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Here's what was happening on the Australian top 50 this week in...
Click the year
or picture to
read each post.
June 28-July 4
1980
Why were The Monkees back in the Australian chart?
1981
Producer Rupert Hine's only hit as a performer.
1982
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A much-covered song gives Willie Nelson his first hit in Australia.
1984
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Wham! went-went all the way to number 1.
1985
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A change of pace (but not chart success) for Madonna.
1986
Boys Don't Cry wouldn't have been upset about a top 10 hit.
1987
The Party Boys stepped all over the competition.
1988
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Glam metal rockers Poison showed Australia a good time.
1989
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Stock Aitken Waterman's Hillsborough charity single.
1990
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The best ever sport-related single courtesy of New Order.
1991
Kylie Minogue fans were shocked by the power of a remix.
1992
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Tori Amos made her ARIA chart debut with a seasonal single.
1993
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A George Michael sample took P.M. Dawn up the top 50.
1994
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Big Mountain were the latest to score with "Baby I Love Your Way".
1995
One-hit wonder Jann Arden went all the way to the top.
1996
It was the beginning of the end of an era for Crowded House.
1997
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A decade after their last hit, Bee Gees were back with "Alone".
June 21-27
1980
Nobody could stop Village People as they charged to no.1.
1981
The first top 10 hit for Mental As Anything.
1982
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A Flock Of Seagulls ran towards the number 1 spot.
1984
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Australia didn't love Howard Jones quite enough yet.
1985
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One-hit wonders Animotion were a brief obsession.
1987
It took its time but "Breakout" finally reached the ARIA chart.
1986
Two songs from Pretty In Pink hit the top 50 in the one week.
1988
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Crowded House were back home on the top 50.
1989
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A much-covered pop classic was updated by Jason Donovan.
1990
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Australia's first rap number 1 single, courtesy of MC Hammer.
1991
An Injector-less Johnny Diesel enjoyed his first solo hit.
1992
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A big ballad duet ushered in a new era for Disney.
1993
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Portrait became the latest hit vocal harmony group.
1994
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Radio loved Roachford... and so did Australia.
1995
Paula Abdul switched things up for album number three.
1996
Fugees killed it with their remake of a former number 1 single.
1997
​
Dance act Sash! visited the ARIA top 50 for the first fois.
June 14-20
1980
The band once known as Flowers couldn't help themselves.
1981
The Devo song that wasn't technically a number 1 single.
1982
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The first top 10 hit for Simple Minds in Australia.
1984
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Everyone knows this Bonnie Tyler song, but why wasn't it bigger?
1985
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That time Bronski Beat duetted with Marc Almond.
1988
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Tracy Chapman zoomed onto the ARIA top 50.
1986
Peter Gabriel's eye-popping solo smash.
1987
They only had one hit, but what a hit it was for Breakfast Club.
1989
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The future was electric for Debbie Gibson.
1990
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Second gen hit-makers Wilson Phillips lived up to the family names.
1991
The KLF invited us all aboard another dance smash.
1992
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Damn, Sophie B Hawkins brought something new to the chart.
1993
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The movie it was from stank, but UB40's latest hit cover was huge.
1994
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Everyone was a winner with Southend's Olympics track.
1995
Thanks to a techno remake, "Forever Young" became a hit.
1996
Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen accepted their chart mission.
1997
​
Leonardo's Bride broke through with "Even When I'm Sleeping".
June 7-13
1980
Kim Hart had a one-Night stand with the top 50.
1981
Billy Field made a habit of visiting the chart in 1981.
1982
​
The song (and video) that broke Duran Duran in the US.
1984
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The song that topped the year-end chart but didn't reach no.1.
1985
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The Madonna single that had a bit of help getting to the top.
1986
From pin-up to pop star: Samantha Fox hit the chart.
1987
Former Shalamar singer Jody Watley found a new solo gig.
1988
​
Chantoozies were back up near the top of the chart.
1989
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They wanted it all, but Queen had to settle for one last top 10 single.
1990
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Now that's how you do an image makeover.
1991
Melissa exploded out of E Street and onto the chart.
1994
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A big ballad remake gave Wet Wet Wet the year's top seller.
1992
​
Massive Attack finally crept into the top 50.
1993
Taylor Dayne was back doing what she did best.
1995
These superstar siblings screaming into the top 5,
1996
A top 20 hit a year earlier, "Creep" was back as "Creep 96".
1997
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An alternate national anthem became a top 20 single.
May 31-June 6
1980
Long John Baldry brought a classic back to the chart.
1981
The Church scored their first top 50 single.
1982
​
A number 1 hit five years in the making for Charlene.
1984
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Let's hear it for second time hit-maker Deniece Williams.
1985
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Dire Straits rode the wave of the CD revolution.
1988
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Venetians enjoyed their last big hit in Australia.
1986
A pop song with a topical subject matter from The Blow Monkeys.
1987
There was no difficult second album for Whitney Houston.
1989
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Kylie Minogue also moved onto her second album with ease.
1990
​
New Kids took a little known song and made it their own (best single).
1991
Christian singer Amy Grant crossed over to the mainstream.
1992
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Kris Kross jumped straight onto the chart on their way to number 1.
1993
Cos tonight baby... Silk made it clear what they were gonna do.
1994
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Take That finally landed a big hit with a re-released single.
1995
It was second time lucky for Strike as well with "U Sure Do".
1996
A song written by Gwen Stefani was just what No Doubt needed.
1997
​
Hanson mmmbopped their way to the top of the chart.
May 24-30
1980
Dr Hook were back in the Australian top 50.
1981
Two future chart-toppers from Kim Carnes and Shakin' Stevens.
1982
​
Australia only had love for one Haircut 100 single.
1984
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So why-y-y-y-y don't you remix it?
1985
Family band DeBarge gave Motown yet another hit single.
1986
It was no dream! Psuedo Echo scored another hit single.
1987
Noiseworks scored their first top 10 hit with "Take Me Back".
1988
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Sinead O'Connor made her first appearance on the ARIA chart.
1989
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Australia was still there for Bon Jovi.
1990
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All grown up, Tina Arena scored her debut hit post-YTT.
1991
The Michael Bolton single that ran into legal trouble.
1992
​
From beauty pageants to big ballads: Vanessa Williams' no. 1 hit.
1993
2 Unlimited notched up another dance smash.
1994
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The club track that would go on to be associated with lemurs.
1995
Montell Jordan showed everyone how it was done.
1996
After three chart-topping ballads, Bryan Adams tried a new look.
1997
​
Gary Barlow turned a Madonna demo into a hit.
May 17-23
1980
One-hit wonders The Vapors had the chart turning Japanese.
1981
Kim Wilde was one of two big Brit acts to make their debut.
1982
​
Adrian Gurvitz only had one hit, but it was a "Classic".
1984
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Queen broke free of their usual image for another huge hit.
1985
Pop duo Go West made their first appearance on the ARIA chart.
1986
Sigue Sigue Sputnik shot up into the top 50 for the only time.
1987
One-hit wonder Michael Bow earned some love and devotion.
1988
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Natalie Cole had a big A-side with one of The Boss's old B-sides.
1989
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Cyndi Lauper enjoyed her last big hit in Australia.
1990
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Andrew Ridgeley had a brief shake of solo success.
1991
Local rock band Baby Animals made their presence felt.
1992
​
Who knew what kind of vibe R.Kelly was into?
1993
No one had any regrets about New Order's chart return.
1994
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New jack swing was boy band Kulcha's jam.
1995
The Outhere Brothers wiggled their way almost to the very top.
1996
Pet Shop Boys were back... but not with one of their best.
1997
​
After an eight-year gap, Texas were back on the top 50.
May 10-16
1980
The Spinners worked their way back onto the top 50.
1981
They did let Jimmy & The Boys land their first hit single.
1982
​
Adrian Gurvitz only had one hit, but it was a "Classic".
1984
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Lionel Richie said hello to the top of the chart.
1985
Tears For Fears came close to ruling the ARIA chart again.
1987
Nothing could stop Starship notching up another big hit.
1986
Boom Crash Opera got off to a Great start with their debut single.
1988
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A decades-old song by Louis Armstrong made a big return.
1989
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Kate Ceberano's solo pop career was off and running.
1990
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A few months in 1990 were time for the Guru.
1991
The megamix craze reached its climax with a trio of Grease tunes.
1992
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Euphoria proved their success was no one in a million fluke.
1993
Australia finally gave Janet Jackson a long-awaited no. 1.
1994
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Two years later, Dr Alban's Euro mega-hit reached the top 50.
1995
JX unleashed their annual banger.
1996
Gina G was the real winner at that year's Eurovision.
1997
​
After an eight-year gap, Texas were back on the top 50.
May 3-9
1980
Donna Summer was on the radio a little less as disco waned.
1981
Synthpop pioneers OMD made their top 50 debut.
1982
​
Little Heroes scored one perfect big hit on the chart.
1984
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It was second single time for Pseudo Echo.
1985
There was life after Lionel for Commodores.
1986
Comic Relief launched with Cliff Richard and The Young Ones.
1987
Club Nouveau gave "Lean On Me" a funky update.
1988
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Cheap Trick were welcomed back to the chart,
1989
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One of the most polarising SAW singles from The Reynolds Girls.
1990
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The ballad chart-topper that even performers Heart don't like.
1991
LL Cool J found his way onto the ARIA top 50.
1992
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Indie band frente! crossed over in a major way.
1993
Confusion about Snow's lyrics didn't stop his reaching the top.
1994
​
Eternal's "Stay" finally became a hit in Australia.
1995
Club classic "Set You Free" became N-Trance's first hit.
1996
George Michael upped the tempo for his latest chart-topper.
1997
​
Michael Jackson reinvented the remix album.
April 26-May 2
1982
​
Prince began his Aussie chart career with a bit of controversy.
1980
The first of Rocky Burnette's two big Australian hit singles.
1981
Queen supplied the theme to
sci-fi film Flash Gordon.
1984
​
The parody that charted higher than the song it sent up.
1985
Duet partners Phil Collins and Philip Bailey scored new hits.
1986
The visual to which Robert Palmer became addicted.
1987
Dave Dobbyn served up a slice of soundtrack heaven.
1988
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Italian sensation Sabrina was looking for a good time.
1989
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Bobby Brown made his ARIA top 50 debut.
1990
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Don't just stand there, let's get to it...
1991
Ratcat blasted onto the chart with their second number 1 hit.
1994
​
Prince released his final major hit in Australia his way.
1992
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Girl power, Australian style arrived on the chart.
1993
George Michael paid tribute to Freddie Mercury with Queen.
1995
An unexpected choice of cover from Duran Duran.
1996
The massive instrumental hit by Robert Miles.
1997
​
Woo-hoo! Blur finally scored a big hit song on the ARIA chart.
April 19-25
1980
The Blondie single that has been re-released ever since.
1981
The arrival of the New Romantic movement.
1982
​
Australia loved Joan Jett & The Blackhearts' rock 'n roll.
1984
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One of the biggest soundtrack hits of the '80s.
1985
Supergroup The Power Station were red hot.
1986
Van Halen debut their brand new singer.
1987
Mel & Kim got fresh on the ARIA chart.
1988
​
Taylor Dayne's first hit was as big as her hair.
1989
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Do, do you love me? Paula Abdul went straight up the chart.
1990
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A cover version took another Neighbours star into the top 10.
1991
The KLF rocked the ARIA chart.
1992
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L.A. Style got a little bit ahead of themselves.
1993
"Beautiful Girl" was the latest INXS song to under-perform.
1994
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The glory days were about to be over for Roxette.
1995
British group MN8 had a little something for us.
1996
The Prodigy turned dance music on its head.
1997
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The five Spice Girls burst straight back into the top 5.
April 12-18
1980
The Peter Allen classic that wasn't actually a hit.
1981
They flopped in the UK, but The Quick hit big in Australia.
1982
​
Toni Basil's one big hit was really something to cheer about.
1984
​
Third time was the charm for Madonna.
1985
One-hit wonders King arrived with "Love & Pride".
1986
Pet Shop Boys' breakthrough hit, "West End Girls" debuted.
1988
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ALF: big on TV, big on the chart.
1987
A US hit for Huey Lewis, "Jacob's Ladder" didn't climb high here.
1989
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The second "Wild Thing" to chart in two weeks came from Tone Loc.
1990
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The Madchester scene finally hit in Oz thanks to The Stone Roses.
1991
Bingoboys taught us how to dance.
1992
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Shanice's "I Love Your Smile" brightened up everyone's day.
1993
Toni Pearen made it two top 10s from two with "I Want You".
1994
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Euro trance hit "Right In The Night" sped onto the top 50.
1995
Take That finally enjoyed a hit as big as they did back home.
1996
Latest Eurodance flavour of the month La Bouche scored again.
1997
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The French duo that would change the face of dance music.
April 5-11
1980
Billy Preston and Syreeta had one of the year's biggest ballads.
1981
"In The Air Tonight" kicked off Phil Collins' solo career.
1982
​
The Stranglers' biggest hit sounded like nothing else.
1984
​
Aussie synthpop band Dear Enemy scored another hit.
1985
Superstar ensemble USA For Africa sang their hearts out.
1986
Prince came within kissing distance of the top spot.
1987
Boy George moved away from Culture Club.
1988
​
Talking Heads' Jerry Harrison also branched out on his own.
1989
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The Bangles headed back to the top spot with "Eternal Flame".
1990
Scotland's Del Amitri arrived on the ARIA top 50.
1991
Another US #1 for Mariah
Carey under-performed here.
1992
​
It was a week for solo careers! Annie Lennox got on with hers.
1993
Jeremy Jordan was the right kind of heartthrob.
1994
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Twenty 4 Seven's other top 20 hit single debuted.
1995
Persistence paid off for Merril Bainbridge.
1996
Australia got on board the 2Pac train.
1997
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One minute they were super hot, the next Fugees missed the chart.
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