The 80's might have ended at the start of the year, however that didn't mean the trends did as evidence by this third solo album from Jimmy Barnes being a huge success for him despite sounding much like his previous efforts from the previous decade. Jimmy did change with the times as the decade went on, although not before he tried his hand at being a Motown artist with his first Soul deep project.
Peak position #1x5
Peak position #1x3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Lay down your guns #4 (AMR #4)
Let's make it last all night #12 (AMR #7)
Little darling #39
When your love is gone #7 (AMR #7)
Love is enough #48
This was where it all began for by far the most successful artist of the decade, although its success here in Australia was a bit lacking compared to what it achieved internationally likely due to Mariah not doing much to distinguish herself on this album like she does on her later material. It reminds me of Whitney's debut album from five years prior where it was more of a showcase for her voice than anything else.
Peak position #6
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Vision of love #9 (AMR #8)
Love takes time #14 (AMR #12)
Someday #44
I don't wanna cry #49
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 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Healing hands #14 (AMR #16)
Sacrifice #7 (AMR #7)
Club at the end of the street #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 #1x3
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Another day in paradise #11 (AMR #11)
I wish it would rain down #15 (AMR #15)
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 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Bedroom eyes #2 (AMR #2)
Love dimension #14 (AMR #12)
Brave #15 (AMR #17)
That's what I call love #30
So, if you're a casual fan of Madonna looking to explore her earlier work in more depth, then I can't give a bigger endorsement for this greatest hits package of hers as it collects most (but not all) of her biggest hits during the first eight years of her career to help you decide if you want to become a bigger fan of hers or not. This was attached to her Blonde ambition tour which was also a huge success around this time.
Peak position #1x5
Peak position #1x9 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Justify my love #4 (AMR #4)
Rescue me #15 (AMR #13)
The 80's were over? Tell that to Midnight oil who began the 90's with this album which replaces aboriginal rights with the mining sector in Australia as a topic worthy of their discussion on this album. This of course was a massive success for the band here and even a moderate success worldwide following the success of Diesel and dust a few years prior, and indeed their popularity continued well into the decade.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Blue sky mine #8 (AMR #11)
Forgotten years #26
King of the mountain #25
Bedlam bridge #46
Another album released at the start of the 90's from one of the biggest names of the 80's to find massive success, and who says that the 80's ended once 1990 rolled around? In any case we have this third album from John Farnham's revival period which continued the success of his previous two efforts and suffice to say that his dominance in the Australian adult contemporary scene persisted throughout the decade.
Peak position #1x5
Peak position #1x5 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Chain reaction #6 (AMR #6)
That's freedom #6 (AMR #3)
Burn for you #5 (AMR #5)
In days to come #49
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 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Saved me #27
She has to be loved #5 (AMR #5)
One of the more defining films of the decade was Pretty woman, a film which stars Julia Roberts as a sex worker hired by Richard Gere as his escort only for the two to eventually fall in love with each other. The story remains heartwarming to this day as does the soundtrack which is notable for taking a previously obscure Christmas track from Roxette and making it a huge worldwide success for them.
Peak position #1x4
Peak position #1x4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Wild women do #37
It must have been love #1 (AMR #1)
The king of wishful thinking #6 (AMR #5)
This albums success may seem a bit confusing considering that Gary Moore's band Thin Lizzy never saw much success in Australia, however he did make a pretty rocking cover of "Friday on my mind" a few years prior which while not a mainstream success, did linger on the charts long enough to become a sleeper hit down under. Of course, this was the album which spawned his biggest hit as well as finally breaking him into the mainstream.
Peak position #5
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Still got the blues #18 (AMR #16)
Oh pretty woman #50
A trend I don't think many people realised was inescapable this decade was that of opera music finding massive success in the mainstream, that should give some context as to how this live album from Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti became a huge success upon its initial release.
Peak position #1x4
Peak position #1x2 (AMR charts)
This was only a modest success for Margaret in her native NZ, I'm guessing in favour of allowing the lead single to be one of the biggest hits of its era but also likely due to her being overexposed by the time she went solo. As we Aussies hadn't heard of her band Peking man, we were unfamiliar with how stunning of a vocalist she was, which likely explains how this was so much bigger over here as this was our introduction to her music.
Peak position #5
Peak position #7 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Escaping #17 (AMR #13)
Only my heart calling #46
Number one #24
Whatever did happen to this Canadian singer/songwriter? Well from what I can gather, she did achieve further success in her homeland as the decade went on despite only finding success there on this album with its third single. Again, we have a Canadian artist only making it big internationally due to them having one of their songs make it big on Billboard as opposed to their homeland, strange how this was a thing.
Peak position #2
Peak position #3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Love is #12 (AMR #10)
Black velvet #3 (AMR #3)
Lover of mine #47
Even though she saw massive success with her singles throughout the second half of the 80's, Belinda Carlisle didn't see much success with her albums in Australia until her third album became a surprise hit for her this year. I'm guessing this was due to the third single being a hit exclusively down under as the songs on here bombed in her native America, this led to her next album never being released over there.
Peak position #6
Peak position #6 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Leave a light on #5 (AMR #3)
La Luna #21 (AMR #18)
Summer rain #6 (AMR #7)
Runaway horses #44
It looked like this album was going to flop in Australia just like her debut album, however it received a massive push in popularity thanks to the third single from the album being a huge success for her and helping people realise what an amazing vocalist she is on her songs. Taylor's popularity would stretch out to her third album later in the decade where she almost topped our charts with a Barry White cover.
Peak position #7
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Love will lead you back #11 (AMR #10)
I'll be your shelter #4 (AMR #4)
Heart of stone #42
Following the success of his (then) latest album Sleeping with the past, Elton John decided to do a recap of his career just like he did a decade prior. By that I mean the exact same way as this album shares its title with his previous greatest hits package, although thankfully both albums have very different artwork to ensure that casual fans looking to get into his music won't confuse the two with each other.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
You gotta love somebody #32
Well, here we are with one of the more contemptuous artists to make it big over the years, admittedly I feel that this guy has received too much hate over the years and his only real crime in the music industry is how many songs by musicians of colour he's covered to poor results. That would come later in his career as for now we have an album that finally made him a household name with his own music.
Peak position #1x3
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
How am I supposed to live without you #2 (AMR #2)
How can we be lovers #3 (AMR #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 #1x1
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
After all #48
If I could turn back time #1 (AMR #1)
Just like Jessie James #14 (AMR #15)
While this wasn't the debut album from MC Hammer, it was the album that put him on the map thanks to him having access to a bunch of catchy samples that he uses to provide beats for his rhymes on the album. It was a big enough success upon its initial release here, however it became a best seller due to the third single becoming his second hit which had it rebound on the charts.
Peak position #5
Peak position #6 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
U can't touch this #1 (AMR #1)
Have you ever seen her #42
Pray #7 (AMR #6)
Here comes the hammer #37
OK here's an album which I have to tread carefully with given how infamous the story is behind its creation, I guess I can safely talk about why the US version is on here instead of the original as we Aussies were very sceptical about these guys but were eventually won over when they won a Grammy for best new artist. Of course, our initial sceptism was accurate as it was revealed they never sung a note on the album.
Peak position #1x5
Peak position #1x3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Baby don't forget my number #17 (AMR #14)
Girl I'm gonna miss you #3 (AMR #3)
Blame it on the rain #5 (AMR #4)
All or nothing #44
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 #2
Peak position #3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
The look #1 (AMR #1)
Dressed for success #3 (AMR #3)
Listen to your heart #10 (AMR #9)
Dangerous #9 (AMR #13)
It took them seven albums, but the Hunters and collectors were finally able to achieve massive success with one of their albums given how hugely success this was for them. It's worth noting that these guys were very popular in our alternative scene and even saw moderate success over in NZ throughout the 80's, and indeed their popularity would continue well into the 90's with their subsequent follow ups.
Peak position #10
Peak position #7 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
When the river runs dry #23
Blind eye #42
It had been almost an entire decade since we last heard from these guys, admittedly one of their members did tragically pass away in the time they were absent from our mainstream so it's not like they were too interested in being household names throughout the 80's. They closed out the decade with this comeback album which seemed to pick up their momentum where it left off with their 1980 effort Planet Claire.
Peak position #1x3
Peak position #1x3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Love shack #1 (AMR #1)
Roam #11 (AMR #15)
Peter Blakely was the original lead singer for the Rockmelons, you likely didn't know that as he had already left the band when they broke through with their singles from their album Tales from the city. Fortunately for him, he found success with his own album two years later which he named after the popular pie shop chain throughout Sydney, although he would sadly be a one album wonder.
Peak position #3
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Crying in the chapel #3 (AMR #2)
The first time I ever saw your face #21 (AMR #17)
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 #5
Peak position #11 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Poison #3 (AMR #3)
Bed of nails #13 (AMR #15)
Only my heart talking #47
This was released the year prior to deafening silence for Gloria Estefan, I'm guessing because unlike the rest of the world, we Aussies weren't particularly interested in her work with the Miami sound machine and thus had little interest in her solo work. The album eventually became a success for her due to her surviving a horrific accident where she was violently knock out of her bed in her tour bus while she was sleeping during a crash it was involved with, needless to say our support for her was strong as a result.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Don't wanna lose you #40
Here we are #20 (AMR #16)
Cuts both ways #38
While I can't quite call this a comeback album as AC/DC did see plenty of success throughout the 80's here in Australia, it is the first album they released that I would say was among the most successful of its time thanks to have a very distinct lead single compared to the rest of their catalogue. The album was the first to become a success over in NZ which led to the band having a great decade over there as well.
Peak position #3
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Thunderstruck #4 (AMR #8)
Moneytalks #21
Are you ready #18
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 #1x2
Peak position #1x4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
We didn't start the fire #2 (AMR #3)
I go to extremes #48
While this wasn't their debut album, it was the first album that Faith no more saw any success with worldwide likely due to the strength of its lead single. This was the band's only success in their native America, although here in Australia, they would release three more albums which would prove to be three of the most successful of the decade. They broke up after the fourth album likely due to frustration of their lack of success back home.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Epic #1 (AMR #1)
Falling to pieces #26
This is an album that was a success upon its initial release due to it being the follow-up to the band's breakthrough album Hold on to me, however it became a success again due to a successful tour that the band went on to promote their album. Unfortunately, this would be the last we'd hear from them as their next album would flop.
Peak position #3
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Harley + rose #24
Never let me go #30
We have yet another band who thrived from the previous decade entering this one with a highly successful album, in fact this was by far the biggest album to come from the Angels which set them up for great success this decade that unfortunately didn't end up happening. Admittedly this is because they didn't release a new album until the end of the decade, so it's not like they were unfairly ignored.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Let the night roll on #17
Dogs are talking #11 (AMR #8)
Back street pick up #23
This album also serves as the soundtrack to the film Dick Tracy, a film that happens to star Madonna as a vaudeville singer which gave her the perfect opportunity to perform a bunch of throwback tunes that appear throughout the album. I can't say if the film is good or not because I haven't seen it yet (I'll update this post once I have) however it's seeming like it'll be campy fun if this soundtrack is anything to go by.
Peak position #1x3
Peak position #1x3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Vogue #1 (AMR #1)
Hanky panky #6 (AMR #5)
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 #3
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Touch the fire #13 (AMR #15)
Jimmy Dean #47
This was originally released to only minor success here in Australia, likely because no matter how big the singles get, EDM albums usually don't do well on our charts. I guess we eventually made an exception here following the news that Martha Walsh from the Weather girls was the lead singer of the band and not the conventionally attractive woman that appeared on the cover art and in the music videos.
Peak position #1x3
Peak position #1x3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Ride on time #2 (AMR #2)
I don't know anybody else #6 (AMR #4)
Everybody everybody #35
Fantasy #3 (AMR #2)
Strike it up #20 (AMR #18)
Even though his debut album won album of the year at the Grammys, George Michael felt that he was little more than a shallow pop star which can only truthfully be said about his time with Wham as Faith did have some introspective tracks that resonated with more mature audiences. In any case, that was the premise for his first volume of Listen without prejudice which true to its title, is a song by a pop star looking to be taken more seriously in the music scene.
Peak position #2
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Praying for time #16 (AMR #15)
Freedom #18 (AMR #17)
Waiting for that day #50
INXS were another band who were able to find success transitioning from the 80's to the 90's here in Australia, although I guess they dialed back their bombast from their earlier material to make this transition which is why this was a success when others such as Icehouse and 1927 struggled around this time. They would continue to have moderate success as the decade went on, but nothing on this level.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Suicide blonde #2 (AMR #3)
Disappear #23 (AMR #19)
Bitter tears #36
By my side #23
There was a popular miniseries that ran this year which was based on a book written in the 50's, that miniseries was Come in spinner, and it was such a huge success that its accompanying soundtrack proved to be a hit for its two performers Grace Knight and Vince Jones. Grace is known for being the lead singer of the Eurogliders who saw massive success throughout the 80's, and this was the first album she released after they broke up.
Peak position #4
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
This album looked like it was going to be a complete failure in Australia due to our refusal to give Paula a hit single from the album, however we eventually relented with her duet with a cartoon cat which helped the album find success here almost two years after its initial release. I'm guessing we didn't let this be a success at first due to us already having to deal with all of the Kylie Minogue rip-offs from this period and not wanting to deal with Paula's rip-offs as well.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Straight up #27
Opposites attract #1 (AMR #1)
This was the first album to be released in Australia to see major success for Aerosmith, I'm guessing because they revealed themselves to have a sensitive side with the second single which they were reluctant to show on their earlier material. I'm not sure why their earlier work failed to find an audience here as it does regularly appear on oldies stations, I guess they were too ahead of their time.
Peak position #1x3
Peak position #1x3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Love in an elevator #33
Janie's got a gun #1 (AMR #1)
What it takes #46
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 #2
Peak position #3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Toy soldiers #5 (AMR #5)
I feel the earth move #2 (AMR #2)
More than you know #32
It had been seven years since the tragic passing for Karen Carpenter, although I guess the last greatest hits package from the duo was released exclusively here in Australia and NZ whereas this was released internationally to deafening silence outside of both countries. I guess we were the only ones who realised the genius of their music back in the day, although time has since reevaluated their legacy.
Peak position #9
Peak position #15 (AMR charts)
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 #5
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
My prerogative #38
Every little step #8 (AMR #7)
This was another greatest hits package from CCR to be released exclusively in Australia and NZ, this time it's the 21st anniversary of when they first started having success here which I guess was enough of an incentive to have another greatest hits album from the band despite them not releasing anything new since 1972.
Peak position #3
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
It had been nearly a decade since Deborah Harry last had a huge album in her catalogue, although her previous album did spawn a huge hit for her three years prior so it's not like this was a comeback for her or anything. This was a massive flop for her in her native America, making this a true return to her Blondie days as this managed to find more success internationally for her entering the 90's.
Peak position #10
Peak position #10 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
I want that man #2 (AMR #2)
Sweet and low #30
This was an album that really took its sweet time in becoming a success here in Australia, mainly because Janet wasn't among the most popular artists here prior to the release of her next album Janet. I guess we were eventually won over with "Black cat" as that was her rare rock song, however even then it wasn't until "Love will never do without you" that the album finally took off here.
Peak position #1x4
Peak position #1x5 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Miss you much #12 (AMR #10)
Escapade #25
Black cat #6 (AMR #9)
Love will never do #14 (AMR #11)
One of the wackier films of the decade was the live action TMNT movie, a film based on a cartoon which in turn was based on a comic about anthropomorphic turtles fighting crime with their ninja skills. The film is way better than it has any right to be as is the entire TMNT franchise for that matter, also it came with a killer soundtrack which of course was a massive success here in Australia.
Peak position #7
Peak position #11 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Spin that wheel #5 (AMR #4)
Turtle power #15 (AMR #14)
This was the final album that Linda Ronstadt managed to have any success with worldwide, although I'm guessing it was due to audiences resonating with the lead single about how getting old kind of sucks, but she doesn't care now that she's found the love of her life with Aaron Neville. Indeed, this is her most sombre album that I'll be featuring on this site, likely a reflection of how she's matured over the years.
Peak position #11
Peak position #10 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Don't know much #2 (AMR #2)
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 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Onion skin #11 (AMR #11)
Get out of the house #24
Dancing in the storm #21 (AMR #19)
Talk about it #35
It pains me to say that this guy never had much success here in Australia save for this highly successful greatest hits package he released at the start of the decade. I guess the success of this album allowed us Aussies to rediscover his back catalogue and thus allow his songs to become staples on oldies stations.
Peak position #1x3
Peak position #1x3 (AMR charts)
Cat Stevens hadn't had any success since the release of his previous greatest hits album in 1982, although I guess this was the first album of his to be released on CD which perhaps makes its success this decade more of us going digital (that's how the transition of vinyl to CD was referred to back in the day) rather than there being a recent uprise in appreciation of this man's music.
Peak position #6
Peak position #3 (AMR charts)
This was the sequel to David Bowie's previous greatest hits album Changesonebowie, naturally he had a ton of success since that albums release in 1976 so of course this would be a success upon its release this year.
Peak position #6
Peak position #8 (AMR charts)
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 #4
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
Given how this managed to spawn three UK chart toppers for the band in question, it makes sense that this debut album for Jive bunny and the Mastermixers would be the first chart topper of the decade here in Australia given how it came out at a time where mashup singles were all the rage in the mainstream.
Peak position #1x4
Peak position #1x4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Swing the mood #1 (AMR #1)
That's what I like #4 (AMR #4)
From what I can gather, the two Young guns movies from back in the day are among the more popular spaghetti westerns to this day thanks to its cast consisting of several members of the 80's Brat pack scene as well as them being lighthearted innocent fun. The second film had a soundtrack that served as a solo debut album for Jon Bon Jovi at the height of his popularity with his band.
Peak position #2
Peak position #3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Blaze of glory #1 (AMR #1)
Miracle #8 (AMR #11)
This was a massive hit for Sinead O'Connor thanks to the popularity of its lead single, a song that was originally written by Prince but was donated to her from him albeit with some complications if the behind-the-scenes drama is anything to go by. Indeed, Sinead has garnered a reputation for being difficult to deal with which was all but confirmed on her SNL performance two years later.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Nothing compares 2 u #1 (AMR #1)
The emperor's new clothes #20 (AMR #18)
Del Amitri were a pop rock band from Scotland who managed to score a massive breakthrough with this album in Australia this year, I'm not sure how as it didn't spawn any hits here or anywhere in the world, but it was a success regardless. They would be a one album wonder despite releasing new music throughout the decade, perhaps this was a band that was promoted by Triple J before they had mainstream success.
Peak position #8
Peak position #9 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Kiss thing thing goodbye #28
Nothing ever happens #46
Stone cold sober #50
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 #9
Peak position #7 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Especially for you #2 (AMR #2)
Hand on your heart #4 (AMR #3)
Wouldn't change a thing #6 (AMR #5)
Never too late #14 (AMR #17)
Tears on my pillow #20 (AMR #19)
I'm not exactly sure how this third album from Concrete blonde managed to be a success here in Australia as they had yet to make it big in their native America, I'm guessing this had some assistance from Triple J before they would dominate our alternative scene which admittedly would make sense given how this is the type of alternative rock that would dominate their airwaves later in the decade.
Peak position #8
Peak position #6 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Joey #2 (AMR #2)
Caroline #39
It was a new decade and yet even the 12th man was able to score success with his second album, proving that this year was just the 80's extended for another year in the music scene. Indeed, this would be a fantastic decade for Billy Birmingham as he would see a ton of success with each of his albums.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
It's a bit weird that this was the only successful album that Lisa Stansfield had anywhere in the world given how this managed to break her through into the American market, I guess everyone was intrigued enough with the lead single to check it out and was decently impressed but ultimately decided to have Lisa be a one album wonder given how her subsequent follow ups failed to become a success for her.
Peak position #7
Peak position #8 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
All around the world #9 (AMR #9)
Want to know what happened to Dire straits when they briefly called it quits in 1988? Well lead singer Mark Knopfler formed a side band known as the Notting hillbillies who released a country album this year that achieved massive success for them. They were only a side project which means they broke up once they were done promoting the album so that Mark could reform Dire straits the following year.
Peak position #6
Peak position #6 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Your own sweet way #28
His last album saw him working with the African bambaata band, so why not shift his sound towards Brazilian music on this album? It wasn't as successful as Graceland likely due to it lacking that catchy bop like "You can call me al" on this track, however it was still a success for the aging singer/songwriter.
Peak position #3
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
The obvious child #42
Rod Stewart hadn't troubled the charts since his 1981 effort Tonight I'm yours, sure he had a minor hit here and there, but it seemed like his time in the spotlight was done going into the 90's. Naturally that would turn out to be false with his next album Vagabond heart, however he did release this best of album which was a huge success for him with fans of his overall work.
Peak position #7
Peak position #7 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Downtown train #29
This was the only album that Wendy Matthews made with the members of the Models, technically this was a comeback album for the band as they replaced James Freud with Wendy fresh off the success she has with the Rockmelons and Kate Ceberano from two years prior. The success of this album led to her releasing her solo album later in the year which would become a massive hit for her the following year.
Peak position #7
Peak position #9 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Hullabaloo #46
I don't want to be with nobody but you #4 (AMR #4)
Given how he was coming off by far his biggest album (at least it was here in Australia) it only makes sense that Robert Palmer would cap off the 80's with a greatest hits package that only saw its success as the start of the 90's here in Australia due to how long it took to take off here. Sadly, he wouldn't find any further success here after this save for his collaboration with UB40.
Peak position #10
Peak position #15 (AMR charts)
After their debut album, this remains the most successful album from Heart largely due to it containing their biggest hits which is fitting because their debut contains their second biggest hit in their catalogue down under. This is also the final album they released to have any sort of success as they sadly were unable to transition from the 80's to the 90's after this year just like many heavyweights of the former decade.
Peak position #11
Peak position #7 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
All I wanna do is make love to you #1 (AMR #1)
It may surprise you to learn that Soul II soul weren't very popular here in Australia during their heyday despite their brand of dance RNB being able to fit in perfectly with all of the EDM and dance pop that made it big around this time, I guess we eventually gave them a shot with their second album which is why it managed to become a modest success this year for them here.
Peak position #9
Peak position #7 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Get a life #38
A dreams a dream #27
Tommy Emmanuel was a session guitarist for Dragon during their last few albums in the 80's, even with that in mind, it was a bit of a surprise that he managed to see massive solo success throughout the 90's beginning with this solo album following the final successful album from his meal ticket band from the previous year.
Peak position #13
Peak position #13 (AMR charts)
Well, their comeback might not have been well received, but at least fans were eager to rediscover the back catalogue for one of the biggest bands of the 70's here in Australia. In fact, I'm sure if they weren't deterred from the backlash to "Jukebox in Siberia" they would've had plenty of success in the 90's as fellow 70's icons Daryl Braithwaite and John Farnham were making it big around this time.
Peak position #4
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Jukebox in Siberia #1 (AMR #1)
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 #5
Peak position #7 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Dr feelgood #26
Kickstart my fire #34
It was a new decade and yet even Poison were able to find success this year, true hair metal was beginning to lose its popularity as even at the time it was seen as a distinctive feature of the 80's, but that wasn't enough to prevent these guys from having success this year with their third album. Besides you don't have an album as instantly recognisable as Open up and say aah and have the band in question be a one album wonder.
Peak position #2
Peak position #3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Unskinny bop #7 (AMR #7)
Something to believe in #44
Well, we already looked at the Tour of duty series from the 80's, now let's look at another soundtrack from a TV series set during the Vietnam war which was known as China Beach. Like Tour of duty, this was another critically acclaimed TV show based on the Vietnam war that was a massive success in the southern hemisphere, although it only produced two soundtracks as opposed to three like Tour of duty.
Peak position #6
Peak position #6 (AMR charts)
It makes sense that this debut album from Kaoma would be a massive success given how huge fellow French musicians Gipsy kings were the previous year with this formula of combining Latin music with reggae, I guess the trend died out as quickly as it came as neither band found any success after this year.
Peak position #17
Peak position #12 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Lambada #5 (AMR #5)
The Bangles had called it quits by the end of the 80's, so I guess their label wanted to remind their fans of their back catalogue by releasing this greatest hits album which was a moderate success here in Australia. Apparently, they broke up so that Susanna Hoffs could have a solo career, however that took her nowhere and the band would reunite by the end of the decade.
Peak position #6
Peak position #10 (AMR charts)
This was a surprise given how these guys closed out the 80's with one of the biggest albums of that decade, alas it appears that Ish was a fluke for them as this was only a moderate success for them going into the 90's. I guess they fell into the same trap as Icehouse as they didn't change up their sound too much which resulted in their music clashing with all of the pub rock and hair metal from this year.
Peak position #3
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Tell me a story #17 (AMR #17)
Don't forget me #42
This was the third album to come out from NKOTB, and one which mostly have vocals from Jordin Knight and not the other kids following criticisms that he was the only one who could sing on their previous album. Now that's to say that the other kids do provide vocals on this album, but that didn't prevent their haters from noticing how much more airtime Jordan has and thus accused them of lip synching on the album.
Peak position #4
Peak position #3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Step by step #8 (AMR #6)
Tonight #16 (AMR #18)
This is the only notable album to come from American pop diva Adeva, even then it was more of a success on the AMR charts for some reason likely due to dance pop being far more lucrative according to those charts here in Australia than they were on the ARIA charts.
Peak position #14
Peak position #11 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
I thank you #30
Warning #38
Even though these guys didn't see much success with their singles like they did in NZ and their native UK, the Chimes made up for that by having the album itself be a moderate success here likely due to their cover of a U2 classic connecting with us Aussies this year. Lead singer Pauline Henry would have a hit later in the decade with "Feel like making love" before she forever faded into obscurity.
Peak position #16
Peak position #11 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
I still haven't found what I'm looking for #26
This was released exactly a decade after John Lee Hooker's appearance in the Blues brothers, I'm not sure why it took that long for us Aussies to appreciate this man's catalogue as he didn't even see success with a greatest hits package here despite his impact in the film, however we eventually gave him mainstream success with this entry.
Peak position #17
Peak position #17 (AMR charts)
This was a good year for remix album as Bobby Brown wasn't the only artist to find success with these released around the time (Paula Abdul's remix album won't be appearing on this list.) This is a collection of remixes from his solo album from earlier on this list which appealed to us Aussies quite well due to a collage of these remixes becoming a minor hit this year.
Peak position #14
Peak position #14 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Every little hit mix #21 (AMR #15)
This was the only noticeable success that Craig McLachlan had in the music industry, it was mainly due to the success of his costars from Neighbours had around this time even though he managed to put together a band to make his transition from the silver screen to the music industry more plausible than Kylie and Jason. Alas this experiment only worked for one album, and he went back to acting after this.
Peak position #4
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Rock the rock #36
Mona #3 (AMR #3)
Amanda #24
This was the final successful album that Icehouse managed to achieve in Australia, although calling this album a success is being generous as it was only barely a hit upon its initial release which begs the question as to what happened to their popularity given how this was the album that followup their biggest hit Man of colours. I guess they just weren't meant to transition into the 90's for some reason.
Peak position #7
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Big fun #47
Miss divine #16 (AMR #17)
Anything is possible #49
This was the only successful album that Wilson Phillips had here in Australia and indeed anywhere in the world outside of their native America, I'm guessing the rest of the world wasn't too interested in the fact that these were the daughters of some of the biggest names in music from the 60's and 70's even though they did admittedly have much better voices than some of the pop divas of the era.
Peak position #7
Peak position #15 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Hold on #2 (AMR #2)
It's a bit strange that this managed to be a success here in Australia for Wet wet wet considering how much of a failure their debut album from two years ago was, I guess we Aussies were amused by the lead single's bizarre music video to finally allow these guys to be a worthy contemporary of Simply red even if they wouldn't find any more success until their appearance on the Four weddings and a funeral soundtrack.
Peak position #12
Peak position #8 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Sweet surrender #7 (AMR #6)
This is the soundtrack to the final film that Prince made, the film in question was so poorly received that it received multiple Razzie nominations and even went on to break up his backing band the Revolution during its production. At least the soundtrack did decently well, although he would return to his former glory on his next album the following year.
Peak position #10
Peak position #7 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Thieves in the temple #16 (AMR #15)
I feel this greatest hits package is a bit misleading as it only collects the singles he released from the 80's and curiously omits his 70's work, this is perhaps why Billy Ocean didn't have the greatest start to the 90's with this release even though it did quite well due to containing some of his most recognisable work of his catalogue regardless.
Peak position #14
Peak position #14 (AMR charts)
This had a bit of a delay to its success here in Australia, mainly because both of the singles had already fallen off the Billboard charts by the time Bad English had caught on amongst us Aussies this year. This is peculiar as lead singer John Waite already had success both as a solo artist and with his first band the Babys by this point.
Peak position #12
Peak position #17 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
When I see you smile #4 (AMR #5)
Price of love #44
It appears that the magic that Fleetwood Mac had throughout the 70's and 80's didn't extend to the 90's as this album was only barely a success, it was the final album to feature Stevie Nicks on the lineup before she left the group much like her on again off again partner Lindsay Buckingham before her.
Peak position #9
Peak position #10 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Save me #41
This is the final time that the Church troubled the charts here in Australia, admittedly they were never the most successful band in our music scene, however their time had truly come to an end once this album fell off the charts likely due to Triple J no longer promoting their music on their station.
Peak position #12
Peak position #13 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Metropolis #19 (AMR #15)
This was only barely a hit for Whitney Houston here in Australia, in fact were it not for the remix of its title track becoming a hit, I don't think this more urban album of hers would've connected with us Aussies at all which is a shame considering she was coming off two of the biggest albums of the 80's by experimenting with her sound to appeal to her audience of colour in her homeland.
Peak position #10
Peak position #9 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
I'm your baby tonight #7 (AMR #4)
This is the last album from Billy Idol that found any success anywhere in the world, even this early in the 90's, it appears the punk rocker struggled to retain the popularity he had throughout the 80's given how he hadn't really adapted with the times since his previous album Whiplash smile. That said, this did spawn one of his more recognisable songs as the lead single, so it wasn't a completely rejected.
Peak position #11
Peak position #10 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Cradle of love #10 (AMR #9)
L.A woman #34
Skid row was just one of several hair metal bands to score a success worldwide this year, this debut album being a moderate success here in Australia due to their obligatory ballad becoming a surprise hit. They tried to keep the momentum going with their next album, however hair metal had become quickly out of vogue by the time it came out the following year which resulted in their decline in popularity.
Peak position #12
Peak position #17 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
I remember you #12 (AMR #12)
It makes sense this would be a minor success here in Australia given how this was during Cliff Richard's revival period in the mainstream, however it would be the last time he troubled our charts until the end of the decade where he released "The millennium prayer" which even at the time was panned by critics and audiences alike.
Peak position #16
Peak position #17 (AMR charts)
This was more of a sleeper hit here in Australia thanks to the two lead singles being among the more popular going into the new decade, although neither of them was compelling enough for us Aussies to check out the rest of the album in droves unlike some of the other EDM releases that found way more success as the decade went on.
Peak position #22
Peak position #19 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Pump up the jam #4 (AMR #4)
Get up #7 (AMR #5)
This beat is technotronic #27
This was a huge flop upon its initial release two years prior, in fact I'm not sure why it was a hit at the start of the decade other than to give Cliff ultimately false hope that he would still be relevant throughout the 90's here in Australia like he admittedly was in his native UK.
Peak position #10
Peak position #22 (AMR charts)
Given how this album included "Kokomo" from the Cocktail soundtrack as its official advanced single, its success here in Australia was inevitable which is convenient given how it was among the first albums of the decade that wasn't a success prior to when it began to find any sort of success on our charts. Unfortunately, their next album would be such a failure that it would end this winning streak they had coming into the decade.
Peak position #10
Peak position #24 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Kokomo #1 (AMR #1)
Still cruising #28
It's a bit fitting that Joe Cocker would begin the 90's the same way he began the 70's, that being with a successful live album that showcases why it was worth seeing him on stage rather than just listening to his studio albums. Admittedly this didn't have the same pull that Mad dogs and Englishmen had twenty years prior, likely due to him being much older by this point and thus not as explosive on live record.
Peak position #17
Peak position #27 (AMR charts)
From what I can gather, Rita MacNeil was a Canadian country singer looking to become the (then) new version of Anne Murray which I guess we Aussies indulged her with this album given how it was a modest success here and a huge flop everywhere else in the world.
Peak position #17
Peak position #34 (AMR charts)
This was a minor success for the Jeff Healey band here in Australia, likely because of their contributions to the Patrick Swayze flick Road house which was a critically panned but commercially successful action film that also stars Jeff Healey in a supporting role. It was a onetime success for the band as their subsequent follow ups were massive flops everywhere in the world.
Peak position #20
Peak position #23 (AMR charts)
This was the first of only two albums that Shakespeare's sister released together, the duo of course comprising of Siobahn Fahay from Bananarama and Marcella Detroit of "I believe" fame. It was a modest success for the duo due to the surprise success of its lead single, although their true popularity would come with their next album.
Peak position #22
Peak position #22 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
You're history #20 (AMR #19)
Run silent #47
This only made the cut because I wanted to include every album that was a success on the ARIA charts this year that was supposed to make their yearend list rather than whatever the heck they did to calculate their charts, as such we're able to get a second appearance from Joe Satriani who was able to chart for quite some time on the lower half of our charts with this entry.
Peak position #21
Peak position #22 (AMR charts)
The summer of 89/90 was a fascinating time for the Australian music scene, this album collected the big hits of that period to the benefit of audiences of the day.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
Ride on time #2
Love shack #1
Lambada #5
All around the world #9
Girl I'm gonna miss you #3
When I see you smile #4
Janie's got a gun #1
Kickstart My Heart #34
I feel the earth move #2
Pump up the jam #4
Black velvet #3
Another day in paradise #11
Don't know much #2
How am I supposed to live without you #2
The love we make #23
Just like Jesse James #15
Named after the MC classic that leads off the album, this compilation album collects all of the biggest hits of winder for 1990 due to having a good selection on the track listing.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
U can't touch this #1
Joey #2
Lay down your guns #4
The machine's breaking down #23
Still got the blues #18
Unskinny bop #7
Southern sky #37
Hold on #2
Emperor's new clothes #20
Blaze of glory #1
Epic #1
She ain't worth it #8
Close to you #2
Back street pick up #23
Turtle power #15
Bust a move #1
It must have been love #1
This was the third entry from the Hits of 1990 franchise, it was by far the biggest entry due to it collecting most of the biggest hits of the midpoint of the decade which was rich with strong selections due to how great out music scene at the time.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
All I wanna do is make love to you #1
Summer rain #6
Dogs are talking #11
Escapade #25
I don't want to be with nobody but you #4
Touch me #18
Love and kisses #4
A dreams a dream #27
Metropolis #19
With a little love #27
Strawberry fields forever #29
Dub be good to me #12
Get up #7
I need your body #3
C'mon and get my love #35
Don't shut me out #43
This was the second entry of the Hits of 1990 series; it wasn't as big as the third and final entry due to it not having as strong a selection to choose from even though the selections were still pretty strong from the autumn of this year.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
I want that man #2
Opposites attract #1
Italo house mix #18
I thank you #30
Dangerous #9
That's what I call love #30
You're history #19
Leave a light on #5
Kiss this thing goodbye #28
Crying in the chapel #3
Numero uno #23
Sweet surrender #7
Please send me someone to love #11
No more Mr. nice guy #48
Let the night roll on #17
Tears on my pillow #20
Check out the chicken #16
The winter of this year was a hectic time as this compilation album managed to be a massive success by collecting some of the best-known songs of that period in one package.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
How can we be lovers #3
I don't know anybody else #6
Walk on the wild side #25
Mona #3
Black betty #17
Blame it on the rain #5
Escaping #17
I wish it would rain down #15
This beat is technotronic #27
Shake #16
Love is #12
Roam #11
Infinity #3
Passion #43
Love will lead you back #11
I remember you #12
Dancing in the storm #21
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
Hanging tough #8
Tell me something #17
She has to be loved #5
Don't look back #34
Cherish #4
Toy soldiers #5
Communication #13
Poison #3
Way of the world #8
Get out of the house #23
Dr feelgood #28
Every little step #8
Healing hands #14
Blush #19
The world seems difficult #19
The only one #34
This covers the hits of spring of 1990 and packages it as summer jams, it was a big hit due to the strong selection of tracks it had to choose from during this period to feature on here.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Jukebox in Siberia #1
Miss divine #16
Caroline #39
Falling to pieces #26
Bound for glory #11
Let's make it last all night #12
The great song of indifference #25
Shout me down #36
The king of wishful thinking #6
Ice ice baby #1
The king of wishful thinking #6
I can see clearly now #22
Unchained melody #1
While this wasn't a seasonal compilation, it feels like one given how it managed to collect a bunch of huge hits from the start of the year (OK only three of them were huge but you get my point.) As such it managed to make the yearend for AMR over two other seasonal compilations.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Italo house mix #18
Baby don't forget my number #17
Warning #35
Get up #7
Blame it on the boogie #37
Numero uno #23
I can't believe #43
Swing the mood #1
This didn't have the best selection of songs to promote the midpoint of the year, as such it wasn't quite as successful as the other entries we've looked at already.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Show no mercy #8
Can't stop falling into love #26
The power #13
Tell me a story #17
I still haven't found what I'm looking for #26
Everybody everybody #35
Getting away with it #40
Harley + rose #24
Walk on fire #48
Only my heart calling #46
Lily was here #10
Heart in danger #5
Amanda #24
I've decided to make an exception with this entry as it wouldn't have made the list if I restricted it to albums that appear on the ARIA and AMR year end charts, it goes to show you how weak the selections for the spring of 1989 this album made were in retrospect.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
The best #4
I got you #34
No souvenirs #35
Every day #44
Brave #15
Warning #35
Listen to your heart #10
Touch the fire #13
Make me smile #22
Out of the fire #30
When the river runs dry #22
Right here waiting #1
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