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
#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
