Although the band were way past their prime at this point, it appears that the news of Sammy Hagar's departure shook up enough of us Aussies this year that their greatest hits package managed to become a huge hit for them.
Peak position #11
Peak position #12 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1996)
This was the last album that Santana had any success with for nearly two decades, it was more of the same of their south American style pop rock that had made them a household name throughout the 70's but didn't do them any favours going into the 80's. They would need the help of the 90's scene to find success in the mainstream again.
Peak position #9
(POPULAR IN 1979)
It may surprise you to learn that the Church wasn't among the most popular bands of the decade in Australia considering how well loved they remain in the alternative scene to this day, that said they did leave their mark on our scene due to their regular appearances on Countdown as well as their music being able to stand out from all the other MTV driven albums from this time.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Almost with you #21
(POPULAR IN 1982)
It looks like Barbra Streisand was able to find some success during the midpoint of the decade as this album did reasonably well upon its initial release here in Australia, it would explain why her greatest hits package from earlier in the decade managed to rechart the following year given that there was still room for her in the mainstream.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Left in the dark #27
(POPULAR IN 1984)
It appears we Aussies had enough love for the Offspring to give them one more successful album in their catalogue, although I get the feeling this was more due to rock music being at the height of its popularity now that digital downloads had made the genre mainstream once more. It's hard to say if their previous album would've succeeded if downloads were a thing, although there is a possibility it would've.
Peak position #3
(POPULAR IN 2008)
Following the success of their debut album from the previous year, Mi-Sex quickly capitalised off their newfound fame by releasing this album which continued with their sci fi theme that their earlier work had established for them. Although this was more of an immediate success for the band both here and in their native NZ, it proved to be less successful overall suggesting their novelty was quickly wearing off.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
People #6
Space race #28
(POPULAR IN 1980)
This is Keith Urban's only appearance on this site given how he didn't start finding massive success here in Australia until this album became a hit for him, although for what it's worth, he would find massive success throughout the 2010's likely due to his presence on the Voice Australia as well as country music doing quite well that decade down under.
Peak position #3
(POPULAR IN 2009)
Given how his onscreen wife had taken the music industry by storm this year, it only seems fitting that Jason Donovan would follow suit by releasing this album which was a massive success despite people questioning his musical abilities when listening to the album. It may have been a hit at the time; however, few will claim that he was a vocal talent unlike his onscreen wife Kylie Minogue.
Peak position #5
Peak position #5 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Nothing can divide us #3 (ARIA #3)
Especially for you #2 (ARIA #2)
Too many broken hearts #6 (ARIA #7)
Sealed with a kiss #8 (ARIA #8)
Every day #44
(POPULAR IN 1989)
This likely would've sunk on our charts here in Australia were it not for the surprise success of its lead single which helped Pat Benatar find a more mainstream audience following the success of her live album from the previous year, indeed her brand of pop rock seemed to better connect with audiences as the decade went on even if it wasn't on the level nostalgia stations would want you to believe.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
We belong #7
(POPULAR IN 1985)
One of the best comedies of the decade was Sister act, mainly for the ridiculous plot involving Whoopi Goldberg being put in witness protection in a nunnery and having her teaching the church choir how to be "hip" with the youth of the day through song. The film was a critical and commercial success as well as spawning a soundtrack which did include renditions of the songs used in the film as advertised in its credits.
Peak position #8
Peak position #6 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1993)
It appears that fifth time was the charm for Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons as this was their fifth album in their catalogue as well as the album that finally made them a household name here in Australia thanks to the lead single becoming their only hit. This is another surprise for me as I would've thought this would be among the more successful albums of this time from the overplay on oldies stations to the band appearing regularly on Countdown.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Hit and run #12
Shape I'm in #22
(POPULAR IN 1979)
Following the success of her earlier entry on this list, Barbra Streisand released this album which was a modest hit for her here in Australia likely due to the good will she had from her Hollywood flicks this decade.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
My heart belongs to me #46
(POPULAR IN 1977)
This was the second RNB album that Billy Ocean released this decade, proving that he had found his niche as the British equivalent of Lionel Richie as he continued to score a string of hits throughout the decade with this album. His third album in this vein wouldn't be as successful two years later despite it spawning arguably his biggest hit with its lead single, although it's still bigger than anything he released in the 90's.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
When the going gets tough the tough get going #1
There'll be sad songs #10
(POPULAR IN 1986)
Nick Cave had a surprisingly good year in the Australian music scene this decade, not only did he score a huge hit with Kylie Minogue three years prior, but he also managed to have his albums see mainstream success for the first time earlier in the decade. This greatest hits album was released to help fans discover his older work which he had over a decade of at this point.
Peak position #2
Peak position #1x1 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1998)
It's a bit of a surprise that these guys saw a steep decline in their popularity as the decade was coming to an end here in Australia given how inescapable they were during its midpoint, it's even more bizarre when you consider A: that their catalogue still receive airplay on oldies stations to this day and B: that their popularity in the UK continued as recently as the early 90's.
Peak position #14
Hit singles
Rocking all over the world #12
(POPULAR IN 1978)
This was far less popular than Fall out boy's previous album here in Australia, although at least it was a success here which is more than I can say for the rest of the band's output given how their earlier catalogue failed to find an international audiences and their post breakup material from the 2010's fell victim to rock being exiled from the mainstream as well as their fanbases disappointment in the band by that point.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
I don't care #20
America's sweethearts #26
(POPULAR IN 2008, 2009)
This was all set to flop here in Australia due to RNB being unpopular throughout the decade, however thanks to the runaway success of its second single worldwide, it became a moderate success here which temporarily put the quartet on the same level of Boyz II men.
Peak position #12
Peak position #12 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
I swear #1 (AMR #1)
(POPULAR IN 1994)
A perfect circle is a side project that Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan launched this year, it was off to a good start as this became a huge success due to how much love it received from Triple J as well as his fanbase from his main band.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Judith #25
The hollow #49
(POPULAR IN 2000)
This is the final album that the Jackson 5 had any sort of success with worldwide, mainly because it was their final album to have MJ as a part of the lineup which means that this is concrete proof that the family band owed all of their success to the king of pop throughout their time in the spotlight.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
State of shock #10
Torture #32
(POPULAR IN 1984)
This was the second volume from John Farnham's anthology series, this one covers his pre-Whispering jack albeit live renditions as a way to showcase his talents as a vocalist given how many people felt his pre-Whispering jack era doesn't hold up to his (then) most recent work.
Peak position #12
Peak position #18 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1997)
This is the final successful album that Eric Clapton had here in Australia, likely due to the presence of B.B King as the blues legend pays tribute to the older blues legend in a respectful way. Even so, this was a bit of a sleeper success as it randomly spiked in popularity throughout the year for some reason.
Peak position #5
(POPULAR IN 2000)
Following the success of her debut album here, Hilary Duff was able to rush out a second album which includes a cover of a Belinda Carlisle classic that divides audiences to this day. This cover was well received enough for the album to become a massive success here upon its initial release, although the rest of the album failed to keep it on the charts like the singles from her previous album did.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Our lips are sealed #8
Fly #21
Somebody's watching over me #22
(POPULAR IN 2004)
Considering how inescapable their debut album was, you'd think that the second album from Hush which contains all of their most recognisable work would've been twice as successful. Alas it appears the success went towards the singles as the album itself struggled to live up to the success of their previous effort.
Peak position #14
Hit singles
Bony maronie #4
Glad all over #8
Rough tough and ready #49
(POPULAR IN 1976)
I can assure you that prog rock was all the rage here in Australia during the first half of the decade, so much so that this only being a modest success for Aussie band Sebastian Hardie (what is with that name?) is more due to it being late to the party rather than us Aussies not being interested in what they had to offer.
Peak position #12
(POPULAR IN 1975)
Given how the Power station was a supergroup comprised of Robert Palmer and several members of Duran Duran, it makes sense that their one and only album was a moderate success here in Australia. Even then, its success is more due to it spawning two big hits on our charts as it naturally didn't chart very high on our charts.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Some like it hot #4
Get it on #8
(POPULAR IN 1985)
Tommy Emmanuel was a session guitarist for Dragon during their last few albums in the 80's, even with that in mind, it was a bit of a surprise that he managed to see massive solo success throughout the 90's beginning with this solo album following the final successful album from his meal ticket band from the previous year.
Peak position #13
Peak position #13 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1990, 1991)
This was the final successful album that the Thompson twins were able to score anywhere in the world, likely due to it being the final album where they were a trio as Joe Leeway would depart from the band after this (amicably it seems.) I'm not sure why this wasn't a bigger hit in Australia as the band did perform the third single on Countdown, I guess we wanted something else from them at this point.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Lay your hands on me #28
Don't mess with doctor dream #17
King for a day #20
(POPULAR IN 1986)
This is the debut album from Vanessa Carlton and the only one that found any kind of success for her throughout her career, mainly due to how inescapably popular the lead single was worldwide which put her on the map of female singer/songwriters that included Michelle Branch, Avril Lavigne and P!nk from this year alone.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
A thousand miles #1
Ordinary day #48
(POPULAR IN 2002)
This had a bit of a delay to its success here in Australia, mainly because both of the singles had already fallen off the Billboard charts by the time Bad English had caught on amongst us Aussies this year. This is peculiar as lead singer John Waite already had success both as a solo artist and with his first band the Babys by this point.
Peak position #12
Peak position #17 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
When I see you smile #4 (AMR #5)
Price of love #44
(POPULAR IN 1990)
One of the less successful bands to make it big during the Countdown era here in Australia was Matt Finish, likely because they sound more like a solo artist than a band but also because they didn't do much to stand out from the competition like so many of their contemporaries did.
Peak position #18
Hit singles
Short note #33
(POPULAR IN 1981)
These guys were on a roll when they released their second album which pivoted away from their early comedic tracks, although the albums success was sacrificed here in Australia in favour of given the band their second chart topper here in the form of its lead single, hence why it's much lower on this list compared to their earlier entry.
Peak position #14
Hit singles
Walk right in #1
What a way to go #41
(POPULAR IN 1977)
The Delltones were a surf rock band from the 60's who saw massive success in their heyday, for whatever reason, they saw a massive revival this year with this album even though it's the same type of surf rock that was in vogue twenty years prior and thus, way out of date compared to everything else on this list.
Peak position #20
(POPULAR IN 1984)
Well, this is something else, apparently some mad man (or woman in this case) decided it was a good idea to make a documentary of WWII but have its soundtrack comprised of popular covers of the Beatles back catalogue. Apparently, we Aussies were intrigued with this documentary as this became a decent success here this year, that or we simply considered this an acceptable compilation of Beatles covers.
Peak position #14
(POPULAR IN 1977)
This was a modest success here upon its initial release likely due to the success of their single from the Twilight soundtrack from earlier on this list, although it achieved most of its success the following year when it rebounded thanks to the success of "The only exception" around the world. Although they were promised a far more successful career, Paramore were one of the few rock bands to find success in the 2010's.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Decode #12
Ignorance #35
The only exception #17
(POPULAR IN 2009)
Known as UK Squeeze here in Australia due to a band with the same name (that naturally found no success here) this second album from the new wave band became a moderate success here due to the title track becoming one of the few punk singles to make it big here. Naturally they were a one album wonder as none of their other albums managed to even touch our charts over the years.
Peak position #18
Hit singles
Cool for cats #5
(POPULAR IN 1979)
Following the success of his earlier entry on this list, Kevin Wilson was an in-demand comedian which resulted in his third album being a massive success for the politically incorrect humour. Like I said earlier, this style of comedy was controversial even for its time, meaning that even back then you had "woke" audiences leveling criticisms towards this type of humour.
Peak position #16
(POPULAR IN 1987)
This was the only successful album to come from Stevie Ray Vaughan and his band Double trouble (not to be confused with the UK duo who scored a hit with their cover of "Love don't live here anymore" in 1990.) They were a blues band who had a big breakthrough during the height of the MTV era, although their success would be bittersweet as Stevie would die in a plane crash in 1990.
Peak position #20
(POPULAR IN 1984)
This was a greatest hits package that was meant to overlook Deborah Harry's entire discography both solo and with Blondie, it's a bit of a surprise it wasn't more of a success here in Australia given how inescapable Blondie was during the late 70's and early 80's was well as her solo career recently peaking with her third album the previous year.
Peak position #6
Peak position #9 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1991)
Following the sleeper success of his second album, Tommy Emmanuel released his third album which proved to be more of an immediate success for the Australian country singer. This was repackaged a year later with a direct sequel to the album which helped it become his biggest album of the decade and arguably as big as his work with Dragon.
Peak position #5
Peak position #8 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
The journey #29
(POPULAR IN 1993, 1994)
This was another mini comeback that Kate Bush had in her career as it once again managed to spawn one of her more popular hits in her catalogue this year, unfortunately this would be her final successful album here in Australia given how none of her subsequent albums managed to spawn a hit for her like her first, third and this fifth album did.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Running up that hill #5
(POPULAR IN 1985)
This barely managed to qualify for this list even though I standby that Patrizio's earlier entry on this list was the only success he had here in Australia, this should tell you how digital downloads had almost killed off our music scene here until ARIA finally decided to incorporate them onto the main charts the following year.
Peak position #7
(POPULAR IN 2006)
From what I can gather, Local hero was a comedy film that was a critical and commercial success among Australian and British audiences, it predictably flopped in America due to it being a non-Hollywood project as sadly non-Hollywood films almost always flopped over there throughout the twentieth century. The film is also known for its soundtrack as Dire straits frontman Mark Knopfler was commissioned to provide music for it.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Local hero #29
(POPULAR IN 1983)
This is sandwiched between two of 10cc's biggest albums in their catalogue, although it's worth noting that this was far more successful internationally for the British band than it was here in Australia for reasons I can't seem to fathom.
Peak position #15
(POPULAR IN 1976)
He's been described in recent times as the 70's Justin Bieber, I guess Mark Holden at least has a sense of humour when it comes to his music being mocked and ridiculed by fans of "real" music over the years despite this being a decent success for him back in the day. I think the more accurate comparison here is that he's the Australian equivalent of the likes of Leif Garret and Shaun Cassidy.
Peak position #20
Hit singles
Never gonna fall in love again #13
I wanna make you my lady #11
Last romance #11
(POPULAR IN 1976)
For whatever reason, this album was a huge flop upon its initial release the previous year only to rebound this year here in Australia, I guess this was due to the album spawning a massive hit for Incubus over in NZ in the form of its second single which was a massive flop down under for the band. This would be the last time they would have any success in either country.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Wish you were here #39
Are you in #38
(POPULAR IN 2002)
This is the only notable success that opera singer Russell Watson had here in Australia, I'm guessing we Aussies weren't interested in his music given how we were more interested in what Andrea Bocelli and Michael Crawford had to offer around this time. He found way more success over in NZ with the rest of his catalogue.
Peak position #10
(POPULAR IN 2002)
This is the first album from New order to find any success here in Australia, mainly because it was the first album of theirs to have a song that became a hit single albeit only here in Australia as "Bizarre love triangle" curiously bombed in NZ and their native UK where they had ruled the charts up until this point. This led the group to finding success with their greatest hits package from earlier on this list later in the year.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Bizarre love triangle #5
(POPULAR IN 1987)
This was the first taste of success that Robert Palmer had here in Australia, mainly due to him performing the lead single on Countdown which went over so well that it became a huge hit for him here as well as in America due to the buzz it received from us Aussies. Of course, he would go on to have massive success throughout the 80's both solo and with Duran Duran of all bands.
Peak position #23
Hit singles
Bad case of loving you #13
(POPULAR IN 1979)
I'm a bit surprised this wasn't more of a success here in Australia given how their first album from two years prior was a decent size success for Shakespeare's sister down under, although I guess the would-be success this album had instead went towards its singles which both managed to make their waves on our charts due to their unique approach to art pop they had.
Peak position #20
Peak position #23 (AMR charts)
Hit singles
Stay #3 (AMR #3)
I don't care #18 (AMR #19)
(POPULAR IN 1992)
This was a modest success for Enya upon its initial release, you can say it's her Shepherd moons of the decade given how it was released during the Christmas period of 2005 and achieved most of its success in the new year like that album did over a decade prior.
Peak position #13
(POPULAR IN 2005, 2006)
It looks like Celine Dion was able to find success with one more album in her catalogue before the internet (unfairly) declared her as a joke due to her infamous cover of an AC/DC classic from earlier in the decade, evidently the deluxe edition came with perfume which was also widely ridiculed upon its initial release.
Peak position #12
(POPULAR IN 2007)
This was the first album from the Seekers they released when they reformed, although it's noticeably different from their previous work due to the absence of Judith Durham who didn't rejoin the band util twenty years later. This was more a success due to the lead single becoming a massive surprise hit for the band here.
Peak position #17
Hit singles
Sparrow song #7
(POPULAR IN 1975)
This was the final successful album to come from Madonna, it was mainly for the lead single becoming a massive worldwide hit for the queen of pop but also due to her having good will from her previous album which was one of the bigger hits of the decade for her. Unlike most artists who failed to find further success in the 2010's, her failure was due to her conforming to the internet culture of the decade to dire results.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
4 minutes #1
Give it 2 me #23
(POPULAR IN 2008)
This is yet another greatest hits package from Abba that was released around this time, I guess this was to retire their previous album from ten years prior given how that refused to die on our charts even back in the day. Alas it didn't work as this has long since faded into obscurity in favour of that other album coming back every time something Abba related happens.
Peak position #10
(POPULAR IN 2002, 2003, 2004)
Well, here's that dud of a third album from Shannon Noll I mentioned in my previous list, although I may have overstated its lack of success there as it did decently well thanks to having a lead single that was adopted as a sporting anthem thanks to his connections to Australian sport. This was the last time anyone cared about the former Australian Idol contestant as his fourth album was a complete flop.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Loud #3
In pieces #26
(POPULAR IN 2007)
I wouldn’t have thought that these guys would be so lucrative on MTV's unplugged, however they proved to be just that (at least here in Australia) as they began the decade with a huge hit here in Australia with this album capturing the best moments of their appearance on the program.
Peak position #14
(POPULAR IN 2000)
I guess you can consider this a sellout album from Carole King given how the lead single is quite literally an ad jingle for the Hard rock café which first opened its doors six years prior to when it became a worldwide hit for her. Even so, it was enough of an incentive for fans to rediscover her (then) latest work as this was a success for her.
Peak position #19
Hit singles
Hard rock café #10
(POPULAR IN 1977)
This was the album Rita Coolidge released following the success of her earlier entry on this list, it was pretty much a flop and only appears on this list due to the lack of competition it had back in the day.
Peak position #26
(POPULAR IN 1978)
This is a collaboration album between Diesel and Chris Wilson, the latter being fairly unknown even when this album came out which perhaps explains why it failed to become a success for the former given how he had achieved massive success earlier in the decade with his solo work.
Peak position #18
Peak position #21 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1996)
If you're wondering why this album that managed to spawn two big hits for Go west underperformed back in the day here in Australia, that's simply because of the stiff competition it had compared to everything else on this list as this did last for quite some time on our charts due to the frenetic energy the duo brings to the project. Naturally it was far more lucrative in the UK and NZ of all places.
Peak position #19
Hit singles
We close our eyes #8
Call me #12
Don't look down #26
(POPULAR IN 1985)
There was a chance that Celtic music would've been the defining genre of the decade had MTV not swept the music scene the previous year, evidence of this is that this is far from the only album from the genre that found some level of success here in Australia during the height of MTV's reign.
Peak position #18
Hit singles
When you were sweet sixteen #9
(POPULAR IN 1983)
One of the few Aussie punk bands to find any sort of success back in the day was the Radiators, this was their debut album which was a decent success likely due to the lead single being a huge radio hit despite it (somehow) bombing on the charts. They would have another successful album later in the decade before they fell into obscurity.
Peak position #22
Hit singles
Coming home #33
(POPULAR IN 1980)
Although they would go on to achieve massive success throughout the 90's, this was the first taste of success that R.E.M had anywhere in the world given how it spawned their first hit in the form of its lead single. In a way, this was ahead of its time as their brand of jangle rock would be a staple for 90's alt rock given how many other bands had a similar style to theirs throughout that decade.
Peak position #13
Peak position #16 (ARIA charts)
Hit singles
Orange crush #16 (ARIA #15)
(POPULAR IN 1989)
It had been a while since we last heard from John Mayer, I guess that explains why this was such a commercial disappointment for him given how there had been other singer/songwriters to emerge since his breakthrough from three years prior.
Peak position #12
(POPULAR IN 2006)
This is the only other album that the Radiators found any sort of success with throughout their career, it proved to be slightly more popular than their debut album from the start of the decade likely due to it being more pop friendly than the punk rock that album had to offer.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
No tragedy #27
(POPULAR IN 1983)
Following the success of their previous album, Snow patrol were able to achieve sound success with this follow up here in Australia that finally gave them a charting song given that digital downloads were finally incorporated onto our charts by this point in time. It may not have lived up to the dizzying heights of success of Eyes open, however it at least prevented the band from becoming a one album wonder here.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Take back the city #31
(POPULAR IN 2008)
This took its sweet time in becoming a minor success here in Australia, likely because we Aussies weren't interested in rediscovering Kate Bush's back catalogue until funnily enough, she scored a huge hit this year with Peter Gabriel on his earlier entry which boosted the popularity of this greatest hits package from the art pop legend.
Peak position #28
(POPULAR IN 1987)
It makes sense that the Simpsons would release a soundtrack given that there's a surprising number of episodes that were indeed musicals (not sure about naming it after a Stevie Wonder album though.) The success of this album encouraged showrunner Matt Groening to release the previously cancelled Yellow album the following year where it was predictably panned by critics for how much poor taste it had.
Peak position #26
Peak position #20 (AMR charts)
(POPULAR IN 1997)
This is the only notable success to come from American rocker Charlie Sexton, although it's worth noting he was sixteen years old when it saw the light of day, making this an album that was well received and proof that not all minors are stuck making cookie cutter pop music in the music industry.
Peak position #26
Hit singles
Beats so lonely #17
Impressed #40
(POPULAR IN 1986)
Given how this spawned to of the bigger hits of the year prior to its release, it makes sense that Smash mouth would see success with their second album here in Australia. Admittedly they were considered somewhat of a joke even this early in their career due to the second single being the theme of a goofy comedy, however their meme status would be confirmed when they appeared on the Shrek soundtrack twice.
Peak position #29
Hit singles
I can't get enough of you baby #14 (AMR #13)
All star #4 (AMR #5)
(POPULAR IN 1999)
I hope you weren't expecting any other appearances from Iggy pop on this site as this is the only album of his to find any sort of success throughout the world, he's another punk legend who only found mainstream success by "selling out" as this is far more pop friendly than the tracks most of his fans will be familiar with in his catalogue.
Peak position #34
Hit singles
Cry for love #50
Real wild child #11
(POPULAR IN 1987)
It makes sense that this greatest hits package would find success this year with us Aussies given how they finally saw a massive breakthrough with their earlier entry on this list, as such it allowed us Aussies to discover their back catalogue which is a bit odd given how they were regulars on Countdown throughout the decade.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Boys don't cry (rerelease) #26
(POPULAR IN 1986)
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