Although he had success in NZ and his native America prior to this international breakthrough of his, T.I was able to take the world by storm thanks to him leaning towards a more mainstream sound compared to his crunk influenced work from earlier in the decade. That said, this is another album on this list that was a success more through the strength of its singles rather than the album itself.
Peak position #16
Hit singles
Whatever you like #13
Live your life #3
Dead and gone #4
(POPULAR IN 2008)
This is the final album that Akon saw any success with worldwide, although once again it was more due to how prolific the singles were as while they were both sleeper hits here in Australia, they did far better internationally which of course translated to album success for him. It's likely his popularity died out due to the multiple controversies he was involved with during the height of his fame.
Peak position #20
Hit singles
Right now #17
Beautiful #14
(POPULAR IN 2009)
We've seen plenty of different forms of EDM make it big throughout my site so far, although I bet none of you realised there was a subgenre where one combines EDM with jazz did you? It turns out that French DJ St Germain did just that with this album which became a massive success for him at the start of the decade in NZ and throughout Europe, although it was only a moderate sleeper hit here in Australia.
Peak position #23
(POPULAR IN 2001)
This was initially a flop for Ladyhawke upon its initial release, mainly because indie pop wasn't very commercially viable in the 00's and would only explode in popularity going into the 2010's. It eventually became a sleeper hit here when one of the singles heavily benefitted from placing high on Triple J's year end list for 2008 which propelled its popularity in the mainstream.
Peak position #16
Hit singles
My delirium #8
(POPULAR IN 2009)
Blur weren't among the most successful artists of the decade in Australia; however, they did see a massive splash this year with their fifth album largely thanks to the second single becoming a surprise hit for them this year. They were able to triumph over their rivals Oasis this year as this was both more successful than Be here now as well as it being a critical success over that album's mediocre reception.
Peak position #22
Peak position #16 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Beetlebum #35
Song 2 #4 (AMR #6)
(POPULAR IN 1997)
While this wasn't his debut album, it was the album that made Bruce Springsteen a household name thanks to the title track becoming a staple on oldies stations despite it not being a success at the time. Indeed, Bruce would continue to find varying levels of success over the next two decades, some of it being massive like his magnum opus Born in the U.S.A and others being modest like his album Nebraska.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Born to run #38
(POPULAR IN 1975)
This was the penultimate album that Elton John released that had his partner in crime Bernie Taupin as his official songwriter, that is until the two patched things up in the early 80's which resulted in their second biggest album Too low for zero (behind Goodbye yellow brick road that is.) Personally, I blame "Island girl" for why their winning streak came to a sharp decline after the success of this album.
Peak position #1x5
(POPULAR IN 1975)
This was a huge success for Abba, although it was a given seeing as though they were on top of the world during the midpoint of the decade. Unfortunately for them, audience quickly grew tired of them as while their subsequent releases were successful, none of them reached the dizzying heights of this and their previous album.
Peak position #1x8
Hit singles
Dancing queen #1
Money money money #1
Knowing me knowing you #9
(POPULAR IN 1976, 1977)
I guess you can say that this album took its sweet time in finding an audience in the mainstream, except this was released when Silk degrees had finally gotten itself off the ground and thus had to compete with that album to find an audience worldwide. Both of these albums were highly successful and firmly put Boz Scaggs on the map in the music scene.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Hard times #40
Hollywood #43
(POPULAR IN 1978)
To add further insult to injury of how much of a failure the title track to this album was in Lenny's native America, this album proved to be a massive success for the self-proclaimed (then) modern Jimi Hendrix outside of his homeland proving how open the rest of the world was for allowing this musician of colour to rule over the rock scene. I guess the world changed its mind with his next album.
Peak position #1x4
Peak position #1x4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Are you gonna go my way #1 (AMR #1)
Believe #8 (AMR #10)
Is there any love in your heart #32
(POPULAR IN 1993)
They had an amazing run throughout the 70's not just here in Australia but internationally, so it makes sense that the band would release a greatest hits package detailing the journey they had made in such a short amount of time and for it to be a huge success for them. This sadly was a bit of a curse for the band here as they wouldn't have another hit for ten years when they came back with "Love is a bridge."
Peak position #4
(POPULAR IN 1978, 1979)
Michael Bolton was still very much a thing this far into the 90's, although his popularity would dwindle following the success of his greatest hits package later in the decade. Even so, he along with Bryan Adams and Richard Marx are a large reason why male adult contemporary stars get such a bad rep as many people feel their over passionate ballads are too over the top and melodramatic to find any enjoyment out of.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Said I loved you but I lied #2 (AMR #3)
(POPULAR IN 1994)
City of angels is an American remake of a film known as Wings of desire, a French film from the 70's about a fallen angel falling in love with a mortal woman and the conundrum that ensues from there. It's an admirable remake of a foreign film, although like most Hollywood remakes it removes the cultural identity of the original to appeal to a more mainstream audience. At least the soundtrack was a huge success.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Iris #1 (AMR #2)
(POPULAR IN 1998)
There were no signs of Foo Fighters slowing down exiting the decade here in Australia, so much so that they were one of the few rock bands to retain their popularity throughout the 2010's largely thanks to the success of this greatest hits package they released as the 00's was coming to an end.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Wheels #21
(POPULAR IN 2009)
This was the first greatest hits package that John Farnham released around this period; it was meant to cover his comeback period whilst the second he released would look over his pre comeback period from a decade prior. Naturally this was the more successful of the two albums as it contained some of his most iconic work.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Everytime you cry #3 (AMR #3)
(POPULAR IN 1997, 1998)
This was the biggest album that the Divinyls released in their catalogue, although like before there were two versions of this album as the tracks that were cut from the original album on the international release were added onto this album in lieu of several tracks that were never released outside of Australia. Fortunately, it's the original version with these internationally omitted tracks that was the big success here.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Good die young #32
In my life #47
Pleasure and pain #11
Sleeping beauty #50
(POPULAR IN 1985, 1986)
This was a bit of a return to form for Jimmy Barnes following his Soul deep project which remains his most successful album in his and his bands career. Jimmy's popularity would begin to dwindle as the decade went on as did most of his contemporaries from the 80's, however he never went away as he continues to see moderate success with his new albums even to this day.
Peak position #2
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Sweat it out #11 (AMR #13)
Stand up #41
Stone cold #4 (AMR #2)
Right by your side #43
(POPULAR IN 1993)
Disco was at the height of its popularity this year, so much so that even a band who I'm sure even at the time everyone new to be queer was able to find success with their breakthrough album. Even though these guys were closeted at the height of their popularity, they have since admitted that they're all gay which has only strengthened the popularity of their music as many champion it for lessening our stigma towards the LGBT community.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Macho man #3
(POPULAR IN 1978)
She was one of the biggest celebrities of the decade, so of course this greatest hits package from Barbra Streisand would be a success for her worldwide upon its initial release. Her popularity would continue to grow in the 80's as she would score her next album would be the biggest of her career, and indeed her film career would also flourish.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
You don't bring me flowers #4
(POPULAR IN 1979)
I'm not sure why these guys only stuck together for two albums as both albums were among the most popular of the decade worldwide, perhaps there was behind the scenes drama involving Roland Gift and the other two members that we simply never found out about. In any case, we have their debut album which was a huge success largely due to their cover of an Elvis Presley track.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Johnny come home #14
Blue #13
Suspicious minds #6
(POPULAR IN 1986)
It would seem odd that Santana would still be popular by the end of the decade only to fade into obscurity going into the 80's, until you remember that MTV launched in 1981 which naturally caused the mainstream to sideline these guys until the late 90's worldwide. Even so, they achieved massive success with their penultimate album of the decade here in Australia which makes this transition rather jarring.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Well all right #20
(POPULAR IN 1978, 1979)
While it wasn't as inescapable as their albums from the 90's, this album from the Offspring nevertheless continued their popularity into the new millennium thanks to its lead single becoming a massive hit here like their other songs from the 90's. It would be their final successful album as their subsequent follow ups failed to bring in the big numbers or produce a big hit like their earlier output did.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Original prankster #5
Want you bad #35
(POPULAR IN 2000, 2001)
This was the only notable success that the Choirboys had in Australia, although at least it spawned one of the biggest hits of the decade with its lead single as well as it being a staple in pub rock down under. These guys worked very hard in order to build their audience following the commercial failure of their debut album from five years prior, and sadly that audience would abandon them on their next album.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Run to paradise #3
Boys will be boys #14
Struggle town #34
(POPULAR IN 1988)
Footloose is a film I can easily see annoying people due to how nobody in the town realises the obvious delinquents were the ones causing all the problems in said town, although I feel this was more to make the film's message about not oppressing an entire demographic based on the actions of a select few resonate with audiences. At least the music is really catchy, hence why the soundtrack did so well.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Footloose #1
Let's hear it for the boy #3
(POPULAR IN 1984)
One of the more popular bands of the decade were the Divinyls, mainly due to the lead singer Chrissie Amphlett who much like the Pretenders, had an attitude which made her seem like one of the boys which allowed her to connect with many audiences who would otherwise pass up music made by women. Indeed, their brand of new wave helped them stand out from a bunch of other now long forgotten female lead bands.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Science fiction #13
Siren #45
(POPULAR IN 1983)
There was no stopping these guys from making it big in the mainstream in Australia, true this didn't have a hit single on here like their previous two albums, but who cares when it was still a huge success for the band? Unfortunately, their popularity quickly began to dwindle after this album as despite scoring a huge hit with their Semantics E.P the following year, they weren't able to achieve much success with their subsequent albums.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
Shut down #17
(POPULAR IN 1982)
This was another greatest hits package from CCR to be released exclusively in Australia and NZ, this time it's the 21st anniversary of when they first started having success here which I guess was enough of an incentive to have another greatest hits album from the band despite them not releasing anything new since 1972.
Peak position #3
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1990)
This was the debut album from the Pretenders and one that opened up many doors for bands just like them as we hadn't seen many male bands with a female vocalist see success prior to them breaking through with this album. This was popular enough to even crossover to America which was another rare feat for a band who broke through prior to the rise of MTV this decade.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Brass in pocket #2
(POPULAR IN 1980)
This was originally released as Marie Marie to deafening silence, likely due to it missing that instantly catchy track that would become the title track of Shaking's breakthrough album. Indeed, he would see massive success this decade in his native UK as recently as 1987, although in Australia his success would only last him another year before we moved on from the rockabilly revival trend.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
This ole house #1
(POPULAR IN 1981)
This was a comedic record that comedian Bob Hudson managed to score a massive hit with back in the day, mainly due to the title track becoming a surprise hit for him here and in NZ as well. I can't say this is a comedy routine as there is a melody to these jokes, however it does feel like it belongs in the realms of Kevin Wilson and the 12th man.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Newcastle song #1
(POPULAR IN 1975)
This was initially only a minor success in Australia when it was released, likely because we Aussies were beginning to fall out of love with their marriage of hip hop and rock in their sound. We quickly fell in love with it again when they released their cover of a Lionel Richie classic, a cover that has almost nothing in common with the rest of the album it appears on which nonetheless boosted its sales.
Peak position #4
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Midlife crisis #31
I'm easy #1 (AMR #1)
(POPULAR IN 1992, 1993)
This was the third greatest hits package from U2 within a decade of each other, although this time it collects songs from their entire catalogue which I guess explains its success as fans likely didn't want to buy two separate albums to have all of their must own songs in their catalogue when this came out.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
The saints are coming #1
Windows in the skies #17
(POPULAR IN 2006, 2007)
This was the only successful album that Rod Stewart was able to have here in Australia, I'm guessing because both of the hits that spawned from the album are upbeat which was something different from the usually mellow crooner who made albums based on midtempo ballads. He would score a hit here and there throughout the rest of the 80's, however his popularity would skyrocket in the early 90's.
Hit singles
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Tonight I'm yours #6
Young Turks #3
(POPULAR IN 1982)
While the Hannah Montana albums were only minor hits at best here in Australia, that didn't mean we Aussies weren't interested in hearing an album form Miley Cyrus that was made for the real world as her first album as herself was a massive success for her here like it was worldwide. It's the bridge to what she made on the show and the type of music she always wanted to make later in her career.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
See you again #6
Start all over #41
7 things #10
(POPULAR IN 2008)
Although it was never that much of a success, "Everybody wants to work" remains a staple on oldies stations to this day thanks to how relatable the song is. That song doesn't appear on this album as instead we have some more contemporary songs which nonetheless proved to be a huge success for the band likely thanks to the charisma of lead vocalist Brian Mannix as well as some catchy pop rock.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
The party #18
50 years #4
Still waiting #43
(POPULAR IN 1985)
While it wasn't a flop by any means, this second album from Avril Lavigne did unfortunately underperform partially due to audiences feeling it was more of the same from her debut album (which I disagree with) but mainly due to Sony tampering with its release schedule here in Australia to allow Australian idol to rule over our charts this year. These two factors led to her going in a different direction with her third album.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Don't tell me #10
My happy ending #6
Nobody's home #24
He wasn't #25
(POPULAR IN 2004)
Although Donna Summer had already seen success with her previous album due to its lead single, it was this album which finally made her the queen of disco due to its lead single topping the charts in most parts of the world. Donna always had a unique voice which worked wonders with sexually charged tracks, which is perhaps how she managed to be crowned the queen of a genre she would come to despise.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
I feel love #1
(POPULAR IN 1977)
This was a bit of a last hurrah for John Mellencamp given how this was the last successful album of his career here in Australia, although it did follow up his biggest album the Lonesome jubilee so perhaps it was bound to be successful regardless. He did retain success in his native America throughout the 90's, he even scored a massive hit in 1994 with "Wild night" proving how much his fellow Americans still loved him.
Peak position #2
Peak position #1x1 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Pop singer #10 (ARIA #8)
Jackie brown #48
(POPULAR IN 1989)
While he was struggling for mainstream relevancy with his albums by this point, at least the success of his greatest hits package was able to reassure him that his fans will always be there for him when it comes to his back catalogue. It had been twelve years since he broke away from Cold chisel, and he was in the process of reuniting with them following the success of a previously unreleased album two years prior.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Lover lover #6 (AMR #6)
(POPULAR IN 1996, 1997)
This was a flop for Peter Allen when it was released the previous year, I'm guessing the news of him coming out as gay following his divorce from Liza Minelli initially put us Aussies off from his brand of lounge music on this album. We were fortunately won over this year when he scored a huge hit with the album's second single, so much so the album and its lead single became a huge success this year for him.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
I go to Rio #1
The more I see you #10
(POPULAR IN 1977)
This was the only notable success that these guys managed to achieve with one of their albums, although I did say when discussing their big hit that they were the victim of having each of their songs sounding similar to each other which is perhaps why they weren't as big as you would otherwise expect them to be. That said, they've remained in disco royalty since their initial breakthrough for a reason, those songs are catchy to this day.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Get down tonight #44
That's the way I like it #5
(POPULAR IN 1976)
They were off to an amazing start with their debut album from the end of the previous decade, so to see these guys fail with their second and third album must have been a shock to the band given how much buzz they had going into the 80's. Indeed, their fourth album was all set for failure even with the success of its lead single, however it then won the Grammy for album of the year which boosted its sales.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Rosanna #16
Africa #5
(POPULAR IN 1983)
Following the success of his album But seriously, Phil Collins decided to embark on a world tour which was such a success that he compiled all of the greatest moments onto this album which he released to massive success. It's the only live album from his career both solo and with Genesis to see massive success over the years, it makes you wonder why none of his band's live albums was a hit though.
Peak position #5
Peak position #7 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1991)
This was a stellar year for Devo given how they not only scored two successful albums here in Australia but also a successful E.P which charted both on the singles and albums chart for them. This was the album that they released once their mainstream crossover happened with their earlier album which continues in their new wave direction complete with wacky visuals to accompany their singles.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Beautiful world #14
Working in a coal mine #20
(POPULAR IN 1981)
Well, he did score a massive hit on Billboard with his cover of "When a man loves a woman," so it makes sense that Michael would make a covers album based on some of the biggest hits of the twentieth century. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't just Motown songs that he covered on this album (although a majority of the tracks are from Motown) meaning that he was diverse in what songs he chose to make his own.
Peak position #2
Peak position #3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
To love somebody #39
(POPULAR IN 1993)
This was the debut album from one of the most successful bands of the decade, although fun fact, these guys are technically an Australian band since they formed while on tour here following their departure from their previous band the Tourists. This was the start of a trend where each album the duo would release would be more successful than the last, culminating with their fourth album Revenge.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Love is a stranger #17
Sweet dreams #6
(POPULAR IN 1983)
This was originally a flop for Lauryn Hill due to hip hop not having much presence in Australia, however it saw a surge in popularity this year when it won the album of the year at the Grammys thus breaking through our prejudice against hip hop (and female hip hop at that.) Unfortunately, this was the last anyone would hear from Lauryn as her mental health would see a sharp decline in the new millennium.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Doo wop #8 (AMR #8)
Can't take my eyes off you #8 (AMR #8)
(POPULAR IN 1999)
While the mid to late 80's is considered a dark period in Elton John's life, it should be noted that he did achieve a moderate amount of success with his albums during this time period even if he doesn't look back upon them fondly. This album in particular managed to spawn one of his biggest hits in his catalogue which is just about the only thing most people like to remember from it nowadays.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Act of war #50
Nikita #3
Wrap her up #22
(POPULAR IN 1985, 1986)
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Gimme more #3
Piece of me #2
Break the ice #23
(POPULAR IN 2007, 2008)
This was the only album from Barry Manilow's catalogue to be a huge success here in Australia, although his greatest hits album Manilow magic did confirm that he was more of a singles artist back in the day rather than having albums people could connect with in the mainstream. I guess it doesn't help that all but one of his hits have been covers despite him proudly proclaiming himself as a songwriter.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Can't smile without you #3
Copacabana #9
(POPULAR IN 1978)
This was a moderate success for Eric Clapton upon its initial release, I'm guessing because we Aussies were feeling nostalgic for his older work even though he only saw success with his time with Cream as well as his 1974 effort 461 ocean boulevard up until this point in his career down under.
Peak position #13
Peak position #12 (ARIA charts)
(POPULAR IN 1988)
This was the first noticeable success that Roxy Music achieved here in Australia, I guess it's good to know that they managed to have some notoriety here before Bryan Ferry took our music scene by storm with his earlier entry on this list.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Love is the drug #18
(POPULAR IN 1976)
The last time these guys had any success in their career was when John Farnham first replaced Glenn Shorrock as their lead singer from six years prior, it appears that them switching lead vocalists was the key to their success in the 80's as this album managed to become a success upon knowing that Glenn had replaced John on lead vocals when the latter left to relaunch his solo career two years prior.
Peak position #9
Peak position #10 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Love is a bridge #6
(POPULAR IN 1988)
This was the final album John Lennon released before he briefly retired in music, of course he would come back in 1980 months before his death but at this stage he wanted to step out of the spotlight due to all of the drama he had found himself in both with the band as well as his personal relationships.
Peak position #5
(POPULAR IN 1975)
This took its sweet time in becoming a success here in Australia, this is mainly because "Every little step" became a surprise hit here during the final stretch of the 80's which enabled us Aussies to check out what all the fuss was about from Bobby Brown despite the big hit from the album flopping here when it became a Billboard chart topper for him.
Peak position #4
Peak position #5 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
My prerogative #38
Every little step #7 (ARIA #8)
(POPULAR IN 1989, 1990)
This was released on the fortieth anniversary of the band first getting together, this explains A: the title of the album given how random it would otherwise be and B: why it was released to begin with given how the band hadn't released anything worthwhile in over a decade by this point. These two selling points explain why it was a success worldwide, that and the decade quickly becoming known for its nostalgia bug.
Peak position #3
(POPULAR IN 2002, 2003)
He may have only had one hit throughout his career, however at least Gordon Lightfoot managed to find success with the album that spawned that one hit of his here in Australia likely due to it fitting in with the growing country scene that allowed John Denver and Glen Campbell to thrive around this time.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Sundown #4
(POPULAR IN 1974)
While he never had much success here in Australia during his lifetime, this greatest hits package from 2pac nonetheless managed to become a huge success for him here proving that we Aussies wanted to atone for us ignoring his back catalogue this decade.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Changes #7 (AMR #9)
(POPULAR IN 1999)
Well sandwiched between two of the bigger EDM albums of the decade to come from one album wonders was this one and only album from the Italian group Corona who made it big with their catchy beats despite minor controversy surrounding who was singing on the album. Another difference between these guys and Culture beat and La bouche is that they didn't have any rapping on the album like those guys, it likely explains why this wasn't quite as big as those albums.
Peak position #10
Peak position #14 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
The rhythm of the night #8 (AMR #9)
Baby baby #7 (AMR #6)
Try me out #10 (AMR #10)
(POPULAR IN 1995)
He may be a one hit wonder with the lead single from this album, but at least Warren Zevon managed to score a massive hit with the album that spawned his radio classic back in the day. The song is a good representation of the album which is perhaps why the album was a success for him, normally a one hit wonder is as such due to their one hit being nothing like the rest of their catalogue.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Werewolves of London #8
(POPULAR IN 1978)
I guess if Nik Kershaw could score a bunch of hits on the singles chart in Australia, then it would only make sense for Howard Jones to find success with his second album here. This album's popularity came before the fourth single was given the remix treatment the following year, although the fact that became his only hit in Australia should tell you how unfairly ignored he was back in the day here.
Peak position #17
Hit singles
Things can only get better #11
Look mama #20
Life in one day #33
No one is to blame #9
(POPULAR IN 1985)
One of the first bands to make it big thanks to social media was the Arctic Monkeys, specifically it was due to them posting their songs on Myspace which eventually gained the attention of their label who signed them based on how well they did on that site. This was the album they put together following them being signed which was an instant success around the world thanks to their online notoriety.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
I bet you look good on the dance floor #18
When the sun goes down #26
(POPULAR IN 2006)
This was released the previous year to deafening silence here in Australia, this is even after the fact that the lead single became a massive success here months before Mick Jone's previous band the Clash had a posthumous comeback with "Should I stay or should I go" in his native UK. It was due to the second single's similarities to that song that this finally took off here when that became a worldwide hit.
Peak position #10
Peak position #9 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Rush #1 (AMR #1)
The globe #8 (AMR #9)
(POPULAR IN 1992)
I'm a bit surprised this didn't do as well back in the day given how it has the radio classic "Sister golden hair" as its lead single, I guess you can blame Countdown for this album's mediocre success here in Australia as America was doing very well up until this point in their career with their previous material.
Peak position #17
Hit singles
Sister golden hair #28
(POPULAR IN 1975)
Following the success of their debut album, the Vengaboys released their second album which promised to be even better than their debut, hence why they named if after the certification one receives when an album sells a million copies in America. It didn't quite reach those dizzying heights; in fact, it was more of a sleeper hit here in Australia due to the band's novelty running out fast this year.
Peak position #20
Hit singles
Shalala lala #4
Uncle John from Jamaica #45
(POPULAR IN 2000)
This was the first album from Muse to find any sort of success outside of their native UK, in Australia this was because the album was picked up by Triple J who heavily promoted it and its singles which resulted in their notoriety on the station translating to the mainstream this year. Of course, their next album would be even bigger just as the decade was coming to an end thanks to strong digital sales.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Supermassive black hole #34
Starlight #46
(POPULAR IN 2006)
These guys had been active for over a decade by the time they found their mainstream success with this album, although it was mainly due to the success of its lead single that it was a sleeper hit here in Australia as we Aussies slowly but surely decided to check out what other gems the band had to offer as the song tore up our charts.
Peak position #27
Peak position #22 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
The impression that I get #11 (AMR #14)
(POPULAR IN 1998)
Although the lead single managed to eat up the majority of this album's success, it was enough of a sleeper hit here in Australia for it to appear on this list even if our love for their fusion of new wave and traditional Celtic music wasn't as potent as our love for the other entries on this list. They did release other albums in their catalogue, however none of them found any success with us Aussies unfortunately.
Peak position #21
Hit singles
In a big country #7
(POPULAR IN 1984)
I guess it was only a matter of time before we had an aboriginal solo artist to appear on this site of mine, here we are with the earliest success story in that category which happens to be the debut album of Christine Anu, although I am using the term success story loosely given how it was only a minor sleeper hit at the time. Still, she had an interesting voice, and it was enough to give her a huge sleeper hit with its lead single.
Peak position #21
Peak position #21 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Party #20 (AMR #20)
(POPULAR IN 1995)
He may have failed to score a hit single with the infamous "Songbird" from this album here in Australia, however it appears we Aussies passed up that track (which has since become a meme) in favour of making the album it came from a minor sleeper hit back in the day for Kenny G.
Peak position #25
(POPULAR IN 1987)
This is the first album that Blink 182 released as Blink 182, prior to this they were simply known as Blink and had little success anywhere in the world. This album was set to flop here upon its initial release the previous year, however it was given a second wind when the singles became well loved by listeners of Triple J which allowed it to become a huge sleeper hit for the trio.
Peak position #25
Peak position #16 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Dammit #34
Josie #31
(POPULAR IN 1998)
I guess a change in imagery was what these guys needed to survive the into the MTV era given how the band ditched their clown get up when promoting this album. Granted it wasn't a permanent solution as the band would struggle to find success with their next album and would go their separate ways two years after this came out, however it's likely this process wouldn't have taken as long as it did if they stuck to their guns.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Dirty creature #6
Six months in a leaky boat #2
Never ceases to amaze me #50
(POPULAR IN 1982)
This was released the year prior to deafening silence for Gloria Estefan, I'm guessing because unlike the rest of the world, we Aussies weren't particularly interested in her work with the Miami sound machine and thus had little interest in her solo work. The album eventually became a success for her due to her surviving a horrific accident where she was violently knock out of her bed in her tour bus while she was sleeping during a crash it was involved with, needless to say our support for her was strong as a result.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Don't wanna lose you #40
Here we are #20 (AMR #16)
Cuts both ways #38
(POPULAR IN 1990)
Even though there were already two versions of this story made by the time Barbra Streisand took a crack at it, it is the first version to center around the Grammys which perhaps led to its box office success and how it swept the Golden globe awards despite a mixed critical reception towards the film. As the story is about an aging male rock star mentoring a younger female rock star, the soundtrack proved to be a huge success thanks to audiences connecting with the relationship.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Evergreen #5
(POPULAR IN 1977)
This was the final bestselling album that John Denver released in his career, although he kept soldiering on throughout the decade and even well into the 80's in an attempt to recreate the success he had this year. I guess he just happened to be in the right place at the right time as country music was all the rage worldwide during the midpoint of the 70's.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
I'm sorry #7
Calypso #7
(POPULAR IN 1975, 1976)
While many people (me included) will tell you that Bob Dylan isn't what you'd call an audibly pleasing vocalist, it's clear that the success of his music comes from his compositions and songwriting which are two aspects as to how he scored a huge hit with the lead single to this album. Naturally this made him a household name in Australia which allowed him to find massive success during the height of the Countdown era.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Hurricane #7
(POPULAR IN 1976)
This was the biggest success that Rickie Lee Jones had in Australia, this was largely due to the lead single becoming a huge international success for her at a time where adult contemporary was competing with disco. She did have some minor success throughout the following decade, although she would never again reach the dizzying heights of her debut.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Chuck e's in love #15
(POPULAR IN 1979)
It seems weird that this greatest hits package would be so successful in Australia given how the popularity of Dr Hook was quickly dwindling around the time of its release, this is even stranger considering how their international popularity was quickly growing but I digress. I guess this became successful due to the success of their hit single "Girls can get it" which wasn't even on the album.
Peak position #1x4
(POPULAR IN 1981)
It looked like that Madonna had officially won the battle over Cyndi as the pop princess of the 80's, although Cyndi did put up a valiant fight with her sophomore album as it was a huge success for her back in the day. Alas it didn't spawn multiple hit singles from it like her previous album did, and it also showed a more mature side of her which is perhaps why she lost her battle with Madonna this decade.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
True colors #3
Change of heart #15
(POPULAR IN 1986, 1987)
Following the success of both their first film Stop making sense and their most recent album Little creatures, Talking heads decided to allow lead singer David Byrne to direct a proper film which wasn't well received at the time from what I can gather. It's gained a cult following over the years likely from audiences who bought the soundtrack from the band back in the day.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Wild wild life #13
(POPULAR IN 1986, 1987)
She may be a one hit wonder here in Australia with the lead single from this album, however that single was apparently all the incentive we Aussies needed in checking out the album it came from as it became one of the more successful to come out this decade. I'm guessing this was due to Carole performing the song on Countdown back in the day as from what I can gather, this wasn't a success anywhere else in the world.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
You're moving out today #1
(POPULAR IN 1977)
Following the surprise success of their previous album worldwide, Green day followed that up with this album which was a huge success even if it didn't quite live up to the standards Dookie set up for them. Still, it at least had a ton of fanfare upon its initial release which is more than you can say for their next album which needed one of the songs to be affiliated with Seinfeld of all things for it to be a success.
Peak position #5
Peak position #4 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Geek stink breath #40
Stuck with me #46
(POPULAR IN 1995, 1996)
This album also serves as the soundtrack to the film Dick Tracy, a film that happens to star Madonna as a vaudeville singer which gave her the perfect opportunity to perform a bunch of throwback tunes that appear throughout the album. I can't say if the film is good or not because I haven't seen it yet (I'll update this post once I have) however it's seeming like it'll be campy fun if this soundtrack is anything to go by.
Peak position #1x3
Peak position #1x3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Vogue #1 (AMR #1)
Hanky panky #6 (AMR #5)
(POPULAR IN 1990)
Elton John was certainly on a roll this decade as he was able to score massive success with his first new album of the 90's, although it would be his last successful album that wasn't attached to a soundtrack in his career as he largely focused on making soundtracks following the success he had with the Lion king two years later. It was not only a huge commercial success but also won him and academy award.
Peak position #2
Peak position #3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
The one #15 (AMR #14)
The last song #32
(POPULAR IN 1992)
One of the best rom coms of the decade (in my opinion of course) is Bridget Jones diary, a British film based on a + sized woman (played by the usually underweight Renee Zellweger) keeps a journal about her year where she navigates her day-to-day life in order to find the love of her life. It was a massive critical and commercial success which spawned a highly successful soundtrack to boot.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
It's raining men #4
Out of reach #9
(POPULAR IN 2001)
One of the very select few Adam Sandler flicks to be a critical darling, the Wedding singer tells the story of how the titular wedding singer becomes disillusioned with love following him being stood up at the alter at his own wedding only to rediscover love when he receives positive attention from a cocktail waitress who is engaged to a man who isn't treating her right. As the film is set in the mid 80's, the soundtrack is filled with 80's classics which resonated with audiences of the late 90's.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1998)
Although this wasn't their first album, this was the album which made Cold Chisel a household name in Australia likely due to how pub rock was taking over the mainstream in Australia around this time despite this album failing to produce a hit single for them. Their next album would be even bigger and would make them one of the biggest names of the 80's along the likes of Australian crawl and Split enz.
Peak position #4
(POPULAR IN 1979)
One of the bigger success stories to come from Countdown in terms of international artists was that of Leif Garrett, specifically how he managed to find massive success with this album despite it being a huge failure in his native America. His next album would be a success on Billboard; however, it would also lead the teen idol to develop a drug addiction which put a halt on his music career indefinitely.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Surfing USA #2
Runaround sue #8
Put your head on my shoulder #24
(POPULAR IN 1978)
Before Tracy Chapman and Melissa Etheridge, we had Suzanne Vega who began the trend of having female singer/songwriters make it big in the mainstream with their sharpy written ballads that connected with audiences. Of course, those women would overshadow Suzanne the following year, however this album has remained relevant over the years thanks to its lead single and its take on domestic violence.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Luka #21
(POPULAR IN 1987)
Given how he had two massive albums from earlier in the decade as well as a bunch of hits with some of the biggest names of the decade, it only makes sense that Santana would release a greatest hits album which collects all of the biggest collaborations he had with decade given how he was arguably bigger now than what he was back in his heyday in the 70's.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Into the night #4
(POPULAR IN 2007, 2008)
We already saw massive success with Enigma earlier in the decade, so why not have their French counterpart see massive success here as well? Deep forest was another new age band who connected with audiences looking to meditate with music like this, although unlike Enya and Enigma, they didn't have too much success outside of this album here.
Peak position #4
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Sweet lullaby #7 (AMR charts)
Deep forest #32
(POPULAR IN 1993)
These guys were on a roll this decade as they released this album two years after the success of their previous album Automatic for the people, it's worth noting that at this point they had become more popular worldwide than in their native America which is why they didn't see much success on Billboard as the decade went on. Unfortunately, this was their last major album as their popularity would decline after this.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
What's the frequency Kenneth #24
Bang and blame #29
(POPULAR IN 1994, 1995)
Hush was another Australian band that were able to see success even without the assistance of Countdown back in the day, in fact this album was a genuine success here as opposed to their follow up which flopped in exchange for the singles being massive hits thanks to Countdown promoting them. Their legacy was sadly limited to these two albums due to glam rock losing its popularity as the decade went on.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Walking #22
(POPULAR IN 1974)
It took them well over a decade to find success even in their native America, however it finally came with this album due to the lead single becoming a huge success for them worldwide. It was a short-lived victory in most parts of the world as their next album was a huge flop for them, however they came back with the album after that as that spawned their second Billboard chart topper in the decade.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Keep on loving you #3
Take it on the run #30
(POPULAR IN 1981)
Although this didn't produce any noteworthy hits for Steve Miller and company, it nonetheless remains their most successful album in their career likely due to how well they did on the radio back in the day. They would sit out the rest of the decade and return at the height of MTV with an album that certainly adapted with the times.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Jet airliner #23
(POPULAR IN 1977)
This was the only notable success from Nicollette Larsson, a woman who's best known for her relationship with Neil Young from around this time as she appeared on his album Comes a time which is perhaps how she managed to find success with this album. I'm guessing she had a falling out with Neil as her popularity vanished once this album left the charts.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Lotta love #11
(POPULAR IN 1979)
I'm guessing this greatest hits package became a success here in Australia due to Stevie Wonder being featured on Babyface's hit single "How come how long" as a way to remind us Aussies of the back catalogue for one of the greatest musicians to ever make it big in the music industry.
Peak position #4
Peak position #9 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1997)
This is the final successful album to come from Britney Spears, an album that remains divisive amongst her fans to this day as they feel that it's another step back from her earlier work in favour of pandering to the popular zeitgeist of the moment. It did spawn a few gigantic hits for her worldwide, so it was at least a huge commercial success for the princess of pop.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Womanizer #5
Circus #6
If u seek Amy #11
Radar #46
(POPULAR IN 2008, 2009)
This was the only successful album to come from glam rock band Europe in Australia, although their next album did alright throughout the continent of Europe meaning they did have their appeal outside of the title track from this album. I get the feeling that Bon Jovi and Whitesnake stole the success these guys had throughout the rest of the world which would explain their one album wonder status.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
The final countdown #2
Rock the night #22
(POPULAR IN 1987)
This was the unofficial soundtrack to Maximum overdrive, a film that's been described as beyond over the top even by the standard's of 80's horror flicks. Naturally the soundtrack is what people remember most about the film (well that and its premise thanks to the Simpsons satirising it a decade later) it even gave the band a hit single for them which is the first they had since the start of the decade.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Who made who #9
(POPULAR IN 1986)
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