This feels like a bit of a step back from the previous few years as for some reason, the music industry prioritised making hits out of ad jingles rather than rising new stars, of course this was more of an issue internationally as we Aussies and kiwis largely kept scouring for fresh new talent this year.
Given how John Farnham wasn't the most successful artist of the 80's in NZ, this allowed Dire Straits to have the most successful album of the decade over there with their biggest album. It also managed to be more successful with the singles due to having the correct release schedule over there.
Peak position #1x22
Hit singles
So far away #25
Money for nothing #4
Walk of life #3
Brothers in arms #5
Your latest trick #47
Much like in Australia, this album took its sweet time in becoming a best seller in NZ due to the lead single being released without a music video, I'm sure this albums success would've been more immediate if either A: "How will I know" had been released with a music video or B: this wasn't the height of the MTV era where a single without a video was a death sentence to its success.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
How will I know #19
You give good love #44
Saving all my love for you #5
Greatest love of all #12
I'm sure this was as big of a surprise for the kiwis as it was everywhere else in the world that Paul Simon managed to achieve massive success with this Grammy award winning album, sure the lead single wasn't as big over there but who cares when he had such a massive hit with the album?
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
You can call me al #6
Boy in the bubble #33
Graceland #37
Unlike in Australia where these guys needed the success of their biggest album Little creatures in order for this soundtrack to find success, it was an instant success in NZ due to the band already being a household name by this point over there with their previous album Speaking in tongues.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Once in a lifetime #15
Girlfriend is better #21
While the previous entry remains Talking head's biggest success in NZ, this was a close second due to it spawning multiple hits over there that have remained on oldies stations worldwide to this day. Interestingly the big hit here in Australia was their weakest hit over there for some reason.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
The lady don't mind #8
Road to nowhere #5
And she was #16
I guess the success of Genesis really did help out everyone involved with the group during this point in time as Peter Gabriel was able to score massive success in NZ with this album due to how similar he sounded on here to Phil's solo work from around this time. Much like in Australia, this rebounded on the charts due to the success of the third single worldwide.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Sledgehammer #3
In your eyes #50
Don't give up #16
Big time #19
Given how Genesis already scored massive success with their previous album from earlier in the decade in NZ, it only makes sense that this magnum opus from the trio would be an even bigger success over there compared to its success here. Again, this came at the expense of the singles not being as big there as they were here.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Invisible touch #8
In too deep #30
Land of confusion #9
Tonight tonight tonight #42
Given how Genesis were able to achieve massive success in NZ even prior to their magnum opus Invisible touch this decade, I guess it makes sense that this Grammy award winning album from Phil Collins wasn't as big over there as it was internationally both as an album and especially with its singles.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Sussudio #27
One more night #5
Billy don't lose my number #22
This was an album that was a success multiple times throughout the decade in NZ, the first time was upon its initial release given how well received Phil Collin's solo material was during the first half of the decade. It lingered around the lower half of the charts for the next two years (hence its lower placement on this list) before skyrocketing in popularity due to the success of "Home by the sea" over there around the time Invisible touch was taking over the charts worldwide.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Mama #27
Home by the sea #4
We have another album that was much bigger in NZ than it was in Australia, although in this case it did come at the expense of the singles as they weren't the runaway success over there like they were here for Eurythmics. Their next album did fairly well over there despite it being a huge flop over here.
Peak position #1x10
Hit singles
When tomorrow comes #19
Missionary man #12
Thorn in my side #7
Miracle of love #30
Well, the album didn't have a rebound over in NZ due to the sudden success of its final single like it did here, although that didn't mean that this solo debut from Sting wasn't a massive success over there given how it still remains his most popular album to date both solo and with the Police.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
If you love somebody set them free #6
Fortress around your heart #13
Love in the seventh wave #17
Russians #25
Much like in the rest of the world, Madonna was on a roll when she released her third album in NZ due to it spawning multiple hits for her throughout the world. An interesting thing to note is that with the exception of her big chart topper in Australia, all of the songs on here had a higher peak in NZ than they did down under.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Live to tell #6
Papa don't preach #3
True blue #3
Open your heart #12
La isla bonita #5
Although they never had that one inescapable hit over in NZ, A-ha made up for that by having their debut album be a massive success for them there arguably more so than the rest of the world. I'm a bit surprised this wasn't a bigger success here considering they did appear on Countdown to perform three of the tracks on the album, although the lead single not being a huge success in NZ is also surprising.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Take on me #7
The sun always shines on TV #12
Train of thought #28
Hunting high and low #25
This was a massive hit for Go west in NZ, so much so that it even managed to be more popular over there than the duo's native UK which was impressive to say the least. Part of that was due to how long it lasted on the charts over there, they must have had a memorable performance on whatever equivalent NZ had of Countdown back in the day in order for this to be so successful over there.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
We close our eyes #4
Call me #10
Goodbye girl #33
Don't look down #15
He may have already achieved massive success in NZ with his band Cold chisel, however it appears the kiwis weren't initially convinced with Jimmy's solo venture as Bodyswerve was a massive flop for him from the previous year over there. Fortunately, the remix album of his debut was a massive hit there due to the title track being selected as the theme for the Michael Keaton film Gung ho.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I'd die to be with you tonight #16
Working class man #36
This album's success seemed inevitable in NZ given how inescapable the band was during this point of their career, although like in the rest of the world, they weren't able to retain this momentum during the second half of the decade over there due to their next album being a massive bomb for them.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Tonight she comes #20
Unlike in Australia where Billy Joel was able to retain his popularity during the second half of the 80's after releasing this double album, in NZ his popularity tanked after this due to his next album the Bridge being a huge commercial failure everywhere in the world except for Australia.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
You're only human #17
This was a massive success in NZ for Mick Jagger, mainly due to the surprise success of "Hard woman" which nearly became a chart topper for him over there nearly a year after the albums initial release. Even with how big this album was, it was still his only successful solo work over there due to his next album with his band being a critical failure for him.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Just another night #8
Lucky in love #45
Hard woman #2
I guess the kiwis were bigger fans of Miami vice than we Aussies were given how the soundtrack was more popular over there than it was over here back in the day, this could be due to the theme song being a genuine hit over there which boosted its sales, but it could also be what a cultural phenomenon the show was back in the day.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Miami vice theme #8
You belong to the city #46
You'd think these guys would've had one of the biggest albums of the decade here in Australia, oh well at least their debut album was a massive success in NZ likely due to the kiwis getting their album cycle right as opposed to us Aussies who wanted to mix things up over here for some reason. They would continue their winning streak over there with their next album and its singles.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
West end girls #1
Love comes quickly #8
Opportunities #2
Suburbia #5
This proved to be even more of a success for ZZ top in NZ than it was here in Australia, likely because they already managed to achieve success with their previous album without it spawning a runaway hit over there like it did internationally for the band. Sadly, they would fade into obscurity after this album over there like they did in most parts of the world.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Sleeping bag #13
Stages #40
Velcro fly #10
This was all set to be a mere modest success for INXS in NZ, certainly a step back from their previous album in terms of commercial success kind of like it was here in Australia but to a much larger scale. It saw a resurgence in popularity when it became a surprise success in America which allowed it to linger on the lower half of the charts for quite some time and thus making it a huge sleeper success over there.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
What you need #14
This time #40
Kiss the dirt #42
This was the final album that Wham released together, although technically it isn't an album unless you're from America where all of the duo's previous singles were taken out of the album and it was marketed as their third album. It was much more popular in NZ likely due to the singles being more popular over there this year than they were here.
Peak position #1x7
Hit singles
I'm your man #1
A different corner #3
The edge of heaven #3
I guess the kiwis also wanted to hear Barbra Streisand return to her roots as a Broadway performer during this phase of her career, as such she scored a huge comeback with this album over there which wasn't the case for its sequels she's since released over the years.
Peak position #1x1
Much like their previous two albums, this third and final album that the Thompson twins released as a trio was far more successful in NZ than it was here in Australia likely due to the presence of Alannah Currie which encouraged her fellow kiwis to make the album a success through patriotism. Said patriotism didn't carry over to their subsequent follow ups when they were reduced to being a duo.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Lay your hands on me #19
Don't mess with Dr dream #12
King for a day #4
Revolution #43
This was a bit of a surprise hit for Chris Rea in NZ, mainly because he hadn't had any success over there prior to this album and that it wasn't much of a hit for him here in Australia where he did achieve minor success in the late 70's by appearing on Countdown. This led to him having a hit single in both countries on his next album which was also a massive success in the southern hemisphere.
Peak position #4
Although they had moderate success earlier in the decade in NZ with Sports, this was the big breakthrough album that Huey Lewis and the News had over there just like it was for them everywhere else outside of their native America. I'm not sure why their popularity all but faded as the decade was coming to an end but their next album was a massive flop for the band even on the Billboard charts.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Stuck with you #2
Hip to be square #9
Jacob's ladder #50
Like their previous two albums, this was more of a success in NZ for Icehouse, suggesting the kiwis were on board with the band experimenting with their sound more so than we Aussies were. The best proof I have for this is that their next album wasn't as big over there as it was here.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
No promises #29
Baby you're so strange #21
Mr big #15
It's no surprise that this was a bigger success over in NZ than it was here in Australia given how much more popular Grace Jones was over there than she was over here throughout the decade, although I get the feeling a large reason for why this album was a success with the kiwis was why it was a modest success here in Australia, that of course being the album art.
Peak position #1x2
This was the last project that Talking heads were able to find success with even in NZ, I guess the world had become fed up with their brand of new wave mixed with their eccentricities which led to their next album being a massive flop for them later in the decade. It could also be that the film this serves as a soundtrack to wasn't well received at the time despite since gaining a cult following.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Wild wild life #2
Hey now #45
This was the only successful album to come from the Waterboys in their career, although in Australia and NZ, it was an instant success due to the lead single being a modest hit in the southern hemisphere unlike in their native UK where it sat on shelves ignored until the early 90's where it became a surprise hit due to appearing in an ad.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
The whole of the moon #19
This was the first taste of success that George Thorogood managed to achieve anywhere in the world, I'm not sure how the kiwis managed to come across this album from the rock and roller, but they did and they were immediately blown away by how great he and his bands were live which prompted it to be a success over there.
Peak position #5
Even though the lead single was a huge hit for these guys over in NZ upon its initial release, it appears the kiwis needed some further convincing to allow this debut album from Simply red to be a success over there which came when the third single became a massive success worldwide despite bombing over there. Even then, it was more of a sleeper hit which makes their further success a bit confusing.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Money's too tight #8
Come to my aid #24
Holding back the years #40
Open up the red box #38
Well, this was also the final successful album to come from the Rolling Stones in NZ, at least the lead single managed to make its mark on the mainstream with its bizarre music video (complete with some truly stilted animation from a future icon/creep in the animation world.) I also find it funny that this album's success came around the same time as the Whoopi Goldberg film Jumping jack flash.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Harlem shuffle #1
One hit to the body #30
This was less of a success in NZ than it was here in Australia, I'm guessing because the kiwis had only just started handing success to Bryan Ferry as a solo artist and likely didn't realise he had a solo career in the 70's like we Aussies did. Even so, this was a good opportunity for them to discover his back catalogue while also reliving their favourite memories they made with his band Roxy music.
Peak position #1x3
Given how successful the Cure were in NZ throughout the 80's (except for the one big album they had here in Australia funnily enough) it was inevitable that this greatest hits package from the band would be a huge success over there. Heck one of their earliest songs even recharted over there and became a minor hit for the band, which more or less restored their popularity.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Boys don't cry (rerelease) #10
Although this album appears fairly low on this list of mine, it was actually a massive (albeit sleeper) hit for Janet Jackson over there likely due to it spiking in popularity whenever she released another song as a single from the album. This also explains why none of the singles were particularly big over there, although you'd think they would be given how singles from other successful albums weren't affected on their charts.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
What have you done for me lately #27
Nasty #8
When I think of you #23
Control #16
Let's wait awhile #26
The pleasure principle #37
Thought that it was weird this was a success here in Australia three years after its initial release? Well, here we are three years after that where it was a surprise success in NZ six years after the film's release. I have no idea why as nothing about pop culture this year could justify this album's success this many years after its initial release.
Peak position #12
I guess the kiwis weren’t as apprehensive towards Queen back in the day like we Aussies were as this album managed to be more of a success over there than it was over here despite the controversy they had for playing at Sun city around this time. This didn't extend to the singles however as the band wouldn't have another hit there until the end of the decade like they did over here.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
A kind of magic #23
Friends will be friends #50
This was mostly a sleeper hit for Falco in NZ this year, likely due to the novelty of the two big hits it spawned for him over there. It did receive a massive spike in popularity for a solitary week (hence its high peak position) likely due to a memorable performance he gave on a music show this year.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Rock me Amadeus #1
Vienna calling #10
I guess the kiwis weren't as big a fan of the soundtrack to Top gun than the rest of the world was, I would say it was because they didn't like the film as much except even I know that's absurd given that it was one of the biggest films of the decade worldwide. No, the reason why the album underperformed over there was due to the love ballad being from Berlin which was a band who already had success over there two years prior.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Danger zone #12
Take my breath away #4
This album often gets overlooked in UB40's catalogue, likely because it doesn't have one of their covers that made it big and is instead mostly filled with original tracks that the members wrote. Indeed, the lead single was a rare hit they had in NZ that was an original track, much like their debut single from the start of the decade.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Sing our own song #7
Rat in mi kitchen #45
This looked like it would only be a modest success in NZ despite it being their biggest success over in America for the Scottish band, however for whatever reason, the lead single became a hit twice within a twelve-month period which resulted in the album being a massive success over there months after its initial release. This would be their final huge success over there as their next album didn't bring in the numbers.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Alive and kicking #7
Sanctify yourself #22
All the things she said #20
Alive and kicking (reentry) #5
This will be the only album from Billy Ocean to reappear on this side of my site given how none of his other albums managed to be a success in NZ like they were here in Australia, I'm guessing this was due to RNB being rather popular this year with the kiwis as it would begin to dwindle in popularity as the decade went on for some reason.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
When the going gets tough the tough get going #3
There'll be sad songs #3
Love zone #31
This was the last successful album that Pat Benatar had in NZ, likely due to hit being led off with her theme to a now long forgotten film being one of the more prominent songs in her catalogue despite it underperforming over there like it did here in Australia. She would have one more successful album down under with her next album which contained one of her biggest hits here.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Invincible #15
Sex as a weapon #26
This was more of an immediate success for Suzanne Vega in NZ than it was over here in Australia where it was purely a sleeper hit (that made the cut due to its refusal to drop off our charts and me wanting to recognise that aspect of its success here.) Her next album would of course be even bigger over there than it was over here, even spawning a genuine hit for her in the form of its lead single.
Peak position #9
Spandau ballet had a good run in NZ throughout the first half of the 80's, it makes sense that this greatest hits package from the band would be a hit over there even if its success pales in comparison to what it achieved here in Australia.
Peak position #2
Given how Dire straits were inescapable around this world this year, it makes sense that the previous album to their top entry on this list would not only see a rerelease but would also be a success once more over in NZ this year.
Peak position #8
It appears the kiwis were a little ahead of the curve when it came to making this a success compared to the rest of the world as it became more of a mainstream success over there compared to her and in the band's native UK. Then again, sophistopop was more popular overall over there than it was over here, suggesting they preferred this over the bombast that populated our charts.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Brand new friend #20
Lost weekend #33
Cut me down #49
This also became a success again this year just like Dire strait's previous entry on this list, this just goes to show how well loved the band was in NZ as this didn't even happen here in Australia despite the lack of strong choices for the list on that side of my site.
Peak position #8
This proved to be an even bigger success in NZ than it was in Australia (if that was even possible) likely due to the songs being bigger hits over there which suggests that the kiwis were more in love with heartland rock around this time than us Aussies were (again if that was even possible.)
Peak position #1x16
Hit singles
Dancing in the dark #2
Cover me #7
Born in the USA #1
I'm on fire #10
My hometown #28
This was the biggest album that Madonna had in NZ as was the case throughout the rest of the world, it even allowed her debut album to become a success over there throughout the year finally allowing the kiwis to see what all the fuss was about when it first came out.
Peak position #1x8
Hit singles
Like a virgin #2
Material girl #5
Angel #2
Dress you up #7
While she didn't see much success earlier in the decade in NZ with her band Yazoo, Alison Moyet more than made up for it by having her debut album be one of the biggest hits of the decade over there due to how much the kiwis seemed to love her voice on this album. Their love for her continued with her next album which was also a massive success for the English vocalist.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Love resurrection #18
All cried out #6
Invisible #4
I guess the kiwis passed up the singles on the album in favour of it being more of an immediate success over there, this means that while it had a stronger run in the upper echelons of their charts, the albums overall success was about the same there as it was in Australia for Bryan Adams.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Run to you #14
Heaven #17
Summer of 69 #7
It's only love #37
Much like in Australia, it appears that each new album that the Eurythmics released in NZ was more successful than the last as this managed to be a huge success for the duo thanks to it spawning multiple hits from the album worldwide. Their popularity would peak on their next album as it was one of the biggest of the decade at the expense of it spawning a hit single for them over there.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Would I lie to you #5
There must be an angel #5
Sisters are doing it for themselves #6
It's alright #18
This turned out to be a bit of a disappointment for the kiwis as not only were the singles not as popular over there, but the album itself didn't bring in the numbers like his previous two albums did. That said it was still a huge success for Lionel Richie, which I'm sure led to his fans frustrations over there as it took him ten years to follow it up with his fourth album.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Say you say me #8
Dancing on the ceiling #7
Love will conquer all #24
While this wasn't an immediate success for Cyndi Lauper in NZ like it was here in Australia, it was popular long enough over there for it to qualify for my site for one last time proving that there was still plenty of love for her that the kiwis had around this time. That love wouldn't carry her any further as her third album would be a huge failure by the end of the decade due to her becoming more mature in her music.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
True colors #8
Change of heart #41
What's going on #30
Not only did these guys have huge success with their debut album in NZ at the cost of their signature track being a massive hit, it appears that A-ha also managed to have their second album be a huge hit over there as well as it even managed to spawn a couple of minors hits for them that weren't as such over here. Sadly, this was the full extent of their popularity outside of Europe as their next albums would flop in NZ.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
I've been losing you #19
Cry wolf #10
Unlike here in Australia where this was more of a sleeper hit for Tina Turner due the surprise success of the third single, this was more of an immediate success for her in NZ due to the lead single being one of her bigger hits over there. Her third album of the decade was a huge flop over there likely due to the lead single failing to catch on with the kiwis.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Typical male #8
Two people #41
What you get is what you see #41
I'm not sure why this was far less popular in NZ than it was here in Australia, heck it managed to spawn a couple of minor hits for the band over there which it failed to do over here, suggesting the kiwis were still on board with these guys following the success of their debut album. This wouldn't be the last time they troubled the charts as they would return in the 90's like they did over here.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
The sweetest taboo #11
Never as good as the first time #31
Named after a Mike Oldfield track (one of his rare tracks that have vocals on it to boot) we have an (at the time) new album from the Shadows who were one of the biggest instrumental bands of the 60's that became a success in NZ likely due to the popularity of their frequent collaborator Cliff Richard was having at the time.
Peak position #3
These guys didn't have much success here in Australia back in the day, in fact the only reason why we Aussies know about them at all we because No Doubt covered their signature track "It's my life" nearly two decades after it was initially released. The kiwis were a bit more familiar with them back in the day as this critically acclaimed album was a moderate success over there this year.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Life's what you make it #11
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