Billboard albums VII

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.

Two of my favourite comedies of the 90's are the first two Austin Powers flicks, the second one in particular as it has the funnier gags which most people seem to agree with given how it was a much bigger hit than the first one. They have their detractors, namely those who feel the James Bond flicks are already ridiculous to the point where these parodies are redundant, however the fans far outweigh them. Just like in Australia and NZ, the soundtrack to the second film was a huge hit in America.

Peak position #5

Hit singles

American woman #49

Beautiful stranger #19

#70 for 1999

As we start to see fewer top ten entries on this list, I should point out that the Billboard charts more than any others around the world had an issue with static chart runs, meaning that most of these albums with lower peak positions would easily outrank many of the albums on my other all-time lists based on my points system. I bring this up here because, well there's not much I can add to this entry that I didn't cover during the other times I talked about it.

Peak position #11

Hit singles

Tonight I'm yours #20

Young Turks #5

#83 for 1981 (cash box)

#47 for 1982 (#63 cash box)

It's a bit odd to see this live album appear so low on this list given how immensely popular it was internationally for Phil Collins, I guess there's that rule again for non-American artists struggling to repeat their success on Billboard even after they've established themselves over there. In any case, his reputation as a killer live act was enough to make this a success for him over there.

Peak position #11

#31 for 1991

Much like the rest of the world, this was a solid hit for John Lennon in America likely because this was billed as his final album before his retirement which lasted for the remainder of the 70's. In case you were wondering, this was a near miss for becoming a candidate on my UK list from a while back.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

Stand by me #20

#100 for 1975 (cash box)

Even in America where Beatles nostalgia was less prominent over the years, it appears that this live album from the Beatles concert at the Hollywood bowl was worthy of reliving seven years after the band called it quits. The success of these albums post breakup reportedly convinced the band to patch things up for a reunion, sadly this never came to be.

Peak position #2

#52 for 1977 (cash box)

Unlike in NZ where this kept rebounding on their charts whenever one of the singles was released over there, this was a success upon its initial release in America for Prince and didn't come back whenever one of the singles was released on Billboard. I'm willing to bet that us Aussies didn't even realise he had an album between Parade and Lovesexy given how much of a failure this was here.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

Sign of the times #3

If I was your girlfriend #67

U got the look #2

I could never take the place of your man #10

#47 for 1987 (#23 cash box)

We're going to get through every release from the Rolling stones by the end of this list (at least their post 1974 material) so there was no doubt that this live album from them was a shoe in for this list as well as proof that they would thrive during the MTV era early on.

Peak position #5

Hit singles

Going a go go #25

#31 for 1982 (cash box)

Even though his debut album was a massive success in his native UK, there still wasn't any indication that Howard Jones would see crossover success in America given how his main rival Nik Kershaw saw no success on the Billboard charts. This success came when the second single became a surprise hit for him on Billboard, more so when you consider that it's far from his biggest hit on the UK charts.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

Like to get to know you well #49

Things can only get better #5

Life in one day #19

No one is to blame #4

#39 for 1985 (#37 cash box)

This was a modest hit upon its initial release in Richard Marx's homeland, I guess his fellow Americans felt there wasn't any need for another Bryan Adams or Sting when it first came out. They eventually changed their minds when the fourth single became a chart topper for him on Billboard ("Hold on to the nights" for the uninitiated) which even encouraged us Aussies to check out what the fuss was about.

Peak position #8

Hit singles

Should've known better #3

Endless summer nights #2

#97 for 1987

#8 for 1988

We have one final entry from Jackson Browne on this list, this one coming to us from the peak of the MTV era which he managed to survive in his homeland and even here in Australia to an extent. What's weird is that his next album spawned his biggest hit in both countries with "You're a friend of mine" despite said album bombing on both charts.

Peak position #8

Hit singles

Lawyers in love #13

#49 for 1983

It took us long enough, but we finally have the big comeback from Bryan Adams in the early 90's, at least it's his comeback as far as the rest of the world is concerned given how much worse it did for him in America. I guess Americans felt that the Robin hood soundtrack deserved the credit for his big hit from the album given how that appears on there as well as on here.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

I do it for you #1 (#1 airplay)

Can't stop this thing we started #2

There will never be another tonight #31

Thought I'd died and gone to heaven #13 (#14 airplay)

#43 for 1991 (cash box)

#23 for 1992 (#41 cash box)

This is the final candidate for the list for Bad company as we've looked at all their successful albums on here barring their debut which was released prior to the eligible period for albums to appear on this list. Even then, this would still be dead last in their catalogue which is odd because this was their second biggest album here in Australia and their native UK.

Peak position #3

Hit singles

Feel like making love #10

#46 for 1975 (#46 cash box)

I'm less surprised this wasn't even bigger in America than I am this even found success here in Australia, granted it was minimal success to the point where I doubt most Aussies would even realise this was a hit back in the day, but success nonetheless. What I do know is that this was an instant hit for Lou Rawls in his homeland due to how well RNB singers of colour were doing throughout the 70's on Billboard.

Peak position #7

Hit singles

You'll never find another love like mine #2

#84 for 1976 (#51 cash box)

I should point out that while Breakin was a box office success back in the day, it wasn't exactly the most successful film of the 80's like its cult following would have you believe. Speaking of, it's interesting this has a dedicated fanbase as critics consider this as one of the worst films of the decade despite the soundtrack being a massive worldwide success due to its catchy breakdance tunes.

Peak position #8

Hit singles

Breaking #9

#76 for 1984 (#29 cash box)

I would've thought Bob Dylan would have all of his entries cleared by now given how well Americans did on the Billboard charts in the 70's compared to the rest of the world, evidently he was an exception to the rule as we have his collaboration with the Canadian band err..... the Band (that name honestly.)

Peak position #7

Hit in 1975

And we're not done with Bob Dylan yet as we have another entry from the folk legend that found more success internationally than it did at home for him. This time it's his final album of the 70's as well as what his fans will tell you is his final good album given how his 80's material divides fans to this day.

Peak position #3

#42 for 1979 (cash box)

While he didn't reach the dizzying heights of success in his homeland that he achieved internationally, Boz Scaggs was nonetheless able to find success with the three albums that I've featured prior to this list on my site on Billboard, proving that he did have a fanbase with his fellow Americans. That said, he too was unable to survive the MTV era transition which is why this is his final entry on this list.

Peak position #8

Hit singles

Breakdown dead ahead #15

#37 for 1980 (#31 cash box)

Well at least we're back to the proper title of this greatest hits album from Barbra Streisand, although I guess the Brits were on to something by rebranding it to Love songs given how it saw more success in the UK than it did anywhere else in the world. Heck this was only a modest success for her in her homeland despite how well she did since her earlier greatest hits album on Billboard.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

Memory #52

#55 for 1982 (#50 cash box)

It's strange to think that despite initially having more success in America than he did anywhere else in the world, that in the long run Elton John would find the least amount of success over there compared to everywhere else. This is because the Americans never quite welcomed him back into the mainstream after his first "retirement" which he took shortly after releasing this live album.

Peak position #4

#47 for 1976 (cash box)

While admittedly this wasn't the overwhelming success that Yes achieved in their homeland, this was nonetheless a decent success for them in America given how well the prog band did on Billboard during the first half of the 70's. There would be a quiet period between this and their 1983 comeback, mainly due to lineup changes which involved the Buggles of all people.

Peak position #8

#48 for 1977 (cash box)

You can thank us Aussies for why this saw success in Warren Zevon's homeland as this and the lead single proved to be more successful here than it did for him on Billboard (likely due to a Countdown performance that's now lost media.) Unfortunately, he's a one album wonder in both countries even though the lead single endures on oldies stations to this day.

Peak position #8

Hit singles

Werewolves of London #21

#54 for 1978 (#66 cash box)

I was not expecting this to be a sleeper hit over in America, mainly because the film was a huge critical and commercial success back in the day to the point where it was nominated for several Oscars back when that actually meant something. It appears it was us Aussies that made this a massive success which is likely due to Bette Midler having a massive hit here with her debut album six years prior.

Peak position #12

Hit singles

The rose #3

#12 for 1980 (#33 cash box)

It's a good thing I decided to include a bonus list for the 80's back in the day, otherwise I'd have to justify how on earth this made it on the list when it was caught between two years to appear on a yearend list on my site. In any case, we have the final album Neil Diamond saw any success with for the longest time, indeed this is his final successful studio album on Billboard given how his comeback from the 90's didn't happen in his homeland.

Peak position #9

Hit singles

Heartlight #5

#64 for 1982 (cash box)

#58 for 1983

You're probably wondering how on earth the title track from this second album from Warrant did so well here in Australia, honestly your guess is as good as mine as while the album was a success on Billboard, that was mainly due to the momentum they had from their previous album in their homeland as the singles certainly didn't do well enough to entice us Aussies to check out what the fuss was about.

Peak position #7

Hit singles

Cherry pie #10

I saw red #10

#21 for 1991

I know that Kiss did appear on Countdown during its run, however I only have proof that it was after their "sellout" album which they already saw massive success within Australia and NZ. I bring this up because I could've sworn this was a massive success in the southern hemisphere due to how well it did in their homeland, alas this wasn't the case which makes their backlash on the internet all the more puzzling to me.

Peak position #9

Hit singles

I was made for loving you #11

Sure know something #47

#94 for 1979 (#55 cash box)

While it wasn't as influential as Countdown was, Countdown revolution did have its success stories here in Australia with Faith no more arguably being the most prominent example given how they performed the lead single to their third album on the show which helped it take off on our charts. This is despite the fact they had very limited success with this album on Billboard, so much so you have to wonder how the show had even heard of them to begin with.

Peak position #11

Hit singles

Epic #9

Falling to pieces #92

#41 for 1990 (#24 cash box)

Given how well this did internationally for ZZ Top, it's a big strange to see that it was only a moderate success for them in their homeland which suggests there wasn't as much nostalgic love for their back catalogue in America as there was internationally when it saw the light of day. This means that their subsequent follow ups were definitely failures on the Billboard charts.

Peak position #9

#56 for 1992 (#40 cash box)

Given how inescapable the singles were from this debut album from Silverchair in Australia and NZ, it makes sense that it would see a ton of success in America even if none of the singles were released on Billboard due to them being a rock band. Unlike here in Australia where they were among the most successful bands of all time, they're a one album wonder in America since their follow ups all bombed on Billboard.

Peak position #9

#77 for 1995 (#36 cash box)

#83 for 1996

Although the album was a modest success at best in her homeland, it makes sense how this debut from Joan Osborne did so well here in Australia given how inescapable its lead single was worldwide. This actually came fairly close to appearing on the UK list I made a while back as it did chart high over there, however it was too minor of a hit to make the landing.

Peak position #9

Hit singles

One of us #4 (#5 airplay)

#29 for 1996

Well, it's been a hot minute since we've seen an entry from Santana, here they are with their live album which did just OK on the Billboard charts which is odd considering how huge it was here in Australia back in the day. Again, I should point out that many of these recent entries on this list were sleeper hits in America, however I feel being a sleeper hit isn't good enough incentive for the rest of the world to check out an album based on its success over there.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

She's not there #27

#100 for 1977 (cash box)

From what I can gather, this movie was the percussor to the likes of Love actually or Crash as there's several stories that intertwine with each other to form a coherent plot. It wasn't well received back in the day, likely because (at least according to the internet) this is a formula that can never work (something I disagree with.) At least the soundtrack was big in America, likely due to it having an Oscar winning song on the track list.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

Thank god it's Friday #22

Last dance #3

#60 for 1978 (#63 cash box)

If you can believe it, this is the only album from a Neighbours cast member to make it on this list, although admittedly had I included 21st century releases, Fever from Kylie Minogue would've made it on this list already given how big that was on Billboard. This feels unlike anything else to come from the show as it's more in line with the alt rock scene of the 90's, hence why it did so well and why the label refused to release a single over there.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

Torn #42 (#1 airplay)

#32 for 1998

OK I really don't know how this managed to be such a huge success here in Australia given how long it's taken me to feature it on this list, again it could be a Countdown performance that's currently lost media. If that's the case, it explains why it was such a massive hit here and only a minor success at best in NZ given how the kiwis were likely following our lead to make it a hit.

Peak position #9

Hit singles

Hold the line #5

I'll supply the love #45

Georgy porgy #48

#19 for 1979 (#32 cash box)

Given how we've mentioned both of Enigma's big albums on this list already, I bet you were wondering if I had forgotten about Enya on this list. It turns out I haven't as this really was the best she could do in America despite kick starting the new age genre throughout the rest of the world with her second album from 1988. Why this was the album America decided to make her a star out of is anyone's guess.

Peak position #9

#31 for 1996

It's been a while since we look at Pearl jam hasn't it? Much like the rest of the world, their popularity was beginning to decline in their homeland following the release of their third album even if they were able to debut at number one on Billboard with little hassle. We'll be looking at their next album further down the list, meaning we'll cover all their 90's material when that happens.

Peak position #1x2

Hit singles

Who you are #31

#57 for 1996

I would ask the question of how this did so well here in Australia where it was only a decent success at best in Chicago's homeland, but then I figured it was due to artist momentum more than anything given how this was what the band released after their magnum opus from the top of this list. Honestly, it's more that this album failed everywhere else in the world that's surprising.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

Baby what a big surprise #4

#40 for 1977 (cash box)

I doubt most people realise this is a soundtrack to a film that very few likely realise even exists rather than a compilation album of some of the biggest music of the mid to late 70's. It was a massive hit worldwide despite the failure of the film it was commissioned for, so much so that it likely served as a gateway entry for many of the artists on here that only saw success on Billboard prior to its release.

Peak position #5

Hit singles

FM #22

#61 for 1978 (#46 cash box)

This is the only successful album Little river band had in America, I'm a bit torn with this information mainly because existing clips from Countdown will tell you they were inescapable over there by the end of the 70's which I admittedly found confusing given how they only had one inescapable album here in Australia. This isn't even that album, although you can argue this was a hit over there due to a peak in their popularity.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

Lonesome loser #6

#49 for 1979 (cash box)

This is one of only two entries from the Cure on this list, the other being their previous album that spawned their biggest hit on Billboard which we'll get to in a bit. It's a bit hard to tell why this was a success for them in America given how a lot of their 80's material crashed and burned over there, I guess the Americans didn't know what to think of their brand of gothic rock at the time.

Peak position #2

Hit singles

High #42

Friday I'm in love #18

#55 for 1992 (#50 cash box)

If you were hoping to see an appearance from Return of the Jedi on this list, I'm afraid that won't be the case as that was a massive bomb for the Star Wars franchise back in 1983 even in America. Fortunately, the fourth soundtrack managed to be a success on Billboard likely due to it being a surprise hit internationally even though the film remains polarising to this day.

Peak position #3

#99 for 1999

How has it taken me this long to feature an album from Korn on this list? Then again, you've probably noticed an uptake of albums from the late 90's lately which should tell you just how chaotic the Billboard charts had become during the final stretch of the twentieth century. In any case, this fourth album from the nu metal band was the best they could do in their homeland despite it not being the case internationally.

Peak position #1x1

#19 for 2000

If you thought it was odd that there wasn't a lot of EDM on the UK lists, this is one of the lucky few albums from that genre that found any sort of success in America given how inescapable Technotronic was throughout the world when the 90's began. It appears it was only in Australia and throughout Europe that this was a sign of things to come as no other EDM group of the decade found success with their albums outside of these regions.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

Pump up the jam #2

Get up #7

#33 for 1990 (#29 cash box)

While I'm not the biggest Adam Sandler fan, even I can admit that this is one of his best movies if only because it doesn't rely on him appealing to the lowest common denominator from the late 90's (that of course being slackers.) It appears this is a sentiment that's shared across the internet as well as critics from when it first came out, that and its accompanying soundtrack is basically a greatest hits of the 80's release.

Peak position #5

#34 for 1998

I bet you're surprised at how low this album is given how this was a massive worldwide hit for Amy Grant, admittedly this is due to the lead single being a surprise hit in the UK which allowed us Aussies and kiwis to follow suit in making it a success for her, but it could also be how well the other singles did on the Billboard charts even if only one other track managed to find international success for her.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

Baby baby #1 (#1 airplay)

Every heartbeat #2 (#2 airplay)

#15 for 1991 (#29 cash box)

#24 for 1992

It actually took a while for Billy Joel to release a live album in his career, although considering how long it took for his fellow Americans to make him a household name, I guess he was simply waiting for the right moment to release this album which happened to be right when the MTV era had launched.

Peak position #8

#41 for 1981 (cash box)

#98 for 1982

Much like here in Australia, this was a sleeper hit for Madonna in her homeland given how this bounced in and out of the top twenty on Billboard whenever she released a new single. Unlike here in Australia, the singles were much weaker over there (barring "Lucky star" which was the big hit on Billboard) to the point where he debut single "Burning up" failed to chart over there like it did down under.

Peak position #8

Hit singles

Holiday #16

Lucky star #4

Borderline #10

#17 for 1984 (#41 cash box)

#25 for 1985

Even though it was panned by critics upon its release, Last action hero regardless remains a cult classic thanks to how over the top the action is as well as having a ton of fun with its premise (sounds like a movie I need to watch to confirm if this is true.) Given that the soundtrack is a who's who of alternative rock, it's little surprise it was a massive hit in America as well as a decent hit in NZ.

Peak position #7

Hit singles

Big gun #65

Two steps behind #12

#49 for 1993 (#47 cash box)

This managed to sneak onto this list due to peaking in the early months of 1975 despite being a 1974 release, this is good because I can now truthfully say that every member of the Beatles has had a solo entry featured on this list. Interestingly, Ringo's fellow Brits weren't too interested in his solo career given how he failed to appear on the UK list I did which included entries from the early 70's.

Peak position #8

Hit singles

Only you #6

No on song #3

#61 for 1975 (#74 cash box)

This was another near miss for my UK list given how it didn't quite rack up enough points to appear on that side of my site, this means that it was more of a success in America for Wings which likely means that their fellow Brits were ready to say goodbye to this phase of Paul McCartney's career over the rest of the world.

Peak position #8

#47 for 1979 (cash box)

Given how their final album was their most successful in America just like it was in most places outside of their native UK, it's interesting to see that this greatest hits album from the Police didn't do that well on Billboard even though Sting was one of the hottest stars in the world following its release. I guess Americans wanted him to move on from his time with the trio much more than the rest of us.

Peak position #7

Hit singles

Don't stand so close to me 86 #46

#86 for 1987

While I wouldn't call this an EDM album (mainly because it's more in line with disco, which further proves that the disco backlash was not a thing even in America) this does have the same feel of an EDM track given how it's essentially a collage of older tracks strung together by a dance beat which would've made its success be unavoidable had it been released a decade later.

Peak position #9

Hit singles

Stars on 45 #1

#80 for 1981 (#53 cash box)

Even though this is the final entry from John Mellencamp on this list, he still has two more candidates for this list that I'll cover in the bonus list section given how his fellow Americans somewhat kept him around throughout the 90's. Even so, this does feel like it was only a big success on Billboard due to how well he did throughout the 80's not just in America but throughout the entire world.

Peak position #7

Hit singles

Pop singer #15

Jackie brown #48

#58 for 1989

Although this didn't do as well in America as it did in their homeland, this third album from Tears for fears nonetheless was a massive success on Billboard which makes its borderline failure in the southern hemisphere all the more confusing given how the rest of the world managed to wait it out for this album for the four years it took to for it to come out following their earlier entry on this list.

Peak position #8

Hit singles

Sowing the seeds of love #2

Woman in chains #36

#38 for 1989 (cash box)

#66 for 1990

Dear A.V club circa 1999, how on earth is this album from RHCP considered inessential when it was a massive worldwide hit upon its initial release? Granted it was way bigger in Australia and NZ and yes it was a disappointment compared to their previous album, but it only barely missed out on appearing on my UK list and was a decent hit in their homeland as well.

Peak position #4

#109 for 1995 (#45 cash box)

#64 for 1996

I bet you forgot that Live had more than one successful album throughout the 90's, here they are with the follow-up to their earlier entry on this list which proved to be far less popular in their homeland than it was internationally despite debuting at number one on the Billboard charts. Again, this is due to how chaotic the Billboard charts were during the second half of the 90's compared to the rest of the twentieth century.

Peak position #1x1

#42 for 1997

It turns out this took a year to find success in Australia and NZ for Yanni given how it was a hit on Billboard a year prior to when it saw the light of day on our charts. Admittedly I don't think we knew who this guy was prior to this becoming a surprise success for him, however we certainly did know who he before too long.

Peak position #5

#38 for 1994

#54 for 1995

I wasn't expecting Madonna to have the bulk of success throughout the 90's come from here in Australia, however that seems to be the case as even her fellow Americans didn't give her the inescapable hits on Billboard she had on our charts. You can blame her acting career which only had three roles at this point that weren't Razzie nominated (four if you count her entire filmography) or it could just be how much we Aussies loved her back catalogue.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

You'll see #6 (#10 airplay)

Love don't live here anymore #78

#36 for 1996

While this was a disappointment for Stone temple pilots even in their native America, the fact it nonetheless was a massive success for them worldwide ensured that it was a mistake for them to kick Scott Weiland out of the group when they made their next album. Indeed, there was a good chance they could've recovered from this blunder had they simply stuck to their guns rather than panic at the lowered success numbers.

Peak position #4

#41 for 1996

I should remind my readers that I only include stats for songs that charted in Australia and NZ back in the day, meaning that I have to point out here that this was the album that spawned David Bowie's first chart topper on Billboard in the form of "Fame" which somehow failed to chart anywhere else in the world for him.

Peak position #9

Hit singles

Young Americans #28

#19 for 1975 (#40 cash box)

You better believe we're even revisiting the more obscure entries from the Rolling stones on this list including this live album that I doubt many people remember, they were unstoppable in America just like they were internationally which should become apparent by the end of this list.

Peak position #5

#53 for 1977 (cash box)

Given how this was a decent hit for Barbra Streisand in Australia and NZ (more accurately, it benefitted from a slow year in music in both countries) it seems natural that it would be a shoe in for this list even as we get closer to the back end of it. If you can believe it, it's her only successful live album even in her homeland despite being well known for her live performances.

Peak position #9

#94 for 1987 (#41 cash box)

Whereas this was simply another success for Elton John internationally, it was a massive comeback for him in America given how he hadn't had a successful album on Billboard since Blue moves from 1976. Granted he did have odd hit single here and there, however no album he released between these two saw any kind of success in America like they did internationally.

Peak position #8

Hit singles

The one #9 (#8 airplay)

The last song #23

#59 for 1992 (#34 cash box)

#90 for 1993

You're probably wondering if it was possible in the 70's and 80's to have a successful album in America despite none of its singles charting on Billboard. It turns out it was for Elvis Costello as his breakthrough album was a massive success over there despite the lead single never seeing the light of day (likely because of that racial slur which was edited out of the single version.)

Peak position #10

#77 for 1979 (#66 cash box)

Of all the British albums to find success in America, this is among the stranger cases given how Lisa Stansfield only saw moderate success in Australia and NZ with her debut album despite it spawning a massive chart topper for her in her native UK. That said, she's a one album wonder in America just like she is everywhere in the world outside of her homeland.

Peak position #9

Hit singles

All around the world #3

#28 for 1990 (#35 cash box)

Given how Yes were a prog band who were big during the 70's, it makes sense that they would see success in America even if that success was limited by them being non-Americans charting on Billboard. As such, this was a bigger deal for them in their homeland even if their fellow Brits weren't too big on rock albums.

Peak position #5

#78 for 1975 (cash box)

If you can believe it, this album saw most of its success here in Australia for Christopher Cross given how it appears higher on the Australian equivalent of this list than it does this one. That said, it was another near miss for my UK list where it was his most successful album, I guess the Brits needed some convincing to make him a success over there which came with this release.

Peak position #11

Hit singles

All right #12

#50 for 1983 (cash box)

Even though this was a hit upon its initial release in America, the fact that it did better everywhere else in the world should tell you just how unloved her music is by her fellow Americans. Again, you can thank us Aussies for making this the success it was internationally given how the second single is easily one of the biggest of all time down under to this day.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

After all #6

If I could turn back time #3

Just like Jessie James #8

#80 for 1989 (#42 cash box)

#43 for 1990

Whereas the rest of the world welcomed Rod Stewart back with open arms with this album (however briefly that welcome was) the Americans were a bit sceptical with allowing this 70's icon a bestselling album two decades after his breakthrough which resulted in this being a mere decent success for him on Billboard. Of course, this makes the success of his MTV unplugged album over there all the more bizarre.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

Rhythm of my heart #5 (#11 airplay)

The Motown song #10

Broken arrow #20

Have I told you lately #5 (#7 airplay)

#38 for 1991

I'm kind of cheating with this album as this is technically Wham's third album as opposed to a greatest hits release like it is internationally, however this was released exclusively in America in lieu of that greatest hits album which makes it more than worthy of it standing in for the Final for this list. As for this "album," it's just a bunch of songs that didn't make it onto the first two albums to fill out their contractual obligation.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

I'm your man #3

A different corner #7

The edge of heaven #10

Hit in 1986

I'm a huge sucker for camptastic films such as Coyote ugly, sure the story is cliched as hell even by the time it was released in 2000, however the bar scenes are a ton of fun and the music is solid and catchy. The latter was enough for the soundtrack to be a decent hit in America months prior to it becoming an unexpected success here in Australia, likely due to this doubling as an image makeover for Leann Rimes.

Peak position #9

Hit singles

Can't fight the moonlight #11

#135 for 2000

#31 for 2001

Well at least the Cranberries third album managed to be a huge success for them in America even if this means that we're featuring it over their debut which was only a sleeper hit at best on the Billboard charts. The album was also able to spawn a few charting singles on Billboard which is another improvement over their previous albums as their earlier entry on this list didn't have this luxury.

Peak position #4

Hit singles

Free to decide #22

When you're gone #22

#194 for 1996

I think this is another victory for us Aussies given how this was more of a success for Manfred Mann and company here than anywhere else in the world. That said, the trade-off in America seemed to be that the lead single was a chart topper for the band on Billboard, however the lead single was a huge success on our charts albeit as a sleeper success, so it's not much of a trade-off.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

Blinded by the light #1

#99 for 1977

This is one of the earlier albums to be released in America that debuted hit on the Billboard charts only to quickly sink down the charts, such was the fate for Peter Gabriel who took his sweet time in following up on the success of his earlier entry on this list to the point where it was a miracle this was a success at all, let alone during the purge of 80's music that took place upon its release.

Peak position #2

Hit singles

Digging the dirt #52

Steam #52

#81 for 1993

Given how quickly her studio albums appeared on this list early on, it's a bit surprising to see this greatest hits album from Janet Jackson appear so low on this list as you'd think her fellow Americans would go out of their way to support this album back in the day like the rest of the world did. I guess this explains why the bonus track failed to get to number one on Billboard if this underperformed over there.

Peak position #3

Hit singles

Runaway #3 (#3 airplay)

#143 for 1995

#55 for 1996

Again, there was no stopping Metallica from dominating the charts worldwide in the late 90's given how this greatest hits/covers album managed to be a huge success for them just as the decade was coming to an end in their homeland. What would need to happen in order to halt their success is if a pirate site caught their attention and they took a stance against piracy on the internet.

Peak position #2

#27 for 1999

You knew this album would be on here given how the world went nuts at the possibility of new Beatles material during the midpoint of the 90's. Indeed, it managed to be a genuine success for the fab four in America as opposed to being a "fan release" that happened to rack up enough points to appear on this site prior to this list.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Real love #11

#39 for 1996

You can file Soundgarden into the increasing category of American rock bands that found more success in Australia and NZ throughout the 90's, this once again confirms my theory that not releasing songs as singles did more harm than good to these albums even if the singles from this album didn't light up the charts in either country. This would be the last we'd heard from these guys as they would break up soon after its release.

Peak position #2

#47 for 1996

I'm honestly shocked this wasn't a bigger success for the Wu Tang clan in their homeland given how even we Aussies allowed it to crack our top ten upon its initial release. It managed to appear on here due to how well it did in NZ where hip hop was only limited to the singles charts, meaning that the fellow Americans of this group had no excuse to not make this a bigger success for them.

Peak position #1x1

#30 for 1997

Well at least this album managed to be a success upon its initial release in Faith Hill's native America, although considering how low it is on this list, it's easy to think it simply fell out of the charts when in reality it bounced in and out of the Billboard top twenty whenever one of the singles caught on over there. Even so, it's odd that this only became a worldwide hit once the hype died down in her homeland.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Breathe #2 (#2 airplay)

The way you love me #6 (#12 airplay)

#16 for 2000

#34 for 2001

If it seems odd that this album is so low on the list, I can only imagine your shock when you realise that it failed to spawn a hit single for U2 in America despite how inescapable the lead single was internationally for the band (at least on the radio.) Even though their success continued well into the 21st century, their subsequent releases didn't fare that much better in America moving forward.

Peak position #3

Hit singles

Beautiful day #21

Stuck in a moment you can't get out of #52

#153 for 2000

#26 for 2001

We have an appearance on the main list from Patti Labelle, although this was second to her 1986 solo effort when it come to the most successful album she released in her native America which failed to make it onto the main list due to how much of a failure it was internationally. Indeed, this was only a success here in Australia due to the lead single tickling our fancy when it came out.

Peak position #7

Hit singles

Lady marmalade #1

#67 for 1975 (#87 cash box)

While this was a decent hit for Rod Stewart in America, it was a far cry from what it achieved throughout the rest of the world given how it already would've appeared on the Australian, NZ and UK equivalent of this list. Still the lead single was a huge hit for him over there, so perhaps this was merely a trade-off for him on Billboard.

Peak position #12

Hit singles

Passion #5

#89 for 1981 (#54 cash box)

You didn't think I forgot about Pink Floyd's live albums, did you? Here we are with the biggest hit of the bunch which was a massive success for them in Australia and NZ as well as a decent hit for them in America. This unfortunately was too minor of a hit to appear on my UK list given how the Brits were not impressed with seeing Roger Daltrey on lead vocals.

Peak position #11

#75 for 1989 (#34 cash box)

Want to know something crazy about this album? It only barely failed to appear on the UK list I made a while back as it actually topped the UK charts despite how much of a disaster the film was for Prince. Indeed, I get the feeling this was only a hit out of kindness as the film made him out to be one of the worst actors of all time despite only having three performances to judge off of.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

Thieves in the temple #6

#41 for 1990 (cash box)

Wow has it taken us a long time for me to feature this second album from Alanis Morissette on this list, this is how much of a commercial disappointment this was compared to her earlier entry from near the top of the list which often has this as a disaster for her discography. It wasn't that jarring internationally as this did stick around the Australian and NZ charts for a lot longer than it did on Billboard.

Peak position #1x2

Hit singles

Thank u #17 (#2 airplay)

Unsent #58

#99 for 1998

#46 for 1999

This is the only other entry from the Cure on this list, it was their big break in America given how one of the singles nearly topped the Billboard charts for the band in a year that was filled to the brim with pop divas and last hurrahs from some of the biggest names in music throughout the 80's. This set the band up for massive success over there which only came with their earlier entry on this list.

Peak position #12

Hit singles

Lullaby #74

Lovesong #2

#35 for 1989 (#27 cash box)

I described these guys as being past their prime when I featured this greatest hits album on the Australian side of my site, that clearly isn't the case if you've been reading my bonus section of this list as they managed to get to number one with just about everything they released in America including this greatest hits album they released following the departure of Sammy Hager as their lead vocalist.

Peak position #1x1

#119 for 1996

#58 for 1997

Even though this appears fairly low on this list, this is once again due to how chaotic the Billboard charts were during the second half of the 90's, coincidentally when the Cash box charts became obsolete in 1996 which was the main competition Billboard had for the longest time (much AMR was to ARIA throughout the 90's.) As such, this critically acclaimed album from Janet Jackson probably deserves to be higher on this list than it currently is much like many other entries from the late 90's.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Together again #1 (#8 airplay)

I get lonely #3

#115 for 1997

#27 for 1998

While this wasn't as big in America as it was in the UK for Whitney Houston, it was a surefire hit for her on Billboard regardless due to how inescapable she was throughout the 90's worldwide. This unfortunately activated the greatest hits curse as her 00's output was a complete failure for her throughout the decade.

Peak position #2

Hit singles

#81 for 2000

It appears we Aussies and kiwis were following the lead of the Brits when it came to Tracy Chapman's second album given how it was merely a decent success for her in her homeland despite how inescapable her top entry was on this list on Billboard. It certainly made more sense that her third album was a massive failure for her in her homeland compared to the rest of the world.

Peak position #9

Hit singles

Crossroads #90

#47 for 1989 (cash box)

#73 for 1990

It turns out this was a bit of a sleeper hit for Lenny Kravitz in his homeland, possible due to its failure to spawn a hit single for him on Billboard despite how inescapable the title track was throughout the rest of the world. You know his fellow Americans were no fans of his when this managed to appear higher on my UK list where rock and roll was at a distinct disadvantage especially throughout the 90's.

Peak position #12

Hit singles

Believe #60

Heaven help #80

#37 for 1993 (#18 cash box)

It appears we Aussies were the only people on the planet who loved this album from Robert Palmer outside of its iconic lead single, although at least this was a decent hit for him upon its initial release in America even if it failed to rebound on the Billboard charts like it did on ours. It also failed to spawn a second hit for him like it did here, although that's because it was the lead single for him in his native UK.

Peak position #13

Hit singles

Simply irresistible #2

Early in the morning #19

#69 for 1988 (#41 cash box)

This feels like it was a success for Bruce Springsteen less because it appealed to the masses of the early 90's and more due to his previous album being Tunnel of love which was already a disappointment compared to Born in the USA from the top of this list. He still has one more entry to come on this list, that of course being the album he released the same day as this.

Peak position #2

Hit singles

Human touch #16

#48 for 1992 (#45 cash box)

This is the final entry from Pearl jam on this list, naturally it's their latest entry from them given how each of their albums was less popular than the last in their homeland just like they were here in Australia and NZ. That said, they retained their popularity going into the 21st century in their homeland just like they did in the southern hemisphere.

Peak position #2

Hit singles

Given to fly #21

Wishlist #47

#53 for 1998

I still can't believe just how much of a failure these guys were in the northern hemisphere prior to their top entry on this list, this is yet another entry from them that was close to being featured on the UK list for the record as even their fellow Brits could recognise how talented they are as a live act just like the rest of the world could.

Peak position #8

Hit singles

Dreamer #15

#62 for 1980 (cash box)

And the surprises just keep on coming, I knew that the big hit this spawned here in Australia was due to it being a success in the UK for the Jackson 5, however I really thought that was the result of it being the enth single from the album and not because their fellow Americans mostly passed this up in favour of MJ's solo output.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

Lovely one #12

Can you feel it #77

#51 for 1980 (cash box)

#62 for 1981

It's a good thing this was a decent success here in Australia, otherwise I would've had to skip over this entry from Eddy Grant given how it was too minor of a hit for me to include it on the NZ side of this site. It was also too minor of a hit in his native UK given how this also failed to appear on my UK album list from a while back, making its success in Australia and America all the more puzzling.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

I don't wanna dance #53

Electric avenue #2

#51 for 1983 (#38 cash box)

Much like the rest of the world, there was a bit of an uphill battle when it came to accepting Michael McDonald as the new vocalist of the Doobie brothers given how their previous two albums had Tom Johnson as the lead. As such, this album was a bit of a dud everywhere in the world even if it makes it on this list like it did on the Australian side of my site as a sleeper hit.

Peak position #10

#45 for 1977 (cash box)

I would say that I'm somewhat relieved to see this so low on a list for a change given how there's somewhere in the world that didn't allow this to forever clog up the charts following Freddie Mercury's death a decade after its release, but then I remember that this did come back a decade later in America albeit after a rebrand to capitalise off the band's success in the film Wayne's world.

Peak position #8

#100 for 1982 (#76 cash box)

I somewhat jumped the gun when I said that these guys didn't have any success between their debut album and their earlier entry on this list, it turns out they somewhat had a hit worldwide with this album which managed to top the Billboard charts despite appearing this list on the list. The fact this was a moderate success here in Australia is the biggest surprise to me in terms of its achievements.

Peak position #1x1

#63 for 1994 (#45 cash box)

#186 for 1995

Bonus Billboard albums #3

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.

Jay z-Vol 3 #1x1

We have our second and final entry from Jay z on this list as the rest of his catalogue was from the 21st century which this list doesn't cover. It's interesting to note that his international popularity didn't happen until he started dating Beyonce, meaning that in a way he was piggybacking off her success.

#23 for 2000

Tim McGraw-Everywhere #2

I hope you're not done with seeing Tim McGraw on this list as he still has plenty of other entries to come. This was a mini comeback for him as the album he released between this and his earlier entry on this list saw a dip in popularity in his homeland.

#28 for 1997

#51 for 1998

#189 for 1999

Sarah McLachlan-Mirrorball #3

One of the bigger names on the Billboard charts that saw no success internationally was Sarah McLachlan, here she is with her biggest entry in America which came out around the same time her had a global hit as a featured vocalist on the EDM track "Silence" which was the closest she came to finding any success outside of north America.

#42 for 1999

Mariah Carey-Rainbow #2

Although the lead single was a massive worldwide success for her, it appears that everyone outside of her native America had grown tired of Mariah Carey in the mainstream given how much of a failure this album was for her. It would take a well-publicised meltdown for her fellow Americans to follow suit however she came back bigger than ever in 2005.

Hit singles

Heartbreaker #1 (#8 airplay)

#157 for 1999

#31 for 2000

Kenny G-Miracles #1x3

We have another Christmas album on this list, this time it's from Kenny G who managed to outperform Mariah Carey as this came out the same time her Christmas album was released. To think that album only took off internationally and only because it lost out to Kenny G of all people.

#9 for 1995 (#48 cash box)

Spinners-Pick of the litter #8

Most people will only know these guys for their 1980 hits "Working my way back to you" and "Cupid" due to how big they were in the UK of all places, however their fellow Americans will be pleased to know that they were a massive deal throughout the 70's and were a bit of a well-kept secret on Billboard much like the Ohio players and the Isley brothers were.

#77 for 1975 (cash box)

Joe Walsh-But seriously folks #8

Given how we've seen entries from Glenn Frey and Don Henley throughout my site, it may surprise you to learn that another member of the Eagles managed to achieve solo success even if that success didn't extend past his presence on Billboard. This wasn't even Joe Walsh's biggest success in his homeland as that honour goes to his second album from 1973.

Hit singles

Life's been good #12

#67 for 1978 (#32 cash box)

Jeff Foxworthy-Games people play #8

I'm not familiar with the comedic works of Jeff Foxworthy, I guess that's how you know I'm neither an American nor did I grow up in the 90's as he was apparently all the rage with this album in his homeland. Unlike fellow comedians Dan Aykroyd or Steve Martin, he didn't go on to have a successful Hollywood career.

#52 for 1995 (#42 cash box)

#85 for 1996

Carole King-Thoroughbred #3

Unlike the rests of the world, Carole King managed to retain her success on Billboard following her 1971 breakthrough Tapestry. As such, she would've easily swarmed this list had I allowed albums from the first half of the 70's on here. This was her final successful album in her homeland, curiously it's the one prior to album that had her Hard rock cafe endorsement.

#85 for 1976 (#78 cash box)

Go gos-Vacation #8

We're still yet to come across any of Belinda Carlisle's solo entries on the main list, so the fact that we've already featured two albums from her band the Go go's on this list goes to show how much her fellow Americans preferred her work with the band compared to her solo work back in the day. Heck I'm willing to bet that she only took off internationally due to her second album being a surprise hit in the UK.

Hit singles

Vacation #8

#34 for 1982 (cash box)

Mary J Blige-Share my world #1x1

Even though each album she released proved to be less popular than the last, it appears the trade-off was that they had a higher peak position for Mary J Blige given how this is her highest charting album on this list so far. Again, each new album sparked more and more curiosity in NZ until her worldwide breakthrough in 2001 which gave her a chart topping single on Billboard.

Hit singles

Everything #24

#25 for 1997

#159 for 1998

Soul food soundtrack #4

From what I can gather, Soul food is one of many films from the 90's with a predominately black cast that saw massive success in America. It was well received for being a charming dramady which is perhaps why it managed to spawn several hit singles on Billboard that saw minor international success.

Hit singles

What about us #16

A song for mama #7

We're not making love no more #13

#81 for 1997

#73 for 1998

N.W.A -Efil4zaggin #1x1

I'm taking a page from Rateyourmusic by presenting the name of this album from N.W.A backwards to avoid using a word that will divide readers on this list, naturally this is an album that was made for a specific target audience in mind who came out in droves to make it a chart topper for the hip hop group in their homeland.

#50 for 1991 (#20 cash box)

Sarah McLachlan-Surfacing #2

This came out right before her live album from earlier on this list, meaning this was the album that had put Sarah Mclachlan on the map in America despite already having massive success in her native Canada prior to its release. Her popularity would continue in both countries moving into the 21st century, something that would be contained in north America.

#49 for 1997

#28 for 1998

#45 for 1999

Herb Alpert-Rise #6

Even in his homeland, this album came right out of nowhere for Herb Alpert given how he hadn't found any success in his career since his heyday from a decade prior. Even then, I get the feeling this was only a success due to the title track becoming a surprise hit in certain parts of the world, impressive for an instrumental track from the disco era.

Hit singles

Rise #1

#48 for 1979 (cash box)

#23 for 1980

Fat boys-Crushing #8

Well at least I know why these guys managed to find success in NZ and the UK, it appears the fellow Americans to the Fat boys passed up on their singles in favour of making this album a massive hit for them on Billboard. That said, this wasn't their first attempt at success as they failed three times prior to this taking off.

Hit singles

Wipeout #12

#65 for 1987 (#31 cash box)

Scorpions-Savage amusement #5

This is the only other success that the Scorpions had in America throughout their career, I guess this was due to the German band being in the right place at the right time as they no doubt benefitted from the hair metal craze that seemed to only dominate the Billboard charts and nowhere else in the world.

#33 for 1988 (#33 cash box)

Van Halen-Balance #1x1

Even this far into their career, Van Halen still manages to make it to number one with their albums which is something not a lot of bands and artists can claim regardless of which part of the world we're referring to. This is the final album with Sammy Hagar on vocals, meaning the band was in desperate need for another vocalist moving forward.

#26 for 1995 (#28 cash box)

Linda Ronstadt-Prisoner in disguise #4

This is the album Linda Ronstadt released immediately after she scored a chart topper from the album prior to its release, as you can imagine, this was a rush release from the songstress which means it only found success due to her artist momentum and not for the quality of the album itself.

#28 for 1975 (cash box)

Michael Kamen-Robin hood prince of thieves #5

Kevin Costner's version of Robin Hood still divides audiences to this day, mainly because of his uneven English accent but also due to its more serious tone which many feel takes the charm away from the British fable. One thing that's unanimously praised about the film is the score from composer Michael Kamen, although I get the feeling this took off on Billboard due to it including Bryan Adam's theme song on it.

Hit singles

I do it for you #1 (#1 airplay)

#69 for 1991 (#49 cash box)

Selena-Dreaming of you #1x1

This was a bittersweet success for Selena as she had already been murderer by the time her final album saw the light of day, what's really tragic is that no one in the English-speaking market had heard of her prior to her death which was such a media frenzy that a biopic documenting her life was released a mere two years after it occurred.

Hit singles

I could fall in love #8 (airplay)

#44 for 1995 (#29 cash box)

#123 for 1996

Dave Matthews band-Before these crowded streets #1x1

Here we are with another entry from the Dave Matthews band, this time it's their first album they were able to top the Billboard charts with even though they were widely mocked for their music even back then. From what I can gather, they were the Nickelback of the late 90's given how the overwhelming argument against them is how safe and derivative they are.

#30 for 1998

#77 for 1999

Doobie brothers-One step closer #3

We have one final entry from the Doobie brothers on this list, this one being the follow up to their top entry which really goes to show how fleeting a band's popularity is depending on where in the world you're from. Of course, their popularity continued until they called it quits in their homeland; however, they reunited later in the 80's to little fanfare even on the Billboard charts.

Hit singles

Real love #5

#27 for 1980 (cash box)

#76 for 1981

O'jays-Family reunion #7

You could almost add the O'jays to the list of musicians of colour from the 70's that only found success in America, however they did managed to achieve a massive hit in 1978 with "Use ta be my girl" in NZ which simply puts them in the same category as Earth wind and fire for black artists who found limited international success back in the day. This wasn't the album that spawned that big hit but was regardless their biggest success in America.

#42 for 1976 (#71 cash box)

Trisha Yearwood-Songbook #4

As it turns out, Trisha Yearwood was a D tier country singer who found no success in her career barring her Oscar winning ballad from Con air. This was meant to help fans discover her back catalogue following the success she had with the ballad; however, it appears only her fellow Americans were interested in what else she had to offer as they passed up on her ballad to allow Leann rimes to dominate the Billboard charts with her version.

Hit singles

How do I live #23

#59 for 1997

#71 for 1998

Kenny Loggins-Nightwatch #7

If you can believe it, Kenny Loggins actually had a career outside of making theme songs to some of the most well-known films of the 80's in his career. This was his biggest album which came right before he contributed to the Caddyshack soundtrack which coincidentally spawned the only hit in his career anywhere in the world which wasn't attached to a popular film.

Hit singles

Whenever I call you friend #5

#34 for 1978 (cash box)

Journey-Raised on radio #4

There was no slowing Journey down in their homeland throughout the 80's, in fact they decided to end things on a high note by breaking up a year after they released this album which continued their winning streak on Billboard. I would say this was due to this failing internationally; except they never had any international success even when frontman Steve Perry scored a worldwide hit with "Oh Sherrie."

#36 for 1986 (#34 cash box)

#52 for 1987

ZZ Top-Recycler #6

If you're wondering what happened to ZZ top during the second half of the 80's, they simply took the rest of the decade off following the success of their two entries on the main list. They returned with this album which was only successful in their homeland as the rest of the world had moved on from their brand of rock and roll by the time it saw the light of day.

Hit singles

Double back #50

#51 for 1991

Wynonna Judd-Wynonna #4

Prior to the release of her debut album, Wynonna Judd was one half of the Judds which was a collaborative project with her mother Ashley Judd. The duo didn't see much success together, which makes this solo breakthrough from Wynonna in her homeland all the more puzzling. I guess the mother and daughter duo were simply ahead of their time when it comes to female country music.

#29 for 1992 (#33 cash box)

#64 for 1993

Joni Mitchell-The hissing of summer lawns #4

Joni Mitchell was on a roll in America during the midpoint of the decade given how this is her second entry on this list, again this was a complete failure for her everywhere else in the world except her native Canada where she retained sound success following her debut single "Big yellow taxi."

Hit in 1976

Extreme-Pornograffiti #10

If you're wondering how this album failed to appear anywhere else on this site, there's an urban legend that it was in fact a success worldwide but only briefly as fans of the surprise hit it spawned returned it to the stores in disgust when they realised they purchased a hair metal album in the vein of Motley Crue or Poison. It's only an urban legend, and it falls apart when you consider how well the album did in America.

Hit singles

More than words #1 (#3 airplay)

Hole hearted #4 (#6 airplay)

#23 for 1991 (#17 cash box)

Cat Stevens-Greatest hits #6

Not only was this a candidate for my UK list, but I also even brought it up when we looked at his 1990 entry. This is another artist that would've flooded this list had I allowed albums from the early 70's on here, this more than justifies how well this album did on Billboard back in the day.

#99 for 1975 (#49 cash box)

Diana Ross-Diana Ross #5

This was another candidate for my UK list, I guess we Aussies and kiwis weren't too interested in Diana Ross's career by the mid 70's even though this album spawned not one but two chart toppers for her on Billboard. I'm not sure what to make of this album's failure in the southern hemisphere, the best I can think of is that we were done with Diana's music but changed our minds once the 80's rolled around.

Hit singles

Mahogany #1
Love hangover #1

#41 for 1976 (#65 cash box)

Cars-Panorama #5

Well, I've talked about this album quite a bit whenever we brought up the Cars on this site, time now to finally look at the third album from their discography which did quite well in their homeland even though it was a massive failure for them in Australia and NZ. I bring this up due to the fact that it was us Aussies and kiwis that gave them success initially where their fellow Americans didn't.

Hit singles

Touch and go #37

#38 for 1980 (cash box)

Styx-Pieces of eight #6

And we're still not done with looking over Styx's catalogue as they managed to score a huge success in their homeland with this number, although this is their final entry on this list given how we've officially looked over everything they released during the peak of their popularity from the mid 70's to the early 80's.

#37 for 1978 (cash box)

#7 for 1979 (#69 cash box)

Michael McDonald-If that's what it takes #6

Given how the Doobie brothers were no more by the time the MTV era rolled around (at least temporarily) this was the perfect opportunity for frontman Michael McDonald to launch his solo career which was off to a good start with this album albeit only in his native America. Indeed, his only international solo success was with Patti Labelle on her hit single "Own my own."

#25 for 1982 (cash box)

John Cafferty-Eddie and the cruisers #9

From what I can gather, this is a soundtrack to a film known as Eddie and the cruisers which is a movie I and most others have never heard of but was clearly popular enough for this album to be a success for John Cafferty who provided the music for the soundtrack. I guess this was something that took off from home media because its box office stats are abysmal.

#48 for 1984 (cash box)

Ruff Ryders-Ride or die #1x1

Now technically, I should disqualify this album as it's a compilation release which Billboard finally allowed on their album charts given how we've skipped over a few Now releases from the late 90's. I've allowed this on here as it's a compilation album comprised specifically of rappers on a specific label, in this case, the Ruff Ryders label.

#35 for 1999

Allman brothers-Enlightened rogues #9

In case you were wondering, the 1973 album Brothers and sisters was a candidate for my early 70's list on the Australian side of my site that I decided against including on that list, this is largely why I'm apprehensive with including albums from the early 70's on this site due to the lack of stats there are for the album charts in Australia and NZ. That out of the way, we have this comeback album from the Allman brothers which became a hit for them following the divorce frontman Greg Allman had with Cher shortly before its release.

#76 for 1979 (#56 cash box)

Eric Clapton-Another ticket #7

This came close to appearing on the NZ side of my site as it did crack their top ten back in the day for Eric Clapton, alas it was too minor of a hit to appear on my site prior to its appearance on this list. This was the last anyone had heard from the blues legend for over a decade until he appeared on the soundtrack to a now long forgotten film Rush.

#72 for 1981 (#44 cash box)

Outfield-Play deep #9

File this in the category of a British band finding success in America but nowhere else in the world, this time it's the Outfield who despite being a complete failure in their native UK, managed to achieve massive success on Billboard with their debut album despite the music being out of place on what it was competing with in America.

#17 for 1986 (#20 cash box)

Emotions-Rejoice #7

This was the only success that the Emotions were able to achieve even in their native America, admittedly it was mainly due to it spawning a massive chart topper on Billboard that became an international success for the trio, however they had other hits in NZ of all places that didn't even touch the American charts.

Hit singles

Best of my love #1

#74 for 1977 (#33 cash box)

Teddy Pendergrass-Teddy #5

If you're wondering who on earth Teddy Pendergrass is, he's an American soul singer in the vein of Lionel Richie or Marvin Gaye who scored a massive hit with his third album on the Billboard charts. This was his only success in his career, likely due to him getting big right when the supposed disco backlash was in full swing.

#88 for 1979 (#36 cash box)

Reba McEntire-It's your call #8

Reba McEntire has been active in the industry since the mid 70's; however, she got her big break nearly two decades later with this album due to how country had taken over the mainstream in America throughout the 90's. As such, she has other entries to come on this bonus list of mine including several that charted higher than this did.

#19 for 1993 (#26 cash box)

Shai-If I ever fall in love #6

Apparently, these guys are still together to this day, this is odd given how they only have one successful album to their name and that success was largely confided to the Billboard charts. Admittedly they did see a ton of international success with the title track of their debut album, however that's about all anyone outside of their native America knows about them.

Hit singles

If I ever fall in love #2 (#2 airplay)

Comforter #10 (#8 airplay)

#28 for 1993 (#21 cash box)

Barenaked ladies-Stunt #3

This is the only entry from Barenaked ladies on this list, mainly because it was their breakthrough album on the American charts given how their earlier albums were only hits in their native Canada and nowhere else in the world. The lead single was a huge hit here in Australia; however, it's largely known as one of many songs form the late 90's that's been used for trailer fodder for (usually terrible) films.

Hit singles

One week #1 (#2 airplay)

#33 for 1998

#51 for 1999

Al Jarreau-Breaking away #9

This is the only notable success that Al Jarreau had throughout his career even in his native America, he seems like yet another knockoff of Lionel Richie which I'm guessing the rest of the world had little room for given how Lionel himself was struggling for mainstream relevancy during the first stretch of the 80's.

Hit singles

We're in this together #15

#40 for 1981 (cash box)

#21 for 1982

Commodores-Live #3

This came close to appearing on the NZ side of my site, in fact it probably deserves to be on my 1978 list given how it had the misfortune of coming out during the summer break of 1977/1978 over there where it no doubt saw the bulk of its success. In any case, it was a decent hit in the Commodores homeland likely due to how much they were on a roll in America.

#55 for 1978 (#69 cash box)

Charlie Daniels band-Million mile reflections #5

This is the only notable success that the Charlie Daniels band had even in their homeland, likely due to how big the lead single was on Billboard which was incentive enough for us Aussies to make a hit just as the 70's was coming to an end. The best way I can describe their music is if country and prog decided to get along with each other.

Hit singles

The devil went down to Georgia #3

#48 for 1979 (#37 cash box)

Isley brothers-Go for your guns #6

We have another entry from the Isley brothers on this list, this time it's the follow up to their previous entry on here which goes to show just how much they were on a roll in their native America even if they never dented a single chart internationally. Indeed, we're not done with looking at all their albums on this list.

#42 for 1977 (#39 cash box)

Jefferson Starship-Freedom at point zero #10

This is the final entry we'll be looking at from Jefferson Starship/Starship on this list, suffice to say that we're starting to get to the more obscure entries on this list even as far as the Americans are concerned given how I don't see anyone talking about this album from their catalogue.

Hit singles

Jane #14

#45 for 1980 (#41 cash box)

The who-It's hard #8

This was the final album that the Who released before going their separate ways in 1983, it saw very little fanfare throughout the world except for America where it did well enough to appear high on this list. I guess this explains how Pete Townshend was able to retain his popularity in America as the decade went on.

#44 for 1982 (cash box)

Megadeth-Countdown to extinction #2

This came out a mere six months after the black album from Metallica, so naturally their main rivals Megadeth would see massive success with this album in their homeland even if they didn't "sell out" with this release. For those outside the know, these guys formed following the departure of Dave Mustaine from Metallica, meaning this rivalry was more than just a popularity contest between both bands.

Hit singles

Symphony of destruction #71

#64 for 1992 (#29 cash box)

Marvin Gaye-I want you #4

Although he achieved massive success with his earlier material, this is the earliest entry from Marvin Gaye that was a candidate for this list given how his early material came from the early 70's which I disqualified for this list. That said, he did see much more success in his homeland during the second half of the decade as we've already seen.

#53 for 1976 (#23 cash box)

Lynyrd Skynyrd-One more from the road #9

For those out of the know, this is the band that brought us "Sweet home Alabama" which is a response track to disparaging comments Neil Young made about the deep south in America (specifically it's problematic history when it comes to slavery which admittedly had been decades prior even back then.) This was a live album which was the best they could do with one of their albums in America.

#89 for 1977 (#92 cash box)

Dr Dolittle soundtrack #4

Although it was a box office hit, critics are torn with Eddie Murphy's adaptation of Dr Dolittle given how it's much crasser than the 60's version starring Rex Harrison. At least it's got its fans and in some circles is considered the best adaptation of the book of the same name, it also has a soundtrack which was a massive hit in America due to the lead single being a radio staple for Aaliyah.

Hit singles

Are you that somebody #21 (#4 airplay)

#40 for 1998

A taste of honey-A taste of honey #6

If there was an archetype for a one album wonder, A taste of honey would be it as they never stood a chance at scoring any success with their subsequent albums due to their breakthrough hit being such a product of the disco craze of the late 70's. That said, they did score a second hit with their cover of Kyo Sakomoto's "Ue o Muite Arukō" in 1981 given how they saw most of their success in Japen with this album.

Hit singles

Boogie oogie oogie #1

#80 for 1978 (#49 cash box)

Set it off soundtrack #4

Given how the singles managed to be massive hits in NZ, it makes sense that the soundtrack to the critically acclaimed film Set it off was a massive success in America even if the songs didn't do as well on Billboard as they did in NZ. In fact, the success in NZ was the complete inverse of what it achieved in America right down to how well each of the singles did.

Hit singles

Missing you #25

Don't let go #2 (#3 airplay)

Let it go #25

#106 for 1996

#70 for 1997

James Taylor-Gorilla #6

While it wasn't as successful as his entry on the main list, this album was a success for James Taylor on Billboard which makes the album that came between these two entries puzzling given how you'd think it would retain his winning streak he had in America. Naturally this was a massive dud for him worldwide, however he would return here in Australia later in the 70's.

Hit singles

How sweet it is #5

#53 for 1975 (#39 cash box)

Chic-Risque #5

Given how their entry on the main list was a massive worldwide hit for Chic, it only makes sense that the album they immediately followed it up with would also be a massive success for them in their homeland. Even though this spawned a massive chart topper for the band on Billboard, it proved to be their final success as the 80's was particularly unkind to them.

Hit singles

Good times #1

#50 for 1979 (cash box)

Rick Springfield-Working class dog #7

Well, this is awkward, we now have to albums from Rick Springfield on this list which means that the Australian musician had more success in America than he did at home throughout his career. Granted he never saw success on Billboard during his time with Zoot, however that's only hit less hit he had overall given how everything he else he had success with here was also the case in America.

Hit singles

Jessie's girl #1

I've done everything for you #8

#38 for 1981 (#37 cash box)

#31 for 1982

Warrant-Dirty rotten filthy stinking rich #10

Some people might be confused as to how Warrant scored massive success here in Australia with their second album when their first was a massive dud here, I actually don't have an answer to that as both albums are the same hair metal that was omnipresent during the transition of the 80's to the 90's that gave success to the likes of Poison and Motley Crue.

Hit singles

Down boys #27

#28 for 1989 (#48 cash box)

#88 for 1990

Nas-I am #1x2

Given how many chart toppers there were from the hip hop genre on Billboard, it's easy to think that the rest of the world had an intolerance towards the genre as the best many of these rappers could do was the odd hit single here and there. This was the case for Nas who despite having his second chart topping appearance on this list, only had one hit internationally with "If I ruled the world" in NZ.

#40 for 1999

ZZ top-Fandango #10

OK I jumped the gun when I said that ZZ Top never had much success in their homeland prior to their mainstream breakthrough in the 80's, it turns out this was a decent hit for the trio as was the previous album that came before this which was what actually put them on the map in their homeland. This just means that their fellow Americans let them fade into obscurity for almost a decade before they came back in 1983.

#33 for 1975 (#23 cash box)

Freddie Jackson-Rock me tonight #10

In case you were wondering, no this guy has no relation to the Jackson 5 even though he broke through right when they released their most successful album in their homeland. Instead, Freddie Jackson was an RNB singer who scored a massive hit on Billboard with his debut album during the height of the Live aid era only to never be heard from again following the failure of his subsequent follow ups.

Hit singles

You are my lady #12

#74 for 1985 (#48 cash box)

#42 for 1986

George Harrison-Dark horse #4

There's still a bunch of entries to come from George Harrison on this list, however this is far and away his oldest entry on here due to it coming out at the tail end of 1974. Whereas the rest of the world grew tired of his solo work by the time this third solo album came out, it appears the Americans kept him around throughout the 70's even if his popularity dwindled as time went on.

#69 for 1975 (cash box)

Lynyrd Skynyrd-Street survivors #5

Even though their biggest success was with a live album in their homeland, this comes in at a close second which is odd because the album with "Sweet home Alabama" on it was barely a success for the band in their homeland. I guess you can consider this another American act to only be a success on Billboard except you don't hear much of the rest of their catalogue on oldies stations.

#86 for 1977 (cash box)

#42 for 1978 (#41 cash box)

Debby Boone-You light up my life #6

Is it possible for a song to be too successful for an artist? The answer is yes as despite the fact that her debut album did fairly well upon its initial release in America, even her fellow Americans would struggle to name a second single from Debby Boone due to how inescapable the title track was on the Billboard charts throughout the 70's.

Hit singles

You light up my life #1

#90 for 1977 (cash box)

The show soundtrack #4

If there was a credible reason to push back against hip hop music back in the 90's, it would be due to how omnipresent the genre was in America when the rest of the world clearly wasn't interested in it. I bring this up because we have the soundtrack to a documentary about how the genre took over the country throughout the decade which was far more successful than the film itself.

#84 for 1995 (#37 cash box)

DMX-It's dark and hell is hot #1x1

We have one final entry from DMX on this list, once again, it's a chart-topping album which goes to show how being a chart topper had lost all meaning by the late 90's on Billboard given how we have albums that failed to crack the top ten appear higher than this would've had it seen any success anywhere else in the world.

#34 for 1998

#33 for 1999

Wreckx n effect-Hard or smooth #9

If you can believe it, this wasn't even the first album from Wreckx n effect as they previously released an album in 1989 to deafening silence in their homeland. Indeed, I get the feeling this only became a success on Billboard due to the lead single becoming one of the biggest hits of the decade in America as well as a huge success internationally for the duo.

Hit singles

Rump shaker #2 (#8 airplay)

Wreckx shop #101

#44 for 1993 (#34 cash box)

Staying alive soundtrack #6

The legends are true people, there is in fact a sequel to Saturday night fever that's named after one of that film's most iconic tracks. While I haven't seen this movie, I can confirm that it's considered one of the worst movies of all time due to it needlessly continuing the story of Tony Manero when the first film already concluded his character ark satisfyingly (yes, I have seen the first film.)

#27 for 1983

Tim McGraw-Greatest hits #4

Given how successful he was throughout the 90's, it makes sense that Tim McGraw would cap off the twentieth century with this greatest hits album that promises much more success for him moving forward. Unlike most artists, he was able to overcome the greatest hits curse as he indeed saw massive success moving forward into the 21st century albeit only in his homeland.

#21 for 2001

Isley brothers-Showdown #4

We still have plenty of entries to get to from the Isley brothers on this list, again I'm hoping their presence on here will finally give me some credence on the internet giving how everyone only seems to care about how well things do on the American charts for some reason. In any case, we have this album from the RNB group which was a massive hit for them locally and nowhere else in the world.

#82 for 1978 (#40 cash box)

The nutty professor soundtrack #8

Much like the Dr Dolittle remake from earlier, Eddie Murphy's remake of the Nutty professor also spawned a massive soundtrack that was successful in America. It was even a minor success in NZ, though it was too minor for me to consider it putting on that side of my site. Much like his other remake, this was also a massive box office hit but splits critics due to how much crasser it is compared to the original.

Hit singles

I like #28

Touch me tease me #14

Last night #9

#74 for 1996

Snoop Dogg-Da game is to be sold not to be told #1x2

Even though Snoop Dogg had a dark period in his discography as far as most of the world is concerned, I think that's only the case for him critically in his homeland as commercially he didn't stop finding success on Billboard until the 2010's even with what many consider to be his worst work.

#42 for 1998

R Kelly-TP-2.com #1x1

We have another entry on this list that's among the most recent, this time it's from R Kelly who continued his winning streak he had throughout the 90's into the 21st century with this release. He's another RNB star who would find massive success on Billboard despite his international success being fairly limited to the odd chart-topping hit here and there.

#168 for 2000

#19 for 2001

Jermaine Jackson-Let's get serious #6

If you can believe it, this is the only solo success that Jermaine Jackson had even in his homeland despite the singles from his 1984 effort being quite popular throughout Europe. I get the feeling this was only a success dur to his younger brother Michael having one of the hottest albums of the moment with Off the wall, without that this probably would've sunk even on the Billboard charts.

Hit singles

Let's get serious #9

#42 for 1980 (#42 cash box)

Georgia Satellites-Georgia satellites #5

Oh, wow do these guys feel out of place when they got big, granted you could argue they were part of the heartland rock of the day even though this feels more in line with the southern rock of the 70's along the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Allman brothers. This didn't prevent the album from being a massive hit for Georgia Satellites (what is with that name) in their homeland or even sparking curiosity here in Australia.

Hit singles

Keep your hands to yourself #2

#36 for 1987

Kenny Rogers-Share your love #6

As this was the album that came immediately after his greatest hits package from the main list, it makes sense that this would be a huge success for Kenny Rogers in his homeland even if this failed to dent a chart outside of Billboard. That said, he would release two more albums in his homeland that were complete failures before returning with Eyes that see in the dark that restored his popularity.

Hit singles

I don't need you #3

#98 for 1981 (#30 cash box)

#62 for 1982

Crosby and Nash-Wind on the water #6

Not only did Graham Nash and David Crosby find success with this album during the midpoint of the 70's, but it also turns out it wasn't even their first success together as they had a bigger hit with their first collaboration together three years prior in America and nowhere else in the world. Lightning didn't strike a third time as their third and fourth album together bombed even on Billboard.

#60 for 1975

38 special-Special forces #10

Thought that it was random that these guys scored a surprise hit in Australia by the end of the 80's? Well, it might be a bit less random when you consider that they had a decent hit in their homeland with this album seven years prior even if it failed to dent a chart outside of America. It was their only successful album, meaning I have no idea how they scored a hit both in America and down under in 1989.

#66 for 1982 (#56 cash box)

Phil Collins-Tarzan #5

It had been five years since Phil Collins troubled a chart anywhere in the world, so to see him back on the Billboard charts with his tie in soundtrack to Disney's Tarzan must have been a bit of a shock for audiences at the time (I was only seven when this happened, and all I remember is finding out just how much I hated the Vengaboys even back then.) If there wasn't a backlash against him before, there was after this came out.

Hit singles

You'll be in my heart #21

#54 for 1999

Smokey Robinson-Being with you #10

This came so close to appearing on the NZ side of my site given how Smokey Robinson was on a roll over there just like he was in his native America with this album, alas it was too niche for me to consider it a true success like the entries that did make it on there. This obviously wasn't the case in his homeland where this became a massive success for him on the Billboard charts.

Hit singles

Being with you #2

#46 for 1981 (#46 cash box)

Crosby Stills and Nash-Daylight again #8

Even though the rest of the world had given up on these guys by the time the MTV era rolled around, it appears the Americans didn't as they scored a massive hit with this album at a time where Duran Duran and the Human league were reigning supreme on the mainstream. This would be their finally successful album in America as their next release would be a total disaster for them (despite Neil Young rejoining them.)

#86 for 1983 (#37 cash box)

Luther Vandross-Any love #9

So here's a bit of a weird turn of events, Luther Vandross, a man best known for his duets with Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey, it turns out this guy was a massive deal in the UK given how I skipped over not one but two of his albums on my UK list (I'll point out the which ones they are as we go down this list.) It's weird that his biggest success in his homeland was neither of these albums.

Hit singles

Any love #44

She won't talk to me #30

#48 for 1988 (cash box)

#52 for 1989

Rush hour soundtrack #5

One of my favourite films of the 90's is the first Rush hour, critics and audiences agree with me when I say that it's a fun buddy cop flick that pairs Chris Tucker with Jackie Chan in one of his earlier English-speaking roles (I believe Rumble in the Bronx is the first.) From what I can gather, the soundtrack and the score was sold as a two for one deal as there's some sources that credit Lalo Schifrin as the artist and not the generic various artists soundtracks usually have.

Hit singles

How deep is your love #3

#113 for 1998

#144 for 1999

Mannheim steamroller-Christmas in the Aire #3

This could've only gotten big during the height of the new age craze, in fact this isn't the only album from Mannheim steamroller (holy crap that band name) as they've been at it since the mid 70's with this being the only success to their name. Given that this is a Christmas release, there was little chance it would appear much higher on this list.

#27 for 1996

Bone thugs n harmony-The art of war #1x1

Even if I included their work from the 21st century, this would be the final entry from Bone thugs n harmony as although they usually debuted high on the Billboard charts, their subsequent follow ups all failed to retain a loyal fanbase that their first two albums achieved throughout the 90's. Again, we have a big hit on there that was as such over in NZ, although it might be due to also appearing on the Batman and robin soundtrack.

Hit singles

Look into my eyes #4

If I could teach the world #27

#47 for 1997

Elmer Bernstein-Wild wild west #4

You just saw me gushing over a film I love from the 90's, time now to watch me trash a movie I can't stand which is Wild wild west. The short of it is that it has Will Smith at his most unlikable (on screen of course) going through a story that can politely be described as convoluted and less politely as utter shit. Naturally the soundtrack was a success, although for some reason "Bailamos" is on here even though I don't remember hearing that song in the film.

Hit singles

Wild wild west #1 (#2 airplay)

Bailamos #1 (#6 airplay)

#63 for 1999

LL Cool J-Walking with a panther #6

Although this album wasn't as popular as his earlier entry on this list, LL Cool J did make up for that by having one of the singles be a success outside of his native America given how the lead single here managed to become a hit in NZ just as the 80's was beginning to wind down. His success throughout the 90's would be uneven, meaning we haven't seen the last of him on this list just yet.

Hit singles

I'm that type of guy #15

#61 for 1989 (#29 cash box)

Brooks and Dunn-Borderline #5

In case you were wondering, the Brooks from Brooks and Dunn has no relation to Garth Brooks, meaning that there was more than one famous country star with that name that was popular in America throughout the 90's and it wasn't even due to nepotism. As for the duo themselves, they were quite big in their homeland even if that success didn't translate internationally.

#37 for 1996

#103 for 1997

Nutty professor the Klumps soundtrack #4

And you thought the first Eddie Muphy film about the Nutty professor was crass, it appears he went overboard with this sequel as the critics found it too absurd to give it a pass like they did for his earlier entry on this list. That said, the soundtrack was well received, likely due to the lead single which coincidentally is performed by the female lead of the flick Janet Jackson.

Hit singles

Doesn't really matter #1 (#2 airplay)

#88 for 2000

Deana Carter-Did I shave my legs for this #10

OK, what on earth did I type out for this title? From what I can gather, Deana Carter is a country star who saw moderate success in her homeland throughout the 90's with her debut album. It was a short-lived success given how the likes of Shania Twain and Leann Rimes would make her brand of country obsolete by the time she released her second album.

#14 for 1997

John Michael Montgomery-Kicking it up #1x1

We have another entry from John Michael Montgomery on this list, this time it's with the album that came immediately prior to his biggest success and one that actually out peaked it as this went to number one of the country star on Billboard. This is his final entry on this list as the rest of his output was only popular in the country scene, meaning that it was only popular in the south and Midwest.

#35 for 1994

#119 for 1995