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 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
#13 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 second appearance on this list, 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
#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
#27 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
#26 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
#19 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
#19 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
Hit in 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
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
#21 for 1980
#47 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
#38 for 1985
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 will 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
#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
#32 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
#18 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
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
#40 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 let 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
#32 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
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
#22 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
#17 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
#19 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
#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 in 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
#25 for 1987
#35 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
#43 for 1984
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
#32 for 1988
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
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
Hit in 1971
Given how we've already seen two 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
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
#22 for 1985
How has it taken me this long to feature a Rolling stones album on this list? Admittedly their earlier catalogue would've already appeared higher up had I included albums from the first half of the 70's, however the fact that this live album was the best they could do in their homeland post 1974 is staggering to me.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Going a go go #26
#37 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
#33 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
Well, it may have taken a good minute to feature these guys on the list, however at least there'll be plenty of entries to come from the Rolling stones moving forward on this list. This was their biggest studio album from their homeland which naturally was their pivot towards disco right before the genres backlash.
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
#25 for 1984
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
Hit in 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
#21 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
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
Oh boy am I cheating with this entry, this was a hit for the Pretenders in NZ twelve years after its initial release for reasons I still can't seem to fathom. It's appearance on here is based on its initial release as their fellow Brits were impressed with their (then) latest album Get close to make it a hit (we'll look at that album in a bit.)
Peak position #6
#23 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
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. This did spawn a hit for him over there, however it wasn't with one of the songs he charted with here in Australia thus it won't be represented here.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
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
As this is the only album Elvis Presley released post 1974, it was naturally his only studio album that was eligible for this list even though he's had plenty of compilation albums to make it big in the UK just like the rest of the world. That said, we've only skipped over one of these albums so far on this list.
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
#21 for 1979
#40 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
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
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
#38 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
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
#8 for 1983
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
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
Hit in 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
#39 for 1983
With how successful his earlier entries were in the UK, I bet you're surprised how long it took for me to feature Lionel Richie's third solo album as it appears the Brits found it to be a disappointment compared to his earlier entry on this list. It was still a success over there and even had them hoping his fourth album would be a success if his greatest hits album from 1992 is anything to go by.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Say you say me #8
Dancing on the ceiling #7
Deep river woman #17
#24 for 1986
This is Enya's penultimate entry on this list as her other albums released in the last quarter of the twentieth century didn't rack up the points to appear on here like they did on my Australian and NZ lists. I guess it's safe to say her fellow Brits didn't love her new age music like we Aussies and kiwis did.
Peak position #4
#19 for 1997
This is the only studio album from Dr Hook to make the list as they only have one more entry to come which is their second greatest hits album from the early 90's. I guess this album did spawn their biggest hit as its lead single even if it wound up being its second single internationally.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
A little bit more #2
#24 for 1976
Although she didn't reach the dizzying heights of success in her homeland that she achieved here in Australia, Enya was nonetheless on a roll in the UK when she released this album in the midpoint of the 90's. She did rerelease her debut album Celts over there just like she did internationally, however it bombed for a second time amongst her fellow brits.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Anywhere is #7
#21 for 1995
This is the most recent album from Tina Turner on this list, although unlike in NZ where this only took off due to her successful world tour from the late 90's, this was an instant success in the UK proving that the Brits still loved her even after we Aussies fell out of love with her by this point in time.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Whatever you want #23
In your wildest dreams #32
#26 for 1996
Here we are again with Garbage's debut album, it may rank lower than their earlier entry, however that's only because it was a sleeper hit in the UK as it bounced back up their charts whenever one of the singles were released over there. What's truly surprising is that they were a complete failure in their native America despite the international success they achieved.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Only happy when it rains #29
Queer #13
Stupid girl #4
Milk #10
#25 for 1996
Even though this charted higher than their previous entry in their homeland, this second go at disco grom the Rolling stones ultimately proved to be less successful for the band over there which is perhaps why they returned to form with their next album even if that was less successful again in the UK.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Emotional rescue #9
She's so cold #33
#37 for 1980
File MC Hammer into the increasing category of an artist never hitting number one in the UK despite seeing massive success over there, indeed his breakthrough album was more of a sleeper hit there as it rebounded on the charts whenever one of the singles was released just as was the case here in Australia.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
U can't touch this #3
Have you ever seen her #8
Pray #8
Here comes the hammer #15
#36 for 1990
#46 for 1991
Of all the albums to become a success for Diana Ross in the UK, all of them wound up being greatest hits album with this one being the only one to find success in the southern hemisphere and thus be eligible for this list. She would've had six of these albums appear on this list had the other five been eligible.
Peak position #2
#28 for 1979
This is the final entry from Mike Oldfield on this list, I only skipped one of his candidates as his 1975 album Ommadawn was his second most successful in his career in his homeland and would've appeared towards the very top. It's interesting that the only album of his to spawn a hit single with vocals was his weakest entry on here.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Moonlight shadow #4
#40 for 1983
I guess the Brits weren't as big of fans of the Sting as the rest of the world was given how its soundtrack was a mere sleeper hit in the UK compared to it being a mainstay everywhere else in the world, it could also be they weren't as impressed with the throwback melodies of the thirties it had to offer given what it competed with at the time.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
The entertainer #25
#27 for 1974
This was one of several entries from 1987 that only made my Australian list for that year due to how uneventful that year was, fortunately it was a genuine hit for Simple minds in their homeland back in the day due to how well received their Paris tour was.
Peak position #1x1
#22 for 1987
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