I've decided to make a list going over the biggest albums of all time in the UK that have become a success in the southern hemisphere, that is, rank the albums that have appeared on this site based on how well they did over there (as of 2000 for the sake of my sanity.) I feel this is pretty self-explanatory as I'll of course update my commentary and album stats for each entry to reflect how well they did with the Brits during the twentieth century.
It appears the Brits were just as big of fans of Dirty dancing as we Aussies were as the second soundtrack from the album proved to be a massive success over there just like it was here. It's one of the final soundtracks to find success on their album charts as they would be relegated to the compilation charts by 1989.
Peak position #3
#45 for 1988
This was listed as The collection on the UK charts, however there's been so many greatest hits albums from Barry White with that title that I decided to have this entry from the Australian side of my site represent the success he had in 1999 with the Brits.
Peak position #10
#23 for 2000
This is the most recent entry from Led Zeppelin on this list, as I said earlier, it appears their fellow Brits were done with the prog band by the end of the 70's which no doubt led to the band calling it quits in 1980 to allow their members to pursue their solo ventures in the music scene.
Peak position #1x2
#33 for 1979
This was the album which got the ball rolling for Chris Rea in his homeland given how his fellow Brits never cared that much about his music prior to its release, although like I said earlier, he had two entries that I skipped on this list which he released after that album which meant at least for a while, his popularity grew with each new album in the UK.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Let's dance #12
#37 for 1987
While it wasn't the juggernaut that her earlier greatest hits album was in the UK, this was nonetheless a massive hit for Cher just as the 90's was coming to an end as well as a sign of good things to come for her music career. Alas this would be the last time anyone would hear from her until 2010 when she appeared on the Burlesque soundtrack.
Peak position #7
#30 for 1999
If you're wondering why this greatest hits album underperformed in the UK compared to the rest of the world, I should remind you that the brothers Gibb had far less success over there than they did everywhere else particularly during their disco period. Still at least they did cap off the decade with their popularity still in tact.
Peak position #6
#50 for 1980
This is the only other entry from ZZ Top on this list, although they did see minor success in the UK with their 1985 effort Afterburner even if it was too minor to appear on this list. It is interesting to see the Brits try to reminisce on a band that only had one album be a massive success over there.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Viva Las Vegas #10
#63 for 1992
This is the penultimate album to come from Cat Stevens on this list given how well it did here in Australia as well as his homeland, although it's worth noting that he didn't release a single over there like he did here even if that single was a complete dud for him on our charts.
Peak position #3
Hit in 1973
You know that Meat loaf was inescapable in the UK when the man who helped him bring to life his magnum opus from earlier managed to score a hit in his own right with his one and only album as a lead artist. Granted the Brits weren't interested in giving Jim Steinman a hit like we Aussies and kiwis did, however Meat Loaf didn't have a hit in the southern hemisphere when this album dropped like he did in the UK.
Peak position #7
#51 for 1981
Much like here in Australia, this was the final success that Sky had in their homeland, although considering how they often get lost in the conversation when it comes to British prog rock, it's impressive they managed to achieve two entries onto this list in the first place.
Peak position #3
#46 for 1981
If you're wondering why this final entry from U2 is so low on this list, that's because it didn't rebound on the UK charts whenever one of its singles was released like it did throughout the rest of the world. I think this was the moment where their fellow Brits had declared them as an albums band given how they've ranked on this list with their subsequent releases.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Desire #1
Angel of Harlem #9
When love comes to town #6
All I want is you #4
#9 for 1988
#67 for 1989
This is the final entry from Elton Johon on this list, it was a shoe in for this list given how it's the album that contains the biggest hit of all time (technically.) He would see some success going into the 21st century, however nothing would come to the level he achieved throughout the twentieth century.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Something about the way you look tonight #1
#37 for 1997
You know the Brits weren't bothered by the media frenzy MJ found himself in throughout the 90's when they allowed this remix album of his to be a success just like it was here in Australia and NZ. Many fans will tell you that this was his final album he released in his lifetime given how poorly received his 2001 effort was.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Blood on the dance floor #1
History #5
#70 for 1997
This is the only other entry from Andrea Bocelli on this list, again it wasn't nearly as successful in the UK as it was internationally for the opera singer due to it competing with all the teen pop we've looked at throughout the list from the late 90's. In fact, it's a miracle it did so well over there because of the clash in music styles.
Peak position #4
#45 for 1999
I think the UK is the only place in the world where this managed to be more successful for INXS than most of their 80's output, although I guess the Brits didn't realise they were a thing until the success of their previous entry which they nearly passed up on due to having a strange album cycle over there.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Suicide blonde #11
Disappear #21
Bitter tears #30
#35 for 1990
#71 for 1991
Steve Miller never saw much success in the UK, heck the only reason why this took off over there was because the title track was a surprise hit for him with the Brits back in the day. The only other hit he had was with his breakthrough "The joker" and that was only because it was featured in a Levi jeans ad in 1990.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Abracadabra #2
#79 for 1982
Like most places in the world, this was a flop for Robert Palmer upon its initial release in 1985 due to having the worst track on the album be its lead single (that being "Discipline of love.") It was given a second chance when "Addicted to love" became his first chart topper in America, prompting the rest of the world including his fellow Brits to check out what the fuss was about.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Addicted to love #5
I didn't mean to turn you on #9
#34 for 1986
It may have been a disappointment for the Eurythmics, however this final album from the duo (at least from their first run together) was a comeback for them in the UK given how their previous album Savage crashed and burned for them there (likely due to Annie Lennox's scary image makeover.)
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Revival #26
Don't ask me why #25
#20 for 1989
Another soundtrack that got around the whole various artist rule, this time it's the soundtrack to the Ally McBeal series as it was credited to the shows lounge singer Vonda Shephard which allowed it to chart in the UK album charts and prove once and for all that the A.V club were biased when they declared to be an inessential album.
Peak position #3
#37 for 1998
#96 for 1999
This is the second appearance from Jethro Tull on this list, it was by far their biggest success here in Australia which suggests that we Aussies were growing more and more intrigued with their work right as their fellow Brits were losing interest in it. They have one more entry to come which was also their final candidate for this list.
Peak position #5
Hit in 1972
Even though this was a massive hit for Roxette worldwide when it saw the light of day outside their native Sweden, it appears the Brits were willing to write the duo off as a novelty act due to how they got their international success in the first place. They gave them a second chance following their appearance on the Pretty woman soundtrack and allowed the album cycle to play out a year after it began.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
The look #7
Listen to your heart #6
Dangerous #6
Dressed for success #18
#34 for 1990
This is the final entry from Status quo on this list, although they did have one final candidate for this list with a greatest hits album they released in the 90's. It appears that even their fellow Brits were beginning to grow tired of the band moving into the 80's however their love for them rejuvenated in that decade where it didn't here in Australia.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Rocking all over the world #3
Hit in 1978
This was one of the many albums featured on my 70's albums lists that only made the cut due to the lack of competition there was for candidates for those lists, so colour me shocked when I discovered this was one of David Bowie's bigger albums in his homeland that decade.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Sound and vision #3
#43 for 1977
Much like here in Australia, 10CC were able to cap off the 70's in their homeland with a successful greatest hits album which overlooked the big hits they achieved around the world during their first eight years together. Sadly, this would activate the greatest hits curse for them as they would fail throughout the 80's.
Peak position #5
#49 for 1979
This is the only entry from Cat Stevens following his decline in popularity which began in 1975 worldwide, admittedly I did skip over a highly lucrative greatest hits album from him that year given how the Brits saw it as a last hurrah for his career before moving on with the fresher talent of the moment.
Peak position #4
#71 for 1990
At least Foreigner's earlier entry on this list had the benefit of spawning a chart-topping hit for the band in the UK, why the Brits made an exception for these guys when it came to their no American rock bands policy is beyond me as you'd be surprised at how many of their contemporaries never saw any success over there over the years.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Waiting for a girl like you #8
#28 for 1982
For an album that from what I can gather was never even released in NZ, this did quite well internationally for Heart even in the UK where it finally gave them a hit single after over a decade of success they had in Australia and in America. This set them up for success with their earlier entry on this list only for them to fade into obscurity in the 90's.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Alone #3
#39 for 1987
This is the other entry from Billy Ocean on this list, what were you expecting one of his other big albums from the 80's? It turns out his fellow Brits had the same mindset as the kiwis did as they only gave him success with his singles, his entry from earlier on this list and this greatest hits album.
Peak position #4
#47 for 1989
We have the final entry from UB40 on this list, it's coincidentally their first entry in their catalogue as their fellow Brits were a bit put off by their brand of reggae rock in a way that didn't alienate the kiwis at the start of the 80's. Naturally they would gradually see success worldwide as the decade went on.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Food for thought #4
I think it's going to rain today #6
#24 for 1980
#44 for 1981
There were so many greatest hits album from the king of rock and roll following his passing in 1977, this is one of the few to be a success in the UK as well as in the southern hemisphere given how there was nostalgia specifically for his love ballads from the early 90's when this came out.
Peak position #4
#61 for 1992
It seems oddly fitting that this would also be a massive success for Larry Adler in the UK just like it was here in Australia and NZ, he was based in the UK during the final years of his life after all and this album does contain royalty in the British music scene among its track listing.
Peak position #2
#54 for 1994
Much like many albums that appear lower on this list than they would on my Australian or NZ lists, this third album from the Backstreet boys didn't rebound on the UK charts like it did on ours whenever a new single was released over there, meaning it didn't last as long on their charts as it did on ours.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I want it that way #1
Larger than life #5
Show me the meaning of being lonely #3
The one #8
#37 for 1999
Oh wow has it been a while since we looked at Bob Marley on this list, even though this wasn't his first successful album in the UK (that honour goes to Exodus) it was the album which convinced us Aussies and kiwis to check out what all the fuss was about even if it wound up doing better in the southern hemisphere than it did in the UK.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Is this love #9
#36 for 1978
This was the only album from Duran Duran to top the British charts, it's also the only album to spawn a chart topping single for the band as "Is there something I should know" wasn't included on an album over there like it was in America. If this isn't proof that going to number one is a curse for certain artists, I don't know what is.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Union of the snake #3
New moon on Monday #9
The reflex #1
#23 for 1983
#45 for 1984
Talk about a technicality to get around the bullshit soundtrack conundrum the UK charts created in the 90's, this soundtrack to the Doors biopic managed to be eligible for the album charts due to it being credited to the Doors which is technically accurate since it's by all accounts a greatest hits album with their catalogue used in the film.
Peak position #11
#76 for 1991
Want to know why this was randomly one of the biggest albums of the 90's in Australia and NZ? It turns out it was the only success that Kenny G had in the UK as the Brits were randomly enamoured by the tunes on this album in a way they weren't for his other releases.
Peak position #4
#70 for 1993
Although her success in the UK was pitiful compared to how well she did throughout the rest of the world during the 90's, it was still substantial enough for Mariah Carey to find success with this greatest hits album over there even though she only had one chart topper to her name (which interestingly wasn't a chart topper on Billboard.)
Peak position #10
Hit singles
When you believe #4
#30 for 1998
#95 for 1999
Want further proof that the Brits aren't that into rock and roll? How about the fact that this loved themed greatest hits album from the Beatles was a big hit for them over there and not the rock and roll themed album that was a big hit for them in Australia and NZ.
Peak position #7
Hit in 1978
This is the final entry from Cliff Richard on this list, although this took forever in a day to become a success for him here in Australia, it was an instant success for him in his homeland which goes to show we Aussies did briefly lose our love for him we had during the first half of the 80's.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Some people #3
#23 for 1987
Hey just because this was a hit upon its initial release in the UK, doesn't mean it wasn't a hit later on in the 90's like it was in the southern hemisphere. This entry covers its rerelease in 1997 to coincide with the trio's album at the time Still waters (which is still to come on this list.)
Peak position #6
#50 for 1997
#77 for 1998
Had it been a hit in the southern hemisphere, the Beastie boys debut album would've appeared much higher on this list as it was a surprise hit for the trio in the UK back in the day. It took them well over a decade to release an album as successful as their debut over there, although they eventually made it with this entry.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Intergalactic #5
Body moving #15
#58 for 1998
Even though she continued to have success with her singles in the UK, it appears the Brits weren't impressed with Kylie's album output as this greatest hits album of hers was her only candidate for this list from the 90's and beyond. Even Light years wasn't a candidate for her on here, proving her status as a singles artist over there.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
What kind of fool #14
Celebration #20
#69 for 1992
We have another entry from Bob Dylan on this list, hey at least we're going to revisit all of his successful albums from the second half of the 70's even if none of them reached the dizzying heights of success in the UK they achieved worldwide. I guess the Brits just weren't that into his singing style.
Peak position #2
#60 for 1979
Not counting her appearance on the Grease and Xanadu soundtracks from earlier, this was the best that Olivia Newton John could do for this list as this was released a year after the failure of her magnum opus Physical in her homeland. Rather curiously, the Two of a kind soundtrack was another candidate for this list despite "Twist of fate" failing to chart in the UK.
Peak position #8
#77 for 1982
#61 for 1983
If you're wondering if I skipped an album from Mike and the Mechanics on this list, the answer is yes as their fellow Brits had a ton of nostalgia for the band in the mid 90's and made their greatest hits album from 1996 a massive hit over there where it flopped everywhere else in the world. As for their initial run, this is the best they could do on the UK charts.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
The living years #2
#63 for 1989
This is another album where I had to cheat to feature on the Australian side of my site, naturally it was a genuine success for Eternal in their homeland even if it was the weakest of their three studio albums as well as their earlier greatest hits album over there. I guess because their fellow Brits needed to get used to the absence of the one white girl in their group.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Power of a woman #5
I am blessed #7
#31 for 1995
#67 for 1996
If you're wondering why it's taken me this long to feature Supergrass on this list, that's because their 1995 magnum opus I should coco was a massive flop everywhere in the world except their homeland. Heck their second album only appears on here due to the success it achieved over in NZ as we Aussies weren't impressed with their brand of Britpop in the slightest.
Peak position #2
#56 for 1997
It feels like forever since I featured the Chemical brothers on this list, although we once again have the issue of an album spawning more than one chart topper in the UK which more than explains why this didn't do as well in their homeland as you would've otherwise thought it should.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Setting sun #1
Block rocking beats #1
Elektronik #17
#49 for 1997
Much like the rest of the world, this became a massive success for the Moody blues in the UK around the time the rerelease of "The nights in white satin," although it appears their fellow Brits chose that song over this album when it came to making only one of them a massive chart topper on their charts.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
I'm just a singer #36
Hit in 1972
The successful albums just kept on coming for Black sabbath even if that success in their homeland wasn't anywhere near the levels they achieved here in Australia. They still have one more entry to come on this list given how we're still yet to get to Masters of reality which was a decent hit down under.
Peak position #8
Hit in 1972
Although their success in the UK was pitiful compared to what they achieved here in Australia, Santana was at least a decently successful band over there during their heyday in the 70's given how they saw moderate success with their material from this decade. That said, this is their only other appearance on this list as none of those other albums were candidates to appear on here.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
She's not there #11
Hit in 1977
Much like in NZ, this was a decent success for A-ha in the UK and further proof that the Norwegian band were the furthest thing from a one hit wonder everywhere outside the Billboard charts. Sadly, this would be it for them even in the UK as their Bond theme from the Living daylights would kill their English-speaking career.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I've been losing you #8
Cry wolf #5
#26 for 1986
This is the final entry from Led Zeppelin on this list; it's only fitting that the soundtrack they made for a long-forgotten film would rank the lowest of the albums that they released during their time together. Hey at least they have one of the more consistent track records on this list compared to other bands and artists.
Peak position #1x1
Hit in 1976
Even though he didn't achieve much success as a solo artist in his homeland like he did here in Australia, Bryan Ferry's fellow Brits did give his band one final hit with this live album before he made the decision to make it on his own. It was a mixed blessing to say the least as at least we Aussies appreciated this venture.
Peak position #6
Hit in 1976
Even though he was finding more success in America by this point in his career, Steve Winwood's fellow Brits were curious enough to check out this album of his when it spawned him his first Billboard chart topper back in the day. That curiosity didn't come back for his next album in his homeland which spawned his second Billboard chart topper.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Higher love #13
#57 for 1986
Even though his second album spawned a massive hit for him in the UK, Richard Marx only had one candidate for this list and that's with his third album which spawned arguably his biggest hit over there in the form of "Hazard." The Brits didn't even pay attention to this album until that unexpectedly became a hit for him over there despite it not being among his bigger hits on Billboard.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Hazard #3
Take this heart #13
#58 for 1992
This entry covers the twentieth anniversary release of the album from 1998, as nostalgia has played a massive part in determining what was a success in the UK over the years, it's little surprise this album would return to the list give how well it did in the southern hemisphere around this time.
Peak position #2
Hit in 1998
It may have seemed that Robert Plant was off to a good start with his solo career in his homeland given how it entered the UK charts quite high upon its initial release, however as we've already seen, he wasn't that popular in their mainstream over there meaning the album's high debut was more out of novelty than anything else.
Peak position #2
#48 for 1982
We've had one entry from the Shadows on this list, let's go for two with the only greatest hits album they saw success in NZ as this was also a big hit for them in their native UK back in the day. I think I've featured more entries from these guys than any other instrumental band on this site.
Peak position #6
#60 for 1986
Given how she was far from the most popular artist of the moment in the UK, you can understand why the Brits weren't as in love with this live album from Mariah Carey's appearance on MTV unplugged as the rest of the world was even if they did make it a decent success for her over there.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
I'll be there #2
#92 for 1992
Here's another album that needed two attempts to become a success in the UK, this time it's the breakthrough album Crowded house had over there given how their first two albums were a complete dud for them as far as the Brits were concerned. Even then, this had to work its way up to its success.
Peak position #6 (#36 originally)
Hit singles
Fall at your feet #17
Weather with you #7
Four seasons in one day #26
It's only natural #24
#37 for 1992
Given how she ended the 90's with not one but two big hits in NZ, you'd think that Sarah Brightman would repeat that success in her homeland given how she's best known for playing Christine Daae in Andrew Lloyd Weber's Phantom of the opera. Alas she didn't end the decade with two big hits over there as one of them was a hit two years prior over there (this one) whereas the other bombed.
Peak position #2
#73 for 1997
It took us a while to revisit this debut album from Five, however rest assured that it was a candidate for this list even though it struggled to compete with all the other teeny bopper music that was prevalent in the late 90's in their homeland. Again, the album and singles were much more lucrative in Australia and NZ for some reason.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Slam dunk #10
When the lights go out #4
Got the feeling #3
Everybody get up #2
Until the time is through #2
#25 for 1998
This is Jethro Tull's final entry on this list, it's their oldest entry given how like the rest of the world, their popularity only took off from the start of the 70's in their homeland despite having a few albums released in the 60's over there.
Peak position #3
Hit in 1970
Given how their debut single became one of the biggest hits of the 90's in the world, it makes sense that CMB's debut album was a massive hit for them over there just like it was throughout the rest of the world. Even then, it only made the cut on here due to being a decent success here in Australia and not in NZ where you'd think it would be inescapable.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
I wanna sex you up #1
All 4 love #5
#62 for 1991
It took us a while, but we've finally looking at Bjork's second album and the one which began to spawn massive hit singles for her throughout the world. This was obviously the case in the UK which is perhaps why it didn't do as well over there as it did here in Australia, OK it was also because it didn't rebound on their charts like it did on ours.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Army of me #10
Isobel #23
It's oh so quiet #4
Hyperballad #8
#36 for 1995
#95 for 1996
I've only skipped one entry from New order on this list, that being their second greatest hits album they released in 1994 which proved to be more successful than their first entry we're looking at here. This means that none of their studio albums were even candidates for this list of mine.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
True faith #4
#53 for 1987
If you were expecting multiple candidates from Sam Brown for this list, then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed to learn that this was the full extent of her success in her homeland just like it was in Australia and NZ. I'm not sure why everyone turned against her second album but that's what happened.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Stop #4
Can I get a witness #15
#71 for 1989
We've finally gotten to the album from 10CC which spawned their biggest hit worldwide, naturally it would be their final entry on this list given how chart-topping singles seemed to rob albums of their overall success in the UK. At least all their iconic albums I've featured previously on this site are accounted for here.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Dreadlock holiday #1
#50 for 1978
This is the final entry from the Eagles on this list, it's another album that struggled with the Christmas period of 1979 given how it was a last hurrah for many of the biggest names in music for that decade. I'm sure the Brits were just as shocked as the rest of the world when they called it quits during their world tour in 1980.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Heartache tonight #40
#57 for 1979
This was a massive success for Jennifer Rush in the UK due to it spawning one of the biggest hits of the 80's in her homeland, said single being the original version of Celine Dion's first Billboard chart topper from nearly a decade later. For some reason, it trapped her in the one hit wonder bin despite Celine's version launching her English speaking career.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
The power of love #1
#45 for 1985
#76 for 1986
I'm not sure how the Brits came across this album from husband-and-wife duo Womack and Womack given how much of a failure it was in their homeland, however the fact that it spawned one of the biggest hits of the 80's over there ensured it would be a massive success in Australia and NZ as well as in the UK.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Teardrops #3
Celebrate the world #19
#38 for 1988
It looks like we have another entry from Simon and Garfunkel on this list, although it comes to us in the form of this greatest hits album they released a decade after their earlier entry which was able to be a hit on time in the UK as opposed to three years later like it was here in Australia.
Peak position #8
#35 for 1991
#71 for 1992
Both volumes of Prince's Hits albums were a success in the UK, although given how only volume two was a success in the southern hemisphere, it's the only entry from the pair that will be featuring on this list from the Purple one. Hey at least he had one of his entries find more success over there than it did over here.
Peak position #5
#39 for 1993
Given how this was the album that put their name on the map here in Australia, it's fitting that Roxy music would close out their appearances on this list with this album even though they did have success with their earlier material during the first half of the 70's in their homeland.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Love is the drug #2
Hit in 1975
This is the final entry from Wings on this list, naturally it's their live album from their Wings at the speed of sound album which was a massive hit for them worldwide. They came so close to having complete representation on this list with their discography (that was eligible to be here of course.)
Peak position #8
#48 for 1977
This is the final entry from Stevie Wonder on this list, again its lower placement on here is due to the album not rebounding on the UK charts like it did here in Australia and NZ. It also managed to spawn a minor hit for him over there just like it did in NZ, meaning Australia was the only place where it didn't have singles success.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
That girl #39
Do I do #10
#82 for 1982
Given how this was a surprise hit for Black here in Australia (well more so the title track) it's fitting that this breakthrough album for the British band was a huge success in their homeland even if the singles weren't so much. Again, I'm not sure why the title track crossed over when it did down under.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Sweetest smile #8
Wonderful life #8
#54 for 1987
You knew this Anthology from the Beatles was coming, although it curiously didn't get to number one on the UK charts like it did worldwide, meaning that its brief run on their charts would look bizarre to chart historians who assume albums with a weak run have their success given to them it its first week.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Free as a bird #2
#16 for 1995
This is the only other candidate I have for Bad company on this list as the supergroup failed to find further success in their homeland just like they did throughout the rest of the world. At least it was a mainstream success in their homeland as opposed to it being a sleeper hit here in Australia.
Peak position #4
Hit in 1976
Even though this was released on time in the UK for John Denver, it didn't become a success over there for two years despite it never leaving the charts and thus me not being able to give an original peak position like I have for other albums with separate chart runs on the UK charts. It also had a different title in the UK compared to everywhere else in the world.
Peak position #7
#50 for 1976
This is the final entry from Bob Dylan on this list, it's fitting he would finish up his appearance on here with his live album from Budokan given how he had to compete with Cheap trick's live album from the same venue the year it came out. He wouldn't have any further success in the UK going into the 80's.
Peak position #4
#46 for 1979
It may have failed to spawn a single hit for them in the UK like their previous album did, however this final entry from Bon Jovi on this list does make up for that by being their first chart topper over there which I guess counts for something. Again, this didn't rebound on the charts over there like it did everywhere else in the world.
Peak position #1x2
Hit singles
Bad medicine #17
Born to be my baby #22
I'll be there for you #18
Lay your hands on me #18
#42 for 1988
This is Cher's final entry on this list, naturally she would cap off her appearance on this list with her most iconic album even if it was more of a sleeper hit for her in the UK like it was here in Australia. It turns out the Brits were quick to make this a hit as it cracked their top ten long before the title track even touched the Billboard charts.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Believe #1
Strong enough #5
All or nothing #12
Dove l'amoure #21
#32 for 1998
#48 for 1999
Given how this was an instant success for Bruce Springsteen upon its initial release in the UK, I have to wonder what took his top entry on this list so long to find an audience with the Brits back in the day. Maybe they felt he was destined to be a one album wonder and needed that album's international success to change their minds.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Hungry heart #35
#53 for 1980
#38 for 1981
Much like Howard Jones, Nik Kershaw also saw a massive decline in popularity between his first and second albums in his homeland back in the day. Also, like Howard, said second album became eligible for this list due to being a hit in only one country from the southern hemisphere, although in this case it was NZ rather than Australia.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
The riddle #3
Wide boy #9
Don Quixote #10
#37 for 1984
#82 for 1985
This is the final entry from the Rolling stones on this list as we're really starting to scrap the bottom of the barrel when it comes to entries on here. After all I've skipped over hundreds of compilation albums that have polluted the UK charts before they were given their own charts in 1989 for this list.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
It's only rock n roll #10
Hit in 1974
Now if you're wondering if I skipped over an entry from the Who on this list, I did as their 1976 greatest hits album The story of the who was a massive hit for them in their homeland which failed to see crossover success for some reason. Other than that, I haven't skipped over any other candidates from the band for this list.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Who are you #23
Hit in 1978
OK I'm not sure if this was the album which became a success here in Australia given how David Kent has this charting in 1981 despite being released in 1983 internationally. I'm including it on the off chance that this is the case, which means this was a success with us Aussies two years prior to it being a success for Julio anywhere else in the world.
Peak position #5
#58 for 1983
Given how this was a massive success in America, I bet you're surprised that this breakthrough album from Jesus Jones (I can't even with that name) is this far down the list even if it went to number one in their homeland. What's more surprising is that the singles didn't do much to liven up their charts like they did on Billboard.
Peak position #1x1
Hit singles
Real real real #19
Right here right now #31
International bright young thing #7
Who where why #21
#61 for 1991
Even if Stevie Wonder had any success with his earlier albums here in Australia, this would still be his oldest entry on this list as nothing he released prior was a success in the UK. Heck this was only barely a hit here in Australia, meaning it was more of a success in the UK for the RNB legend.
Peak position #5
Hit in 1974
How has it taken me so long to feature an album from the Style council on this list? In case you're wondering, no I haven't skipped over any of their entries and no, their magnum opus Our favourite shop won't be appearing on this list despite that topping the UK charts and this entry failing to do so.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
My ever changing moods #5
You're the best thing #5
#31 for 1984
File this in the category of American bands finding surprise success in the UK despite having international success, I guess the Brits were impressed enough with the lead single to this album from Mr Mister that they allowed the album to be a hit over there despite many of their contemporaries failing to achieve even a fraction of what this got over there.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Broken wings #4
Kyrie #11
#52 for 1986
You thought we Aussies were sceptical towards this album's success; it appears the Brits had to be tricked into making it a hit as it was rebranded as 2X2 where it officially became a success for the duo over there. One thing I will say in the Brits favour is that when the gig was up, they stopped handing success to the act.
Peak position #6 (originally #37)
Hit singles
Girl you know it's true #3
Baby don't forget my number #16
Girl I'm gonna miss you #2
#40 for 1989
This is the most recent entry from INXS on this list given how the band's popularity had fully declined by the midpoint of the 90's regardless of where in the world you're from. That said, this didn't rechart following the tragic death of Michael Hutchence over there like it did internationally.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
The strangest party #15
#29 for 1994
As we've seen on this list, Eric Clapton has had plenty of ups and downs in his homeland over the years, as such it makes sense this often-forgotten album he released at the start of the 80's was a success in his homeland just like it was for him over in NZ. I guess we Aussies weren't too impressed with it back in the day.
Peak position #3
Hit in 1980
This is the other big hit that Ultravox had in their homeland as well as in NZ, although it proved to be way less popular than their two earlier entries in both countries likely due to failing to produce a huge hit to help the kiwis and their fellow Brits gravitate towards its existence.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
The voice #16
#52 for 1981
We have one final entry from Madonna on this list, this one being her venture towards RNB which seemed to divide audiences back in the day hence why it was her least successful release of the twentieth century. That said, it did a hell of a lot better than anything she's released since 2008.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Secret #5
Take a bow #16
Bedtime story #4
Human nature #8
#24 for 1994
You know Toni Braxton was the diva of the moment throughout the 90's when even the Brits managed to allow her signature album to be a massive success in the UK, although it's worth noting this was a sleeper hit for her over there just like it was here in Australia hence why it has a low placement on this list.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
You're making me high #7
Unbreak my heart #2
I don't want to #9
#28 for 1996
#28 for 1997
