As a bonus, I'm also going to include entries I've skipped over on the main list given how we've established that internet circles revolve around American pop culture more than anything. I won't include album art here as honestly; I don't want to glorify them on this site due to their failure to connect with us Aussies and kiwis.
Baha men-Who let the dogs out #5
Ever found it strange that these guys never had that big hit in America despite how overplayed the title track to this album is worldwide? That's because the Americans passed up the singles on the album in favour of making said album a success as opposed to the rest of the world where the exact opposite was the case. I should also point out that these guys aren't a one hit wonder in Americ as they never had a hit on Billboard to being with.
Hit singles
Who let the dogs out #40
You all dat #94
#70 for 2000
#38 for 2001
Ja rule-Rule 3:36 #1x1
This is another album that managed to be released just in time to qualify for this list, this time it's the second album from Ja rule who was one of the most prominent rappers of the 00's despite many people not thinking he's very good at the time. I'm actually not sure why this bombed in the southern hemisphere given how well his next two albums did in both countries.
#27 for 2001
Fixx-Reach the beach #8
If you're wondering how on earth the Americans came across this album from British new wave band the Fixx, your guess is as good as mine as this was a huge failure in their homeland and didn't see any success anywhere else in the world. I really don't know what to make of this album's success on Billboard, so many British artists failed to make it big in America over the years and yet these guys are one of the lucky few who didn't.
Hit singles
One thing leads to another #4
#56 for 1983 (#29 cash box)
Makaveli-The don Killumunti #1x1
This is the first posthumous album from 2pac, although unlike other posthumous albums he released, this one was at least completed before he was brutally murdered meaning it's in the form that it was destined to be in had he lived to see its release. Possibly out of respect for his passing, none of the songs were released as singles in his homeland as opposed to NZ where they did quite well.
#60 for 1996
#15 for 1997
Debbie Gibson-Out of the blue #7
This is the debut album from Debbie Gibson, it's the only other album she saw any success with given how the 90's was brutal to her popularity. From what I can gather, it's the first album released from someone who was born in the 70's, Tiffany's album was the second, which is perhaps why the two were compared to each other during the height of their popularity.
Hit singles
Only in my dreams #4
Shake your love #4
Foolish beat #1
#7 for 1988 (#40 cash box)
DJ Jazzy Jeff and the fresh prince-He's the DJ I'm the rapper #4
If you can believe it, there was a time where Will Smith was a successful rapper without any connection to his acting career. Admittedly it only lasted one album as he would star in his own show in 1990 which would be connected to his remaining time as the Fresh Prince, however it's interesting to note how big he was prior to his show in America and nowhere else in the world.
Hit singles
Parents just don't understand #12
#27 for 1988 (#16 cash box)
Billy Squier-Don't say no #5
Well at least we now have an album from Billy Squier that had some international appeal to it, granted that's only due to the lead single being a massive hit here in Australia, however that's still an improvement compared to his earlier entry on this list. This is his only other appearance on this list as his 1984 album was a flop due to its infamous lead single.
Hit singles
The stroke #17
#45 for 1981 (#42 cash box)
#23 for 1982
Queensryche-Empire #7
If you thought the 80's hangover (early 90's for the uninitiated) was strange internationally, wait till you realise that there was apparently room on the Billboard charts for prog music. Admittedly this was a hit mainly due to it finally giving Queensryche a hit single in their homeland that interestingly found crossover success in NZ seeing as the lead single was almost a top ten hit over there.
Hit singles
Silent lucidity #7
#42 for 1990 (cash box)
#9 for 1991 (#37 cash box)
#67 for 1992
Nas-It was written #1x4
File this in the category of a successful album in America failing to repeat that success in NZ in exchange of the kiwis giving the album a massive hit, this time it's Nas's second album as for whatever reason, the lead single here was a massive bomb on Billboard but a massive success in NZ. This is another rapper that dominated the Billboard charts well into the 21st century and nowhere else in the world.
Hit singles
If I ruled the world #53
Street dreams #22
#30 for 1996
Pocahontas soundtrack #1x1
If there's one thing I'm sick to death of, its "Disney" fans claiming that the older movies are problematic because they don't conform to whatever ideology they're a part of (this is why I refuse to support any of their projects post pandemic.) I bring this up because of the insurmountable backlash towards Pocahontas despite the film making no attempt at being historically accurate and it being a huge critical and commercial success back in the day.
Hit singles
Colors of the wind #4 (#11 airplay)
#23 for 1995 (#20 cash box)
#174 for 1996
White zombie-Astro creep #6
I've heard of White zombie prior to making this list, however I never really challenged myself to look into their music until now. What I've discovered is that they're an industrial metal band that aesthetically look more like a hair metal band from a decade prior to their breakthrough which somehow connected with their fellow Americans during the midpoint of the 90's.
#39 for 1995 (#16 cash box)
#104 for 1996
George Strait-Carrying your love with me #1x1
We have another country artist for this list, this time it's George Strait who after two decades of trying, finally managed to score a massive hit with this album in the mid to late 90's in his homeland. He had some success prior, however this remains his most successful in his catalogue.
#24 for 1997
#172 for 1998
Keith Sweat-I'll give all my love to you #6
Whereas his earlier entry on this list at least had a shot at finding success in Australia and NZ due to it spawning two massive worldwide hits, this wasn't the case for Keith Sweat's second album which was a complete dud for him as far as the singles were concerned worldwide. That said, it was a huge hit in his homeland, which was the incentive for him to keep going until his international breakthrough.
#47 for 1990 (#27 cash box)
#86 for 1991
Ma$e-Harlem world #1x2
Well, this guy having success in NZ makes more sense now, again we have a rapper who scored a bunch of hits with the kiwis throughout the 90's but lucked out when it came to his albums over there. At least he had success over there as opposed to here in Australia or the UK where he's only known for his guest verses on tracks from P Diddy and the late Biggie Smalls.
Hit singles
Feel so good #5
What you want #6
Lookin at me #8
#117 for 1997
#20 for 1998
Silk-Lose control #7
Who would've thought that the RNB group who brought you one of the filthiest RNB jams of the 90's saw massive success with the album that spawned that hit in their homeland? Naturally since "Freak me" had novelty written all over it, the album was a complete flop for Silk internationally even though the song remains one of the most well-known RNB ballads of all time.
Hit singles
Freak me #1 (#1 airplay)
Girl u for me #26
#30 for 1993 (#20 cash box)
Blind melon-Blind melon #3
This sat on shelves completely ignored for about a year in Blind melon's homeland until the video to "No rain" was released which tugged at the heartstrings of many people who saw it back in the day. What's surprising is that the single didn't do so well on Billboard even though it's the sole reason why anyone outside of American even knows who the band is.
Hit singles
No rain #20
#45 for 1993 (#35 cash box)
#81 for 1994
Grover Washington-Winelight #5
This is the only successful album to come from Grover Washington, even then it was only success due to it spawning a song that nearly topped the Billboard charts back in the day that would eventually be interpolated by Will Smith in the late 90's. From what I can gather, he's basically the poor man's George Benson.
Hit singles
Just the two of us #2
#13 for 1981 (#26 cash box)
Earth wind and fire-Spirit #2
This is the final entry from Earth wind and fire on this list, you know these guys were screwed over internationally given how many entries they racked up on here from such a short amount of time in their catalogue.
Hit singles
Saturday nite #21
#15 for 1976 (cash box)
#52 for 1977 (#74 cash box)
David Lee Roth-Eat em and smile #4
Even though he scored two massive hits worldwide from his E.P, it appears said E.P was a flop even in David Lee Roth's homeland as he only found success on the Billboard album charts with his solo debut. This is strange as this album didn't spawn a hit for him anywhere in the world, stranger still is that this actually competed with 5150 from his former bandmates from earlier on this list.
Hit singles
Yankee rose #16
#84 for 1986 (#22 cash box)
DMX-Flesh of my flesh #1x3
The funny thing about DMX's international failure is that he became the first artist to have their first five albums go to number one on Billboard. This is one of the most successful artists of all time in America and yet I doubt anyone other than his fellow Americans can name a single song from him.
#21 for 1999
Blues traveller-Four #8
Of all the 90's rock bands to find success on Billboard, Blues traveler was one of the lucky few to have a hit single from their successful album even if said single failed to charts anywhere else in the world for the American band. Indeed, this was a bit of a failure for them outside of their homeland, suggesting they were simply at the right place at the right tme for their fellow Americans.
#29 for 1995 (#17 cash box)
#35 for 1996
Mary J Blige-What's the 411 #6
As far as we Aussies are concerned, Mary J Blige has her first hit in 2001 with "Family affair" as she went completely unheard of throughout the 90's on our charts. She had a bit more notoriety in NZ as some of her singles saw the like of day on their charts, however she was a household name from the get-go in her native America given how well her debut album did on Billboard.
Hit singles
Sweet thing #28
#72 for 1992 (#49 cash box)
#36 for 1993 (#24 cash box)
Friday soundtrack #1x2
I've seen my far share of abrasive comedy flicks; however, they were mainly from the 00's given that's when I was at the right age to enjoy this type of movie. That is to say, I didn't grow up with Friday starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker, meaning I don't know how accurate it is that it's one of the best comedies of the 90's. What I do know is that it was a box office success and even a rare critical darling from the genre.
Hit singles
Keep their heads ringing #10
#40 for 1995 (#21 cash box)
#165 for 1996
Foreigner-Head games #5
It looked like these guys wore out their welcome here in Australia given how much of a failure it was, this wasn't the case for their fellow Americans as this was a massive hit for them on Billboard just like their other entries on this list was. This means that 4 wasn't a comeback album for them like it was down under.
#30 for 1979 (cash box)
#31 for 1980 (#91 cash box)
Stevie Wonder-Journey through the secret life of plants #4
Although this a minor hit in the UK for Stevie Wonder, it was only in America where this was a massive success for him given how we Aussies and kiwis likely didn't even realise this was released back in the day. Much like Foreigner's entry from a minute ago, this was a temporary stumble for the RNB genius in Australia as his next album was the magnum opus Hotter than July.
Hit singles
Send one your love #4
#60 for 1979 (cash box)
#81 for 1980
George Strait-Pure country #6
Hello again George Strait, nice to see you back on this list with your breakthrough album that made you a household name in your homeland throughout the 90's. This is the soundtrack to the film of the same name which also has George as its leading man, although it was a critical failure and didn't win over many audiences.
#13 for 1993 (#27 cash box)
#97 for 1994
Candlebox-Candlebox #7
It appears there was a fifth name in the grunge scene as far as America was concerned, that name is Candlebox as they had an album more successful than Alice in chains on the Billboard charts in the form of their debut from 1993. That said, it was a one-off deal as their subsequent releases failed to recapture the success they initially had.
#26 for 1994 (#20 cash box)
#55 for 1995
The Whispers-Whispers #6
This is an interesting entry for this list as the Whispers did achieve massive success with the lead single to this album internationally at the clear expense of the album being a flop worldwide. The opposite was the case in their homeland as the lead single was a dud on the Billboard charts despite the album being a massive success for the RNB group in America.
Hit singles
And the beat goes on #19
#26 for 1980 (#24 cash box)
Ohio players-Honey #2
We have our second entry from the Ohio players on this list, this one at least has a song most non-Americans will recognise if only due to it being covered by the Red hot chilli peppers twenty years later for the Beavis and Butthead soundtrack. There's a rather silly urban legend that the sporadic screaming heard throughout the album was actually from the model on the cover being tortured to death.
#42 for 1975 (cash box)
#89 for 1976
Tom Petty-Long after dark #9
You'd think this would've at least been a moderate success for Tom Petty and company in NZ, granted this was released right when the MTV era was in full swing, however he was one of the biggest names in music at the start of the 80's over there. Alas it appears only his fellow Americans had room for his brand of heartland rock form around this time.
#77 for 1982 (cash box)
#37 for 1983 (#52 cash box)
K-CI and Jo Jo-Love always #6
This was a near miss for K-CI and JoJo in NZ due to how many albums reached the upper echelons of their charts from the late 90's, at least it had some buzz over there which is more than I can say for the duo's album everywhere else in the world. Naturally it was a huge success in their homeland due to how RNB reigned supreme on the Billboard charts.
Hit singles
You bring me up #26
Last night's better #46
All my life #1 (#3 airplay)
#196 for 1997
#19 for 1998
Aerosmith-Rocks #3
As promised, we have an album from Aerosmith that failed to find an audience anywhere in the world except for their homeland back in the day. This was their breakthrough in their homeland after some buzz that their earlier albums sparked throughout the 70's, although it would up going nowhere as they didn't find any success again until their top entry on the list.
#44 for 1976 (#12 cash box)
Tom Petty-Wildflowers #5
If you've read any music blogs covering the 90's, you may be surprised to learn that Tom Petty is often brought up given how his 1994 album was a massive success in America and nowhere else in the world. Even in NZ where the heartland rocker did quite well, this album was a complete dud which I guess means Tom simply fell victim to the 80's purge that occurred the year prior.
#16 for 1995 (#25 cash box)
Eminem-The slim shady LP #2
While this wasn't his debut album, it was the first album that Eminem released that saw any sort of success even if most of the world passed up on it in favour of its lead single. Indeed, said single was a massive bomb on the Billboard charts, this is taking into account that songs without physical releases were no longer barred from appearing on their charts.
Hit singles
Hi my name is #36
#22 for 1999
#54 for 2000
Captain and Tennille-Love will keep us together #2
Ever felt this duo was over hated on the internet? Well, you'll understand why music snobs despise them when you realise just how successful they were in their homeland throughout the 70's. This was their debut album, and it managed to spawn one of the biggest hits of the decade not just on the Billboard charts but throughout the entire world with the title track.
Hit singles
Love will keep us together #1
The way I want to touch you #4
#62 for 1975 (#21 cash box)
Bill Conti-Rocky #4
Although the main Rocky theme was a hit here in Australia, it appears we Aussies didn't care much for the rest of the score from the first Rocky film given how much of a failure it was here for Bill Conti. This wasn't the case in America where not only was the main theme a Billboard chart topper, but the album itself was a massive success likely due to how much of a critical and commercial success the film was.
Hit singles
Gonna fly now #1
#37 for 1977 (#38 cash box)
Bob Seger-Nine tonight #3
As popular as Bob Seger was here in Australia, it appears we Aussies weren't too interested in a live album from him as this was a massive failure for him here. This wasn't the case in his homeland as his fellow Americans made this one of his biggest entries in his catalogue on Billboard.
#25 for 1981 (cash box)
#68 for 1982
Sister sledge-We are family #3
It's one thing that this flopped here in Australia, after all the singles didn't exactly light up our charts back in the day (despite them being constantly played on oldies stations.) The fact this flopped in NZ for Sister sledge where the family group had far more success is puzzling especially given how well it did in their homeland during the peak of disco's dominance on pop culture.
Hit singles
He's the greatest dancer #9
We are family #2
#37 for 1979 (#23 cash box)
Hope floats soundtrack #4
I have no memory of Hope floats in pop culture, however looking it up online tells me that while it was a box office success, it's considered one of the worst rom coms of the 90's due to how melodramatic it gets. Despite having Harry Connick Jr as the male lead, the soundtrack doesn't have any of his songs as it's instead a collection of country jams which I guess explains its success on Billboard.
#37 for 1998
#120 for 1999
Motley Crue-Theatre of pain #6
It looks like Motley Crue is another example of a band that found more success with each successive album in their career in America, this was the album which put them on the map in their homeland likely due to its similarities to what Van Halen was putting around at the time of its release.
#84 for 1985 (#22 cash box)
#56 for 1986
New edition-New edition #6
It's strange to think that this was America's introduction to New edition given how their debut single "Candy girl" was a massive worldwide hit for them two years prior to its release. What's even stranger is that this was a massive flop everywhere in the world, heck if the lead single wasn't a hit in NZ, I doubt anyone outside of their fellow Americans would realise it even exists.
Hit singles
Cool it now #4
Mr telephone man #12
#23 for 1985 (#50 cash box)
Joni Mitchell-Miles of aisles #2
Joni Mitchell managed to achieve decent success with her album in America throughout the 70's, this is somewhat odd given how her debut single "Big yellow taxi" was a massive flop for her over there despite being a huge hit here in Australia as well as a decent hit in the UK and her native Canada. This was her biggest success on Billboard which is her live album from 1974.
#68 for 1975 (#35 cash box)
God's property from Kirk Franklin's nu nation #3
What on earth did I just type out for this list? OK so this is apparently a collaboration album between a gospel choir known as God's property and gospel singer Kirk Franklin which took the Billboard charts by storm upon its initial release. I guess we've finally had our first Christian album on this list, meaning that yes, the legends are true with how this trend was a thing in the 90's.
#40 for 1997
#175 for 1998
REO Speedwagon-Good trouble #7
Did you know that REO Speedwagon released an album between their earlier entry on the main list and the one that spawned "Can't fight this feeling" from the midpoint of the 80's? (We'll be looking at that album in a bit on this list.) Not only does this album exist, but it was a huge success for the band in their homeland even if it was a no show on any chart other than the Billboard charts.
#96 for 1982 (#41 cash box)
Great white-Twice shy #9
It honestly seems like the Billboard charts were on a different planet compared to the rest of the world at different points in time, the late 80's being the worst example followed closely by the mid to late 70's it seems. Great white was a huge deal in their homeland with this album that never touched a charts other than the Billboard charts, this goes double for the singles by the way.
#31 for 1989 (#33 cash box)
R Kelly-R Kelly #1x1
R Kelly was on a roll when he released his follow-up to his earlier entry on this list, again this was only on the Billboard charts as the rest of the world wasn't that impressed with his brand of RNB (likely because they had a feeling this guy was a creep behind the scenes.) That said, some of the tracks did do decently well internationally, particularly in NZ where they were sleeper hits.
Hit singles
You remind me of something #4
Down low #4
I can't sleep baby #5 (#14)
#17 for 1996
Van Halen-Diver down #3
Van Halen is another American band that saw a ton of success in their homeland that didn't have a low of that success translate internationally, heck two out of four of their entries on my main list were due to how well they did here in Australia and nowhere else in the world to give you an idea of how much of a well kept secrets their brand of arena rock was on the Billboard charts.
#60 for 1982 (#20 cash box)
Garth Brooks-Double live #1x5
We're still not done with the Garth Brooks albums on this list, this one being a live album which saw massive success on Billboard just as the 90's were beginning to wind down. For what it's worth, his success carried over well into the 21st century in his homeland.
#6 for 1999
Rufus featuring Chaka Khan-Rufus featuring Chaka Khan #7
I get that self-titled albums are a thing, however "Rufus featuring Chaka Khan" might just be one of the most ridiculous album names.... heck names period of all time. It's little wonder this was a complete dud for both parties outside their homeland, although the latter would see massive worldwide success as a solo artist moving into the 80's.
#30 for 1976 (#53 cash box)
Doobie brothers-Best of the Doobies #5
Admittedly this might've actually be a huge hit in NZ given how this had the misfortune of peaking during the infamous 1976/1977 summer break where the charts went down for seven weeks, if that's the case then this would mean that the album was successful in two countries as this was naturally a big hit for the band in their homeland following the replacement of Tom Johnson with Michael McDonald as the lead vocalist.
#49 for 1976 (cash box)
#30 for 1977 (#27 cash box)
Empire strikes back soundtrack #4
Whereas only the soundtrack to A new hope as well as the Phantom menace managed to be a hit internationally, it appears the soundtracks to all the Star Wars films (at least pre–Disney Star Wars) were successful in America due to how popular the films were. This is the soundtrack to the second film released in the franchise and one that cemented its score into pop culture.
#40 for 1980 (cash box)
Average white band-Cut the cake #4
Following the success of their earlier entry on this list, AWB was able to strike while the iron was hot in their homeland with this follow up. Like I said earlier, they had far greater success on Billboard than they did anywhere else in the world and they weren't even the most popular band in America.
#57 for 1975 (cash box)
Whitney Houston-The preacher's wife #3
This is the soundtrack to Whitney's third and final film the Preacher's wife, this was by far her best film as far as critics were concerned given how the only pushback it ever received was that it was too sentimental, a common criticism for rom coms of any given time period. The soundtrack was naturally a big success in America, although the rest of the world was only interested in one of the songs it had to offer.
Hit singles
Step by step #15
#17 for 1997
Night ranger-7 wishes #10
I hope you're in the mood for more American bands who failed to find success anywhere outside their homeland because there's plenty more to come on this section of my list, this time it's Night ranger who scored a massive hit with this album on Billboard during the height of the Live aid craze. It's actually tough to say if they had of found success in Australia had this gotten big at any other point in time.
#64 for 1985
Ozzy Osbourne-The ultimate sin #6
Black sabbath didn't have much success on Billboard during their heyday, so it's a bit interesting to see Ozzy Osbourne make it on here with an album I doubt even his fellow Brits would know exist. Then again, he and his family were mainstays on MTV when the channel skewed away from music videos, so perhaps the audience for his solo material was always there in America.
#30 for 1986 (#37 cash box)
Chris Isaak-Heart shaped world #7
I debated about including this album on the list given how it took off in America the same time Chris Isaak released his compilation album named after the big hit this spawned for him worldwide internationally. I decided against it as this is a collection of songs from three different albums as opposed to Backstreet boys entry from earlier which was two albums released as one in America.
Hit singles
Wicked game #6
#26 for 1991 (#14 cash box)
Johnny Gill-Johnny Gill #8
Ever thought it was weird that this guy had a massive hit with "The floor" here in Australia but nowhere else in the world? Well, it still is as you'd think he would've had a hit from this album which was a massive success in his native America following the success he had as Bobby Brown's replacement on New edition. The fact that "The floor" was such a failure on Billboard is honestly mystifying to me.
Hit singles
Rub you the right way #3
My my my #10
#29 for 1990 (#23 cash box)
Grateful dead-In the dark #6
Here's another band that only found success in America and nowhere else in the world, this time it's the Grateful dead who had been in the industry for two decades before they finally found success with this album during the height of the hair metal craze. I think it's funny how a band more in line with blues rock would find success with the likes of Poison and Motley Crue.
#95 for 1987 (#16 cash box)
Van Halen-II #6
In a bit of a bizarre twist, Van Halen's debut album won't be appearing on this list even though it was a moderate success here in Australia back in the day. This means that it was us Aussies that gave these guys their first taste of success in their career (likely due to a Countdown performance that's now lost media) even though we wouldn't hear from them again until 1984.
#38 for 1979 (#28 cash box)
Don Henley-The end of innocence #8
Even though his second solo album was a big success for him in America (which we'll get to eventually on the main list) it was Don Henley's third album which proved to be a massive success for him on Billboard right as the 80's was coming to an end. This is curious given how it was a complete failure for him everywhere else in the world despite finding massive success worldwide throughout the decade.
#57 for 1989 (#16 cash box)
#8 for 1990 (#43 cash box)
New jack city soundtrack #2
From what I can gather, New jack city is a critically acclaimed crime thriller starring Wesley Snipes that was very popular for its time (I haven't seen it.) That coupled with the fact that its theme song kick started one of the more popular teen pop bands of the early 90's ensures that its soundtrack would be a massive success in America.
Hit singles
I wanna sex you up #2 (#2 airplay)
#32 for 1991 (#16 cash box)
Aldo Nova-Aldo Nova #8
I have no idea who Aldo Nova is, however, it appears that this Canadian rock musician managed to be so popular both in his homeland and over in America that his debut album was a massive success in both countries. From what I'm hearing on this list, it appears he's an early pioneer of hair metal.
#38 for 1982 (#55 cash box)
Quincy Jones-Back on the block #9
Ever wanted to know if Quincy Jones had any albums similar to that of David Guetta or Calvin Harris? It turns out he did with this being his most successful in his career which was conveniently the first thing he worked on following the departure of his most lucrative client Michael Jackson.
Hit singles
I'll be good to you #18
Tomorrow #75
#31 for 1990 (#15 cash box)
Van Halen-Women and children first #6
We're really ploughing through the entirety of Van Halen's discography on this list, aren't we? Here we are with their third album which continued the winning streak they had with their entry from a moment ago in their homeland. Again, the rest of the world wouldn't know they even existed until four years later when their top entry on this list saw the light of day.
#51 for 1980 (#25 cash box)
Anita Baker-Compositions #5
Even though she didn't exist as far as the rest of the world was concerned, Anita Baker was still going strong in her homeland moving into the 90's given how well this follow up to her earlier entry on this list did on Billboard. Her next album also did well enough to make it on here, however it took her ten years to follow that up.
#56 for 1990 (#26 cash box)
Brothers Johnson-Look out for no 1 #9
These guys were another casualty of us Aussies overlooking American artists in favour of whatever Countdown was promoting back in the 70's, however they found better luck in NZ thanks to "Strawberry letter" nearly topping their charts. Before that happened, they had decent success with their debut album in their native America that failed to make an impact internationally for Brothers Johnson.
#23 for 1976 (#20 cash box)
Andy Gibb-Shadow dancing #7
Although he had three consecutive Billboard chart toppers in America, only one of them are present on this album from Andy Gibb which I bring up because this was the only album in his catalogue to find any sort of success throughout his career. Even then, I get the feeling this was only a success in America due to how inescapable his older brothers were internationally.
Hit singles
Shadow dancing #1
An everlasting love #10
Don't throw it all away #32
#71 for 1978 (#24 cash box)
Another bad creation-Coolin at the playground ya know #7
Ever wanted to know what Kris Kross meant when they said "Don't try to compare us to another bad little fad" on their debut single? Well, here's that "bad little fad" they were talking about as Another bad creation were big for one reason and one reason alone in their native America, the fact that they're a bunch of little kids singing over production meant for the likes of Boyz II men or Bell Biv Devoe.
Hit singles
Iesha #9
#20 for 1991 (#22 cash box)
Ludacris-Back for the first time #4
Although he's more well known these days for his role as Tej Parker in the Fast and furious franchise as well as for being on seemingly every track as the guest rapper from the club boom of the early 2010's, Ludacris began his career with an album called Incognegro which predictably flopped in his homeland (presumably due to how close it is to being an offensive title.) It was rebranded to this album where it found much more success.
#29 for 2001
Dan Fogelberg-The innocent age #6
This is the second album that found success in America for Dan Fogelberg, it turns out these two albums did spawn charting singles in the southern hemisphere which upon listening to them, seems like the type of music that would've permeated the early 80's on Billboard following the alleged disco backlash.
Hit singles
Same old lang syne #9
#27 for 1981 (cash box)
#19 for 1982 (#71 cash box)
Linda Ronstadt-Hasten down the wind #3
As successful as Linda Ronstadt was throughout the 70's worldwide, she wasn't as big as she was in her homeland given how this isn't even her final entry on this list. This album came right before her magnum opus Simple dreams, meaning that this was her fellow Americans warm up to her biggest success.
#33 for 1976 (cash box)
#93 for 1977
Tom Petty-Southern accents #7
We have one final entry from Tom Petty on this list, this one comes to us from the midpoint of the 80's where he tries to adapt with the times which results in this being a cross between a Bruce Springsteen album and what the Cars were releasing around this time. His fellow Americans were impressed and/or amused with this album, hence why it was a success on Billboard.
#38 for 1985 (#41 cash box)
Coolio-Gangsta's paradise #9
Coolio came close to appearing on the NZ side of my site with this entry as it did briefly crack the top ten album charts over there, however it was too much of a "fan hit" for me to consider it a worthy contender for that side of my site. Fortunately, it was much more of a notable success in his homeland due to how inescapable the singles were on Billboard.
Hit singles
Gangsta's paradise #1 (#7 airplay)
Too hot #24
1 2 3 4 #5
#20 for 1996
Aerosmith-Permanent vacation #11
This was the first success that Aerosmith had in their homeland in well over a decade, this is due to the fact that Run DMC covered one of their tracks for their breakthrough hit worldwide which naturally sparked interest in what they had in store for (then) modern audiences. That said, their comeback wouldn't be complete until their next album from the start of this list.
#10 for 1987 (#46 cash box)
Kansas-Leftoverture #5
Even though these guys are a one hit wonder on the Billboard charts with the lead single to their earlier entry, it appears that their fellow Americans allowed them to have two successful albums in their homeland even if neither of them found an audience anywhere else in the world. Indeed, this came out first of the two entries on this list, meaning it was a warmup to their other success.
#17 for 1977 (#14 cash box)
Dave Matthews band-Crash #2
You want a band that's seen nothing but ridicule over the years on this list? How about the Dave Matthews band as despite them becoming such a punchline that even the mainstream media makes fun of them? Despite this ridicule, these guys were inescapable throughout the 90's and 00's staring with their second album which was a massive hit for them only in their homeland.
#26 for 1996
#29 for 1997
Master P-Ghetto D #1x1
Speaking of 90's acts receiving nothing but ridicule from the internet, we have Master P who despite extensive research, I've been unable to find one positive thing said about him other than how successful he was in his homeland throughout his career. Unlike the Dave Matthews band, it wasn't instantaneous as this was his sixth album from his catalogue and the first to find any success.
#50 for 1997
#47 for 1998
Moody blues-The other side of life #9
This was a comeback for the Moody blues given how they released another album between this and their previous entry on this list that bombed in America, although I'm willing to bet nobody outside of America even realised they released anything after that album despite the lead single charting here in Australia.
Hit singles
Your wildest dreams #9
#43 for 1986 (#33 cash box)
Bryan Adams-Cuts like a knife #8
Whereas the rest of the world has Bryan's top entry on this list as his debut album, this was where his success began in America and his native Canada despite having two albums released prior to this in his homeland that did nothing to help him find an audience. It's staggering to think that this was more successful in both countries than his 90's output.
#15 for 1983 (#34 cash box)
Loverboy-Keep it up #7
We have a second appearance from Loverboy on this list, this time it's with their third album which proved to be a massive success for them on Billboard as well as their native Canada even if by this point, we Aussies had given up on the pop rock band. To be honest, I'm not what turned us Aussies off from these guys as I would've thought they would thrive in our music landscape.
#7 for 1983 (#21 cash box)
Club nouveau-Life love and pain #6
This came really close to appearing on the NZ side of my site as Club nouveau's international success did indicate there was something more to the band than their breakthrough single, alas it was too minor of a hit for me to consider honouring its success on that side of my site. This wasn't the case for them in their homeland where it was a massive success for them on the Billboard charts.
Hit singles
Lean on me #1
#33 for 1987
Barbra Streisand-Higher ground #1x1
In somewhat of a bizarre twist, this album from Barbra Streisand managed to be a massive success for her in America at the cost of it failing to spawn a hit single for her. I bring this up because this was the album that spawned her big international hit with Celine Dion which her label foolishly decided to not release as a single in her homeland.
#16 for 1998
Joe-My name is Joe #2
Everything about this album will have you think that it's the debut album from the artist in question, however it turns out this was Joe's third album as the RNB singer had minimal success in his native America prior to its release throughout the 90's. It turns out he would be a one album wonder as he didn't have much luck going into the 21st century in his homeland either.
Hit singles
I wanna know #4 (#2 airplay)
Stutter #1
#35 for 2000
Art Garfunkel-Breakaway #7
It may surprise you to learn that this was Art Garfunkel's only successful album in his homeland, this is especially if you know how well his 1979 effort Fate for breakfast did internationally even if that was due to his theme song to the cult classic Watership down. I guess this definitively means that as far as the public was concerned, Paul Simon was the driving force behind Simon and Garfunkel.
Hit singles
I only have my eyes for you #18
#68 for 1975 (cash box)
#50 for 1976
Gary Wright-The dream weaver #7
Now this is an album I'm shocked failed here in Australia, more specifically the title track given how you hear it constantly on oldies stations to this day. It turns out that this was lightning in a bottle for Gary Wright in his homeland as even though this and the singles were massive on Billboard, he's the quintessential one album wonder in America.
Hit singles
Dream weaver #2
#6 for 1976 (#10 cash box)
REO Speedwagon-Wheels are turning #7
Even though this album spawned REO Speedwagon their second Billboard chart topper, it proved to be the end of the road for the band even in their homeland as their subsequent follow ups failed to dent the Billboard charts. It appears Australia was the only other place in the world that knows of this album's existence given how well the lead single did here upon its initial release.
Hit singles
Can't fight this feeling #1
#18 for 1985 (#34 cash box)
Lisa Lisa and the Cult jam-Spanish fly #7
This is one of many Motown albums to find massive success in America and virtually nowhere else in the world, although for what it's worth, the lead single was a huge hit over in NZ meaning the kiwis likely at least know who these guys are which is more than I can say for us Aussies or Brits. People like to single this out with how far Motown had fallen by the 80's given how it spawned two chart toppers on Billboard despite a perceived lack of quality.
Hit singles
Head to toe #1
Lost in emotion #1
Lost in emotion #1
#42 for 1987 (#24 cash box)
Phoebe Snow-Phoebe Snow #4
Whereas we Aussies gave massive success to Phoebe Snow with her fifth album Against the grain (likely due to a Countdown performance that's since become lost media) she was able to break through onto the Billboard charts with her first album which spawned her signature track as its lead single. For what it's worth, her big album here in Australia didn't even chart on Billboard for whatever reason.
Hit singles
Poetry man #5
#5 for 1975 (#22 cash box)
Lipps inc-Mouth to mouth #5
So, what was that about disco being dead by 1980 in America? OK sure, people like to bring up Lipps inc and the exception to the rule that disco was dead by the time the 80's rolled around, however I'd like to think that it wasn't the case even on this list given how much disco we've seen creep into the 80's so far on this list.
Hit singles
Funkytown #1
#58 for 1980 (#49 cash box)
Ozzy Osbourne-Tribute #6
Well in case his earlier entry on this list was a fluke, I guess Americans confirmed Ozzy Osbourne as a mainstream success with this live album he released a year after that album. Again, this went unheard of throughout the rest of the world given how we were about a decade removed from his work with Black sabbath, however that didn't seem to be a deterrence for the Americans like it was internationally.
#83 for 1987 (#22 cash box)
Aerosmith-Big ones #6
This came so close to appearing on both the Australian and NZ sides of my site, this means that if our charts weren't so chaotic by the mid 90's, then it would've been on this list proper which means there was indeed demand for a greatest hits package from Aerosmith by the mid 90's in the southern hemisphere just like there was in their homeland.
#24 for 1995 (#38 cash box)
Garth Brooks-Fresh horses #2
This was another near miss from appearing on the Australian side of my site, I guess we Aussies were open to making Garth Brooks a household name here but ultimately decided against it when we got our hands on this follow-up to In pieces from the main list. As he was already a household name in America, this was naturally a massive success for him on Billboard.
#7 for 1996
Garth Brooks-The limited series
And we're still not done with Garth Brooks yet as we now have a six for one deal to appear on this list similar to P!nk's four for one deal she released here in Australia back in 2007 following the success of her (then) latest album I'm not dead. As far as I'm aware, these are the only two bargain deals to appear on my site, giving you an idea of how well-loved Garth and P!nk are in America and Australia respectively.
#44 for 1998
Master P-MP da last don #1x2
This is the only other entry from master P on this list, I guess his time in the spotlight was far shorter than I'd imagined given how much the internet loves to dunk on this guy. For the uninitiated, he's a southern rapper who got his big break with a song called "Make em say uhh" which yes, is every bit as ridiculous as I'm making it out to be.
#31 for 1998
Kid Rock-The rock history #2
Oh hey, it's that guy who mashed up "Sweet home Alabama" with "Werewolves of London" again on this list, this time it's with a greatest hits album that overlooks his early catalogue that goes all the way back to the early 90's. Again, I'm reminded by that quote about not listening to this guy's music, I really wish I can remember just who it is that said that.
#40 for 2000
Ratt-Invasion of your privacy #7
We have another album from hair metal band Ratt on this list, this is their final entry given how the band didn't have any success during the second half of the 80's despite them being one of the forerunners of hair metal in their native America from the first half of the decade. I guess their fellow Americans didn't have any room for them among the likes of Poison and Motley Crue.
#77 for 1985 (#25 cash box)
Bobby McFerrin-Simple pleasures #5
Ah yes, the man who scored a massive hit with a song many still consider to be one of the worst of all time, not to mention a song that arguably only got popular due to it being attached to the Cocktail soundtrack from earlier on this list. If you can believe it, this isn't even Bobby McFerrin's only album even if it's the only one he ever saw success with.
Hit singles
Don't worry be happy #1
#58 for 1988 (#23 cash box)
Mary J Blige-My life #7
The rest of the world was still a long way off from Mary J Blige scoring a massive hit with "Family affair," however at least the kiwis were starting to take notice of her music given how this spawned a few minor charting hits for her over there. Of course, in her native America, this simply continued her success that her earlier entry on this list had brought her.
#20 for 1995 (#34 cash box)
Dan Fogelberg and Tim Weisberg-Twin sons of different mothers #8
This is a collaboration album between folk singer Dan Fogelberg and flutist Tim Weisberg, apparently, they did more than one album together even if this was by far the more successful of the collaborations they had. Naturally it was only a success on Billboard as I doubt anyone not from America knows who either of these men are.
#35 for 1978 (cash box)
#57 for 1979
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