1981, saw perhaps the most egregious denial of a number 1. I refer, of course, to Ultravox’s Vienna being prevented from reaching number Joe Dolce Music Theatre with Shaddap You Face.
Over the years, I have thought long and hard about this. I have analysed the chart performance of Vienna and Shaddap You Face. The only conclusion is that it’s Mark Chapman’s fault. Yes, if he hadn’t fatally shot John Lennon then there would have been no posthumous releases, and Phil Collins would have had a number 1 with In The Air Tonight and Vienna would probably have had a week or two at number 1 too.
| Song at Number 2 | Week Ending | Song at Number 1 |
| Phil Collins – In The Air Tonight | 7 Feb 1981 | John Lennon – Woman |
| Ultravox – Vienna | 14 Feb 1981 | |
| 21 Feb 1981 | Joe Dolce Music Theatre – Shaddap You Face | |
| 28 Feb 1981 | ||
| 7 Mar 1981 | ||
| Adam & The Ants – Kings Of The Wild Frontier | 14 Mar 1981 | Roxy Music – Jealous Guy |
| Kim Wilde – Kids In America | 28 Mar 1981 | Shakin’ Stevens – This Ole House |
| 4 Apr 1981 | ||
| Ennio Morricone – Chi Mai (From Lloyd George TV Series) | 25 Apr 1981 | Bucks Fizz – Making Your Mind Up |
| 2 May 1981 | ||
| Starsound – Stars On 45 | 9 May 1981 | Adam & The Ants – Stand And Deliver |
| Shakin’ Stevens – You Drive Me Crazy | 16 May 1981 | |
| 23 May 1981 | ||
| 30 May 1981 | ||
| 6 Jun 1981 | ||
| Kate Robbins & Beyond – More Than In Love | 13 Jun 1981 | Smokey Robinson – Being With You |
| Starsound – Stars On 45 Vol.2 | 18 Jul 1981 | The Specials – Ghost Town |
| 25 Jul 1981 | ||
| Stevie Wonder – Happy Birthday | 8 Aug 1981 | Shakin’ Stevens – Green Door |
| Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Hooked On Classics | 15 Aug 1981 | |
| 22 Aug 1981 | ||
| Police – Invisible Sun | 3 Oct 1981 | Adam & The Ants – Prince Charming |
| Tweets – Birdie Song (The Birdie Dance) | 10 Oct 1981 | |
| 17 Oct 1981 | Dave Stewart with Barbara Gaskin – It’s My Party | |
| Laurie Anderson – O Superman | 24 Oct 1981 | |
| Altered Images – Happy Birthday | 31 Oct 1981 | |
| 7 Nov 1981 | ||
| 14 Nov 1981 | The Police – Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic | |
| Cliff Richard – Daddy’s Home | 12 Dec 1981 | Human League – Don’t You Want Me |
| 19 Dec 1981 | ||
| 26 Dec 1981 |