1983 in music

This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1983.

List of years in music (table)
In radio
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
In television
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
+...

Specific locations

Specific genres

Events

January–April

May–August

September–December

Bands formed

  • See Musical groups established in 1983

Bands disbanded

  • See Musical groups disestablished in 1983

Bands reformed

Albums released

January

Day Album Artist Notes
4 Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)Eurythmics-
10 ExtendedancEPlayDire StraitsEP
TransNeil Young-
14 FelineThe Stranglers-
NenaNena-
17 Trouble in ParadiseRandy Newman-
18 Cuts Like a KnifeBryan Adams-
20 American MadeThe Oak Ridge Boys-
PyromaniaDef Leppard-
21 The Law of Devil's LandLoudness-
28 Never SurrenderTriumph-
31 Another PageChristopher Cross-
? Making ContactUFO-
The Art of Falling ApartSoft Cell-
Live EvilBlack SabbathLive
Touch the SkySmokey Robinson-
What Makes a Man Start Fires?Minutemen-
What's Funk?Grand Funk-
G ForceKenny G-

February

Day Album Artist Notes
1 FrontiersJourney-
Mommy's Little MonsterSocial Distortion-
3 PowerlightEarth, Wind & Fire-
4 All the BestStiff Little Fingers-
PorcupineEcho & The Bunnymen-
8 Michael W. Smith ProjectMichael W. Smith-
11 LuckyMarty Balin-
18 Somewhere in AfrikaManfred Mann's Earth BandUK
23 Subterranean JungleRamones-
28 Kilroy Was HereStyx-
WarU2-
The KeyJoan Armatrading-
So Fired UpLe Roux-
? Confusion Is SexSonic Youth-
KihnspiracyThe Greg Kihn Band-
Money and CigarettesEric Clapton-
Quick Step and Side Kick/Side KicksThompson Twins-
Rock GoddessRock Goddess-
Seal in RedRufus-
Strong StuffHank Williams, Jr.-
WaitingFun Boy Three-
YoungbloodCarl Wilson-

March

Day Album Artist Notes
1 Candy GirlNew Edition-
Legendary HeartsLou Reed-
4 Dazzle ShipsOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark-
Thunder and LightningThin Lizzy-
TrueSpandau Ballet-
7 Cool KidsKix-
The HurtingTears For Fears-
Deep Sea SkivingBananarama-
11 Metal HealthQuiet Riot-
No Rest for the WickedHelix-
14 EuropeEurope-
Script for a Jester's TearMarillion-
16 Outside InsideThe Tubes-
21 The Final CutPink Floyd-
23 EliminatorZZ Top-
28 Baby SnakesFrank ZappaSoundtrack
JarreauAl Jarreau-
The Man from UtopiaFrank Zappa-
31 Dancing With DangerStreetheart-
? Power & the GlorySaxon-
The Abominable ShowmanNick Lowe-
Branigan 2Laura Branigan-
Dig That Groove BabyToy Dolls-
The High RoadRoxy MusicLive EP
If You Leave Me NowChicagoCompilation
Inarticulate Speech of the HeartVan Morrison-
JulioJulio Iglesias-
Local HeroMark KnopflerSoundtrack
Naked EyesNaked EyesTitled "Burning Bridges" in the UK
No Guts...No GloryMolly Hatchet-

April

Day Album Artist Notes
1 Havana MoonCarlos Santana-
8 Faster Than the Speed of NightBonnie Tyler-
The Luxury GapHeaven 17-
11 SirensSavatage-
StyleCameo-
FlashdanceVarious ArtistsSoundtrack
12 MurmurR.E.M.Debut
13 Mary Jane GirlsMary Jane Girls-
Violent FemmesViolent Femmes-
14 Let's DanceDavid Bowie-
15 Rock for LightBad Brains-
18 ItPulp-
25 HeadhunterKrokus-
27 Whammy!The B-52s-
29 CargoMen At Work-
ListenA Flock of Seagulls-
HootenannyThe Replacements-
? Midnight at the Lost and FoundMeat Loaf-
FastwayFastway-
High Land, Hard RainAztec Camera-
In Outer SpaceSparks-
InformationDave Edmunds-
It's Only Rock & RollWaylon Jennings-
Living in OzRick Springfield-
MadnessMadnessUS Compilation
Michael BoltonMichael Bolton-
Out of StepMinor Threat-
PrideRobert Palmer
ScoopPete TownshendCompilation of unreleased tracks
Take It to the LimitWillie Nelson with Waylon Jennings-
Steve Miller Band Live!Steve Miller BandLive

May

Day Album Artist Notes
2 Burlap & SatinDolly Parton-
Power, Corruption & LiesNew Order-
3 "Weird Al" Yankovic"Weird Al" Yankovic-
10 She Works Hard for the MoneyDonna Summer-
With SympathyMinistry-
11 Zig-Zag WalkFoghat-
16 Piece of MindIron Maiden-
18 In Your EyesGeorge Benson-
23 ConfrontationBob Marley & The Wailers-
25 Holy DiverDio-
27 CrisesMike Oldfield-
Duck RockMalcolm McLaren-
31 Too Low for ZeroElton John-
Wrap Your Arms Around MeAgnetha Fältskog-
? Another Perfect DayMotörhead[10]
Private CollectionJon and Vangelis-
FeastThe Creatures-
Reach the BeachThe Fixx-
Ring of ChangesBarclay James Harvest-
You Bought It, You Name ItJoe Walsh-
Life's a Riot with Spy vs SpyBilly Braggdebut
Back to Mystery CityHanoi Rocks-
BruiseologyThe Waitresses-
C'est C BonCarlene Carter-
The Eleventh HourMagnum-
The First FlowerPlay Dead-
Head FirstUriah Heep-
Learning to Cope with CowardiceMark Stewart-
Mama AfricaPeter Tosh-
The NetLittle River Band-
SiogoBlackfoot-

June

Day Album Artist Notes
1 Speaking in TonguesTalking Heads-
3 Your MoveAmerica-
6 AlliesCrosby, Stills & NashLive +2 new studio tracks
8 Plays LivePeter GabrielLive
9 London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. 1Frank Zappa-
RossDiana Ross-
10 Body WishesRod Stewart-
Metal MagicPanteradebut
Oil on CanvasJapanLive
State of ConfusionThe Kinks-
This Means WarTank-
The Wild HeartStevie Nicks-
13 Texas FloodStevie Ray Vaughandebut
15 EscapadeTim Finn-
16 Old WaveRingo Starr-
17 SynchronicityThe Police-
24 Secret MessagesElectric Light Orchestra-
27 You Can't Stop Rock 'n' RollTwisted Sister-
30 Keep it UpLoverboy-
? WorksPink FloydCompilation
Diamond Jack and the Queen of PainKevin Ayers-
Farewell TourDoobie BrothersLive
Field DayMarshall Crenshaw-
The FugitiveTony Banks-
Girl at Her VolcanoRickie Lee JonesEP
Hand of KindnessRichard Thompson-
Sound ElixirNazareth-
Staying AliveBee Gees et al.Soundtrack
You Gotta Say Yes to Another ExcessYello-
Variations on a ThemeDavid Thomas
& the Pedestrians
-

July

Day Album Artist Notes
1 FantasticWham!-
Into Glory RideManowar-
4 You and Me BothYazoo-
5 Suicidal TendenciesSuicidal Tendencies-
8 WhodiniWhodini-
11 The LookShalamar-
14 Get It RightAretha Franklin-
15 The Principle of MomentsRobert Plant-
The CrossingBig Country-
Burning from the InsideBauhaus-
21 Burning FarmShonen Knife-
22 No ParlezPaul Young-
25 Kill 'em AllMetallica-
26 Good for Your SoulOingo Boingo-
27 Everybody's Rockin'Neil Young and the Shocking Pinks-
It's Your NightJames IngramDebut
MadonnaMadonnaDebut
? AlbumJoan Jett-
All of the Good Ones Are TakenIan Hunter-
Apollo: Atmospheres and SoundtracksBrian Eno-
Close to the BoneTom Tom Club-
Butthole SurfersButthole SurfersEP
Drastic MeasuresKansas-
Fire DancesKilling Joke-
Outta HandConey Hatch-
Out For BloodLita Ford-
SaluteGordon Lightfoot-
The WaterboysThe Waterboys-
WorksStatus QuoCompilation

August

Day Album Artist Notes
1 No FrillsBette Midler-
2 Lawyers in LoveJackson Browne-
5 Cold BloodedRick James-
Punch the ClockElvis Costello and the Attractions-
8 An Innocent ManBilly Joel-
Script of the BridgeThe Chameleons-
9 ArkThe Animals-
10 Stompin' at the SavoyRufusLive
12 AlphaAsia-
QueensrÿcheQueensrÿcheEP
15 Next Position PleaseCheap Trick-
Rant N' Rave with the Stray CatsThe Stray Cats-
18 White FeathersKajagoogoo-
19 Flick of the SwitchAC/DC-
22 Construction Time AgainDepeche Mode-
23 RattRattEP
30 MummerXTC-
31 Eyes That See in the DarkKenny Rogers-
Hello Big ManCarly Simon-
? Standing in the LightLevel 42[11]
All for OneRaven-
PassionworksHeart-
Dirty LooksJuice Newton-
Future ShockHerbie Hancock-
The CrackdownCabaret Voltaire-
Torment and TorerosMarc and the Mambas-

September

Day Album Artist Notes
1 SwordfishtrombonesTom Waits-
2 The PresentMoody Blues-
12 Heads or TalesSaga-
Born AgainBlack Sabbath-
Labour of LoveUB40-
14 Commodores 13Commodores-
15 SportsHuey Lewis and the News-
16 WarriorsGary Numan-
Little RobbersThe Motels-
22 Lick It UpKiss[12]
23 Shout at the DevilMötley Crüe-
26 The Golden SectionJohn Foxx-
Into Battle with the Art of NoiseArt of NoiseEP
Live in TokyoPublic Image Ltd.Live
28 DaDaAlice Cooper-
How Many Times Can We Say GoodbyeDionne Warwick-
RigheiraRigheiraDebut
? Bent Out of ShapeRainbow-
Breaking the ChainsDokkenUS Remix
Born to Laugh at TornadoesWas (Not Was)-
Built to DestroyMichael Schenker Group-
CanterburyDiamond Head-
HardGang of Four-
In HeatThe Romantics-
Johnny 99Johnny Cash-
LandThe Comsat Angels-
Mean StreakY & T-
Mike's MurderJoe JacksonSoundtrack
More Fun in the New WorldX-
Once a Rocker, Always a RockerThe Joe Perry Project-
One Particular HarbourJimmy Buffett-
Pitt Street FarmersThe ReelsEP
Subject...Aldo NovaAldo Nova-
Windows in the Jungle10cc-
What's NewLinda Ronstadt-

October

Day Album Artist Notes
3 GenesisGenesis-
6 Right or WrongGeorge Strait-
10 Colour by NumbersCulture Club-
14 She's So UnusualCyndi LauperDebut
Can't Slow DownLionel Richie-
Snap!The JamCompilation
18 Rock 'n Soul Part 1Hall & OatesCompilation
Voice of the HeartThe Carpenters-
20 DeliverOak Ridge Boys-
21 SilverCliff Richard-
Soul MiningThe The-
24 Head over HeelsCocteau Twins-
Without a SongWillie Nelson-
25 Uh-HuhJohn Cougar Mellencamp-
26 Midnight MadnessNight Ranger-
27 InfidelsBob Dylan-
28 North of a MiracleNick Heyward-
ZonesHawkwind-
31 Pipes of PeacePaul McCartney-
Star Fleet ProjectBrian May + FriendsEP
Working with Fire and Steel – Possible Pop Songs Volume TwoChina Crisis-
? Live from EarthPat BenatarLive +2 new studio tracks
No Parole from Rock 'n' RollAlcatrazz-
LifeThin LizzyLive
Ziggy Stardust – The Motion PictureDavid BowieLive 1973
MelissaMercyful Fate-
Feel My SoulJennifer Holliday-
1stStreets-
Alive, She CriedThe DoorsLive
Caught in the GameSurvivor-
Hell Hath No FuryRock Goddess-
Man of SteelHank Williams Jr.-
Metal CircusHüsker DüEP
Never Let You GoRita Coolidge-

November

Day Album Artist Notes
1 Break OutPointer Sisters[13]
2 What a Feelin'Irene Cara-
4 Electric UniverseEarth, Wind & Fire-
Have You Ever Been In LoveLeo Sayer-
Hearts and BonesPaul Simon-
7 StripAdam Ant-
UndercoverThe Rolling Stones-
8 Play DirtyGirlschool-
The Revölution by NightBlue Öyster Cult-
YentlBarbra StreisandSoundtrack
10 Rebel YellBilly Idol-
11 First OffenseCorey Hart-
90125Yes[14]
14 Beauty StabABC-
BelieverChic-
TouchEurythmics-
15 It's About TimeJohn Denver-
18 Walk Into LightIan Anderson-
21 Seven and the Ragged TigerDuran Duran-
Under a Blood Red SkyU2Live
23 Who's Greatest HitsThe WhoCompilation
25 Back to BackStatus Quo-
I'm in Love AgainPatti LaBelle-
NocturneSiouxsie and the BansheesLive
You Broke My Heart in 17 PlacesTracey Ullman-
30 Into the UnknownBad Religion-
? Cloak and DaggerWitchfynde-
Conflicting EmotionsSplit Enz-
Greatest Hits Volume IIBarry ManilowCompilation
Music For Films Volume 2Brian Eno-
Clics ModernosCharly Garcia-
Now That's What I Call MusicVarious ArtistsCompilation
The Politics of DancingRe-Flex-
Treeless PlainThe Triffids-

December

Day Album Artist Notes
2 The Amazing Kamikaze SyndromeSlade-
Show No MercySlayer-
Bark at the MoonOzzy Osbourne-
5 Balls to the WallAccept-
6 Japanese WhispersThe CureCompilation
12 Earth A.D./Wolfs BloodMisfits-
Perverted By LanguageThe Fall-
14 ServiceYellow Magic Orchestra-
20 You Shouldn't-Nuf Bit FishGeorge Clinton-
25 Statues In Motion

Statues In Motion

-

Release date unknown

Biggest hit singles

The following songs achieved the highest chart positions in the charts of 1983.

# Artist Title Year Country Chart Entries
1Culture Club"Karma Chameleon"1983United KingdomUK 1 – September 1983, US BB 1 – February 1984, Canada 1 – December 1983, Netherlands 1 – September 1983, Sweden (alt) 1 – October 1983, Switzerland 1 – October 1983, Norway 1 – October 1983, Republic of Ireland 1 – September 1983, New Zealand 1 for 6 weeks October 1983, Australia 1 for 5 weeks July 1984, Austria 3 – November 1983, Germany 3 – January 1984, South Africa 7 of 1984, Poland 8 – September 1983, Australia 8 of 1983, US CashBox 14 of 1984, POP 15 of 1984, Italy 16 of 1983, KROQ 25 of 1983, US BB 29 of 1984, RYM 49 of 1983, Scrobulate 71 of 80s, Germany 159 of the 1980s, OzNet 979
2Michael Jackson"Billie Jean"1983United StatesUK 1 – January 1983, US BB 1 – January 1983, Canada 1 – February 1983, Switzerland 1 – March 1983, Republic of Ireland 1 – March 1983, Australia 1 for 5 weeks February 1984, Netherlands 2 – January 1983, Sweden (alt) 2 – March 1983, France 2 – January 1983, US CashBox 3 of 1983, Austria 3 – April 1983, Poland 3 – February 1983, Germany 3 – March 1983, Australia 4 of 1983, RYM 4 of 1983, POP 4 of 1983, Norway 6 – April 1983, Italy 8 of 1983, South Africa 15 of 1983, 15 in 2FM list, Scrobulate 16 of pop, Global 33 (5 M sold) – 1983, Acclaimed 33, Europe 40 of the 1980s, Party 53 of 2007, Rolling Stone 58, Germany 139 of the 1980s, OzNet 249, WXPN 620
3Irene Cara"Flashdance...What a Feeling"1983United StatesUS BB 1 – April 1983, US CashBox 1 of 1983, Canada 1 – May 1983, Canada RPM 1 for 3 weeks – June 1983, Sweden (alt) 1 – May 1983, France 1 – July 1983, France SNEP 1 – September 1983, Switzerland 1 – June 1983, Norway 1 – June 1983, Italy 1 for 9 weeks – November 1983, New Zealand 1 for 6 weeks – July 1983, Australia 1 for 7 weeks – June 1983, UK 2 – June 1983, Austria 4 – August 1983, Japan 1 for 2 weeks – August 1983, Germany 4 – June 1983, Netherlands 13 – April 1983, Belgium 20 – May 1983, Poland 21 – July 1983, US BB 6 of 1983, Japan 7 of all time (international songs), Australia 2 of 1983, POP 3 of 1983, South Africa 9 of 1983, Scrobulate 31 of gay, AFI 55, Germany 57 of the 1980s, RYM 121 of 1983, OzNet 243, RIAA 256, Oscar in 1983
4David Bowie"Let's Dance"1983United KingdomUK 1 – March 1983, US BB 1 – April 1983, Canada 1 – March 1983, Netherlands 1 – March 1983, Sweden (alt) 1 – April 1983, France 1 – March 1983, Switzerland 1 – April 1983, Norway 1 – March 1983, Republic of Ireland 1 – April 1983, New Zealand 1 for 6 weeks April 1983, Austria 2 – May 1983, Germany 2 – April 1983, US CashBox 4 of 1983, Poland 5 – April 1983, KROQ 6 of 1983, US BB 15 of 1983, Italy 19 of 1983, Australia 24 of 1983, RYM 32 of 1983, Scrobulate 40 of 80s, POP 47 of 1983, Germany 172 of the 1980s, Belgium 258 of all time, Acclaimed 1445
5The Police"Every Breath You Take"1983United KingdomUK 1 – May 1983, US BB 1 – July 1983, US BB 1 of 1983, Canada 1 – May 1983, Republic of Ireland 1 – June 1983, US CashBox 2 of 1983, Sweden (alt) 2 – June 1983, Norway 2 – June 1983, KROQ 3 of 1983, Poland 5 – June 1983, South Africa 5 of 1983, Netherlands 6 – May 1983, Switzerland 6 – July 1983, Austria 8 – August 1983, Germany 8 – June 1983, France 10 – May 1983, Australia 10 of 1983, Italy 10 of 1983, Virgin 12, Scrobulate 13 of 80s, US BB 16 of 1983, RYM 16 of 1983, Europe 33 of the 1980s, Acclaimed 38, OzNet 38, RIAA 44, POP 49 of 1983, Poland 68 of all time, TheQ 76, Rolling Stone 84, 90 in 2FM list, Belgium 110 of all time, WXPN 216

Top 40 Chart hit singles

Song title Artist(s) Release date(s) US UK Highest chart position Other Chart Performance(s)
"1999"PrinceJanuary 198312252 (Australia)See chart performance entry 1982 overlap
"2000 Miles"The PretendersNovember 1983n/a1511 (Belgium)13 (Netherlands [Single Top 100]) - 14 (Ireland) - 30 (Australia) - 36 (New Zealand)
"99 Luftballons"Nena[15]March 19832n/a(11 countries)See chart performance entry
"The One Thing"INXSMarch 198330n/a14 (Australia)2 (U.S. Billboard Top Tracks) - 30 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 31 (Canada) 1982 overlap
"All Night Long (All Night)"Lionel RichieSeptember 1983121 (6 countries)See chart performance entry
"All Time High"Rita CoolidgeJune 1983367536 (United States)1 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 1 (Canada Adult Contemporary) - 38 (Canada) - 80 (Australia)
"Almost Over You"Sheena EastonDecember 1983258923 (United States)1 (Canada RPM Adult Contemporary) - 4 (U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary) - 23 (U.S. Cash Box Top 100) - 35 (Canada) - 68 (Australia) - 86 (U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs)

Other Chart hit singles

Notable singles

Song title Artist(s) Release date(s) Other Chart Performance(s)
"Cattle and Cane"The Go-BetweensFebruary 19834 (UK INdie Charts)
"Original Sin"INXSDecember 1983See chart performance entry
"Radio Free Europe"R.E.M.April 198325 (U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock) - 78 (U.S. Billboard Hot 100)
"Rip It Up"Orange JuiceFebruary 19838 (UK Single Charts) - 23 (Ireland) - 42 (New Zealand)
"Sunday Bloody Sunday"U2March 19833 (Netherlands [Dutch Top 40]/[Single Top 100]) - 7 (U.S. Billboard Top Tracks) - 11 (Belgium)
"Synchronicity II"The PoliceOctober 198312 (Ireland) - 15 (U.S. Cashbox) - 16 (U.S. Billboard Hot 100) - 17 (UK Singles Chart) - 21 (Canada)
"Temptation"Heaven 17April 1983See chart performance entry
"This Charming Man"The SmithsOctober 19831 (UK Indie Charts) - 15 (New Zealand) - 25 (UK Singles Chart) - 52 (Australia)

Other Notable singles

Classical music

Premieres

Sortable table
ComposerCompositionDateLocationPerformers
Ligeti, GyörgySonata for Solo Cello1983-10-24France ParisStilz[23]

Compositions

Opera

Jazz

Musical theater

Musical films

Musical television

Births

January

February births

March births

April births

May births

June births

July births

August births

September births

October births

November births

December births

Birth date unknown

Deaths

January deaths

February deaths

March deaths

April deaths

May deaths

June deaths

July deaths

August deaths

September deaths

October deaths

November deaths

December deaths

Death date unknown

Awards

Grammy Awards

Country Music Association Awards

Eurovision Song Contest

Charts

See also

References

  1. Johnson, Bobbie (October 19, 2006). "CDs, downloads ... and now band launches the memory-stick single". The Guardian. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  2. "Thompson Twins". Official Charts.
  3. "Official Singles Chart Top 100 20 March 1983 - 26 March 1983". Official Charts.
  4. "Official Albums Chart Top 100 20 March 1983 - 26 March 1983". Official Charts.
  5. Clines, Francis X. (April 8, 1983). "Watt Reverses Ban on Rock Music at Concert". The New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  6. "David Bowie". Official Charts.
  7. "Dec 02, 1983 Setlist". phish.net.
  8. "The Domestic Dispute that ended the life of Marvin Gaye". trutv.com. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  9. Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. p. 569. ISBN 9780862415419.
  10. "Level 42 albums".
  11. "RIAA certifications". Recording Industry Association of America.
  12. "RIAA".
  13. "BRIT Certified". BPI. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  14. Brent Mann (2003). 99 Red Balloons: And 100 Other All Time Great One-Hit Wonders. Citadel Press. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-8065-2516-7.
  15. Fitzgerald, Ross (December 29, 2012). "Austen Tayshus sends a postcard from the edge". The Australian. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  16. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives: Australian Chart Book. p. 341. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  17. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 423. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  18. "The Perfect Beats". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. October 17, 1998. p. 4.
  19. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 8th Edition. Billboard Publications. p. 282.
  20. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  21. "Munich 1983". Eurovision Song Contest. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  22. |- Schott Music
  23. "Entrevista: la travesía de Alfonso Herrera". Expansión. November 17, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  24. "Alberto Ginastera | Argentine composer | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  25. Harnsberger, Lindsey C. (1997). Essential Dictionary of Music: The Most Practical and Useful Music Dictionary for Students and Professionals. Los Angeles: Alfred Publishing Co. p. 260. ISBN 978-0-88284-728-3.
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