This is the sequel to RPO’s earlier entry on this list, suffice to say that the novelty was already starting to wear off with listening to them mash up classical music given how much less successful this album was worldwide.
Peak position #10
Popular in 1982
This was a modest success for Bruce Springsteen here in Australia, it saw a resurgence in popularity later in the decade when he embarked on a world tour for his Born in the U.S.A album, however it was nonetheless decently successful at the start of the decade and was able to retain the success of his previous two albums from the 70’s.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Hungry heart #33
Popular in 1980
This was a live album that the Rolling Stones released following the success of their American tour from the previous year, it did decently well here in Australia proving that the band were still able to find an audience in the southern hemisphere in the MTV era.
Peak position #10
Popular in 1982
Does this band sound familiar to you? If you were born past 1980 and are from Australia, then they should as they would go on to become the Wiggles in 1991 even though they kept at the regular music until 1994 when they realised they had more success as a children’s band than a pop rock band. Naturally they played their own instruments in both bands, which is why they’ve endured as the Wiggles for so many years.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Wait up #28
She’s the one #9
Some kind of girl #32
Double shot #32
Popular in 1987
This is another album that got caught between two years on this list, this time it’s the breakthrough album from Jennifer Rush which was a decent success here due to the strength of its lead single. Even though this album did quite well throughout the world, it wasn’t enough to get her out of the one hit wonder bin even in her native UK.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
The power of love #1
Popular in 1986
I guess this was as good as time as any to have George Benson release a greatest hits album given how he just had his biggest album at the start of the decade which even spawned him a hit single on our charts. His next album would do decently well the following year, however this would be the full extent of his popularity in the 80’s down under.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Turn your love around #21
Popular in 1982
This likely would’ve sunk on our charts here in Australia were it not for the surprise success of its lead single which helped Pat Benatar find a more mainstream audience following the success of her live album from the previous year, indeed her brand of pop rock seemed to better connect with audiences as the decade went on even if it wasn’t on the level nostalgia stations would want you to believe.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
We belong #7
Popular in 1985
Much like their second album, this third and final album from the Bangles had a slow start to its rise of success due to the lead single not connecting with audiences at the time. Fortunately, this album also had a huge chart topper in the making as when the second single became just that worldwide and thus allowed the album to be a success for the band months prior to them calling it quits.
AMR charts
Peak position #13
Hit singles
In your room #42
Eternal flame #1
Be with you #41
Popular in 1989
Although this wasn’t as successful as the first entry in this series, it was enough of a success to warrant a spot on my site given how interesting the previous year turned out to be in our music scene.
AMR charts
Peak position #11
Hit singles
I owe you nothing #6
Love in the first degree #5
Wanna be up #8
Sign your name #3
Got to be certain #1
Get outta my dreams get into my car #1
Hazy shade of winter #7
The dock of the bay #3
Nothing but a good time #15
Run to paradise #3
Too much ain’t enough love #1
Breakaway #8
The flame #1
The only way is up #3
Doctoring the tardis #2
Perfect #1
Popular in 1989
This was originally released three years prior to deafening silence for Chris De Burgh, likely because he only had one hit to his name as the time which wasn’t exactly a song that encourages listeners to check out what else he had to offer. It was given a second chance this year when he scored his biggest hit from his (then) most recent album which allowed audience to discover the rest of his catalogue.
Peak position #12
Popular in 1987
ARIA charts
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Teardrops #2
Celebrate the world #37
Popular in 1989
It seems a bit strange that one of the most popular albums from Queen’s catalogue would be such a sleeper hit back in the day considering how it contains two of their biggest hits, indeed this only became a hit down under once the fourth single from the album became a surprise hit which allowed it to rebound on our charts in order to make it a success for them.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Crazy little thing called love #1
Another one bites the dust #5
Popular in 1980
It had been a while since Robert Plant had last troubled the charts anywhere in the world, however he was able to come back with this album likely due to this being a good time for lead singers of highly successful bands to find success on their own. Like many of these singers, he didn’t find much success going into the 90’s.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Heaven knows #32
Tall cool one #37
Popular in 1988
This was originally released earlier in the decade to deafening silence for Billy Idol, although I’m not sure why given how immensely popular he was here in Australia with his singles. It was given a second chance when “Mony mony” became a Billboard chart topper which compelled his label to reissue the album worldwide where it became a massive success for him.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Mony mony #8
Popular in 1988
Ever wanted to know if the female vocalist on Meat Loaf’s iconic Bat out of hell album had her own catalogue worth checking out? It turns out she does as this was her debut album following the positive reception she received with her contributions to her earlier work. Sadly, this was the full extent of her popularity here in Australia, likely due to the downward spiral Meat loaf and company went through at the time.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
We belong to the night #15
Popular in 1980
This was released at the bookend of the 70’s following the massive success of her (then) most recent album Bad girls, it surprisingly underperformed here in Australia likely due to the lead single also being included on Barbra Streisand’s earlier entry and thus failing to promote this album over that release.
Peak position #16
Hit singles
No more tears #8
On the radio #36
Popular in 1980
Much like his previous album, this also had a different title here in Australia compared to what it was in the UK (it was called Shaky for the record) this was named after the second single of the album here which curiously was only the fourth biggest hit he had down under.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
You drive me crazy #1
Green day #8
Popular in 1982
This is one of many entries from the Angels to find success throughout the decade, although this had to compete with the Never so live E.P which also contains the lead single “Fashion and fame” which is perhaps why it didn’t do as well as the rest of their discography.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Fashion and fame #17
Popular in 1982
This was released during a time where exercise records were making it big in America, as such Richard Simmons decided to release a parody album of these records which ironically made it the most successful of these albums here in Australia.
Peak position #12
Popular in 1983
The last time Billy Ocean had troubled our charts here in Australia was with his debut single “Love really hurts without you” back in 1976, fast forward eight years and he came back with the lead single to his first RNB album which helped him find an audience all around the world due to how he reinvented himself. The album was a massive success here mainly due to how big the singles were.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Caribbean queen #2
Loverboy #7
Suddenly #15
Popular in 1985
It makes sense that this greatest hits package would find success this year with us Aussies given how they finally saw a massive breakthrough with their earlier entry on this list, as such it allowed us Aussies to discover their back catalogue which is a bit odd given how they were regulars on Countdown throughout the decade.
Hit singles
Boys don’t cry (rerelease) #26
Peak position #13
Popular in 1986
I’m a bit surprised at how little success Paul Kelly had in the mainstream back in the day, he was always a critical darling and even was a regular on Countdown when he released this album which up until very recently was his most successful (we’re obviously not counting his 1997 greatest hits package.) I guess this got pushed aside back in the day in favour of all the earlier entries on this list.
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Before too long #15
Darling it hurts #25
Popular in 1986, 1987
From what I can gather, V spy V spy was a politically charged band from Australia who scored their one and only successful album this year with their combination of pub rock and new wave. They were kind of like Midnight oil if they weren’t as successful and possibly less commercially viable, hence why this album was not only a success but retains a strong fanbase even to this day.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Don’t tear it down #31
Popular in 1987
Although New order didn’t have that much success with their albums over in Australia during their heyday, they did score a surprise hit this year with “Bizarre love triangle” which caught the attention of us Aussies despite that song bombing over in NZ where they were inescapable. As such, they released this greatest hits package which spawned their second biggest hit that was also a minor success over here.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
True faith #8
Popular in 1987
To my knowledge, this is the only remix album from Madonna as she’s had no other remix albums that have charted over the years. This was also caught between two years here in Australia, proving that we Aussies were a bit unimpressed with this release even though it was a decent hit for her back in the day.
Peak position #13
Popular in 1988
The last time Joe Jackson troubled the charts here was six years prior when he scored a massive breakthrough with his album Night and day (there were a few artists from 1982 having big hits this year for some reason.) Here Joe managed to return with a live album containing several key moments from his shows throughout the decade, hence the name of the album and why it was likely a success.
Peak position #13
Popular in 1988
Peak position #18
Hit singles
The flame #1
Don’t be cruel #4
Popular in 1988
This was a moderate success for Eric Clapton upon its initial release, I’m guessing because we Aussies were feeling nostalgic for his older work even though he only saw success with his time with Cream as well as his 1974 effort 461 ocean boulevard up until this point in his career down under.
Peak position #13
Popular in 1988
ARIA charts
Peak position #13
Hit singles
I won’t back down #16
Popular in 1989
ARIA charts
Peak position #15
Hit singles
The best #4
Steamy windows #34
Popular in 1989
Although this implies it’s a dance compilation, it’s actually an album overlooking the biggest hits in Australia during our winter of this year. There were some good picks on this album which resulted in its success.
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
Is there something I should know #4
Affair of the heart #26
Love is a stranger #17
Send me an angel #6
Do ya wanna funk #24
Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye #38
Always something there to remind me #7
Jeopardy #11
Shiny shiny #3
Dracula’s tango #19
No tragedy #27
She blinded me with science #19
Popular in 1983
Spring of 1988 was so popular in our music scene that we have the second album that collected all of the biggest hits of that period to become a success by marketing those hits as summer jams.
AMR charts
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Don’t worry be happy #1
Stop your fussing #16
I still love you #12
Kiss n tell #19
Nothing can divide us #3
Bring me some water #7
Don’t need love #11
Desire #1
I don’t want your love #22
Love changes #24
You and me #43
Because I love you #22
Stop #3
Teardrops #1
When you come #28
Popular in 1989
ARIA charts
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Don’t worry be happy #1
Stop your fussing #17
I still love you #11
Kiss n tell #25
Nothing can divide us #3
Bring me some water #9
Don’t need love #10
Desire #1
I don’t want your love #23
Love changes #23
You and me #44
Because I love you #30
Stop #3
Teardrops #2
When you come #27
Popular in 1989
The spring of this year was an amazing time for the music industry if this album is anything to go by, we have a good selection of classic songs to become popular during that period which helped this album become a huge success upon its initial release.
Peak position #3
Hit singles
Out of mind out of sight #1
Freeway of love #6
Crazy in the night #22
Dare me #10
Call me #12
There must be an angel #3
Still waiting #43
Bittersweet #16
Move closer #15
Power of love #1
We don’t need another hero #1
Goodbye bad times #26
Shame #18
Heaven #12
Idiot grin #43
Never surrender #20
Popular in 1985
Winter was a very interesting time this year in Australia as this album suggests, after all it had some amazing choices with no doubt inspired people to make it a success like all the other albums on this list.
AMR charts
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Simply irresistible #1
Motor’s too fast #4
Hey what now #34
Wild world #9
All fired up #3
Hey little boy #27
Roll with it #28
Tomorrow people #26
This is the chorus #27
Serpentine #47
Got to be certain #1
Better be home soon #2
Intimacy #44
Breakfast in bed #44
Waiting for the heartache #32
Big hotel #37
Back on the breadline #37
Popular in 1988
Named after the New kids on the block track that opens up the album, this compilation album proves that the winter of this year was a very productive time for the music scene down under which no doubt led to its success.
AMR charts
Peak position #1×3
Hit singles
You got it #1 (ARIA #1)
I don’t want a lover #6 (ARIA #4)
Talk it over #3 (ARIA #4)
This time I know it’s for real #34
Bamboleo #18 (ARIA #19)
Saved me #23
Onion skin #11 (ARIA #11)
Right back where we started from #6 (ARIA #7)
Stand back #44
If you don’t know me by now #1 (ARIA #1)
All I wanna do is dance #12 (ARIA #12)
Good thing #5 (ARIA #7)
Baby I don’t care #3 (ARIA #3)
Bed of nails #15 (ARIA #13)
Wait #13 (ARIA #14)
Say goodbye #6 (ARIA #6)
Baby don’t forget my number #14 (ARIA #17)
Popular in 1989
This was the second last compilation album to chart on ARIA’s main charts, it was noticeably more success on there than on the AMR charts meaning that had ARIA not pawned off these albums onto their own charts they likely would’ve dominated their main charts throughout the 90’s. Oh and this album proves that the summer of 88/89 was a hectic time in the Australian music scene.
AMR charts
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Rock and roll music #6
Stand up for your love rights #20
Orange crush #16
You’ll never know #20
Baby I love your way #20
Nobody’s perfect #32
Cat among the pigeons #11
Every rose has its thorn #12
Orinoco flow #6
Welcome to the jungle #37
Born to be my baby #34
Let’s put the x in sex #48
Revolution baby #22
Voice of reason #37
Real gone kid #13
Copperhead road #24
Kiss #8
Anchorage #40
Popular in 1989
This was released on the eleventh anniversary of Daddy Cool’s biggest hit “Eagle rock,” as such it allowed the song to become a minor hit this year (odd as this usually happens on the tenth anniversary of something’s release) which in turn fuelled the success of the album.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Eagle rock #17
Popular in 1982
Rolling stones were on a err roll when they released this greatest hits package, although given what would come next, this feels more like an early admission that they were past their prime despite their next album being a huge success for them. Before that came, Mick Jagger would release a solo album the following year which was a moderate success for him due to how many musicians were embarking on a solo career at the time.
Peak position #3
Popular in 1984
In America, this was released as Music from the edge of heaven which was an album that had only a few new tracks (all of which were released as singles) as well as several remixes of their previous hits. Here those tracks are included along with the rest of their back catalogue making this a greatest hits package for the duo.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
I’m your man #3
A different corner #4
The edge of heaven #2
Popular in 1986
ARIA charts
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Breakaway #8
Dreaming #33
Wonderful life #7
Mandinka #39
Wanna be up #6
What’s it gonna be #41
Always on my mind #10
Rok da house #37
Pink Cadillac #6
Endless summer nights #16
One good reason #38
Nothing too serious #29
Bitter tears #24
Don’t turn around #34
Under the milky way #22
Struggle town #28
I’m still on your side #29
Popular in 1988
This is the final taste of success Marcia Hines had in her career, one thing you’ll notice going through my site is that an artist releasing a greatest hits package is generally a sign that they’re anticipating a turbulent time in their career with there being little chance of them overturning said turbulence which happens to be the case here.
Peak position #2
Popular in 1982
While this year was a bit scarce when it came to successful compilation albums, it at least had a decent winter period which is why this managed to be a success even if it didn’t live up to the standards from other winter releases throughout the decade.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Stimulation #2
I can’t wait #11
C’mon c’mon #27
Look away #24
Great wall #5
When tomorrow comes #7
Impressed #40
Spirit in the sky #3
Digging your scene #16
Miss this tonight #27
No one is to blame #9
Holding back the years #16
A different corner #4
Greatest love of all #1
Your wildest dreams #20
Living doll #1
Popular in 1986
This is another successful album that collects the biggest hits of winter this year, as such it was guaranteed some level of success even if its success pales in comparison to other albums collecting the biggest hits of the midpoint of other years this decade.
Peak position #5
Hit singles
Bette Davis eyes #1
Misplaced love #22
Jessie’s girl #1
Say I love you #5
Cool world #8
Modern girl #24
Things don’t seem #11
This little girl #26
Kids in America #5
Planet earth #8
To cut a long story short #15
Vienna #11
The unguarded moment #22
If you leave me can I come too #4
They won’t let my girlfriend talk to me #8
The one that you love #10
Rock this town #38
Popular in 1981
For whatever reason, this greatest hits album from Barbra Streisand became a hit again this year in Australia, likely due to the song this album is named after finally becoming a minor hit for Elaine Paige due to her breakthrough.
Peak position #7
Popular in 1985
The Jacksons were on a roll during the first half of the decade, as such we have this live album being a massive success here in Australia which is slightly odd given how it wasn’t very popular in NZ or even their native America despite the band being more popular in both of those countries up until this point.
Peak position #2
Popular in 1982
Given how successful their first two albums were the previous year, it’s a bit surprising that this was much less of a hit for Duran Duran here in Australia despite it managing to spawn two of their most popular songs in their catalogue. I guess at this point, we Aussies had officially declared these guys to be a singles act similar to the likes of Kim Wilde and Laura Branigan.
Peak position #2
Hit singles
Union of the snake #4
New moon on Monday #48
The reflex #4
Popular in 1983
This album manages to collect the biggest hits of the summer of 81/82 here in Australia and market the collection as the songs of autumn, it was a modest success due to this tactic but could’ve been more popular as evidence by the other entries on these lists.
Peak position #8
Hit singles
Tainted love #1
Screaming jets #9
Being with you #15
I want to be free #35
Big city talk #41
Abacab #35
The land of make believe #15
He’s a liar #38
Celebration #33
Private eyes #17
Stay young #21
Jealous guy #1
Hooked on classics #9
Super freak #26
My imagination #50
Gemini dream #31
More stars #26
Popular in 1982
It seems a little odd that this debut album from Wham wasn’t more of a success here in Australia, I guess there was only so much we could take from George Michael rapping before it became too much of a novelty for us (it might even explain why hip hop took so long to become a success here.) Naturally they would achieve more success with their second album the following year as they dropped the rapping on that release.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Young guns #4
Wham rap #9
Bad boys #9
Popular in 1983
This was released on the tenth anniversary of the album; it does remain the BIGGEST album of all time in Australia (albums from Spotify streaming not withstanding) so naturally its success was warranted this year.
Peak position #5
Popular in 1982
I guess the Beach boys saw a resurgence in popularity this year for some reason, as such this greatest hits package from two years prior managed to become a huge hit for the band here in Australia.
Peak position #8
Popular in 1985
Given how his previous album was one of the biggest of the decade worldwide, it only makes sense that David Bowie would achieve some modicum of success with this follow up even if it only achieved a fraction of what his earlier effort achieved.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Blue jean #12
Popular in 1984
Following the demise of Led Zeppelin from the start of the decade, Robert Plant decided to embark on a solo career which was off to a sound start with this album given how it was a modest success for him worldwide. He would have much better luck with his second album the following year where it became a huge success for him.
Peak position #6
Popular in 1982
I guess Luciano Pavarotti was more popular prior to him teaming up with Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo throughout the 90’s if the success of this greatest hits album was anything to go by here in Australia.
Peak position #7
Popular in 1983
This is the first compilation album to find success here in Australia in quite some time (there was one or two of them that found success throughout the 70’s) although this was more of a recap release that would be synonymous with the Smash hits franchise that would begin in 1987 more than a seasonal compilation.
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Turning Japanese #1
Brass in pocket #2
The boys light up #22
We are glass #15
Cheap wine #8
Geno #44
Tired of toeing the line #1
Crazy little thing called love #1
You’ve lost that loving feeling #2
Ride like the wind #25
Same old girl #6
Total control #7
The rose #6
All out of love #9
Love at first night #6
How do I make you #19
Working my way back to you #12
Together we are beautiful #20
Popular in 1980
ARIA charts
Peak position #6
Hit singles
Mistletoe and wine #30
Popular in 1988
This was the only notable success that Motley Crue had here in Australia, although the band members nowadays seem to be more famous than their music due to the antics that could take up an entire paragraph if I were to list them here (I won’t.) It makes sense this was a success given how it was one of the last hair metal albums to be released in the 80’s and that the songs on here still resonate with audiences to this day.
AMR charts
Peak position #7
Hit singles
Dr feelgood #28
Kickstart my fire #32
Popular in 1989
It appears that we Aussies had a love for TV themes during the midpoint of the decade, as such we have this compilation album becoming a modest success here in lieu of some of the seasonal compilations released this year.
Peak position #7
Popular in 1986
While I did say that Van Halen would never again reach the dizzying heights of their previous two albums, that didn’t mean they didn’t find moderate success with this album given how they weren’t too far removed from hair metal and that their sound fitted in nicely with the likes of Bon Jovi and Whitesnake. That said, this was the last album that anyone would care about as they found little success in the 90’s.
AMR charts
Peak position #10
Hit singles
When it’s love #26
Popular in 1988
ARIA charts
Peak position #9
Hit singles
When it’s love #23
Popular in 1988
There were indeed plenty of women in the rock and roll scene around this time, as such a label put together some of the biggest hits to make it big in Australia from women which allowed the album to become a huge success this year.
Peak position #6
Hit singles
You should hear how she talks about you #4
I want candy #39
Mickey #1
Hit me with your best shot #33
Shy boy #2
Modern girl #24
I know what boys like #14
Total control #7
Kids in America #5
Say I love you #5
I love rock and roll #1
I know there’s something going on #5
Lucky number #2
Rapture #5
Words #10
Without you #34
Body and soul #5
Stay with me till dawn #8
Babooshka #2
Rock hard #9
Popular in 1983
If you’re looking for a collection of songs that were among the biggest hits of the first four years of the 80’s, then this is the perfect find as it collected many songs in this vein into one convenient package that was only a modest success here for some reason.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
I’m still standing #3
Abracadabra #1
Super freak #26
Celebration #33
Come on Eileen #1
Rain #3
Trouble #1
Twisting by the pool #2
Living on the ceiling #5
Poison arrow #4
Let’s stick together #1
Hot stuff #1
Funkytown #1
Fame #3
Sultans of swing #8
Look of love #7
Upside down #1
Girls can get it #3
Life at the outpost #13
Gemini dream #31
Rock hard #9
The walls came down #21
Tainted love #1
A town called malice #15
Mad world #12
Fade to grey #6
Popular in 1984
Given how this album managed to spawn one of Pat Benatar’s biggest hits here in Australia (arguably it was her biggest hit overall) it makes sense that it managed to become a modest success for her which makes it another album to be as such during the rise in female singer/songwriters this year.
AMR charts
Peak position #10
Hit singles
All fired up #3
Popular in 1988
This was the only notable success for Joan Jett and the Blackhearts here in Australia, although at least they only appeared on Countdown long after the albums success in order to promote their back catalogue here in Australia. Still there was little chance this was going to fail here due to combination of Joan’s sexual appeal and the pop punk of the record to give it a sense of female empowerment.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
I love rock and roll #1
Crimson and clover #6
Popular in 1982
Although these guys would go on to have a massive success later in the decade with “He’s gonna step on you again” (albeit with a different line-up than the one found here) this was the only successful album that the Party boys had during their time together which was a live album they recorded presumably at many 21st birthday parties.
Peak position #9
Popular in 1983
This is the final album that Neil Young had any sort of success within his career, mainly because he was unable to adapt to the 80’s in a way that could satisfy his fans which led to his overall popularity going downhill from here on out.
Peak position #10
Popular in 1980
Well, here’s the soundtrack to Paul McCartney’s cinematic disaster I mentioned earlier on this list, I guess the fact it spawned his final hit in his career (at least for thirty years it was) did allow it to become a minor success here in Australia even if everything else about the film was panned by critics and audiences.
Peak position #10
Hit singles
Not more lonely nights #9
Popular in 1984
This was a bit of a commercial disappointment for John Williamson compared to his previous album, although he would bounce back by the end of the decade with his next album, which suggests this was more of a dud than his popularity fading as quickly as it came around this time.
Peak position #10
Popular in 1988
I’m not sure why this greatest hits package became a success given how it came out barely two years after the previous album which collected all of the biggest hits from Bryan Ferry and his band Roxy music, I guess it came with a remix of his signature tune which resulted in us Aussies rediscovering his back catalogue again so soon after the last time we did so.
Peak position #9
Hit singles
Let’s stick together remix #40
Popular in 1989
ARIA charts
Peak position #13
Hit singles
All fired up #2
Popular in 1988
This was a massive hit for French pianist Richard Clayderman here in Australia, although it pales in comparison to what he achieved over in NZ where he was completely inescapable throughout the 80’s.
Peak position #12
Popular in 1985
Prince was coming off his magnum opus the Purple rain soundtrack when he released this follow up, it was a huge success for him worldwide even though it didn’t have the huge hits that his previous album had. This would be the last album that would be a success for him here in Australia until the Batman soundtrack from the end of the decade, although he did score a few hits here and there before then.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Paisley park #38
Raspberry beret #13
Popular in 1985
This was the first of many releases that Cold Chisel’s label would issue following the band’s initial breakup the previous year, it was a live album which captured the best moments of a show they gave two years prior which was a modest success for the band this year.
Peak position #14
Popular in 1985
This was a bit of a comeback for the Church given how they hadn’t bothered the charts since the first half of the decade with their album Blurred crusade, indeed it seems odd that they would find success with this album given how it had little promotion now that Countdown was no more and that Triple J was several years off from becoming a cultural phenomenon here.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Under the milky way #22
Popular in 1988
Given the success that these guys had with their second entry on this list, their debut album was finally able to find massive success here in Australia given how it failed to spawn them a hit down under despite the lead single being one of their more iconic in their catalogue. In a way, they had the same start to the 80’s as the Jacksons did given how this was also released two years prior and how it became popular here,
Peak position #15
Hit singles
Roxanne #34
Popular in 1980
These guys were coming off a highly successful decade, so it makes sense they would begin the 80’s with a greatest hits package which while successful, spelt the end of their success here in Australia despite finding massive success in their native UK throughout the decade.
Peak position #14
Popular in 1980
These guys were taking a big gamble when they released this album as they had yet to appear on Countdown to promote their earlier entry on this list, indeed this was far less successful here in Australia than their debut even if their performance was well received to the point where the lead single became a hit over here. This would be the last we hear from them until the tail end of the decade.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Private Idaho #11
Popular in 1980
This is the earliest compilation album I’ll be featuring on this site; they were a lucrative collection of albums which overlook the most popular songs of a season here in Australia. This one in particular gathers most of the biggest hits of 1980 during spring which explains why it was a success during our summer period.
Peak position #11
Dreaming #4
Upside down #1
More than I can say #1
More love #46
So long #15
Falling in love #6
Babooshka #2
Let’s get serious #24
Help #8
Echo beach #6
Can’t help myself #10
Downhearted #12
We live for love #28
Modern girl #12
Singing in the 80s #16
Everybody’s got to learn sometime #11
Whose problem #43
You shook me all night long #8
Popular in 1981
JJ Cale was one of the big names in soul music of the 70’s, so it seems rather odd that his popularity would all but fade away even this early on in the 80’s given how inescapable he had been up until this point in time.
Peak position #14
Popular in 1981
One of the less successful bands to make it big during the Countdown era here in Australia was Matt Finish, likely because they sound more like a solo artist than a band but also because they didn’t do much to stand out from the competition like so many of their contemporaries did.
Peak position #18
Hit singles
Short note #33
Popular in 1981
It looks like the Who were able to find success with one more album in the 80’s before they faded into obscurity, although it’s worth noting that lead singer Pete Townshend did go on to have solo success later in the decade like so many other lead singers of bands that began their careers in the 60’s.
Peak position #16
Hit singles
You better you bet #21
Popular in 1981
This is the only notable success that the Sunnyboys were able to achieve here in Australia, they’re best described as a poor man’s Icehouse as they copied the formula of their debut album from earlier on this list to much less successful results commercially. Still, they remain darlings on oldies stations, perhaps due to fond memories people still have for the singles even if they were huge flops back in the day.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Happy man #26
Alone with you #28
Popular in 1981
It turns out 10-1 wasn’t the first successful album from Midnight oil after all as the album that proceeded it managed to be a decent success for Peter Garrett and company a year prior. I guess this fell off the charts due to it lacking that huge hit that its successor managed to spawn for the band, that and it was their first taste of success after a string of failed attempts.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Don’t wanna be the one #40
Armistice day #31
Popular in 1982
From what I can gather, Starstruck is one of those cult classics from this decade that wasn’t well received from critics due to the plot being nonsensical (I haven’t seen it for myself.) I will say that the soundtrack is a good representation of its success given how it’s a collaboration with its star Jo Kennedy and the Swingers which is perhaps how it and its lead single managed to become a success here.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Body and soul #5
Popular in 1982
This is the only notable success that Dionne Warwick had here in Australia, at least if we don’t include her charity single “That’s what friends are for” from a few years later as she curiously didn’t have that much success down under back in the day. You can thank the brothers Gibb for that as they wrote and performed on many of the tracks on the album including the title track which became a huge success for her.
Peak position #14
Hit singles
Heartbreaker #2
Popular in 1983
Named after the Harrison Ford flick, this is a double album which collects several of the biggest hits of the early 80’s that had the misfortune of peaking during the Christmas period of 1983/1984.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Abracadabra #1
Dracula’s tango #19
Eye of the tiger #1
Rosanna #16
Working for the weekend #19
Blue eyes #4
Who can it be now #2
Don’t go #6
If you want my love #2
Key largo #2
Oh Julie #3
Goody two shoes #1
Can’t take my eyes off you #22
Baby makes her blue jeans talk #11
Sexual healing #4
867-5309 #22
Avalon #22
A town called malice #15
Let’s groove #15
The message #21
Stand up #21
Don’t stop til you get enough #1
Our lips are sealed #2
The rhythm of the jungle #12
Da Da Da #4
I know there’s something going on #5
Do you wanna funk #24
Popular in 1984
There were several delays to this album given how its lead single came out a full year prior to its release, this likely was the reason for why it underperformed back in the day as none of the other songs managed to catch on for the Pretenders once it finally saw the light of day. They would bounce back with their next album, or rather Chrissie Hynde would as the rest of the members would leave following this albums release.
Peak position #18
Hit singles
Back on the chain gang #11
2000 miles #30
Popular in 1984
While this doesn’t rank among their finest work, this was a huge success for Queen due to the album spawning two hit singles for them much like their comeback album from the start of the decade the Game. By this stage the behind-the-scenes drama had reached its peak which resulted in Freddie making a solo album the following year, although they were able to work things out as they released a new album two years later.
Peak position #12
Hit singles
Radio gaga #2
I want to break free #8
Popular in 1984
This is the only notable release from the Honeydrippers, a supergroup consisting of members of Led zeppelin and the Yardbirds that had a massive hit this year with its single “Sea of love.” I guess you can consider this a Led zeppelin release given how both Robert Plant and Jimmy Page were key members of the group.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Sea of love #5
Popular in 1985
I’m a bit shocked this wasn’t more of a success for Bryan Ferry here in Australia given how popular he was during the first half of the decade with his band Roxy music, I guess we Aussies weren’t interested in him giving into the trends of new romanticism as his solo work from the 70’s saw him going in much less mainstream directions which resulted in their success back in the day.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Slave to love #29
Popular in 1985
This almost flopped for Tina Turner in Australia, likely due to the lead single underperforming here despite it being a huge success for her throughout the rest of the world. Fortunately, the second single picked up the slack by becoming a bigger hit for her in Australia which allowed the album to rebound on the charts this year, it set her up for further success with her third album later in the decade.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Typical male #20
What you get is what you see #15
Popular in 1987
While I mentioned that our love for this album wasn’t the same as that of her first album, we Aussies did find enough of it to make it a moderate success for Alison Moyet this year even if its success pales in comparison to what it achieved over in NZ this year. This would be the last time she troubled our charts as her third album would be a massive flop later in the decade.
Peak position #14
Hit singles
Is this love #13
Weak in the presence of beauty #30
Popular in 1987
This is the last album that Billy Ocean saw any sort of success within his career, mainly because it only had the one hit from it but also likely due to his time in the spotlight coming to an end as his previous album didn’t bring in the big numbers that his comeback did during the midpoint of the decade. Still, it was a decent note to go out on and even allowed his greatest hits package to see success at the start of the 90’s.
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Get outta my dreams get into my car #1 (ARIA #1)
Popular in 1988
ARIA charts
Peak position #12
Popular in 1988
This is another album that needed more than one attempt to find an audience in the late 80’s, in this case it was due to the lead single not being able to connect with audiences upon its initial release from the previous year due to how different it sounded from everything else. Eventually people were won over by Sam’s unique vocals and how different the album was from everything else making it a success.
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Stop #3
Can I get a witness #19
Popular in 1989
ARIA charts
Peak position #13
Hit singles
Stop #4
Can I get a witness #17
Popular in 1989
This was the first hip hop album to find success here in Australia which is interesting that it should come from Tone Loc considering this was before he became known for being a voice actor in children’s media. Still it’s comforting to know that at least someone with credibility in the rap game managed to have the first rap album to be successful here, that honour could’ve gone to something far more embarrassing.
AMR charts
Peak position #11
Hit singles
Wild thing #16
Funky cold medina #7
Popular in 1989
As far as their fans are concerned, this was the only album from Scottish band Texas given how their 90’s output saw mixed results for them both commercially and especially critically. They were a very earnest country band who made it big through the female singer/songwriter boom from around this time, although they didn’t have commercial success in the 90’s likely due to being a British band amongst American women in this group.
AMR charts
Peak position #15
Hit singles
I don’t want a lover #6
Popular in 1989
This was a moderate success during out winter here given how hectic our music scene was during the autumn, as such it led to the success of the earlier entries on this list as well as these albums dominating our album chart for the 80’s and (at least on the AMR charts) 90’s.
Peak position #4
Hit singles
Counting the beat #1
One step ahead #5
Baggy trousers #30
Walls #20
Stop the Calvary #2
Banana republic #18
I want to be straight #18
Rock and roll ain’t noise pollution #7
9 to 5 #1
Girls can get it #3
Every woman in the world #8
Angel of the morning #2
Long jumping jeweller #32
Looking for clues #23
Spend the night #31
Popular in 1981
Slim Whitman was a country legend who was among the most popular artists of the mid twentieth century worldwide, as such it makes sense that this greatest hits album was a success this year given how it collects twenty of his most iconic songs from his heyday.
Peak position #2
Popular in 1982
