The following is a list of notable events and releases that happened in Nordic music in 1981.
Events 5 January – Björn Ulvaeus, now divorced from Agnetha Fältskog, marries Lena Källersjö. 4 April – At the 26th Eurovision Song Contest, Sweden is the best-performing of the Nordic countries, finishing 10th. Denmark are 11th, Finland 16th, and Norway finish in 20th (last) place, with no votes from other countries. September – Icelandic musicians Björk Guðmundsdóttir and bassist Jakob Magnússon form a new band, Tappi Tíkarrass. 31 December – Benny Andersson, recently divorced from Anni-Frid Lyngstad, marries TV presenter Mona Nörklit. unknown date The organ at the Heinävesi Church in Finland is renewed, using some of the stops from the original organ. Danish musician Lars Ulrich meets James Hetfield and they form the band Metallica.
Classical works Ulf Grahn – Concertino for piano and Strings Bengt Hambraeus – Voluntary on a Swedish Hymn Tune from Dalecarlia Magnus Lindberg – Sculpture II
Hit singles ABBA – "One of Us" (#1 Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, West Germany) Beranek – "Dra til hælvete" (#1 Norway) Gyllene Tider – "Ljudet av ett annat hjärta" (#3 Sweden) Thomas Ledin – "Sensuella Isabella" (#4 Sweden) Eddie Meduza – "Gasen i botten" (#13 Sweden) Björn Skifs – "Fångad i en dröm" (#10 Sweden)
Film music Erling D. Bjerno – Jeppe på bjerget Henrik Otto Donner – Pedon merkki
Births 10 December – Paula Vesala, Finnish singer-songwriter
Deaths 1 February – Geirr Tveitt, Norwegian composer 22 May – Reimar Riefling, Norwegian classical pianist, music teacher, and music critic (born 1898). 25 May – Georg Malmstén, Finnish entertainer (born 1902) 23 June – Zarah Leander, Swedish actress and singer (born 1907) 3 August – Seymour Österwall, Swedish tenor saxophonist, bandleader, and composer (born 1908) 5 October – Sven Gyldmark, Danish film score composer (born 1904)
See also 1981 in Denmark
1981 in Iceland 1981 in Norwegian music 1981 in Sweden
References