There haven’t been that many action films to have a successful soundtrack here in Australia, one of the lucky few comes from the film Armageddon mainly due to the theme song becoming one of the biggest hits of the decade as well as Aerosmith’s biggest hit in their entire catalogue. The film itself is cheesy melodrama, but you can say that about most action films of the 90’s which is why people still love it.
AMR charts
Peak position #5
Hit singles
I don’t want to miss a thing #1
Popular in 1998
ARIA charts
Peak position #5
Hit singles
I don’t want to miss a thing #1
Popular in 1998
It had been almost a decade since Dire straits released an album, however that didn’t mean their legacy had died out as indeed this greatest hits album which came ten years after their previous album was a huge success for the band three years after they called it quits for good.
AMR charts
Peak position #4
Popular in 1998, 1999
ARIA charts
Peak position #4
Popular in 1998, 1999
ARIA charts
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Breathe again #2
You mean the world to me #49
Popular in 1994
This was arguably the biggest album to come from Hunters and collectors, mainly because it was already a success upon its initial as it as it rebounding on the charts due to the success of the second and third singles on the album. It allowed them to find success during a time where it was becoming increasingly difficult for Australian artists to do so, particularly those coming from the 80’s.
AMR charts
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Where do you go #30
True tears of joy #13
Holy grail #16
Popular in 1992, 1993
This album covers the summer period of 97/98 which allows it to be a decent success despite failing to live up to the standards of the Hit machine franchise.
AMR charts
Peak position #4
Hit singles
As long as you love me #2 (AMR #2)
It’s like that #1 (AMR #1)
Barbie girl #1 (AMR #1)
Did it again #15 (AMR #13)
How do I live #3 (AMR #3)
People get ready #35 (AMR #46)
Meet her at the love parade #21 (AMR #10)
Mo money mo problems #10 (AMR #12)
Stay #24 (AMR #14)
Beachball #33 (AMR #26)
Ooh la la #33 (AMR #28)
Kiss you all over #47 (AMR #44)
If I didn’t love you #41 (AMR #39)
Show me love #34 (AMR #47)
Buddha baby #40 (AMR #42)
Good times #28 (AMR #28)
Popular in 1998
It took him a while to follow up his comeback album Waking up the neighbours from earlier in the decade, however once he did, Bryan Adams found little issues with retaining his popularity with this album which proves just how well loved he was back in the day. That said, his popularity would quickly dwindle later in the decade and by the 00’s, he would be yesterday’s news.
AMR charts
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Have you ever really loved a woman #1
The only thing that looks good on me is you #17
Let’s make a night to remember #8
Popular in 1996, 1997
ARIA charts
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Ashes to ashes #8
Popular in 1997
This was the only notable success that Pantera was able to achieve here in Australia, likely due to heavy metal never being that popular here save for some rare exceptions. Indeed, this was a massive hit here due to the records it broke in their native America, and to be fair they did have minor success with their next album two years later.
AMR charts
Peak position #1×1
Popular in 1994
ARIA charts
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Joey #2
Caroline #39
Popular in 1990
It may surprise you to learn that Soul II soul weren’t very popular here in Australia during their heyday despite their brand of dance RNB being able to fit in perfectly with all of the EDM and dance pop that made it big around this time, I guess we eventually gave them a shot with their second album which is why it managed to become a modest success this year for them here.
AMR charts
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Get a life #35
A dreams a dream #21
Popular in 1990
They did manage to have one of the biggest albums of the decade with their debut, so it’s only natural that Baby animals would follow up that success with this album even if it was a mere fraction of what their earlier work achieved. I’m guessing this would’ve been even bigger had there not been a suddenly resistance to supporting local artists this year as is the case with many Australian entries on this list.
AMR charts
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Impossible to fly #41
Don’t tell me what to do #25
Popular in 1993
ARIA charts
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Impossible to fly #48
Don’t tell me what to do #24
Popular in 1993
We have another wacky Australian band that Triple J fell in love with throughout the 90’s, this time it’s Regurgitator who made it big with their debut album which combined hip hop with rock in a way that was far less serious than the likes of Rage against the machine and Faith no more from earlier in the decade. It was a huge success for them and led to them evolving their sound to include EDM elements on their next album.
AMR charts
Peak position #4
Hit singles
New #36
Kong foo sing #33
Popular in 1996
This was the only album that Wendy Matthews made with the members of the Models, technically this was a comeback album for the band as they replaced James Freud with Wendy fresh off the success she has with the Rockmelons and Kate Ceberano from two years prior. The success of this album led to her releasing her solo album later in the year which would become a massive hit for her the following year.
AMR charts
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Hullabaloo #45
I don’t want to be with nobody but you #4
Popular in 1990
I did mention when I featured their debut album that the Foo Fighters saw more success with each subsequent album they released, although this appears lower on this list compared to what their debut would appear, that’s mainly because rock music took a back seat to all of the pop featured on this list so far according to the ARIA charts which wasn’t the case on the AMR charts where it reigned supreme.
AMR charts
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Monkey wrench #13
Everlong #42
Popular in 1997
For whatever reason, the title track to this greatest hits album became a huge success worldwide despite it coming from an album from 1989 for Chris Isaak. I want to say it was due to his resemblance of Roy Orbison, except that Roy had died only a few months prior to when the song was released. In any case, this helped audiences discover his back catalogue so that he could be a household name in the 90’s.
AMR charts
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Wicked game #12
Blue hotel #24
Popular in 1991
ARIA charts
Peak position #9
Hit singles
All that she wants #1
The sign #1
Don’t turn around #19
Popular in 1994
She had a surprise hit the previous year with “Pash,” so it only makes sense that Kate Ceberano would close out the 90’s with a greatest hits package to remind her fans of her back catalogue. It was a huge success for her, although it didn’t do her career any favours going into the new millennium.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
I won’t let you down #50
Popular in 1999
It looks like Sting was able to also survive the transition from the 80’s to the 90’s as this album managed to be a modest success here in Australia and throughout the world despite sounding like it would fit in with his previous two albums in his catalogue. I guess this was more of a hit thanks to there being a ton of nostalgia for his band the Police given how this was a good year for reggae and that was the band’s influence in their sound.
AMR charts
Peak position #10
Hit singles
It’s probably me #24
If I ever lose my faith in you #42
Popular in 1993
ARIA charts
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Where do you go #33
True tears of joy #14
Holy grail #20
Popular in 1992, 1993
ARIA charts
Peak position #9
Hit singles
One headlight #14
Popular in 1997
ARIA charts
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Hullabaloo #46
I don’t want to be with nobody but you #4
Popular in 1990
ARIA charts
Peak position #9
Popular in 1994
After their debut album, this remains the most successful album from Heart largely due to it containing their biggest hits which is fitting because their debut contains their second biggest hit in their catalogue down under. This is also the final album they released to have any sort of success as they sadly were unable to transition from the 80’s to the 90’s after this year just like many heavyweights of the former decade.
AMR charts
Peak position #7
Hit singles
All I wanna do is make love to you #1
Popular in 1990
ARIA charts
Peak position #4
Hit singles
The gift #16
Please #37
Time #36
Popular in 1993
I guess Hoodoo gurus were in danger of not being able to transition from the 80’s to the 90’s given how their last album Magnum cum louder was a huge flop at the end of the previous decade. Fortunately, they were able to bounce back this year with this album lead by a song that was built on 60’s nostalgia which was still a popular trend of the early 90’s. This second wind didn’t last long for the band I’m afraid.
AMR charts
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Miss freelove 69 #17
1000 miles away #33
Popular in 1991
ARIA charts
Peak position #10
Popular in 1990
ARIA charts
Peak position #7
Popular in 1993, 1994, 1995
I guess all you need to make it big here in Australia is to have a huge hit on Billboard (even if it’s on the airplay charts) take this album from the Wallflowers who likely wouldn’t have had any success here if the lead single didn’t tear up the radio in America upon its initial release. Like many alternative bands of the late 90’s, these guys as a one album wonder due to them failing to have any other radio fodder in America.
AMR charts
Peak position #7
Hit singles
One headlight #10
Popular in 1997
Peak position #10
Popular in 1990
I did say on the previous list that Sade’s return in the mainstream felt like a warmup for these guys, well here we are with the breakthrough album for M people, a fellow British band that blended RNB with rock. Although these guys also added an element of dance to their sound which perhaps they did to differentiate themselves with Sade, this worked out for them as this was a huge success worldwide.
AMR charts
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Moving on up #4
One night in heaven #19
Popular in 1994
ARIA charts
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Eternal life #44
Popular in 1995, 1997, 1998
Given how he was coming off by far his biggest album (at least it was here in Australia) it only makes sense that Robert Palmer would cap off the 80’s with a greatest hits package that only saw its success as the start of the 90’s here in Australia due to how long it took to take off here. Sadly, he wouldn’t find any further success here after this save for his collaboration with UB40.
AMR charts
Peak position #15
Popular in 1990
This was all set to be a flop upon its initial release here in Australia, in fact the only reason why it saw any success was due to the band’s earlier entry on this list becoming a surprise hit for them which encouraged audiences to check out this greatest hits package from the band.
AMR charts
Peak position #17
Popular in 1994
ARIA charts
Peak position #11
Hit singles
All I wanna do is make love to you #1
Popular in 1990
Tommy Emmanuel was a session guitarist for Dragon during their last few albums in the 80’s, even with that in mind, it was a bit of a surprise that he managed to see massive solo success throughout the 90’s beginning with this solo album following the final successful album from his meal ticket band from the previous year.
AMR charts
Peak position #13
Popular in 1990, 1991
This was the last taste of success that Stevie Nicks had here in Australia both solo and with Fleetwood mac, admittedly this was a greatest hits album which is usually a sign of an artist acknowledging the end of their peak period. It’s interesting this underperformed here given how successful her four solo albums were throughout the 80’s.
AMR charts
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Sometimes it’s a bitch #19
Popular in 1991
Our other new entry from the 90’s is another greatest hits album that peaked in the summer of 1991/1992, this time it’s from Billy Idol who originally released this following the success of his 1990 effort Charmed life (more specifically it’s lead single “Cradle of love”) but didn’t take off here until a full year after its initial release for whatever reason.
AMR charts
Peak position #16
Popular in 1991
ARIA charts
Peak position #11
Popular in 1991
This was a modest success for Cypress hill here in Australia upon its initial release, although its true success wouldn’t come until a year later likely due to how well it was received by the kiwis throughout its run over in NZ. It was an early success story for the “true” hip hop here in Australia given how until this point it was mainly the likes of MC Hammer and Vanilla ice finding success with the genre here.
AMR charts
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Insane in the brain #42
I ain’t going out like that #45
When the shit goes down #42
Popular in 1993, 1994
ARIA charts
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Insane in the brain #40
I ain’t going out like that #43
When the shit goes down #47
Popular in 1993, 1994
This was released the previous year to very minimal success, likely because it took us Aussies a hot minute to realise these two women were the backup vocalists for the Black sorrows and thus are a large reason why those albums remain classics to this day. Indeed, the album saw a massive surge in popularity this year likely because of this connection, although it would be the full extent of their success without the band.
AMR charts
Peak position #13
Popular in 1995
This was a big hit on the AMR charts but not so much on the ARIA charts, I guess it was the nostalgia baiting that the singles had that allowed this to perform better on the former charts as I can’t imagine too many of us Aussies genuinely being a hip hop track where Puff Daddy (more commonly known as Diddy) is spitting rhymes as opposed to his east coast cliental.
AMR charts
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Can’t nobody hold me down #18
I’ll be missing you #1
Been around the world #49
Popular in 1997
Given how he was seeing massive success with his earlier entry on this list, it only makes sense that Andrea’s (then) most recent album would suddenly find success here in Australia a year after its initial release. This confirmed the opera singer as the real deal as well as restoring the popularity of classical music given how the 3 tenors were seen as yesterday’s news by this point.
AMR charts
Peak position #13
Popular in 1998
ARIA charts
Peak position #12
Popular in 1998, 1999
This covers the hits of spring of 1990 and packages it as summer jams, it was a big hit due to the strong selection of tracks it had to choose from during this period to feature on here.
AMR charts
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Jukebox in Siberia #1 (AMR #1)
Miss divine #16 (AMR #17)
Caroline #39 (AMR #41)
Falling to pieces #26 (AMR #29)
Bound for glory #11 (AMR #6)
Let’s make it last all night #12 (AMR #7)
The great song of indifference #25 (AMR #23)
Shout me down #36 (AMR #32)
The king of wishful thinking #6 (AMR #5)
Ice ice baby #1 (AMR #1)
Token angels #18 (AMR #19)
I can see clearly now #22 (AMR #18)
Unchained melody #1 (AMR #1)
Popular in 1990, 1991
Although their popularity was beginning to fade during this phase of their career, Pearl jam was still able to find massive success with their albums as evidence by this being a huge success for them two years after the demise of their main rivals Nirvana. They would release one more album later in the decade that was a massive success before they shifted their sound to a more mainstream market.
AMR charts
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
Who you are #7
Hail hail #31
Popular in 1996
ARIA charts
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Free as a bird #6
Popular in 1995
ARIA charts
Peak position #1×4
Hit singles
Swing the mood #1
That’s what I like #4
Popular in 1990
ARIA charts
Peak position #2
Popular in 1994
ARIA charts
Peak position #4
Popular in 1997
This was the third entry from the Hits of 1990 franchise, it was by far the biggest entry due to it collecting most of the biggest hits of the midpoint of the decade which was rich with strong selections due to how great out music scene at the time.
AMR charts
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
All I wanna do is make love to you #1 (AMR #1)
Summer rain #6 (AMR #7)
Dogs are talking #11 (AMR #8)
Escapade #25 (AMR #21)
I don’t want to be with nobody but you #4 (AMR #4)
Touch me #18 (AMR #17)
Love and kisses #4 (AMR #6)
A dreams a dream #27 (AMR #21)
Metropolis #19 (AMR #15)
With a little love #27 (AMR #24)
Strawberry fields forever #29 (AMR #29)
Dub be good to me #12 (AMR #13)
Get up #7 (AMR #5)
I need your body #3 (AMR #2)
C’mon and get my love #35 (AMR #28)
Don’t shut me out #43 (AMR #39)
Popular in 1990
The spring of 1990 was a hectic time indeed for Australian music, as such, it’s little surprise that this album looking over the big hits of that period and presenting them as summer jams would be a success when it was.
AMR charts
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Suicide blonde #2 (AMR #3)
Groove is in the heart #1 (AMR #1)
Doing the do #3 (AMR #5)
Ooops up #4 (AMR #3)
Fix of love #28 (AMR #37)
The right combination #11 (AMR #12)
Megamix #13 (AMR #11)
Cherry pie #6 (AMR #6)
Chain reaction #6 (AMR #6)
I’ll be your shelter #4 (AMR #4)
Thieves in the temple #16 (AMR #15)
Number one #24 (AMR #23)
Tonight #16 (AMR #18)
Popular in 1991
The autumn of this year was very hectic as this became a massive success this year thanks to the fine selection of songs it had to offer us Aussies during the midpoint of the year.
AMR charts
Peak position #2
Hit singles
3AM eternal #3 (AMR #1)
B with u #16 (AMR #21)
Here we go #20 (AMR #17)
Strike it up #20 (AMR #18)
Deep deep trouble #35 (AMR #40)
Around the way girl #45 (AMR #39)
Never let me go #30 (AMR #26)
Early warning #21 (AMR #16)
When your love is gone #7 (AMR #7)
The horses #1 (AMR #1)
Hold me in your arms #9 (AMR #7)
Where are you now #13 (AMR #11)
Cry for help #13 (AMR #8)
One more try #36 (AMR #25)
Iesha #17 (AMR #15)
Devotion #37 (AMR #37)
Love the one you’re with #21 (AMR #20)
What do I have to do #11 (AMR #8)
Popular in 1991
Given how artists on labels owned by EMI and Warner music made up the track listings for the 100% series, it only seems natural that their main rivals were albums that had artists from labels owned by Universal and Sony. This album was a success in that category but should also give you an idea the type of music we Aussies liked based on who was on what label. This was the big hits from the summer of 92/93 for the record.
AMR charts
Peak position #3
Hit singles
You don’t treat me no good #1 (AMR #1)
Happy birthday Helen #9 (AMR #8)
Sweat it out #11 (AMR #13)
Jump #7 (AMR #7)
Love u more #30 (AMR #27)
Ebeneezer Goode #14 (AMR #14)
Little miss can’t be wrong #16 (AMR #11)
Gangsta #17 (AMR #14)
Accidently Kelly Street #4 (AMR #3)
Sweet Lullaby #7 (AMR #7)
In your room #10 (AMR #10)
Jump around #15 (AMR #14)
Exterminate #50
Celebration #21 (AMR #23)
Gimme little sign #3 (AMR #3)
Sweet love #21 (AMR #24)
Bad attitude #28 (AMR #20)
If I ever fall in love #4 (AMR #4)
True tears of joy #14 (AMR #13)
Popular in 1993
The winter of this year was a hectic time for the music industry, as such we have another appearance from the 100% series to help people get into the big hits of this time in Australia.
AMR charts
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Mmmbop #1 (AMR #1)
Bitch #2 (AMR #2)
Semi charmed life #8 (AMR #7)
Song 2 #4 (AMR #6)
I go off #35 (AMR #33)
Calypso #13 (AMR #19)
You were meant for me #3 (AMR #3)
Truly madly deeply #1 (AMR #1)
Always on my mind #33 (AMR #28)
Picture of you #39 (AMR #49)
Mama #13 (AMR #7)
Nightmare #14 (AMR #15)
Coco jamboo #7 (AMR #4)
Always be #25 (AMR #22)
Say what you want #11 (AMR #10)
Don’t you love me #25 (AMR #17)
Alisha rules the world #26 (AMR #40)
Nobody #21 (AMR #18)
Popular in 1997
I’m not quite sure why this album that was originally released in 1980 was becoming a success here in Australia again twelve years after its release, then again, this decade was an excellent time for older artists to find success with greatest hits albums so perhaps this was just part of the trend.
AMR charts
Peak position #1×1
Popular in 1992
Well, their comeback might not have been well received, but at least fans were eager to rediscover the back catalogue for one of the biggest bands of the 70’s here in Australia. In fact, I’m sure if they weren’t deterred from the backlash to “Jukebox in Siberia” they would’ve had plenty of success in the 90’s as fellow 70’s icons Daryl Braithwaite and John Farnham were making it big around this time.
AMR charts
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Jukebox in Siberia #1
Popular in 1990
This was the debut album for Screaming jets, an Australian band who made it big with a song that wouldn’t feel out of place with the rising grunge movement that would take over the world by the end of the year. While this album was an immediate success for the band, their second album would have to wait a year and a half to become a success likely suggesting Nirvana stole their success from them.
AMR charts
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Better #3
Stop the world #37
Shine on #41
Popular in 1991
Midnight oil was among many bands to have a highly successful live album back in the day due to their reputation for their live shows, as such we have that album here which they released between two of their more prominent albums as a way of tying over fans from the 80’s to the 90’s in the music industry.
AMR charts
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Sometimes #26
Popular in 1992
While this wasn’t able to live up to the success of his previous two albums, Diesel was nonetheless able to retain his popularity with this release here in Australia which is impressive given how much harder it was for local artists to retain their popularity moving forward in the decade for some inexplicable reason.
AMR charts
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Never miss your water #13
Masterplan #48
I’ve been loving you too long #42
Popular in 1993
Well, if people felt that Metallica’s previous album was a sellout, they hadn’t heard anything yet as this was bordering on mainstream rock which made their previous material seem like something they released in the 80’s. That said, this was a huge success for the band and even well received to this day, proving that it’s only the diehard fans that were crying foul when the band released this.
AMR charts
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Until it sleeps #1
Hero of the day #2
Mama said #18
Popular in 1996
This is the final successful album that UB40 had anywhere in the world, mainly for the lead single which actually served as the theme song to a long-forgotten film that nobody seemed to like at the time. I guess this was the band’s last hurrah here in Australia due to the surprise success that their previous album had earlier in the decade given how long it took for it to be a success here.
AMR charts
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Falling in love with you #1
Higher ground #40
Popular in 1993
ARIA charts
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Monkey business #31
Popular in 1991
Following the eventual success of her debut album, Paula Abdul was able to find instant success with her second album here in Australia which was off to a good start thanks to it spawning her biggest hit in her native America that was also a very big hit here in Australia. Unfortunately, it didn’t become a best seller due to the presence of Mariah Carey’s album from earlier on this list that made Mariah a household name worldwide.
AMR charts
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Rush rush #2
The promise of a new day #31
Popular in 1991
ARIA charts
Peak position #2
Popular in 1994
Batman forever remains critically divided to this day as while some enjoy it for its campier tone (me included) others feel it’s out of place with the previous two Batman films as they were both more serious in tone and were among the first superhero movies to treat its source material with dignity and respect. The soundtrack was at least a success as it spawned not one but two chart toppers here in Australia.
AMR charts
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Hold me thrill me kiss me kill me #1
Kiss from a rose #1
Popular in 1995
This live album from Andrea Bocelli and Korean composer Myung Whun Chung managed to capture the hearts of many audiences worldwide upon its initial release to guarantee its placement on this site of mine. The blind opera singer (I should mention that to explain why he always has his eyes closed) continued to find success well into the new millennium worldwide.
Peak position #7
Popular in 1999
ARIA charts
Peak position #2
Popular in 1995
Kim Wilde was always described as a singles artist; this is why she could have hit after hit here and in her native UK and not have any of that success translate to her albums. Here she acknowledges that by releasing this greatest hits album which ironically proved to be the biggest success she had with one of her albums in Australia.
AMR charts
Peak position #6
Hit singles
If I can’t have you #2
Popular in 1993
The winter of this year was a hectic time as this compilation album managed to be a massive success by collecting some of the best-known songs of that period in one package.
AMR charts
Peak position #3
Hit singles
How can we be lovers #3 (AMR #3)
I don’t know anybody else #6 (AMR #4)
Walk on the wild side #25 (AMR #23)
Mona #3 (AMR #3)
Black betty #17 (AMR #18)
Blame it on the rain #5 (AMR #4)
Escaping #17 (AMR #13)
I wish it would rain down #15 (AMR #15)
This beat is technotronic #27 (AMR #31)
Shake #16 (AMR #16)
Love is #12 (AMR #10)
Roam #11 (AMR #15)
Infinity #4 (AMR #3)
Passion #43
Love will lead you back #11 (AMR #10)
I remember you #12 (AMR #12)
Dancing in the storm #21 (AMR #19)
Popular in 1990
The winter of this year was a hectic time indeed if this was only slightly less popular than the Hit machine counterpart from earlier on this list.
AMR charts
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Kiss from a rose #1 (AMR #1)
This is who we do it #7 (AMR #6)
Lay down #36 (AMR #35)
Can’t cry anymore #41 (AMR #42)
Insensitive #1 (AMR #1)
Somebody’s crying #5 (AMR #7)
I kissed a girl #36 (AMR #31)
My love is for real #7 (AMR #6)
I believe #18 (AMR #16)
Baby #16 (AMR #19)
Everytime you go away #35 (AMR #43)
Accidentally cool #39 (AMR #46)
Water runs dry #36 (AMR #44)
Popular in 1996
Apparently, there was archival footage of John Lennon making songs for the Beatles, meaning that at some point before his death, he was considering reuniting the band which I guess meant he was willing to patch things up with the other three members (particularly Paul.) When this footage was discovered, the rest of the band honoured his wishes by pseudo reforming and releasing these new tracks on this greatest hits album.
AMR charts
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Free as a bird #7
Popular in 1995
It’s a bit sad that this album was only a modest success upon its initial release here in Australia, heck even after the tragic passing of Kurt Cobain less than a year after its release, it only occasionally pops back onto our charts proving that we Aussies were more interested in the works of Pearl jam back in the day. Still, this was a decent success here, and hey, it also remains one of the best albums of the decade much like its predecessor.
AMR charts
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Heart shaped box #17
Popular in 1993, 1994, 1995
It took them fourteen years, but Cold chisel were back with a new album and fans were delighted to see them return as it was an instant success for them this year. While this would be the last big album from them and Jimmy Barnes, they would go on to retain their popularity throughout the 21st century.
AMR charts
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
The things I love in you #11
Popular in 1998
Given how this album managed to spawn Bobby Brown’s biggest hit not just here in Australia but throughout the rest of the world, it only makes sense it would be a success for him even if that success was a fraction of what his previous album achieved from the end of the previous decade here.
AMR charts
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Humping around #1
Good enough #30
Popular in 1992
ARIA charts
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Slave #10
Popular in 1991
ARIA charts
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Unskinny bop #7
Something to believe in #44
Popular in 1990
This is the only successful album to come from the Black Crowes here in Australia, a southern blues band who achieved massive success over in NZ of all places with their previous album even though this album was only a modest success over there given how big their earlier work was.
AMR charts
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Remedy #24
Popular in 1992
ARIA charts
Peak position #1×1
Popular in 1994
Well, here’s the seasonal album that will forever be the album that charts during the Christmas season for the rest of time, however it may surprise you to learn that while it was a success back in the day, it only charted for the first two Christmas seasons of its lifespan before never touching the charts until the 2010’s. This was more due to having an extremely short shelf life as the album would be pulled from shelves once the new year rolled around.
AMR charts
Peak position #2
Hit singles
All I want for Christmas is you #2
Joy to the world #27
Popular in 1994, 1995, 1996
ARIA charts
Peak position #2
Hit singles
All I want for Christmas is you #2
Joy to the world #33
Popular in 1994, 1995, 1996
Given the overwhelming success they achieved with their previous album, Oasis decided to go big with their third album which resulted in it dividing fans and critics alike due to them not holding back with their ambitions. It was a success worldwide due to how big they were; however, many believe that this was the beginning of their decline due to how hard it was to get on board with their antics.
AMR charts
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
D’you know what I mean #16
Popular in 1997
ARIA charts
Peak position #2
Popular in 1991
This was released at the start of the decade to deafening silence here, I’m guessing the brothers Gibb wanted to continue tradition of beginning each decade with the highlights of the previous decade in their career even if they only scored one notable hit during the 80’s worldwide. It was given a second chance this year for some reason, I’m not sure why as this was an otherwise uneventful year for them.
AMR charts
Peak position #7
Popular in 1994, 1997, 1998
ARIA charts
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Living on the edge #21
Popular in 1993
Well, this was the album where Prince as Eminem put it a decade later “turn himself into a symbol” which was a modest success upon its initial release due to the popularity of his earlier entry on this list despite it receiving a polarising reception due to fans and critics not knowing what to do with his new sound and image.
AMR charts
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Sexy MF #4
My name is prince #8
7 #23
Popular in 1992
ARIA charts
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Sexy MF #5
My name is prince #9
7 #25
Popular in 1992
ARIA charts
Peak position #6
Hit singles
If I can’t have you #3
Popular in 1993
This was a bit of a surprise entry from Julio Iglesias given how he hadn’t had any success here in Australia for exactly ten years, I guess this was more a success out of nostalgia for his first English language album 1100 bel air place than anything else.
AMR charts
Peak position #6
Popular in 1994
While this wasn’t anywhere near as successful as their previous album from two years prior, Soundgarden nonetheless managed to achieve massive success here in Australia with this follow up proving how big grunge was even after the tragic loss of Kurt Cobain in our music scene. Despite how big this was worldwide; the band would call it quits after this to allow Chris Cornell to form Audioslave.
AMR charts
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Pretty noose #23
Popular in 1996
ARIA charts
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Pretty noose #22
Popular in 1996
Hanson were so inescapable this year that they managed to release a Christmas album which became a huge success for them, although it isn’t one of those seasonal albums that reappears at the end of every year like the ones that Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé released.
AMR charts
Peak position #2
Popular in 1997
This will be the only appearance from Marilyn Manson on this side of my site, I guess we Aussies weren’t that interested in the shock factor he offered up in his music as many will tell you (me included) that his music was rather standard when divorced from the context of his stage antics.
AMR charts
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
The dope show #15
Popular in 1998
This was heavily overshadowed by the first 100% hits entry from earlier on this list, I guess this is a reason why that became a franchise as this still managed to be a success even if it didn’t have as strong a selection of hits as that did.
AMR charts
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Hot chilli woman #7 (AMR #7)
Hey stoopid #32 (AMR #37)
Shocked #7 (AMR #6)
Things that make you go hmm #6 (AMR #5)
Every little thing #34 (AMR #29)
Treaty #11 (AMR #11)
Last train to trancentral #5 (AMR #5)
Tripping #25 (AMR #24)
Bad boys #39 (AMR #38)
Love is enough #48
It’s only the beginning #19 (AMR #19)
Higher than hope #28 (AMR #30)
99 reasons #31 (AMR #29)
Unity #40 (AMR #43)
What comes naturally #4 (AMR #3)
Now that we found love #6 (AMR #3)
Ring ring ring #4 (AMR #4)
Popular in 1991
There were many music programs in Australia over the years, one of the more popular ones albeit only for a little while was Ground zero which I guess was meant to be the 90’s equivalent of Bandstand and Countdown as it was a hybrid of having live performances and showing music videos. The show was such a success in season one that a CD was released containing tracks that were performed live on the show.
AMR charts
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Tubthumping #1 (AMR #1)
Down again #23 (AMR #17)
Block rocking beats #28 (AMR #30)
Always on my mind #33 (AMR #28)
Da ya think I’m sexy #3 (AMR #2)
Coco jamboo #7 (AMR #4)
Bitch #2 (AMR #2)
All I wanna do #11 (AMR #10)
Free #31 (AMR #27)
You sexy thing #6 (AMR #7)
Lovefool #11 (AMR #7)
Say what you want #11 (AMR #10)
Say you’ll be there #12 (AMR #7)
Queen of New Orleans #40 (AMR #43)
Nightmare #14 (AMR #15)
Your woman #2 (AMR #1)
Popular in 1998
It was a new decade and yet even Poison were able to find success this year, true hair metal was beginning to lose its popularity as even at the time it was seen as a distinctive feature of the 80’s, but that wasn’t enough to prevent these guys from having success this year with their third album. Besides you don’t have an album as instantly recognisable as Open up and say aah and have the band in question be a one album wonder.
AMR charts
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Unskinny bop #7
Something to believe in #39
Popular in 1990
Given how Nirvana had a live album released mere months after the death of Kurt Cobain from MTV, I guess the BBC wanted to release their own cash in from an album of a popular band who performed on their set from around this time. That came with this album from the fab four from when they were just starting out in their career.
AMR charts
Peak position #3
Popular in 1994
