Many will agree this to be the band's magnum opus (I personally prefer their previous two albums) this is due to it being a huge success for them in America following the splashes their earlier efforts made for them internationally throughout the decade. This led to them having plenty of international success throughout the following decade, although they would never reach these dizzying heights again here.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Need you tonight #3
Devil inside #6
New sensation #8 (ARIA #9)
Never tear us apart #11 (ARIA #14)
It's rare to see a debut album receive this much critical acclaim for the artist in question, however that's exactly what happened to Tracy Chapman who won the hearts of many listeners worldwide who seemed to be sick of all the bombastic music permeating throughout the decade. This album opened up many doors for fellow female singer/songwriters who had personal stories to share to a massive audience.
Peak position #3
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Fast car #5 (ARIA #4)
This was the only album in Robert Palmer's career to achieve massive in Australia, although it's worth noting that Riptide did achieve minor success due to "Addicted to love" being a chart topper earlier in the decade. The success of this album can be attributed to how inescapable its lead single was on our charts as well as the rest of the tracks striking a chord with listeners of the late 80's.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Simply irresistible #1 (ARIA #1)
She makes my day #10 (ARIA #9)
Early in the morning #21
Change his ways #38
Yikes that is some horrifying album art, no wonder this sat on the shelves for over a year without anyone noticing it because who would want to buy an album with this cover art? Fortunately, the band issued a new cover for the album which allowed it to finally attract attention around the world, this allowed them to find huge success and join the ranks of Bon Jovi and Def Leppard as the kings of hair metal.
Peak position #7
Peak position #7 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Sweet child o mine #10 (ARIA #11)
Welcome to the jungle #37
Paradise city #40
Following the demise of his previous band Moving pictures, Garry Frost formed a new band in the form of 1927 whose gimmick is that they were a band who time travelled from that year in order to fit in with the times. Admittedly this gimmick is a little far-fetched considering they were riding the success of fellow Australian bands Icehouse and Choirboys with this release, but that didn't stop this album from being a huge success for them.
Peak position #1x4
Peak position #1x4 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
That's when I think of you #5 (ARIA #6)
If I could #2 (ARIA #4)
You'll never know #20 (ARIA #15)
Compulsory hero #14 (ARIA #14)
This was the first of what was meant to be a trilogy of albums from the supergroup comprised of George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Bob Dylan. Sadly, due to the passing of Roy Orbison shortly after the album's release, the band cancelled volume two despite how successful this was back in the day. They did eventually release volume three which sadly bombed in 1990 which led to them cancelling this project.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Handle with care #3 (ARIA #3)
End of the line #11 (ARIA #12)
This was the debut album for Toni Childs, another female singer/songwriter who scored massive success around this time albeit only in the southern hemisphere as she bombed both throughout Europe and in her native America with this album. Even though she never found success in the northern hemisphere, she would find success with her next album in Australia and NZ in the 90's.
Peak position #7
Peak position #8 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Stop your fussing #16 (ARIA #17)
Don't walk away #15 (ARIA #17)
The late 80's was a dark period in Elton's life, after all he was battling a serious drug addiction as well as having to cope with having his polyps removed which affected the way he sung live. Not helping was a decrease in quality in his music, which perhaps is why he released this album which was meant as a coping mechanism for his mental health which in turn restored his popularity in the mainstream.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Healing hands #16 (ARIA #14)
Sacrifice #7 (ARIA #7)
Club at the end of the street #21 (ARIA #19)
But seriously....... this was the album that Phil Collins needed to end the 80's given how he had made a major stumble in his career with his acting debut in Buster the year prior. The success of this album going into the 90's encouraged the other members of Genesis to reunite with him one more time to release and album which was also a huge success, that being We can't dance.
Peak position #2
Peak position #1x3 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Another day in paradise #11 (ARIA #11)
I wish it would rain down #15 (ARIA #15)
People like to dunk on these guys due to being seen as the sellout band for hair metal, that obviously didn't prevent this album from being a huge success for the band given how they managed to retain enough of the genres roots to seem like the genuine article along the likes of Guns n roses and Bon Jovi. Sadly, this success didn't carry them over to the 90's as while Flesh and blood was a hit for them, it wasn't to the scale this album was.
Peak position #11
Peak position #7 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Nothing but a good time #15 (ARIA #10)
Fallen angel #25
Every rose has its thorn #12 (ARIA #16)
Your mama don't dance #22
Following the success of both Tracy Chapman and Toni Childs, Melissa Etheridge also found success here in Australia with her debut album proving that female singer/songwriters had a clear advantage as the decade was coming to an end. What's interesting is that Melissa's breakthrough in her native America wouldn't happen until years after her debut album was a huge international success, especially considering "Like the way I do" being a hit in 1995 despite it appearing on this album.
Peak position #2
Peak position #3 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Similar features #34
Bring me some water #7 (ARIA #9)
Like the way I do #14 (ARIA #16)
Following the staggering success of their album the Joshua tree, U2 decided to make a documentary about their world tour to promote the album which I really don't recommend you watch unless you want further incentive to hate Bono as a human being (in which case knock yourself out.) The documentary came with a soundtrack which has easily overshadowed the film due to how iconic the songs are on here.
Peak position #1x5
Peak position #1x5 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Desire #1 (ARIA #1)
Angel of Harlem #14 (ARIA #18)
When love comes to town #22
All I want is you #2 (ARIA #2)
This was the solo debut from Kate Ceberano who had previously achieved success as the lead vocalist from the jazz pop band I'm talking as a child star, a pretty impressive transition to a solo career if you ask me. This was an album that promised her so much success going into the 90's, but alas she wasn't able to find a way to retain her audience despite her stellar vocals on her subsequent releases.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Bedroom eyes #2 (ARIA #2)
Love dimension #12 (ARIA #14)
Brave #17 (ARIA #15)
That's what I call love #30
Following the staggering success of his previous album, John Farnham continued with his adult contemporary sound with this follow up which while not as big of a success as Whispering Jack (nothing to be ashamed of given how inescapable that was) was nonetheless a huge hit for him proving that albums success wasn't a fluke. His success would continue for well over two decades after his comeback.
Peak position #1x9
Peak position #1x8 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Age of reason #1 (ARIA #1)
Two strong hearts #3 (ARIA #6)
Beyond the call #41
Well, this was the album which had Madonna officially denounce her faith not just in the catholic church but religion in general, prior to this album she had proudly proclaimed herself as a catholic girl but then a bunch of things happened which made her realise that she could no longer consider herself as such. This caused quite a controversy following its release as this was back in the day where religion held importance in the mainstream.
Peak position #2
Peak position #4 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Like a prayer #1 (ARIA #1)
Express yourself #5 (ARIA #5)
Cherish #5 (ARIA #4)
Following the success of their debut album from four years prior, Fine young cannibals returned with this album which proved to be an even bigger success for the British trio, likely due to it becoming a surprise hit over in America by spawning two Billboard chart toppers for them. Despite how huge this album was for them, they decided to call it quits going into the new decade for reasons I never quite understood.
Peak position #2
Peak position #1x1 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Ever fallen in love #27
She drives me crazy #1 (ARIA #1)
Good thing #5 (ARIA #7)
Don't look back #34
This was the only album to be released by Johnny Diesel and the Injectors, although don't think that it's because no one was interested in this album because it was a huge success for them and even led to international interest in the band. I'm guessing this was meant to be an advertisement for Diesel's solo career which would pan out the following decade with his solo album Hepfidelity.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Don't need love #11 (ARIA #10)
Soul revival #8 (ARIA #9)
Cry in shame #8 (ARIA #10)
Looking for love #29
These guys had been releasing albums for half a decade to deafening silence before they scored a massive hit with this album, even then this was due to the surprise success of one of its singles as this was all set to flop just like their previous entries. Their next album would prove that this album's success wasn't a fluke as that would also be a huge success for the band, although their popularity wouldn't extend after that.
Peak position #8
Peak position #7 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Hold on to me #44
Chained to the wheel #7 (ARIA #9)
The crack up #43
Jenny already had success earlier in the decade with her first solo album as well as the lead vocalist to the short-lived group QED, however it was her second album which finally made her a household name both here and in her native NZ largely thanks to the success of its second single. She released a new album in the 90's which while successful, wasn't well received critically which resulted in her becoming yesterday's news after its release.
Peak position #5
Peak position #5 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Saved me #23
She has to be loved #5 (ARIA #5)
Well this was a surprise entry, mainly because the last time anyone had heard from Daryl Braithwaite was when his former band Sherbet called it quits a decade prior due to them struggling to retain their popularity after their international breakthrough with "Howzat." Here we are ten years later and we have a very different man to the one who won the hearts of Australian teenage girls all those years prior, basically following in the footsteps of John Farnham and making adult contemporary for older audiences.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #1x3 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
As the days go by #9 (ARIA #11)
All I do #21
One summer #6 (ARIA #8)
Let me be #29
Yeah, Cocktail isn't a very good movie, I know there's diehard fans of Tom Cruise out there who'll love anything he appears in but aside from those people, I can't imagine anyone liking this film about him being a cocktail waiter. At least it had an interesting soundtrack that revived the career of the Beach boys as well as some other interesting tracks on there.
Peak position #1x5
Peak position #1x5 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Don't worry be happy #1 (ARIA #1)
Kokomo #1 (ARIA #1)
This took a while to take off worldwide due to how long it took for the boys to be confirmed as the real deal, after all this was back in the day before boy bands had any real presence in the mainstream. Once they scored their third hit here in Australia, the album was able to take off and possibly prepare us for the boy band wars of the 90's. They may have bowed out before the wars begun but their impact is noted.
Peak position #8
Peak position #7 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
You got it #1 (ARIA #1)
I'll be loving you #2 (ARIA #4)
Hanging tough #8 (ARIA #8)
Cover girl #26
She entered the decade with a bestselling soundtrack, so what better way to leave the decade with another soundtrack to book end her achievements? Here we have the soundtrack to Beaches that also serves as a studio album for Bette Midler due to her character being a struggling singer in the film. Speaking of the film, this is a movie people will either love or hate, specifically due to the twist that never fails to induce crying from the audience.
Peak position #1x7
Peak position #1x4 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Wind beneath my wings #1 (ARIA #1)
Under the boardwalk #27
While this wasn't the most successful album from Simply red (that would be their second album) it did spawn the biggest hit of their career in the form of the second single which in turn helped the album become a massive success following a slow start to its chart run. These guys would continue to find success well into the 90's, proving that their sound was able to withstand the test of time with their audience.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
It's only love #21
If you don't know me by now #1 (ARIA #1)
A new flame #49
Following the success of the lead single from this album, it only makes sense that this sophomore album from the Scottish duo would be a huge success here in Australia. Curiously the album wasn't very successful in their native UK, I'm guessing because their fellow Brits found them to be too annoying in a way that we Aussies and kiwis found them to be endearing.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
I'm gonna be #1 (ARIA #1)
I'm on my way #4 (ARIA #3)
Although her comeback came with her previous 1987 self-titled album, it was this album which made Cher's music career relevant again if only briefly as it would see peaks and valleys throughout the 90's as she juggled it with her acting career. This has been described as Cher's peak in popularity thanks to her hopping on the hair metal trend and her voice working very well with heavier rock and roll.
Peak position #2
Peak position #1x1 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
After all #48
If I could turn back time #1 (ARIA #1)
Just like Jessie James #15 (ARIA #14)
There was a lot of hype going into the debut album for Kylie Minogue, that hype was effortlessly met when she released it as it became a huge success for her even with it already having three chart toppers here in Australia. It was an even bigger hit in NZ and the UK, likely due to the singles not being as big in the former and her popularity on Neighbours with the latter.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
The locomotion #1
I should be so lucky #1
Got to be certain #1 (ARIA #1)
I still love you #12 (ARIA #11)
This almost didn't find any success outside of the duo's native Sweden, in fact it took a foreign exchange student requesting an American radio station to play this on the radio for it to finally see success internationally. Roxette are one of my favourite bands of all time, so this was a huge victory in my eyes, and indeed the general public agreed with this assessment as the album spawned four huge hits worldwide.
Peak position #3
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
The look #1 (ARIA #1)
Dressed for success #3 (ARIA #3)
Listen to your heart #9 (ARIA #10)
Dangerous #13 (ARIA #9)
Although this French band did have success throughout Europe throughout the decade, it wasn't until the lead single from this album became a surprise hit in English speaking countries that they were able to find an audience here in Australia. For some reason, I thought these guys were Mexican, I guess that's me revealing my ignorance towards European culture.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Bamboleo #18 (ARIA #19)
Dire straits had briefly broken up this year so that Mark Knopfler would work on his side project the Notting Hillbillies who would release one album in 1990 before reuniting the band in 1991, to help keep fans satisfied while he was off with this project, he released this greatest hits package which was a huge success proving they likely would've preferred it if he didn't break up the band around this time.
Peak position #3
Peak position #3 (ARIA charts)
While this wasn't her debut album, this was the album which not only launched the career for Enya but also the popularity of new age music as the genre would go on to be a massive success throughout the 90's. This is the only album from her to spawn a huge worldwide hit in the form of its lead single, which no doubt helped other bands and artists like Enigma and Deep Forest find massive success.
Peak position #5
Peak position #8 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Orinoco flow #6 (ARIA #6)
The last time anyone cared about Alice Cooper was back in the late 70's when he tried to appeal to a more mainstream market with his adult contemporary ballads, fast forward a decade and we're here with his glam rock album from the height of hair metal which got him back in the mainstream worldwide except for his native America. I guess his fellow Americans felt he was already too old to rock with the younger crowd.
Peak position #11
Peak position #5 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Poison #3 (ARIA #3)
Bed of nails #15 (ARIA #13)
Only my heart talking #47
This was a bit of a disappointment from Billy Joel considering how inescapable (at least in Australia) his previous album was, although it did spawn arguably his biggest hit in the form of its lead single which in turn translated to the album's success worldwide. His next album would be even bigger, although it would also be his final album as he would spend the rest of his life as a touring act.
Peak position #1x4
Peak position #1x2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
We didn't start the fire #3 (ARIA #2)
I go to extremes #48
This was released a few months after the death of Roy Orbison, I'm guessing some of the tracks on here were meant for the second volume for the Traveling wilburys given how that was never released despite the success of the first volume. It proved to be a huge comeback for Roy who outside of his contributions to the supergroup, hadn't had any success since his hit single "Penny arcade" from 1969.
Peak position #1x5
Peak position #1x4 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
You got it #3 (ARIA #3)
She's a mystery girl #12 (ARIA #17)
Jimmy Barnes was one of the biggest Australian artists of the decade, so why not have Ian Moss join the elite ranks as he was a contributing factor as to why Cold Chisel were a big deal in Australia? Here he is with his debut album which was a huge success for him thanks to the lead single, however it was a short-lived victory as his subsequent albums from the 90's failed to find any success.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x3 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Tucker's daughter #1 (ARIA #2)
Telephone booth #9 (ARIA #7)
Out of the fire #30
These guys had a massive run throughout the 80's here in Australia and over in NZ, so much so that it makes sense they would close out the decade with a greatest hits package in both countries which would unfortunately explain the lack of success they would achieve in both countries going into the 90's.
Peak position #2
Peak position #3 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Touch the fire #15 (ARIA #13)
Jimmy Dean #47
This is a live album that Jimmy Barnes released that was a huge success for two reasons, the first was that it has a cover of a Motown classic and the second was that Jimmy Barnes was known for his live shows back in the day. These two factors led to him thriving throughout the 90's as he continued to put on killer live shows as well as release an album where he did covers of Motown classics.
Peak position #1x4
Peak position #1x4 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
When a man loves a woman #4 (ARIA #3)
Last frontier #28
This is an album that really took its sweet time finding an audience here in Australia, not even the success it had in America the previous year was incentive enough for this to crossover it seems. I don't even know what eventually won us over with this album, it was originally released two years prior to deafening silence despite being the type of hair metal that Bon Jovi was thriving on that year.
Peak position #4
Peak position #1x3 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Animal #46
Love bites #25
Armageddon it #41
Rocket #16 (ARIA #15)
Pour some sugar on me #30
His debut album had a bit of a climb to its success due to him initially being dismissed as a Bryan Adams knockoff, however it did eventually find an audience here through the strength of its singles. Here Richard Marx had no such barrier as this was able to become a huge success upon its initial release once again due to how big the singles were throughout the world.
Peak position #1x3
Peak position #1x7 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Satisfied #18 (ARIA #20)
Right here waiting #1 (ARIA #1)
Angelia #37
Following the success of his album Mallee boy, John Williamson was able to revive his popularity which peaked again with his final album of the 80's as this became a massive success for him this year. Interestingly, this was much bigger on ARIA than it was on AMR, suggesting there was a bias against country music on the latter charts.
Peak position #8
Peak position #1x1 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Rip rip woodchip #41
Boogie with mbaby #48
This was the final album to be released from Stevie Nicks this decade, I guess its success is proof that we Aussies were into her music regardless of all the drama that went on behind the scenes of her career. That said she wouldn't find much success going into the 90's, so I guess this was a hit due to her tumultuous relationship with Lindsey Buckingham which officially came to an end during its production.
Peak position #9
Peak position #8 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Rooms on fire #22
This took its sweet time in becoming a success here in Australia, this is mainly because "Every little step" became a surprise hit here during the final stretch of the 80's which enabled us Aussies to check out what all the fuss was about from Bobby Brown despite the big hit from the album flopping here when it became a Billboard chart topper for him.
Peak position #4
Peak position #5 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
My prerogative #38
Every little step #7 (ARIA #8)
Martika was off to a good start when she entered the 90's as this album from 1988 became a massive success here due to how big the second single was. Evidently, she always wanted to be a pop star at a young age, which makes her retirement from music after the failure of her second album in her native America that much more tragic considering it was a moderate success throughout the rest of the world.
Peak position #3
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Toy soldiers #5 (ARIA #5)
I feel the earth move #2 (ARIA #2)
More than you know #32
This was the second album to come from Mike and the Mechanics, an album which proved to be their biggest hit given how their first album was released prior to when Mike Rutherford saw massive success with his other band Genesis as well as prior to establishing lead singer Paul Carrack as a household name with his solo work. Sadly, none of this did them any favours for transitioning their success into the 90's.
Peak position #11
Peak position #10 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Nobody's perfect #32
The living years #1 (ARIA #1)
This had a rather slow rise to its success here in Australia, I'm guessing because these guys weren't among the more popular Australian bands of the decade despite scoring a huge hit with their debut single "Great wall." Their fortunes changed for the better when the album became a huge success around the turn of the decade due to fan favourite "Dancing in the storm" taking over the airwaves.
Peak position #10
Peak position #10 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Onion skin #11 (ARIA #11)
Get out of the house #24
Dancing in the storm #19 (ARIA #21)
Talk about it #35
By far the most successful show to be performed on theater, we have Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage adaptation of the Gaston Leroux which has been playing nonstop on stage since its premiere in 1986. I'm guessing the soundtrack became a success this year when news broke out that the show would be touring in Australia throughout the 90's, as the last time a soundtrack from Lloyd Webber was a success was with Jesus Christ superstar in 1970.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Well, this was an obvious attempt at Andrew Lloyd Weber cashing in on the success of his (then) most recent theatrical production Phantom of the opera by reminding his fans of all the other shows he's put on and their highlights. Naturally this was a huge success for him given how well loved his shows are specifically for the music.
Peak position #2
Peak position #1x1 (ARIA charts)
This was the second album to come from James Reyne, I guess so much for him being the weak link in Australian crawl if he was able to achieve this much success on his own long after the band had broken up. Indeed, his popularity would continue well into the 90's where he even joined a supergroup by the name of Company of strangers, that group would achieve moderate success as recently as 1993.
Peak position #7
Peak position #7 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
House of cards #17 (ARIA #17)
One more river #22
One of the sillier films to come out of Australia over the years was Young Einstein, a film where Yahoo Serious (yes that's what he called himself) rips off the formula of the Back to the future films by going back in time and inventing rock and roll while claiming himself to be Albert Einstein. It's not one of our better films I'm afraid, however the soundtrack was a massive success back in the day.
Peak position #7
Peak position #6 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Rock and roll music #6 (ARIA #5)
Dumb things #30
I feel if this wasn't attached to one of the most successful films of the 80's, this would've been a flop for Prince as he wasn't doing very well in Australia following the critical disaster of his second film Under the cherry moon. Indeed, I'm not sure how many people particularly care for the lead single which is more a collage of scenes from the film with him occasionally singing throughout its runtime.
Peak position #4
Peak position #4 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Batdance #2 (ARIA #2)
Partyman #34
This was so much less successful than Tracy's previous album here in Australia, although it was nonetheless a success for her likely due to it connecting with an audience even if said audience wasn't as vast as her debut album on this release. Still, it would be wrong to say that she only had two successful albums throughout her career given how this did leave a mark back in the day.
Peak position #5
Peak position #4 (ARIA charts)
Following the success of their previous album, Pink Floyd decided to release the highlights of that albums tour which proved to be a massive worldwide success for them which I'm sure was further salt in the wound for their former frontman Roger Waters who was really struggling for success around this time.
Peak position #4
Peak position #4 (ARIA charts)
Well, the 80's was coming to an end, so what better way for these guys to end it with one final album in their catalogue? This was more of a last hurrah for the duo as their last album Savage wasn't a huge success for them, this is despite the fact that was the album they released after their biggest album Revenge which was only three years old by this point.
Peak position #8
Peak position #7 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Revival #14 (ARIA #14)
Don't ask me why #28
This was a bit of a commercial disappointment for Kylie Minogue as it's the only album of hers where she tries her hand at standards music in addition to more of the fun bubblegum pop she had from her debut album. It was a moderate success here in Australia and the UK; however, it was such a failure in America that it resulted in her getting dropped from her label over there.
Peak position #7
Peak position #9 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Especially for you #2 (ARIA #2)
Hand on your heart #3 (ARIA #4)
Wouldn't change a thing #5 (ARIA #6)
Never too late #17 (ARIA #14)
Tears on my pillow #19 (ARIA #20)
This was the final successful compilation album to come out of the 80's, it's proof that the spring of 1989 was an interesting time in music here in Australia given what this album was able to include in its track listing.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
If I could turn back time #1 (ARIA #1)
Hanging tough #8 (ARIA #8)
Tell me something #18 (ARIA #17)
She has to be loved #5 (ARIA #5)
Don't look back #34
Cherish #5 (ARIA #4)
Toy soldiers #5 (ARIA #5)
Communication #13 (ARIA #13)
Poison #3 (ARIA #3)
Way of the world #7 (ARIA #8)
Get out of the house #23
Dr feelgood #28
Every little step #7 (ARIA #8)
Healing hands #16 (ARIA #14)
Blush #25 (ARIA #19)
The world seems difficult #22 (ARIA #19)
The only one #34
This wasn't as inescapably popular as their previous effort, perhaps due to it being more of the same in terms of their sound as they once again combine glam rock with country in order to bring together a wider audience then their contemporaries. I guess if Def Leppard and Poison weren't doing so well this could've worked for a second time, and admittedly it was a decent hit for them worldwide back in the day.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x1 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Bad medicine #5 (ARIA #4)
Born to be my baby #34
I'll be there for you #23
Lay your hands on me #24
This was a bit of a last hurrah for John Mellencamp given how this was the last successful album of his career here in Australia, although it did follow up his biggest album the Lonesome jubilee so perhaps it was bound to be successful regardless. He did retain success in his native America throughout the 90's, he even scored a massive hit in 1994 with "Wild night" proving how much his fellow Americans still loved him.
Peak position #2
Peak position #1x1 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Pop singer #10 (ARIA #8)
Jackie brown #48
Fleetwood mac had just lost Lindsey Buckingham as their lead vocalist around this time due to his complicated relationship with Stevie Nicks, as such the band decided to release a greatest hits package to help remind fans of the back catalogue he made with them and how they would struggle without him.
Peak position #4
Peak position #3 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
As long as you follow #37
Their debut album was plenty successful when it was released the previous year here in Australia, however it was the second album from Transvision vamp that made them a household name thanks to the seductiveness of Wendy James reaching its peak on this album. Sadly, the band couldn't keep this winning streak going in the 90's as their third album would be a huge flop for them that decade.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Baby I don't care #3 (ARIA #3)
The only one #34
Although these guys never achieved much success here in Australia, it appears that they were well known in the mainstream long enough to have this greatest hits package be a huge success for them back in the day.
Peak position #3
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
This was the only success that the husband-and-wife duo Womack and Womack had worldwide, mainly for the lead single which was one of the biggest songs of the decade despite it (to me) sounding like something that was made in the 90's. I'm not sure why these two faded into obscurity once the album had finished its cycle, perhaps the world wasn't interested in their brand of RNB once the new decade rolled around.
Peak position #8
Peak position #11 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Teardrops #1 (ARIA #2)
Celebrate the world #38
Given how his onscreen wife had taken the music industry by storm this year, it only seems fitting that Jason Donovan would follow suit by releasing this album which was a massive success despite people questioning his musical abilities when listening to the album. It may have been a hit at the time; however, few will claim that he was a vocal talent unlike his onscreen wife Kylie Minogue.
Peak position #5
Peak position #5 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Nothing can divide us #3 (ARIA #3)
Especially for you #2 (ARIA #2)
Too many broken hearts #6 (ARIA #7)
Sealed with a kiss #8 (ARIA #8)
Every day #44
The spring of 1988 was a hectic time in music if this album is anything go by, it had a good selection of music to choose from which ensured its success here.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x1 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Two strong hearts #3 (ARIA #6)
The only way is up #3 (ARIA #2)
Never tear us apart #11 (ARIA #14)
Bad medicine #5 (ARIA #4)
Sexy girl #29
Wild wild west #7 (ARIA #6)
Hold on to me #44
So excellent #10 (ARIA #8)
A groovy kind of love #1 (ARIA #2)
You came #31
Sweet child o mine #10 (ARIA #11)
As the days go by #9 (ARIA #11)
Fallen angel #25
I quit #11 (ARIA #14)
Touch #9 (ARIA #12)
I want your love #7 (ARIA #7)
The summer of 88/89 was a hectic time in music if this album is anything go by, it had a good selection of music to choose from which ensured its success here.
Peak position #1x3
Peak position #1x4 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
I'm gonna be #1 (ARIA #1)
Like the way I do #14 (ARIA #16)
Especially for you #2 (ARIA #2)
Don't walk away #15 (ARIA #17)
Soul revival #8 (ARIA #9)
Angel of Harlem #14 (ARIA #18)
Buffalo stance #16
Where did I go wrong #15 (ARIA #17)
Last frontier 28
You got it #3 (ARIA #3)
Tucker's daughter #1 (ARIA #2)
Dumb things #30
She makes my day #10 (ARIA #9)
The music goes round my head #33
Teardrops #1 (ARIA #2)
Let's stick together #48
Autumn of 1989 was a hectic time in the Australian music scene if this album is anything to go by, rather than repeat myself on this entry like I do with each of these releases, I'll bring up that this was the last compilation album to chart on ARIA before they were moved to their own charts, so this being a success is based on how well it did on the AMR charts.
Peak position #2
Peak position #4 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
She drives me crazy #1 (ARIA #1)
Ring my bell #3 (ARIA #5)
Chained to the wheel #7 (ARIA #9)
Twist in my sobriety #19
Compulsory hero #14 (ARIA #14)
Veronica #23
One summer #6 (ARIA #8)
Eternal flame #1 (ARIA #1)
Halleluiah man #46
The living years #1 (ARIA #1)
Young years #18 (ARIA #18)
What I am #14 (ARIA #18)
Can't stay away from you #48
I only wanna be with you #20 (ARIA #19)
My prerogative #38
Wild thing #22 (ARIA #19)
Much like their second album, this third and final album from the Bangles had a slow start to its rise of success due to the lead single not connecting with audiences at the time. Fortunately, this album also had a huge chart topper in the making as when the second single became just that worldwide and thus allowed the album to be a success for the band months prior to them calling it quits.
Peak position #13
Peak position #7 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
In your room #42
Eternal flame #1 (ARIA #1)
Be with you #41
Although this wasn't as successful as the first entry in this series, it was enough of a success to warrant a spot on my site given how interesting the previous year turned out to be in our music scene.
Peak position #11
Peak position #6 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
I owe you nothing #6 (ARIA #6)
Love in the first degree #5 (ARIA #5)
Wanna be up #8 (ARIA #6)
Sign your name #3 (ARIA #3)
Got to be certain #1 (ARIA #1)
Get outta my dreams get into my car #1 (ARIA #1)
Hazy shade of winter #7 (ARIA #7)
The dock of the bay #3 (ARIA #3)
Nothing but a good time #15 (ARIA #10)
Run to paradise #3 (ARIA #3)
Too much ain’t enough love #1 (ARIA #1)
Breakaway #8 (ARIA #8)
The flame #1 (ARIA #1)
The only way is up #3 (ARIA #2)
Doctoring the tardis #2 (ARIA #2)
Perfect #1 (ARIA #1)
The autumn of this year was a winner here in Australia, as such the second volume of this uncreatively named series was a success.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Stuck on you #3 (ARIA #3)
Now you're in heaven #1 (ARIA #5)
Bedroom eyes #2 (ARIA #2)
Hurricane #19 (ARIA #20)
House of cards #17 (ARIA #17)
I'm on my way #4 (ARIA #3)
The look #1 (ARIA #1)
Wild thing #16 (ARIA #15)
Cry in shame #8 (ARIA #10)
When love comes to town #22
Straight up #25
She's a mystery to me #12 (ARIA #17)
How'm I gonna sleep #24
Something special #39
Satisfied #18 (ARIA #20)
Stop #3 (ARIA #4)
Well the winter of this year was a success for these compilations, as such we have the third entry in the uncreatively named hits of 89 series that was a success here.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Telephone booth #9 (ARIA #7)
Dressed for success #3 (ARIA #3)
Can I get a witness #19 (ARIA #17)
Love dimension #12 (ARIA #14)
One more river #22
Sweet guy #42
Rooms on fire #22
All I want is you #2 (ARIA #2)
Looking for love #29
Second chance #14 (ARIA #14)
I want it all #10 (ARIA #10)
Miss you like crazy #22
Funky cold medina #7 (ARIA #8)
This is another album that needed more than one attempt to find an audience in the late 80's, in this case it was due to the lead single not being able to connect with audiences upon its initial release from the previous year due to how different it sounded from everything else. Eventually people were won over by Sam's unique vocals and how different the album was from everything else making it a success.
Peak position #11
Peak position #13 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Stop #3 (ARIA #4)
Can I get a witness #19 (ARIA #17)
As far as their fans are concerned, this was the only album from Scottish band Texas given how their 90's output saw mixed results for them both commercially and especially critically. They were a very earnest country band who made it big through the female singer/songwriter boom from around this time, although they didn't have commercial success in the 90's likely due to being a British band amongst American women in this group.
Peak position #15
Peak position #14 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
I don't want a lover #6 (ARIA #4)
This was the first hip hop album to find success here in Australia which is interesting that it should come from Tone Loc considering this was before he became known for being a voice actor in children's media. Still it's comforting to know that at least someone with credibility in the rap game managed to have the first rap album to be successful here, that honour could've gone to something far more embarrassing.
Peak position #11
Peak position #11 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Wild thing #16 (ARIA #15)
Funky cold medina #7 (ARIA #8)
This was the only notable success that Motley Crue had here in Australia, although the band members nowadays seem to be more famous than their music due to the antics that could take up an entire paragraph if I were to list them here (I won't.) It makes sense this was a success given how it was one of the last hair metal albums to be released in the 80's and that the songs on here still resonate with audiences to this day.
Peak position #7
Peak position #5 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Dr feelgood #28
Kickstart my fire #32
I'm not sure why this greatest hits package became a success given how it came out barely two years after the previous album which collected all of the biggest hits from Bryan Ferry and his band Roxy music, I guess it came with a remix of his signature tune which resulted in us Aussies rediscovering his back catalogue again so soon after the last time we did so.
Peak position #9
Peak position #11 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Let's stick together remix #40
Spring of 1988 was so popular in our music scene that we have the second album that collected all of the biggest hits of that period to become a success by marketing those hits as summer jams.
Peak position #3
Peak position #4 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Don’t worry be happy #1 (ARIA #1)
Stop your fussing #16 (ARIA #17)
I still love you #12 (ARIA #11)
Kiss n tell #19
Nothing can divide us #3 (ARIA #3)
Bring me some water #7 (ARIA #9)
Don’t need love #11 (ARIA #10)
Desire #1 (ARIA #1)
I don’t want your love #22
Love changes #24
You and me #43
Because I love you #22
Stop #3 (ARIA #3)
Teardrops #1 (ARIA #2)
When you come #28
This was the second last compulation album to chart on ARIA's main charts, it was noticeably more success on there than on the AMR charts meaning that had ARIA not pawned off these albums onto their own charts they likely would've dominated their main charts throughout the 90's. Oh and this album proves that the summer of 88/89 was a hectic time in the Australian music scene.
Peak position #7
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Rock and roll music #6 (ARIA #5)
Stand up for your love rights #22
Orange crush #16 (ARIA #15)
You'll never know #20 (ARIA #15)
Baby I love your way #20 (ARIA #20)
Nobody's perfect #32
Cat among the pigeons #11 (ARIA #15)
Every rose has its thorn #12 (ARIA #16)
Orinoco flow #6 (ARIA #6)
Welcome to the jungle #37
Born to be my baby #34
Let's put the x in sex #48
Revolution baby #22
Voice of reason #37
Real gone kid #13 (ARIA #18)
Copperhead road #24
Kiss #8 (ARIA #8)
Anchorage #40
Named after the New kids on the block track that opens up the album, this compilation album proves that the winter of this year was a very productive time for the music scene down under which no doubt led to its success.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
You got it #1 (ARIA #1)
I don't want a lover #6 (ARIA #4)
Talk it over #3 (ARIA #4)
This time I know it's for real #34
Bamboleo #18 (ARIA #19)
Saved me #23
Onion skin #11 (ARIA #11)
Right back where we started from #6 (ARIA #7)
Stand back #44
If you don't know me by now #1 (ARIA #1)
All I wanna do is dance #12 (ARIA #12)
Good thing #5 (ARIA #7)
Baby I don't care #3 (ARIA #3)
Bed of nails #15 (ARIA #13)
Wait #13 (ARIA #14)
Say goodbye #6 (ARIA #6)
Baby don't forget my number #14 (ARIA #17)
This was the first solo album from the heartland rocker as he temporarily disbanded the Heartbreakers around this time, this was mainly due to his work with the Traveling wilburys which perhaps explains the success of this album here in Australia given how inescapable their earlier entry on this list was back in the day. Unfortunately, this revived interest in his career was temporary as his 90's work flopped here.
Peak position #15
Peak position #13 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
I won't back down #15 (ARIA #16)
This was only barely a success here in Australia for the Cure (it charted high but quickly exited our charts, hence its relatively high placement on this list) I'm guessing it only became as such due to the lead single becoming the band's biggest hit over in America and us Aussies wanting to support the band with their newfound fame over there.
Peak position #10
Peak position #9 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Lullaby #23
This is the third and final album that Simple Minds found success with here in Australia in addition to their greatest hits package from 1992, I guess it's fitting that the two most successful albums here were the ones that gave them a top ten hit given how the lead single to this album was among their bigger hits here due to it being a UK chart topper for them.
Peak position #7
Peak position #11 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Belfast child #10 (ARIA #12)
This is your land #50
This was a minor success here in Australia for the Rolling Stones, likely as a last hurrah for the band given how many other entries on this list came from some of the biggest names of the decade that hadn't had much success since its midpoint.
Peak position #7
Peak position #8 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Mixed emotions #26
This is the penultimate album from Queen to feature Freddie Mercury on lead vocals, it was a modest success here in Australia which was able to pick up the slack from their previous album and even managed to spawn one final hit for them here in the form of its lead single.
Peak position #8
Peak position #4 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
I want it all #10 (ARIA #10)
Although she didn't achieve the same level of success as her main rival Tiffany, this second album from Debbie Gibson was a huge success for her outside her native America thanks to the strength of its lead single. Debbie is known for being the youngest artist to write, produce and perform on a Billboard chart topper which she achieved the previous year with her hit "Foolish beat," a hit that flopped internationally.
Peak position #11
Peak position #10 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Lost in your eyes #8 (ARIA #7)
Electric youth #17
You'd think that Rick Astley would be in it for the long haul given how his debut album was a massive (albeit heavily delayed) success worldwide, alas you'd be wrong as less than a year later, his second album was a huge commercial disappointment for the soul singer for reasons I can't seem to fathom. He did score one more hit in the 90's with "Cry for help" on his third album which saw him move away from the Stock Aiken Waterman formula of his first two albums.
Peak position #14
Peak position #19 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
She wants to dance with me #14 (ARIA #15)
Take me to your heart #30
This would be the final album that Melissa Etheridge had any success with here in Australia, it's a pit because both Tracy Chapman and Toni Childs would go on to have massive success in the 90's whilst she was left in the dust. I wouldn't feel too bad for her though as she did eventually find success in her homeland throughout the 90's even if that success didn't translate to our scene.
Peak position #14
Peak position #9 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
No souvenirs #35
This is where Tina Turner's winning streak came to an end here in Australia as she wouldn't see much success in the 90's aside from her greatest hits package Simply the best, even then I get the feeling that was only the case given how she named it after the lead single to this album which became her biggest hit down under due to how well it connected with us Aussies.
Peak position #14
Peak position #15 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
The best #5 (ARIA #4)
Steamy windows #37
This was originally released two years prior to deafening silence here in Australia, however it was given a second chance this year due to the surprise success the band had with their hit "Where did I go wrong" which prompted us Aussies to rediscover their back catalogue and thus boost this albums success.
Peak position #12
Peak position #18 (ARIA charts)
This is the final album that Paul Kelly found any success with, at least it was until the 2010's where he saw a massive resurgence in popularity likely due to country music (at least in our local scene) seeing a massive surge in popularity in recent years. It's a bit weird this underperformed given how he saw massive radio airplay with "Dumb things" from the Young Einstein soundtrack, but at least he still found some success.
Peak position #10
Peak position #10 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Sweet guy #42
Even though the lead single to this album was a huge success for Transvision vamp this year, it wouldn't be until the success of their second album that this album would be a hit for them likely due to us Aussies initially put off by the seductiveness of lead singer Wendy James. Indeed, this was an excellent year for the band considering the struggles they had for finding a mainstream audience in their native UK.
Peak position #15
Peak position #13 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
I want your love #7 (ARIA #7)
Revolution baby #22
This was a bit of a dud for Noiseworks compared to their debut album from two years prior, although it did last quite a while on our charts even if it lacked that standout track that their earlier work had with "Take me back." Still, they were able to enter the 90's with a third album that proved to be more of a success, which is more than I can say for some of their contemporaries who struggled to make that transition.
Peak position #8
Peak position #5 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Touch #9 (ARIA #12)
Voice of reason #37
In my youth #35
Well, this is certainly a surprise, mainly because I really wasn't expecting to feature one of the albums from this critically acclaimed band on this site. Admittedly they were seeing a bit of mainstream success worldwide given how the lead single became a surprise hit in certain countries, but it still feels like an outlier on this list doesn't it?
Peak position #14
Peak position #13 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Fire woman #25
Although they would go on to achieve massive success throughout the 90's, this was the first taste of success that R.E.M had anywhere in the world given how it spawned their first hit in the form of its lead single. In a way, this was ahead of its time as their brand of jangle rock would be a staple for 90's alt rock given how many other bands had a similar style to theirs throughout that decade.
Peak position #13
Peak position #16 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Orange crush #16 (ARIA #15)
This was a bit of a comeback for Julian Lennon given how his second album was a huge failure for him, even then this was only a hit here in Australia due to the lead single becoming a surprise hit for the son of the Beatle exclusively here and nowhere else in the world. He did have one more hit in the 90's with his fourth album before fading into obscurity.
Peak position #18
Peak position #18 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Now you're in heaven #1 (ARIA #5)
This album does feel a little leftfield from what was coming out at the time, as such it's a bit understandable that it didn't receive as much love back in the day as you would otherwise think even if it did better than many other prog and metal albums from around this time. Sadly, this would be the peak of Joe Satriani's popularity as his 90's work fared much worse commercially worldwide.
Peak position #14
Peak position #10 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Always with me always with you #48
This is the last album that Dragon had any sort of success with, it makes sense it made some rounds given how its advanced single became a genuine hit over a year prior to its release. They had a decent run throughout the 80's, however they were definitely considered to be yesterday's news by the time the 90's rolled around.
Peak position #18
Peak position #22 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Celebration #11
Young years #18 (ARIA #18)
Summer #49
This was a bit of a misstep for the Hoodoo gurus given how they would bounce back in the 90's with their next album Kinky, even so it did find minor success thanks to the lead single being a radio staple to this day as well as the momentum they had on their previous album which sparked international interest for them.
Peak position #13
Peak position #13 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Come anytime #26
This was a bit of a comeback for Lou Reed who hadn't bothered our charts since the mid 70's, then again this was quite a good year for rock legends who emerged from that decade if you couldn't tell from the other entries on this list.
Peak position #20
Peak position #25 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Dirty blvd #42
This was released three years prior to deafening silence, likely because no one had cared about Roy Orbison since his 1969 hit "Penny arcade" anywhere in the world. It was given a second chance this year due to the success of his earlier entries both solo and with the Traveling wilburys as well as his tragic passing prior to either of their releases.
Peak position #20
Peak position #20 (ARIA charts)
This was released two years prior to deafening silence, likely because it was ahead of the curb when it came to having Roy Orbison adapt with (then) modern times but also likely because audiences weren't interested in his back catalogue getting the Traveling wilburys treatment until the success of his album with the supergroup from earlier on this list.
Peak position #16
Peak position #24 (ARIA charts)
This feels less like an album and more of a collection of solo material from the different members of the supergroup Max q, as such it was bound to achieve some level of success even if said success was also destined to be fleeting.
Peak position #18
Peak position #13 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Way of the world #7 (ARIA #8)
Sometimes #23
I feel this is another album that only made the cut on this list due to the lack of competition as I can't imagine Barbra Streisand having much popularity around this time due to what else was going on in the mainstream worldwide. It wouldn't be the last album she found success with as she would make a sequel to her Broadway album in the 90's.
Peak position #18
Peak position #21 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Till I loved you #32
It took ages for their debut album to become a success worldwide (again due to that horrifying original album art) so much so that this second album was initially ignored when it was released the previous year due to their other album finally having mainstream success upon its initial release. I guess fans eventually discovered this album this year which is more of a bonus for them than a new album.
Peak position #24
Peak position #24 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Patience #16 (ARIA #16)
This is the final album from Cyndi Lauper to achieve any sort of success from her career, this is mainly due to it being so far removed from her wacky persona that made her a household name earlier in the decade that fans naturally felt alienated by it. Even so, it wasn't that much of a flop here in Australia thanks to the lead single becoming a genuine hit for her here.
Peak position #23
Peak position #17 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
I drove all night #8 (ARIA #11)
My first night without you #50
Although none of their albums achieved major success here in Australia barring their (then) most recent album (due to behind-the-scenes drama involving the departure of Sioban Fahay) they nonetheless managed to achieve massive success with some of their singles which more than justifies the success of their greatest hits package this year even if it was merely a sleeper success for them.
Peak position #23
Peak position #21 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Love truth and honesty #24
Help #30
This was only barely a success here in Australia due to how long it lasted on our charts, even then I get the feeling it only connected with audiences thanks to the surprise success of its lead single which in turn benefitted from being favourably compared to the likes of Melissa Etheridge and Tracy Chapman from this list.
Peak position #30
Peak position #31 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
What I am #14 (ARIA #18)
Elvis Costello didn't see much success throughout the 80's, likely because of the backlash he received for using a racial slur in his breakthrough single "Oliver's army." Heck this only makes the list due to how long it stuck around on the charts as I doubt there was much interest in his music this far into his career at this point.
Peak position #21
Peak position #26 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Veronica #23
Steve Earle is a country singer who managed to score a moderate hit with this album here in Australia this year, he's another example of an artist who likely would've missed the cut were it not for the slim pickings (and full disclosure would've had I not included albums that appeared on ARIA's year end list as well as AMR's year end.)
Peak position #30
Peak position #39 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Copperhead road #24
This is the final album that Tears for fears released as a duo as Curt Smith would part ways with Roland Orzabal due to the behind-the-scenes drama that took place during this album's production, it was enough of a success to get attention given how long it took for them to follow up their previous album Songs from the big chair which is quite impressive all things considered.
Peak position #23
Peak position #18 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Sowing the seeds of love #14 (ARIA #13)
Woman in chains #44
It had been exactly a decade since Van Morrison last troubled the charts here in Australia, in fact this album’s moderate success this year is likely how he was able to find massive success the following year with his massively popular greatest hits package that went on to be one of the biggest albums of the 90's down under.
Peak position #24
Peak position #30 (ARIA charts)
This is another album that only makes the cut due to it appearing on ARIA's year end list as without them disqualifying all the compilation albums on this list, this would've missed out from making it on this list. It's the only successful album from Grayson Hugh given how it spawned a massive hit for him worldwide with its lead single.
Peak position #26
Peak position #25 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Talk it over #3 (ARIA #4)
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