This is a bit of a misleading album title as it suggests it's the trio's third album when really it's only their second, although it could be a reference to them indeed being a trio even though that's patently obvious with their band name. Naturally this found an audience thanks to heavy exposure on Triple J, although even then it wouldn't be until their next album that they finally achieved massive success here.
Peak position #24
(POPULAR IN 2001, 2002)
Perhaps the first film to feature a trans character and treat them with any sense of dignity and respect, we have this distinctly Australian film that managed to become a huge success everywhere in the world except for America because anything that isn't filtered by Hollywood doesn't tend to do well over there. The soundtrack was a predictable hit worldwide due to the film recontextualising many of the tracks as queer anthems throughout its runtime.
Peak position #1x4
Peak position #1x4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
I love the nightlife #11 (AMR #11)
(POPULAR IN 1994, 1995)
To commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the Australian production of Jesus Christ superstar, there was a revival show that starred John Farnham, Kate Ceberano and Jon Stevens which was so much of a success that its official soundtrack went on to become a massive success in the mainstream. Heck it even spawned a genuine hit single with the trio's rendition of "Everything's alright."
Peak position #1x10
Peak position #1x8 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Everything's alright #6 (AMR #6)
(POPULAR IN 1992)
Following the huge success of the Saturday night fever soundtrack, it was only inevitable that the Brothers Gibb would find massive success with whatever album they put out provided it was within the disco genre. Indeed, this album was a massive success for them and likely would've been even if it weren't released at the height of disco, although it has been cited as one of the contributing factors to the disco backlash in America.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
Too much heaven #5
Tragedy #2
(POPULAR IN 1979)
I guess this was Paul McCartney looking to change with the times given how this feels like it's the most dated album in his entire catalogue. Of course, the real sticking point for most audiences is that it features arguably his worst song in the form of its lead single, specifically how he and Stevie Wonder believe that they can solve racial discrimination just by making a song about it.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Ebony and ivory #2
Take it away #18
(POPULAR IN 1982)
This was a very productive decade for Leo Sayer given how he scored two of the biggest albums of the 70's, here he has a greatest hits package to overlook the journey he made from his humble beginnings, although the journey wouldn't end here as he had further success in the 80's.
Peak position #1x1
(POPULAR IN 1979)
We have yet another band who thrived from the previous decade entering this one with a highly successful album, in fact this was by far the biggest album to come from the Angels which set them up for great success this decade that unfortunately didn't end up happening. Admittedly this is because they didn't release a new album until the end of the decade, so it's not like they were unfairly ignored.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Let the night roll on #17
Dogs are talking #11 (AMR #8)
Back street pick up #23
(POPULAR IN 1990)
This was the only notable success that Bob Marley managed to achieve during his lifetime in Australia, although I guess we should be thankful that at least one of his albums was a commercial success here as opposed to America where he never even charted on the Billboard charts. I guess this album's success was a bit confusing considering how reggae music never seemed to be that popular here in Australia.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Is this love #11
(POPULAR IN 1978)
While I've never been a fan of the show, I have seen a few episodes of Hannah Montana and remember thinking they were OK for what they were, basically a teenage girl leading a double life of an ordinary high schooler and a worldwide pop star. The film on the other hand looks absolutely terrible which of course didn't prevent it from being a massive commercial success as was the soundtrack (it was likely that Taylor Swift cameo.)
Peak position #6
Hit singles
The climb #5
Hoedown throwdown #20
(POPULAR IN 2009)
This was the penultimate album that Blondie released in their original run together, even by this stage there was rumours that the band would be breaking up which they denied by simply saying that Deborah Harry would be recording a solo album shortly after its release. This album was a massive success whereas that one would be a huge flop for her, proving that audiences preferred her with the band than on her own.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
The tide is high #4
Rapture #5
(POPULAR IN 1981)
Jimmy Barnes was one of the biggest Australian artists of the decade, so why not have Ian Moss join the elite ranks as he was a contributing factor as to why Cold Chisel were a big deal in Australia? Here he is with his debut album which was a huge success for him thanks to the lead single, however it was a short-lived victory as his subsequent albums from the 90's failed to find any success.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x3 (ARIA)
Hit singles
Tucker's daughter #1 (ARIA #2)
Telephone booth #9 (ARIA #7)
Out of the fire #30
(POPULAR IN 1989)
He did manage to score one of the biggest hits of the decade with the lead single from this album, so it was only inevitable that the album itself would be a huge success for Kenny Rogers here in Australia. This was unfortunately the last album he found success with here likely due to there not being much room for country music in the era of MTV here, although he did score one more hit with a greatest hits package.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Islands in the stream #1
(POPULAR IN 1983, 1984)
This was the Cure's biggest album here in Australia, sure they always had some degree of popularity here thanks to their multiple appearances on Countdown, but they never took our mainstream by storm save for this album which spawned their biggest hit as well as their 1992 effort Wish. It wasn't even the lead single which is why the album was a hit twice as it rebounded once the big hit became as such.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
In between days #16
Close to me #7
(POPULAR IN 1985, 1986)
Given that this was the soundtrack to the theatrical adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Weber's Evita and that it starred Madonna in the title role, it was going to be a success regardless of if the film was a critical and commercial success or not. Fortunately, the film was both which got the soundtrack to rebound on the charts when the lead single took home the academy award for best song and its second single became a hit.
Peak position #5
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
You must love me #11 (AMR #14)
Don't cry for me Argentina #9 (AMR #11)
(POPULAR IN 1996, 1997)
Even though they had success earlier in the decade with "In the flesh" in Australia and "Denis" in the UK, Blondie were finally able to make it big in their native America with this album given how the lead single incorporates disco into their sound. This made the band a household name internationally and set them up for major success in the 80's which they unfortunately didn't manage to achieve after their album Autoamerican.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Heart of glass #1
Hanging on the telephone #39
(POPULAR IN 1979)
This was the debut album from Bad company, a band who had sound success with their subsequent follow ups, however likely would've done better here in Australia were it not for Countdown pushing aside their brand of hard rock in favour of our local music scene as well as our love for the likes of Abba and Bay city rollers.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Can't get enough #22
(POPULAR IN 1974)
Simply red had a very good run during the first ten years of their time in the spotlight, so naturally they released a greatest hits package that was a huge success for them and promised them at least another decade of worldwide success. Unfortunately, this was the last many would hear from the band despite them releasing new material well into the 21st century.
Peak position #4
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1996, 1997)
This was the sophomore album from Train after the failure of their debut album from the late 90's, it became a worldwide smash thanks to its title track becoming a massive hit for them on the radio. Train is another band I never cared for; this is mainly due to Pat Monahan's vocals always rubbing me the wrong way even back in the day. Of course, this leaves me in the minority as they have millions of fans worldwide.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Drops of Jupiter #5
(POPULAR IN 2001)
What was it with this year and handing success off to music from films from four years prior? The Big chill was a critical and commercial success upon its initial release in 1983, and yet in only took until this year for the soundtrack to be a huge success in Australia and NZ.
Peak position #5
(POPULAR IN 1987)
There might be no signs of there being a Split enz reunion (at least one that isn't for a one-off concert) however that doesn't mean there haven't been any attempts made at expanding their audience over the years as the band's label commissioned an orchestral reworking of some of their biggest hits to be covered by some of the biggest names in NZ music. The results were an album that was a massive success for everyone involved.
Peak position #4
Peak position #6 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1996)
Although Cliff Richard had scored a string of hits since his 1976 comeback with "Devil woman," it was this album that provided him with his first big success on the album charts here in Australia due to how popular both its singles were at the time. This set him up for even more success throughout the 80's and in the case in his native UK, well into the 90's as his popularity was officially revived by this point.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Wired for sound #2
Daddy's home #8
(POPULAR IN 1982)
Although they had moderate success throughout the decade with their earlier albums, it was this album from the Hilltop hoods that finally made them a household name as well as finally putting Australian hip hop on the map as it allowed fellow rappers such as 360 and Illy to find success throughout the 2010's. The trio themselves would also find a ton of success with their subsequent material as a result of this album's success.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Chase that feeling #8
Still standing #34
(POPULAR IN 2009)
This was a good year for many artists who wouldn't see much success in any other year, ABC was one such act as they achieved quite a lot of success from their debut album before never being heard from again here in Australia. Of course, they had plenty of success internationally as they would have hits over on Billboard from their subsequent follow ups, it's just none of them made it big here.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Poison arrow #4
The look of love #7
All of my heart #21
(POPULAR IN 1982)
It had been six years since George Harrison troubled the charts with his tribute to John Lennon "All those years ago," so to see him back in the spotlight with this album was a bit of a surprise for audiences even if it led to him forming the supergroup the Traveling wilburys by the end of the year. This remains his final album as he did devote a lot of his time to the group even after the death of its key member Roy Orbison.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Got my mind set on you #1
When we was fab #35
(POPULAR IN 1988)
As divisive as this phase of Bon Jovi's career has remained over the years, there's no denying that its success makes sense as "Always" remains their biggest hit in their catalogue. As such, they ditched their hair metal ballads in favour of more adult contemporary ballads which struck a chord with listeners of the day, although they would go on hiatus for the rest of the 90's despite how big this album was.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
This ain't a love song #4 (AMR #5)
Something for the pain #14 (AMR #15)
Lie to me #20 (AMR #16)
These days #38
(POPULAR IN 1995)
Given how they had only broken up the year prior to releasing this greatest hits package, it only makes sense that we Aussies would make this a success for Cold chisel given how their lead singer Jimmy Barnes was taking over the mainstream with his album around this time. This wouldn't be the only greatest hits package they would release during their time apart as Chisel would also be a success in the early 90's.
Peak position #3
(POPULAR IN 1985, 1986)
They may have lucked out from having a chart topper in their native UK with the title track (you can blame Joe Dolce for that) however at least these guys were able to see massive success with this album here in Australia due to the strength of said title track here. This was one of two bands that Midge Ure was a part of this year, the other being Visage who didn't see as much success with their album.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Vienna #11
(POPULAR IN 1981)
This is a bit of a comeback album for Ross Wilson as he was previously the lead singer of Daddy cool (best known for their hit single "Eagle rock") indeed this seemed to spark a new chapter in his popularity given how iconic the singles remain from this album. Mondo rock would see varying levels of success throughout the decade, although none of their follow ups reached this level of success.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
State of the heart #6
Cool world #8
Chemistry #20
Summer of 81 #31
(POPULAR IN 1981)
Following the success of their comeback album from the previous year, Hoodoo gurus decided to release a greatest hits album which was also successful making you wonder why their 1989 album was a flop when it came out. This was the last success the band would have in their career, however it also proved that their back catalogue was well loved by their fans and such they became a touring act.
Peak position #3
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1992)
I feel like we need to give these three women a round of applause for finally making it big in their native America given how the rest of the world had little issues with making them a household name with their earlier work. Here the girls continue spitting the rhymes that made them respected in the hip hop game whilst having fun catchy beats to go along with their rhymes that captivated audiences.
Peak position #5
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Shoop #2 (AMR #3)
Whatta man #2 (AMR #2)
Heaven and hell #21 (AMR #20)
(POPULAR IN 1994)
Following the success of his earlier entry on this list, Billy Joel had little issues with finding success with this album even if he was still yet to have that big hit that would come on his later work. Indeed, he was a rising star in the music industry at this stage even in his native America where he still wasn't the biggest piano man in the music scene.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Say goodbye to Hollywood #45
(POPULAR IN 1976)
Although the soundtrack wasn't as successful as its predecessor, it was enough of a hit to appear on this list of mine likely thanks to the lead single being a massive success on the singles chart. Of course, it wouldn't really matter if the soundtrack flopped given how phenomenal the film is even without its music, it improved on the original film in every way from the characters to its sense of humour.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Accidentally in love #11
(POPULAR IN 2004)
Martika was off to a good start when she entered the 90's as this album from 1988 became a massive success here due to how big the second single was. Evidently, she always wanted to be a pop star at a young age, which makes her retirement from music after the failure of her second album in her native America that much more tragic considering it was a moderate success throughout the rest of the world.
Peak position #3
Peak position #2 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Toy soldiers #5 (ARIA #5)
I feel the earth move #2 (ARIA #2)
More than you know #32
(POPULAR IN 1989, 1990)
This was the third album from this decade that Faith no more saw a ton of success with here in Australia, it was more of their hybrid of hard rock and hip hop just like their previous two albums even though it didn't have that obvious hit on here that "Epic" and their cover of "I'm easy" was for their other albums. They would release one more album after this before going their separate ways in 1998.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Digging the grave #12 (AMR #10)
Evidence #27
(POPULAR IN 1995)
Things were looking good for Human nature going into the new millennium, after all they were counting down the final months of the year with this album to see if they would indeed be one of the first new big starts of the 21st century. They were as although all of the album's success began and ended this and the previous year, their next album would spawn their biggest hit in the form of "He don't love you."
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Cruel #14 (AMR #13)
Last to know #14 (AMR #19)
Don't cry #5 (AMR #18)
Eternal flame #8 (AMR #10)
Be there for you #40
(POPULAR IN 1999)
This was one of the last new age albums to make it big in the mainstream worldwide, I guess it's fitting that Enya would be the artist to close out this craze given how she was the one who popularised it over a decade prior with her second album.
Peak position #4
(POPULAR IN 2000, 2001)
This was the only notable success that the Hooters were able to achieve here in Australia, although considering this was a massive flop in their native America, the fact this was a success here should prove to you how we were still willing to look outside the mainstream to find talent during the 80's. They band soldiered on after this trying to replicate the success they had here with this album to no avail.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
All you zombies #8
And we danced #6
(POPULAR IN 1985)
This is an album comprising of many Cuban musicians assembled by Ry Cooder, Ry of course was the man who scored a massive hit twenty years prior with his cover of an Elvis Presley classic in the southern hemisphere, meaning this was the album that finally got him out of the one hit wonder bin here in Australia but not in NZ as this didn't even chart over there.
Peak position #6
(POPULAR IN 2000)
Given how her third album My December was a critical failure and only a fraction as successful as Breakaway, Kelly's management had to convince her to give them back full creative control over her music direction which resulted in this fourth album that can best be described as a Veronicas's project. It wasn't a bad thing given how successful it was without compromising her core appeal from earlier in the decade.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
My life would suck without you #5
I do not hook up #9
Already gone #12
(POPULAR IN 2009)
This was released mere months after Ray Charles tragically passed away from health complications, this is kind of similar to David Bowie's final album ★ except Bowie was able to live to see that albums initial release as opposed to Ray being unable to do so for his album. Naturally this swept the Grammy awards for this year for the RNB legend as well as it becoming a massive success worldwide out of sentimentality.
Peak position #4
(POPULAR IN 2005)
This is technically the soundtrack to the TV series of the same name given how these kids were the stars of a TV show in addition to the second brainchild of Simon Fueller's takeover the pop scene following his first success with the Spice girls (before they fired him for Spiceworld.) This was a massive success worldwide except for in America where kiddie pop didn't have much crossover appeal from non-American artists.
Peak position #19
Hit singles
Bring it all back #3
S club party #2
Two in a million #25
(POPULAR IN 2000)
This was released initially to moderate success for Seal, I'm guessing fans were already on board with him moving on from EDM to RNB despite him naming this after himself just like his earlier album. It received a massive boost in popularity when the second single was played over the closing credits of the Batman forever film and thus became a massive worldwide success for him.
Peak position #2
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Kiss from a rose #1 (AMR #1)
(POPULAR IN 1994, 1995)
As far as their fans are concerned, this was the only album from Scottish band Texas given how their 90's output saw mixed results for them both commercially and especially critically. They were a very earnest country band who made it big through the female singer/songwriter boom from around this time, although they didn't have commercial success in the 90's likely due to being a British band amongst American women in this group.
Peak position #15
Peak position #14 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
I don't want a lover #6 (ARIA #4)
(POPULAR IN 1989)
This was released during a time where exercise records were making it big in America, as such Richard Simmons decided to release a parody album of these records which ironically made it the most successful of these albums here in Australia.
Peak position #12
(POPULAR IN 1983)
This was a bit of a comeback for the Rolling Stones here in Australia, mainly because it managed to spawn a few minor hits here which is proof that even if they were past their prime at this point, they were still able to retain a fanbase this far in their career.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Love is strong #47
Out of tears #43
(POPULAR IN 1994, 1995)
This was another rock album that could've been among the most successful of the decade were it not for the rise in digital piracy eating up the success of it and its singles, this is further compounded by the fact that it managed to become a success here despite having stiff competition from all of the contestants from Australian Idol which I'm sure was something that the band were thoroughly against.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Hard act to follow #24
Better off alone #30
Hold on to me #44
(POPULAR IN 2004, 2005)
Well just because the Eurythmics were no more by this point, doesn't mean that audiences didn't want to hear anything more from Annie Lennox as she managed to make a huge splash this year with her solo album. Here she trades in the new wave of her band for the sophistopop trends in order to help her realise her full imagination both with her music and the videos which likely were an inspiration for Lady Gaga.
Peak position #7
Peak position #10 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Why #17 (AMR #17)
Little bird #38
(POPULAR IN 1992)
Given how he finally managed to score a hit this year in Australia, it seems logical that Babyface would find success with the album that spawned his big hit down under. Indeed, he was fortunate enough to have his collaboration with Stevie Wonder breakthrough when RNB was becoming more accepted in the Australian mainstream, although he wouldn't find any success here after this.
Peak position #14
Peak position #10 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
This is for the lover in you #50
Every time I close my eyes #40
How come how long #5 (AMR #4)
(POPULAR IN 1997)
Given how he had already released two of the most successful albums of the decade, it makes sense that this live album from Michael Bublé would also be a huge success here even if from what I can gather, it's success mainly came from its DVD sales rather than the CD itself, suggesting that ARIA included DVD sales from around this time in order to make up for struggling CD sales due to physical piracy.
Peak position #15
(POPULAR IN 2006)
Although he saw minor success with his debut album the previous year, Billy Idol was able to achieve a huge sleeper hit with his second album here thanks to a memorable performance on Countdown with the title track which helped it become a huge hit here. For whatever reason, he was a much bigger deal in NZ throughout the 80's despite needing to find success here before making it big over there.
Peak position #16
Hit singles
Rebel yell #7
Eyes without a face #12
Flesh for fantasy #28
(POPULAR IN 1984)
This album only barely makes the cut for this list due to how long it charted in the lower half of our charts back in the day, proving that while we Aussies often overlooked what we now consider to be classics in favour of flavour of the moment entries form earlier on this list, that didn't necessarily mean that they were undiscovered gems overall back in the day.
Peak position #20
(POPULAR IN 1976)
I'm willing to bet you're surprised to see this album so low on this list, this is because while it was a critical darling here in Australia and eventually worldwide (largely thanks to heavy promotion from Triple J) naturally the album is too Avant Garde to appeal to the same crowd that made some of the other entries on this list the household names they were. Still, it was a massive sleeper hit thanks to how well received it was.
Peak position #21
Hit singles
Frontier psychiatrist #49
(POPULAR IN 2001)
Yeah, Cocktail isn't a very good movie, I know there's diehard fans of Tom Cruise out there who'll love anything he appears in but aside from those people, I can't imagine anyone liking this film about him being a cocktail waiter. At least it had an interesting soundtrack that revived the career of the Beach boys as well as some other interesting tracks on there.
Peak position #1x5
Peak position #1x5 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Don't worry be happy #1 (ARIA #1)
Kokomo #1 (ARIA #1)
(POPULAR IN 1988, 1989)
It's odd to see how successful Bryan Ferry was with his second and third album in Australia, mainly because his band Roxy music didn't have much success here until their final album Avalon in the early 80's. In any case we have his second album named after easily his biggest hit down under which managed to take the Australian charts by storm likely due to how inescapable said single was.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Let's stick together #1
Price of love #9
(POPULAR IN 1976, 1977)
The last time Steve Winwood had any notable success in Australia was with his bands Spencer Davis group, Traffic and Blind faith, all of which happened over a decade prior to him finding success with this solo album. I'm not even sure how this managed to become so popular other than it connecting with an audience organically as it's not like he was in the news that often outside of his music.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
While you see a chance #16
(POPULAR IN 1981)
Even though these guys only ever had one successful album to their name in Australia, this greatest hits package released nine years after Eliminator was a huge success for ZZ top down under proving how much we Aussies realised we did them dirty during their initial popularity. It's likely because of this album we know their signature track "La grange."
Peak position #2
Peak position #3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Viva Las Vegas #28
(POPULAR IN 1992)
This was released just before Freddie Mercury's death, while it was always going to be a huge success since it came out exactly a decade after their first greatest hits package, the fact this is forever tied into the death of the legendary frontman likely factored into its huge success back in the day.
Peak position #4
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1991, 1992)
There have been many compelling performances on MTV Unplugged over the years, perhaps the first one of these performances came from Mariah Carey who wanted to prove to her audience that she wasn't lip synching her material and only hesitated to go on tour due to her stage freight that she had at the time. Indeed, she sounds extremely nervous throughout this E.P, however she did successfully prove that she was the real deal as she had little issues in hitting those high notes.
Peak position #7
Peak position #7 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
I'll be there #9 (AMR #7)
(POPULAR IN 1992)
This was the only notable success from Big pig, a British based Australian band who initially gained buzz two years earlier with their self-titled E.P which led to this being a huge success for them. I'm guessing this was a success due to the music fitting in with the dance scene that was emerging this year, it would certainly explain why their second album flopped in the new decade and lead to them breaking up.
Peak position #5
Peak position #6 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Breakaway #8
Big hotel #37
(POPULAR IN 1988)
George Benson was one of the bigger musicians of colour to emerge from this decade, this jazz album of his being one of many successful albums he managed to achieve worldwide throughout his career. I'm not sure how he managed to find an audience in Australia when so many of his contemporaries failed to do so.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
On Broadway #23
(POPULAR IN 1978)
Even though they haven't had a hit in most parts of the world since the live version of "Nights in white satin," the Moody blues were able to find success with their albums well into the 80's with this perhaps being their most successful since they reformed in 1977. Their popularity wouldn't rise to this success again, although they've been releasing new material ever since.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Gemini dream #36
(POPULAR IN 1981)
This is the magnum opus from Prince given how it also serves as the soundtrack to his autobiographical film of the same name, it also made him a household name in his native America as he hadn't had much success on Billboard prior to this albums release despite finding huge success internationally with his earlier work. This albums legacy inspired him to release two more films, both of which were panned by critics.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
When doves cry #1
Let's go crazy #10
Purple rain #41
(POPULAR IN 1984)
It seemed that Janet and her fanbase couldn't wait for the actual tenth anniversary of her breakthrough album Control before she released this greatest hits package and her fans made it an instant success, I bring this up because the album is a bit of a lie since it was released a year earlier than it would suggest. Her popularity would dwindle after this; however, she was still a household name for another nine years.
Peak position #2
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Runaway #8 (AMR #6)
Twenty foreplay #29
(POPULAR IN 1995, 1996)
It had been several years since the demise of the Easybeats, however when lead singer Stevie Wright finally decided to release a solo album, it was as if no time had passed since his heyday with the band from almost a decade prior given how it spawned one of the biggest hits of the decade here in Australia in the form of its lead single. He would release one more album which wasn't as popular but did spawn another huge hit for him before fading into obscurity.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Evie #1
(POPULAR IN 1974)
This was the final successful album from Yes frontman Rick Wakeman, I'm guessing this became a success due to the recently released Monty Python flick the Holy grail which was a satire of King Arthur stories as well as the Hollywood musical in general (basically it was a parody of Camelot starring Richard Harris.) Rick would continue to release concept albums in his career; however, none were as successful as the three he made around this time.
Peak position #2
(POPULAR IN 1975)
While this wasn't his first solo album, this was the first solo album from Eric Clapton to achieve massive success given how this was the first thing he released following the demise of his (then) most recent band Derek and the Dominoes. Here he incorporates reggae into his otherwise blues sound which resulted in his first solo hit in the form of its lead single much to the chagrin of Bob Marley fans.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I shot the sheriff #11
(POPULAR IN 1974)
To think that Pat Benatar's biggest album worldwide was this live album, I'm guessing because it contained a bonus track which would become the biggest hit of her career. Even though this was the peak of her success, her albums did do consistently well due to her tough as nails attitude.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Love is a battlefield #1
(POPULAR IN 1984)
This was the final album Dragon released during their initial run together, despite this being their biggest album they broke up so that Marc Hunter could pursue a solo career that ultimately took him nowhere given how he didn't score a single hit song during the bands time apart. They got back together when he finally gave up on his solo career where they essentially picked up where they left off from here.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Are you old enough #1
Still in love with you #27
(POPULAR IN 1978)
This was the second album to come from James Reyne, I guess so much for him being the weak link in Australian crawl if he was able to achieve this much success on his own long after the band had broken up. Indeed, his popularity would continue well into the 90's where he even joined a supergroup by the name of Company of strangers, that group would achieve moderate success as recently as 1993.
Peak position #7
Peak position #7 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
House of cards #17 (ARIA #17)
One more river #22
(POPULAR IN 1989)
There was a lot of hype going into Evanescence's third album given how inescapably popular their second album was earlier in the decade, alas though it was a success upon its initial release, fans quickly grew to dislike this follow up largely due to them feeling like the magic from their earlier release was nowhere to be found on this album. The band has released new material since this came out to deafening silence.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Call me when you're sober #5
Lithium #26
(POPULAR IN 2006)
You know a band has been overexposed when their back catalogue becomes a massive success years after its initial release, here's the debut album of Bay city rollers to help fans discover their back catalogue they missed out on two years prior.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Saturday night #45
(POPULAR IN 1975)
This was a decently successful album upon its initial release, likely due to it spawning two hits for Rick Price which was impressive for a debut album even for someone his age. It saw a massive rebound a year later when "Walk away Renee" became a surprise hit for him, thus making it a huge success for an Australian artist when that was becoming increasingly difficult to achieve.
Peak position #3
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Not a day goes by #5 (AMR #6)
Heaven knows #6 (AMR #9)
What's wrong with the girl #45
Walk away Renee #21 (AMR #18)
(POPULAR IN 1992, 1993)
Following the success of their second album, Creed released their third album which continued their momentum thanks to the singles gaining a lot of airplay on the radio despite them underperforming on the singles charts (at least here in Australia they did.) For whatever reason, the band would go their separate ways later in the decade, likely for Scott Stapp to embark on a solo career.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
My sacrifice #11
One last breath #43
Don't stop dancing #48
(POPULAR IN 2001, 2002)
Their debut album wasn't much of a success here in Australia, I'm guessing because we Aussies weren't that into sophistopop in the late 80's like the rest of the world was. Fortunately, the band saw massive success with their second album due to their cover of a Johnny Nash classic, even then the cover wasn't the first single from the album which is why it took a little while to find an audience here.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #1x2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
I can see clearly now #22 (AMR #18)
(POPULAR IN 1991)
In a way, this feels like a greatest hits album as we have Michael Crawford singing all of the best-known songs from all of Andrew Lloyd Webber's productions at the time of the album's release. The success of this album was likely due to when the Phantom of the opera began its tour here in Australia which happened to star him in the titular role, thus making this a tie into the show.
Peak position #1x3
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1992)
The last time Joe Cocker troubled the charts was five years prior with his album Unchain my heart and its title track, so I'm guessing this greatest hits album (which would have its name taken from Sony's lucrative Essential collections in the 00's) was meant to help audiences rediscover his catalogue which they of course did around this time.
Peak position #4
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1993)
Phoebe Snow was a singer/songwriter who had promise earlier in the decade when "Poetry man" became a huge hit for her in her native America, now she never had a hit here in Australia but due to how popular she was in NZ during the second half of the decade, this album became a huge success for her despite it flopping on the Billboard charts. Why her popularity fizzled out over there is anyone's guess.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Every night #22
(POPULAR IN 1979)
This was the only successful album Gloria Gaynor was able to achieve here in Australia, I'm guessing this was due to her losing the disco crown to Donna Summer who so more success as the decade went on with her disco records. Even so, this wouldn't be the last time we hear from the fellow disco singer of colour as she would return by the end of the decade with her classic "I will survive."
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Never can say goodbye #3
Reach out I'll be there #35
(POPULAR IN 1975)
Although this wasn't the first album to come from Mental as anything, it was the first to give them massive success as it spawned not one but two hit singles from the quirky band this year. The album was popular enough here for it to crossover to NZ the following year where it proved to be an even bigger success for them, albeit without giving the band any success with the singles there.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
If you leave me can I come too #4
Too many times #6
Berserk warriors #30
(POPULAR IN 1981)
It had been a while since the Who had troubled the charts; however, this was the year where there was a theatrical adaptation of one of their albums so perhaps it makes sense that this solo album from Roger Daltrey managed to be a success back in the day. He wouldn't trouble the charts again until he rejoined the band later in the decade.
Peak position #10
(POPULAR IN 1975)
I'm not sure how he did it, but Chris Rea scored an impressive comeback this year with this album given how his previous hit "Diamonds" was only a modest success for him nearly a decade prior. I think NZ had something to do with this as he suddenly saw a massive surge in popularity over there around this time, this leading to the lead single to nearly topping their charts and thus becoming a hit here.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Let's dance #9
(POPULAR IN 1987)
It had been seven years since the tragic passing for Karen Carpenter, although I guess the last greatest hits package from the duo was released exclusively here in Australia and NZ whereas this was released internationally to deafening silence outside of both countries. I guess we were the only ones who realised the genius of their music back in the day, although time has since reevaluated their legacy.
Peak position #9
Peak position #15 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1990, 1991)
I'm a bit surprised the Star Wars soundtracks didn't sell better here in Australia back in the day considering A: how much of a cultural phenomenon the films were and B: them being the orchestral themes composed by John Williams especially given how the original trilogy was released when orchestral music was in vogue in the music scene.
Peak position #12
(POPULAR IN 1977, 1978)
Her popularity had begun to dwindle by this point in her career, although she was still several years off from hitting a low point both in her career and personal life, so she was able to keep the momentum going with this album. The theme here is about a self-discovery, with the tracks about becoming a butterfly being an obvious metaphor for transforming into your true self.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Honey #8 (AMR #5)
Butterfly #27
Breakdown #38
My all #39
(POPULAR IN 1997)
Although he never saw much success here in Australia throughout his career, there appears to have been enough appreciation for Barry White going into the new decade for this greatest hits package to be a huge success for him a mere three years prior to his death. For what it's worth, he did have a hit with "Never never gonna give you up" in 1974 that I didn't feature on that list due to being a hit too early in the year.
Peak position #5
(POPULAR IN 2000)
This is the only other album that the Cat empire managed to achieve success with here in Australia, I'm guessing because their brand of ska reggae was growing tiresome by their fanbase by the time they released their next album later in the decade as while this was a hit for the band, it was only as such due to it sticking around after it initially fell off the upper echelons of the charts.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Sky #23
The car song #46
(POPULAR IN 2005)
This was all set to be a flop outside of Richard Marx's native America, I'm guessing because the world already felt it had Bryan Adams to carry the torch of heartland rock for artists who didn't get their start in the 70's. I guess we Aussies changed our minds when the third single from the album became a Billboard chart topper for him, bearing in mind he already had two hits from the album by this stage.
Peak position #7
Peak position #7 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Should've known better #9
Endless summer nights #16
(POPULAR IN 1988)
This album may be a bit low on this list as will be the next few albums, however rest assure that each of them were far more popular here in Australia back in the day than their placements would suggest given how they were all pushed aside in favour of the Australian Idol shenanigans this year. Suffice to say, this debut album from Franz Ferdinand was huge here thanks to its lead single and Triple J heavily promoting it.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Take me out #25
(POPULAR IN 2004)
Ever wanted to know if the female vocalist on Meat Loaf's iconic Bat out of hell album had her own catalogue worth checking out? It turns out she does as this was her debut album following the positive reception she received with her contributions to her earlier work. Sadly, this was the full extent of her popularity here in Australia, likely due to the downward spiral Meat loaf and company went through at the time.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
We belong to the night #15
(POPULAR IN 1980)
From what I can gather, Sunshine was a docudrama from 1973 that was a massive success here in Australia, at least I think it was based on how well the soundtrack did two years after its release. It's about how a mother and a daughter died at a concert and the ramifications of that event, hence why there was a tie in soundtrack to such a serious matter.
Peak position #16
(POPULAR IN 1975)
This is the only successful album to come from baritone singer Patrizio Buanne, likely because he wasn't able to compete with the likes of Il Divo and Michael Bublé in the realms of classical music despite there being a shorter of baritone vocalists in the mainstream this decade (particularly those from Italy.)
Peak position #3
(POPULAR IN 2005, 2006)
This album does feel a little leftfield from what was coming out at the time, as such it's a bit understandable that it didn't receive as much love back in the day as you would otherwise think even if it did better than many other prog and metal albums from around this time. Sadly, this would be the peak of Joe Satriani's popularity as his 90's work fared much worse commercially worldwide.
Peak position #14
Peak position #10 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Always with me always with you #48
(POPULAR IN 1989)
The last time Billy Ocean had troubled our charts here in Australia was with his debut single "Love really hurts without you" back in 1976, fast forward eight years and he came back with the lead single to his first RNB album which helped him find an audience all around the world due to how he reinvented himself. The album was a massive success here mainly due to how big the singles were.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Caribbean queen #2
Loverboy #7
Suddenly #15
(POPULAR IN 1985)
This is the only album from Amy Grant to achieve any sort of success outside of her native America, mainly because (to my knowledge) it's her only album which isn't made specifically for her contemporary Christian audience given how rarely that type of music connects with a larger market throughout history. Even though this was a huge international smash for her, she quickly reverted back to her Christian audience afterwards.
Peak position #14
Peak position #14 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Baby baby #5 (AMR #4)
Every heartbeat #17 (AMR #17)
(POPULAR IN 1991)
Skid row was just one of several hair metal bands to score a success worldwide this year, this debut album being a moderate success here in Australia due to their obligatory ballad becoming a surprise hit. They tried to keep the momentum going with their next album, however hair metal had become quickly out of vogue by the time it came out the following year which resulted in their decline in popularity.
Peak position #12
Peak position #17 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
I remember you #12 (AMR #12)
(POPULAR IN 1990)
While this didn't see the massive success of their previous two albums, the fact that it spawned easily their biggest hit (at least in the southern hemisphere) did allow it to stick around for quite some time here in Australia. Heck it probably would've done even better were it not for the Australian idol phenomenon as it was yet another victim of being pushed aside in favour of that shows popularity.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Eat you alive #30
Behind blue eyes #4
(POPULAR IN 2003)
This is the Canadian band err... The band who scored a massive hit in Australia and NZ with this live album that failed to be a success anywhere else in the world. These guys rose to prominence earlier in the decade by collaborating with Bob Dylan, so perhaps they felt this was prestigious enough for them to have success with this album.
Peak position #11
(POPULAR IN 1978)
I'm shocked to see how low this album is on this list considering how well-loved A-ha were here in Australia back in the day, although I guess the album did stick around for quite a while due to it spawning multiple singles even if they only had the one inescapable hit here like they did everywhere else in the world. At the very least, they did manage to find much more success with this album internationally.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Take on me #1
The sun always shines on TV #19
Train of thought #47
Hunting high and low #33
(POPULAR IN 1986)
This was the debut album for by far the most successful German band of the 70's and possibly of all time in Australia, yes this was the album that made Frank Farian a household name worldwide as he was the lead singer of this disco band he formed years before he put together Milli Vanilli. Needless to say, Boney M are more fondly remembered nowadays than his other projects.
Peak position #26
Hit singles
Daddy cool #5
Sunny #36
(POPULAR IN 1977)
This was the second album to come from Jebediah, it was much less of a success compared to their first album (at least if we factor in AMR sales, although in this case it might've equalled its success had they still existed when it released.) Still, it managed quite a lengthy run on the lower half of our charts, likely because of heavy exposure from Triple J which was the case for many Australian alternative bands.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Animal #16 (AMR #16)
(POPULAR IN 1999)
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