I've decided to make a list going over the biggest albums of all time in the UK that have become a success in the southern hemisphere, that is, rank the albums that have appeared on this site based on how well they did over there (as of 2000 for the sake of my sanity.) I feel this is pretty self-explanatory as I'll of course update my commentary and album stats for each entry to reflect how well they did with the Brits during the twentieth century.
It turns out the Carpenters 1990 greatest hits album was a massive hit in the UK after all, although it was given a different name over there as it was titled Only yesterday as opposed to Their greatest hits for some reason. This is the duo's final entry on this list, although they had plenty of other candidates.
Peak position #1x7
#7 for 1990
Unlike in Australia and NZ where this album needed to rebound on our charts in order for it to become a success for Michael Bolton, it was an immediate hit for him in the UK just like it was in his native America despite only the third single becoming a hit for him over there.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Love is a wonderful thing #23
When a man loves a woman #8
#7 for 1991
#50 for 1992
It's kind of odd that this love themed greatest hits album was the best Cliff Richard could do in his homeland as far as his albums were concerned given how much more popular his albums were in Australia over the years, although make no mistake, we'll be revisiting his catalogue as we go down this list.
Peak position #1x5
#7 for 1981
Unlike in the rest of the world where this was a massive disappointment for Kylie Minogue, in the UK it was a massive success for her and likely prevented her from getting dropped from her label altogether like she was in America. Indeed, this was Kylie's final album for over ten years as far as Americans were concerned.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Especially for you #1
Hand on your heart #1
Wouldn't change a thing #2
Never too late #4
Tears on my pillow #1
#6 for 1989
This is one of the more recent entries on this list, it's the most recent entry from Madonna and conveniently the last album she released before her winning streak came to an end in 2003 with her disastrous political record American life. She bounced back with Confessions on a dancefloor; however, her career never reached this level of success again.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
American pie #1
Music #1
Don't tell me #4
What it feels like for a girl #7
#10 for 2000
I'm honestly surprised it took two years after his assassination for John Lennon's label to release a greatest hits album in his name, then again, his former label was milking his Beatles catalogue following his death, and it's not like this album would flop regardless of how long it took to be released.
Peak position #1x6
#10 for 1982
#30 for 1983
I certainly wasn't expecting to see this as Cher's biggest success in the UK, then again it did spawn her biggest hit as her cover of "The shoop shoop song" was her first solo hit over there (second overall after "I got you babe.") True it was a bonus track on the deluxe edition and its success was more due to the Brits love of her film Mermaids, however that seemed to be enough incentive to make the album a hit.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
The shoop shoop song #1
Love and understanding #10
#9 for 1991
It's taken me this long to feature a Kate Bush album on this list, now don't worry if you're a fan as all of her biggest albums would be featured on here, however it's strange how one of the most iconic singers of all time from the UK hasn't appeared higher on this list with one of her studio albums.
Peak position #1x2
#16 for 1986
Speaking of iconic British artists finding more success internationally than they did at home, we have the third entry from Rod Stewart on this list with an album that would've appeared much higher on this list were I looking at the biggest albums of the last quarter of the twentieth century in Australia or NZ.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
You're in my heart #3
Hot legs #5
I was only joking #5
#25 for 1977
#39 for 1978
The surprises keep on coming as we have another album that I would've thought would appear much higher on this list than it ultimately did (bear in mind I've skipped over entries that didn't become a hit outside of the UK on this list.) That said, this is based on chart runs rather than sales, so perhaps this was simply a victim of a strong debut with weak legs to hold its success.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
Don't stand so close to me #1
De do do do do da da da #5
#2 for 1980
I bet you forgot about this second album from the Spice girls from earlier, I told you this was far less popular in their homeland than it was internationally for the quintet back in the day likely due to how bad the movie it's named after was. Heck one of the singles even ruined their chances at having every one of their singles go to number one in the UK (it being my favourite song of theirs rubs salt in my wounds.)
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Spice up your life #1
Too much #1
Stop #2
Viva forever #1
#5 for 1997
#27 for 1998
Much like the rest of the world, Phil Collins fellow Brits were a bit sceptical in handing him success to his solo career when he dropped his first solo album in 1981. He won them over with an iconic lead single which naturally translated to international success for him and his band Genesis.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
In the air tonight #2
I missed again #14
#4 for 1981
I would say that this took its sweet time in finding success in Australia and NZ, except it wasn't released in the southern hemisphere until several months after it was a huge hit for Paul Young in his homeland. I'm not sure why particularly in NZ given how well the English crooner did in both countries in the 80's.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Senza una donna #4
#10 for 1991
This album had one of the most arrogant marketing campaigns of all time in the UK as the title track was billed as "the next UK #1" before it was even released. Suffice to say that the album did extremely well in the LGBT band's homeland, although hilariously, said single stalled at number two likely to humble the marketing that went into it.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Relax #1
Two tribes #1
The power of love #1
Welcome to the pleasuredome #2
#8 for 1984
#33 for 1985
I guess the Brits weren't too impressed with the brother Gibb foray into disco compared to the rest of the world, although to be fair it appears the Brits didn't see them as an album's artist given how this was their first album to chart in the UK for almost an entire decade.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Too much heaven #3
Tragedy #1
Love you inside out #13
#7 for 1979
Much like in NZ, the success of this album from UB40 was one and done in their homeland long before it saw the light of day in America. This means that Australia was the only place in the world where this became a hit for the reggae band once it took off on the Billboard charts.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Homely girl #6
Kingston town #4
Wear you to the ball #35
#15 for 1990
Although it seemed like we Aussies were fed up with Abba once the 70's became the 80's, this clearly wasn't the case of the Brits or kiwis given how well their second greatest hits album did in both countries. It didn't even curse the band's prospects for their final two albums in the UK like it did in NZ.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
Gimme gimme gimme #3
#8 for 1979
#17 for 1980
Much like in Australia and NZ, it looked like each album the Eurythmics would see more success than the last in their homeland. This tradition broke one album earlier in the UK than it did in the southern hemisphere as we've already seen on this list, but I thought this was an interesting trend to bring up.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Who's that girl #3
Right by your side #10
Here comes the rain again #8
#36 for 1983
#26 for 1984
Whereas this was only a success for Ian Dury in the southern hemisphere following the success of his novelty track "Hit me with your rhythm stick," it was an immediate success for him in his homeland given how inescapable punk and new wave was in the UK in the 70's.
Peak position #5
#14 for 1978
OK so I'm sort of cheating on this list as if you were to look at physical copies of the Australia and NZ charts from back in the day, you'd see this double album printed where Bizarre fruit should've been on both charts, meaning that we Aussies and kiwis bundled this album with the band's earlier entry as opposed to counting it separately like the Brits did.
Peak position #3
#18 for 1995
#14 for 1996
This is the most recent entry on this list, obviously I had to include this greatest hits album given how it's the final chart-topping album everywhere in the world of the twentieth century (which officially ended December 31st 2000.) This was released on the twentieth anniversary of John Lennon's death, making its success guaranteed back in the day.
Peak position #1x9
#1 for 2000
I was not expecting to have this featured higher than the Police's magnum opus Synchronicity on this list, I guess the Brits weren't too impressed with the trio's final album, or more accurately, they were more impressed with their earlier material given how Synchronicity is still to come on this list.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Every little thing she does is magic #1
Spirits in the material world #12
#6 for 1981
I would say that the Brits considered Bananarama to be a singles act rather than an albums act, except if you read my UK singles lists from a while back, you'd know they were the biggest names on the singles charts either. I guess they did rack up the hits even if none of them reached the dizzying heights of success in their homeland that they achieved worldwide.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Love truth and honesty #23
Help #3
#19 for 1988
Much like most parts of the world, this was the only success that Neil Young had as a solo artist in the UK due to the lead single becoming a huge chart topper for him on Billboard. That said, it's going to be a while before we revisit his work with Crosby Stills and Nash as that supergroup didn't do so well over there.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Heart of gold #10
#11 for 1972
As far as his fellow Brits were concerned, this was the breakthrough album from Chris De Burgh, meaning I have no idea how we Aussies came across his actual debut album and its lead single "Don't pay the ferryman." This was another shoe in for the list given how well he did in America with this album.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Lady in red #1
#17 for 1986
Look I know that placing in the top 200 biggest albums of the last quarter century in the UK (well it's actually just outside the top 200 if I didn't skip over certain candidates) is nothing to scoff at, however I'm dumbstruck how this album which was easily one of the biggest of the 70's in Australia and NZ managed to place so low on this list.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
Bohemian rhapsody #1
You're my best friend #7
#12 for 1976
Given how this was a massive hit for Stars on 45 (or Starsound for the purpose of this list) worldwide, it makes sense that it would also be a huge hit for them in the UK even if the single version failed to get to number one on their charts.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
Stars on 45 #2
#13 for 1981
A lot of the soundtracks to 90's films didn't chart on the album charts in the UK, one of the lucky few that did was the soundtrack to the Commitments as the filmmakers found a loophole in this flawed rule for the album charts where a soundtrack would be considered an album if the name wasn't listed as "Various artists." They exploited it by crediting the soundtrack as a self-titled album.
Peak position #4
#32 for 1991
#24 for 1992
It looks like this album took Kate Bush's fellow Brits off guard when it was initially released in the late 70's, not enough for it to flop but certainly enough for it to be more of a success in Australia and NZ for the (then) young singer/songwriter. At least the lead single was a huge hit for her in her homeland just like it was in the southern hemisphere.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Wuthering heights #1
The man with the child in his eyes #6
#11 for 1978
OK if I didn't include entries from the first half of the 70's (as irritating as it's been tracking their lengthy chart runs to construct this list) it would've meant that this would've been Pink Floyd's most successful album in their homeland rather than their earlier entry on this list. So much for this being an inessential album eh A.V club?
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
Take it back #23
#5 for 1994
Much like the rest of the world, no one in the UK had heard of Dionne Warwick since the 60's which was the last time she charted anywhere outside of her native America. She came back in a big way with this album in the early 80's, although interestingly it bombed on the Billboard charts for her.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Heartbreaker #2
#36 for 1982
#46 for 1983
OK what on earth is going on here? For some reason, the UK charts decided to bundle Go west's debut album with a remix album into one entry which resulted in two albums that likely wouldn't have qualified for this list becoming a massive success for the duo in their homeland. For what it's worth, the remix album was a minor success in NZ and bombed here in Australia.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
We close our eyes #5
Call me #12
Goodbye girl #25
Don't look down #13
#24 for 1985
#33 for 1986
Again, had they been a success here in Australia, the two albums David Bowie released to his breakthrough down under would've already appeared on this list proving just how much on a roll he was among his fellow Brits during the first half of the 70's. Like Elton John, he didn't have a chart topping single in his homeland until after he topped the Billboard charts.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
Sorrow #3
#13 for 1973
Whereas this was Lisa Stansfield's only successful album throughout the rest of the world, I actually skipped over her second album on this list as that was her biggest album in her homeland three years after this came out. It looks like her fellow Brits got her out of the one album wonder bin before discarding her music like the rest of the world did in the 90's.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
All around the world #1
Live together #10
#23 for 1989
#30 for 1990
This may have had a lengthy run at number one in the UK charts, however as we've established on this list so far, number one didn't seem to mean much back in the day regardless of where in the world you're from. That said, there was no doubt this would rank high on the list for UB40 given the singles it spawned.
Peak position #1x7
Hit singles
Falling in love with you #1
Higher ground #8
Bring me your cup #24
C'est la vie #37
Reggae music #28
#7 for 1993
There were no signs of Annie Lennox slowing down in her homeland throughout the 90's as her second solo album was also a massive success for her in the UK just like her earlier entries have been. This is sadly her most recent entry as she would reunite with David Stewart after this album which killed her winning streak.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
No more I love yous #2
#14 for 1995
I guess we can thank the Brits for why Earth wind and fire finally managed to score success in the southern hemisphere by the end of the 70's as this managed to be a massive success for them in the UK as well as their greatest hits package that immediately preceded it (it's still to come on this list.)
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Boogie wonderland #4
After the love has gone #4
#17 for 1979
Dire straits are another band who I'm surprised hasn't swarmed the list so far given how the Brits usually looked after their own rock bands (as we've already seen on this list.) That said, all their albums are still to come on this list, meaning the Brits simply weren't as impressed with their brand of folk rock as we Aussies and kiwis were.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Skateaway #37
#12 for 1980
Given how he his former band Boyzone were one of the biggest names in music throughout the 90's in his homeland, it was inevitable that Ronan Keating would see massive success with his solo debut over there just like he did internationally. Much like in NZ, the deluxe edition from 2001 did little to improve its success like it did here in Australia.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
When you say nothing at all #1
Life is a rollercoaster #1
The way you make me feel #6
Loving each day #2 (deluxe edition)
#12 for 2000
This was released as Green door here in Australia for Shakin Stevens, however it was a self-titled album in his homeland which is perhaps why it did much better over there than it did over here (that and you know, his fellow Brits looking out for their local talent.)
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
You drive me crazy #2
Green day #1
#5 for 1981
Given how he saw massive success here in Australia with his first three albums, you knew that Yes frontman Rick Wakeman would find success in his homeland with these albums which he did even though they were far more popular with us Aussies than they were among his fellow Brits.
Peak position #1x1
#16 for 1974
This is the most recent solo entry from Phil Collins given how it was released a mere year after the success of But seriously from earlier on this list, again I'm not sure what went wrong when he released Both sides a mere three years later, however it was 1993 which saw a major shift in the music landscape.
Peak position #2
#9 for 1990
#48 for 1991
All things considered, I'm surprised this was such a massive hit for the Prodigy in their homeland given how not one but two of the singles had to be banned from airplay and as music videos over there due to their obscenity offending audiences. Then again, they were a British band, so patriotism clearly won out in the end.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Firestarter #1
Breathe #1
Smack my bitch up #8
#6 for 1997
Yes, was already considered yesterday's news by the time they released this album in their homeland, although even I included their earlier work from the early 70's, this would still be their biggest success in the UK by a mile. All I can say is that their fellow Brits must have really appreciated that fine piece of ass on the cover.
Peak position #1x2
#15 for 1977
This third album from Oasis may be seen as a disaster these days, however it was a massive hit for the band back in the day due to the hype their previous two albums brought them. Indeed, you'd have no idea it was the beginning of the end for them based on how well it and its singles did in their homeland.
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
D'you know what I mean #1
Stand by me #2
All around the world #1
#1 for 1997
Although his albums didn't see the same level of success in his homeland as they did internationally, Rod Stewart nonetheless had a healthy level of success in the UK throughout the 80's which would explain why his greatest hits album was an instant success over there as opposed to said success being delayed in Australia and NZ.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Downtown train #10
#33 for 1989
#31 for 1990
Well, this is shocking to see, it appears the Brits didn't appreciate Eric Clapton's performance on MTV unplugged as the rest of the world did given how it didn't last as long on their charts as it did on every other chart. It could be that none of the performances were issued as singles over there, meaning it didn't spawn a hit for him.
Peak position #2
#16 for 1993
Given how they saw massive success in their homeland during the first half of the 80's, it makes sense that Ultravox would see massive success with their greatest hits album in the UK just like they did over in NZ. This unfortunately killed their winning streak moving forward despite the massive success frontman Midge Ure was receiving elsewhere.
Peak position #2
#11 for 1984
#41 for 1985
This hits just kept on coming for Mihcael Bolton in the UK like they did internationally, this was his third album in a row to make it big worldwide even if it didn't spawn that giant hit anywhere like his previous two albums did.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
To love somebody #16
Drift away #18
#7 for 1992
R.E.M were another rock band that were on a roll throughout the 90's in the UK, again it's odd that these guys did so well over there considering that many other iconic alt rock bands of the era didn't even dent the charts, let alone see this level of success.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
What's the frequency Kenneth #9
Bang and blame #15
#7 for 1994
#47 for 1995
OK time to finally censor the horrific cover art this album was originally released with, although if you can believe it, it was a mere deterrence from making the album a success for Guns n roses in the UK as it was a minor hit for the band over there upon its initial release. Naturally it was when the band took off in their homeland that they finally saw massive success with the Brits two years later.
Peak position #5 (originally #15)
Hit singles
Sweet child o mine #24
Welcome to the jungle #24
Paradise city #6
Sweet child o mine (reissue) #6
Nighttrain #17
#15 for 1989
Finally, an Australian album that became a hit in the UK without any affiliation from Neighbours, indeed this was such a success for Savage Garden in America that even the Brits decided to check out what all the fuss was about which resulted in this being a massive success over there for the duo a year after its initial release.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I want you #11
Truly madly deeply #4
To the moon and back #3
#16 for 1998
We're slowly getting through all of Led Zeppelin's albums as we go further down this list, this one of course containing their iconic "Stairway to heaven" which of course wasn't released as a single in their homeland as they never released a single in the UK releasing singles internationally.
Peak position #1x2
#13 for 1971
Two greatest hits albums from Rod Stewart so close together? Admittedly I've skipped over a few entries that would've made this gap a bit longer on this list otherwise, however it appears his fellow Brits were just as in love with his 70's material as they were with his 80's material.
Peak position #1x5
#11 for 1979
#31 for 1980
Although I've only listed one hit this album spawned from Abba, it actually spawned two chart toppers for the quartet in the UK as the title track was released as a single over there as opposed to "On and on and on" which was their big hit here in Australia.
Peak position #1x9
Hit singles
The winner takes it all #1
#1 for 1980
#40 for 1981
How has it taken me this long to feature an album from Simple minds on this list? Admittedly all their albums featured so far on this site will be appearing on here, however it appears the best they could do in their homeland was a greatest hits album from a decade after their initial breakthrough,
Peak position #1x3
#4 for 1992
This is another soundtrack that was able to get around the (in my and many others opinion) ridiculous rule where soundtracks went on the UK compilation charts as this was credited to Titanic's composer James Horner which allowed it to chart on the main album charts and thus appear high on this list.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
My heart will go on (remix) #1
#10 for 1998
Elvis Costello is a British artist, so of course his work would find success amongst his fellow Brits even if his brand of music would otherwise be shunned by them if he weren't from the UK. Indeed, he has several of his albums be potential candidates for this list even if they were disqualified due to his lack of international success.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Oliver's army #2
#13 for 1979
Given how his final studio album with Art Garfunkel is officially the most successful album of all time in the UK (or at the very least the best charting album) it makes sense that this solo album from Paul Simon would be a massive success for him over there following the end of his music relationship with Art.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Mother and son reunion #5
Me and Julio down in the school yard #15
#19 for 1972
Now I know what you're thinking, how has it taken me this long to feature an album from Neil Diamond on this list. It turns out this was his biggest hit in the UK as the Brits completely ignored his 1972 magnum opus Hot august night over the years.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Love on the rocks #17
#11 for 1981
This may be James Taylor's only entry on this list, however had it been a success here in Australia, this second album Mud slide slim and the blue horizon would've appeared higher on this list as that managed to spawn the only hit single he had in the UK with "You've got a friend."
Peak position #6
Hit in 1971
It's a good thing this was a massive success in NZ, otherwise I wouldn't be able to feature the only album from Johnny hates jazz on this list which was a massive hit for the trio in their homeland. The lead single would've also been a shoe in for my singles lists for both the UK and Billboard lists had that been a hit in the southern hemisphere.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Shattered dreams #5
Turn back the clock #12
Heart of gold #19
#23 for 1988
In case you were wondering, those sleeper hits I've mentioned on my album's lists were fair game for appearing on this list even if most Aussies and kiwis likely didn't realise they saw some level of success back in the day. It's easy to see why that is for Portishead as this only became a hit in their homeland when the deluxe edition was released a year after its initial release.
Peak position #2 (originally #32)
#28 for 1995
It's odd that the third entry from Dire straits on this list would be a greatest hits album they released to tie fans over while frontman Mark Knopfler went to work on a side project, again we'll be revisiting all their albums the further down this list we go.
Peak position #1x3
#11 for 1988
It's a good thing this was a decent success in NZ, otherwise I would've had to skip over this greatest hits album from Cher which was a massive success for her in the UK due to the success of her earlier entry on this list. She did see minor success with her next album It's a man's man's world over there, however it was a dud compared to her entries on this list.
Peak position #1x7
#3 for 1992
Me saying this is Paul Young's final entry on this list would have you believe that's only because the rest of his catalogue all flopped internationally, I'll have you know that even if that wasn't the case, this would still be his final entry on this list as even his fellow Brits weren't impressed with the rest of his catalogue.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
I'm gonna tear your playhouse down #9
Everything must change #9
Everytime you go away #4
Tomb of memories #16
#10 for 1985
Given how she found no success with the Go go's or her first solo album in the UK, this proved to be a surprise hit for Belinda Carlisle over there likely due to the lead single becoming a massive hit for her at the time of its release. This led to her having massive success over there in the 90's, arguably more so than what she achieved here in Australia.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Heaven is a place on earth #1
I get weak #10
Circle in the sand #4
#20 for 1988
Much like the rest of the world, this was only a success for Lauryn Hill in the UK when it was awarded the best album of 1998 at the grammies in early 1999. This is curious given how the Brits (as well as the entire world) already knew her from her time with the Fugees from two years prior.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Doo wop #3
Everything is everything #19
#17 for 1999
It looks like Leo Sayer was another Brit who found more success internationally throughout the 70's given how his greatest hits album also did much worse in his homeland than it did here in Australia and NZ. It was also his final successful album as his 80's material didn't connect with his fellow Brits.
Peak position #1x3
#3 for 1979
How bad does a second album have to be that even Haircut 100's fellow Brits would turn their back on it despite how big their debut was? Despite scoring a string of hits in their homeland, they were unable to retain their popularity when their second album dropped which led to them calling it quits.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Favourite shirts #4
Love plus one #3
Fantastic day #9
#7 for 1982
If this album's placement seems low on this list compared to how well it did here in Australia, that's because it didn't rebound on the UK charts like it did on ours which means it was only a hit once over there like it was in NZ. At least the singles did better over there which I guess is a fitting trade off.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Only when you leave #3
I'll fly for you #9
Highly strung #15
Round and round #18
#20 for 1984
There's little doubt that these guys would make my list given how well the Brits were able to look out for their local talent back in the day, although funny thing, this wasn't their biggest success here in Australia despite it being the case in their homeland, likely due to the lead single flopping here when it was a huge success over there.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Question #2
#12 for 1970
I guess the Brits weren't as interested in this magnum opus from Peter Gabriel as the rest of the world was, this goes double for the singles which did far worse on the UK charts than they did internationally for the former Genesis frontman. For what it's worth, two of his solo albums were candidates for this list.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Sledgehammer #4
Don't give up #9
Big time #13
#19 for 1986
#38 for 1987
This is another album that seems a bit low on this list, although it did spawn a fourth hit for Madonna in the UK with "Dear Jessie" which didn't even charts in the southern hemisphere for the queen of pop. Once again, this is further proof that the better the singles do on an album, the less likely it is for said album to be a best seller over there.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Like a prayer #1
Express yourself #5
Cherish #3
#9 for 1989
How has it taken me this long to feature Bryan Adams on this list? Indeed, the Canadian rocker did see success with his albums in the UK even if said success was pitiful compared to what he achieved worldwide. We'll be revisiting his three biggest albums as we go further down this list.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Please forgive me #2
#6 for 1993
#45 for 1994
Much like the rest of the world, this was initially a flop for No doubt upon its release in the UK due to nobody knowing who Gwen Stefani and company was in 1995. Also, like everywhere else in the world, this was given a second chance when "Don't speak" became a surprise hit for them over there a year after its initial release.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Just a girl #38
Don't speak #1
Just a girl (reissue) #3
Spiderwebs #16
#26 for 1997
Again, there was no doubt that this would be a shoe in for this list given how the Brits did such an excellent job in looking out for their local talent throughout the twentieth century. As a bit of a fun fact, Elton John didn't score a UK chart topper until "Don't go breaking my heart" which came out a year after this entry.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Someone saved my life tonight #22
#12 for 1975
This is the final studio album from Phil Collins on this list, although for what it's worth, Both sides was a candidate to appear on here as it turns out his fellow Brits threw him one last bone with that album before making him yesterday's news like the rest of the world did by that point.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
You can't hurry love #1
#29 for 1983
I guess the Brits weren't too happy that this was Roxy music's final album given how it was more of a success here in Australia and NZ than it was in their homeland, at least they still went out with a bang regardless of where in the world you're from which is more than I can say for most bands and artists.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
More than this #6
Avalon #13
#9 for 1982
Rock albums haven't done well on this list, particularly those from bands and artists who aren't British. So, colour me shocked to feature this breakthrough album from REO Speedwagon on here which may have peaked low but refused to die on the UK charts, hence making it this high up.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Keep on loving you #7
Take it on the run #19
#37 for 1981
This is the second oldest album from Elton John on this list, although it was the first from him to go to number one in his homeland even if that chart topping single had to wait another four years in his homeland. I bring that up because the lead single here was his first chart topper on the Billboard charts.
Peak position #1x6
Hit singles
Crocodile rock #5
Daniel #4
#3 for 1973
How has it taken me this long to feature a Bob Dylan album on this list? Yes, Bob Dylan is American and the fact he has multiple entries to come on this list is better than most American bands and artists who failed to score one entry on here, however his commercial disappointment in the UK is still strange.
Peak position #3
#13 for 1976
We haven't seen a lot of Australians on this list, and the few we have had their success in the UK be more of a gimmick rather than the Brits caring about what we Aussies were listening to at any given moment. I bring this up because this second album from NKOTB only took off over there due to how well it was doing here in Australia and not in their native America.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
You got it #1
Hanging tough #1
I'll be loving you #5
Cover girl #4
#21 for 1990
I have no words for why it's taken this long for the Purple one to grace us with his presence on this list, the Brits clearly wanted to be subversive back in the day by not allowing many of the legends in rock and roll to have the bestselling albums of all time over there it seems (at least not from their original releases.)
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Gett off #4
Cream #15
Diamonds and pearls #25
Money don't matter 2 night #19
#27 for 1991
#33 for 1992
I would say that the Brits weren't as impressed with Rod Stewart's pivot towards disco back in the day, except we've clearly established that they just weren't as impressed with his albums overall compared to us Aussies and kiwis it seems. Again, at least these albums were massive hits as remember, we're not even halfway through this list.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Do ya think I'm sexy #1
Ain't love a bitch #11
#37 for 1978
#48 for 1979
By all accounts, this should be much higher on the list as this is one of many albums that refused to leave the British charts back in the day, however I've split its success in half as it did briefly drop off the charts after its initial run only to come back when he released his second album Dead ringer in 1981.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
You took the words right out of my mouth #33
Two out of three ain't bad #32
Bat out of hell #15
#28 for 1978
#23 for 1979
This entry covers the album's run when Dead ringer was released, again I should combine these two entries into one, however there was a noticeable gap in its chart run which I decided to acknowledge for this list.
Peak position #9
#35 for 1980
#19 for 1981
#17 for 1982
As this was Level 42's only international success (even then, they went unheard of here in Australia) it's the only album of theirs that made the cut for this list. That said, World machine would've appeared much higher had that been a hit outside of their homeland, and we would've still had their greatest hits album Level best to come on this list.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Lessons in love #3
Running in the family #6
To be with you again #10
#11 for 1987
Even though I said that Cat Stevens' magnum opus Tea for the tillerman was a flop for him in his homeland, that didn't mean that he was a one album wonder over there as he did see success with his subsequent follow ups even if none of them reached the level of success over there as they did here in Australia.
Peak position #2
#? for 1972
The kiwis have come through again as it was thanks to them making this debut album from Kid Creole a success over there that it managed to appear on this list of mine. How the Brits came across this album from the American band is beyond me, however it was such a success that they migrated to the UK following its success.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
I'm a wonderful thing baby #4
Stool pigeon #7
Annie I'm not your daddy #2
#15 for 1982
Although they had a chart-topping album in their homeland prior to this album (stay tuned for it) it appears this being the big breakthrough that Simple minds had in America was all the incentive their fellow Brits needed in making it a huge success in their homeland.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Alive and kicking #7
Sanctify yourself #10
All the things she said #9
#36 for 1985
#21 for 1986
There were a ton of candidates from Genesis for this list, several of them I had to cut due to them failing to find an audience outside their native UK. We haven't skipped any of them yet, meaning that this was their most successful album of the 70's likely due to it spawning their first hit single anywhere in the world.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Follow you follow me #7
#12 for 1978
There's only one entry from the Police on this list, that of course being their magnum opus Synchronicity which means their signature album was less popular in their homeland than everything else in their catalogue (at least from their initial run.) Hey at least only one solo entry from Sting has appeared on this list so far.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Don't stand so close to me 86 #24
#15 for 1986
If you're wondering why it's taken so long for me to feature Blur on this list, that's because I unfortunately had to skip over their magnum opus Parklife which would've appeared towards the top of this list had it been a hit anywhere outside of their native UK. Indeed, this was lucky to make the cut due to it being a sleeper hit here in Australia for the band.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Country house #1
Charmless man #5
#9 for 1995
Bruce Springsteen was one of the few heartland rockers to find success in the UK over the years (he still has two more entries to come on this list) so it makes sense that this greatest hits album would be a hit over there especially given how he scored a massive hit with his Oscar winning ballad "Streets of Philadelphia" the year prior.
Peak position #1x2
#27 for 1995
Given how his debut album was a sleeper hit in the UK, this means Meat loaf's second album was his first mainstream success over there even if few outside of his fanbase will even realise he released an album without Bat out of hell in the title. Apparently, he had a hit with Cher around the time he released this album over there.
Peak position #1x2
#23 for 1981
#40 for 1982
Well at least Kate Bush has at least one album that was a bigger hit in her homeland than it was internationally, again this was at the expense of the lead single which had to wait nearly forty years to be a massive mainstream success for her and for reasons that had little to do with her catalogue.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Running up that hill #3
#14 for 1985
#47 for 1986
Given how this didn't rechart in the UK when Genesis released Invisible touch like it did in NZ, this meant that it wasn't going to last as long on the UK charts which obviously impacted its ranking on this list. That said, it spawned their biggest hit in their homeland in the form of its lead single.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Mama #4
#9 for 1983
This is the only candidate for Thin Lizzy on this list given how none of their albums managed to become a hit for the Irish band. They did score a few hits in their homeland throughout the 70's, however none of them were inescapable like their airplay on oldies stations would have you think.
Peak position #2
#15 for 1978
I'm a bit surprised that this is the first entry from Gary Numan on this list given how inescapable his hits were not just in his homeland but internationally, I guess this was a bit ahead of its time given how this would feel right at home during the launch of MTV rather than a precursor for things to come in the 80's.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Are friends electric #1
#16 for 1979
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