| Top 40 Hits of October 1981 |
| 1 |
Dave Stewart With Barbara Gaskin | It's My Party |
| 2 |
Tweets | The Birdie Song (Birdie Dance) |
| 3 |
Adam & The Ants | Prince Charming |
| 4 |
Godley & Creme | Under Your Thumb |
| 5 |
Laurie Anderson | O Superman |
| 6 |
Toyah | Thunder In The Mountains |
| 7 |
Altered Images | Happy Birthday |
| 8 |
Human League | Open Your Heart |
| 9 |
Ottawan | Hands Up (Give Me Your Heart) |
| 10 |
Police | Invisible Sun |
| 11 |
Depeche Mode | Just Can't Get Enough |
| 12 |
Elvis Costello | A Good Year For The Roses |
| 13 |
Madness | Shut Up |
| 14 |
Bad Manners | Walkin' In The Sunshine |
| 15 |
Jam | Absolute Beginners |
| 16 |
Shakin' Stevens | It's Raining |
| 17 |
Alvin Stardust | Pretend |
| 18 |
Diana Ross & Lionel Richie | Endless Love |
| 19 |
Barry Manilow | Let's Hang On |
| 20 |
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark | Souvenir |
| 21 |
Soft Cell | Tainted Love |
| 22 |
Japan | Quiet Life |
| 23 |
Squeeze | Labelled With Love |
| 24 |
Police | Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic |
| 25 |
BA Robertson / Maggie Bell | Hold Me |
| 26 |
Pointer Sisters | Slow Hand |
| 27 |
Creatures | Mad Eyed Screamer |
| 28 |
Hi Gloss | You'll Never Know |
| 29 |
Imagination | In And Out Of Love |
| 30 |
Linx | So This Is Romance |
| 31 |
Electronicas | The Original Bird Dance |
| 32 |
Slade | Lock Up Your Daughters |
| 33 |
Four Tops | When She Was My Girl |
| 34 |
Fureys / Davey Arthur | When You Were Sweet 16 |
| 35 |
Rod Stewart | Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me) |
| 36 |
Cliff Richard | Wired For Sound |
| 37 |
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark | Maid of Orleans (The Waltz Of Joan Of Arc) |
| 38 |
Dollar | Hand Held In Black And White |
| 39 |
Gillan | Nightmare |
| 40 |
Teardrop Explodes | Passionate Friend |
