In 1981, Billboard magazine published a chart ranking the top-performing songs in the United States in the adult contemporary music (AC) market.
[1] In the January 3 issue of Billboard, the number one position was held by the British singer Leo Sayer with "More Than I Can Say", which retained the top spot from the last week of 1980.
Rabbitt's song was one of two tracks which reached the number one spot on the AC, country and pop charts during the early part of 1981, along with Dolly Parton's "9 to 5".
Soon after Parton's song exited the number one position on the AC listing, the Scottish singer Sheena Easton topped the chart with "Morning Train (9 to 5)".
[6] The longest-running number one of the year was "I Don't Need You" by Kenny Rogers, which spent six weeks in the top spot.