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.
Unlike in NZ where Clannad scored a massive hit with their soundtrack to the TV series Legend, this was the only success they achieved in their homeland which no doubt explains why it didn't do as well in the UK as it did in NZ. It could also be that the kiwis were bigger fans of Celtic music than the Brits.
Peak position #5
#31 for 1989
I need to remind my readers that when I say an album underperformed in the UK on this list, it's only by comparison to how well it did internationally as every album on here was a massive success over there regardless of how low they appear on this list. That said, it really does surprise me how this underperformed for Enya in her homeland.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Caribbean blue #13
How can I keep from singing #32
#20 for 1991
#36 for 1992
Given how Phil Collins saw a massive success with his own live album from earlier on this list, it makes sense that his band would also see success in their homeland following the success of their (then) most recent album which they named said live album after.
Peak position #3
#18 for 1992
#99 for 1993
If this album feels a bit off to you compared to the rest of the entries on this list, it's success in the UK is largely due to it spawning a surprise chart topper for John Denver over there in the form of its lead single. That said, he's a one hit wonder over there despite having other candidates and even entries on this list.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Annie's song #1
Much like the rest of the world, this was initially a flop for the Bangles in the UK despite its lead single almost topping the UK charts for the girl band. Unlike the rest of the world, it didn't take too long for its second chance to arrive over there as it reached its peak in 1986 as opposed to 1987 globally.
Peak position #3 (originally #30)
Hit singles
Manic Monday #2
If she knew what she wants #31
Walk like an Egyptian #3
Walking down your street #16
#31 for 1986
#72 for 1987
I'm not sure how well this album would've done here in Australia had Countdown not shut down Shirley Bassey's popularity shortly before its release, however I'd like to think it would've been a massive hit for her here given how well it did in NZ and her native UK as well as her scoring a massive hit two years prior with "Never never never."
Peak position #2
#23 for 1975
It's been a while since we looked at one of Paul McCartney's solo albums on this list, here he is with his first solo entry in his discography since his collaboration with his wife Linda from earlier on this list which was a nine-year gap between both entries. Suffice to say, his 80's output was far less successful in his homeland that his 70's output.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Coming up #2
Waterfalls #9
#34 for 1980
If you're wondering if I skipped over a Status quo album on this list so far, the answer is yes as their 1990 greatest hits album was a much bigger success than the one they released a decade prior in their homeland. We'll get to their 70's material in a bit, but suffice to say, they were considered a singles band by their fellow Brits.
Peak position #3
#14 for 1980
Even though these guys are from the UK, it's a bit odd to have a heavy metal band this far on the list even if we've already seen two entries from Deep purple so far. Indeed, this was the breakthrough album from Ozzy Osbourne and company which their fellow Brits lapped up back in the day.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Paranoid #4
#14 for 1970
Surprised to see this album so low on the list? It turns out the Brits considered these guys to be a singles artist as this was the bigger album from their first two albums over there by far despite both spawning a massive chart topper on their singles charts. Again, the Brits didn't allow albums with huge chart toppers of them to have that much success it seems.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Come on Eileen #1
#11 for 1982
Unlike in the rest of the world where this album from Men at work spawned three massive hits for them, it appears they were set to be a one hit wonder in the UK with their signature track until their second album dropped and became a success for the Aussie band over there (which we'll look at in a bit.)
Peak position #1x5
Hit singles
Down under #1
#12 for 1983
There hasn't been much representation from the Beatles so far on this list has there? I guess their fellow Brits weren't as sentimental for their back catalogue as the rest of the world was given how this is only their fourth appearance on this list (fifth if we include the red album) although they were more impressed with this live album than anyone else it seems.
Peak position #1x1
#29 for 1977
OK so there's a slight correction I need to make for this album I brought up on the NZ side of my site, namely that it was a huge flop for Finley Quaye in his homeland as based on its appearance on this list, it's obvious it didn't flop in his homeland like I said when I featured in previously on this site.
Peak position #3
#54 for 1997
#39 for 1998
Given how the Bangles saw massive success in the UK with two out of their three albums (we'll look at Everything in a bit) it makes sense that their greatest hits album would also be a success over there following their breakup. It's crazy to think these women were among the heavier acts to find success with the Brits over the years.
Peak position #4
#46 for 1990
This is the most recent entry from Cliff Richard on this list, it's another greatest hits album from him which this time celebrates 35 years in the music industry as he did indeed debut in 1959 with "Living doll." It was released on time over there just like it was in NZ as opposed to being released late here in Australia.
Peak position #3
#15 for 1994
Given that her debut album was a minor hit for her in the UK (despite flopping in her native America) it somewhat makes sense that Suzanne Vega would achieve massive success over there with her second album which would explain why it did so well here in Australia and especially NZ for the singer/songwriter.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Luka #23
#22 for 1987
We've only skipped over one album from OMD, that being their 1981 effort Architecture and morality which was incidentally their breakthrough album in their homeland. Heck it's only because this greatest hits album of theirs was a massive hit in NZ that they even have an entry on this list to begin with.
Peak position #2
#21 for 1988
I wasn't expecting the Brits to be the reason why Alice Cooper saw massive success throughout the 70's, sure he had decent success in his homeland, however it was pitiful compared to what he achieved with his first two albums in the UK. That said, he only has a total of three candidates for this list.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
School's out #1
Hit in 1972
Oh joy, another album on this list that was a sleeper hit despite being a mainstream success internationally. This time it's the breakthrough album for the Eagles which bounced up and down the charts whenever one of the singles was released in the UK despite them all flopping over there just like they did here in Australia.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
One of these nights #23
Lying eyes #23
Take it to the limit #12
#32 for 1975
It looks like the Brits were huge fans of the Muppets back in the day, certainly more so than us Aussies and kiwis given how the soundtrack to season one was a chart topper in the UK. I guess this came at the expense of the theme song not being released as a single even though other songs from the album did chart over there.
Peak position #1x1
#22 for 1977
In a bizarre twist, this debut album from Dire straits only took off in their homeland when it became a surprise hit for them internationally due to the lead single unexpectedly taking off here in Australia as well as on Billboard. This means we have yet another sleeper hit on this list that was an instant hit internationally.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Sultans of swing #8
#18 for 1979
This is the only other entry from Boney M on this list, although had it seen success in the southern hemisphere, their 1979 effort Oceans for fantasy would've appeared much later down this list given how well that did in the UK during the final stretch of the 70's.
Peak position #1x2
#18 for 1980
Again, we can thank the kiwis for why this album was able to make it on this list given how we Aussies didn't care for this greatest hits album from Hot chocolate like they and the band's fellow Brits did. Admittedly this was released a good ten years after their relevancy had faded from the mainstream.
Peak position #1x1
#88 for 1993
Of all the alternative bands to feature on this list, Crash test dummies is by far the biggest surprise for me given how they were far from the most successful alt band on the Billboard charts or even here in Australia. That said, their international breakthrough was a big hit in the UK which does explain this albums success.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Mmm mmm mmm mmm #2
Afternoons and coffeespoons #23
#50 for 1994
Here's another album for this list that you'd think would be higher up until you realise the Brits did a poor job balancing out an album's success with its singles, B*witched had four out of four chart toppers on the UK charts and yet the album which spawned these massive worldwide hits did worse in their homeland than it did internationally.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
C'est la vie #1
Rollercoaster #1
To you I belong #1
Blame it on the weatherman #1
#22 for 1998
#69 for 1999
This was the album that put Elton John on the map in his homeland just like it did here in Australia, in fact his success in his homeland panned out almost identically to what he achieved down under as he didn't have a chart topper here until his duet with Kiki Dee either.
Peak position #2
Hit in 1971
Another greatest hits album, this time it's from Dr Hook who did surprisingly well with their singles in the UK despite all of their albums flopping on their charts. This completely killed their career as far as the Brits were concerned as they only had one hit over there in the 80's ("Sexy eyes.")
Peak position #2
#20 for 1980
#41 for 1981
Much like in NZ, Madonna's debut album only became a hit in the UK when it was rebranded as the First album in 1985 despite the second single doing quite well upon its initial release. As her label only released one single at a time over there as opposed to all her singles competing with each other like they did internationally, the final single wasn't released until 1986.
Peak position #6 (originally #37)
Hit singles
Holiday #6
Lucky star #14
Holiday (rerelease) #2
Borderline #2
#31 for 1985
#47 for 1986
It may have taken them four years to follow up their earlier entry on this list, however the wait seemed to be worth it for Simple minds fans in the UK as the lead single was their first and only chart topper on the UK charts. It was their final successful studio album as the only success they saw after this was their greatest hits album from earlier.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Belfast child #1
This is your land #13
Kick in it #15
#16 for 1989
Much like it was here in Australia, this was somewhat of a comeback for Bon Jovi in the UK given how the Brits also considered New Jersey to be a disappointment upon its initial release (we'll get to it in a bit.) Again, rock fans will have to accept the fact that Bon Jovi is among the hardest any entry we'll get on this list.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Keep the faith #5
Bed of roses #13
In these arms #9
I'll sleep when I'm dead #17
I believe #11
Dry country #9
#47 for 1992
#24 for 1993
I actually cheated when I featured this album on my Australian 1992 list as this didn't feature on a yearend chart for ARIA or AMR, it's a good thing I broke my own rules for my 90's lists as this means the sequel to Mike Oldfield's top entry would feature on this list as his fellow Brits made this a huge success for him.
Peak position #1x2
#22 for 1992
You know that hip hop was becoming more accessible in the mainstream when even the Brits were willing to make this debut from Arrested development a success, although like Australia and NZ, it took a while to catch on over there and only did when the second single became a massive hit for the group.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
People everyday #2
Mr wendal #4
Revolution #4
Tennessee #18
#85 for 1992
#30 for 1993
In a bizarre twist (take a shot every time I say that on this list) George Benson didn't see any success in the UK until the 80's and with a disco album that was released during the supposed height of the disco backlash to boot. I skipped over his 1985 greatest hits album; however he has one more entry to come on this list.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Give me the night #7
Love x love #10
#30 for 1980
It's a been a while since we look at Blondie on this list, here they are with their greatest hits album they released just before they decided to call it quits to allow Debbie Harry to pursue a solo career (despite denying this was the case during the album cycle of Autoamerican.)
Peak position #4
#19 for 1981
NZ comes to the rescue once more as this album which flopped here in Australia makes the cut due to how well it did over there upon its initial release. Indeed, this was a huge success for Sting in his homeland likely due to his (then) most recent album from earlier on this list being a massive success.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
When we dance #9
#13 for 1994
#65 for 1995
There was a lot of hype going into this debut album from Swing out sister in their homeland, I would say the hype wasn't met except A: this album spawned a massive worldwide hit for the trio and B: it had to compete with a bunch of compilation albums which unfortunately affected its placement on this list.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Breakout #4
#34 for 1987
This was also a disappointment for Paul Simon in the UK just like it was internationally, although again, this is only by comparison as the album was nonetheless a massive chart topper for folk legend over there. Sadly, this was the final time he troubled the charts with new material in his catalogue.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
The obvious child #15
#11 for 1990
This was the only success that Chris Isaak found in the UK as a musician, sure the Brits loved him as an actor just like the rest of the world did, however none of his other albums managed to dent the charts like they did here in Australia. I guess the Brits really liked his Roy Orbison impersonation for only one album.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Wicked game #10
Blue hotel #17
#37 for 1991
Although it was more of a success in NZ due to the kiwis wanting to support Alannah Currie's music career (she was a journalist over there prior to joining this band) it nonetheless did quite well in the Thompson twin's homeland and led to massive success with their second album from earlier on this list.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Love on your side #9
We are detective #7
#31 for 1983
Considering we've established that A: Rod Stewart saw massive success with his singles in his homeland and B: the Brits were kinder to albums that didn't spawn hit after hit than the ones that did, it's easy to see why this 90's comeback from him was less popular in his homeland than it was internationally.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
It takes two #5
Rhythm of my heart #3
The Motown song #10
Have I told you lately #5
#43 for 1991
This is one of two entries to come from Emerson Lake and Palmer on this list, the other will also be from the early 70's as their 1977 surprise hit Works failed to become a hit in their native UK like it did here in Australia. For what it's worth, they had quite a few candidates for this list from the early 70's.
Peak position #1x1
Hit in 1971
You'd think that Gerry Rafferty's fellow Brits would've made his solo debut a massive success like it was internationally, although it did quite well on the UK charts, it appears that they weren't as big of fans as we Aussies and Americans were back in the day.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Baker street #3
#23 for 1978
OK this really feels out of whack with the other entries on this list, although it's still funny how an album that spent so long at number one here in Australia could only muster up a single week on top of the UK album charts. Still, I'm not sure how the Brits allowed CCR to score a massive hit with this album compared to the competition of its time.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Travelling band #8
Up around the bend #3
#16 for 1970
Here's the other entry from George Benson I mentioned earlier on this list, again I'm surprised this was a bigger hit for him in the UK than his 70's output especially when you consider this came out during the height of the MTV era. I guess the Brits were more interested in 70's musicians of colour by that stage.
Peak position #3
#21 for 1983
Unlike here in Australia where this was a hit twice for Paul McCartney both upon its initial release and in 1993 for some reason, it was only a hit once for him in his homeland as his fellow Brits didn't bring this album back in 1993 like we Aussies did.
Peak position #2
#12 for 1987
It feels somewhat embarrassing that we Aussies were the only people in the world to allow this album from Dr Dre to flop, indeed I certainly wasn't expecting to feature this on this list given how the Brits were even more apprehensive towards hip hop than we Aussies ever were.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Forgot about dre #7
#39 for 2000
This was another easy success for Rod Stewart in his homeland during the first half of the 70's, it's bizarre to me how much more well-loved he was among his fellow Brits during the first half of that decade compared to the second half given how we've used up all of his entries from that period on this list.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Farewell #7
#19 for 1974
Whereas this was Simply red's biggest success here in Australia, it was their least popular album in their homeland despite failing to spawn that big hit which allowed it to be so big here as well as other albums in the UK. Hey, the whole theory about albums and how big their singles are I've brought up on this list isn't airtight.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
The right thing #11
Infidelity #31
#14 for 1987
It appears the love his fellow Brits had for his music began to falter slightly sooner than the love we Aussies had for Elton John given how this went from being one of the biggest hits of the decade here in Australia to merely a huge hit for him in the UK. That said, his true low point wouldn't come over there until the 80's.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Don't let the sun go down on me #16
The bitch is back #15
#15 for 1974
This is the only entry from Chicago on this list, they had one other candidate here with a greatest hits album from the 90's that was only a success in the UK, but other than that, it was only their worldwide breakthrough that connected with the Brits and at a time where heavier rock and roll ruled supreme on their charts.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
25 or 6 to 4 #7
Hit in 1970
All things considered, it makes sense that this breakthrough album from folk singer/songwriter Melanie Safka would be a massive success in the UK even if said success was pitiful compared to what it achieved here in Australia and her native America. The main drawback to its success was that it didn't spawn that big hit over there that it did here and in her homeland.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Ruby Tuesday #9
Hit in 1970
This is another album that bounced in and out of the UK top ten during its run, although this time it's due to the instant success of their second album which came out six months after this did which led to its success throughout the rest of the world including here in Australia.
Peak position #8
#20 for 1970
Oh boy howdy has it taken me forever to feature this solo entry from George Michael, granted it was an instant success in his homeland; however, it failed to spawn a single chart topper from him as opposed to four out of six singles going to number one on the Billboard charts.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
I want your sex #3
Faith #2
Father figure #11
One more try #8
Monkey #13
#20 for 1987
#29 for 1988
I guess we Aussies giving Ricky Martin success to his album Vuelve proved to be a curse in the long run as far as his singles are concerned given how the singles on his first English album did way better everywhere else in the world than they did here. The only other thing to note here is that "She's all I ever had" wasn't released as a single in the UK for some reason.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Living la vida loca #1
Shake your bon bon #12
Private emotion #9
#35 for 1999
Again, I have no words for why this underperformed in the UK compared to the rest of the world, the only thing I can add is that it's another entry on this list to have a different album cycle to the rest of the world as the title track was the second single over there as opposed to "Let's go crazy."
Peak position #7
Hit singles
When doves cry #4
Purple rain #8
Let's go crazy #7
#38 for 1984
#48 for 1985
I was expecting this second album from Soul II soul to do so much better in their homeland than it wound up achieving on this list, although the fact it was still a massive hit over there (just like every other entry on this list) goes to show that they were promised great success in the 90's that never came.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Get a life #3
A dream's a dream #6
#24 for 1990
I guess the Brits weren't as sentimental towards Gloria Estefan's recovery as we Aussies and kiwis were as this only charted on its initial release and didn't rebound on the one-year anniversary of her bus accident on the UK charts like it did in the southern hemisphere.
Peak position #2
#33 for 1991
He may have only released one new album between his previous greatest hits album from earlier on this list, however that didn't prevent this second album overlooking Bryan Ferry's catalogue both solo and with Roxy music to become a success in his homeland just like it did here in Australia.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Let's stick together remix #12
#26 for 1988
#78 for 1989
Here's that theory again about how an album with a massive chart topper underperformed in the UK compared to everywhere else in the world, although admittedly this was Bryan Adams biggest success over there (not counting his greatest hits album from earlier) so perhaps this is simply the best he could do with the Brits.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
I do it for you #1
Can't stop this thing we started #12
There will never be another tonight #32
Thought I'd died and gone to heaven #8
All I want is you #22
#12 for 1991
#39 for 1992
Thank you, AMR, for accurately tracking this album's success where ARIA failed to do so, had you not done that, then this third greatest hits album from John Lennon would've had to be skipped on this list as it was indeed a massive success for him seventeen years after his untimely death in his homeland.
Peak position #4
#18 for 1997
#91 for 1998
It took us a while, but we finally have an entry from The Who on this list as they were indeed well loved by their fellow Brits even if it was only in their initial run on the charts. Indeed, this was actually one of their weaker entries in their homeland as they saw way more success in the 60's over there than they did after that decade.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Won't get fooled again #9
#22 for 1971
Given how we've already seen three entries from Slade on this list, it only makes sense that the other forbearer of glam rock would see massive success in his homeland. That was certainly the case for Gary Glitter who took the glam scene by storm in the UK with his second album, and we'll be revisiting his debut much later down this list.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Do you wanna touch me #2
Hello hello I'm back again #2
Hit in 1973
This went from one of the top ten biggest albums of the 80's in Australia and NZ to a mid-tier successful album in Dire straits homeland, again it did spawn a massive hit for them in their homeland and it's still infinitely more successful over there than the entire catalogue of most rock and roll bands and artists.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
Private investigations #2
#6 for 1982
#49 for 1983
The greatest hits curse strikes again as even in their homeland, Spandau ballet struggled for mainstream relevancy following the success of this album of theirs. In fact, they did far worse in the UK than I would've expected given how they're up there with Human league as bands who led the second British invasion.
Peak position #3
#17 for 1985
#64 for 1986
Oh, wow has it been a hot minute since we looked at an entry from the Rolling stones, here we are with their second appearance on this list which is a live album that only did decently well internationally for them back in the day. Don't worry, we'll be getting a lot more representation from the band as we go down this list.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Going a go go #26
#35 for 1982
Given this is the soundtrack to a British TV show, it's only natural that it would be a massive success in the UK. This was credited to Rock follies whenever it charted, meaning this would've sidestepped the soundtrack/compilation fiasco had it charted in the 90's twenty years after its release.
Peak position #1x3
#18 for 1976
I think I'm finally starting to see what people mean when they say the 80's wasn't kind to Elton John, this is his final entry from that decade on this list as his fellow Brits didn't care much for the other albums he released despite the three entries I have featured on here being a massive hit for him over there.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Sad songs #7
Passengers #5
#28 for 1984
Even though this was a UK chart topper for Alice Cooper, it proved to be less popular over there than his earlier entry on this list which failed to get to number one on their album charts. This would be the last the Brits would hear from the shock rocker until his 1989 album Trash (which we'll get to on this list.)
Peak position #1x1
#17 for 1973
Much like in NZ, this was a massive flop in the UK upon its 1980 release despite the film being a critical and commercial success upon its initial release. Also, like NZ, this finally became a success upon the premiere of the TV adaptation two years after its initial release over there.
Peak position #1x1 (originally #21)
Hit singles
Fame #1
#28 for 1982
I told you we're going to see a lot more from these guys moving forward, although it's still amazing how much the Brits didn't care about their music comparted to the rest of the world this far into their career. Even so, their pivot towards disco didn't go unnoticed in their homeland given how well this album did for them.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Miss you #3
#32 for 1978
It's been a while since we looked at 10CC on this list, here they are with their biggest album here in Australia which clearly wasn't the case in their homeland likely due to it spawning two big hits on the UK charts. We still have one more entry to feature from these guys which won't be coming for a while yet.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
The things we do for love #6
Good morning judge #5
#32 for 1977
Again, their albums may have taken a while to appear on this list, however at least everything Dire straits released in their career will be accounted for on this list including this live album which was a huge hit for them amongst their fellow Brits upon its initial release.
Peak position #3
#21 for 1984
#70 for 1985
#55 for 1986
This was barely a success for Eric Clapton here in Australia, so to see it fairly high up on this list is a testament to how much his fellow Brits loved his theme from the Colour of money which appears as a track on this album. They clearly didn't love it as a single since it didn't chart over there for him.
Peak position #3
#43 for 1987
Much like the rest of the world, this was more of a success for the Chemical brothers in the UK than their breakthrough album Dig your own hole (which is still to come on this list.) This is likely due to the album being able to spawn genuine hits for the duo as opposed to their other album which saddled for "fan singles."
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Hey boy hey girl #3
Let forever be #9
Out of control #21
#34 for 1999
Well at least we have some more pleasing art from Pink Floyd's 1975 effort for this list given how this was the alternate art their label released following the outrage the original art caused back in the day. I guess the outrage it what costed this album the success it deserved in the band's homeland.
Peak position #1x1
#22 for 1975
#47 for 1976
Much like the rest of the world, this was the final time that ELO managed to trouble the charts in their homeland as even their fellow Brits didn't have much room for their brand of prog music during the MTV era. We still have a few more entries to feature from these guys before the list is out.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Hold on tight #4
#17 for 1981
Given how the show premiered on the London west end, this meant that the soundtrack to Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the opera managed to be an instant success upon its release in the UK as opposed to it being a sleeper hit here in Australia and NZ until the show came to the southern hemisphere.
Peak position #1x3
#9 for 1987
#65 for 1988
It looks like the Brits were big fans of Tina Turner's biopic from 1993 as the soundtrack she provided for the film was a massive hit over there for her. The film was a critical success given how Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne received Oscar nominations for their roles as Tina and Ike respectively.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
I don't wanna fight #7
Disco inferno #12
#28 for 1993
Even though their debut album spawned a bunch of hits for 2 Unlimited in the UK, it was a complete dud for them which wasn't the case for their second album which found the balance between spawning successful singles and being a success in its own right for the duo. Had it been a hit internationally, their third album would appear later down this list.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
No limit #1
Tribal dance #4
Maximum overdrive #15
Let your beat control the body #6
#33 for 1993
Well, I guess you can consider Bryan Adams a 90's artist in the UK given how we've featured all of his 90's material but nothing from the 80's (yet.) Even with how well he was doing over there, this would be his final successful album in the UK as his 1998 effort was a complete dud save for his collaboration with Sporty Spice.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Have you ever really loved a woman #4
The only thing that looks good on me is you #6
Let's make a night to remember #10
#24 for 1996
Although this saw a massive decline in popularity compared to his top entry on this list, this second album from Mike Oldfield was nonetheless a massive success in his homeland and even a decent success for him here in Australia back in the day. It always amused me how albums can overtake a follow ups run.
Peak position #1x3
#12 for 1974
Given my rule for only including entries that became hits in the southern hemisphere, this meant that I've skipped over a ton of compilation albums that ran rampant on the UK charts up until 1989. One of the very few to see success outside of the UK was this entry from 1979 as the kiwis also made this a success as the 70's was coming to an end.
Peak position #1x3
#30 for 1979
Although it came close to making the list, Tranvision vamp's debut album was a bit too much of a dud to be a success in their homeland as opposed to it being a massive sleeper hit here in Australia. They fared much better with their second album as it was much more pop friendly for their fellow Brits to make a success.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Baby I don't care #3
The only one #15
#25 for 1989
This is another album I'm surprised is low on this list, although it did spawn one of the biggest hits of the decade worldwide meaning we can blame its signature track for why it didn't live up to its potential success in the UK. Again, this by no means implies that it was a failure over there by any stretch.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Don't cry for me Argentina #1
#31 for 1977
This was all set to flop in the UK despite Top gun being one of the most iconic films to emerge from the 80's, however it became a success over there due to its Oscar winning ballad becoming a surprise chart topper months after it already became a massive worldwide success for Berlin.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Take my breath away #1
#27 for 1986
I have no idea why the kiwis ignored this album for twelve years only to make it a success in 1999, if it wasn't for it being a decent success here in Australia, then I may have had to bend the rules to include it on this list as this was a massive success for the Pretenders upon its initial release due to how well their (then) most recent album did on their charts (which we'll revisit in a bit.)
Peak position #6
#18 for 1987
This was originally meant to be a tenth anniversary reissue, however the fact that said anniversary happened right before Freddie Mercury passed away meant that this was instead a celebration of his band's catalogue. To my knowledge, this hasn't recharted since its success from 1992 in the UK.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Bohemian rhapsody (re release) #1
#25 for 1991
#34 for 1992
#90 for 1993
#75 for 1994
This is the final solo entry from Paul Simon on this list, although he had a ton of other candidates throughout his career given how well loved he's been over the years in the UK. Much like in NZ, this managed to spawn a huge hit for him over there which wasn't the case here in Australia.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Take me to the Mardi gras #7
Loves me like a rock #39
Hit in 1973
This is a greatest hits album that's recharted many times over the years, however this is its only appearance on this list as it was only a success in the UK upon its initial release for John Lennon. It was meant as a farewell release as he had planned on retiring following its release, however he came out of retirement right before his assassination.
Peak position #8
Hit in 1975
This is one of the very few albums from Elvis Presley to make it onto this list that I had as candidates, the Brits certainly loved making his greatest hits albums a success more so than anyone else in the world I can tell you that much. Naturally this became a success more due to it being released just before he passed away.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Moody blue #6
Way down #1
#37 for 1977
Whilst this was a bit of a dud for Blondie throughout most parts of the world, it certainly wasn't in the UK where it continued their winning streak that Parallel lines begun from earlier on this list. The third single set them up for having three consecutive chart toppers over there with "Call me" and "The tide is high."
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Dreaming #2
Union city blue #13
Atomic #1
#20 for 1979
#38 for 1980
Again, we have to consider those pesky compilation albums as well as this debut album from Yazoo spawning two big hits for the duo in their homeland as to why it's appearing this low on this list. It may be a drop in the bucket compared to what Alison Moyet achieved in her solo career, however it's still much bigger than what most American rock bands have achieved in the UK.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Only you #2
Don't go #3
#14 for 1982
#60 for 1983
He may have had a turbulent time in the UK music scene throughout the 90's, however at least his fellow Brits allowed Elton John to have massive success with this love themed greatest hits album during the midpoint of that decade just like the rest of the world did.
Peak position #4
#12 for 1995
#77 for 1996
#84 for 1997
Much like many of the legends in rock and roll, we'll be featuring every entry from Queen that was a success globally for them as their fellow Brits did have a sense of patriotism when it came to making their music a success in the UK. Again, a low placement on this list is ultimately preferrable to not being on here at all.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
We are the champions #2
#34 for 1977
This is the closest Olivia Newton John is going to get with having one of her studio albums on this list as for whatever reason, her fellow Brits didn't hand success to any of her albums save for the soundtrack to her critically panned film Xanadu and a greatest hits package we'll look at in a bit. I feel they consider this more of an ELO album despite her starring in the film.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I'm alive #20
Xanadu #1
Magic #32
Suddenly #15
#53 for 1980
This was the second album from Elton John's catalogue to be a massive success in his homeland, again it failed to spawn a chart topper for him over there (although it came close with the lead single) however that seemed to only boost its popularity given the trends of singles to albums success we've seen throughout this list.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Rocket man #2
Honky cat #31
Hit in 1972
This was released on time in Elaine Paige's homeland given how she was coming off her starring role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats from two years prior. It's one of many albums from stage divas to become a success worldwide following the success of that show, Linda Ronstadt and Barbra Streisand also seeing massive success with this format.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Memory #6
#7 for 1983
#68 for 1984
Even though they're an American band, it appears that Shirley Manson's fellow Brits were willing to make an exception in allowing an American alternative band find success in her homeland given how she hails from Scotland. That said, their second album didn't rebound on the UK charts when one of the singles was used in the (in my opinion) terrible film Big daddy like it did here in Australia.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Push it #9
I think I'm paranoid #9
When I grow up #9
#43 for 1998
#68 for 1999
The hit albums kept on coming from Deep Purple in their homeland given how this was their first UK chart topper for the band, this naturally led to them seeing massive success here in Australia (and possibly NZ) making them one of the first heavy metal bands to find worldwide success.
Peak position #1x1
#27 for 1971
Normally this would be yet another rock album that the Brits ignored due to them seemingly being allergic to that genre unless it's from a local band or artist (even then it's a roll of the die to see if they find success over there.) This became a success over there however due to "Africa" randomly topping the Billboard charts after it was declared album of the year by the grammies.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Africa #3
Rosanna #12
#38 for 1983
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