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.
I know this album seems pitifully low on this list; however, it had a short chart run in Australia and NZ despite racking up massive sales in both countries and it appears the same was the case in the UK during the Christmas period of 1994. I rank these albums based on chart runs rather than album sales after all.
Peak position #1x1
#9 for 1994
It may have spawned one of the biggest hits of the 90's on the Billboard charts, however it appears that success came at the expense of this breakthrough album from Everything but the girl underperforming on the UK charts. I guess there's also a sellout factor here as the duo previously charted in their homeland in the late 80's with "I don't want to talk about it."
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Missing #3
Walking wounded #6
Wrong #8
#46 for 1996
I wasn't expecting to this this again on my site as it was already bizarre enough this was a hit in NZ in the mid to late 90's. It turns out the Brits also had nostalgic love for Bread around this time, although this came out over there a year after it was a hit over in NZ.
Peak position #9
Hit in 1997
This was a sleeper hit here in Australia for Gerry Rafferty, so naturally it would also be as such in his homeland even if the title track was a genuine success for him over there. It was the final taste of success he achieved anywhere in the world as the 80's was brutal to his subsequent releases.
Peak position #9
#29 for 1979
This was somewhat of a dud for Rod Stewart in his homeland, more accurately it failed to spawn an inescapable hit for him like it did internationally despite having the correct release schedule over there. Perhaps the Brits should've followed suit with the American and NZ album cycle for this to achieve better success over there.
Hit singles
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Tonight I'm yours #8
Young Turks #11
#46 for 1981
I hope you weren't expecting me to include the abundance of EDM albums that made it big here in Australia throughout the 90's, because this is the best you're going to get as the Brits didn't allow the likes of Snap or Corona to have success with their albums over there like we Aussies did. That said, they clearly made an exception for Technotronic at the start of the decade.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Pump up the jam #2
Get up #2
This beat is technotronic #14
#22 for 1990
If it had of had success in Australia or NZ, the Beastie boys debut album would've already appeared on this list, meaning that Vanilla ice wasn't the Brits introduction to American white boy hip hop like he was for us Aussies and kiwis. Thank f**k for Wham as well as they beat him to the punch for white boy hip hop by eight years.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Ice ice baby #1
Play that funky music #10
#50 for 1990
Much like his earlier entry with Tubeway army, this was slightly ahead of the curve when it came to new wave in Gary Numan's homeland, meaning that it wasn't quite as successful as you'd think among his fellow Brits, that said, it did spawn a massive chart topper over there, so that would've eaten up some of its success.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Cars #1
#34 for 1979
I did blame Countdown for a lot of things on the Australian side of my site, didn't I? One of them was the lack of success David Bowie had here in Australia, which was a factor don't get me wrong, but the real reason was he just wasn't that popular anywhere in the world throughout the 70's I'm afraid.
Peak position #4
#40 for 1979
I guess the Brits weren't too big of fans of Footloose as the rest of the world was, it does have one of the dumbest plots to ever exist despite the film still being a classic regardless. They came out for the soundtrack when the second single nearly topped the UK charts, although Bonnie Tyler's contribution was also a hit over there albeit a full year after its initial release.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Footloose #6
Let's hear it for the boy #2
Holding out for a hero #2
#48 for 1984
Although Deborah Harry had some success with her solo career in the UK, this was a hit over there more for the success she had with Blondie as this is a greatest hits album that collects her biggest hits both solo and with her former band much like Bryan Ferry's entries from earlier on this list.
Peak position #3
Hit in 1991
I think a reason why many of the EDM albums that made it big here in Australia all flopped in the UK was due to them being from European artists rather than local talent, this is the best explanation for how the KLF managed to make it on here with their one and only album as the duo is from the UK after all.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
What time is love #5
3AM eternal #1
Last train to trancentral #2
Justified and ancient #2
#45 for 1991
This was the only successful album Lenny Kravitz had in the UK, although considering it's coming from a non-British rock and roll musician, the fact it saw any success at all is impressive in its own right. For what it's worth, this was a success in his native America, but not to the level it was in the UK, let alone in Australia and NZ.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Are you gonna go my way #4
Believe #30
Heaven help #20
#17 for 1993
There's been a ton of alt rock albums from British artists from the late 90's I've skipped over (so much for the Brits no caring about 90's alt rock) one of the lucky few to make the cut was Reef who scored a surprise hit with this album here in Australia which is all the incentive I needed to include it on here.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Place your hands #6
#36 for 1997
It may have spawned one of the biggest hits of the 70's in their homeland, however that did this album no favours for Status quo over there given how it was way more popular here in Australia for the former psychedelia band. This wasn't their first hit in the UK as they had candidates from the first half of the 70's on this list.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Down down #1
#28 for 1975
It turns out this was a live album from a concert Andrew Lloyd Webber organised in honour of his father who had recently passed away prior to its release, naturally it was more of a success in the UK than it was worldwide even if it did decently well here in Australia.
Peak position #4
#48 for 1985
This is the most recent studio album to come on this list from Cliff Richard, yes, he's had entries on here that are more recent, however this is the final album of his containing new material that the Brits were impressed enough with to make successful in his homeland.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
The best of me #2
#38 for 1989
This is the most recent entry from R.E.M given how their popularity went into sharp decline moving into the 21st century (that and their 2000's output was outside the eligible time span for this list.) It's still mind blowing to me that these guys succeeded in the UK when so many other alt rock bands of the era didn't.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
E bow the letter #4
#34 for 1996
We haven't heard from these guys in a while, they were doing so well on this list until their greatest hits album only to then have a massive gap in their popularity between that entry and this one from the late 70's. I guess their fellow Brits weren't too happy with this being a double album compared to us Aussies and kiwis.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Tusk #6
Sara #37
#25 for 1979
I'm not sure why this album's release here in Australia was delayed by a full year, what I do know is that the Brits had nostalgic love for Eric Clapton's back catalogue from his solo career and his time with his first band Cream when this first came out. We Aussies had that nostalgic love as well, but again we had to wait a full year to appease it.
Peak position #3
#26 for 1987
It looks like the Pretenders fellow Brits weren't too interested in the second and third albums the band had to offer throughout the 80's, however they came around for them on this album which was an immediate success for them due to both the big hits being released early on in its album cycle rather than the second one being pushed back as the fourth single internationally.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Don't get me wrong #10
Hymn to her #8
Hit in 1987
Unlike in Australia and NZ where this album was a bomb for Destiny's child until their controversial lineup changed occurred in 2000, this was more of an instant success for them in the UK which means we have another entry on this list that bounced in and out of the top twenty whenever a song was released as a single over there.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Bills bills bills #6
Bug a boo #9
Say my name #3
Jumping jumping #5
#22 for 2000
Even though the Brits were a bit late to the party when it came to Savage garden's success, they made up for their tardiness by handing success out to their second album where the Americans failed to do so. I guess they were often mistaken for a boy band back in the day, so this album appealing to the Brits over the Americans does make sense.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
The animal song #16
I knew I loved you #10
Crash and burn #14
Affirmation #8
Hold me #16
#21 for 2000
As this was the debut album from Spandau ballet, it's only fitting it would've found success among their fellow Brits given how it was a moderate success here in Australia for the new romantic band. Again, it wasn't as huge in their homeland as you'd expect, however it made it on this list and that's what ultimately counts.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
To cut a long story short #5
Hit in 1981
This is Simple mind's final entry on this list as this was the album that put them on the map in their homeland despite already having two solid entries in NZ and even one here in Australia prior to its release. I don't know how we Aussies and kiwis came across these guys, however it resulted in us handing them success before their fellow Brits.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Waterfront #13
Speed your love to me #20
Up on the catwalk #27
#46 for 1984
I'm not sure how Tori Amos was able to appeal to the Brits more than she ever could with her fellow Americans, however she did just that with her second album which was such a success over there that it found crossover appeal here in Australia.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Cornflake girl #4
#48 for 1994
If you're wondering why there's been so few entries from the Who so far on this list, I should remind you that they unfortunately haven't had much success after the 60's and obviously I can't say how well their albums from that decade did here in Australia compared to their work from the 70's and beyond.
Peak position #3
Hit in 1970
Much like us Aussies, the Brits didn't care for the Commodores until the lead single from this album became one of the biggest hits of the 70's worldwide. This put the band's name on the map even if they're largely regarded as two hit wonders everywhere outside of NZ and their native America.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Three times a lady #1
#45 for 1978
Unlike here in Australia where this needed to wait three years to become a success for Hot chocolate, this was an instant success for them in their homeland given how they just came off a highly successful decade not just in their homeland but around the world. That said, only their greatest hits albums were candidates for this list.
Peak position #3
Hit in 1979
This had several things going against its placement on this list, the multiple UK chart toppers it spawned, the fact it's a dance album from a European band and of course the whole novelty factor of the album. Despite all of this, it was still a huge success for Aqua in the UK, just not on the level it was internationally.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Barbie girl #1
Doctor Jones #1
Turn back time #1
My oh my #6
#36 for 1998
Given how his (then) most recent album was his first big hit in the UK, it only makes sense that the Brits would check out this double greatest hits album to find out what they had been missing out on prior to that albums release. It would be his final success over there until his previous entry on this list.
Peak position #7
#28 for 1985
As this was a hit on time in Russell Watson's homeland, it meant that it would be a huge hit for him amongst his fellow Brits right when the twentieth century was coming to an end. I'm not sure what took so long for this to crossover here in Australia, but it did two years after its release.
Peak position #5
#33 for 2000
Things were off to such a great start for Wilson Phillips not just in their career but for the 90's, I can only imagine the disappointment the trio had when their second album proved to be such a failure worldwide given how there wasn't anywhere in the world where their debut wasn't a success for them.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Hold on #6
Release me #36
Hit in 1990
As this was a massive hit for Robert Miles in America just like the rest of the world, it would've been awkward if this wasn't as such in the UK even though it would've made sense given how he was a Swiss DJ trying to score success somewhere where his fellow EDM acts from Europe failed to do so.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Children #2
Fable #7
#37 for 1996
For whatever reason, it took a while for the Wings fellow Brits to warm up to them even with the presence of Paul McCartney as their new lead vocalist alongside his wife Linda. They were eventually won over when this became a massive worldwide success for the band including in America where the lead single was their first Billboard chart topper.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
My love #9
Hit in 1973
It looks like those two chart toppers this spawned for Queen on Billboard did this album no favours in their homeland, admittedly it was an instant success for them in the UK, however it didn't seem to rebound on the charts when the fourth single became a surprise worldwide success for them like it did internationally.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Crazy little thing called love #2
Another one bites the dust #7
#46 for 1980
This is one of those albums that was only a success in the UK due to it being a sleeper hit, despite the success it achieved worldwide, it appears the Brits were only curious at best with this breakthrough release from Bryan Adams and it didn't spawn a genuine hit for him over there nor did it tear up their charts.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Run to you #11
Heaven #38
It's only love #29
#26 for 1985
As the international release of this album included his theme to the British flick Watership down, this meant that it was a shoe in for this list given how that remains Art Garfunkel's biggest solo success throughout the world. That said, this was his only successful solo album in the UK as everyone agrees he's nothing without his former partner in crime Paul Simon.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Bright eyes #1
Since I don't have you #38
#31 for 1979
This is the final appearance of Genesis on this list, although they still had five more candidates to come had they found success in the southern hemisphere back in the day. I guess this goes to show that they were the exception that prog music sucked according to their fellow Brits.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Abacab #9
#32 for 1981
We have one final entry from Michael Bolton on this list, this one being his most recent studio album as it didn't spawn that huge hit for him in the UK like it did here in Australia and on the Billboard charts. Considering he never had a chart topper over there with his singles or albums, he did quite well with the Brits.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Said I loved you but I lied #15
Lean on me #14
#18 for 1993
They may have lucked out in having their albums in the UK match the success they achieved here in Australia, however at least all of Status quo's entries on this site will be appearing on this list including their live album which showcases their raw talent as a live band.
Peak position #3
#42 for 1977
Again, this feels a bit ahead of its time given how this is the type of new wave that would've dominated the charts had it been released in the 80's, the fact Kraftwerk achieved massive worldwide success a decade prior to their time to shine should be a testament to how well they were received back in the day.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Autobahn #11
Hit in 1975
This is Neil Diamond's final entry on this list, although this was somewhat of a comeback for him in the UK given how his previous album Serenade was a dud for him over there. Of course, this album's success over there is a drop in the bucket to what it achieved here in Australia and NZ.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
If you know what I mean #35
#42 for 1976
Oh, wow it took us a while to revisit this greatest hits album from Earth wind and fire, didn't it? Despite spawning their breakthrough single in most parts of the world, it appears the Brits weren't as interested in checking out their back catalogue like we Aussies and kiwis were and instead proceeded to make their earlier entry on this list a smashing success.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
September #3
#32 for 1979
This is the final entry from Rod Stewart on this list, although had it been a success internationally, his 1998 effort When we were boys would've still been to come given how even in the late 90's, his fellow Brits was still handing out success to him. As for this album, it's surprising it contains one of his biggest hits over there as its lead single.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Baby Jane #1
#43 for 1983
We have the most recent album from Fleetwood mac on this list as their fellow Brits gave them one more chart-topping album before declaring them as yesterday's news throughout the 90's. At least it was a bigger success over there than it was here in Australia where I cheated to get it on that side of my site.
Peak position #1x1
#40 for 1990
All three of Gary Glitter's entries I've featured on this site will be accounted for on this list, although it's worth noting just how much less popular he was in his homeland than he was here in Australia back in the day with these albums. You can say it's because his fellow Brits considered him a singles artist, or perhaps they just found his music too hard to make any bigger.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Remember me this way #3
Hit in 1974
Well, this is an awkward entry, not so much for the album itself as it's a fine collection of dance pop from Irish band D:ream, rather the fact that the two big hits from the album were initially duds for them in their homeland and needed "remixes" (IE slightly different production elements) to finally take off on the UK charts.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Things can only get better #24
U R the best thing #19
Things can only get better (rerelease) #1
U R the best thing (rerelease) #4
#43 for 1994
This is the final entry from Fleetwood mac on this list, it was a bit of a disappointment compared to their 70's output which likely suggests their fellow Brits weren't willing to let them succeed during the height of the MTV era. They came around for them with their next album Tango in the night as we already saw.
Peak position #5
#44 for 1982
Although their albums from the second half of the 70's weren't nearly as popular in their homeland as they were internationally, Led zeppelin's fellow Brits nonetheless keep them in the spotlight until they finally decided to call it quits in 19780 where they went their separate ways.
Peak position #1x1
#33 for 1976
This is one of only two albums that Heart saw success in the UK, they were complete no names as far as the Brits were concerned until their mid 80's revival period. Even then, it was only when they scored a surprise hit with "Alone" over there that the Brits really cared about what they had to offer.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
All I wanna do is make love to you #8
Hit in 1990
I mentioned that Cat Stevens saw a massive disadvantage in Australia due to his music clashing with the local Australian scene Countdown as promoting throughout the 70's, however it turns out us Aussies turning our backs on him may have been simply due to him losing his popularity in his homeland after this album.
Peak position #3
Hit in 1974
It took us a while, but we finally have a second entry from Rick Wakeman on this list as his third album was more of a success here in Australia than it was in his homeland back in the day. As it turns out, his fellow Brits weren't big fans of his first album from 1973 as it wasn't a candidate for this list.
Peak position #2
#35 for 1975
It looks like the Brits weren't too big of fans of the Moody blues comeback period as this was the only entry from their post 1976 breakup to become a success over there. I'm glad I covered the first half of the 70's on this list or there would be even fewer rock legends on here than there already is.
Peak position #6
#48 for 1978
This went from being their most successful album in Australia and NZ to their lowest placing candidate for this list, I guess the Rolling stones fellow Brits were less than impressed with this return to form given how it feels like they only made it a success for them out of obligation.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Start me up #7
#35 for 1981
He may not have been as popular in his homeland as he was throughout the rest of the world (much like many legends in music now that I think about it) Elton John was still finding massive success in his homeland in the early 90's as this entry from him managed to make it on this list.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
The one #10
The last song #21
#44 for 1992
This is one of the most bizarre albums to ever become a hit regardless of where in the world you're from, however the fact it spawned two massive hits worldwide ensured it would be a commercial success for Blondie. It didn't kill their winning streak in the UK; however it did leave audiences sceptical for their next album.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
The tide is high #1
Rapture #5
#41 for 1980
Much like on the NZ side of my site, I'm using this album from Dr hook as the entry for this list as this is what is listed on the UK charts when they had a greatest hits album appear on there in 1992. I hope this is the right entry, but I'll update it if it isn't.
Peak position #3
Hit in 1992
Well, this is a surprise, mainly because this album which is often seen as a commercial disappointment for Mariah Carey managed to be a bigger success for her in the UK than her debut album (it's still to come on this list.) It failed to spawn a hit for her over there, likely improving its overall success.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Emotions #17
Can't let go #20
Make it happen #17
Hit in 1992
Unlike here in Australia and NZ where this was only a success for KD Lang when her contributions to the Uma Thurman flick Even cowgirls get the blues became a success in both countries made this a hit, it became a hit in the UK right when it first saw the light of day in the southern hemisphere, making this have one of the most convoluted journeys to its worldwide success.
Peak position #3 (originally #28)
Hit singles
Constant craving #15
#42 for 1993
Much like the rest of the world, this was the final successful album that Michael Bolton had in the UK given how even the Brits had grown tired of his brand of soft rock by the midpoint of the 90's. Honestly this feels like a last hurrah more than anything given how his backlash began around this point.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Can I touch you there #6
#29 for 1995
This is the most recent entry from Wings on this list as their fellow Brits weren't too impressed with their final album Back to the egg like the rest of the world was, it was a minor success over there but too minor to be considered for this list.
Peak position #5
#43 for 1979
If you thought this was a commercial disappointment here in Australia, look how long it's taken for it to appear on this list even when you consider the fact that George Harrison's earlier entry on this list was already a disappointment in his homeland. That said, at least he had two entries on here, that's two more than what Ringo Starr had as cnadidates.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Give me love #8
#? for 1973
Although they saw massive success in their homeland throughout the 70's, it appears ELO's fellow Brits weren't as willing to celebrate their achievements with this greatest hits album as us Aussies were given how much less successful it was in their homeland compared to here in Australia.
Peak position #7
Hit in 1979
We have the final entry from Dire straits on this list, again this feels like a carryover album given how it's success in the UK was pitiful compared to what the other entries on here achieved, let alone the band's international success.
Peak position #5
Hit in 1979
This is only one of two entries from Andrea Bocelli to make this list, granted he would've had more had I included his albums from the 21st century, however the fact his first appearance on here is so low should tell you how uninterested the Brits were with his brand of opera music back in the day.
Peak position #6
Hit in 1997
Even if I allowed candidates from the rest of the 00's for this list, this would still be the most recent entry from Bon Jovi on this list as the Brits were finally beginning to grow tired of their brand of arena rock going into the 21st century. That said, they do have the distinction of being the final act to perform at Wembley stadium before it was demolished.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
It's my life #3
Say it isn't so #10
Thank you for loving me #12
#38 for 2000
Much like in NZ, Freddie Mercury was able to score the biggest success in his solo career posthumously with this album given how his fellow Brits were still in mourning a year after his tragic demise. Any further success after this would be recycled from his 1981 greatest hits album with his band.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
The great pretender #39
#29 for 1992
I guess Robert Plant's fellow Brits weren't too fond of him as a musician given how it's taken this long to feature a solo album from him on this list, admittedly this was equally as popular in the UK as it was here in Australia, meaning its disappointment over there is due to how well it did in NZ where it was a chart topper for him.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Big log #11
Hit in 1983
I would say that the success of this album proves that Born in the USA's success in the UK was no fluke, except Bruce's 1980 album the River is still to come on this list and was a success upon its initial release over there. For what it's worth, he had minor success with all his albums over the years even if most of them weren't candidates for this list.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Brilliant disguise #20
#49 for 1987
Whereas she at least had two giant hits here in Australia, it appears that Alannah Myles will forever be known as a one hit wonder everywhere else in the world (except her native Canada of course) as "Black velvet" was the only song to chart in most places including the UK where none of her other hits even dented their charts despite her album being a massive success over there.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Black velvet #2
Hit in 1990
I guess the Brits didn't care that much that Hell froze over in the mid 90's as this greatest hits album that the Eagles released for their Hell freezes over tour wasn't anywhere near as successful over there as it was globally. They wouldn't trouble their charts again until their latest release from 2007.
Peak position #4
Hit in 1994
This might have been Blur's biggest success in Australia and NZ due to how popular the second single remains in sporting events to this day; however, it was actually a bit of a disappointment for them in their homeland likely due to it spawning two hits for the band among their fellow Brits.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Beetlebum #1
Song 2 #2
M.O.R #15
#29 for 1997
This is the only entry from Red hot chili peppers on this list, their album One hot minute came close to appearing on here but got lost in the shuffle due to it competing with all the Britpop from the midpoint of the 90's. Indeed, their popularity didn't peak in the UK until the 21st century with their next album By the way.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Scar tissue #15
Around the world #35
Otherside #33
Califonication #16
Road tripping #30
Hit in 1999
I guess Bad company's fellow Brits weren't too impressed with their debut album back in the day, at least when compared to us Aussies given how this was by far their most successful here in Australia as opposed to their earlier entry in their homeland. Either way, these two albums were their biggest in both countries.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Can't get enough #15
#45 for 1974
The first volume of Elton John's greatest hits series might've been released too early to make it on this list, however his second volume wasn't as it was a decent success for the English piano man in his homeland during the height of what was meant to be his retirement period.
Peak position #6
Hit in 1977
Whereas this only became a success in Australia and NZ as the 90's progressed, it was an instant success for the brothers Gibb in the UK likely because they had recently scored a chart topper on the UK charts with their (then) most recent single "You win again" three years prior to its release.
Peak position #8
#29 for 1990
It appears the Brits were a bit late to the party when it came to the B52's international mainstream breakthrough, granted we Aussies and kiwis already knew who they were from a decade prior to this album, however it was their first success in their homeland which makes its delayed success in the UK somewhat puzzling.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Love shack #2
Roam #17
#41 for 1990
Much like the rest of the world, this is the only other success that Def Leppard had in their homeland given how they led off its album cycle with a music video meant to showcase the powerhouse of 90's CGI. The gimmick paid off for the hair metal band as they thrived where their contemporaries struggled.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Let's get rocked #2
Make love like a man #12
Have you ever needed someone so bad #16
Two steps behind #32
#35 for 1992
This is the first album from Led Zeppelin to not be self-titled, I guess this proved to be a mistake for the band for their fellow Brits as they were used to having their name on the cover and nothing else which would also explain why none of their non self-titled albums appear as high as the ones that are.
Peak position #1x2
Hit in 1973
This was the only successful album from Carly Simon in the UK given how she didn't have that many hits over there like she did internationally, in fact her only other hit singles was her Bond theme from The spy who loved me which got her out of the one hit wonder bin the lead single from this album threatened to trap her in.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
You're so vain #3
Hit in 1973
It appears the Brits were just as big of fans of Dirty dancing as we Aussies were as the second soundtrack from the album proved to be a massive success over there just like it was here. It's one of the final soundtracks to find success on their album charts as they would be relegated to the compilation charts by 1989.
Peak position #3
#45 for 1988
This was listed as The collection on the UK charts, however there's been so many greatest hits albums from Barry White with that title that I decided to have this entry from the Australian side of my site represent the success he had in 1999 with the Brits.
Peak position #10
#23 for 2000
This is the most recent entry from Led Zeppelin on this list, as I said earlier, it appears their fellow Brits were done with the prog band by the end of the 70's which no doubt led to the band calling it quits in 1980 to allow their members to pursue their solo ventures in the music scene.
Peak position #1x2
#36 for 1979
This may be Chris Rea's only entry on this list, however that's due to his other candidates for this list being a massive flop for him outside his homeland as he had three entries that I skipped over on this list. Incidentally, all three of them were his next three releases following the success he had with this album.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Let's dance #12
#44 for 1987
While it wasn't the juggernaut that her earlier greatest hits album was in the UK, this was nonetheless a massive hit for Cher just as the 90's was coming to an end as well as a sign of good things to come for her music career. Alas this would be the last time anyone would hear from her until 2010 when she appeared on the Burlesque soundtrack.
Peak position #7
#30 for 1999
If you're wondering why this greatest hits album underperformed in the UK compared to the rest of the world, I should remind you that the brothers Gibb had far less success over there than they did everywhere else particularly during their disco period. Still at least they did cap off the decade with their popularity still in tact.
Peak position #6
Hit in 1979
This is the only other entry from ZZ Top on this list, although they did see minor success in the UK with their 1985 effort Afterburner even if it was too minor to appear on this list. It is interesting to see the Brits try to reminisce on a band that only had one album be a massive success over there.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Viva Las Vegas #10
Hit in 1992
You know that Meat loaf was inescapable in the UK when the man who helped him bring to life his magnum opus from earlier managed to score a hit in his own right with his one and only album as a lead artist. Granted the Brits weren't interested in giving Jim Steinman a hit like we Aussies and kiwis did, however Meat Loaf didn't have a hit in the southern hemisphere when this album dropped like he did in the UK.
Peak position #7
Hit in 1981
Much like here in Australia, this was the final success that Sky had in their homeland, although considering how they often get lost in the conversation when it comes to British prog rock, it's impressive they managed to achieve two entries onto this list in the first place.
Peak position #3
Hit in 1981
If you're wondering why this final entry from U2 is so low on this list, that's because it didn't rebound on the UK charts whenever one of its singles was released like it did throughout the rest of the world. I think this was the moment where their fellow Brits had declared them as an albums band given how they've ranked on this list with their subsequent releases.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Desire #1
Angel of Harlem #9
When love comes to town #6
All I want is you #4
#10 for 1988
This is the final entry from Elton Johon on this list, it was a shoe in for this list given how it's the album that contains the biggest hit of all time (technically.) He would see some success going into the 21st century, however nothing would come to the level he achieved throughout the twentieth century.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Something about the way you look tonight #1
#37 for 1997
You know the Brits weren't bothered by the media frenzy MJ found himself in throughout the 90's when they allowed this remix album of his to be a success just like it was here in Australia and NZ. Many fans will tell you that this was his final album he released in his lifetime given how poorly received his 2001 effort was.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Blood on the dance floor #1
History #5
Hit in 1997
This is the only other entry from Andrea Bocelli on this list, again it wasn't nearly as successful in the UK as it was internationally for the opera singer due to it competing with all the teen pop we've looked at throughout the list from the late 90's. In fact, it's a miracle it did so well over there because of the clash in music styles.
Peak position #4
#45 for 1999
I think the UK is the only place in the world where this managed to be more successful for INXS than most of their 80's output, although I guess the Brits didn't realise they were a thing until the success of their previous entry which they nearly passed up on due to having a strange album cycle over there.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Suicide blonde #11
Disappear #21
Bitter tears #30
#35 for 1990
Steve Miller never saw much success in the UK, heck the only reason why this took off over there was because the title track was a surprise hit for him with the Brits back in the day. The only other hit he had was with his breakthrough "The joker" and that was only because it was featured in a Levi jeans ad in 1990.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Abracadabra #2
Hit in 1982
Like most places in the world, this was a flop for Robert Palmer upon its initial release in 1985 due to having the worst track on the album be its lead single (that being "Discipline of love.") It was given a second chance when "Addicted to love" became his first chart topper in America, prompting the rest of the world including his fellow Brits to check out what the fuss was about.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Addicted to love #5
I didn't mean to turn you on #9
#39 for 1986
It may have been a disappointment for the Eurythmics, however this final album from the duo (at least from their first run together) was a comeback for them in the UK given how their previous album Savage crashed and burned for them there (likely due to Annie Lennox's scary image makeover.)
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Revival #26
Don't ask me why #25
#20 for 1989
Another soundtrack that got around the whole various artist rule, this time it's the soundtrack to the Ally McBeal series as it was credited to the shows lounge singer Vonda Shephard which allowed it to chart in the UK album charts and prove once and for all that the A.V club were biased when they declared to be an inessential album.
Peak position #3
#37 for 1998
This is the second appearance from Jethro Tull on this list, it was by far their biggest success here in Australia which suggests that we Aussies were growing more and more intrigued with their work right as their fellow Brits were losing interest in it. They have one more entry to come which was also their final candidate for this list.
Peak position #5
Hit in 1972
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