any validity to his claims. Hall & Oates enjoyed the success of being one of America's top selling groups until 1989.