There was still that identity crisis the world was going through, so much so that many big hits from each country remain obscure in other parts of the world.
This was an even bigger success in NZ than it was in Australia, possibly due to Smashing pumpkins already being mainstream by the time their third album was released over there which also explains how the album managed to spawn several minor hits for them where it only had the one down under.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Bullet with butterfly wings #41
1979 #9
Tonight tonight #2
Zero #3
Thirty three #7
It appears the kiwis were too much in love with MJ to allow this greatest hits/studio album hybrid to be a flop this decade much like us Aussies were, regardless of how you feel about his personal antics you can't deny he was an immense talent whose music still manages to resonate with audiences to this day.
Peak position #1x7
Hit singles
Scream #1
You are not alone #1
Earth song #4
They don't care about us #9
Stranger in Moscow #6
These guys had a similar rise to success over in NZ as they did in Australia, although I guess it took slightly longer as they didn't have a Triple J equivalent to crown the lead single of their second album as the best song of 1994 and needed to wait for the song to be a massive chart topper here before it crossed over there.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
Zombie #5
Ode to my family #8
I can't be with you #25
Ridiculous thoughts #43
It may shock you to learn that Celine Dion wasn't as inescapably successful in NZ as she was throughout the rest of the world, mainly because she never quite had a number one hit over there likely due to being overshadowed by the likes of Mariah Carey and Toni Braxton. That said she was still one of the biggest names of the 90's there both with her singles and especially her albums.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
When I fall in love #22
The power of love #7
Misled #31
Think twice #20
Well, I supposed this albums placement on this list would seem more reasonable compared to its placement on the Australian side of my site, indeed this album was as inescapable over in NZ as it was in the band's native America even if it lacked that huge hit there that it had here.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
Hold my hand #37
Let her cry #19
Only wanna be with you #17
Time #35
Even before the film swept the academy awards, Forrest Gump was a cultural landmark upon its initial release which allowed it and its soundtrack to become a massive success back in the day. Nowadays its legacy has been diminished partly due to bad faith criticisms of it glorifying ableism but mostly for it winning over the likes of Pulp fiction and the Shawshank redemption.
Peak position #1x10
I'm guessing this was a hit over in NZ due to how inescapable it was in Australia, after all the album didn't have a single song from it to chart over there and its success was half of what it was here. That said it was still a massive success given how half of its success here in Australia is still twice as successful as what most albums can only dream of achieving.
Peak position #1x3
There were no signs of Mariah Carey slowing down in the industry worldwide, in fact the success of this album was inevitable even before the second single became the longest running Billboard chart topper in existence (at least for the next quarter of a century) given how inexplicably popular she was throughout the 90's.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Fantasy #1
One sweet day #1
Always be my baby #5
Open arms #8
Forever #40
Given how Seal was already one of the biggest names in music in NZ from earlier in the decade, it makes sense that his second self-titled album would be a huge success over there upon its immediate release even with him changing from EDM to RNB on the album. Of course, it rebounded on their charts when the second single was chosen as the main theme for the Batman forever film a year after its release.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Prayer for the dying #13
Kiss from a rose #24
Newborn friend #24
Kiss from a rose (rerelease) #16
This albums success in NZ was inevitable given the circumstances of when it was released, in fact I'm a bit surprised it wasn't even more of a success over there given how much bigger Nirvana was in NZ compared to Australia.
Peak position #1x1
The success of this album in NZ was almost identical to what it achieved here in Australia; the only main difference is that the lead single "Longview" didn't chart over there likely due to the kiwis not having a Triple J equivalent which played the song about masturbation at the time (charming breakthrough guys BTW.) They wouldn't trouble the charts again over there for ten years as their subsequent releases bombed in the 90's.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
When I come around #4
Basket case #21
Welcome to paradise #21
This took a while for it to become a success in NZ, mainly because the Offspring had their success here in Australia strictly because Triple J promoted this album the previous year as it was a massive flop in their native America. It crossed over to NZ once the two lead singles appeared high on the year end list for 1994, thus enabling the kiwis to check out what all the fuss was about here.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Self esteem #39
There were no signs of R.E.M slowing down anywhere in the world except for their native America when they released their third album of the 90's, in fact they were more popular in the UK by this point as they had struggled to find any success on the Billboard charts with this album as did everyone at the time who wasn't signed to a major label.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
What's the frequency Kenneth #4
Bang and blame #17
Well, the kiwis were certainly in love with this cult classic back in the day like we Aussies were, as such the soundtrack became a massive hit over there helping it become a massive box office hit in Hollywood as well as cement its status as a cultural phenomenon.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Girl you'll be a woman soon #19
This proved to be way more popular in NZ than it was here in Australia for Vanessa Mae, likely because
classical music was more popular over there this decade than it was over here which seemed to be the case going into the 21st century as well.
Peak position #2
Pink Floyd had already broken up by the time their label issued this live album from them, it was a massive success in NZ proving that the kiwis weren't ready to say goodbye to these guys even if some felt they were past their prime at this point.
Peak position #1x1
There were no signs of these guys slowing down throughout the 90's even with the demise of their main rivals Nirvana, indeed they continued to find success in NZ both with their albums and the singles as this album spawned one of their biggest hits over there with the lead single.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Spin the black circle #2
Not for you #10
Immortality #29
This album sat on shelves for over a year ignored in NZ just like it did everywhere else in the world, in fact the only difference between its fate over there from its fate here in Australia is that it wasn't quite as successful over there likely due to the kiwis not being that impressed with the singles like we Aussies were.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
All I wanna do #4
Strong enough #42
Although "Creep" remains a classic to this day from the band (despite how much they hate that song) it didn't lead to much success for their debut album Pablo honey anywhere in the world. Fortunately for them, their second album was much better received as they moved away from grunge and more towards Britpop which proved to be a big success for the band in NZ and their native UK.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
High and dry #22
Fake plastic trees #22
Well, this had a similar story to its success over in NZ, the only main difference is that it managed to chart higher over there due to the kiwis completely ignoring it upon its initial release as opposed to us Aussies making it a minor success the previous year and only making it a huge sleeper hit this year due to the popularity of their earlier entry.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Linger #38
This was originally a flop for Harry Connick Jr in NZ, I'm guessing the kiwis only wanted him around for his greatest hits package from earlier in the decade which was a massive hit over there like it was over here for him. They must have changed their minds this year when this skyrocketed up their charts, I'm guessing due to it being a massive success here in Australia around this time.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Whisper your name #48
This was an even bigger hit in NZ likely due to it actually connecting with the kiwis unlike here in Australia where it was merely a sleeper (albeit still huge) success for the band. Even with all of the love they had received from the southern hemisphere and their native UK, the band were unable to keep up this momentum throughout the second half of the decade leading to them eventually breaking up.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Sight for sore eyes #17
Open your heart #21
Well considering it was an Australian film released fairly late from the previous year, it makes sense that the soundtrack to arguably one of the best LGBT films ever created would only become a success in NZ this year when the film finally made it to cinemas. The soundtrack was also a huge success over there likely due to all of the remixes of the popular tracks featured in the film which still persist on oldies stations to this day.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
I love the nightlife #4
While EDM wasn't very popular in NZ throughout the 90's, it appears the kiwis made an exception to their rule of disallowing EDM albums to be a success by having this album from Real McCoy be a massive success over there. They would break the rules again for Aqua and the Vengaboys, however they had a gimmick to go with their music unlike these guys which were pretty straight forward with their marketing.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Another night #16
Run away #6
Love and devotion #28
Come and get your love #8
Automatic lover #44
It may have failed to produce that big hit over in NZ like it did here in Australia, however this debut album from Joshua Kadison was nonetheless a huge success over there likely due to its surprise popularity down under given how "Beautiful in my eyes" was such a huge hit for him over here.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Jessie #15
Beautiful in my eyes #23
This was the second and final time that this greatest hits package from Abba was a success in NZ, this time it was because of the success of Muriel's wedding which had premiered in theatres this year which was a celebration of their music and how being a fan of them didn't make you lame.
Peak position #3
This was a huge surprise hit for Dave Dobbyn given how he hadn't touched the charts since the late 80's in his homeland, indeed many of his contemporaries had come and gone in the time it took to follow up his second album with this third album of his which makes its success that much more surprising.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Language #4
Lap of the gods #13
Naked flames #20
There was little chance this was going to flop over in NZ this year given how Bruce Springsteen was now an academy award winning rock and roll legend, although he didn't have any further success over there after this greatest hits album.
Peak position #1x4
Well, this soundtrack's success was inevitable in NZ given how three of its tracks managed to become three of the biggest hits of the decade over there, it did decently well here in Australia as well likely due to the success of the film which is a buddy comedy that is carried by the chemistry between its two stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Shy guy #3
I've got a little something for you #3
Never find someone like you #2
Someone to love #17
This was also Simply red's final successful album in NZ, although I would've thought these guys would retain their popularity going towards the new millennium given how this was a hit upon its immediate release over there as opposed to it needing to rebound on the charts here in Australia.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Fairground #6
Remembering the first time #30
Well, this album didn't need to wait as long in NZ to take off as it did here in Australia, mainly because it started spawning big hits over there upon its immediate release that didn't have to wait months after they became a success in their native America to crossover there. This did cost the album from lingering on the charts as long as it did here, however it did chart higher which I feel it a neat compromise.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Creep #4
Red light special #9
Waterfalls #1
Digging on you #8
I'm not sure if this album was a success because of Silverchair's popularity here in Australia or if the kiwis really do have an indie scene that can rival that of Triple J's presence, either way this debut album from the teenage band managed to be a huge success over there thanks to how popular the two lead singles were from the album.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Tomorrow #1
Pure massacre #2
Isreal's son #12
Shade #47
I guess the kiwis were more on board with Annie Lennox's solo career this decade than we Aussies were, perhaps it was due to her wacky nature she displayed in the music videos or perhaps it was simply because they felt her brand of sophistopop worked in a way that many of her earlier contemporaries didn't during the 90's.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
No more I love yous #22
This was an inevitable success for Janet Jackson in NZ given how much more popular she was over there compared to Australia, heck her popularity was still stronger over there after this came out as her next album would spawn more hits there than it did here much like the rest of her catalogue.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Runaway #3
Twenty foreplay #38
This was initially a minor success for Stone temple pilots in NZ, I guess the kiwis felt there were too many alternative bands to choose from at the time and passed this up for the likes of Smashing pumpkins and R.E.M. They were won over by the album eventually likely due to how popular it was here in Australia and also due to the lack of competition it had in their alternative scene.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Vasoline #28
Insterstate love song #47
Big empty #47
Although it was a huge hit over there like it was over here, Angel dust failed to appear on this side of my side due to having its success split between 1992 and 1993 which obviously wasn't the case for any of their other albums this decade including their third album of the decade which was the only one not to spawn a massive hit in the southern hemisphere back in the day.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Digging the grave #16
Evidence #38
Even though UB40 never broke up and would even go on to have another successful album by the end of the decade, it appeared that lead singer Ali Campbell wanted to try his hand at a solo career which was off to a good start with this album albeit on in NZ and his native UK. It's curious this was as successful when it came out given how most of his early contemporaries did the same thing a decade prior.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
That look in your eye #2
Let your yeah be yeah #15
Something stupid #13
Well, this wasn't as big a success in NZ as it was here in Australia, although it's obvious that the kiwis still had enough for the album to make it a hit over there which is further proof I have that whoever wrote that article for the A.V club had a serious bias against this album when they declared it as one of the least essential of the decade.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Warped #4
My friends #20
Aeroplane #26
It only seems natural that this would be more of a success in NZ than it was here in Australia for the Foo fighters, after all, Nirvana saw plenty more success over there than they did over here throughout the decade as did most alternative bands now that I think about it.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
This is a call #11
For some reason, this was a mere minor success earlier in the decade in NZ where it was a success here in Australia due to the biopic about the band that came out in 1991, however it became a success this year over there presumably for the same reasons it rebounded on our charts down under.
Peak position #5
Well, this albums success in NZ was inevitable, fans weren't ready to say goodbye to Freddie Mercury from earlier in the decade and posthumous albums have always statistically done well in the mainstream over the years.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Heaven for everyone #25
Following the success of their remix album from the previous year, Deep Forest were able to score a massive hit in NZ this year with their second album which is impressive given how this underperformed here in Australia for the French duo. This would be their final successful album anywhere in the world as the new age craze began to wind down as the second half of the decade began.
Peak position #1x1
This wasn't quite as successful in NZ for Bjork as it was here in Australia, mainly because it didn't spawn that runaway hit for her over there like it did over here which meant that it didn't last as long into the new year when "It's oh so quiet" was taking the alternative scene by storm worldwide. It did rebound a little over there, however it quickly fell off the charts when the song failed to catch on.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Army of me #26
Isobel #47
It's oh so quiet #28
Unlike in Australia where this popped up multiple times during its chart run, this only popped up twice in NZ. The first time was upon its initial release where it was yet another easy success for Janet Jackson over there and the second was two years later when "Whoops now" became a surprise chart topper for her over there.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
That's the way love goes #1
If #8
Again #13
Because of love #23
Any time any place #20
You want this #11
Whoops now #1
Given how Bob Marley has somehow been able to release new material in the fourteen years since he passed away, it only seems fitting that his label would issue a greatest hits album collecting the songs he released posthumously which the kiwis made a success out of this year.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Keep on moving #14
You'd think this would be more of a success in NZ than it was here in Australia considering A: RNB was more lucrative over there throughout the 90's and B: it spawned a massive hit for them over there that it lacked over here. Alas, it appears the kiwis only made this a success due to said hit it spawned, that and how inescapable it was with us Aussies.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Only to be with you #24
Lay your love on me #7
This generation #32
I guess the greatest hits package that Bon Jovi released from earlier on this list was what allowed the band to find moderate success with this album over in NZ this year, it pales in comparison to what it achieved here in Australia, but its success was notable regardless. This is the last taste of success the band achieved over there as their 21st century run was pitiful.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
This ain't a love song #25
Something for the pain #16
This was a mere modest success when it was released the previous year for Strawpeople, however it became a massive success this year in their homeland when Triple J of all places got their hands on the album which allowed it to become an indie favourite here in Australia. The lead single even appeared on their yearend list for 1995 which further solidified the album's critical acclaim back in the day.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Trick with a knife #16
Crying #26
Sweet disorder #27
This was a minor hit for Massive attack from the previous year in NZ, however it received its true success this year due to one of the singles becoming a minor hit over there which prompted it to skyrocket up their charts. This was a minor success here in Australia; however, it was split between two years to the point where I couldn't include it on either list was eligible for.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Protection #27
Karmacoma #19
This was also a minor sleeper hit in NZ like it was here in Australia for Portishead, although it's worth noting that their next album would be twice as big over there (make those four times if we're going by the ARIA charts) due to the kiwis getting into alternative EDM by the time that album came out.
Peak position #21
Alanis Morrissette really struck a chord with listeners back in the day when she released her first album outside of her native Canada, although it's worth noting that the singles on this album weren't as inescapable in NZ as they were over here save perhaps for the second single which wasn't that big over here.
Peak position #1x11
Hit singles
You oughta know #25
Hand in my pocket #7
Ironic #3
You learn #13
Head over feet #27
This was another inevitable reappearance for this site of mine, naturally the singles from Mariah's third album were much bigger over in NZ given how much the kiwis had embraced both RNB and diva ballads by this point in time.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Dreamlover #2
Hero #2
Without you #1
Anytime you need a friend #5
This was a huge success for Oasis over in NZ, so much so that it allowed their debut album to finally became a success there too which is something that wasn't able to happen here in Australia. I guess this means the kiwis were bigger fans of the Gallagher's than we Aussies could ever hope to be.
Peak position #1x8
Hit singles
Roll with it #17
Morning glory #29
Wonderwall #1
Don't look back in anger #20
Champagne supernova #16
This was back in the day where they house of mouse could do no wrong in the eyes of the general public (how the times have changed) so naturally the soundtrack to their most lucrative 2d film would be a huge success for them even though Elton John's popularity was quickly dying out throughout the world.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
Can you feel the love tonight #7
Circle of life #13
Well Sade had plenty more success over in NZ throughout the 80's than they did in Australia, so it's little wonder that M People would follow suit with this trend as they also managed to be even bigger over there than they were over here. Interestingly the songs that charted over there apart from the lead single were also different to the ones that charted over here.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Moving on up #4
Don't look any further #4
Renaissance #27
Just like in Australia, this was the biggest album in Pearl Jam's career in NZ following the huge success of their debut album from two years prior. Unlike in Australia, this managed to spawn a huge hit for them over there as did their next album which made them more of a singles band as far as the kiwis were concerned.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Go #2
Daughter #11
Animal #7
I guess it was inevitable that there would be a NZ equivalent of the Red-hot chili peppers this decade, indeed there was as this debut album from Supergroove was a massive success for them likely due to how popular their Californian equivalent was worldwide. It could also be due to all of the hits that it managed to spawn over there making them prime for a crossover in Australia that never ended up happening.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
You gotta know #4
Scorpio girls #3
Can't get enough #1
Sitting inside my head #6
This is a remix album of Deep Forest's debut album, an album that was a flop for the French duo in NZ which makes this albums success over there somewhat confusing as this was a dance remix of their new age material. This was a minor success here in Australia because of our love for EDM at the time, however it appears the kiwis were the ones who really wanted to boogie with this album.
Peak position #4
Rather than having the first two volumes of the greatest hits anthology from Queen consistently rechart throughout the decade, their label decided to bundle them together with this release which became a massive success in NZ despite it being a massive flop here in Australia upon its initial release.
Peak position #2
This took a while to take off in NZ likely due to the album failing to produce a hit single over there as well as the kiwis lacking a Triple J equivalent to promote it, however once it did, it became a huge success for Garbage likely due to the unique vocals of Shirley Manson which helped add a female touch to the industrial rock crowd.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Vow #41
Queer #37
Stupid girl #32
Only happy when it rains #38
Milk #50
At least this debut album from Pearl jam was more of an immediate success in NZ than it was in Australia, although like Australia it was a hit several times throughout the decade due to how the band's popularity grew with each subsequent album in the 90's.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Alive #20
Even flow #20
Jeremy #34
Oceans #16
I guess the kiwis weren't as big of fans of Dangerous minds as we Aussies were given how the soundtrack wasn't quite as popular over there as it was over here, this is surprising given how Coolio was already an established rapper by the time his signature track came out from the film in NZ.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Gangsta's paradise #1
Feel the funk #41
Curiosity #40
Sting was on a roll this decade given the success of his (then) most recent album which included the track this greatest hits album was named after, as such he found massive success with this album over there even though it was a massive flop for him here in Australia.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
When we dance #50
Well, I guess the kiwis had grown tired of Bon Jovi by this point as this greatest hits album wasn't nearly as successful over there as it was over here. Then again, their previous album Keep the faith was a complete failure over there despite it being a massive success here in Australia, so perhaps this greatest hits album was in fact the comeback that the band needed from being left behind in the 80's over there.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Always #4
Someday I'll be Saturday night #45
Although this wasn't quite as successful in NZ as it was here in Australia (or at least it wasn't according to ARIA) this was at least released on time over there which means that it became a success months prior to it seeing the light of day down under.
Peak position #5
This seemed like a good time to release a greatest hits package for Sade given how popular their (then) most recent album was worldwide, naturally it was more of a success in NZ than it was here in Australia as we Aussies at least seemed to have a limit on how many of these albums would be a success back in the day compared to the kiwis.
Peak position #5
It appears this was what killed the winning streak that UB40 had with their original albums in NZ given how none of them managed to find success after Promises and lies from two years prior, although this was the second edition of an album that came out in 1987 that did gang busters for the band over there that year.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Until my dying day #37
While this wasn't as popular in NZ as it was here in Australia, the kiwis were nonetheless willing to make this greatest hits album a success for INXS due to the fond memories they had with the bands back catalogue despite their popularity being non-existent over there by this point in time.
Peak position #2
This was also a bit of a minor comeback for the Rolling stones in NZ like it was here in Australia, although it was a fluke over there like it was over here as none of their subsequent follow ups managed to recreate this level of success never mind what their classic albums achieved throughout the century.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Love is strong #12
Out of tears #36
Roxette really struggled to transition from the 80's to the 90's in NZ which wasn't the case here in Australia, that said, their greatest hits package was a more immediate success over there than it was over here which is why it appears on more than one of these lists despite it being more popular over here in the long run.
Peak position #8
This wasn't as big a hit for Boyz II Men in NZ as it was here in Australia, I'm guessing because the kiwis were more interested in making the singles a success over there given how the singles were indeed more popular there than they were here back in the day. It could also be a sense of overexposure as the band would start to see diminishing returns over there as the decade went on.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
I'll make love to you #1
On bended knee #4
Thank you #17
Water runs dry #19
It had been a while since Alison Moyet troubled the charts anywhere in the world, however she was able to score a massive hit in NZ with this greatest hits package likely to commemorate the eleventh anniversary of her solo breakthrough over there with Alf which remains one of the biggest albums to come out of the 80's.
Peak position #5
This was also the last time Michael Bolton bothered the NZ charts like he did here in Australia, although it didn't last as long over there as it did over here likely due to his popularity never being that big over there throughout the decade.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Can I touch you there #22
Much like here in Australia, it had been a while since Bob Seger troubled the NZ charts prior to the release of this greatest hits package. Unlike here in Australia, this was released on time over there which means it began the year in the upper echelons of their charts long before it saw the light of day on our charts.
Peak position #4
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