This was the year of MTV, or at least it was towards the end of the year as in the meantime we have some (in my opinion) truly bizarre trends to tie us over from the (supposed) death of disco to the colourful new wave era.
This was a massive success over in NZ, I'm guessing they really appreciated the band slightly altering their sound from Communique (which was still a success over there for what it's worth.) This would be the first blockbuster album of the decade over there as it took three years to leave the charts.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Skateaway #47
These guys did have success in their homeland throughout the 70's, so it's less surprising to see that this was a massive hit over there at the start of the decade even though it absolutely owes most of its success there to how it became a massive success here in Australia.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
I got you #1
I hope I never #33
Well, the kiwis not only loved classical music this decade, but also music from a guy who played the pan flute as this album from Romanian musician Gheorghe Zamfir managed to become a massive success over there for reasons I can't seem to fathom.
Peak position #1x4
While Richard Clayderman had moderate success in Australia throughout the 80's, the French pianist's popularity was unavoidable over in NZ proving how much the kiwis loved classical music back in the day.
Peak position #1x2
It may have lacked that huge number one hit in NZ, however that didn't prevent this album from being the Rolling Stones's biggest success over there likely due to it being a return to their rock and roll roots after dabbling in disco with their previous two albums.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Start me up #33
Unlike in Australia where this was only a modest success due to the goodwill that Bryan Ferry had accumulated throughout the 70's with his solo career, in NZ this was a massive success as it was the second album the band released following their reunion from 1978 and the success of their previous album Manifesto from the previous year.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Over you #24
This album was released before Flowers needed to change their name to their debut album in order to gain success in the northern hemisphere, although it's worth noting that the album did chart later in the decade as a self-titled album when their subsequent follow ups became even more successful in NZ.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Can't help myself #29
We can get together #36
Walls #43
Well, this proved to be an even bigger success in NZ than it was in Australia, then again classical music in general seemed to be more popular over there during the 80's which makes this albums success all the more inevitable.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Hooked on classics #6
Although I would've thought this guy did better in NZ throughout the 70's, at least his final good record (according to his fans that is) was an even bigger success over there due to spawning two hits over there as opposed to just the one here in Australia.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Master blaster #1
I ain't gonna stand for it 2
Lately #15
Happy birthday #23
This was a massive success for Grace Jones in NZ, mainly because it was a success twice over there as it not only blew them away upon its initial release but also when she released her follow up album Living my life a year after its initial release. We Aussies were aware of her music as she did appear on Countdown frequently throughout the decade, as did several of these alternative artists now that I think about it.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Pull up the bumper #14
Walking in the rain #34
I should point out this was a duet's album between John Lennon and Yoko Ono, meaning that this was the biggest album both artists had in their respective careers (post Beatles in the case of John) which likely could've carried the albums success had John lived to see it play out worldwide.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
Just like starting over #2
Woman #1
Walking on thin ice #48
Watching the wheels #44
Again, this greatest hits package may have been a massive success in NZ back in the day, however it didn't achieve the reputation is has for being the most successful album of all time until the third or fourth time that it became a hit worldwide for the band.
Peak position #1x5
I feel this was as much of a surprise hit for Steve Winwood in NZ as it was here in Australia given how he wasn't popular anywhere in the world throughout the 70's, I guess it was due to people's nostalgia for his work from the 60's that this was a massive success for him worldwide.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
While you see a chance #28
Night train #24
This was equally as successful in NZ as it was in Australia for Barbra Streisand, again we have the involvement of the Brothers Gibb to thank for that as she didn't have much success on her own throughout the 70's over there when it came to her music. Indeed, she wouldn't have much success over there after this save for a cover of the Cats showstopper "Memory."
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
Woman in love #2
Guilty #12
Phil did achieve moderate success in NZ with Genesis in the 70's, so this solo debut from him didn't come out of nowhere over there in terms of its success and popularity. Even so its success was a bit lacking compared to what it achieved here given how it was only a bit success as opposed to it being one of the biggest albums of the decade over here and his native UK.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
In the air tonight #6
I missed again #35
This is one of those bands I could've sworn Countdown would've heavily promoted back in the day, alas they didn't which is why they weren't that big here in Australia. They had better luck in NZ and the UK despite being an American band, it turns out the Americans weren't interested in the rockabilly revival craze as this type of music didn't have any success on Billboard back in the day.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Rock this town #18
Stray cat strut #9
Well, the success kept on coming for Richard Clayderman in NZ, I told you this guy was inescapable throughout the 80's over there.
Peak position #2
Again, I would've thought these guys would've been inescapable in NZ due to the kiwis love for reggae over the years, I guess they were too distracted by Sting's shaky songwriting in order to appreciate the tight instrumentation the band offered on each of their albums. Even so they were still a massive success over there even if they weren't as big as they were in Australia or their native UK.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Don't stand so close to me #2
De do do do do da da da #8
This wasn't even Steely Dan's biggest album in NZ like it was here in Australia, oh yeah, these guys had way more success in NZ throughout the 70's than they did here in Australia likely due to their local scene being too weak to push these guys aside in the mainstream.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Hey nineteen #19
This proved to be even more successful in NZ than it was here in Australia for Kenny Rogers, likely due to it spawning a huge hit over there where it was only a minor hit at best over here for the country legend that also became his biggest hit in his native America.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Lady #6
Unlike here in Australia where this required the assistance of a live E.P which contained the two most popular tracks on this album to become a success here, the kiwis were able to make this a hit over there upon its initial release (albeit as a sleeper hit at first) which the album then saw a boost in popularity once "Whip it" became a sleeper hit on their singles charts half a year after its initial release.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Whip it #11
This was the album known as Corroboree in Australia, it was named as such in both countries based on the term of their respective indigenous people (now known as aboriginals or first nations.) I guess if there had of been a more consistent name of the album worldwide then it likely would've done even better in both countries, but it was a still a hit regardless.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
One step ahead #6
History never repeats #5
While she never saw that much success back in the day, this greatest hits package from Anne Murray managed to become a huge success in NZ likely due to her new track from the album becoming a massive hit for her over there this year.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Could I have this dance #2
Well at least we can have our Cure quota met on this site given how the kiwis seemed to have a much bigger indie scene at any given time than us Aussies. Here's their third album which became an instant success over there and even encouraged the success of their second album from the previous year.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Primary #29
Charlotte sometimes #31
This was also a success for Blondie in NZ this year like it was here in Australia, although its success wasn't consistent in both countries given how the lead single was bigger over there whilst the second single was bigger over here. Still, it was a solid enough album to carry them into the 80's, although tensions behind the scenes prevented them from delivering a cohesive follow up which led to their breakup the following year.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
The tide is high #1
Rapture #4
While this wasn't as big a success in NZ as it was here in Australia for Adam and the Ants, it was still a huge success for the band once the kiwis got into the genius that was the second track from the album after we Aussies made it one of the biggest hits of the decade here. Unlike here in Australia and their native UK, they would be a one album wonder over there as their third album flopped.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Dog eat dog #31
Antmusic #6
It appears the kiwis were far more impressed with the Cure throughout the decade than we Aussies were given how their second album was a huge success over there, although it's worth mentioning that success was stretched out for two years given how this had a very slow start to its popularity upon its initial release.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
A forest #38
These guys managed to have more success in NZ throughout the 80's than they did here in Australia, I would say because Joe Dolce stole their thunder here, but I think the actual reason was due to the kiwis having a stronger indie scene in the 80's and 90's than us Aussies despite Countdown and Triple J fuelling our indie scene in each respective decade.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Vienna #2
This was equally as successful in NZ as it was here in Australia for Kim Carnes, the only noticeable difference is that it managed to spawn a second minor hit for her over there likely due to how unique her vocals were compared to the competition at the time. That uniqueness didn't do her subsequent releases any favours anywhere in the world.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Bette Davis eyes #2
Draw of the cards #12
It turns out Pat Benatar was another example of an international artist not having much success in Australia back in the day due to Countdown promoting local artists at their expense, she scored massive success over in NZ throughout the 80's with several of her albums including this third album which was arguably her biggest in her catalogue over there.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Fire and ice #22
Well, the title track managed to become a surprise hit over in NZ, so it only makes sense that Billy Field would find success with his debut album over there which eventually sparked international interest in the Australian piano man that unfortunately never came to be.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Bad habits #1
You weren't in love with me #22
This was originally released at the end of the 70's to deafening silence in NZ, I guess the kiwis weren't that keen on revisiting the biggest hits of David Bowie as the decade was coming to an end. They changed their minds following the success of his (then) latest album Scary monsters due to it spawning one of his bigger hits in his career.
Peak position #1x1
This is the only appearance that the Moody blues will be making on this side of my site, mainly because the kiwis didn't have much nostalgic love for their post 1975 hiatus catalogue that we Aussies did back in the day. Heck this only makes the cut due to how long it lasted on their charts given how it was much more of a sleeper hit there than it was over here.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
The voice #38
Talking out of turn #49
This was a success for a band who I would've thought would be more popular back in the day given how much the music community loves these guys, kind of like how the music community loves to go on about Sonic youth and Melanie Martinez despite neither of them having any mainstream success in their time. At least these guys had one big album in NZ back in the day, it's about ten times the success those two had.
Peak position #4
One of the few NZ bands to have any kind of success in the 70's in their homeland was Hello sailor, I'm guessing that was the incentive for their lead singer Dave McArtney to form a new band in the 80's which were off to a good start as this album became a huge success for them. They would sadly be a one album wonder as they wouldn't find any further success after this.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Pink flamingo #24
While we won't be having any repeat entries from Stevie Nicks on the NZ side of this side, I can at least proudly say that Tom Petty will be having plenty more representation over here as he managed to score a ton of success over there outside of his collaboration with the Fleetwood Mac singer. This was his second successful album over there that he released around the time "Stop dragging my heart around" was a hit down under.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
The waiting #27
This was also a moderate success in NZ back in the day for Ricki Lee Jones, I guess she's a two-hit wonder in the southern hemisphere given how both of them were able to reappear on this side of my site.
Peak position #4
Just like Australia, NZ gave these guys a humble beginning to their career with their debut album this year even though it failed to produce a hit single for the band, however they would go on to have far more success as the decade went on over there than they did over here, making this a bit of an outlier in their career as a result.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
To cut a long story short #38
Given how the kiwis already knew who the Nolans were, this album of theirs managed to be an instant success over there unlike here in Australia where they needed to appear on Countdown (likely after touring in NZ) to make this a success for them. It was their only successful album in the southern hemisphere as the girls were unable to adapt to the MTV era.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Don't make waves #23
Gotta pull myself together #2
Well, this was only barely a hit for Dr Hook in NZ this year, I'm guessing because they did score a string of hits over there which makes sense for it to be a success this year for the band. It did much better over here likely due to us Aussies feeling nostalgia for their 70's work even though we had clearly grown tired of them by this point (save for their two hits this year on the Australian side of this site.)
Peak position #3
Well as if one album from this pan flute player wasn't enough for the kiwis, they gave him a second bestselling album at the start of the decade which proves just how much they loved classical music back then.
Peak position #2
Well, this was an inevitable success for the Beatles in NZ given the tragic passing of John Lennon from the end of the previous year, I'm sorry but I've come to have complicated feelings about releasing these sorts of albums so soon after an artist's death.
Peak position #2
So, you've heard of the concept of a jazzercise video, right? Well, it turns out there were jazzercise albums back in the day that saw minor success around the world, the biggest example over in NZ came from this album by fitness instructor Carol O'Halloran who likely got the kiwis into shape with this album back in the day.
Peak position #1x4
This was less of a success in NZ for Elton John back in the day, perhaps due to the kiwis also wanting a reunion with him and Bernie Taupin which wouldn't happen for at least another two years after its initial release.
Peak position #2
Well, this is a surprise, I wasn't expecting to feature a Jam album on this site given how the British punk band never saw any success with their singles in the southern hemisphere. That said, it does make sense this was a success in NZ given how Joy Division managed to score a surprise hit with their earlier entry on this list.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
That's entertainment #34
This wasn't anywhere near as successful in NZ as it was here in Australia, likely because the single version of this album was one of the biggest hits over there not just of the year but of the entire decade, meaning that the kiwis likely felt that making this a success was borderline redundant.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Stars on 45 #1
This was originally released two years prior to deafening silence worldwide for Joy Division, in fact it only became a success this year when "Love will tear us apart" became a surprise hit in NZ despite that and the other two charting songs over there not appearing on the album.
Peak position #1x1
There was real hype for this concert that Simon and Garfunkel would give the following year in Central Park, naturally the kiwis were excited about it as they made this greatest hits package a success in its anticipation.
Peak position #1x5
This was an album that refused to die on the NZ charts, granted this was also the case worldwide but the kiwis kept this around in the mainstream for quite a number of years since its initial release hence why it's appearing on this list.
Peak position #3
Given how their albums seemed to stick to the lower half of the album's charts in NZ throughout the 80's like glue, it seems fitting that their debut album would also do the same once its initial popularity began to fade as the decade was coming to an end. Even so it was a massive success over there thanks to how big the lead single was worldwide.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Sultans of swing #12
Much like in Australia, the success of this album in NZ was likely bolstered by it spawning the biggest hit in Pink Floyd's career over there in the form of one of its title tracks. It also likely allowed their entry from the top of this list to keep charting well into the 80's as it had still yet to drop off the charts over there like it did here in the mid 70's.
Peak position #1x13
Hit singles
Another brick in the wall #1
Run like hell #40
Much like in Australia, this was the biggest album from George Benson's career in NZ due to him incorporating disco into his sound which helped it stand out in his catalogue during a time where the disco backlash supposedly took effect worldwide.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Give me the night #4
Love x love #8
Given how this managed to spawn a massive hit for George Benson over in NZ, it makes sense that this would be an even bigger success over there than it was over here back in the day for him.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Turn your love around #3
Love all the hurt way #42
Although this was a massive success in NZ upon its initial release, its placement on this list is more due to how well it did throughout the decade particularly when it was rereleased during the height of the Born in the U.S.A tour.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Hungry heart #24
While this wasn't as big in NZ as it was here in Australia, it was still a success for David Bowie over there which proves that the kiwis were still in love with him moving from the 70's into the 80's. Indeed, he would see much more success over there with his next album which spawned a bunch of hits for him that didn't crossover here to Australia.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Ashes to ashes #6
Fashion #22
Marianne Faithful began her career as a child star in the 60's, although aside from a highly publicised relationship with Mick Jagger, nothing came of her career as a child back then. Fast forward over a decade and she finally scored a massive hit with this album in NZ of all places which led to a more stable career in the 80's over there.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
The ballad of Lucy Jordan #20
Broken English #25
This was the final album that Bob Marley released in his lifetime, much like the lead single, it was the second successful album he had in NZ meaning that the kiwis were likely going to make him a household name for many years to come had he lived to see the remainder of the 80's.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Could you be loved #2
Redemption song #22
There were plenty of signals that Supertramp would be one of the biggest bands of the decade when it began, I think the biggest by far was the success of this live album recorded on their Paris tour which became a worldwide success. Unfortunately, they didn't have much success after their next album Famous last words.
Peak position #1x1
This was already a moderate success in NZ; however, it rebounded on the charts due to the lead single in Australia "Beautiful world" being switched around to the second single as "Working in a coal mine" was included on the album in the southern hemisphere despite not being on the album in the northern hemisphere.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Beautiful world #15
Working in a coal mine #8
This was a bit more of a success for Rod Stewart in NZ, likely because the kiwis did give him a hit with the lead single over there but also due to his artist momentum not dying out as quicky there as it did over here even though it would recover over here as the decade went on where it didn't over there.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Passion #7
My girl #42
These guys were on a roll in NZ as they found success over there with the second album they released in the decade, this one follows the same theme as their biggest album which allows Midge Ure to croon over the band's new wave melodies that connected better with the kiwis than it did us Aussies back in the day.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
The voice #29
I'm a bit surprised this live album didn't do even better in NZ than it did here in Australia, although considering this was still a success over there, I think it's safe to say that the kiwis were also disappointed in the demise of the band shortly before its release.
Peak position #9
This was also the final success album that Abba had in NZ as was the case here in Australia, I guess the world wasn't willing to have these guys permeate in the 80's like they did in this 70's which was likely the reason for them calling it quits with their final album a year after this was released.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
The winner takes it all #16
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