Seeing as though I've covered the most popular albums of the twentieth century in the UK a while back, it only seems fitting to do the same for the most popular albums of the twentieth century on Billboard which should complete my run for overlooking the most popular music of all time in the English-speaking side of the world. Again, I'm only including albums on here that were a success in Australia and/or NZ to avoid making a fool of myself talking about successful albums in America that I've never heard of.
It's a bit odd that it's taken us this long to get to a solo entry from Paul McCartney, I guess the Americans weren't as impressed with his 80's output as the rest of the world was even if this spawned his biggest solo hit on Billboard (by solo I mean without Wings or the Beatles.) Unlike the rest of the world (particularly his native UK) he didn't find much success after this album in America.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Ebony and ivory #1
Take it away #10
#28 for 1982 (#14 cash box)
I know that this was America's introduction to Phil Collins given how he found no success with Genesis prior to his solo debut on Billboard, however it's messing with my mind with how low this album is on this list regardless. He wouldn't even score a hit single on Billboard until his second album which was the album which gave him his first chart topper in his native UK.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
In the air tonight #19
I missed again #19
#20 for 1981 (#33 cash box)
Well at least we have an album from Pearl jam that spawned a top twenty hit for them on Billboard, I guess by this stage it was pointless for their label to issue singles in their native America given how their fellow Americans had become accustomed to needing to buy the album in order to own any of their music. In this regard, they found more success in Australia and NZ where this conundrum was non-existent.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Spin the black circle #18
#6 for 1995 (#22 cash box)
While this is the earliest entry from Bob Dylan on this list, you can rest assured that his early 70's catalogue would've flooded this list had I included entries from that period on here. It seems weird that this guy managed to retain his popularity worldwide during the second half of the decade given how many of his contemporaries failed to do so.
Peak position #1x2
#40 for 1975 (#29 cash box)
It appears that the success the Village people had in their homeland was more balanced between their singles and albums as opposed to here in Australia where they were more of a singles artist. That said, their first two albums were complete duds on Billboard, meaning the LGBT group managed to achieve far more success in Australia throughout their career than they did in their homeland.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Y.M.C.A #2
#100 for 1978 (cash box)
#12 for 1979 (#24 cash box)
So, you thought the disco backlash had an impact on the music scene in America? Well, allow me to present you with this entry from George Benson who spiced up his jazz sound from the 70's with disco elements for massive success in his homeland. Obviously, this was a bigger hit internationally, however he went against conventional wisdom and was rewarded with massive success for his efforts.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Give me the night #4
Love x love #61
#26 for 1980 (cash box)
Well at least this second solo album from Phil Collins gave him a hit on Billboard, again it wasn't as big in America as it was in his native UK, however at least its placement on here is an improvement to my Australian list where it was fairly low and my NZ list where it's completely absent.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
You can't hurry love #10
#21 for 1983 (#33 cash box)
It's a good thing this was a massive success for Living colour in NZ otherwise we'd have to slip over their debut album on this list which was indeed a massive success for them in their homeland. I'm not sure why this didn't appeal to us Aussies other than the fact that maybe it's a bit ahead of its time, this does feel like something RHCP would release during their heyday after all.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Cult of personality #13
Glamour boys #31
Open letter #82
#13 for 1989 (#15 cash box)
Even though we've just passed the halfway mark for this list, this feels like a bit of a stumble for Sting given how it was sandwiched between his previous two entries on this list. This barely made it on the Australian side of my site, suggesting that it was only a success due to how big Sting was coming into the 90's.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
All this time #5
#46 for 1991 (#6 cash box)
I really do need to watch the Wayne's world films given how much I like Mike Myers other films, what I do know is that both of them were a cultural phenomenon back in the day due to how much money they made at the box office as well as how big the soundtrack was in America. It's possible "Bohemian rhapsody" recharted in America not because of Freddie Mercury's death but because of its usage in the film.
Peak position #1x2
#33 for 1992 (#24 cash box)
Given how Pink Floyd is a rock band, it makes sense that they did far better in America than they did in their homeland despite being a non-American artist. Again, we have the far more pleasing art style for this entry as opposed to the infamous original art which depicted a business meeting with one of the participants on fire.
Peak position #1x2
#14 for 1975 (cash box)
I'm not that big on 80's teen flicks, however even I can admit that Pretty in pink holds up remarkably well due to its coming-of-age tale about a poor girl earning the love of a rich boy at a high school. It was a massive box office success as well as spawning a massive soundtrack which put Orchestral manoeuvres in the dark on the Billboard map.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
If you leave #4
#50 for 1986 (#24 cash box)
Much like Pink Floyd, Led zeppelin is another band from the UK that found more success in America for no other reason than their fellow Brits allergic reaction to rock and roll. Here they are with this album sandwiched between their previous two entries on this list which is far higher on this list than their top entry on my UK list.
Peak position #1x2
#47 for 1976 (#35 cash box)
This was another entry that only barely made it onto the Australian side of my site, as such it was a shoe in for this list given how successful this breakthrough album was for the Average white band (I can't even with that name.) This wasn't their only successful album in their homeland; however, this was a one off for them internationally as their other candidates for this list were all flops outside of America.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Pick up the pieces #1
#8 for 1975 (#7 cash box)
Even though this spawned the second hip hop track to top the Australian charts, it was a massive flop here and only makes the list due to how well it did in NZ for Young MC who gave him a different hit on their charts. Either way, we Aussies and kiwis were late to the party as he had already scored a massive hit with this album in his homeland half a year prior to when it saw the light of day here.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Bust a move #7
Principal's office #33
I come off #75
#25 for 1990 (#40 cash box)
Although this failed to top the Billboard charts just like is also failed to top the UK charts, at least this lasted longer on the upper echelons of the former charts for it to be considerably higher on this list as opposed to my UK list from a while back. This is despite the fact the singles did rather poorly on Billboard, that's right, the infamous "Barbie girl" was only a decent hit at best in America.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Barbie girl #7
Lollipop #23
Turn back time #49
#74 for 1997
#36 for 1998
This is the album that many credit for kickstarting the second British invasion on the Billboard charts, although what's interesting is that it only spawned one hit on the American charts even if it's their signature track which is treated as their debut single over there. Although they had other hits in America, this was their only successful album and thus their only candidate for this list.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Don't you want me #1
#29 for 1982 (#28 cash box)
Although he had some success prior to this album in his homeland, this was the earliest entry from Prince's discography to be a candidate for this list as said success was for his singles rather than his albums. This makes the cut due to it being a huge success for him in NZ, although the singles did well here in Australia which evens out what it achieved in both countries.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
1999 #12
Little red corvette #6
Delirious #8
#5 for 1983 (#18 cash box)
#22 for 1984 (#99 cash box)
Unlike in the UK where this was a minor hit at best for George Harrison, this was a massive success for him in America likely due to how big the lead single was on the Billboard charts for him. This is his final solo album in his catalogue, however he did find further success as a member of the Travelin wilburys with their earlier entry on this list.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Got my mind set on you #1
When we was fab #23
#31 for 1988 (#24 cash box)
This was a bit late to the party when it comes to the contemporary Christian craze of the 90's in America as that was a thing during the height of Amy Grant's mainstream breakthrough (we'll get to that in a bit) however that didn't prevent this album from Bob Carlisle from finding massive success in his homeland with this number which encouraged us Aussies to check it out.
Peak position #1x2
#32 for 1997
In a bit of a bizarre twist, this had a different album cycle for Julio Iglesias in America which likely resulted in it not being as successful on Billboard as it was in Australia or NZ for the Latin crooner. I guess to try an appeal to an American market, he went with his collaboration with Diana Ross as its lead single over there as opposed to the much more lucrative collaboration he had with Willie Nelson.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
All of you #19
To all the girls I've loved before #5
#40 for 1984 (#18 cash box)
Although it appears much higher on this list compared to my Australian and NZ lists, I should point out that this soundtrack from Stevie Wonder for the 80's flick Woman in red (which I haven't seen as of this writing) shares the exact same stats on Billboard as it does in both countries from the southern hemisphere. I guess I should also point out that this was the moment internet historians decree as his "suckage period."
Peak position #4
Hit singles
I just called to say I love you #1
#27 for 1984 (cash box)
#53 for 1985
Given how he saw massive success as a solo act and with Led zeppelin, it only makes sense that this supergroup led by Robert Plant would be a huge success for him in America just like it was here in Australia. As this was a one-off project, it naturally means that the name Honeydrippers (a stupid name at that) doesn't appear at any other point on the Billboard charts.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Sea of love #3
#31 for 1984 (cash box)
#58 for 1985
Had it been an international success, we would still have Panorama to look forward to on this list as that was a decent success for the Cars in their homeland. This was also a massive hit for them in their homeland, so much so that it served as their comeback here in Australia given how much of a failure their previous album was on our charts.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Shake it up #4
#80 for 1981 (cash box)
#34 for 1982 (#38 cash box)
Even though it was as much a critical and commercial disaster in America as it was internationally, the reception to Under the cherry moon wasn't enough to deter Prince's fellow Americans in making its soundtrack a success like it somewhat was for us Aussies and kiwis. Indeed, we Aussies and kiwis likely don't realise that this was a tie in to the infamously bad film given how much the music overshadows it.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Kiss #1
Mountains #23
Anotherloverholenyohead #63
#44 for 1986 (#21 cash box)
While there weren't a lot of non-American artists finding success on Billboard throughout the 70's, the Rolling stones was among the lucky few that did as this was another easy chart topper for the band in America just like it was internationally. Even the lead single managed to become a genuine hit for them over there where it wasn't internationally.
Peak position #1x4
Hit singles
Fool to cry #10
#35 for 1976 (#22 cash box)
Even though this was a massive success for the fictitious family in America like it was everywhere in the world (except here in Australia) it appears that the lead single "Do the Bartman" never saw the light of day on Billboard despite it being a massive worldwide chart topper for them (more specifically, Bart.) This means the second single was the only one that charted on Billboard from the album.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Deep deep trouble #69
#28 for 1991 (#31 cash box)
Given how well this did throughout the world, you'd think this debut album from Macy Gray would at least match its success on Billboard. It turns out her fellow Americans were thoroughly unimpressed with this album and likely only made it a hit due to how big the second single was in Australia, NZ and the UK despite it fitting in on Eryka Badu's album from my bonus list.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
I try #5 (#4 airplay)
#21 for 2000
Much like in the UK, this was only a success in America upon its initial release for Genesis as opposed to it lingering around for most of the 80's in NZ, likely to make up for its complete failure here in Australia. While Genesis was never that well respected in prog circles (unless we're talking about the Peter Gabriel era) many feel this is where they became a mere side project for Phil Collins rather than a prog band.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Mama #73
#45 for 1983 (cash box)
#34 for 1984 (#23 cash box)
Much like the rest of the world, this was a comeback for the Who on the Billboard charts given how their mid 70's output didn't exactly light up their charts. Their output in America was almost identical to what they achieved in their homeland, meaning their material from the early 70's would be on here had I included albums from that time period.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Who are you #14
#25 for 1978 (cash box)
Given how Phil Collins had a massive breakthrough in America with Face value months prior to when this album from his band came out, you can imagine the sudden rise of interest Americans had for Genesis which propelled this up the Billboard charts far higher than what it achieved internationally.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Abacab #26
#51 for 1981 (cash box)
#12 for 1982
I may have over emphasised how much of a failure this sophomore album was for Hootie and the blowfish in their native America given how it still has a fairly high placement on this list even if it's pitiful compared to what their earlier entry achieved even internationally. Even though there's a two-year gap between both entries, this was a rushed release due to how long it took their earlier album to find success.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Old man and me #13 (#7 airplay)
#21 for 1996
This is another album that only appeared on my 1999 yearend list due to my insistence on filling it up with as many available candidates from that year as possible, meaning that once again we likely have an album on here that didn't do too well here in Australia back in the day. It did remarkably well however in Smash mouth's homeland given how they were on a roll with their singles on the radio.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
All star #4 (#1 airplay)
Then the morning comes #11 (#8 airplay)
#34 for 1999
#55 for 2000
Although their debut album is still to come on this list, it appears Heat wasn't as popular overall in America as they were here in Australia which makes me think they were an early international guest from a lost episode of Countdown if they achieved such success here back in the day. I guess this early success here in Australia explains why their 80's output didn't do so well with us Aussies.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Barracuda #11
#46 for 1977 (#25 cash box)
If you thought these guys would have all their entries I've featured on this site so far appear on this list, that's only accurate for the Australian side as their 1976 effort The royal scam was only a success in NZ which means the kiwis somehow got a hold of that album from the duo despite its failure in America. Indeed, their final album from their initial run wasn't any more successful on Billboard than it was here in Australia.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Hey nineteen #10
#29 for 1981 (#28 cash box)
Unlike here in Australia where the Prodigy had some success prior to the release of their third album, I'm not sure how the Americans got a hold of this album given how they never had any success with any of their singles or with any of their other albums on Billboard throughout the years. I guess this was a success over there purely from the media frenzy it's singles caused in their native UK.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Firestarter #30
Smack my bitch up #89
#37 for 1997
#128 for 1998
This is another album I somewhat cheated to allow to be on this site, all I can say is that 1999 was a particularly strange year for albums here in Australia. This wasn't the case for Lou Bega on Billboard as despite being the definitive one hit wonder, still managed to score massive success with his debut album in America due to how inescapably popular the lead single was.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Mambo no 5 #3 (#1 airplay)
#61 for 1999
#36 for 2000
It certainly took us a while to get to this debut album from Sade, however that's more due to it being a sleeper hit in America given how it rebounded on the Billboard charts following the success of their top entry on this list. We still have one more entry to get to from the English band, meaning they have all their albums from the twentieth century on this list if we include the bonus entries.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Your love is king #54
Smooth operator #5
Hang on to your love #14
#24 for 1985 (#16 cash box)
#61 for 1986
This is among the most recent entries on this list, in fact many consider this an album from 2001 given how the big hit wasn't released as a physical single until that year despite being played on the radio following the album's release. In fact, "Ms Jackson" isn't even the lead single, meaning this album made it big without having a charting single on Billboard initially.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Ms Jackson #1 (#4 airplay)
So fresh so clean #30
#104 for 2000
#16 for 2001
It appears that the Americans weren't as impressed with Neil Diamond's catalogue from the second half of the 70's as the rest of the world was, I guess they didn't know who Robbie Robertson was despite his band err.... the Band seeing success with Bob Dylan in America prior to this album's release. In any case, Neil seemed to be a rare exception to American artists getting pushed aside for local talent here in Australia.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
If you know what I mean #11
#80 for 1976 (#26 cash box)
Given how this album was a massive hit for Edie Brickle in NZ, it was a shoe in for this list where it did much better for the folk singer/songwriter right as the 80's was coming to an end. You may have noticed an absence of female singer/songwriters from this time period on this list, that's because they were all more popular in Australia and NZ than they were in America with Edie being a rare exception.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
What I am #7
#18 for 1989 (#18 cash box)
This is the only other entry from the Who that was a candidate for this list, again they would've had more had I included the early 70's for this ranking. It seems odd that these guys would have their final success right when the MTV era was about to launch regardless of where in the world you're from.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
You better you bet #18
#74 for 1981 (#34 cash box)
If I included entries from the early 70's on this list, then rest assured that we would've seen both entries from Alice Cooper from my early 70's list on this list already. It's true that he was a much bigger deal in the UK than he was in his homeland initially, however his fellow Americans were nonetheless impressed with his early output. Much like us Aussies, they also didn't discard him when he went in a more mainstream direction like the Brits did.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Only women bleed #12
Department of youth #67
#23 for 1975 (#20 cash box)
I should point out that the main reason why many albums from the 70's are appearing so much lower in this list than my other all-time lists on this site is simply due to the stiffer competition they each had on Billboard compared to the rest of the world. Wings appearing lower on this list with their third album doesn't mean it was less successful on Billboard than it was internationally so much as it needing to compete with so many albums that I've skipped over so far.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Listen to what the man said #1
Letting go #39
#58 for 1975 (#30 cash box)
#45 for 1976
Given how he saw massive success with the Travelin wilburys from earlier on this list, it was inevitable that Roy Orbison would see success as a solo artist in his homeland just like he did internationally with his final album. Who knows how much longer his career would've gone for had he lived to see the 90's, odds are he would've thrived in that decade given its fondness for crooners like him.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
You got it #9
#42 for 1989 (#17 cash box)
I know I've mocked the idea of music snobs hating most if not all the entries on this list due to how inescapably popular they were in America back in the day, however this is the one entry on here that feels like it was tailor made to make fun of these trolls as this was coming off an entire decade of number one hits that Mariah Carey had in her homeland.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
When you believe #15
I still believe #4
#19 for 1999
Whereas this was the most successful hip hop album here in Australia throughout the 90's, it was far from the most popular in Arrested development's homeland as evidence by what's come before it on this list. That said, it was an immediate success for them on Billboard just like it was in the UK as opposed to it being a sleeper hit in Australia and NZ.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Tennessee #6 (#10 airplay)
People everyday #8 (#10 airplay)
Mr wendal #6 (#6 airplay)
Revolution #90
#54 for 1992
#26 for 1993 (#19 cash box)
I would say that the Americans would only allow Elton John to have success if he was working with Bernie Taupin, except that isn't the case as his next successful album in America was his 1992 effort which we won't be looking at for quite some time on this list. I guess you can say that he was a 70's artist who sporadically found success in the 80's and 90's as far as the Americans were concerned.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Sorry seems to be the hardest word #11
#44 for 1976 (cash box)
#80 for 1977 (#69 cash box)
This is one of only two entries from Eric Clapton that were candidates for my list, the other was his 1977 effort which I've already covered on the bonus section of this list as that was only a success in America for some reason. Indeed, this only makes it on here due to it being a modest success here in Australia for the troubled English blues legend.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Promises #9
#42 for 1979 (#41 cash box)
Although this wasn't the American's introduction to Queen, it was the first taste of success the band had in America even if it was pitiful compared to what it achieved internationally. This is once again the result of Americans not being as kind to international bands and artists as they were with local talent, that and these guys had to compete with a bunch of soul albums that all bombed outside of America.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Bohemian rhapsody #9
You're my best friend #16
#8 for 1976 (#9 cash box)
It's been a while since Madonna has graced us with her presence on this list, hasn't it? Here she is with the soundtrack to her most critically acclaimed film Evita which was indeed a massive hit for her in America just like it was internationally. This is likely Americans introduction to the Andrew Lloyd Webber show given how the concept album from two decades prior was a bomb on Billboard.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
You must love me #18
Don't cry for me Argentina #8 (#5 airplay)
#26 for 1997
Regardless of where you land on this film from the Batman saga, there's no denying it was a massive hit back in the day and that it had a killer soundtrack to boot. It was a comeback of sorts for the franchise given how Batman returns didn't chart anywhere in the world, possibly because it was merely a score album which didn't have any singing on it.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Hold me thrill me kiss me kill me #16
Kiss from a rose #1 (#1 airplay)
#48 for 1995 (#27 cash box)
We're this far into the list and we've only come across our second entry from the compilations section from the Beatles discography, I guess the Americans weren't as starry eyed about their back catalogue as the rest of the world was given how there won't be too many other albums from the fab four going down this list.
Peak position #2
#90 for 1976 (#43 cash box)
For the most part, Rita Coolidge is fairly well respected in female singer/songwriter circles. The only exception being her biggest hit from this album due to it being a cover of a Jackie Wilson classic which naturally upsets fans of the RNB legend to this day. It didn't prevent it or the album that spawned it from being a massive worldwide hit back in the day (if anything it enhanced its success.)
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Higher and higher #2
We're all alone #7
#43 for 1977 (#42 cash box)
#100 for 1978
This album is proof that good intentions mean nothing when the product you're offering is hypocritical by its very nature, after all this is a bunch of multi billionaires telling people who were struggling with financial woes from the 80's to donate to charities which turned out to be a bunch of scams meant to empower corrupt organisations. Naturally audiences fell for the charity worldwide, with Americans being the most gullible of the bunch.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
We are the world #1
#76 for 1985 (#20 cash box)
This is one of only two entries from the Eurythmic on this list, it makes sense they didn't see the dizzying heights of success on Billboard that they did internationally given they were a British act and all. What is interesting is that their other entry on here won't be their debut even though that spawned their biggest hit in America, I guess they were initially considered a singles artist over there.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Would I lie to you #5
There must be an angel #22
Sisters are doing it for themselves #18
It's alright #78
#54 for 1985 (#33 cash box)
Although he saw very little success throughout the world during his time with Steelers wheel, it appears that Gerry Rafferty had no issue with finding massive success with his solo debut despite it being far from the most successful album in his homeland. It saw the bulk of its success here in Australia (likely due to a Countdown performance that's now lost media) however it was also a big hit in America for him.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Baker street #2
Right down the line #12
#38 for 1978 (#22 cash box)
We're slowly running out of entries from Bruce Springsteen on this list given how we're not covering his output from the 21st century, that said, this did far better in his homeland than it did here in Australia throughout the 70's even though he was one of the lucky few American artists to overcome Countdown's stranglehold of our charts back then.
Peak position #5
#68 for 1978 (#38 cash box)
If he had more success with his albums here in Australia throughout the 70's, then you can rest assured this wouldn't be Barry Manilow's final entry on this list as it appears we Aussies were only interested in his singles and not so much his albums back in the day. That said, this feels like a turning point in his career as the Brits became interested in his music right when his fellow Americans began growing tired of it.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Can't smile without you #3
Copacabana #8
#16 for 1978 (#14 cash box)
In a bit of a bizarre twist, Gloria Gaynor's breakthrough album from 1975 was only as such here in Australia given how that was a massive bomb for her on Billboard for some reason. Fast forward four years and she finally manages to score that level of success at home with this album which was only a moderate hit at best down under, I guess we Aussies had moved on to Donna Summer by this point.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
I will survive #1
#40 for 1979 (#52 cash box)
Well, this certainly saw a reduction in the ranking compared to where it landed on my other all-time lists on this site, I guess Americans weren't too interested in U2 experimenting with industrial rock on this album which is odd because their fellow Brits were ecstatic about it given how high it appeared on that list and the Brits allergies to rock and roll especially in the 90's.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Stay #61
#29 for 1993 (#22 cash box)
This was somewhat of a comeback for Bruce Springsteen given how his two albums from 1992 didn't exactly light up the charts anywhere in the world, it serves as a reminder of how great he was in his back catalogue and (in my opinion) would've been the perfect place to end his career on.
Peak position #1x2
#38 for 1995 (#33 cash box)
This is the only other entry from Supertramp on this list, I honestly thought they were able to find success in America throughout the 70's despite being a non-American act at a time where they usually struggled for success on Billboard. The only question left is how on earth we Aussies and especially kiwis came across their material to make it a success in the first place.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
It's raining again #11
#54 for 1982 (cash box)
#54 for 1983 (#59 cash box)
Although it's still a mystery as to how these guys managed to find massive success in America given how they were far from the most popular band here in Australia, there's no denying that Air supply had taken the Billboard charts by storm during the first stretch of the 80's which makes sense why their greatest hits album did as well over there as it did over here.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Making love out of nothing at all #2
#36 for 1983 (cash box)
#57 for 1984 (#97 cash box)
This is the only live album from the brothers Gibb we'll be looking at on this list as their 1998 effort was a complete dud for them on Billboard (as was everything they released after the 70's.) This was at the height of their popularity as well as one of the many success stories which led to disco's dominance by the end of the decade.
Peak position #8
#51 for 1977 (#31 cash box)
#21 for 1978 (#99 cash box)
Although it's widely regarded as one of the worst movies of all time, there's a good chance that Xanadu is playing as a daytime movie somewhere in the world as you're reading this, meaning that it still has its fans to this day. It might be due to the soundtrack which while not as successful in America as it was internationally, still managed to spawn one of the biggest hits of the 80's on Billboard.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Magic #1
I'm alive #16
Xanadu #8
Suddenly #20
#20 for 1980 (cash box)
Unlike the rest of the world where there was anticipation for this final album from Elvis Presley, there's a good chance that this would've gone unnoticed in his homeland had he not tragically passed away short after its release. After combing through the Billboard charts (a task I don't recommend anyone take) I can confirm that his fellow Americans weren't too interested in keeping his memory alive with compilation albums like the rest of the world was.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Moody blue #31
Way down #18
#34 for 1977 (cash box)
This is the other successful album that Rickie Lee Jones had in her career, even in her homeland, she didn't have any further success after this likely dye to her failing to adapt to the MTV era like so many of her contemporaries from the time. At least she had international success which is more than I can say for many of those contemporaries.
Peak position #5
#43 for 1981 (cash box)
Even in her homeland, this felt like a rush release for Jewel given how long it took for her debut album to take off worldwide. That said, it did surprisingly well given how she went from literal rags to riches following the surprise success of her earlier entry, although her more polished albums from the 21st century didn't do much to sustain her popularity.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Hands #6 (#3 airplay)
Down so long #59
#63 for 1998
#13 for 1999
Given how he was one of the few artists to survive Countdown's purge of non-Australian artists throughout the 70's, you'd think that Neil Young would've had more success with his albums from that point of his career on Billboard. Apart from his magnum opus Harvest which easily would've appeared much higher on this list had it been eligible to do so, this was the best he could do in America.
Peak position #8
#43 for 1979 (cash box)
#78 for 1980
Do I even need to point out that we Aussies screwed up with the album cycle for this entry? Even the Americans got it right which is why this was more of a success on Billboard than it was here in Australia for the Pet shop boys back in the day. That said, they're a one album wonder in America as their subsequent releases each failed to become candidates for this list.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
West end girls #1
Love comes quickly #62
Opportunities #10
Suburbia #70
#39 for 1986 (#38 cash box)
From what I can gather, this was a rush release from Barbra Streisand's soundtrack with Kris Kristofferson from earlier on this list. The fact this could not only be a success in her homeland but also a decent success here in Australia should tell you just how well loved she was in both countries throughout the 70's.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
My heart belongs to me #4
#84 for 1977 (#32 for cash box)
Led zeppelin may have been no more, however that didn't prevent frontman Robert Plant from finding success on his own regardless of where in the world you're from throughout the 80's. Much like in his homeland, this was also the biggest solo hit for him in America despite that honour going to his second album here in Australia and NZ.
Peak position #5
#19 for 1982 (cash box)
If you can believe it, this wasn't David Lee Roth's biggest success in America (that honour goes to his solo debut which you can find on my bonus section of this list.) It appears we Aussies had enough love for his back catalogue with Van Halen to make this a modest success here which in turn allowed it onto the list proper for the hair metal legend.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Just like paradise #6
#42 for 1988 (#18 cash box)
Given how non-American artists weren't that popular in America throughout the 70's, I'm afraid there won't be much of an improvement for David Bowie on this list which means he was more of a cult favourite back in the day that only got the respect he deserves once the internet declared he deserved it.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Golden years #10
#51 for 1976 (#79 cash box)
It may be considered one of the worst films of all time, however I struggle to understand how the accompanying soundtrack to the film adaptation of the Beatles classic was considered a failure given how frequently it's appeared throughout my site to suggest otherwise. While I'm sure that most Beatles fans like to pretend this never existed, the fact is that it does and at least at the time, had tons of fans.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Got to get you into my life #9
Oh darling #15
#28 for 1978 (cash box)
Although it wasn't as well received as the first film, the second Beverly Hills cop flick was nonetheless a massive critical and commercial success back in the day which of course led to the soundtrack being a massive success in America as well as a decent success here in Australia. I even didn't mind the third entry even if the formula had long worn out its welcome by 1994.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Shakedown #1
I want your sex #2
Cross my broken heart #7
#69 for 1987 (#32 cash box)
Both of Enigma's albums featured throughout this site will be accounted for on this list, this being the bigger of the two in America thanks to the lead single being far more popular on the Billboard charts than they one from their debut album two years prior. You may have noticed that new age wasn't as popular in America as it was internationally, don't worry, we'll be getting to those entries soon enough.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Return to innocence #4 (#7 airplay)
#42 for 1994 (#13 cash box)
Much like the rest of the world, this was the final successful album from Duran Duran on Billboard throughout the 80's as they wouldn't have another success again until 1993 when they had a surprise hit with their second self-titled album. Also like the rest of the world, they had the occasional hit here and there between these two releases, suggesting their decline in popularity was due to them losing their flashy imagery.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
The wild boys #2
#65 for 1984 (cash box)
#61 for 1985
Well, they may have unexpectedly called it quits due to that infamous LA concert in 1980, however that didn't mean fans of the Eagles were ready to see them go as evidence by this live album being a massive worldwide success for them. If you've read my bonus list, you'll know that the band saw massive success when hell froze over in 1994 in their homeland.
Peak position #6
#61 for 1980 (cash box)
#67 for 1981 (#56 cash box)
If you can believe it, the Americans weren't too interested in the second volume of Queen's greatest hits package even when Freddie Mercury tragically passed away like the rest of the world was. They quickly changed their minds when Wayne's world honoured his legacy by playing "Bohemian rhapsody" in the film which resulted in Queen's label combining both greatest hits albums into one for an American exclusive release.
Peak position #4
#34 for 1992 (#22 cash box)
#60 for 1993
It's hard to say if this was a success in America (or throughout the world for that matter) due to Bon Jovi's popularity or the success of Young guns II at the box office, either way it was a huge success for both parties particularly on Billboard where the former scored his fifth chart topper even if it was his first as a solo artist.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Blaze of glory #1
Miracle #12
#65 for 1990 (#28 cash box)
#92 for 1991
This is the only other entry from the Eurythmics on this list given how the rest of their catalogue was a massive failure in America, although it's worth noting this only took off on Billboard due to the success of its third and final single even though it was a dud everywhere else in the world for the duo. If you've read any other part of my site, you'll know these two ruled the 80's throughout the rest of the world.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Who's that girl #21
Right by your side #29
Here comes the rain again #4
#27 for 1984 (#22 cash box)
I sorted cheated when I allowed this on the Australian side of my site as I felt this album was a success on the AMR charts provided you removed all those pesky compilation albums from the charts, as such it allows me to feature this debut album from Snow on this list which was a much bigger success in America due to how inescapable the lead single was throughout the world.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Informer #1 (#4 airplay)
Girl I've been hurt #19
#41 for 1993 (#31 cash box)
It took us long enough, but we finally have our first Christmas album on this list which naturally suffered in this ranking due to how these albums tend to be pulled from shelves once the festive season is over. It's also worth mentioning that this only made the cut for this list due to it being a hit in NZ as we Aussies were thoroughly unimpressed with this festive offering from Celine.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I'm your angel #1
#23 for 1999
If this album feels a bit low to you, that's because it actually rebounded on the Australian charts during its run here which of course boosted its popularity back in the day. This wasn't the case for the Billboard charts, although I should point out this isn't the only album from Gloria Estefan that found more success outside her homeland than it did at home.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Coming out of the dark #1 (#12 airplay)
#40 for 1991 (#28 cash box)
I'm as shocked as you are that Neil Diamond didn't find that much success in his homeland during the second half of the decade, I always assumed we Aussies were simply more interested in our local talent than what he had to offer but upon constructing this list, it turns out we may have liked him more at this point in his career than his fellow Americans did.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Desiree #16
#72 for 1978 (#47 cash box)
We'll we've finally looked at all through of Robert Plant's solo entries on this list, again it's crazy to think that the success he had on his own in America was the inverse of what it was here in Australia and NZ but here we are. This actually includes his work with the Honeydrippers as if you'll recall, that was featured prior to his third album on this list.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Big log #20
In the mood #39
#20 for 1983 (cash box)
The success of this greatest hits album makes more sense in America given how much more popular Linda Ronstadt was at this point in her career on Billboard compared to here in Australia where this served more as a gateway to her back catalogue we Aussies overlooked prior to her finding success with Simple dreams here.
Peak position #6
#20 for 1977 (#19 cash box)
#66 for 1978
Given how he was back in everyone's good books due to his appearance on MTV unplugged, this allowed Eric Clapton to find instant success with the first album he released following that PR miracle. It was a short-lived comeback in America just like it was internationally as aside from scoring a huge with from the Phenomenon soundtrack, his subsequent follow ups all failed worldwide.
Peak position #1x1
#64 for 1994 (#30 cash box)
#65 for 1995
Whereas the rest of the world couldn't get enough of Madonna throughout the 90's, it appears her fellow Americans were a bit mixed on her music given how low this iconic entry from her appears on this list. We'll be getting to the rest of her 90's output as we go further down this list, however we're definitively no longer featuring albums that were inescapable in America.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Frozen #2 (#7 airplay)
Ray of light #5
The power of goodbye #11
Nothing really matters #93
#18 for 1998
#98 for 1999
It may surprise you to learn that this was the Jackson 5's biggest success in their homeland, granted they would have a ton of entries in my bonus list had I allowed material from the early 70's on here, however this would still outrank anything else they released in their catalogue. I get the feeling this was only the case due to how inescapable Thriller was at the time of its release.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
State of shock #3
Torture #17
#74 for 1984 (#24 cash box)
Even though she had success in America prior to this magnum opus, Bonnie Tyler is a one album wonder on Billboard just like she is everywhere else in the world given how none of her other albums managed to capitalise off the surprising number of hit singles she's had over the years like this one did for what many consider to be her signature track.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Total eclipse of the heart #1
#23 for 1983 (cash box)
One trend from the 90's you may have noticed the absence of is the return of oldies, that is, artists from the midpoint of the twentieth century finding success one last time before said century came to an end. We have our first entry in that category from Frank Sinatra who scored the biggest hit in America with this duet's album.
Peak position #2
#23 for 1994
Although this is an album many feels is best forgotten in Elton John's catalogue, it isn't mainly due to how inescapable it was in American upon its initial release due to the success of its lead single. Even back then, the song was problematic despite it getting to number one on Billboard, mainly for its misguided intentions of humanising black female sex workers.
Peak position #1x3
Hit singles
Island girl #1
Grow some funk of your own #14
#5 for 1975 (cash box)
#37 for 1976 (#44 cash box)
It's tough to say if this album took off in America because the second single was so inescapable or if it was due to all the buzz it received here in Australia, either way it was a massive hit for Alannah Myles on Billboard just like it was internationally despite it having a lukewarm reception in her native Canada. Even though there's no gimmick to its success, she remains a one album wonder to this day worldwide.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Love is #36
Black velvet #1
#39 for 1990 (#32 cash box)
Whereas this album's international success felt like a gimmick due to the runaway success of its second single, it feels more earned in the quartet's native America given how RNB had taken over the Billboard charts by the time it saw the light of day. They were all set to have further success with their second album, however that success never came to be for whatever reason.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
So much in love #5 (#6 airplay)
I swear #1 (#1 airplay)
Skillz #57
#39 for 1994 (#26 cash box)
#104 for 1995
Whereas these guys were able to score two massive hits from this album internationally, they were a true one hit wonder in America as only the lead single had any traction on the Billboard charts back in the day. I'm honestly not sure how to assess this album's success in America as you'd think the alien gimmick from the music videos would've allowed the other singles to at least chart over there.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Blue #6 (#6 airplay)
#29 for 2000
Given how the lead single was a massive worldwide success for Wild cherry, it only makes sense that their debut album would find success here in Australia where so many of their contemporaries failed to do so. That said, you'd think that they would've had further success in their homeland given how funk and disco reigned supreme throughout the 70's, these factors did the band no favours on Billboard.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Play that funky music #1
#40 for 1976 (cash box)
Unlike here in Australia where this was only a success for Tina Turner due to the surprise success of its third single here, this was an instant success for her in NZ and her native America due to how popular the lead single was in both countries. I will say that it's interesting that her next album flopped in both countries given how well it did down under and especially in the UK.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Typical male #2
Two people #30
What you get is what you see #13
#49 for 1986 (cash box)
#37 for 1987
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