Hits of Australia and NZ: Hits of the 80's Australia VI

I know this feels a little reductive considering every entry on this list appeared on my biggest hits of 1980-1992 lists, however I love the 80's and I'm sure the 80's aficionados in my audience would want a list like this given how I've already done one for the 90's and 70's on this site. The same rules I applied to the 90's list apply here, I'll only add commentary to songs that didn't appear on one of my official year end lists and will be ranking them based on how long they lasted on our charts.

#41 for 1982

#47 for 1983

#54 for 1989

#60 for 1990

#49 for 1981

#42 for 1982

#55 for 1989

#61 for 1990

#38 for 1986

#63 for 1987

#48 for 1983

#43 for 1982

#41 for 1985

#67 for 1988

#68 for 1988

#56 for 1989

#42 for 1985

#49 for 1983

#56 for 1980

#50 for 1981

#51 for 1981

#57 for 1980

#58 for 1979

#58 for 1980

#59 for 1980

#60 for 1980

#52 for 1981

#44 for 1982

#61 for 1980

#53 for 1981

#45 for 1984

#43 for 1985

#54 for 1981

#45 for 1982

#50 for 1983

#64 for 1987

#39 for 1986

#51 for 1983

#52 for 1983

#44 for 1985

#57 for 1989

#69 for 1988

#65 for 1987

#58 for 1989

#55 for 1981

#53 for 1983

#54 for 1983

#66 for 1987

#40 for 1986

#56 for 1981

#46 for 1984

#57 for 1981

#59 for 1989

#45 for 1985

#67 for 1987

#58 for 1981

#47 for 1984

#46 for 1982

#41 for 1986

#48 for 1984

#68 for 1987

#59 for 1981

#70 for 1988

#60 for 1981

#47 for 1982

Whereas this was released as the second single in NZ from Billy Idol's solo debut, this was the first single here in Australia which meant that this was his first impression on us Aussies as opposed to "White wedding" with the kiwis. That said, the main reason why it didn't appear on one of my lists on this side of my site was due to it peaking during our Christmas period of 1982 where it faced stiff competition.

#42 for 1986

I'm a bit surprised this wasn't a bigger hit here in Australia given how A: it was a massive worldwide success for Hot chocolate and B: their performance of the song on Countdown was widely praised by viewers upon its initial release. Then again, it did peak during the Christmas period of 1982, meaning that there were a ton of other songs it was up against which are all fondly remembered to this day.

#49 for 1984

#69 for 1987

#46 for 1985

#55 for 1983

Much like in NZ, this also managed to be a huge sleeper hit here in Australia which is how it managed to appear on this list of mine just like it did on my bonus list for the 80's on that side of my site. Interestingly this came bundled with "Stop your fussing" in the southern hemisphere, meaning that song was technically a hit twice in both countries even though I haven't included its stats with this entry.

#61 for 1981

Evidently a film called White nights has not one, but two Oscar nominated ballads on its soundtrack, although this one was far less successful outside of America given how "Say you say me" was the big hit off the film due to it winning the academy award. In fact, I'm willing to bet the only reason why this got any attention was due to it having Phil Collins name on it during the height of his popularity.

I guess now I can comfortably say that all three of Paul Young's big hits from his debut album have featured on both side of my site, although curiously, none of his hits from his second album have appeared on here including his Billboard chart topper "Every time you go away." In any case, he had quite the run with his earlier work in the southern hemisphere that promised a long career for him.

#71 for 1988

#72 for 1988

#47 for 1985

This barely missed the cut on appearing on the NZ side of my site, although I get the feeling the only reason why this was a success at all was due to the novelty of the only two duets on Julio's first English language album being released as singles back in the day. OK that and having Diana Ross duet with you also would've contributed to this song's popularity upon its release.

This is another entry from my Countdown list that qualifies for this list, mainly because Culture club were on a roll when they released this fourth single from Colour by numbers that its lack of success was more due to the album's strong sales rather than us Aussies and kiwis thinking it was bad. Admittedly the bands detractors do site this as everything wrong with them, that being they're repetitive and juvenile.

20 weeks