1981

In 1981, The Residents were largely dedicated to the creation of their Mark of the Mole album. They also began work on The Tunes of Two Cities and Title in Limbo.

1981 was a period of incredible financial stability for Ralph Records, perhaps explaining the group's lack of activity within this particular year.

Timeline

24th: KUOI FM broadcast "Don't Make Me Ralph," a 52 minute radio special celebrating Ralph Records, but mostly The Residents. This special featured interviews with Hardy Fox, Snakefinger & Tom Timony, sliced between various tracks available on Ralph Records.
Commercial Album is released in France by Celluloid Records, along with "Shut Up, Shut Up", a bonus single exclusive to the French release.

Renaldo & The Loaf, an English band signed to Ralph Records, visit The Residents' studio in San Francisco during their vacation in the United States. Both groups record 4 Daze, a demo album that would eventually be adapted into Title in Limbo.

22nd: Ralph releases Frank Johnson's Favorites^[1], a collection of B-sides and outtakes by the label's entire roster, including two tracks by The Residents.
Ralph's attempt to export The Third Reich 'n Roll to European markets is stopped, as the use of Nazi symbolism (which is visible all over the sleeve of the album) is illegal in Germany. As a work around, the label re-releases a "Censored version" of the album, which covers all swastikas on the cover art.
The Residents begin work on material to be played during the intermission of their upcoming live show.^[2]

Index Records releases "Tornader to the Tater" by Gary Panter, an illustrator who had previously collaborated with The Residents in several projects. The group performed in the title track and made production work for the record.
The Residents finish Mark of the Mole.^[2]

15th: Ralph Records releases Mark of the Mole, the eight studio album by The Residents.
The W.E.I.R.D. fan club disolves. In their final effort, they publish a proper release of Babyfingers, remastering it and giving it original artwork by Porno-Graphics. The EP is sold exclusively to fanclub members.

The Residents purchase two EMU-Emulators, and begin proper sessions for The Tunes of Two Cities. They also record several rehearsals for possible material to be played on their upcoming live show; these recordings are later issued on Assorted Secrets.^[3]

Mark of the Mole (LP, Ralph Records, RZ8152)
"Shut Up, Shut Up" (7'' single, Celluloid, CEL 1-6213, 2,000 copies pressed, included with first copies of the French release of Commercial Album.)

Babyfingers (EP, W.E.I.R.D., WEIRD 1, 1,500 copies pressed, fan club exclusive)
- New original artwork.
The Third Reich 'n Roll
- New "CENSORED" artwork, designed for the European market.

"Tornader To The Tater" (7'' single, Index, INDEX 0004, 2,500 copies pressed)
- Single by Gary Panter. Produced by The Residents, who also performed in the title track.

Frank Johnson's Favorites (LP, Compilation, Ralph Records, RR8110, 15,000 copies pressed)
- The Residents contributed "Loser = Weed" and "Flying".