We have another entry from an Australian artist for this list, this time it's the third album from Hoodoo gurus who were able to find massive success with this album due to it spawning their biggest hit in the form of its lead single. Even though they were quickly gaining an international audience with their albums, their popularity would dwindle after this as their next album would fail to see this level of success.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
What's my scene #3
Good times #36
(POPULAR IN 1987)
This was more of a sleeper hit here in Australia thanks to the two lead singles being among the more popular going into the new decade, although neither of them was compelling enough for us Aussies to check out the rest of the album in droves unlike some of the other EDM releases that found way more success as the decade went on.
Peak position #22
Peak position #19 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Pump up the jam #4 (AMR #4)
Get up #7 (AMR #5)
This beat is technotronic #27
(POPULAR IN 1990)
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)
I guess Hoodoo gurus were in danger of not being able to transition from the 80's to the 90's given how their last album Magnum cum louder was a huge flop at the end of the previous decade. Fortunately, they were able to bounce back this year with this album lead by a song that was built on 60's nostalgia which was still a popular trend of the early 90's. This second wind didn't last long for the band I'm afraid.
Peak position #4
Peak position #8 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Miss freelove 69 #19 (AMR #17)
1000 miles away #37
(POPULAR IN 1991)
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)
This was one of three albums that Nikki Webster released following her performance at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Olympics, although most Australians like to pretend that her singing career only consisted of the lead single to this album given how you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who liked her music even back in the day. I personally think it gets too much hate even though I'm not a fan of it either.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Strawberry kisses #2
Depend on me #16
The best days #21
(POPULAR IN 2001)
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 final successful album that the Killer's had in their career, again this was due to rock music taking a massive back seat to the likes of the club boom and indie pop going into the 2010's which sadly didn't have much room for the likes of these guys and many other bands on these last few lists of mine.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Human #28
(POPULAR IN 2008, 2009)
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)
Bad company were a hard rock band who already saw success the previous year with their self-titled album in Australia, this was the follow up to that album which was an inevitable success for them despite the lead single being a massive flop here. Their popularity would quickly fade as the decade went on as did many bands and artists that made it big prior to the launch of Countdown.
Peak position #8
(POPULAR IN 1975)
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)
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 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)
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)
While the album itself wasn't a big success for Marcia Hines, the fact that it spawned two of her biggest hits of the decade more than made up for its comparatively mediocre success from her previous two albums. That said it was still plenty successful hence why it's on this list, and hey it's still five times as more success than anything Diana Ross was putting out around this time.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
What I did for love #6
You #2
(POPULAR IN 1977)
Another year, another highly successful album from an artist that with a few notable exceptions, I never particularly cared for his music. There doesn't even seem to be any surprises on this track as this is what you would expect from a Rod Stewart album released this decade.
Peak position #1x9
Hit singles
You're in my heart #1
Hot legs #42
(POPULAR IN 1977, 1978)
Patti Smith didn't see much success in her career over the years, the one exception being her second album with her self-titled band which became a success due to the lead single being written by Bruce Springsteen of all people. It remains a popular album from the 70's pseudo punk scene (I guess you can say this is punk) as well as having her being a legend in the music industry.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Because the night #15
(POPULAR IN 1978)
This was the only notable success that Elvis Costello had in the music industry, mainly for its lead single which remains a staple on oldies stations despite a controversial lyric where he uses a racial slur at one point (the slur is edited out on the radio.) Elvis is best known for being a punk rocker even though this album is more in line with what would eventually become new wave.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Oliver's army #24
(POPULAR IN 1979)
They may have never found success in their native America with their debut album; however, it became a huge success here in Australia and in NZ thanks to the band being discovered by Countdown presenter Molly Meldrum while overseas trying to interview bigger celebrities at the time. They were invited to appear on the show which they did which resulted in this and the lead single becoming a huge success.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Total control #7
(POPULAR IN 1980)
Although she had moderate success throughout the 70's in Australia, this was the first album that we Aussies took notice of from Joan Armatrading likely due to her voice finally clicking with us this year. Of course, she would find even bigger success later in the decade where she was finally able to score a hit single here, but this was a good introducing to her in the mainstream and for the 80's.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Me myself I #24
(POPULAR IN 1980)
Steely Dan is perhaps best known nowadays for their infamous Grammy upset at the 2000 awards ceremony, however back in the day they were a well-respected band who scored massive success in their native America throughout the 70's with their brand of adult contemporary and soft rock. This was their only massive success here in Australia which came right before they first called it quits.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Hey nineteen #48
(POPULAR IN 1981)
Although none of their albums achieved major success here in Australia barring their (then) most recent album (due to behind-the-scenes drama involving the departure of Sioban Fahay) they nonetheless managed to achieve massive success with some of their singles which more than justifies the success of their greatest hits package this year even if it was merely a sleeper success for them.
Peak position #23
Peak position #21 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Love truth and honesty #24
Help #30
(POPULAR IN 1989)
This is the final album from Cyndi Lauper to achieve any sort of success from her career, this is mainly due to it being so far removed from her wacky persona that made her a household name earlier in the decade that fans naturally felt alienated by it. Even so, it wasn't that much of a flop here in Australia thanks to the lead single becoming a genuine hit for her here.
Peak position #23
Peak position #17 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
I drove all night #8 (ARIA #11)
My first night without you #50
(POPULAR IN 1989)
One of the better rom coms of the decade was My best friend's wedding, a film about how Julia Roberts realises that she's in love with her best friend and tries to win him over his fiancé who's played by Cameron Diaz (I swear it's better than I'm making it out to be.) The film spawned a successful soundtrack due to its lead single being a cover of one of the most romantic songs of the 60's.
Peak position #1x4
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
I say a little prayer #6 (AMR #4)
(POPULAR IN 1997, 1998)
Well, it was inevitable that we have at least one album from N sync to appear on this site, although given that this was apparently the bestselling album in America for the decade (something I find incredibly hard to believe but whatever) it would've been embarrassing if this was a complete flop here in Australia for the main rivals of Backstreet boys. For what it's worth, at least JT would have massive success as a solo artist.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Bye bye bye #1
It's gonna be me #11
This I promise you #42
(POPULAR IN 2000)
We have another entry from Andre Bocelli to appear on this site, this time it's with an album that was more of a sleeper hit which suggests that his time in the spotlight was coming to an end when that wouldn't end up being the case.
Peak position #17
(POPULAR IN 2002, 2003)
This was all set to becoming another flop for Westlife given how the Irish boy band hadn't had any success here since their cover of "Uptown girl" from earlier in the decade, however it spawned a massive hit with its lead single that for whatever reason, took its sweet time in becoming as such which finally led to this album being a success for them despite the noticeable absence of Brian McFadden.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
You raise me up #3
Amazing #34
(POPULAR IN 2006)
This was the first successful album that Rihanna had anywhere in the world, although I'm not sure why her debut from the previous year was a flop worldwide given how it spawned two of the bigger hits of the midpoint of the decade. In any case, this was the first stepping stone towards her eventual chart dominance she would acquire by the end of the decade thanks to how inescapable the singles were.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
SOS #1
Unfaithful #2
We ride #24
(POPULAR IN 2006)
Stevie Wonder always had some form of success here in Australia, however it's worth noting he only became a massive household name once he released his greatest hits package the following year which allowed his albums to see the massive success they had in his native America.
Peak position #19
(POPULAR IN 1974)
This is the only notable success that prog rock group Pavlov's dog was able to achieve here in Australia and indeed anywhere in the world, likely due to them being named after a psychological treatment which involves conditioning one (usually an animal) to behave the way one should which I'm sure caused quite the controversy back in the day outside of their fanbase.
Peak position #23
(POPULAR IN 1975)
This was the final album to have the original singer for the Doobie brothers Tom Johnson on the lead, the band would be replaced with Michael McDonald after this album who would take the band in a more adult contemporary direction throughout the second half of the decade. This would lead to their biggest album Minute by minute which helped break them into a more mainstream audience.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Take me in your arms #34
(POPULAR IN 1975)
Following the success of his second solo album, Bryan Ferry struck while the iron was hot and released his third solo album which proved to be slightly more successful in exchange for it lacking that inescapable hit that "Let's stick together" became prior to its release. This led to him releasing a third album not long after this which sadly for him crashed and burned and caused him to reform Roxy music.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
This is tomorrow #6
Tokyo Joe #30
(POPULAR IN 1977)
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)
Elvis was indeed one of the biggest stars of Hollywood throughout the 60's, as such his label put together a compilation album of all of the songs from his films which became a success following his tragic death the previous year.
Peak position #15
(POPULAR IN 1978)
Toto began their life as a group of session musicians for other bands and artists before they decided to join the leagues of their clientele by releasing their debut album, it proved to be a worthy decision as this album was a huge success for them worldwide. They did struggle to retain their popularity with their next two albums; however, they would be back in the spotlight with their Grammy winning fourth album.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Hold the line #8
(POPULAR IN 1979)
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)
David Bowie has seen plenty of ups and downs throughout his career, however this album did help those ups remain as such for at least half a decade as his next album would be the more pop friendly Let's dance which was his most successful in his career. I'm guessing this connected with audiences due to the lead single, specifically the video where he cosplays as the Tinman from the Wizard of Oz.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
Ashes to ashes #3
Fashion #28
(POPULAR IN 1980)
Well, this feels like a shameless cash grab, granted the Beatles do have themed greatest hits packages and such it is possible this album was always meant to be released when it was. That said, the fact that this came out so soon after John Lennon's death just leaves a bad taste in my mouth as I doubt it would've been as successful as it was if John had lived to see this year.
Peak position #1x7
(POPULAR IN 1981)
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 the big breakthrough that they Eurogliders had in their career after the mediocre reception of their debut album from two years prior, although their next album would be even bigger due to it spawning multiple hits for the Western Australian band. The album is best known for the vocal presence of lead singer Grace Knight who would have a solo album in 1990 that was a huge success.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Heaven #2
(POPULAR IN 1984)
Paul Young was on a roll when he released his second album internationally, although it wasn't quite as huge as his debut album from two years prior due to it not having a string of hits like that album did. It didn't really matter though as he scored a Billboard chart topper from this album with a cover of a Hall and Oates track, thus making him one of the biggest British artists of the second invasion this decade over there.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
I'm gonna tear your playhouse down #25
Everything must change #27
Everytime you go away #20
Tomb of memories #44
(POPULAR IN 1985)
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)
This was the solo album from Talking heads guitarist Jerry Harrison who released this album around the same time that the band released their album Naked which was a massive flop for the band worldwide. It's success largely came from the lead single which was a huge hit here in Australia as well as on the international alternative scene which I'm sure made him proud of this venture.
Peak position #18
Peak position #18 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Rev it up #3
Man with a gun #16 (ARIA #17)
(POPULAR IN 1988)
This was the first of only two albums to come from Chocolate Starfish, an Australian band who were known for their campy onstage antics who nonetheless were able to see massive success thanks to how well their music connected with audiences. I'm not sure why they didn't find any success with their second album the following year, it unfortunately led to them breaking up later in the decade.
Peak position #2
Peak position #5 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
You're so vain #11 (AMR #12)
All over me #33
Mountain #12 (AMR #11)
4 letter word #41
(POPULAR IN 1994)
This had been an interesting decade for Wendy Matthews, she began as the lead singer of a supergroup before scoring two successful solo albums to her name before becoming yesterday's news by the midpoint of the 90's. Here she released a greatest hits package which became a success for her, this being the latest album of its kind to confirm that an artist's work is secured in the nostalgia circuit.
Peak position #4
(POPULAR IN 1999)
We have another successful entry from the Great American songbook franchise, this is the third volume which just like the second volume, was an instant success upon its release and even lasted quite a while on our charts albeit on the lower half of them hence why it appears so low on this list below albums that it was far more successful than back in the day.
Peak position #8
(POPULAR IN 2004, 2005)
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)
Deep Purple is another band who saw inescapable success here in Australia during the first half of the decade, as such they would've dominated these lists had I decided to go back further in the decade with each of their releases, making those lists rather repetitive given how little variety there was with what was successful.
Peak position #8
(POPULAR IN 1974, 1975)
This will be the earliest entry from Rod Stewart I'll be featuring on this site, suffice to say the crooner heavily benefitted from the Countdown era despite already having plenty of success during the first half of the decade with his earlier work here.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Farewell #47
(POPULAR IN 1974, 1975)
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)
Following the success of their previous album Wings at the speed of sound, the band decided to embark on an American tour which they named after said album which proved to be a massive success for them. This live album captures the highlights of the tour which the rest of the world was able to appreciate as it became a huge success for them in their catalogue.
Peak position #2
(POPULAR IN 1977)
This managed to be a success here in Australia thanks to Heart's earlier entry on this list, that and the lead single was enough of a success back in the day to help it stand out from its contemporaries and remains a favourite on oldies stations to this day. Like I said before, the band wouldn't trouble our charts again for eight years with their comeback album they had in their native America.
Peak position #22
Hit singles
Barracuda #15
(POPULAR IN 1977)
Although Dragon did achieve minor success earlier in the decade here in Australia, this was the album which finally made them a household name here to the point where they were able to take their success back home as the lead single managed to become a huge success over there. They were one of the earliest acts to achieve success in NZ thanks to appearing on Countdown for what it's worth.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
April sun in Cuba #2
(POPULAR IN 1977, 1978)
Although he had a massive hit with "Girls on the avenue" two years prior, this was the first album from Richard Clapton to achieve any sort of success likely due to his continual presence on Countdown even if it failed to spawn a genuine hit for him. He would have one more successful album in the 80's before his time in the spotlight was up, this is despite the fact he continued to be a regular on the show.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Deep water #43
(POPULAR IN 1977, 1978)
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)
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)
This was the debut album from the Village people which naturally saw a surge in popularity once the band released their earlier entry on this list, there's not much to say about it that can't be said about their follow up aside from it spawning a moderate hit here even prior to when they took over our disco scene.
Peak position #21
Hit singles
San Francisco #15
(POPULAR IN 1978)
The decade might have been coming to an end, however that didn't mean Abba was yesterday's news quite yet as they were able to score a massive hit with this album and even several hit singles to spawn from it. While their popularity wasn't as unavoidable as their earlier material, it was still noteworthy which is more than I can say for several other bands and artists that dominated the midpoint of the 70's.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Chiquitita #4
Does your mother know #7
(POPULAR IN 1979)
Even though this was a massive success for Donna Summer and is often considered to be the quintessential disco record from a musician of colour, it unfortunately led to her developing resentment for her previous work as the marketing depicted her as a sex worker which she felt sent her audience the wrong message. As a result, she became a devoted feminist after this album cycle was finished and changed her image going into the 80's.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Hot stuff #1
Bad girls #14
(POPULAR IN 1979)
Bob Dylan was certainly on a roll when he released this album as it showed promise that he would thrive throughout the 80's, alas since he wasn't what would be marketable for the MTV era, this promise proved to be empty as he struggled to find mainstream success that decade. He did eventually return to the mainstream as a member of the Traveling wilburys, so it's not like this was the last people heard from him.
Peak position #1x2
(POPULAR IN 1979)
This was the last successful album that ELO released in their discography, I'm guessing because they weren't able to adapt with the MTV era despite making multiple attempts throughout the decade. Here they revert back to their prog roots which I'm sure many of their older fans appreciated seeing as though their last two albums saw them experiment with disco.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Hold on tight #5
(POPULAR IN 1981)
The Autumn of 1983 was a hectic time if this greatest hits package is anything to go by, there were plenty of big names scoring big hits for this album to choose from and it certainly delivered making it a huge success.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
White wedding #9
Don’t pay the ferryman #5
I eat cannibals #4
Shoop shoop #11
The clapping song #4
Our house #17
She blinded me with science #19
The message #21
Science fiction #13
Hooked on hooks #21
Too shy #6
Heartbreaker #2
Up where we belong #1
I could be so good for you #9
The other guy #17
Stepping out #30
It’s raining again #11
Ain’t no pleasing you #11
Wot #30
Can’t take my eyes off you #21
(POPULAR IN 1983)
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)
I guess it was only a matter of time before I featured a Take that album on this site, although this was their only notable success given how they were thoroughly defeated in the first round of the boy band wars by East 17 as far as we Aussies were concerned. Still, this did spawn their biggest hit even in their native UK, so I guess we cut them some slack by handing them success with this album here.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Sure #31
Back for good #1 (AMR #1)
Never forget #12 (AMR #14)
(POPULAR IN 1995)
While this didn't live up to the standards set up by her previous album Jagged little pill, this album from Alanis Morissette was a huge success regardless thanks to it retaining the anger she displayed on that album as well as her exploring other facets of her life that connected with audiences. She did have one more somewhat successful album in the new millennium, but by then Avril Lavigne had taken over as the Canadian voice of a generation.
Peak position #2
Peak position #2 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Thank u #15 (AMR #15)
(POPULAR IN 1998, 1999)
While he wasn't able to find another hit single going into the new millennium, John Farnham nonetheless managed to retain his popularity with his albums at least during the first half of the decade. I'm not sure why he chose to title this album what it is, perhaps it's a reference to how many years he had been in the music industry as it was indeed around 33 years by this point.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
Trying to live my life without you #42
(POPULAR IN 2000)
This was the last successful album that Brian Cadd had here in Australia, mainly because the lead single was among his more popular songs in his solo catalogue given how we already looked at it earlier on this list. I guess what I said about him earlier still stands given how many of his former bandmates went on to have massive success as the decade went on with their new projects whilst he didn't.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Let go #10
(POPULAR IN 1974)
I'm not even sure what to make of this album, I guess these guys were among the first Australian bands to benefit from appearing on Countdown as this was a success for them even with that hilariously awful name, but they haven't had much of a legacy in the music industry.
Peak position #14
(POPULAR IN 1975)
This albums name changes depending on where you're from, although considering both Corroboree and Waiata roughly translates to a traditional owner of a land, I think it's safe to say that this album was dedicated to the indigenous groups of both countries even though the album has nothing to do with either group it named after thematically. This political push didn't seem to hamper or enhance the albums popularity.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
One step ahead #5
History never repeats #4
(POPULAR IN 1981)
Felt like you couldn't get enough of their big hit this year? Well Stars on 45 (or Starsound if you're from the UK) have you covered as that mashup was a mere taste of what they had to offer on their debut album. Indeed, they combined many more classics throughout the album which audiences fell in love with back in the day.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Stars on 45 #1
(POPULAR IN 1981)
These guys were known to be a killer live band, so it only makes sense that a live album from them would be a huge success during the height of their popularity. Of course, the real treat came when a live rendition of "Am I ever gonna see your face again" had the crowd shouting "no way get f**ked f**k off" in response which helped the song become a hit twelve years after its initial release.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Am I ever gonna see your face again #11
(POPULAR IN 1988)
While this wasn't as successful as their first album from earlier in the decade, it made up for that by spawning two of D12's biggest hits which was a given as it was during the height of Eminem's popularity. I guess you can say this album eased fans into accepting Eminem's Encore album which will be appearing on the following list despite it being a critical failure for the rapper.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
My band #1
How come #4
(POPULAR IN 2004)
This album was named after his duet with Barbra Streisand which happened to be one of the biggest hits from both artists careers, so of course this was going to be a huge success for Neil Diamond just like most of his albums this decade. His popularity would continue to flourish in the 80's thanks to his performance in the Jazz singer, although it would quickly dwindle once the MTV era launched.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
You don't bring me flowers #4
Forever in blue jeans #41
(POPULAR IN 1979)
Ever thought that 70's music was lame and overrated? If so then this is the album for you as we have a bunch of comedians parodying the likes of the Bee gees, Status quo and Paul McCartney to questionable taste which found enough of an audience here in Australia back in the day for it to be a minor success.
Peak position #23
(POPULAR IN 1982)
While the first film only had a successful theme song in the music scene, the second Mission impossible flick had a soundtrack so captivating to audiences of this year that it became a massive hit worldwide for the franchise. I've never been a fan of the franchise (or Tom Cruise for that matter) so I'm not among those that keep demanding a new film every few years.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Take a look around #28
(POPULAR IN 2000)
This was by far the biggest success that the Alan Parson's project had in their career, likely due to the title track being a huge success throughout certain parts of the world which proved to be a first for the duo. Like many prog bands from the 70's, these guys weren't able to sustain a career once MTV had taken over the music landscape, although they certainly tried throughout the rest of the decade.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Eye in the sky #22
(POPULAR IN 1982)
I always wondered why the signature track from this soundtrack was a surprise hit at the start of the decade here in Australia, it turns out our love for the film Fame was so prevalent that it allowed us to rediscover the film that originally spawned "The time warp" which resulted in the success of that films soundtrack six years after its initial release.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
The time warp #3
(POPULAR IN 1981)
Following the success of his tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Michael Crawford decided to release another album which was meant to showcase him as a more contemporary crooner in the music scene. It was a success here in Australia due to Phantom of the opera being on tour here, however it flopped everywhere else due to crooners being pushed aside for the likes of more modern music trends.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x2 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1993, 1994)
This greatest hits package was commissioned following the success of their album Slipstream, meaning that these guys didn't need the assistance of Countdown to become one of the biggest names in music this decade, although the show certainly didn't harm their prospects of being a huge band from Australia.
Peak position #1x1
(POPULAR IN 1975)
This was the first solo album from Stevie Nicks following a string of highly successful albums with Fleetwood Mac, I've heard people refer to this as an album filled with her songs that the band weren't able to fit into their album and I can certainly see that listening to the album. It remains her biggest solo album worldwide except for here in Australia where her third album Rock a little wins that honour.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Stop dragging my heart around #10
(POPULAR IN 1981)
Although he wasn't scoring many hits during the second half of the decade in Australia, that didn't mean that Neil Diamond was yesterday's news here as his albums were still among the more popular in Australia likely due to him still retaining much of his audience that made him a household name during the first half of the 70's.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Desiree #29
(POPULAR IN 1978)
Given how this albums cycle began with a music video depicting a live action/cartoon hybrid, it only makes sense that the album it came from would be a huge success for the band even though it has received tons of critical backlash over the years. It may not have killed their career as they band kept soldiering on after this perceived misstep, however it did kill their relevancy as they never saw this level of success again.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Harlem shuffle #6
One hit to the body #34
(POPULAR IN 1986)
True to the name of the album, this is indeed more of a blues record from the Rolling stones which sadly costed them success with their singles as there didn't seem to be an obvious hit from the album. That didn't stop the album from being a huge success for them as evidence by its appearance on this list.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Fool to cry #45
(POPULAR IN 1976)
He may have failed to score a hit single anywhere in the world since the soundtrack to his version of the Jazz singer, however it's obvious that Neil Diamond has remained a welcome presence in the music industry as evidence by how frequently his 1972 live album Hot august night recharts in the mainstream. Twenty years after that album, he released this greatest hits package that detailed his success from his debut to its release.
Peak position #1x2
Peak position #1x3 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1992, 1996)
There was an episode of South Park which was a parody of Live aid that aired in the shows second season, the episode was such an instant success that the showrunners convinced Chef's voice actor Isaac Hayes to have his label release a soundtrack to the episode which contained his covers as well as a bunch of songs that appeared in the episode. The soundtrack was a success and likely inspired the theatrical film.
Peak position #1x1
Peak position #1x3 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Horny #13 (AMR #11)
Chocolate salty balls #14 (AMR #12)
(POPULAR IN 1998, 1999)
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