1983
​
Kajagoogoo weren't shy of a catchy debut single.
1984
​
A number 1 in two languages from Nena.
1985
Another Models song with unmistakable backing vocals.
1986
A Diana Ross chart-topper that also had famous backup singers.
1987
One of the greatest one-hit wonders of all time.
1988
​
The answer to your question, Bros, is right now.
1989
​
The Julian Lennon song that did better here than anywhere.
1990
The best single of Janet Jackson's career. Fact.
1991
Former indie heroes R.E.M. really went mainstream.
1992
​
The pinnacle of Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit's union.
1993
The ballad that turned things around for Southern Sons.
1994
​
Ace Of Base proved they had more hits in them.
1995
Teen star Brandy went up the ARIA chart.
1996
Human Nature made their top 50 debut with "Got It Goin' On".
1998
​
The massive UK hit that turned things round for Robbie Williams.
1997
​
White Town were the right kind of one-hit wonder.
March 22-28
1982
​
And the top 10 hit that Duran Duran ended up snubbing.
1980
Before a remake hit #1, Umberto Tozzi had a hit with "Gloria".
1981
The single that Pat Benatar grew to tire of.
1983
​
Australia said Michael Jackson was the one... and sent him to no.1.
1984
​
No one called Thompson. No twins. But a top 5 single.
1985
The hits kept coming for Spandau Ballet.
1986
A rock classic finally became a chart success.
1987
The Iggy Pop song we'd be hearing for decades on TV.
1988
​
Long song title fan Billy Ocean scored another number 1.
1989
​
Australia's answer to Yazz updated a disco classic.
1990
How the voice behind Black Box received her dues.
1991
The solo career that didn't take off as you'd expect.
1992
​
Rick Price stepped into the spotlight with his debut single.
1993
Two Michael Jackson singles entered the chart at once... again.
1994
​
Elton John updated a big hit with an unlikely duet partner.
1995
The ARIA chart welcomed one-hit wonder Dionne Farris.
1996
Possibly the most discussed lyrics of all time.
1998
​
Chumbawamba scored a second hit. Was it thanks to their first?
1997
​
Going solo worked out well for Louise... but not in Australia.
March 15-21
1980
The Pretenders got some brass in pocket after their first hit.
1981
Sheena Easton rode the "Morning Train" all the way to number 1.
1982
​
The synthpop classic that gave Depeche Mode a big Aussie hit.
1983
​
Prince looked ahead to the end of the century with "1999".
1984
​
"Old Time Rock
'n' Roll" started its long journey to becoming a hit.
1985
It had a made-up title, but that didn't stop "Sussudio".
1988
​
Apron-loving Big Pig broke into the top 50 once again.
1986
Eddie Murphy added pop star to his list of jobs.
1987
Number 7 was lucky once again for Stacey Q.
1989
​
After taking 1988 off, Madonna was back with "Like A Prayer".
1990
Danish rockers D*A*D enjoyed two singles in the top 100 at once.
1991
Australia got wrapped in Twin Peaks and Julee Cruise's "Falling".
1992
​
The Twelfth Man was back to defend his chart record.
1993
Faith No More made getting to number 1 look... easy.
1994
​
"Breathe Again" finally gave Toni Braxton a hit locally.
1995
New vocal harmony group 4PM updated an old song.
1996
Mariah Carey hit a new high on the US chart (and did OK here, too).
1997
​
The Savage Garden song that turned them from big to huge.
1998
​
It was time to begin for Steps with their line-dancing smash.
March 8-14
1982
​
Who could it be? Joey Scarbury with his TV theme smash.
1980
Split Enz entered the big league with number 1 single "I Got You".
1981
Robert Palmer was looking for another hit. He found one.
1983
​
Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal began their run with a mad hit.
1984
​
One-hit wonders Re-Flex made a political statement.
1985
UK number 1 "You Spin Me Round..." stormed the ARIA chart.
1986
Mental As Anything's Martin Plaza went it alone.
1987
The Cockroaches enjoyed their one big hit with "She's The One".
1988
​
Morris Minor And The Majors took the mickey out of rap.
1989
​
Boy Meets Girl went from hit songwriters to hit-makers.
1990
Dannii Minogue launched her solo career. XOX
1991
It's still unbelievable that EMF only had one bit hit.
1992
​
"Under The Bridge" took Red Hot Chili Peppers over the top.
1993
Lemonheads brought a Simon & Garfunkel song back to the chart.
1994
​
Enigma swapped Gregorian chant for world music.
1995
One of the year's most infuriating songs, courtesy of Rednex.
1996
The Corr siblings took Australia by storm with debut hit "Runaway".
1998
​
Un, dos, tres! Ricky Martin crossed over in Australia.
1997
​
A Des'ree ballad became the latest hit from a big soundtrack.
March 1-7
1982
​
The Journey single that took decades to become popular.
1980
Monty Python provided a valuable life lesson.
1981
"Antmusic" took Australia by storm.
1983
​
It was a nice day for Billy Idol's first top 10 hit in Australia.
1984
​
Cyndi Lauper made her debut on the ARIA chart.
1985
The lead single from Mick Jagger's debut solo album.
1986
Billy Ocean got going towards the number 1 spot.
1987
Bon Jovi gave
hair metal a good name with their breakthrough hit.
1988
​
Ex-Van Halen singer David Lee Roth scored another solo hit.
1989
Simple Minds got topical on their UK number 1, "Belfast Child".
1990
RHCP landed their first hit by transforming Stevie Wonder.
1991
After 17 years, Daryl Braithwaite was headed back to the top.
1992
​
Australia was ready, ready, ready for 2 Unlimited.
1993
Ugly Kid Joe's biggest hit came with a remake.
1994
​
Things did only get better for D:Ream.
1995
Christine Anu's version of "Island Home" was a surprising flop.
1996
Already massive at home, Boyzone broke through locally.
1998
​
One of Madonna's biggest image and musical makeovers.
1997
​
British TV stars Crush made their mark in Australia thanks to a remix.
February 22-28
1982
​
What about Moving Pictures? They had a very big hit.
1980
Christie Allen's hit about her no.1 didn't quite top the chart.
1981
One-hit wonders Gibson Brothers finally made the Australian chart.
1983
​
Blancmange were up the bloody tree... and the Oz chart.
1984
​
Frankie says a little bit of controversry never hurt.
1985
Don Henley had his biggest hit by far with "Boys Of Summer"
1986
Bronski Beat were back in the top 5 with a new lead singer.
1987
George Michael and Aretha Franklin joined forces.
1988
​
Cher found herself back on the chart after a lengthy absence.
1989
Slow-burn hit "Stop" brought Sam Brown into the top 50.
1990
Slowly but surely, Soul II Soul were gaining traction in Australia.
1991
The greatest song of all time debuted on the ARIA chart.
1992
​
A first hit for the unmistakable Des'ree.
1993
Duran Duran were on the comeback trail.
1994
​
Rejoice! Dr Alban's dance anthem was praise-worthy.
1995
A '70s smash was a hit all over again thanks to Stock and Aitken.
1996
The next generation of the Jackson family arrived.
1997
​
The Bloodhound Gang brought a bit of fire to the chart.
1998
​
The UK chart-topper by All Saints that also hits no. 1 here.
February 15-21
1982
​
Australians didn't harden their hearts against Quarterflash.
1980
A rare singles chart appearance by Pink Floyd.
1981
The Swingers became the latest NZ band to reach no.1 in Oz.
1983
​
The seminal hip-hop track that got its message across locally.
1984
​
Hey you! Were you ready for Rock Steady Crew?
1985
Jim Diamond became a one-hit wonder for a second time.
1986
Elton John and George Michael had the top 50 all wrapped up.
1987
Alison Moyet achieved her highest-charting solo hit.
1988
Kylie Minogue was lucky, lucky, lucky on the chart once again.
1989
There was nothing difficult about FYC's second album.
1990
Nothing compared to Sinead O'Connor's sales.
1991
Vanilla Ice's other big hit in Australia debuted.
1992
​
Vic Reeves and The Wonder Stuff teamed up on a huge smash.
1993
Shai brought a bit of a cappella back to the top 50.
1994
Celine Dion took a former chart-topper back to number 1.
1995
Annie Lennox's choice of cover was a little more obscure.
1996
A remix changed everything for Everything But The Girl.
1998
​
The buzz-worthy single that almost became a hit for Fiona Apple.
1997
​
En Vogue didn't let go of the ARIA chart with their biggest hit.
February 8-14
1980
Queen's dalliance with rockabilly proved quite successful.
1981
The Police hit that sounded like baby talk but had a serious point.
1982
​
An anthem for the weekend by Canada's Loverboy.
1983
​
Albums sellers Dire Straits had an unexpected pop smash.
1984
The original version of a hit for two different one-hit wonders.
1985
It's Corey Hart, but not with the song you're thinking of.
1986
Roll over Mozart... Falco brought Amadeus into the 20th century.
1987
The hardest working codpiece in pop helped Cameo score.
1988
Bananarama were guilty of scoring another top 10 hit.
1989
Who's looking good today?
1990
Australia's favourite politically aware band returned.
1991
It took two music legends to really irritate me.
1992
​
Michael Jackson debuted with not one but two new singles.
1993
Two-hit wonders Sonia Dada scored with their second smash.
1994
U2 took a break from reinventing themselves.
1995
Tina Arena had back-t0-back top 10 hits for the only time.
1996
Alex Party inched ever closer to the top 10.
1998
​
Pop albums were doing well but what about on the singles chart?
1997
​
One of the biggest ballads of all time by one of the biggest divas.
February 1-7
1980
Captain & Tennille reached the top 50 one more time.
1981
The first Australian hit for ska band Madness.
1982
​
The Human League finally got some chart action here.
1983
​
Australian finally gave Marvin Gaye a top 10 single.
1984
The Cure crack the top 10 for the first time.
1985
Goodbye, Sandra Dee. Sheena Easton sexed up her image.
1986
Stevie Nicks couldn't wait to get back on the chart.
1987
Michael Hutchence found solo success.
1988
We welcomed Richard Marx (and his mullet) to the top 50.
1989
Why the 12" of New Order's "Fine Time" got special credit.
1990
Michael Bolton (and his mullet) was in power ballad mode.
1991
NKOTB weren't playing games any longer.
1992
​
Kylie's big ballad received extra energy on the double A-side.
1993
The song that gave Hunters & Collectors their highest peak.
1994
Take That had a bit of help for their latest remake.
1996
Eternal returned to the chart minus a member
1997
​
A movie tie-in gave The Cardigans a global smash.
1998
​
Matchbox 20 were right on time for another hit.
January 25-31
1980
Future kids' TV presenter Edith Bliss hit the chart.
1981
The Reels' EP of cover versions proved to be a great gift idea.
1982
​
Aussie audiences loved Simple Minds more than in the UK.
1983
​
A TV theme tune finally became a success in Australia.
1984
John Lennon charted with another posthumous hit.
1985
The first of three top 10 singles for I'm Talking.
1986
Four superstars teamed up for a good cause.
1987
The future was so bright, Timbuk 3 had to wear shades.
1988
Kids In The Kitchen's underrated final single.
1989
The arrival of a very different kind of chart star.
1990
Lenny Kravitz made his first appearance on the top 50.
1991
Australia went Simpsons crazy!
1992
​
Kate Bush tried her hand at an Elton John classic.
1993
Short-lived TV show The Heights started off with a bang.
1994
What was his name? Snoop Dogg introduced himself.
1995
A hi-NRG version of a Bonnie Tyler no.1 almost topped the chart.
1996
Janet Jackson was so big even an average single became a hit.
1997
​
Spice Girls followed up the summer's biggest hit.
1998
​
The fab five were back with their latest ballad single.
January 18-24
1980
Actress/singer Colleen Hewett's second number 2 hit.
1981
Stephanie Mills' only Australian hit single.
1982
​
Happy anniversary to the first hit from Altered Images.
1983
​
A couple of young guns became pop's hottest property.
1984
The thrilling music video that changed everything.
1985
Limahl's soundtrack smash took him to the top 10.
1987
Debbie Harry finally scored a big solo hit away from Blondie.
1988
Belinda Carlisle made a heavenly return to the chart.
1989
An unlikely collaboration took on a Prince classic.
1990
Lisa Stansfield went from guest vocalist to solo star.
1991
C&C Music Factory got everybody dancing.
1992
​
Queen were back in the chart with their biggest single.
1993
East 17 became Australia's favourite new boy band.
1994
Another year, another new boy band with the arrival of E.Y.C.
1995
Techno, techno, techno, techno!
1996
Nine new entries, including the return of George Michael.
1997
​
Saddle up! Ginuwine ponied up... all the way to the top 5.
1998
​
One of music's most unlikely collaborations.
January 11-17
1982
​
The Cars shook things up with another top 10 hit in Australia.
1980
The first top 50 chart for the '80s was packed with classics.
1981
One of the only successful bands to come from Tasmania.
1983
​
A minor hit from 1980 became a massive hit for Laura Branigan.
1984
An old Beatles song gave Siouxsie Sioux another hit.
1985
​
The chart-topper that started a charity single trend.
1986
​
Wham!'s best single was the beginning of the end for the duo.
1987
​
No new chart this week.
1988
​
Richard and Jimmy updated another old disco classic.
1989
Cliff Richard's UK Christmas no.1 became a belated hit here.
1990
​
And the same thing happened the following year for Band Aid II.
1991
​
George Michael got some model help to appear in his music video.
1992
​
An ice cream van, a country legend... it can only be The KLF.
1993
​
Before there was Hi-5, there was R&B vocal group Hi Five.
1994
​
Girlfriend had a turn with a much-recorded Diane Warren tune.
1995
​
Better late than never for Bomb The Bass on the ARIA chart.
1996
​
There was nothing quiet about Björk's top 10 invasion.
1998
​
CDB were back on the top 50... for what would be the final time.
1997
​
Before they wrote for other stars, Alisha's Attic had their own hit.
January 4-10
1996
​
A boring singles chart = a good time to look at the albums.
1991
The Ratcat EP that took months to climb to the top of the chart.
1995
The Real McCoy stuck to the Eurodance formula.
1993
​
A bit of world music from Deep Forest to kick the year off.
1982
Kim Wilde continued her hit streak with a musical shift,
1988
Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes owed all their success to you.
1989
​
Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan owed theirs to SAW.
1990
​
Former Babys singer and solo star John Waite was back.
1994
​
Bryan Adams and Rod Stewart were two of the three pop musketeers.
1998
​
The year gets off to an amusing start thanks to John Safran.
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