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's lucky this was a moderate success for Soft cell in NZ otherwise their debut album would've been ineligible for me to include on this list. It was the only candidate for this list from the duo's catalogue as their fellow Brits weren't impressed with the rest of their catalogue just like the rest of the world.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Tainted love #1
#20 for 1982
This is another album that entered the charts high only to spend most of its time in the lower half of the charts, this was the case globally for U2 however I would've thought their fellow Brits would keep this in the upper echelons of their charts given how the singles didn't exactly light up their charts throughout the album cycle.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
The fly #1
Mysterious ways #13
One #7
Even better than the real thing #12
Even better than the real thing (rerelease) #8
Who's gonna ride your wild horses #14
#18 for 1991
#31 for 1992
We have the penultimate album from Dire straits on this list as well as their most recent entry as this was the only album they released following the end of their 1988 hiatus before permanently going their separate ways in 1995. It was about as successful in their homeland as it was internationally.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Calling Elvis #21
#14 for 1991
Much like in NZ, this was a hit upon its initial release in UB40's homeland due to how well they were doing in the UK throughout the 80's. They only have one more album to come on this list, although I am surprised their 1985 effort Baggaridum wasn't a candidate for this list even if it flopped internationally.
Peak position #3
#20 for 1987
Here's someone who's been conspicuously absent on this list so far, it appears the Brits didn't have much love for Bette Midler over the years as it's her only appearance on here by a mile. Neither of her soundtrack that appeared on this site were a success in the UK, and her 1990 effort Some people's lives was only a minor success at best.
Peak position #3
#20 for 1993
This was the most successful album from Bad company in their homeland, although they still have two more entries to come on this list proving how well loved they were by their fellow Brits. This album's success in the UK mirrored what it achieved here in Australia as opposed to NZ where it was a dud in favour of the lead single becoming a massive hit over there.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Feel like making love #20
#33 for 1975
Even though this was panned by critics back in the day, there was little doubt this would spawn multiple minor hits for U2 in their homeland given how true to its title, it was the band's venture towards the pop music of the day which audiences lapped up.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Discotheque #1
Staring at the sun #3
Last night on earth #10
Please #7
If god will send his angels #12
#25 for 1997
Want to know how I can tell the Brits aren't that into rock and roll? Consider the fact that this magnum opus from Peter Frampton only appears this high on the list and to my knowledge, didn't rebound on the UK charts like it did here in Australia and NZ when he released his next album I'm in you (which won't be appearing on this list.)
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Show me the way #10
#16 for 1976
As promised, I'm covering the second chart run that this second album from Seal had in his homeland given how it recharted when the second single was selected as the theme song to Batman forever which came out a year after the album's initial release. It was then when the album finally spawned a genuine hit for the RNB singer in his homeland.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Kiss from a rose #4
#46 for 1995
As a bit of a fun fact, this was Kate Bush's first chart topping album in her homeland even though her debut was far more successful over there than this was. This saw equal success in the UK as it did here in Australia, although it was more popular here overall due to the lead single nearly toping our charts.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Babooshka #5
#27 for 1980
Given how we've seen a ton of entries from Deep Purple on this list already, it makes sense that their greatest hits album from 1980 was a success in their homeland on time as opposed to having its success be delayed by two years here in Australia. This is interesting as it comes five years after their most recent entry on this list.
Peak position #1x1
Hit in 1980
Remember the rule I have, if an album spawns multiple chart toppers in the UK, then chances are it's going to do worse than an album where the singles were mere top five hits. Such is the case for this final entry from Wham which spawned three out of three chart toppers for the duo at the expense of the album's success.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I'm your man #1
A different corner #1
The edge of heaven #1
#13 for 1986
It's odd how this was Five's biggest success in their homeland despite their debut charting higher upon its initial release (stay tuned for that further down this list.) I guess you could say that this spawned two chart toppers for the boy band, their first two at that. The problem is that goes against my theory that chart toppers harmed an albums success in the UK.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
If ya getting down #2
Keep on moving #1
Don't wanna let you go #9
We will rock you #1
#27 for 1999
This is the final album from Sade to appear on this list, like I said earlier, their fellow Brits found them to be yesterday's news by the time they released their fourth album likely due to their 90's equivalent M People finding their place in their local music industry when it was released.
Peak position #3
Hit in 1988
I think we've established by this point that the Brits were a bunch of prudes (as a whole) when it came to sex drugs and rock and roll, as such you can't be too surprised that this album from Madonna wasn't as popular over there as it was internationally even if the singles didn't do too bad overall.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Erotica #3
Deeper and deeper #6
Bad girl #10
Rain #7
#27 for 1992
As surprised as I was to see this be a success in NZ, it was nothing compared to finding out it was a candidate for this list as this is a country album from a non-British band scoring success in the UK where it flopped in America. They even scored a hit over there which they failed to do in NZ.
Peak position #10
#38 for 1998
It may be considered one of the most infamous albums of all time, however there's no denying that this was still a huge success for Bob Dylan worldwide upon its initial release. There are still plenty more entries to come from the folk legend on this list, proving even his missteps appealed to the Brits like they did internationally.
Peak position #1x1
Hit in 1970
To think the Brits were willing to write off Neil Diamond as one of the many failed singer songwriters from America only to briefly change their minds with this entry, ignoring his soundtrack for the 1980 adaptation of the Jazz singer, this is the most successful album of his career in the UK for some reason.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Song sung blue #14
#? for 1972
There's no denying that Starsky and Hutch was a TV juggernaut in the 70's, even so I'm willing to bet that my American readers are dumbstruck that star David Soul isn't a one hit wonder with the big hit from his debut album internationally. Heck his second album was even a candidate for this list to give you an idea of how big he was in the UK.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Don't give up on us #1
#40 for 1977
We would've long passed Jamiroquai's debut album on this list had it been a success anywhere outside their homeland, meaning this was their third biggest hit in the UK throughout the 90's largely due to the success their earlier entry gave them worldwide. Again, their next album would've appeared much higher on this list had I extended the time period into the 21st century.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Canned heat #4
#24 for 1999
I told you we'd be looking over all of the big albums from the Rolling stones on this list, I guess you can chalk this up to their fellow Brits being less enthusiastic in handing them success this far into their career than the rest of the world given how less popular they've all ben over there compared to here in Australia and NZ.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Fool to cry #6
Hit in 1976
While it wasn't their debut album, this was the album which gave U2 their success even in their homeland as their actual debut album was a dud for them on the UK charts. It was the first time they went to number one anywhere in the world, although it certainly wouldn't be the last.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
New year's day #10
Two hearts beat as one #18
#26 for 1983
These guys feel out of place on this list alongside Toto and REO Speedwagon, yes, these albums were all huge in their native America, however it's becoming apparent that the Brits did not care for their brand of rock and roll throughout the twentieth century. That said, the lead single to this album was a chart topper over there, thus explaining its success.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
I want to know what love is #1
#25 for 1985
I know I cheated when I featured this debut album from Leo Sayer on the Australian side of my site, however it was a minor hit here upon its initial release and I have previously included it on my site which makes it eligible for this list. It appears his fellow Brits were more impressed with this album upon its initial release.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
The show must go on #2
#34 for 1974
This is the final entry from Barbra Streisand on this list, it's the first of her Broadway albums which proved to be highly lucrative throughout her career even if this was the only entry to become a success for her in the UK.
Peak position #3
#43 for 1986
Was there any doubt this was going to make this bonus list of mine? Evidently this was a limited-edition release despite having a decent chart run during the summer/winter of 1997/1998, I bring this up because to this day, my mother likes to complain about how our local record shop at the time bungled up her pre order for this album, meaning she missed out of owning a copy.
Peak position #1x4
#2 for 1997 (on compilation charts)
This will be Julio Iglesias's only entry on this list as the other candidates from his catalogue I had were only hits in the UK and not internationally. I'm not sure why this of all albums was his best seller over there given how this was released a decade after his magnum opus 1100 bel air place.
Peak position #6
#26 for 1994
Given how it was one of the few British films to find international success back in the day, there was little doubt that the soundtrack to the Full Monty would be a huge success in the UK. Interestingly enough, it took its sweet time in topping the compilation charts even with the lack of competition to do so.
Peak position #1x3
#6 for 1997 (on compilation charts)
#5 for 1998 (on compilation charts)
Well at least this album was a success during the 90's here in Australia for Shania Twain, the Brits only decided to check out what the Canadian country star had to offer prior to her earlier entry a good two years after said album entered their album charts. They were decently impressed but weren't over the moon for it.
Peak position #9
Hit in 2000
From the cursory glance I made for the 60's albums charts in the UK, I can comfortably say that a lot of the Rolling stones earlier output would've easily been candidates for this list had I included them as well as been comfortable they were hits here in Australia. As is, this is their oldest album from their catalogue.
Peak position #1x2
Hit in 1970
This was a bit of a dud for the Rolling stones in their homeland given how it didn't spawn a massive chart topper for them over there like it did internationally, admittedly it had some of the more sexually provocative album art released, meaning it was likely a disappointment due to the Brits being prudes more than anything.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Angie #5
#18 for 1973
Much like many entries on this list, this had two separate chart runs in the UK as it was a mild success upon its initial release for Paula Abdul over there only to become a best seller the following year due to the surprise success of her duet with a cartoon cat. Her second album was a dud for her over there unfortunately.
Peak position #3 (originally #5)
Hit singles
Straight up #3
Forever your girl #24
Opposites attract #2
Hit in 1990
This is the only success that two of the four men on this album found success in the UK, obviously we already looked at Neil Young on this list and Graham Nash found a ton of success with the Hollies whose entries I've skipped over due to them bombing in the southern hemisphere.
Peak position #5
Hit in 1970
I could expand this list to include the biggest albums of all time in the UK, and this would still be Joe Cocker's only entry on this list as his fellow Brits just weren't that impressed with his catalogue like we Aussies were in the early 70's. I'm not even sure why this was a success over there if I'm being completely honest.
Peak position #4
Hit in 1992
File this in the category of albums I expected to do much better in the UK than it did internationally, I mean the Brits were all about punk when it first came out, how is it that it wasn't one of the bestselling albums of all time in the Specials homeland?
Peak position #4
Hit singles
A message to you rudy #10
#29 for 1980
It turns out this came out after Cliff Richards love album from earlier on this list in his homeland, I guess that explains why this didn't do as well in the UK as it did here in Australia as his fans were too busy reminiscing on his back catalogue to pay attention to the two big hits this spawned for him globally.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Wired for sound #4
Daddy's home #2
#31 for 1981
This needed two attempts to become a success in the UK such was the case for it in NZ, although at least the second attempt only came two years after its initial release over there as opposed to six years in NZ. I guess the trade-off is that this was a chart topper for the Eagles in NZ when it finally took off in 1991.
Peak position #8 (originally #10)
Hit in 1988
So, this is awkward, mainly because we're only going to be looking at the second Use your illusion album on this list as the Brits were unimpressed with the first album back in the day. I guess this volume had their two biggest hits over there, although both "Don't cry" and "November rain" were also big hits on the UK charts.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
You could be mine #3
Knocking on heaven's door #2
Yesterdays #8
#38 for 1991
#38 for 1992
We've had quite a few entries from the Rolling stones from the early half of the 70's recently, haven't we? Here's their final entry from that period proving again that just because their fellow Brits weren't as big of fans of them as the rest of the world was, doesn't mean they didn't love their music at all.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Tumbling dice #5
Hit in 1972
I bet you were expecting On the level to be Status quo's most successful studio album in their homeland, it turns out that wasn't the case as the album they released after that was their biggest success in the UK. We'll be revisiting the other albums from their catalogue that were a success here in Australia in due time.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Rain #7
#28 for 1976
Even if they had other successful albums to their name in Australia and NZ, this would still be Massive attack's only appearance on this list as their earlier album No protection was too much of a sleeper hit to be considered a success in their homeland. At least this broke through all the teeny bopper music from the late 90's.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Tear drop #10
Angel #30
#40 for 1998
Had it been a hit in Australia and NZ back in the day, Howard Jones's debut album Human's lib would've been near the start of this list given how it was a massive success for him in his homeland. This may not have been as successful in the UK; however, it made up for that by being an international success.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Things can only get better #6
Look mama #10
Life in one day #14
No one is to blame #16
#39 for 1985
And here's the theory about an album spawning multiple char toppers not being as successful in the UK as you'd think again, this time it's the debut single from Jive bunny and the mastermixers which despite spawning three chart toppers on the UK charts, only made it this high up my ranking of the biggest albums of the UK in from 1975-2000.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Swing the mood #1
That's what I like #1
#14 for 1989
Remember when the Simpsons used to be good? Hopefully this album which was released during the shows second season will bring back those fond memories you have of this shows peak in popularity as it was indeed a massive success for the main cast of the show in the UK due to how big the show was.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Do the bartman #1
Deep deep trouble #7
Hit in 1991
We've almost covered all of Neil Diamond's success from the second half of the 70's on this list, here we have the only live album of his to be a success in the UK given how the Brits ignored his magnum opus Hot august night throughout its entire lifespan despite its refusal to die everywhere else in the world.
Peak position #3
#30 for 1977
Now I know what you're thinking, how can an album as heavy as this from a non-British band be this successful in the UK? That might be because the band had recruited Brian Johnston who is a Brit and one his fellow Brits would recognise from his time with his first band Geordie from the early 70's. That said, this was the only success the Aussie band had over there.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
You shook me all night long #38
Rock and roll ain't noise pollution #15
#38 for 1980
I bet you were beginning to wonder if it forgot all about these guys as they also saw a ton of representation on my early 70's albums list, it turns out their fellow Brits weren't too impressed with their brand of prog rock as they only have three entries on here out of three candidates.
Peak position #4
Hit in 1971
We haven't seen Wings on this list for a while, haven't we? Here they are with their most recent entry on this list (given how Back to the egg bombed in their homeland) which had been released off the back of their biggest hit "Mull of Kintyre" which curiously doesn't appear on the album.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
With a little luck #5
#29 for 1978
Hey look, another name we haven't heard from in a minute, this time it's Duran Duran who returns to this list with their live album which contains one of their more iconic hits as a bonus track on this release. It would be their final success in their homeland of the 80's, although they would score a surprise comeback in 1993 with their second self-titled album.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
The wild boys #2
#31 for 1984
OK now I know you're thinking "how the crap did this make the list?" given how Huey Lewis and the News is about a far away from the type of rock and roll the Brits would've allowed to be a success. Honestly your guess is as good as mine given how they didn't have a big hit in the UK, and this was more of a sleeper hit for the band.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Stuck with you #12
#29 for 1986
We have one final entry from Kate Bush on this list, this one being her second album where even in her homeland, it was considered a disappointment compared to her debut from earlier on this list. Heck, it didn't even spawn a hit for her over there like it did here in Australia, although that's because she performed "Hammer horror" on Countdown during her tour here.
Peak position #6
#47 for 1979
With all the mashup singles and albums to make it big over the years, it's a bit surprising this wasn't even bigger for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in their homeland back in the day. Admittedly the fact that an official symphony orchestra finding success during the early days of the MTV would've been a bizarre novelty for the Brits back in the day.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Hooked on classics #2
#25 for 1981
This entry only covers the initial chart run for this compilation album from Andrew Lloyd Webber seeing as though it was placed on the compilation charts during its run when said charts launched in 1989. ARIA followed suit with creating their own compilation charts six months later, much to the determent of chart enthusiasts such as myself.
Peak position #3 (#1x2 on compilation charts)
#16 for 1988
Unlike in Australia and NZ, this didn't rebound on the UK charts for David Bowie when a remix of "Fame" was featured on the Pretty woman soundtrack, meaning it would ultimately be less successful for him in his homeland than it was in either country.
Peak position #1x1
#26 for 1990
Surprised it took me this long to feature an album from Janet Jackson on this list? She only has one more entry to come as she was surprisingly unpopular in the UK despite how big her older brother was throughout the 90's. At least the Brits were able to discover her back catalogue when this caught on in the mid 90's.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Runaway #6
Twenty foreplay #22
#24 for 1995
We haven't seen Supertramp for a while on this list, indeed their debut album was the only other candidate I have from them on this list as their fellow Brits weren't too impressed with their brand of prog rock like the rest of the world was. In fact, you have to wonder how they did so well in the southern hemisphere to begin with.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Dreamer #13
#38 for 1975
Much like in NZ, this fell on deaf ears for David Bowie fans in his homeland upon its initial 1979 release, it was given a second chance following the success he had with Scary monsters and super creeps (which is still to come on this list) where it became a huge success for him.
Peak position #3
#39 for 1981
He may have had no success with his studio albums in the 90's, however the Brits and kiwis gave Cliff Richard success with this live album at the start of the decade which he humorously named after the controversial ballad Bette Midler released around the time of its creation.
Peak position #3
#17 for 1990
This is another album that became a success in the UK due to how inescapable one of the singles it spawned was, in this case it's the surprise success that "What's up" had over there which translated to international success for the LGBT quartet despite the album and single underperforming in their homeland.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
What's up #2
Hit in 1993
We have another successful album from Bob Dylan over in the UK, this time it's this effort from the midpoint of the 70's which was a bit of a comeback for him over there given how his previous few albums were complete duds like they were internationally.
Peak position #4
#49 for 1975
OK I think I understand why this was a sleeper hit here in Australia for Culture club, while it obviously wasn't a flop for them in their homeland, nothing about its success save for its lead single had suggested they would take the world by storm with their earlier entry on this list given how vast the gap is between both entries on this list.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Do you really want to hurt me #1
#41 for 1982
#50 for 1983
Although it didn't reach the dizzying heights of success in the UK it achieved in NZ, this final album from Bob Marley (at least during his lifetime) was nonetheless a massive hit for him over there given how he had two successful albums already (stay tuned for one of them later down this list.)
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Could you be loved #5
Hit in 1980
Well, it was inevitable we'd be looking at this album again on this list, although it didn't achieve the same level of success in Paul's homeland it did internationally given how long it's taken for it to appear on here. We've still got two more solo entries from the former Beatle to come on this list.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Ebony and ivory #1
Take it away #15
#18 for 1982
We all know why this was a hit for Grace Jones in the UK, it was so that the fans she acquired from her role in the (then) latest Bond flick A view to a kill would check out what she had to offer in the music industry in one convenient album. OK let's not kid ourselves, it was a hit because of that album cover.
Peak position #4
#40 for 1986
Given how the Traveling wilburys saw no success in the UK, I have to assume this posthumous album from Roy Orbison was a success over there more out of nostalgia for his back catalogue even though the lead single was a bigger hit in the UK than it was in his native America.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
You got it #3
She's a mystery girl #27
#43 for 1989
I bet you thought I had forgotten about Mariah Carey when constructing this list, indeed the Brits weren't as enamoured at her catalogue as even we Aussies were throughout the 90's, let alone the kiwis or her fellow Americans. That said, she still has three more entries to come on this list, proving they weren't completely unimpressed with her music.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Fantasy #4
One sweet day #6
Open arms #4
Always be my baby #3
#15 for 1995
Given how it had been three years since Roxy music touched the British charts and that his fellow Brits considered Bryan Ferry's solo career to be unimpressive, you can imagine that their comeback album from the end of the 70's was more of a sleeper hit for the band even if it spawned two massive hits for them.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Dance away #2
Angel eyes #4
#20 for 1979
There's that theory about an album spawning a massive chart topper in the UK performing worse than one that failed to do so again, despite this containing the Bangles biggest hit over there, it was the worst performing album that charted on the UK charts even if it was still a success for the girls.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
In your room #35
Eternal flame #1
Be with you #23
#41 for 1989
I don't believe it; you're telling me this second album from Sinead O'Connor was more of a success internationally than it was in her homeland? Indeed, it was as despite being an instant chart topper for her, her fellow Brits weren't as impressed with her brand of indie pop than we Aussies, kiwis and even Americans seemed to be.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Nothing compares 2 u #1
The emperor's new clothes #31
#16 for 1990
It's a good thing I allow entries that were a hit in Australia OR NZ to qualify for this list, if it was either or, then I wouldn't be able to include both of Yazoo's albums on here as neither were a success in both countries like they were in their homeland. I guess in this regard, we Aussies went for the more popular one according to their fellow Brits.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Nobody's diary #3
#37 for 1983
It's bizarre that I'm featuring every album from Pink Floyd (post 1974 that is) on this list barring their 1987 effort A momentary lapse of reason, I know that was more of a success in America, however that did enter the UK charts fairly high and is more well remembered than this effort from four years prior.
Peak position #1x2
#35 for 1983
Much like in NZ, this required two attempts to become a success for Cher in the UK likely due to having an (in my opinion) incredibly weak lead single with Peter Cetera of all people. It was only when news that the second single was one of the most successful of all time here in Australia that it took off in both countries.
Peak position #7 (originally #15)
Hit singles
If I could turn back time #6
Just like Jessie James #11
#28 for 1990
It's been a while since their last entry; however we're finally looking at the debut album from Enigma given how it was a massive hit for them in the UK due to the success of its lead single over there. Not that it would've affected its ranking otherwise, but I feel it's worth mentioning its rerelease was a failure over there when their earlier entry was released.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Sadeness #1
#34 for 1991
Even though it took some time to feature a solo entry from Paul McCartney on this list, he can at least take comfort that his success in the UK was consistent throughout the 80's as this managed to be on the same level of success as his two earlier entries on here. This is more than I can say for his success in the southern hemisphere which saw a sharp decline with this entry.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Say say say #2
Pipes of peace #1
#33 for 1983
Even though it was panned by critics and was a commercial disaster (at least in America) Breakdance remains a cult classic to this day due to it being a celebration of break dance culture of the 80's. It was definitely appreciated in the UK as the soundtrack was a massive success over there more so than it was here in Australia.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Breaking #5
Hit in 1984
You know an album was a dud for a band when even a throwaway live album their label released after they called it quits was a bigger success than it was, the fact is, I'm referring to A momentary lapse of reason which was a complete failure for Pink Floyd in their homeland despite its international success.
Peak position #1x2
#41 for 1995
Well, the whole album spawning chart toppers rule I had on this list doesn't apply here as this debut album from the Pet shop boys was less popular in their homeland than their earlier entry on this list which spawned multiple chart toppers for the duo on the UK charts, hey at least it was an international hit for them.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
West end girls #1
Love comes quickly #19
Opportunities #11
Suburbia #8
#34 for 1986
Given how her second solo album was a massive hit in the UK, it only makes sense the Brits would Belinda's third album a success over there as well. This encouraged us Aussies to make the album a huge success, in fact it would up being even bigger down under due to a slightly different album cycle it had in both countries.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Leave a light on #4
La Luna #38
Runaway horses #40
Summer rain #23
#46 for 1989
Oh boy, another album that needed two attempts to find an audience in the UK, this time it's the second album from Radiohead who alienated the five or six fans they acquired from their debut album when this initially dropped and saw a massive change in direction for their sound. It eventually became a success over there once the old fans got used to this change in direction.
Peak position #4 (originally #6)
Hit singles
High and dry #17
Fake plastic trees #20
#40 for 1996
While this wasn't a hit twice for the Pointer sisters in the UK like it was here in Australia, it was still a sleeper hit for them over there due to it only reaching the upper echelons of their charts whenever one of the singles was released. That said, it had a strong start due to the surprise success "Automatic" had over there.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Automatic #2
Jump #6
Neutron dance #31
#34 for 1984
We have another band on this list that would've had more entries for me to skip over had I not allowed albums that were a success in Australia OR NZ to qualify for it, their earlier entry would've missed out if I only included NZ successes whilst this third album of theirs would've missed out if I only included Australian successes.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Sweet surrender #6
#29 for 1989
Well, this might've sunk on the UK charts fairly quickly back in the day, however at least it went to number one for Queen meaning that their fellow Brits did highly anticipate this albums release. It even spawned one of their biggest hits in their homeland, a hit that was only decent at best internationally.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Somebody to love #2
Tie your mother down #31
#47 for 1977
This is the final entry from Paul McCartney on this list, although Flowers in the dirt was also a candidate for this list as that did quite well in his homeland as the 80's was coming to an end. I have to assume this was only a success due to his artistic merit as the film was a critical and commercial failure.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Not more lonely nights #2
#27 for 1984
This is Janet Jackson's only other entry on this list, it was her only chart topper in the UK given how none of her singles went to number one over there like they did in her native America. I guess you can chalk this up to the album refusing to leave their charts as it did come back whenever one of the singles were released.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
That's the way love goes #2
If #14
Again #6
Because of love #19
Any time any place #13
You want this #14
What'll I do #9
Whoops now #9
#23 for 1993
I'm surprised that this was a success for Helen Reddy in the UK, mainly because as far as the Brits are concerned, she's a one hit wonder over there with "Angie baby" and this was her only charting album to boot. It's one thing a greatest hits album kills an artist's career; it's another thing entirely when it's all they're known for.
Peak position #6
#45 for 1976
This is the final entry from Bay city rollers on this list, it appears their fellow Brits conveniently grew tired of the Scottish band right when they began to see success in America as none of their subsequent albums even came close to being contenders for this list like their first three albums were.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Give a little love #1
Hit in 1976
This feels rather low on the list, doesn't it? Again, it spawned a massive chart topper for the artist in question and again, it had to compete with a bunch of compilation albums I've skipped over this list so far. Even so, you'd think David Bowie would be able to overcome these odds in his homeland.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Ashes to ashes #1
Fashion #5
#20 for 1980
Much like the rest of the world, this was somewhat of a comeback for the Rolling stones in their homeland given how their 1989 effort Steel wheels was a massive flop for them given how it won't be reappearing on this list.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Love is strong #14
Out of tears #36
Hit in 1994
I bet you were wondering if Bonnie Tyler had any success in her homeland outside of her singles, it turns out she did, however it was pitiful compared to what she achieved internationally given how low her magnum opus is on this list and how it was her only album to be a success on the UK charts.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Total eclipse of the heart #1
#31 for 1983
It's been a while since we last looked at an entry from Led Zeppelin, this is because their fellow Brits weren't too impressed with their non-self-titled albums even if we'll be looking at every entry from them from the 70's that has been featured on this site.
Peak position #1x1
#26 for 1975
If this album's appearance on my 1986 Australian list felt out of place to you, it might be because its success here in Australia was due to how well it did in the UK for Rod Stewart as it almost gave him a chart topper on the UK charts. For some reason, this was released as a self-titled album in America.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Love touch #27
Every beat of my heart #2
#50 for 1986
This is the only other studio album that Billy Joel had success in the UK, although he still has one more entry to come on this list as the Brits quite liked his greatest hits album from 1985 back in the day. I'm not sure how this connected with them when the rest of his catalogue failed to do so, perhaps it was the runaway success of the title track.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
The river of dreams #3
All about soul #32
#31 for 1993
I don't know how MTV came across the Corrs given how they didn't have any success in America, however their appearance on MTV unplugged was so well received that it was a massive hit for them in their homeland and even a decent sleeper hit here in Australia.
Peak position #7
#31 for 1999
Just like everywhere else in the world, this greatest hits album was a massive success for Simon and Garfunkel in the UK due to the hype that went into their reunion tour that would take place several months after its release. That said, said live album only barely managed to make it onto this list.
Peak position #4
#36 for 1981
I'm not sure how much of this soundtrack's success came from the film's popularity and how much was just the artist momentum Stevie Wonder had following its release, I guess the film was decently received back in the day even if it's only remembered nowadays for its divisive Oscar winning ballad.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I just called to say I love you #1
#30 for 1984
I guess we Aussies and kiwis were late to the party in making this a success in the 90's as the Brits had access to the CD release of this 1971 effort from the Rolling stones three years prior to us. In a bizarre twist, this was a complete flop for the band in their homeland upon its initial release in the early 70's.
Peak position #3
Hit in 1990
Although this wasn't his first solo album in his catalogue, this was the first album from Eric Clapton to find success anywhere in the world due to the lead single being a surprise chart topper for him over in America. Indeed, his fellow Brits likely only made this a hit due to him bringing attention to the works of Bob Marley.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
I shot the sheriff #9
#39 for 1974
This was Genesis's first successful album in their homeland, meaning that as far as the mainstream is concerned, Peter Gabriel was holding back their success even if diehard fans will tell you that the band sold out once he departed and Phil Collins took over on lead vocals.
Peak position #3
#32 for 1976
This is one of only two entries from Billy Ocean on this list, none of his other albums were even candidates even though he at least had some success with his 80's material in his homeland. None of his 70's output even charted on their album charts despite spawning multiple hits for him over there.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
When the going gets tough the tough get going #1
There'll be sad songs #12
#37 for 1986
It looks like Australia was the only place in the world that wasn't impressed with this soundtrack from Madonna's third flick, it was clearly only a success due to her artist momentum worldwide as the film was a commercial disaster and to this day is still considered one of the worst to come out of the 80's.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Who's that girl #1
Causing a commotion #4
#41 for 1987
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