Variety’s Bestselling Singles 1983

Variety's Best-Selling Singles of 1983 - Complete Top Ten

Shocker: The #2 sales rank of The Curly Shuffle, a single that only made it to #15 on the Hot 100.

Note: Three charts were not published during 1983: the January 12th, April 20th, and October 5th issues. As in the 1982 chart, "probably" and "at least" indicate there was a missing chart in that song's run.

Songs that did not make the Top Ten on the Hot 100 are highlighted in Red.


#1

Song Title/Artist/Peak Position/Peak Issue Date/Actual Peak Date

1. Every Breath You Take – The Police #1 (9 weeks), 7/13/83 (7/4/83)
2. Flashdance (What a Feeling) – Irene Cara #1 (8 weeks), 5/18/83 (5/9/83)
3. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson #1 (8 weeks), 4/23/83 (4/14/83)
4. Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler #1 (probably 8 weeks), 9/14/83 (9/5/83)
5. Say Say Say – Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney #1 (probably 5 weeks), 12/21/83 (12/22/83)
6. Down Under – Men at Work #1 (4 weeks), 1/26/83 (1/27/83)
7. Beat It – Michael Jackson #1 (3 weeks), 4/27/83 (4/18/83)
8. Islands in the Stream – Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton #1 (3 weeks), 11/9/83 (10/31/83)
9. All Night Long – Lionel Richie #1 (3 weeks), 11/30/83 (11/21/83)

#2

10. Hungry Like the Wolf – Duran Duran #2 (5 weeks), 2/23/83 (2/14/83)
11. The Curly Shuffle – Jump 'n the Saddle #2 (at least 3 weeks, probably 4), 12/28/83 (12/19/83)
12. Puttin' on the Ritz – Taco #2 (3 weeks), 8/31/83 (8/22/83)
13. Maniac – Michael Sembello #2 (3 weeks), 8/10/83 (8/1/83)
14. The Safety Dance – Men Without Hats #2 (at least 2 weeks), 9/21/83 (9/12/83)
15. Africa – Toto #2 (1 week), 2/16/83 (2/7/83)
16. Let's Dance – David Bowie #2 (1 week), 6/15/83 (6/6/83)
17. Electric Avenue – Eddy Grant #2 (1 week), 6/22/83 (6/13/83)

#3

18. Come On, Eileen – Dexy's Midnight Runners #3 (at least 6 weeks, probably 7), 3/23/83 (3/14/83)
19. Cum on Feel the Noise – Quiet Riot #3 (6 weeks), 10/19/83 (10/10/83)
20. Sweet Dreams – Eurythmics #3 (3 weeks), 8/17/83 (8/8/83)
21. Do You Really Want to Hurt Me – Culture Club #3 (1 week), 3/2/83 (2/21/83)
22. Making Love (Out of Nothing at All) – Air Supply #3 (1 week), 10/12/83 (10/3/83)
23. You Are – Lionel Richie #3 (1 week), 3/9/83 (2/28/83)
24. Tell Her About It – Billy Joel #3 (1 week), 10/5/83 (9/26/83) (Note: I was able to determine peak date and weeks from year-end chart... This 10/5 peak date was a missing issue.)

#4

25. Mr. Roboto – Styx #4 (at least 3 weeks, maybe 4), 3/30/83 (3/21/83)
26. Never Gonna Let You Go – Sergio Mendes #4 (3 weeks), 7/13/83 (7/4/83)
27. Uptown Girl – Billy Joel #4 (1 week), 11/23/83 (11/14/83)
28. Der Kommissar – After the Fire #4 (at least 1 week, maybe 2), either 4/20/83 (4/11/83) (missing chart) or 4/27/83 (4/18/83)
29. She Blinded Me With Science – Thomas Dolby #4 (1 week), 5/25/83 (5/16/83)
30. Little Red Corvette – Prince #4 (1 week), 6/1/83 (5/23/83)

#5

31. Back on the Chain Gang - Pretenders #5 (2 weeks), 3/9/83 (2/28/83)
32. Is There Something I Should Know – Duran Duran #5 (1 week), 7/13/83 (7/4/83)

#6

33. Union of the Snake – Duran Duran at least #6 (at least 4 weeks), 11/30/83 (11/21/83)
34. She Works Hard for the Money – Donna Summer #6 (3 weeks), 8/17/83 (8/8/83)
35. True – Spandau Ballet #6 (2 weeks), 10/19/83 (10/10/83) (might have peaked week of 10/5)
36. Jeopardy – Greg Kihn Band #6 (2 weeks), 4/13/83 (4/4/83)
37. Rock the Casbah – Clash at least #6 (at least 1 week), 1/26/83 (1/17/83)
38. Photograph – Def Leppard #6 (1 week), 5/25/83 (5/16/83)
39. Stray Cat Strut - Stray Cats #6 (1 week), 2/16/83 (2/7/83)
40. 1999 – Prince #6 (1 week), 7/20/83 (7/11/83)
41. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' – Michael Jackson #6 (1 week), 7/6/83 (6/27/83)

#7

42. Think of Laura – Christopher Cross #7 (at least 2 weeks), 1/4/84 (12/26/84)
43. Tonight I Celebrate My Love – Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack #7 (1 week), 10/26/83 (10/17/83)
44. Love is a Battlefield – Pat Benatar #7 (1 week), 11/23/83 (11/14/83)
45. Pass the Dutchie – Musical Youth #7 (1 week), 2/23/83 (2/14/83)
46. Time (Clock of the Heart) – Culture Club #7 (1 week), 6/29/83 (6/20/83)
47. Our House – Madness #7 (1 week), 7/20/83 (7/11/83)


#8

48. You and I – Eddie Rabbitt & Crystal Gayle #8 (2 weeks nc), 3/2/83 (2/21/83)
49. Always Something There to Remind Me – Naked Eyes #8 (2 weeks), 6/15/83 (6/6/83)
50. Overkill – Men at Work #8 (1 week), 5/25/83 (5/16/83)
51. Too Shy – Kajagoogoo #8 (1 week), 6/29/83 (6/20/83)
52. She's Sexy & 17 – Stray Cats #8 (1 week), 9/14/83 (9/5/83)
53. Major Tom – Schilling #8 (1 week), 12/14/83 (12/5/83)

#9

54. We've Got Tonight – Kenny Rogers & Sheena Easton #9 (1 week), 3/16/83 (3/7/83)
55. Twilight Zone – Golden Earring #9 (1 week), 3/23/83 (3/14/83)
56. Rock of Ages – Def Leppard #9 (1 week), 8/10/83 (8/1/83)
57. Don't Cry – Asia #9 (1 week), 8/24/83 (8/15/83)
58. One Thing Leads to Another – Fixx #9 (1 week), 10/26/83 (10/15/83)

#10

59. King of Pain – Police at least #10 (at least 2 weeks), 10/12/83 (10/3/83)
60. Separate Ways – Journey #10 (1 week), 3/16/83 (3/7/83)
61. One on One – Hall & Oates #10 (1 week), 3/23/83 (3/14/83)
62. Stand Back – Stevie Nicks #10 (1 week), 8/24/83 (8/15/83)
63. Far From Over – Frank Stallone #10 (1 week), 9/14/83 (9/5/83)
64. Say It Isn't So – Hall & Oates at least #10 (at least 1 week), 12/14/83 (12/5/83)


Edited by Brian W.

Oops! Thanks, Paul. Only two more to go! And both '84 and '85 contain singles that Variety ranked as #1 sellers, but were never #1 on the Hot 100.