List of number-one singles of 1983 (Canada)

The Police released the most successful single of 1983: "Every Breath You Take".

RPM was a Canadian magazine that published the best-performing singles of Canada from 1964 to 2000. During 1983, twenty-seven singles became number-one hits in Canada. Toni Basil commenced the year with her single "Mickey" while Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson's "Say Say Say" was 1983's final number one. Those who had previously reached number one on Canada's chart were Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Styx, The Police, Elton John, Bonnie Tyler, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, and Paul McCartney. No Canadians reached the summit in 1983.

The most successful artist of the year based on the number of chart-toppers and weeks spent at number one was Michael Jackson. He gained his first Canadian number-one hit this year with "Billie Jean" in March, then attained the chart's top position three more times with "Beat It" in May, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" in July, and "Say Say Say" in December. In total, Jackson remained at number one for 10 weeks during 1983. Despite this success, it was British band The Police that achieved the best-performing hit of 1983, "Every Breath You Take", which stayed at number one on the issues of 2 July and 9 July.

Alongside Jackson, The Police were also the only act to peak at number one more than once, rising to the top again in October with "King of Pain". Together with "Every Breath You Take", the band remained at number one for three issues. Toni Basil's "Mickey", Musical Youth's "Pass the Dutchie", Michael Jackson's "Beat It", Irene Cara's "Flashdance... What a Feeling", Michael Sembello's "Maniac", Lionel Richie's "All Night Long (All Night)", and Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson's "Say Say Say" were the seven tracks that stayed at number one for at least three weeks.

Key
† Indicates best-performing single of 1983

Chart history

Culture Club's "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" became their first Canadian number-one hit in March.
Michael Jackson picked up four Canadian number-one hits in 1983: "Billie Jean", "Beat It", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", and "Say Say Say", spending a total of 10 weeks at the top.
Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler held the number-one position for two weeks with "Total Eclipse of the Heart".
Pop duo Eurythmics rose to number one in September with "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)".
Dolly Parton (pictured) duetted with Kenny Rogers on "Islands in the Stream", which stayed at number one for two weeks.
Issue date Song Artist Reference
1 January "Mickey" Toni Basil
8 January
15 January
22 January "Pass the Dutchie" Musical Youth
29 January
5 February
12 February "Africa" Toto
19 February "Sexual Healing" Marvin Gaye
26 February
5 March "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" Culture Club
12 March
19 March "Hungry Like the Wolf" Duran Duran
26 March "Billie Jean" Michael Jackson
2 April
9 April "Mr. Roboto" Styx
16 April
23 April "She Blinded Me with Science" Thomas Dolby
30 April
7 May "Let's Dance" David Bowie
14 May "Beat It" Michael Jackson
21 May
28 May
4 June "Flashdance... What a Feeling" Irene Cara
11 June
18 June
25 June "Electric Avenue" Eddy Grant
2 July "Every Breath You Take"† The Police
9 July
16 July "I'm Still Standing" Elton John
23 July "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" Michael Jackson
30 July
6 August "White Wedding" Billy Idol
13 August "Total Eclipse of the Heart" Bonnie Tyler
20 August
27 August "Our House" Madness
3 September
10 September "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" Eurythmics
17 September
24 September "Maniac" Michael Sembello
1 October
8 October
15 October "King of Pain" The Police
22 October "One Thing Leads to Another" The Fixx
29 October "True" Spandau Ballet
5 November
12 November "Islands in the Stream" Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
19 November
26 November "All Night Long (All Night)" Lionel Richie
3 December
10 December
17 December "Say Say Say" Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
24 December
31 December