This Week In Chart History | Chart Beats

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This Week In Chart History

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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.

March 1-7

Monty Python provided a valuable life lesson.

"Antmusic" took Australia by storm.

Cyndi Lauper made her debut on the ARIA chart.

The lead single from Mick Jagger's debut solo album.

Billy Ocean got going towards the number 1 spot.

Bon Jovi gave
hair metal a good name with their breakthrough hit.

Ex-Van Halen singer David Lee Roth scored another solo hit.

Simple Minds got topical on their UK number 1, "Belfast Child".

RHCP landed their first hit by transforming Stevie Wonder.

After 17 years, Daryl Braithwaite was headed back to the top.

Australia was ready, ready, ready for 2 Unlimited.

Ugly Kid Joe's biggest hit came with a remake.

Things did only get better for D:Ream.

Christine Anu's version of "Island Home" was a surprising flop.

Already massive at home, Boyzone broke through locally.

February 22-28

Christie Allen's hit about her no.1 didn't quite top the chart.

One-hit wonders Gibson Brothers finally made the Australian chart.

Frankie says a little bit of controversry never hurt.

Don Henley had his biggest hit by far with "Boys Of Summer"

Bronski Beat were back in the top 5 with a new lead singer.

George Michael and Aretha Franklin joined forces.

Cher found herself back on the chart after a lengthy absence.

Slow-burn hit "Stop" brought Sam Brown into the top 50.

Slowly but surely, Soul II Soul were gaining traction in Australia.

The greatest song of all time made its debut on the ARIA chart.

A first hit for the unmistakable Des'ree.

Duran Duran were on the comeback trail.

Rejoice! Dr Alban's dance anthem was praise-worthy.

A '70s smash was a hit all over again thanks to Stock and Aitken.

The next generation of the Jackson family arrived.

February 15-21

A rare singles chart appearance by Pink Floyd.

The Swingers became the latest NZ band to reach number 1 in Oz.

Hey you! Were you ready for Rock Steady Crew?

Jim Diamond became a one-hit wonder for a second time.

Elton John and George Michael had the top 50 all wrapped up.

Alison Moyet achieved her highest-charting solo hit.

Kylie Minogue was lucky, lucky, lucky on the chart once again.

There was nothing difficult about FYC's second album.

Nothing compared to Sinead O'Connor's single sales.

Vanilla Ice's other big hit in Australia debuted.

Vic Reeves and The Wonder Stuff teamed up on a huge smash.

Shai brought a bit of a cappella back to the top 50.

Celine Dion took a former chart-topper back to number 1.

Annie Lennox's choice of cover was a little more obscure.

A remix changed everything for Everything But The Girl.

February 8-14

Queen's dalliance with rockabilly proved quite successful.

The Police's latest sounded like baby talk but had a serious point.

The original version of a hit for two different one-hit wonders.

It's Corey Hart, but not with the song you're thinking of.

Roll over Mozart... Falco brought Amadeus into the 20th century.

The hardest working codpiece in pop helped Cameo up the chart.

Bananarama were guilty of scoring another top 10 hit.

Who's looking good today?

Australia's favourite politically aware band returned.

It took two music legends to really irritate me.

Michael Jackson debuted with not one but two new singles.

Two-hit wonders Sonia Dada scored with their second smash.

U2 took a break from reinventing themselves.

Tina Arena had back-t0-back top 10 hits for the only time.

Alex Party inched ever closer to the top 10.

February 1-7

Captain & Tennille reached the top 50 one more time.

The first Australian hit for ska band Madness.

The Cure crack the top 10 for the first time.

Goodbye, Sandra Dee. Sheena Easton sexed up her image.

Stevie Nicks couldn't wait to get back on the chart.

Michael Hutchence found solo success... and became a film star.

We welcomed Richard Marx (and his mullet) to the top 50.

Why the 12" of New Order's "Fine Time" got special credit.

Michael Bolton (and his mullet) was in power ballad mode.

NKOTB weren't playing games any longer.

Kylie's big ballad received extra energy on the double A-side.

The song that gave Hunters & Collectors their highest peak.

Take That had a bit of help for their latest remake.

Absolute banger.

Eternal returned to the chart minus a member

January 25-31

Future kids' TV presenter Edith Bliss hit the chart.

The Reels' EP of cover versions proved to be a great gift idea.

John Lennon returned to the chart with another posthumous hit.

The first of three top 10 singles for I'm Talking.

Four superstars teamed up for a good cause.

The future was so bright, Timbuk 3 had to wear shades.

Kids In The Kitchen's underrated final single.

The arrival of a very different kind of chart star.

Lenny Kravitz made his first appearance on the top 50.

Australia went Simpsons crazy!

Kate Bush tried her hand at an Elton John classic.

Short-lived TV show The Heights started off with a bang.

What was his name? Snoop Dogg introduced himself to Australia.

Nicki French's hi-NRG version of a Bonnie Tyler number 1 almost topped the chart.

Janet Jackson was so big even an average single became a hit.

January 18-24

Actress/singer Colleen Hewett's second number 2 hit.

Stephanie Mills' only Australian hit single.

The music video that changed everything.

Limahl's soundtrack smash, plus two mega ballads debuted.

Heeeeere's Grace!

Debbie Harry finally scored a big solo hit. Plus, Madonna's best single.

Belinda Carlisle's heavenly return. Plus, two new hits with the same title.

An unlikely collaboration took on a Prince classic.

Lisa Stansfield went from guest vocalist to solo star.

C&C Music Factory got everybody dancing.

Queen were back in the chart with their biggest single.

East 17 became Australia's favourite new boy band.

Another year, another new boy band.

Techno, techno, techno, techno!

Nine new entries, including the return of George Michael.

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