Top 10 Songs for the Class of 1981 Celebrating Their 30th Anniversary Class Reunion in 2011

Can you believe it? 1981 Class Reunions in 2011 will be 30th anniversary parties! Where did the time go? The Top 10 songs at these 1981 class reunions may vary based on the hosting DJ, but if you have any say in the music you want to hear at your 1981 class reunion party, you'll want to check out the list below. The Top 10 songs list below includes an array of hit rock, disco, and pop songs from 1981.

These Top 10 songs are not listed in any particular order, but each song does have some information to help you find out a little more about the song.

Jessie's Girl
Rick Springfield

Rick Springfield produced many hits that received good airplay, but perhaps his defining hit has been "Jessie's Girl." This classic rock song continues to be a staple for airplay on both classic rock stations and 1980s music radio stations. "Jessie's Girl" stayed on the Top 40 U.S. charts for much of the spring and summer of 1981.

Celebration
Kool & The Gang

Who hasn't heard "Celebration" played at NFL football games over the years? This iconic hit for Kool & The Gang has been popular ever since it was released by the famous funk and R&B band which turned out a number of hit songs in the 1970s and 1980s. "Celebration" is a hopping song that continues to get people moving on dance floors all these years later.

Lady (You Bring Me Up)
Commodores

Among the last of the big hits the Commodores ever made with Lionel Richie in the band, "Lady (You Bring Me Up)" is a funky tune that combines traditional disco and R&B into one great song that topped the charts in 1981.

Let's Groove
Earth, Wind, & Fire

Another great funky dance song from 1981 that will get the lights flashing and your former classmates moving to the beat on the floor. This Earth, Wind & Fire tune is a must-play for any class DJ needing to fill a play list with solidly popular dance songs.

Bette Davis Eyes
Kim Carnes

Widely considered one of the biggest hits of the 1980s, "Bette Davis Eyes" is a song that definitely deserves inclusion for any 1981 Class Reunion. This pop song may not prompt the use of disco lights on the dance floor, but it will certainly bring back floods of memories for all those people who graduated in 1981.

Physical
Olivia Newton-John

Anybody who remembers when Olivia Newton-John was topping the charts with her hit songs remembers this song - undeniably one of the first songs that can be said to have defined the 1980s style of music and fashion. Among one of the top hits of the decade, "Physical" is a great dance hit for any 1981 high school class reunion and will probably even urge a few female former classmates to stick on some headbands.

Start Me Up
The Rolling Stones

"Start Me Up" is a perfect song to get the 1981 high school reunion crowds moving to the beat. A song popularly heard nowadays during NFL games, this Rolling Stones hit is a great example of classic rock n' roll.

Endless Love
Lionel Richie & Diana Ross

This was one of the biggest hits of 1981 and a pop song that has received endless airplay at weddings. "Endless Love" is almost guaranteed to be in the repertoire of any DJ hosting a class of 1981 reunion.

Kiss On My List
Daryl Hall & John Oates

Daryl Hall & John Oates was king of the Top 40 hill in the late 1970s and early 1980s. "Kiss On My List" is among the most famous Hall & Oates songs and a top hit from 1981 that will bring back many memories for all who are among the class of 1981.

Keep On Loving You
REO Speedwagon

REO Speedwagon entered the music scene climbing the charts with rock n' roll hits like "Keep On Loving You" -- a top song that screams for inclusion in the class of 1981 reunion.

Resources

First-hand knowledge
The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, by Joel Whitburn