This is a year I didn't particularly care for, mainly because I'm not that big a fan of the final year of a decade in general due to it being more of a recap of the biggest artists of the decade rather than elevating the fresh new talent of the moment. I also didn't care for all of the Paula Abdul and Kylie Minogue rip-offs that sprung from this year.
Well, I guess you can argue that we Aussies weren't as into this debut album from Guns n Roses as the kiwis were, not only was the album itself more successful over there but so were the singles as it managed to spawn two more hits over there that were never successful here in Australia.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Sweet child o mine #5
Welcome to the jungle #6
Paradise city #2
Nighttrain #21
While this album wasn't initially as successful in NZ as it was here in Australia due to it lacking that big hit over there, it eventually became more successful over there due to her embarking on a well tour that helped the kiwis appreciate her tender ballads which set her next album up for success there.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
Fast car #21
Talking about a revolution #32
Baby can I hold you #16
It appears the kiwis were quicker to make this soundtrack from the most lucrative theatre show of all time a huge success than us Aussies, I'm guessing because they would see the show before us Aussies who had to wait for the 90's to experience the magic of this adaptation of the crime noir from the 1800's.
Peak position #1x5
This was a massive hit for Toni Childs in NZ, definitely more so than it was in Australia meaning that the kiwis were in love with this woman's music back in the day unlike her fellow Americans. This led to her having success over there with her second album just like she did here, although that was the last the kiwis had heard from her.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Stop your fussing #5
Don't walk away #12
Zimbabwae #31
Unlike in Australia where this only became a success due to the surprise hit of "Every little step," this album from Bobby Brown was more of an instant hit for him given how the second single was a huge hit over there due to it topping the Billboard charts for him. I'm guessing this connected with the kiwis due to them having fond memories of him during his time with New edition.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Don't be cruel #18
My prerogative #3
Every little step #5
Roni #21
Rock witcha #17
Given how they were more successful in NZ than they were in Australia, it was inevitable that this soundtrack to their documentary of the same name would be even bigger over there than it was over here both as an album and with its singles.
Peak position #1x11
Hit singles
Desire #1
Angel of Harlem #1
When love comes to town #4
All I want is you #2
While this album did still take its sweet time in finding an audience over in NZ, at least it wasn't as long as two years after its initial release as the kiwis finally gave this a chance when it became a huge success over in America for the British band. Indeed, it managed to spawn multiple hit singles over there that were only minor hits at best here.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Animal #8
Pour some sugar on me #16
Love bites #2
Armageddon it #2
Rocket #5
Thier debut album wasn't a big success over in NZ, it did OK but nothing noteworthy as to make it onto this site for a second time. The sophomore album from these guys was a much bigger success over there likely due to its popularity in America and in Australia, although it didn't prevent them from calling it quits in the new year.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Ever fallen in love #23
She drives me crazy #1
Good thing #4
Don't look back #23
This was the biggest album that Simply red had over in NZ, mainly for the second single which remains their biggest hit worldwide except for their native UK where that honour goes to "Fairground." Much like Australia, they would continue to have success well into the 90's over there.
Peak position #1x7
Hit singles
It's only love #31
If you don't know me by now #1
A new flame #22
This proved to be an even bigger success for Kylie in NZ than it was here in Australia, I'm guessing because it was a bigger success still in the UK given how much the Brits were in love with her due to her playing Charlene in Neighbours back in the day.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
The locomotion #8
I should be so lucky #3
Got to be certain #2
I still love you #9
It's no secret #47
While it wasn't as inescapable as her debut album, this sophomore album from Tracy Chapman proved to be a huge success for her in NZ which helped her escape the one album wonder bin that the rest of the world had temporarily trapped her in until her comeback album A new beginning in the mid 90's.
Peak position #1x7
Hit singles
Crossroads #21
It appears the kiwis were a little late to the party when it came to the Tour of duty phenomenon from the late 80's, however once they got on board, they proved to be even bigger fans of the series than us Aussies were if the success of the soundtracks is anything to go by.
Peak position #2
While this didn't linger around the NZ charts as long in the 90's as it did here in Australia, this sophomore album from Enya was initially more successful over there due to the lead single nearly topping their charts upon its initial release. Much like in Australia, she would go on to have massive success in the 90's with her subsequent follow ups, just maybe not as much as she had here.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Orinoco flow #2
Evening falls #14
This was initially a flop for Poison in NZ, likely because its lead single didn't even chart over there let alone become a hit for them. It was given a second chance when the third single became a Billboard chart topper which allowed the album to follow suit and thus have a much higher peak there than it did here.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Fallen angel #32
Every rose has its thorn #8
Your mama don't dance #3
I think the world would've ultimately preferred Dire straits' fifth album this year rather than them temporarily breaking up so that Mark Knopfler could focus on a side project that only led to them making one album together in 1990, at least they found success with their fifth album after he dissolved that project in 1991.
Peak position #2
Given how two of the members saw massive success around this time, it only seems fitting that the Travelin wilburys would find success in NZ with their first album around the time Roy Orbison tragically passed away. Unlike in Australia where they remain a one album wonder, the kiwis did check out their second album the following year and even gave them another hit that year with its lead single.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Handle with care #4
End of the line #11
While the soundtrack wasn't as inescapable over in NZ as it was in Australia, it was a success over there proving that the kiwis either loved the film but didn't care for Bette's music or vice versa. Either way it was a good way for Bette to close out the 80's given how it spawned her sole Billboard chart topper in America.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Wind beneath my wings #4
These guys were among the biggest names in music throughout the 80's in NZ, as such this greatest hits package managed to be a huge success over there for basically the last stretch of the 80's.
Peak position #3
While she didn't have any success with the singles in NZ like she did in Australia, this debut album from Melissa Etheridge was still a success for her over there which is impressive considering it was a huge failure in her native America as was many of these albums from American female singer/songwriters at the time. At least the third single was eventually able to become a success on Billboard.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Bring me some water #17
Like the way I do #17
This was an even bigger success in NZ than it was here in Australia, mainly because it was marketed as the band airing out their dirty laundry which feels odd that they even had any during its production given how it was released right when their debut album took off for them even in their native America.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Patience #4
This was the only successful album for Richard Marx in NZ due to it spawning his only chart topper over there as well as him overall being dismissed as a Bryan Adams knockoff by the kiwis back in his heyday. He did score another hit over there in the 90's with "Hazard," but I feel that was only due to it being his biggest hit here in Australia and the kiwis being too curious to ignore that ballad.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Right here waiting #1
Angelia #16
It appears the kiwis were equally unphased by Madonna challenging her own religious beliefs on her fourth album as this managed to be as successful over there as it was here, although this did cause a bunch of controversy back in the day in her native America given how Pepsi backed out of their sponsorship with her world tour as well as her being protested against by religious groups.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Like a prayer #1
Express yourself #2
Cherish #5
This was also a success for the Proclaimers in NZ, likely because they were the first country in the world to hand success to the brothers with the lead single from this album. We Aussies quickly followed suit which is why the album was inescapable in the southern hemisphere during the final year of the 80's.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
I'm gonna be #1
I'm on my way #5
This was the original version of Milli Vanilli's one and only album, or at least their one and only album as a unit given how the two men on the cover would make their own music in the 90's while the "Real Milli Vanilli" would release a second album around the same time. It was a massive success in NZ as the kiwis didn't care if the two men were singing on the record or not as opposed to us Aussies.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Girl you know it's true #13
Baby don't forget my number #9
Girl I'm gonna miss you #8
All or nothing #1
Whereas this was a mini comeback for Prince here in Australia, in NZ it was just another successful album for him as the kiwis enjoyed his soundtrack he made for the first theatrical Batman film just like any over album of his in his catalogue. I guess the closest he came to failing over there before he turned himself into a Symbol was the Graffiti bridge soundtrack from the following year.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Batdance #1
Partyman #16
The arms of Orion #44
While hip hop obviously saw plenty of success throughout the 80's in NZ, this was the first hip hop album to be a massive success over there which I feel is a victory because it comes from a woman of colour (albeit one from Europe and not America) which is better than what became the first hip hop album to be successful here in Australia (that of course being MC Hammer's breakthrough album.)
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Buffalo stance #14
Manchild #4
Kisses in the wind #8
Inna city mama #15
Well, this was an obvious shoe in for the NZ side of my site given how inescapably popular the Phantom of the opera show was over there, this was a reminder from the theatre manager that his previous works were also worth checking out in one convenient album.
Peak position #1x3
It appears the kiwis were in love with the Cocktail soundtrack back in the day, although not as much as we Aussies were given how A: the soundtrack wasn't as big over there and B: neither were the singles. At least it spawned a third single from John Mellencamp, although that might be due to the heartland rocker being at the height of his popularity over there.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Don't worry be happy #2
Kokomo #5
Rave on #7
This was also a massive success over in NZ, although it took its time finding success even when it came out over there at the start of the year. I'm guessing this is because the kiwis didn't find the second season of the show as exhilarating as the first or as much as we did down under.
Peak position #4
This was one of the last albums to be released from the 80's in NZ, it goes to show that even moving towards the 90's, classical music was still one of the biggest genres in the mainstream over there when it comes to albums. Carl Doy was a NZ pianist who I'm guessing was their answer to Richard Clayderman.
Peak position #1x4
Clannad were an Irish Celtic band who were on the brink of having that crossover appeal throughout the 80's in the southern hemisphere when it finally came with this greatest hits package for them which became a massive hit in NZ this year. They never had that crossover success here in Australia, although the potential was there given the success of other bands and artists that incorporated Celtic music into their sound.
Peak position #1x6
Much like in Australia, this album was released in NZ following the departure of Lindsey Buckingham during the end of their Tango in the night tour, this was to remind fans of big hits that the band had during what would be a tumultuous time they were about to have in their career.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
As long as you follow #35
It seems odd that Living colour would have such a massive hit with this album in NZ only for it to be a huge flop here in Australia, I bring this up because their second album was decently successful here in Australia due to the success of "Love rears its ugly" head and yet was a massive flop for the band in NZ. I guess you can say they're a one album wonder with a different album in each country.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Cult of personality #3
Open letter #11
Glamour boys #14
This was the first album from R.E.M to achieve mainstream success worldwide, although they did score a minor hit in NZ the previous year with "The one I love" so perhaps they were already due for a commercial breakthrough before this album came out. Their popularity would explode in the 90's with their next album which finally gave them a genuine hit in their native America.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Orange crush #5
Stand #23
While it wasn't as huge in NZ as it was here in Australia, this live album from Jimmy Barnes was a success over there which proves that the kiwis also felt he was a killer live act back in the day. It also managed to spawn a moderate success with his cover of a Percy Sledge classic, this being the incentive he needed to make his first Soul deep project in the new decade.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
When a man loves a woman #11
It's strange that the lead single to this debut album from Edie Brickel would underperform worldwide back in the day considering how well it's endured on oldies stations to this day, although at least the album itself was a massive deal in NZ likely due to her being another entry into the female singer/songwriter camp that was experiencing quite a surge in popularity at the time over there.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
What I am #11
This could've very well been a permanent flop for Sam Brown in NZ given how the title track never became that big a hit over there, fortunately the second single reached the top ten which finally allowed the album to become a success for her much later than it was in Australia and her native UK over there.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Stop #16
Can I get a witness #9
This album took its sweet time in finding success in NZ as all of the singles had already peaked in the quartet's native UK by the time it began charting in NZ due to the second single becoming a surprise hit over there, it managed to stick around for quite a while due to the singles slowly being discovered by the kiwis as time went on, which of course extended the popularity of the album each time.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Wishing I was lucky #26
Sweet little mystery #3
Angel eyes #4
Temptation #19
Queen certainly had a much more successful decade in NZ than they did here in Australia, as such it only seems inevitable that their penultimate album with Freddie on lead vocals would prove to be more popular over there than it was over here even if it wasn't that much more successful there like most of their work this decade was.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I want it all #3
Breakthru #45
The invisible man #15
She already had a massive hit with her debut album in NZ, so it makes sense that Ruby Turner would continue the momentum over there with her second album which while not as successful as her first, was big enough to give her further success over there despite it being a massive flop everywhere else in the world.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Signed sealed delivered I'm yours #8
What becomes of the broken hearted #41
I guess the kiwis felt a bit icky in making this final album from Roy Orbison a hit this year, I can understand why given how it was only released after his passing despite it being completed before he died and only delayed due to it not having to compete with the Traveling wilburys album from earlier on this list. That said, this was still a huge hit for the 60's crooner even if it wasn't as big as it was here in Australia.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
You got it #2
She's a mystery girl #30
I would've been shocked if this live album from Pink Floyd was a flop over in NZ, in fact I'm kind of shocked it wasn't more of a success over there than it was over here given how much the kiwis loved these guys even during their lowest points in their career compared to us Aussies.
Peak position #4
This was a sleeper hit for Texas in NZ like it was here in Australia, I guess the kiwis were also ready for the 90's to begin as this feels like something that would've come out in the midpoint of that decade despite coming out at the end of the 80's from the Scottish band. Admittedly the big hit it spawned here in Australia and their native UK wasn't as such over there, making it slightly less successful overall.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
I don't want a lover #11
Thrill has gone #19
This was a success twice over in NZ, the first time was upon its initial release due to spawning two of the biggest hits of 1989 worldwide whilst the second was when the band released their second album as it rebounded on the charts over there due to the momentum they had. This curiously bombed here in Australia, likely because we Aussies felt it was a bit too ahead of its time unlike the rest of the world.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Keep on moving #14
Back to life #4
Well, he may not have had that inescapable hit in NZ like he did here in Australia (at least on his own as his collaboration with Kylie Minogue was very big over there like it was over here) however that didn't prevent the debut album from Jason Donovan from being a massive success over there which seemed to be a theme with albums produced by Stock Aiken and Waterman the more I think about it.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Nothing can divide us #39
Especially for you #2
Too many broken hearts #21
Sealed with a kiss #13
Every day #41
This was another album that was a sleeper hit in NZ this year, although it's worth noting that the Bangles had far less success over there than they did anywhere else in the world with this album due to its standout track failing to top their charts. Even so, their greatest hits package the following year was a decent success for them, so it's not like the kiwis were opposed to hearing more material from them.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
In your room #11
Eternal flame #4
Be with you #41
Although Bananarama never had a single successful album in NZ, at least this greatest hits package managed to be a hit for them likely thanks to the drama that came from their (then) most recent album Wow which led to that album being a huge success here in Australia.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Love truth and honesty #20
Well this is certainly a surprise, mainly because I really wasn't expecting to feature one of the albums from this critically acclaimed band on this site. I guess having a number one hit over there was able to compel the kiwis to check out what else these guys had to offer during the final year of the 80's.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Fire woman #1
Edie #17
Sun king #19
Sweet soul sister #37
We have another sleeper hit for this list, this time it's the only successful album from the husband-and-wife duo Womack and Womack which took longer to find success in NZ than it did here in Australia despite its lead single being a success much quicker over there than it was over here. Indeed, it was only due to the success of its second single that it briefly shot up their charts to qualify for this list.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Teardrops #1
Celebrate the world #9
Given how the lead single became a huge hit in NZ, this debut album from Paula Abdul managed to be an instant success over there, or at least it would if it wasn't for the fact that it was a sleeper hit throughout the year that only found success whenever one of the singles was released. Heck, it had left the charts over there by the time it finally caught on over here in the new decade.
Peak position #19
Hit singles
Straight up #6
Forever your girl #11
Cold hearted #25
The way that you love me #12
Opposites attract #6
It was already a huge success for U2 here in Australia, however its success down under was pitiful compared to how well it did in NZ thanks to the singles being massive hits over there from the album. I'm not sure why this album underperformed here in Australia comparatively, I guess we were a little slow in realising the genius of the songs from the record.
Peak position #1x8
Hit singles
With or without you #5
I still haven't found what I'm looking for #2
Where the streets have no name #1
One tree hill #1
It appears the kiwis were so much in love with these guys that they allowed the American version of the album to become a success in addition to the original version. Admittedly the new hit single they had from this album was their biggest hit over there so it makes sense this would follow suit.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Blame it on the rain #3
It's a bit weird that Jenny Morris didn't see as much success with her albums in her homeland as she did here in Australia, granted her popularity only exploded over there due to how big she was over here with her earlier material, however you'd think she would've had more of her success translated to NZ than what she got. Still, this was a huge hit for her over there during the transition from the 80's to the 90's.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Saved me #37
She has to be loved #3
This will be the only album from Alice Cooper to appear on this side of my site given how the kiwis didn't seem to have much love for the glam rocker at any point in his career as we Aussies did, although I get the feeling this was more due to him hopping on the hair metal trend with this album that they made it a success due to how inescapably popular the sub-genre was around this time.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Poison #2
Bed of nails #27
Given how they were arguably more popular in NZ than they were here in Australia, it makes sense that Icehouse would have this greatest hits package overlooking the first ten years of their success be popular over there like it was over here during the transition from the 80's to the 90's.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Touch the fire #39
Well, the same deal that this album got here in Australia applies to it with NZ, the only thing I can add is that it really got the short end of the stick over there given how the likes of Def Leppard and Poison were really tearing up the hair metal scene around this time on their charts.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Bad medicine #2
Born to be my baby #19
I'll be there for you #26
Lay your hands on me #8
While it didn't spawn that inescapable hit over in NZ like it did here in Australia, this album from Aerosmith was nonetheless a success over there even before they had that big hit here. I'm guessing this was more due to them fitting in with the hair metal scene of the day as their 90's material didn't make any impact on the charts over there like it did worldwide.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Love in an elevator #15
Janie's got a gun #13
What it takes #19
This took a real long time to make it big over in NZ, I mean this was already a year old by the time it reached the upper echelons of their charts as opposed to Australia where it was only six to eight months before it became a success here. Admittedly the second single was pushed back over there to when it became a hit in the UK, I'm guessing due to their label wanting to market their more upbeat tracks first.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
You got it #2
Hanging tough #7
Cover girl #17
I'll be loving you #28
I'm not sure why this greatest hits package failed here in Australia given how this was coming off the success of Graceland, it was a success over in NZ which suggests that the kiwis were more interested in checking out the back catalogue of Paul's career with this album than we Aussies were.
Peak position #5
It seems weird that this album would bomb here in Australia given how The the managed to achieve massive success here with their previous album even if they never saw any success with any of their singles on our charts, this album's success was inevitable in NZ given how the lead single managed to be their one and only hit over there due to its politically charged lyrics.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
The beat generation #4
Gravitate to me #27
Much like here in Australia, this was the only notable success that Motley Crue had in NZ given how this managed to benefit from the rise of hair metal that permeated the last stretch of the 80's and the first stretch of the 90's worldwide. It's a bit of a shame that none of their other albums managed to make it big in the southern hemisphere especially considering how they arguably pioneered the genre in their native America.
Peak position #5
Dr feelgood #11
Kickstart my fire #31
Don't go away mad #49
Much like Tracy Chapman from earlier on this list, Melissa Etheridge was also able to score moderate success in NZ with her second album as the 80's transitioned to the 90's thanks to how popular her and the female singer/songwriter phenomenon was around this time. Unfortunately, this would be the last us Aussies and kiwis would hear from her as her subsequent follow ups flopped in the southern hemisphere.
Peak position #5
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