This was an album that refused to die on the NZ charts, granted this was also the case worldwide but the kiwis kept this around in the mainstream for quite a number of years since its initial release hence why it’s appearing on this list.
Peak position #3
POPULAR IN 1975
This became a success twice in NZ throughout the decade, the first time was upon its initial release and the second was when “I don’t want to talk about it” unexpectedly became a huge success two years after its release over there. Admittedly that song also did reasonably well here in Australia albeit as a sleeper hit.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Sailing #3
I don’t want to talk about it #2
POPULAR IN 1975
Well, there’s no surprise that Rod Stewart would be a huge success in NZ this decade, this is also his biggest album over there due to the kiwis falling in love with his ballads which are still successful on oldies stations to this day.
Peak position #1×9
Hit singles
Tonight’s the night #2
Get back #23
The first cut is the deepest #21
POPULAR IN 1976
The kiwis were just as enamoured with this greatest hits package as we Aussies were, again this was due to the success of a bonus track from the album becoming one of the biggest hits of the decade over there.
Peak position #1×18
POPULAR IN 1976
It’s hard to say what was popular in NZ during the first half of the decade, what I do know is that this was the most popular album over there during the second half of the 70’s thanks to the drama that went into this album resonating with them back in the day. Sadly, there weren’t any improvements with the success of the singles over there like so many other albums on these lists.
Peak position #1×9
Hit singles
Go your own way #23
Dreams #16
You make loving fun #26
POPULAR IN 1977
This may have come out earlier in the decade, however it was still popular enough by the time the RIANZ charts launched for it to be one of the biggest albums of the year, it goes to show how inescapable this was from Neil Diamond back in the day.
Peak position #1×1
POPULAR IN 1975
I can’t say if the Eagles were among the biggest bands of the decade in NZ during the first half of the 70’s, however they did see even more success over there with their Australian breakthrough album One of these nights than they did here which makes this greatest hits album success over there make more sense.
Peak position #2
POPULAR IN 1976
This was more of an immediate success in NZ than it was in Australia, as such it managed to have a higher peak over there despite doing as well in both countries as each other for the iconic guitarist.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Show me the way #26
POPULAR IN 1976
Unlike in Australia where Billy Joel had some success with his previous efforts, this was the first that the kiwis had heard from him which is likely why it was a bigger success for him over there than it was over here. Although it’s worth noting that his overall popularity there couldn’t hold a candle to what it was here.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Just the way you are #6
Moving out #31
POPULAR IN 1978
This proved to be an even bigger success in NZ for Olivia Newton John, although to be fair this was during the earliest stages of the RIANZ charts so perhaps its popularity wasn’t as bloated as its lengthy chart run would otherwise suggest.
Peak position #2
POPULAR IN 1975
Well, it might not have been as successful in NZ as it was here in Australia, however at least this album from the Eagles was able to spawn hits for the band over there which I feel more than makes up for it as the album was still a massive success there whilst also making the band a household name on NZ’s singles charts.
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
New in town #5
Hotel California #6
POPULAR IN 1977
It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that these guys were so much more successful in NZ than they were here in Australia during the disco phase of their career, then again, they saw massive success over there during their early Beatles esque era so perhaps the kiwis just loved these guys overall more so than us Aussies.
Peak position #1×5
POPULAR IN 1977
It remains their most popular album in their career, so naturally it would be a massive success for NZ back in the day given how it was a huge success around the world for Supertramp. Interestingly it proved to be even bigger over there than it was here, likely because they had more mainstream appeal there than they did here.
Peak position #1×10
Hit singles
The logical song #13
Goodbye stranger #40
POPULAR IN 1979
This had a similar reason for becoming a success this year that it did in Australia, the main difference of course is that given that the kiwis were already familiar with this guy as “I don’t believe in if anymore” was a huge hit on the Listener charts from the start of the decade, the album was more of a success over there.
Peak position #1×8
POPULAR IN 1975
So, this was a massive success for the Cars in NZ but not here in Australia, admittedly this was mainly a success over there due to the popularity of their second album, but it was still inescapable over there once the kiwis did discover how awesome the album was. That’s certainly more than I can say for us Aussies who likely thought that Candy O was the band’s debut album back in the day.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Just what I needed #38
POPULAR IN 1978
It appears that the world tour that Neil Young and Crazy horse gave for their Rust never sleeps album was so compelling for the kiwis to listen to that the live album proved to be more successful over there than the studio album it was based on. That’s impressive considering how huge the studio album was over there.
Peak position #1×2
POPULAR IN 1979
It’s hard to say if this was the album which made John Denver a household name over in NZ considering how the RIANZ charts only go back to when this was initially released and not factor in his previous albums over there, from what I can gather he didn’t have much success prior to this album there due to the previous charts Listener not ranking his earlier singles high on their charts.
Peak position #1×2
POPULAR IN 1975
I’m guessing this album was even bigger in NZ back in the day given how it was released the previous year before the RIANZ charts were able to track its full success, as is it was still one of the biggest albums of the decade over there due to how inescapable Elton John was during the first half of the 70’s.
Peak position #2
POPULAR IN 1975
I guess these guys had massive success with their albums during the first half of the decade in NZ, why else would their greatest hits package be so successful over there given how they didn’t see much success with their singles (at least according to the Listener charts they didn’t.)
Peak position #3
POPULAR IN 1975
Even though this had a low peak position in NZ back in the day like it did here in Australia, this breakthrough from Supertramp nonetheless managed to last for quite some time on their charts which ensured that it would be a shoe in for several of these lists on this side of my site.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Dreamer #34
POPULAR IN 1975
This albums success in NZ was about the same as it was here in Australia, meaning that Linda’s popularity was on equal footing in the southern hemisphere even though the second minor hit from the album varies depending on which country you’re referring to. Here it was “Poor poor pitiful me” which was written by Warren Zevon of “Werewolves of London” fame and in NZ it was a cover of a Buddy Holly track.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Blue bayou #3
It’s so easy #11
POPULAR IN 1977
Given how he wasn’t competing with his family when he released his first album to be produced by Quincy Jones, MJ was able to flood the NZ charts with this album much more so than he did in Australia who had just discovered his family’s post Motown material around this time.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Don’t stop till you get enough #1
Rock with you #3
Off the wall #14
She’s out of my life #6
Girlfriend #49
POPULAR IN 1979
This was the only successful album that Leo Sayer had in NZ, mainly because it was the album that made him a superstar in America given how it spawned two Billboard chart toppers for him over there. Indeed, these two songs remain his biggest hits in most parts of the world despite being very different from each other.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
You make me feel like dancing #1
When I need you #4
How much love #10
POPULAR IN 1977
Although this album was a huge success over in NZ, it wasn’t quite as inescapable over there as it was over here likely due to the kiwis only gravitating towards this album when it became a huge success for Meat loaf here in Australia due to his appearance on Countdown back in the day.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
You took the words right out of my mouth #2
Two out of three ain’t bad #9
POPULAR IN 1978
While this album wasn’t quite the inescapable success in NZ that it was in Australia, Abba mania was still a huge deal over there back in the day due to how inescapable the songs were. In fact, the album had a longer shelf life due to the Australian exclusive tracks being released months later over there than they were here.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
I do I do I do #1
SOS #1
Mamma Mia #2
Rock me #2
I’ve been waiting for you #8
POPULAR IN 1975
The Brothers Gibb had already been embraced by the kiwis when it came to their transition to disco earlier in the decade, as such their soundtrack for the Saturday night fever film was a shoe in for success due to the film also being a huge critical and commercial success upon its release.
Peak position #1×16
Hit singles
How deep is your love #6
Staying alive #1
If I can’t have you #6
Night fever #2
POPULAR IN 1978
This proved to be an even bigger hit in NZ than it was in Australia, I’m guessing because their third album wasn’t quite as huge over there as it was over here which means the inevitable burnout from the Swedish foursome didn’t occur as quickly over there as it did over here.
Peak position #1×12
Hit singles
Dancing queen #1
Money money money #1
Knowing me knowing you #8
POPULAR IN 1976
Given how their albums seemed to stick to the lower half of the album’s charts in NZ throughout the 80’s like glue, it seems fitting that their debut album would also do the same once its initial popularity began to fade as the decade was coming to an end. Even so it was a massive success over there thanks to how big the lead single was worldwide.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Sultans of swing #12
POPULAR IN 1978
Much like in Australia, the success of this album in NZ was likely bolstered by it spawning the biggest hit in Pink Floyd’s career over there in the form of one of its title tracks. It also likely allowed their entry from the top of this list to keep charting well into the 80’s as it had still yet to drop off the charts over there like it did here in the mid 70’s.
Peak position #1×13
Hit singles
Another brick in the wall #1
Run like hell #40
POPULAR IN 1979
From what I can gather, these guys did have success in NZ with their previous album due to “Killer queen” being a massive hit over there according to the Listener charts right before the RIANZ charts launched. Even so, this was a massive step up from their previous efforts which resulted in it remaining as their biggest album to date in their career (not counting their greatest hits packages that is.)
Peak position #1×6
Hit singles
Bohemian rhapsody #1
POPULAR IN 1976
This was way more successful in NZ than it was in Australia in every way, not only for the album itself but also the singles which managed to be actual hits over there likely due to the kiwis not having a local music scene established at the time for them to choose over these classics from the Eagles.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
One of these nights #3
Lying eyes #7
Take it to the limit #23
POPULAR IN 1975
I think it’s weird that these guys weren’t more successful in Australia, not with the albums so much as they did fine, but rather with the singles because not only do they remain iconic to this day, but they also would’ve easily fitted in with all of the rock opera making it big worldwide from around this time.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Give a little bit #14
POPULAR IN 1977
Given how rock operas weren’t as successful in NZ as they were here in Australia, this concept album from Jeff Wayne wasn’t as inescapable over there as it was over here even though it was still a massive success there.
Peak position #2
POPULAR IN 1978
The kiwis also seemed to be in love with the Grease phenomenon as the soundtrack to the film managed to be a massive success over there just like it was over here, although its popularity in the 90’s wasn’t as inescapable over there so perhaps their love for the film faded over time as opposed to it growing here in Australia.
Peak position #1×16
Hit singles
You’re the one that I want #1
Grease #2
Hopelessly devoted to you #6
Summer nights #3
Greased lightning #40
POPULAR IN 1978
He did score two of the biggest hits of the decade in NZ, so it only makes sense that this album which spawned those two hits would be a massive success for Freddy Fender over there back in the day. He scored further moderate success the following year with his next album Are you ready for Freddy, however it wasn’t big enough to earn a spot on this side of my site.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Before the next teardrop falls #2
Wasted days and wasted nights #1
POPULAR IN 1975
This album really did take its time in finding an audience in NZ, so much so that it wasn’t until the success of his next album that this finally reached the upper echelons of their charts due to it lacking that hit single over there. That said, it did hover in the lower half of the charts for a year which is why it wound up being the bigger album over there.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Lowdown #35
Lido shuffle #18
POPULAR IN 1977
As far as the RIANZ charts are concerned, this was the first successful album that the Rolling Stones had in NZ. Admittedly it’s nigh impossible for me to determine if their earlier material was successful over there due to the Listener charts not having an albums chart like they did with a singles chart.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Fool to cry #38
POPULAR IN 1976
This was another massive success that Fleetwood Mac had in NZ just like they did throughout the rest of the world, in fact what I said about this on the Australian side of my site applies here as its success there perfectly mirrors its success here.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Tusk #4
Sara #12
POPULAR IN 1979
This had a bit of a slow start to its rise in popularity in NZ, mainly because the lead single was far from the most successful of its time and the second single didn’t even chart over there for some reason. The album finally reached its peak when the third single became one of the biggest of the decade over there much like how it became a success for the band in America.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Living thing #4
Telephone line #1
POPULAR IN 1977
From what I can gather, Barbra Streisand didn’t have any hits in NZ prior to when she starred in the third adaptation of A star is born, meaning this soundtrack was likely many kiwis introduction to her music as it and the lead single became a massive success for her and her co-star Kris Kristofferson over there.
Peak position #1×9
Hit singles
Evergreen #3
POPULAR IN 1977
Well at least the Eagles were able to go out with a bang when they embarrassed themselves during a concert promoting this album around this time in their native California, indeed it was more of a success in NZ thanks to the songs being able to become hits over there which wasn’t the case for them here in Australia.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Heartache tonight #7
The long run #30
I can’t tell you why #11
POPULAR IN 1979
This was the magnum opus for Frank Farian in his career, mainly because of his presence in the band but also because of how infectiously catchy the disco is on this album which led to the lead single being one of the biggest hits of the decade worldwide.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Rivers of Babylon #1
Rasputin #4
POPULAR IN 1978
This was another successful album to come from Rod Stewart worldwide, I guess this was slightly more successful in NZ with the singles given how it had one more minor charting hit over there than it did over here.
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
You’re in my heart #2
Hot legs #31
I was only joking #35
POPULAR IN 1977
Given how there wasn’t a Countdown equivalent in NZ (to my knowledge at least) this allowed Neil Diamond to have even more success over there than he did over here which feels like a more accurate representation of how big he was throughout the second half of the 70’s worldwide.
Peak position #1×6
Hit singles
If you know what I mean #8
POPULAR IN 1976
Given how his previous album was a massive success for him in NZ, it only seems fitting that Billy Joel would continue that winning streak with this album which manages to confirm him as the real deal over there given how his work prior to the Stranger wasn’t a success over there like it was here.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
My life #6
Big shot #36
Honesty #38
POPULAR IN 1978
This was the debut album from B52’s, an album that needed some incentive to become a success in the southern hemisphere which came when the band performed their signature track from the album on Countdown thus allowing it to find an audience in both countries due to how memorable it was.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Planet Claire #35
Rock lobster #38
POPULAR IN 1979
It looks like the kiwis had also grown tired of John Denver once the popularity of this album died out over there, although admittedly it did last longer over there than it did over here which suggests they considered letting him stick around for a while longer but ultimately decided against it.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
I’m sorry #5
Calypso #5
POPULAR IN 1975
Wings were certainly not yesterday’s news in NZ when they released this album, in fact since there wasn’t a local music scene that had to compete with over there, the singles on here managed to become hits where they weren’t here in Australia.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Silly love songs #8
Let em in #13
POPULAR IN 1976
Much like in Australia, Rod Stewart wouldn’t have an inescapable album again in NZ until the early 90’s with the success of Vagabond heart. Unlike in Australia, he wouldn’t score any success with his singles between that time meaning that the kiwis completely ignored this guy throughout the 80’s.
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
Do ya think I’m sexy #2
POPULAR IN 1978
It was a new decade and Tom Petty was already off to a good start as far as the kiwis were concerned as he scored a massive hit with this album by having it spawn one of his more iconic songs as the second hit single. I guess the kiwis were far more willing to embrace heartland rock than we Aussies were around this time given how much more popular the genre was over there compared to over here.
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
Don’t do me like that #17
Refugee #3
Here comes my girl #41
POPULAR IN 1979
These guys were on a roll worldwide as this album was a massive success wherever it was released (once it acquired a less horrifying album cover that is) it was more of a success in NZ because the album didn’t have much to compete with over there due to the kiwis lacking an effective local music scene.
Peak position #1×3
POPULAR IN 1975
This is another album from the first half of the decade that was a massive success for Neil Diamond in Australia, I’m guessing it was an even bigger deal over in NZ considering how long it lasted in order for it to chart on the RIANZ charts two years after its initial release.
Peak position #3
POPULAR IN 1975
OK the album wasn’t quite as successful in NZ as it was here in Australia (to say nothing of how much bigger it was in Stevie Wonder’s native America) however at least it still managed to be a success for him back in the day over there hence why it is making another appearance on this site of mine.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
I wish #19
Sir duke #24
POPULAR IN 1976
It looks like ELO’s venture towards disco was their biggest success over in NZ as this album remains their most successful album over there, likely due to it being released at the height of the genres popularity but also due to the band needing to find their footing over there given how rock operas weren’t as big as they were here in Australia.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Shine a little love #17
Don’t bring me down #6
Confusion #19
POPULAR IN 1979
Unlike in Australia where these guys at least had some success during the first half of the decade when they were a jazz rock band, I doubt that was the case in NZ as they didn’t have any successful singles and this album was the best they could do on the album chart which suggests they weren’t much of an album’s band either.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
If you leave me now #2
POPULAR IN 1976
From what I can gather, Seals and Crofts didn’t have much success in NZ prior to the launch of the RIANZ charts. Unless they had success with their albums over there, then this greatest hits package being a huge success for the duo makes no sense to me.
Peak position #2
POPULAR IN 1975
While this collaboration between Neil Young and Crazy horse was initially as successful in NZ as it was here in Australia, the fact the album spawned a highly successful live album from their world tour over there ensured that success would be repeated a year after its initial release for both parties involved.
Peak position #7
POPULAR IN 1979
This is a bit confusing as Suzi Quatro didn’t have much success in NZ during the first half of the decade (according to the listener charts that is) I guess this was the kiwi’s way of atoning for ignoring her back in the day as the album wasn’t very successful here in Australia despite how inescapable she was back then.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I may be too young #27
POPULAR IN 1975
This was a fantastic year for Elton John regardless of where in the world you’re from, this being one of his more popular albums due to the lead single showcasing a much more personal look into his life giving its poignant subject matter.
Peak position #1×5
Hit singles
Someone saved my life tonight #13
POPULAR IN 1975
From what I can gather, these guys weren’t that big in NZ during the first half of the decade, meaning this greatest hits album was more of a chance for the kiwis to discover their back catalogue rather than it being a celebration of their earlier achievements. I’m not sure why they felt compelled to do so at this stage, but it allowed the band to finally have major success over there albeit past their prime.
Peak position #2
POPULAR IN 1978
This was all set to flop in NZ upon its initial release the previous year, however then the lead single became a huge success in their native America which allowed it to become a massive success over there in response. Following the success of this album, Blondie no longer had any issues with finding success over there as their next two albums would be huge hits for them going into the 80’s.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Heart of glass #1
Hanging on the telephone #43
POPULAR IN 1978
For whatever reason, this album didn’t so much as chart here in Australia despite it being one of the biggest albums of the decade in NZ, mainly through the lead single which incidentally was one of the biggest singles of the decade over there as well despite that also failing to chart for JJ Cale here in Australia.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Cocaine #1
POPULAR IN 1976
These guys weren’t that big in NZ, or at least they weren’t compared to how well they did here in Australia despite them having more immediate success over there with their debut album. Here they follow up the success of Outlandos D’amour with this album which didn’t spawn that big hit over there they had here and on their previous album over there.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Message to a bottle #11
Walking on the moon #12
POPULAR IN 1979
This was all set to be a mere minor success in NZ upon its initial release, however the lead single became a surprise success over there at the start of the 80’s which allowed it to become a massive success for Ry Cooder. He remains a one album wonder in both countries, although he was a part of the Buena Vista social club two decades later which had a successful album with their release.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Little sister #1
POPULAR IN 1979
This was also initially a flop for George Benson in NZ like it was here in Australia, although the kiwis were more open to making this a success than we Aussies were which is why it managed to appear much higher on this side of my site even if its road to success over there is identical to what it was over here.
Peak position #9
POPULAR IN 1976
Again, I’m sort of cheating with this entry as it wasn’t that big on the RIANZ chart, but also it was released two years prior meaning that it’s possible it was even bigger upon its initial release over in NZ.
Peak position #10
POPULAR IN 1975
I guess the kiwis really wanted to hear more from this guy’s back catalogue as he found success with an album that serves as a direct sequel to his greatest hits album he released from the previous year which was also a massive success for him over there.
Peak position #3
POPULAR IN 1976
Well, this is a surprise given how this was the band’s least successful album here in Australia, I guess the kiwis were a little ahead of the curve when it came to the rock opera scene as this was the band’s venture towards that genre which became a massive hit for them over there but not over here.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Art for art’s sake #6
I’m Mandy fly me #25
POPULAR IN 1976
From what I can gather on the Listener charts, Helen Reddy was decently successful during the first half of the decade in NZ but not on the same level as she was here in Australia. I bring this up because it’s curious that this greatest hits album would be so much more successful over there than it was over here back in the day.
Peak position #1×6
POPULAR IN 1975
This was an album that I thought was released exclusively in America, however it turns out it makes for a good greatest hits album given how it contains all of the band’s biggest hits they had from their first few albums internationally. Indeed, the kiwis treated this as such which allowed for it to be a massive success for them over there.
Peak position #4
POPULAR IN 1976
This proved to be an even bigger success over in NZ than it was here in Australia, again likely due to Elvis not having to compete with much competition over there as his death was likely the talk of the town compared to all of the exciting new local talent that it had to share the news with here in Australia.
Peak position #1×4
Hit singles
Moody blue #5
Way down #7
Moody blue (post death) #16
POPULAR IN 1977
Kiss never had much success in NZ back in the day, so I guess the kiwis weren’t that surprised that they went in a more mainstream direction with this album given how their earlier material all flopped over there earlier in the decade. They did have success with their follow up in the 80’s, although like Australia their popularity didn’t last very long in the new decade.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
I was made for loving you #1
Sure know something #11
POPULAR IN 1979
This was the debut album from Mark Williams, an album named after himself much like his Australian breakthrough from fifteen years later which spawned his one and only Australian hit “Show no mercy.” Mark was one of the few kiwis to find success in his homeland in the 70’s without coming over to Australia back in the day, I would say ever except he did eventually migrate here in the late 80’s.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Yesterday was just the beginning of my life #1
POPULAR IN 1975
Well at least we Aussies got in on the Bob Marley bandwagon when the rest of the world did as this too was his breakthrough success over in NZ just like it was here and in the UK. I’m guessing the world outside of his Jamaica were turned off by his more politically charged albums from earlier in the decade and finally came around to him on this album where he was more spiritually inclined than before.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Is this love #8
POPULAR IN 1978
Although Silk degrees was the bigger album for Boz Scaggs in NZ like it was worldwide, it was this album that encouraged its success this year as it managed to spawn him a huge hit over there which allowed his earlier album to become a hit (stay tuned for it in a bit.)
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Hollywood #7
POPULAR IN 1978
There were no signs of these guys slowing down in NZ just like there wasn’t any signs of them slowing down anywhere else in the world, sure it only spawned a sole charting single, but it was a massive hit for them and all the incentive anyone needed to check out the album.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Miss you #8
POPULAR IN 1978
Although we Aussies largely ignored these guys back in the day, this wasn’t the case with the kiwis who openly embraced Steely Dan likely due to them not having a Countdown equivalent to discourage them from making these guys a success over there. Indeed, soft rock in general seemed to be far more popular with the kiwis this decade given what we’ve seen on these lists so far on this side of my site.
Peak position #3
POPULAR IN 1977
It was a bit of a surprise that this was only barely a success here in Australia back in the day, fortunately the kiwis were way more impressed with the works of Supertramp during their heyday which is why this manages to not only have a much higher appearance on this side of my site, but also multiple appearances given how long it charted for over there compared to over here.
Peak position #6
POPULAR IN 1976
It appears the London Symphony Orchestra wasn’t the first orchestra to have a successful album in NZ as their own symphony orchestra managed to score a huge success with their renditions of classical music from the golden age of classical music.
Peak position #1×1
POPULAR IN 1977
You’d think these guys would’ve had more success in Australia around this time given how they seemed like the perfect band to be promoted on Countdown back in the day, alas they flopped here but were a huge deal in NZ beginning with this album which should explain why they had so much more success over there in the 80’s than they did here.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Take me to the river #20
POPULAR IN 1979
Much like here in Australia, this one and only album that anyone knows from Al Stewart was a massive success in NZ likely due to the novelty of what he named the album and the big hit that came from it.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Year of the cat #15
POPULAR IN 1977
This was only a success in NZ following the success of their earlier entry on this list, I guess the kiwis really needed some incentive in making these guys one of the most popular bands of all time back in the day because I can’t think of why else this only became a sleeper hit nearly two years after its initial release over there.
Peak position #4
POPULAR IN 1977
Well, this had a similar trajectory for its success in NZ as it did here in Australia, Stealers wheel were a band the kiwis certainly heard of (at least according to the Listener charts) but didn’t pay much mind to earlier in the decade for some reason. They likely would’ve changed their tune when lead single Gerry Rafferty scored a massive worldwide hit with this album and its lead single.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Baker street #4
Right down the line #33
POPULAR IN 1978
Well at least these guys had a bit more success in NZ prior to this greatest hits package becoming a huge success for the band, although their success at least skyrocketed after its success over there and even carried over to the member’s solo material throughout the 80’s, so it’s not like it was little more than a pity success like it was here in Australia.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
September #12
POPULAR IN 1979
From what I could gather, these guys did have minor success during the first half of the decade on the Listener charts, so it’s possible they would’ve been popular enough for this greatest hits package named after one of their signature tunes would be a massive success over there.
Peak position #1×3
POPULAR IN 1976
Well, I hope the Who managed to find massive success with their albums in NZ before the RIANZ charts launched this year, otherwise this soundtrack to the theatrical adaptation of one of their albums was the closest thing to success they managed to have over there.
Peak position #5
POPULAR IN 1975
This wasn’t quite as successful in NZ as it was here in Australia, however even with a different lead singer, these guys were able to retain their popularity over there until the end of the decade as the Doobie Brothers did indeed have massive success in NZ throughout the 70’s with their earlier material.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
What a fool believes #5
Minute by minute #34
POPULAR IN 1979
This was more of a success in NZ than it was here in Australia for Led Zeppelin, again this was due to a lack of competition the band had over there as the kiwis didn’t have a strong local music scene like we Aussies did throughout the decade.
Peak position #6
POPULAR IN 1976
I guess a little controversy never hurt anyone as despite it being controversial even at the time, the lead single allowed this album to be a massive hit for Elvis Costello back in the day in most parts of the world. Unlike here in Australia where it was his only successful album, he saw a bit of a comeback over there four years later with Punch the clock, meaning he wasn’t a one album wonder with the kiwis.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Oliver’s army #25
POPULAR IN 1979
The hits kept on coming for Neil Diamond in NZ as they did throughout the rest of the world, this album was just the latest in his discography which had already seen massive success by this point in his career.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Desiree #5
POPULAR IN 1977
This was another successful album to come from Wings in NZ this decade, there’s not much more I can say about the band at this point as their popularity was inescapable throughout the decade worldwide due to the presence of Paul McCartney as well as their music withstanding the test of time.
Peak position #1×1
Hit singles
Listen to what the man said #7
POPULAR IN 1975
The kiwis seemed to be as much in love with this debut album from Kate Bush as we Aussies were back in the day; in fact, its success is more or less identical over there to what it was here which means I unfortunately don’t have any new commentary to add here.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Wuthering heights #1
The man with the child in his eyes #36
POPULAR IN 1978
While their debut album wasn’t that big of a hit over in NZ, this sophomore effort from the Dutch group Pussycat managed to be a massive success due to it spawning two gigantic hits for them over there. To think these guys were a mere one hit wonder here in Australia and with a song that doesn’t even appear on this album.
Peak position #1×2
Hit singles
Smile #3
My broken souvenirs #1
POPULAR IN 1977
This was an E.P that was released three years prior from Demis Roussos, I guess if we Aussies can give out success for a years old album this year, why can’t the kiwis give out success for a years old E.P from the same artist?
Peak position #3
POPULAR IN 1979
This was also a sleeper hit for Bob Seger in NZ, although unlike in Australia where it just lingered in the lower half of our charts long enough to qualify to be on that side of my site, in NZ this skyrocketed up the charts when he almost scored a hit with “We’ve got tonight” six months into the albums existence. It set the rock and roller up for massive success over there that he only achieved with his next album.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Still the same #20
Hollywood nights #38
We’ve got tonight #12
POPULAR IN 1978
This had a bit of a delay to its success in NZ, likely because it was only a sleeper hit here in Australia for the NZ band. It became a more mainstream success a year after its initial release due to the success of the second single but also once they released their second album which allowed the album to rebound on their charts.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
But you don’t care #33
Computer games #5
POPULAR IN 1979
Well, this was significantly less popular in NZ than it was here in Australia, granted its lower appearance on this side of my site does stem from the fact that it was much more of a sleeper hit for Neil Young over there, however it was also due to him just not being as popular in general over there throughout the 70’s.
Peak position #6
POPULAR IN 1978
Given how this managed to spawn a huge hit for Jean Michel Jarre over in NZ, it only makes sense that the album managed to become a huge success over there even though it was a huge flop over here in Australia. I’m not sure why this flopped given how immensely popular prog rock was during this point in time.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Oxygene IV #6
POPULAR IN 1977
Well, their debut album from earlier on the list became one of the biggest albums of the decade in NZ, so it’s only fitting that their second album would be a huge success over there even though it failed to spawn that big hit for them like it did here in Australia. Their third album would be a huge flop on the southern hemisphere; however, they would bounce back from that with their fourth and biggest album.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Let’s go #40
POPULAR IN 1979
This wasn’t the big inescapable hit in NZ that it was here in Australia for Rickie Lee Jones, admittedly the lead single was an actual hit for her over there so perhaps the kiwis were too infatuated with that in order to make this even more of a success for her back in the day.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Chuck e’s in love #5
POPULAR IN 1979
