What was the world like in 1981?
India's #1 song of the year was Mere Angne Mein from Laawaris, topping Binaca Geetmala's annual countdown.
What things cost in 1981.
Gold: yearly average, 24K, approx. Petrol: Delhi pump price around mid-year, approx. Sensex: BSE year-end close. Today's figures as of late Oct 2026. For curiosity, not advice.
The world's number ones.
Every song that hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981.
(Just Like) Starting Over · John Lennon
The Tide Is High · Blondie
Celebration · Kool & The Gang
9 To 5 · Dolly Parton
I Love A Rainy Night · Eddie Rabbitt
Keep On Loving You · REO Speedwagon
Rapture · Blondie
Kiss On My List · Daryl Hall John Oates
Morning Train (Nine To Five) · Sheena Easton
Bette Davis Eyes · Kim Carnes
Medley · Stars On 45
The One That You Love · Air Supply
Jessie's Girl · Rick Springfield
Endless Love · Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) · Christopher Cross
Private Eyes · Daryl Hall John Oates
Physical · Olivia Newton-John
If you were born in 1981, none of this existed.
Colour television arrives in India
India wins its first Cricket World Cup at Lord's
The first Maruti 800 is handed over
Rakesh Sharma becomes the first Indian in space
India's first metro opens in Kolkata
Ramayan airs its first episode on Doordarshan
Mahabharat begins on Doordarshan
The Berlin Wall falls
And 33 more. Your exact day shows the full list.
The year is the trailer. Your day is the film.
The Moon and your nakshatra, the weather in your city, the front page and who shares your birthday.
Take me back to my day