This was the second biggest album of the decade in Australia, it's easy to see how this connected with so many people back in the day as it's the perfect blend of the bands core sound mixed in with more contemporary sounds of the day. The big hit single did cause some controversy due to perceived homophobia, although aside from that it remains a classic to this day.
Peak position #1x34
Hit singles
So far away #22
Money for nothing #4
Walk of life #11
This was the biggest album of the decade in Australia, mainly due to how inescapable the singles were as well as the heartwarming tale about how it came to be. John's manager Glenn Wheatly had to mortgage his house in order to get this off the ground given how sceptical the mainstream was in hearing this former teen idol mature into adult contemporary. The name of the album itself is a reference to him being introduced as Jack instead of John.
Peak position #1x25
Hit singles
You're the voice #1
Pressure down #4
A touch of paradise #24
This was an album that took its sweet time in finding an international audience back in the day, I'm guessing this was due to having a rocky album cycle where the best songs on the album weren't released as singles until late into its existence. Whitney was an undeniable talent, although one criticism levied against her is that she often squandered her impressive vocals on mediocre ballads. I don't agree for the most part, but I can see why people felt that way.
Peak position #1x11
Hit singles
Saving all my love for you #20
How will I know #2
Greatest love of all #1
Well, this is certainly a surprise given how the last time anyone cared about Paul Simon's solo career was back in the early 70's when he was making a name for himself without his former partner in crime Art Garfunkel. I guess the reunion tour they had earlier in the decade resparked interest in his solo work, that or people couldn't get enough of the African influences throughout the album which won it the grammy for album of the year.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
You can call me al #2
Boy in the bubble #46
I've never understood exactly what these two were seeking vengeance against when making this album, whatever it was they clearly got it as it remains their most successful album in their catalogue thanks to Annie arguably sounding her best throughout its runtime. It did somewhat come at the expense of a huge hit for them worldwide, however I don't think they mind considering how well remembered they are.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
When tomorrow comes #7
Missionary man #9
Thorn in my side #12
Miracle of love #14
You'd think with how iconic their music has become over the years that these guys would've had more success with their earlier material in Australia, in fact their previous album Speaking in tongues was one of the biggest albums of the decade in NZ and yet it was a massive flop here for some reason. Fortunately, this album was a huge success for the new wave band largely thanks to the still iconic singles found on here.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
The lady don't mind #24
Road to nowhere #16
And she was #10
This had a very slow rise to its success here in Australia, perhaps due to audiences feeling that this was too similar to Neil Finn's previous band Split enz upon its initial release. Fortunately, this was given new life a year after its initial release when "Don't dream it's over" became a surprise success over in America which in turn fueled the success of this album internationally as well as here and in NZ.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Mean to me #26
Don't dream it's over #8
World where you live #43
Something so strong #18
This is technically a remix album for Jimmy's first solo album Bodyswerve from the year prior, although it did contain an E.P's worth of additional tracks which I guess makes it eligible to be a separate album from this previous work. This album did receive an international release as a self-titled album where the new tracks are better incorporated to the original Bodyswerve album.
Peak position #1x7
Hit singles
I'd die to be with you tonight #7
Working class man #4
Ride the night away #39
This was the magnum opus for Phil Collins both solo and with Genesis in his career, perhaps because this had the perfect blend of his more experimental music from his band as well as the more mainstream ballads that audiences were accustomed to by this point of the decade. It's a perfect middle ground for his career, one that did receive backlash for many years that has since lost its meaning.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Sussudio #8
One more night #2
Billy don't lose my number #10
So, here's an album from Billy Joel that's often forgotten by anyone who isn't in his diehard fanbase, mainly because this was where he shifted towards adult contemporary rather than the rock sound of his work from earlier in the decade or the piano driven ballads of his 70's output. This didn't prevent the album from being a huge success in Australia, proving that we Aussies were indeed in love with this man's music.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Modern woman #21
A matter of trust #3
This was where the Eurythmics decided to appeal to a more mainstream market which proved to be a wise move for them commercially as while their previous two albums were a success for them, they weren't exactly among the most successful of the decade like this and their next album Revenge were. That said, I'm sure there's fans out there that prefer their more synth heavy new wave tracks.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
Would I lie to you #1
There must be an angel #3
Sisters are doing it for themselves #15
It's alright #32
Following the demise of the Police, Sting made good on his word by embarking on a solo career which regardless of how you feel about it (he's a good singer but terrible songwriter in my opinion) was off to a great start commercially with this album of his. While he would never again reach the dizzying heights he achieved here or on his earlier work with his band, he remained popular for many years later.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
If you love somebody set them free #18
Russians #11
Considering this wasn't among the more successful albums in Bryan's native Canada, it's impressive to see how well it did internationally given how its second single became a Billboard chart topper for him. I guess you can say this was a success due to him being a part of the heartland rock crowd which made the likes of Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp huge megastars around this time.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Run to you #24
Heaven #12
Summer of 69 #14
Although this album would be blasted by the internet if it were released nowadays, this was a huge success for Kevin "bloody" Wilson who made no attempt to hide how politically incorrect this album was (even back then) which nonetheless managed to find a massive audience who were laughing at his character rather than with him. It's certainly not for everyone, however it does tread the line of offensive humour while realising that this language isn't socially acceptable.
Peak position #8
I bet fans of Genesis were beginning to wonder if Phil's success from his solo career would translate to one of their albums when they released this album a year after No jacket required won album of the year at the Grammys, it turns out that's exactly what happened as while this is more pop friendly compared to their previous work, it's still recognisably a prog album and was a huge success for the trio.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Invisible touch #3
In too deep #17
Land of confusion #21
This was the album that finally broke INXS into an American market, mainly due to the lead single becoming a surprise hit over there months after its initial release here in Australia. While this wasn't as successful as the two albums its sandwiched between, I have to say that it remains my personal favourite from them as it's a middle ground between their new wave beginnings and superstar goals.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
What you need #2
This time #19
Kiss the dirt #15
Listen like thieves #28
With her obligatory sellout record out of the way, Madonna set out to make this album which she dedicated to her (then) husband Sean Penn, makes you wonder how she feels about it nowadays given how that marriage turned out. The album continued her winning streak both critically and commercially thanks to it spawning multiple hit singles which have all stood the test of time save for perhaps the title track.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Live to tell #7
Papa don't preach #1
True blue #5
Open your heart #16
La isla bonita #6
Here's an album that was delayed so heavily that Lionel felt the need to change its name to what would end up being the second single from the album, yes it turns out that this was originally meant to be named after his Oscar winning ballad that served as its advanced lead single and released around the time that took home an academy award for him. As tardy as this albums release was, at least fans didn't have to wait for a decade for it to come out unlike his next album.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Say you say me #3
Dancing on the ceiling #2
Deep river woman #43
Well, I don't think there's been a more successful greatest hits package that presents itself as a double album meant to collect the best moments of an artist's career more than this entry from Billy Joel. Indeed, the American piano man decided to bundle both phases of his career into one entry which resulted in it being a huge success for him at the time of its release. Volume 3 would eventually be released in 1997 with considerably less success.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
You're only human #6
This was the only successful album to come from Huey Lewis and the News in Australia, although they were a much bigger deal in their native America throughout the decade which perhaps suggests their lack of international success was more due to bad marketing than anything else. Indeed, they only scored one hit from this album despite having two Billboard chart toppers from it.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Stuck with you #2
Hip to be square #17
Jacob's ladder #48
I'm not a fan of Tom Cruise, I'm sure he's a decent person in real life (provided he's not talking about Scientology) but I've just never gotten into any of his performances. One of his better films is Top gun which at least has a lot of flash imagery to distract from the meandering romance he has with the Amish woman from Witness. The soundtrack helps make it a better film due to the song choices used in the scenes.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Danger zone #14
Take my breath away #2
I guess Bruce Springsteen did have one of the biggest albums of the decade with Born in the U.S.A, so it only makes sense that John Mellencamp's popularity would skyrocket given that heartland rock was one of the biggest genres of music because of that album. In a way, John stole Bruce's momentum with this album as not only was it a massive success, but the singles have lingered on oldies stations arguably more so than the one's on Bruce's album.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Lonely ol night #32
Rock in the USA #18
Rain on the scarecrow #34
This was the second album that Stevie Nicks released between the two albums she made with Fleetwood Mac, I'm guessing she was delaying the inevitable by dragging her feet to reunite with the band for their album Tango in the night. Here she doubles down on her pop direction which while it alienated many of her international fans, won over a bunch of fans in Australia as it remains her most successful solo album in her career.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
I can't wait #20
Talk to me #22
This was the debut album for one of the more prominent figures of sophistopop in the music industry Sade, a band led by their frontwoman Sade Adu who combined jazz with new wave for audiences of the day. This is another band I'm surprised didn't have a hit single in Australia considering how well loved their songs remain on oldies stations, although the albums were a success so maybe that's why their songs flopped here.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Smooth operator #20
I'm not sure why these guys only stuck together for two albums as both albums were among the most popular of the decade worldwide, perhaps there was behind the scenes drama involving Roland Gift and the other two members that we simply never found out about. In any case, we have their debut album which was a huge success largely due to their cover of an Elvis Presley track.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Johnny come home #14
Blue #13
Suspicious minds #6
It looked like that Madonna had officially won the battle over Cyndi as the pop princess of the 80's, although Cyndi did put up a valiant fight with her sophomore album as it was a huge success for her back in the day. Alas it didn't spawn multiple hit singles from it like her previous album did, and it also showed a more mature side of her which is perhaps why she lost her battle with Madonna this decade.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
True colors #3
Change of heart #15
Following the massive success of their debut album, Sade went back into the studio to make another album where they combined jazz with RNB which proved to be equally successful for the British band. These two albums would be the last we hear from them for a while, although they did have a surprise comeback in the early 90's with Love deluxe shortly before the success of their spiritual successor M people.
Peak position #9
This was the biggest album that the Divinyls released in their catalogue, although like before there were two versions of this album as the tracks that were cut from the original album on the international release were added onto this album in lieu of several tracks that were never released outside of Australia. Fortunately, it's the original version with these internationally omitted tracks that was the big success here.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Good die young #32
In my life #47
Pleasure and pain #11
Sleeping beauty #50
This was a seasonal compilation that collected the biggest hits of spring in Australia for 1986 just in time for our summer season, it got caught between two years due to how late it was released in the year which allows it to appear on more than one list on this site.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Dancing on the ceiling #2
Don’t leave me this way #2
Heartache all over the world #7
Missionary man #9
What’s the colour of money #23
Stay #30
I could make you love me #5
Two of hearts #7
True colors #3
Walk this way #9
Danger zone #14
Dreams of ordinary men #17
You give love a bad name #32
You’re gonna get hurt #24
Mad about you #9
A matter of trust #3
Take my breath away #2
You’re the voice #1
Although the Cars weren't among the most successful bands in Australia when they released this greatest hits package, they did manage to score a massive hit with it proving that there was enough of a fanbase here to appreciate their back catalogue at this point in their career. I'm not actually sure why they weren't bigger here as in NZ they saw massive success with their albums.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Tonight she comes #16
Following the success of both their first film Stop making sense and their most recent album Little creatures, Talking heads decided to allow lead singer David Byrne to direct a proper film which wasn't well received at the time from what I can gather. It's gained a cult following over the years likely from audiences who bought the soundtrack from the band back in the day.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Wild wild life #13
Their debut album Stoneage Romeos may remain a cult classic to this day, however it was the band's second album where they started seeing mainstream success likely due to how catchy the singles were as well as the charisma of lead singer Dave Faulkner on the record. This led to them sparking international interest in them which resulted in them developing a cult following internationally.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Bittersweet #16
Like wow wipeout #15
Death defying #43
This was the debut album for one of the most prominent bands to emerge from the UK soul scene, although it's worth noting that this didn't produce a big hit for them here in Australia like it did in their native UK and on Billboard. Even though these guys were far from the most successful singles artists down under, they more than made up for that by having their albums be highly successful here.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Money's too tight #21
Holding back the years #16
Given how they had only broken up the year prior to releasing this greatest hits package, it only makes sense that we Aussies would make this a success for Cold chisel given how their lead singer Jimmy Barnes was taking over the mainstream with his album around this time. This wouldn't be the only greatest hits package they would release during their time apart as Chisel would also be a success in the early 90's.
Peak position #3
Given how this albums cycle began with a music video depicting a live action/cartoon hybrid, it only makes sense that the album it came from would be a huge success for the band even though it has received tons of critical backlash over the years. It may not have killed their career as they band kept soldiering on after this perceived misstep, however it did kill their relevancy as they never saw this level of success again.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Harlem shuffle #6
One hit to the body #34
Well, this was a bit of a surprise, I know Joe Cocker saw massive success with his involvement on the An officer and a gentleman soundtrack, however I don't think anyone was expecting this album to be so huge given how the last successful album he had was during the first half of the 70's. This album does contain some of his more iconic work, so I guess it makes sense why we Aussies gravitated towards it.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Don't you love me anymore #11
You can leave your hat on #23
It took him four albums and naming one of them after something besides himself, however Peter Gabriel finally managed to find success on his own worldwide around the time his former band was scoring the biggest success in their own career. While this wasn't as successful as Invisible touch from Genesis, it was more critically acclaimed which is the perfect way to describe both acts respective careers.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Sledgehammer #3
Don't give up #5
Big time #37
The autumn of 1986 was a hectic time for the Australian music scene if this compilation album is anything to go by, as a result we have big hits that can be found here from that time which ensured its success during the midpoint of the year.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
When the going gets tough the tough get going #1
Love an adventure #6
West end girls #5
So much for love #8
Sex and fame #32
Absolute beginners #5
Say I’m your no 1 #8
I do what I do #35
Tarzan boy #16
Chain reaction #1
Don’t look down #26
Sanctify yourself #46
Baby you’re so strange #14
Addicted to love #1
Death defying #43
Talk to me #22
Say goodbye #24
Ride the night away #39
This seemed like a good time for Mental as anything to have a recap of their career so far given how they were on the cusp of having international success with their biggest hit "Live it up" appearing on the Crocodile Dundee soundtrack, indeed this was a huge success for the band here in Australia proving how much we loved them at this point.
Peak position #2
Given the success of their previous two albums, it only makes sense that Spandau ballet would release a greatest hits package which overlooked their biggest success during the first half of the decade. While this was a hit for the band, it also put an end to their winning streak as their next album was a complete flop and they would eventually break up just as the 80's was coming to an end.
Peak position #3
This was the Cure's biggest album here in Australia, sure they always had some degree of popularity here thanks to their multiple appearances on Countdown, but they never took our mainstream by storm save for this album which spawned their biggest hit as well as their 1992 effort Wish. It wasn't even the lead single which is why the album was a hit twice as it rebounded once the big hit became as such.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
In between days #16
Close to me #7
Released late the previous year, this was a compilation album which collected the biggest hits of spring of 1985 here in Australia which compelled it to be a massive success here during our summer holidays of that period.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
One vision #35
If I was #10
Running up that hill #6
I got you babe #1
I’d die to be with you tonight #7
Pleasure and pain #11
Current stand #12
Like wow wipeout #15
Face to face #32
Election day #13
Alive and kicking #21
Don’t mess with doctor dream #17
Don’t go #4
Cold fever #36
Sisters are doing it for themselves #15
One of the living #34
What about love #28
Summer of 69 #14
The winter of 1986 was a great time for music if this album is anything to go by, we have big hits from some of the biggest names in music to make it big for this album to be a success during our spring of this year.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
Princes of the universe #32
Who made who #9
Mean to me #26
Left of center #36
Before too long #15
God that you woman #48
Manic Monday #3
Touch me #1
Let’s go all the way #18
Do you wanna be #8
Shell shock #23
Sledgehammer #3
What have you done for me lately #6
I wanna be a cowboy #4
If you leave #15
There’ll be sad songs #10
We have our second compilation album to be released during the summer of 86/87 that overlooks the biggest hits of the spring of 1986 on this list, it may not have been as big as the earlier entry on this list, however it still had a good selection of hits to make it a success.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Venus #1
Typical male #20
Higher love #8
In your arms #8
I didn’t mean to turn you on #27
Don’t forget me #9
Let’s kiss #27
You can leave your hat on #23
Stuck with you #2
Press #47
Calling #23
Darling it hurts #26
Live and die #19
Lady in red #2
Bad moon rising #11
Given how immensely popular he had become with his (then) most recent album, Bruce Springsteen decided to release a live album which collected all of the best renditions of his songs he performed live during the first ten years he was a superstar in the music scene.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
War #38
Given how she began her career on Broadway, it only makes sense that Barbra Streisand would release an album where she pays homage to the avenue of entertainment that made her a household name to begin with. It appears audiences were on board with this as it became her most successful album since Guilty from the start of the decade, and she would release a sequel to this eight years later.
Peak position #8
This was the unofficial soundtrack to Maximum overdrive, a film that's been described as beyond over the top even by the standard's of 80's horror flicks. Naturally the soundtrack is what people remember most about the film (well that and its premise thanks to the Simpsons satirising it a decade later) it even gave the band a hit single for them which is the first they had since the start of the decade.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Who made who #9
This was a compilation album that was released to look over the big hits of Australia during the summer of 85/86, it was a huge success due to the good selection of songs it managed to have throughout its runtime.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Tonight she comes #16
Hit that perfect beat #3
Wrap her up #22
The sun always shines on TV #19
King for a day #20
Close to my #7
Face the face #9
Broken wings #4
We built this city #1
It’s alright #32
Walk of life #11
You’re a friend of mine #9
Blue #13
Can’t wait to see you #8
Power of love #1
That’s what friends are for #1
While the mid to late 80's is considered a dark period in Elton John's life, it should be noted that he did achieve a moderate amount of success with his albums during this time period even if he doesn't look back upon them fondly. This album in particular managed to spawn one of his biggest hits in his catalogue which is just about the only thing most people like to remember from it nowadays.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Act of war #50
Nikita #3
Wrap her up #22
Feargal Sharkey was previously the lead vocalist for a few UK bands that didn't find much success even in his homeland, so to see his solo debut become as big as it was must have been a surprise for him. I know in Australia it was due to the two lead singles being a stand in for a couple going through a messy breakup, although since there wasn't this level of drama on his next album it was sadly a huge flop for him.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
A good heart #1
You little thief #4
This was the first album to be released from Van Halen that had Sammy Hagar on lead vocals, this was due to their original front man David Lee Roth getting fired from the band due to creative differences he had with the other band mates. While this drama no doubt fueled the success of this album, it didn't do the rest of their catalogue any favours as the band would never again reach the success of this period.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Why can't this be love #8
Another movie that 80's afficionados will gladly root for is Pretty in pink, mainly for the story of a poor but attractive teenage girl winning over the popular guy at her high school and her self discovery along the way. The film remains a classic to this day thanks to its timeless themes, and the soundtrack was also a huge success thanks to it having some rather unconventional songs to soundtrack the visuals.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
If you leave #15
Left of the centre #35
Shell shock #23
The spring of 1985 was a hectic time in music here in Australia if this compilation album is anything to go by, we have a fine selection of songs on here that were naturally marketed as summer jams to ensure its success.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Money for nothing #4
Johnny come home #14
In between days #16
Head over heels #21
Life in a northern town #4
Endless road #5
The city of soul #19
Don’t lose my number #10
Dress you up #5
Axel f #6
Frankie #10
Date with destiny #25
Life in one day #33
All you zombies #8
Cherish #8
I guess we Aussies weren't that interested in Bryan Ferry's second go as a solo artist throughout the 80's, it's kind of an inverse effect he had worldwide where the world didn't care much for his solo output in the 70's and yet fell in love with his most recent album Boys and girls the previous year. In any case, we have this greatest hits package from both him and his former band Roxy music making it big.
Peak position #2
Much like his earlier entry on this list, this album from Elton John was a massive success here despite his reservations on the project he's developed over the years. This might be due to the album's failure internationally as it's the first release that failed to produce a hit in America and his native UK since his debut from fifteen years prior.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Heartache all over the world #7
This album proved to be a much bigger success than This island mainly for having multiple hit singles from it as opposed to just the one from before, although it's worth noting that the album only became a best seller here when the third single became a huge success as it looked like its popularity would fade upon its initial release. They would release one more album before calling it quits by the end of the decade.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
We will together #7
The city of soul #19
Can't wait to see you #8
Absolutely #29
While this wasn't anywhere near as successful as their previous album due to lacking that runaway hit that "Legs" proved to be for the band, ZZ top was nonetheless able to retain their popularity with this album here thanks to their brand of hard rock fitting in rather well with all of the heartland rock and folk rock that was permeating the rock and roll scene during the midpoint of the decade.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Sleeping bag #32
While this year was a bit scarce when it came to successful compilation albums, it at least had a decent winter period which is why this managed to be a success even if it didn't live up to the standards from other winter releases throughout the decade.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Stimulation #2
I can’t wait #11
C’mon c’mon #27
Look away #24
Great wall #5
When tomorrow comes #7
Impressed #40
Spirit in the sky #3
Here to go #40
Digging your scene #16
Miss this tonight #27
No one is to blame #9
Holding back the years #16
A different corner #4
Greatest love of all #1
Your wildest dreams #20
Living doll #1
Exotic and erotic #19
Exotic and erotic #19
Although this album was a modest success for Prince worldwide, it couldn't live up to the success he had with the soundtrack to his first film likely because his second film was considered to be a disaster according to critics and even his own fanbase who likely only made this a hit due to the music being as solid as ever in his catalogue.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Kiss #2
Mountains #45
Well, this was Icehouse further experimenting with their sound from their previous album, again it was a huge success given how people were too curious to look away at what Iva Davis and company were doing at the time, but I feel people were relieved when they returned to what made them a household name on their next album. Still the fact this album was a success proved that people did genuinely like what they had to offer.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
No promises #30
Baby you're so strange #14
Mr big #18
I guess this album was released to overlook the full career of the Eagles given how they had only previously released greatest hits albums during their career in stages, even so I have to wonder how this managed to become a success for a band who had been broken up for six years at this point.
Peak position #7
In America, this was released as Music from the edge of heaven which was an album that had only a few new tracks (all of which were released as singles) as well as several remixes of their previous hits. Here those tracks are included along with the rest of their back catalogue making this a greatest hits package for the duo.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
I'm your man #3
A different corner #4
The edge of heaven #2
These guys had already released three albums before they finally made it big with this album, although interestingly this was slightly bigger in NZ around this time so perhaps this was due to them having crossover appeal over there before taking it back home over here. I guess that makes these guys the inverse of Split enz and Dragon, and admittedly their brand of alternative rock still holds up to this day.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Say goodbye #24
Throw your arms around me #49
It appears that we Aussies had a love for TV themes during the midpoint of the decade, as such we have this compilation album becoming a modest success here in lieu of some of the seasonal compilations released this year.
Peak position #7
This was the final successful album that the Thompson twins were able to score anywhere in the world, likely due to it being the final album where they were a trio as Joe Leeway would depart from the band after this (amicably it seems.) I'm not sure why this wasn't a bigger hit in Australia as the band did perform the third single on Countdown, I guess we wanted something else from them at this point.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Lay your hands on me #28
Don't mess with doctor dream #17
King for a day #20
This was the second RNB album that Billy Ocean released this decade, proving that he had found his niche as the British equivalent of Lionel Richie as he continued to score a string of hits throughout the decade with this album. His third album in this vein wouldn't be as successful two years later despite it spawning arguably his biggest hit with its lead single, although it's still bigger than anything he released in the 90's.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
When the going gets tough the tough get going #1
There'll be sad songs #10
Well, I think we all know why this album was a success from Grace Jones, it was because audiences were so much in love with her music, they needed this album to help them relive their love of her back catalogue and....... OK let's face it, it was for that album art which has gone down as one of the most iconic of all time in the music industry.
Peak position #9
This was a bit of a surprise from Steve Winwood considering he hadn't troubled the mainstream in Australia since the start of the decade with Arc of a diver, although this did spawn his first Billboard chart topper which remains a staple on oldies stations to this day due to how passionate his vocals are. Sadly, we Aussies didn't stick around for his next album despite that spawning his biggest hit in America.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Higher love #8
Given how he was coming off the biggest album of his band's career, it only seems fitting that Martin Plaza would release a solo album to test the waters out for his own career without Mental as anything. Although it was a decent success largely thanks to its lead single, he decided not to pursue it further than this as he would return the following year with the band's next album.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Concrete and clay #2
Following the success of his earlier entry on this list, Sting released this live album from the world tour he embarked on for the album which captures the best moments of said tour. It was a moderate success here in Australia, proving how much we Aussies were on board with his solo endeavors.
Peak position #9
This took its sweet time in finding success here in Australia, in fact it was only due to the success for their earlier entry on this list that this became huge here in Australia despite it coming from a film that's frequently described as one of the best live concerts to ever be theatrically released. The rest of the world didn't have to make this soundtrack take such a circuitous route to finding success in the mainstream.
Peak position #9
This should've been much more of a success here in Australia, the reason why it wasn't was due to the album cycle being messed up as the lead single wasn't "West end girls" like it was everywhere else in the world, preventing that song from topping our charts and stalling the album's success. It's a shame because it was the introduction to one of the most influential EDM artists of all time.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
West end girls #5
These guys were on a roll as their second album proved to be an even bigger success than their debut from two years prior, likely due to them having more of a budget here which allowed the songs to pop more than their previous efforts. This would lead to them releasing their sellout cover of a Lipps inc track later in the year which would in turn lead to their international success for that song.
Peak position #14
Hit singles
Don't go #4
Love an adventure #6
Living in a dream #15
This was a modest sleeper hit for Rod Stewart, I guess I jumped the gun when I said that his 1981 effort Tonight I'm yours was his only successful album of the 80's as this was decently successful this year. That said it's easy to forget this album even exists due to it failing to have that big hit his other albums had.
Peak position #16
Hit singles
Love touch #12
Every beat of my heart #26
This was the debut album for a woman who would launch the popularity of female singer/songwriters from the late 80's, although it would be her next album from the following year where she would see massive success due to its lead single about domestic violence as well as her a Capella tracks standing out from the competition.
Peak position #23
Hit singles
Marlene on the wall #39
It looked like Chris De Burgh would be a one album wonder with his album from earlier in the decade, however he was able to score the biggest hit of his career worldwide with this album which confirmed him to be one of the bigger crooners of the 80's despite crooners not being very popular throughout the decade. Indeed, if he had of had his breakthrough in any other decade, he would've been twice as big as he was.
Peak position #14
Hit singles
Lady in red #2
This was a massive flop the previous year for Diana Ross given how her heyday had long since passed even in her native America at this point, however it was given a second chance when "Chain reaction" became a surprise hit for her internationally likely due to the presence of the Bee gees who even by this point, felt like a cheat code for mainstream success.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Chain reaction #1
Although this didn't quite reach the upper echelons of our charts like most of these themed compilation albums from back in the day did, it made up for that by sticking around our charts for quite sometime likely due to the idea of having an album themed around love rocks in the rock genre being quite the winner for audiences back in the day.
Peak position #22
This was the only album that Lloyd Cole and the Commotions found success with anywhere in the world, it's another indie album from the UK that flew under the radar back in the day due to it being a little ahead of its time as it would've thrived later in the decade with the rest of the sophistopop that dominated the charts worldwide.
Peak position #14
Hit singles
Lost weekend #49
I'm a bit surprised at how little success Paul Kelly had in the mainstream back in the day, he was always a critical darling and even was a regular on Countdown when he released this album which up until very recently was his most successful (we're obviously not counting his 1997 greatest hits package.) I guess this got pushed aside back in the day in favour of all the earlier entries on this list.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Before too long #15
Darling it hurts #25
This was all set to become a huge flop here in Australia given how Ganggajang (man that's a weird band name) had failed to make a case for themselves during the midpoint of the decade in the Australian music scene. Perhaps if they went with the now iconic "Sounds of then" as the lead single, both the song and the album would've had the success of the likes of INXS and Pseudo echo back in the day.
Peak position #27
Hit singles
House of cards #45
Giver of life #48
Sounds of then #35
Although he wasn't able to retain the popularity he acquired earlier in the decade with his hit single "Real men" here in Australia, that didn't mean that Joe Jackson no longer had any success with his albums as indeed he managed to achieve moderate success with his albums including this entry.
Peak position #22
I'm shocked to see how low this album is on this list considering how well-loved A-ha were here in Australia back in the day, although I guess the album did stick around for quite a while due to it spawning multiple singles even if they only had the one inescapable hit here like they did everywhere else in the world. At the very least, they did manage to find much more success with this album internationally.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Take on me #1
The sun always shines on TV #19
Train of thought #47
Hunting high and low #33
It's staggering to think that the former cast member of Good times would release two albums to deafening silence before making it big by working with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, indeed her luck did change once she teamed up with the duo for this album given how it even rivalled that of her older brother's work in terms of success in her native America even if it wasn't that big here in Australia.
Peak position #25
Hit singles
What have you done for me lately #6
Nasty #17
Let's wait awhile #21
The pleasure principle #50
This only barely makes the cut for this list due to its sheer length on our charts this year rather than it being a genuine hit for the band in question, although I am surprised that this was only barely a sleeper hit here given how A: the singles remain on heavy rotation on oldies stations to this day and B: it was the band's huge comeback in their native America after a decade of obscurity over there.
Peak position #37
Hit singles
What about love #28
Never #48
These dreams #27
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