For this list, we’re putting Triple J head to head with the chart success of the songs that made it in. The formula goes something a little like “chart success in Australia” x “position on the Hot 100”. And the more Hot 100’s the songs appeared in, the higher they go on this list.
We have huge hits here that just sneaked into a Hot 100, and minor hits that were very popular in Triple J circles, even making it into all three lists despite their lack of sales. And the, of course, everything in between.
The first three Hot 100 lists combined turned out exactly 102 singles that had, or have since, charted on the Australian Singles Charts. And phew! to just being able to make a full list. At that exact point in time, there wouldn’t have been enough, but a few singles through re-issue, digital download or streaming have manage to make their appearance in the Top 100. Better late than never.
This list has everything – pop, rock, metal, new age, punk, art, rap and hip hop. It’s pretty amazing how vast the music genres stretched amongst our youth back in the day – oh, which means me!
COUNTDOWN RATING: 93.2%
| 1. BLUE MONDAY New Order (THE CHARTS: 1983 – HP: #4 Weeks In The Top 100: 52 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #5, 1990 #5, 1991 #10) |
| 2. WUTHERING HEIGHTS Kate Bush (THE CHARTS: 1978 – HP: #1 Weeks: 22 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #43, 1990 #17, 1991 #19) |
| 3. ROCK LOBSTER The B-52s (THE CHARTS: 1980 – HP: #3 Weeks: 22 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #14, 1990 #8, 1991 #77) |
| 4. SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT Nirvana (THE CHARTS: 1991 – HP: #5 Weeks: 27 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #1) |
| 5. IMAGINE John Lennon (THE CHARTS: 1971 – HP: #1 Weeks: 52 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #31, 1990 #66) |
| 6. THROW YOUR ARMS AROUND ME Hunters And Collectors (THE CHARTS: 1986 – HP: #34 Weeks: 25 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #2, 1990 #2, 1991 #4) |
| 7. BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE New Order (THE CHARTS: 1986 – HP: #5 Weeks: 25 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #67, 1990 #21, 1991 #24) |
| 8. KISS Prince And The Revolution (THE CHARTS: 1986 – HP: #2 Weeks: 19 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #34, 1990 #39) |
| 9. TAINTED LOVE Soft Cell (THE CHARTS: 1981 – HP: #1 Weeks: 28 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #38, 1991 #54) |
| 10. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY Queen (THE CHARTS: 1976 – HP: #1 Weeks: 97 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #49) |
| 11. RIDE ON TIME Black Box (THE CHARTS: 1989 – HP: #2 Weeks: 37 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #24) |
| 12. FOOLS GOLD The Stone Roses (THE CHARTS: 1990 – HP: #13 Weeks: 21 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #6, 1991 #7) |
| 13. DANCING QUEEN ABBA (THE CHARTS: 1976 – HP: #1 Weeks: 42 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #48) |
| 14. LOVE WILL TEAR US APART Joy Division (THE CHARTS: 1981 – HP: #26 Weeks: 12 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #1, 1990 #1, 1991 #2) |
| 15. TINGLES (EP) Ratcat (THE CHARTS: 1990 – HP: #1 Weeks: 34 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #41) |
| 16. RESPECT Aretha Franklin (THE CHARTS: 1967 – HP: #15 Weeks: 20 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #21, 1990 #42) |
| 17. UNDER THE MILKY WAY The Church (THE CHARTS: 1988 – HP: #22 Weeks: 18 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #14, 1991 #31) |
| 18. SWEET CHILD O’ MINE Guns N’ Roses (THE CHARTS: 1988 – HP: #10 Weeks: 41 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #27) |
| 19. TEARDROPS Womack And Womack (THE CHARTS: 1988 – HP: #1 Weeks: 31 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #52) |
| 20. KISS The Art Of Noise featuring Tom Jones (THE CHARTS: 1989 – HP: #8 Weeks: 19 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #24) |
| 21. ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER The Jimi Hendrix Experience (THE CHARTS: 1968 – HP: #9 Weeks: 18 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #49, 1990 #83, 1991 #61) |
| 22. EAGLE ROCK Daddy Cool (THE CHARTS: 1971 – HP: #1 Weeks: 52 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #90) |
| 23. CLOSE TO ME The Cure (THE CHARTS: 1985 – HP: #7 Weeks: 27 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #66, 1991 #37) |
| 24. UNCERTAIN SMILE The The (THE CHARTS: 1983 – HP: #43 Weeks: 9 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #3, 1990 #4, 1991 #13) |
| 25. HEROES David Bowie (THE CHARTS: 1977 – HP: #11 Weeks: 19 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #39, 1990 #50) |
| 26. NOTHING COMPARES 2 U Sinead O’Connor (THE CHARTS: 1990 – HP: #1 Weeks: 23 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #69) |
| 27. SEXUAL HEALING Marvin Gaye (THE CHARTS: 1983 – HP: #4 Weeks: 20 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #62, 1990 #90) |
| 28. BOYS DON’T CRY The Cure (THE CHARTS: 1980 – HP: #26 Weeks: 12 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #29, 1990 #23, 1991 #43) |
| 29. LONDON CALLING The Clash (THE CHARTS: 1980 – HP: #28 Weeks: 11 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #18, 1990 #28, 1991 #97) |
| 30. THE UNGUARDED MOMENT The Church (THE CHARTS: 1981 – HP: #22 Weeks: 22 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #42, 1990 #57, 1991 #70) |
| 31. LOSING MY RELIGION R.E.M. (THE CHARTS: 1991 – HP: #11 Weeks: 24 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #32) |
| 32. THIS CHARMING MAN The Smiths (THE CHARTS: 1984 – HP: #52 Weeks: 12 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #13, 1990 #7, 1991 #29) |
| 33. LOVE SHACK The B-52’s (THE CHARTS: 1989 – HP: #1 Weeks: 28 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #88) |
| 34. INTO THE GROOVE Madonna (THE CHARTS: 1985 – HP: #1 Weeks: 27 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #80) |
| 35. ORINOCO FLOW Enya (THE CHARTS: 1989 – HP: #6 Weeks: 20 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #48) |
| 36. TRUE FAITH New Order (THE CHARTS: 1987 – HP: #8 Weeks: 27 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #68, 1991 #55) |
| 37. BUFFALO STANCE Neneh Cherry (THE CHARTS: 1989 – HP: #16 Weeks: 18 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #61, 1990 #36) |
| 38. HEART OF GLASS Blondie (THE CHARTS: 1979 – HP: #1 Weeks: 24 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #94) |
| 39. LOVE SONG Simple Minds (THE CHARTS: 1981 – HP: #17 Weeks: 18 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #36, 1990 #64) |
| 40. SHE SELLS SACTUARY The Cult (THE CHARTS: 1993 – HP: #51 Weeks: 14 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #35, 1990 #22, 1991 #16) |
| 41. SIGN “O” THE TIMES Prince (THE CHARTS: 1987 – HP: #29 Weeks: 14 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #37, 1990 #37) |
| 42. SUSPICIOUS MINDS Elvis Presley (THE CHARTS: 1969 – HP: #1 Weeks: 22 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #91) |
| 43. LULLABY The Cure (THE CHARTS: 1989 – HP: #23 Weeks: 13 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #43, 1991 #44) |
| 44. TALKING TO A STRANGER Hunters And Collectors (THE CHARTS: 1982 – HP: #59 Weeks: 10 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #8, 1990 #32, 1991 #45) |
| 45. CREAM Prince And The New Power Generation (THE CHARTS: 1991 – HP: #2 Weeks: 30 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #100) |
| 46. IN BETWEEN DAYS The Cure (THE CHARTS: 1985 – HP: #16 Weeks: 16 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #72, 1991 #48) |
| 47. THE LOVE CATS The Cure (THE CHARTS: 1984 – HP: #6 Weeks: 16 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #67, 1991 #74) |
| 48. ENTER SANDMAN Metallica (THE CHARTS: 1991 – HP: #10 Weeks: 28 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #60) |
| 49. THE UNFORGIVEN Metallica (THE CHARTS: 1991 – HP: #10 Weeks: 21 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #63) |
| 50. LITHIUM Nirvana (THE CHARTS: 1992 – HP: #53 Weeks: 9 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #3) |
| 51. BACK TO LIFE (HOWEVER DO YOU WANT ME) Soul II Soul (THE CHARTS: 1989 – HP: #45 Weeks: 26 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #40) |
| 52. ORANGE CRUSH R.E.M. (THE CHARTS: 1988 – HP: #15 Weeks: 15 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #99, 1991 #62) |
| 53. TREATY (FILTHY LUCRE REMIX) Yothu Yindi (THE CHARTS: 1991 – HP: #11 Weeks: 31 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #83) |
| 54. MAN OVERBOARD Do Re Mi (THE CHARTS: 1985 – HP: #5 Weeks: 18 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #98) |
| 55. GIVE IT AWAY Red Hot Chili Peppers (THE CHARTS: 1991 – HP: #41 Weeks: 18 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #39) |
| 56. FORBIDDEN COLOURS David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto (THE CHARTS: 1983 – HP: #29 Weeks: 16 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #60, 1990 #75) |
| 57. BEEN CAUGHT STEALING Jane’s Addiction (THE CHARTS: 1991 – HP: #56 Weeks: 13 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #15) |
| 58. JUST CAN’T GET ENOUGH Depeche Mode (THE CHARTS: 1982 – HP: #4 Weeks: 17 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #100) |
| 59. LOCK IT (I REALLY LIKE YOU) Falling Joys (THE CHARTS: 1990 – HP: #55 Weeks: 17 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #20) |
| 60. ONE Metallica (THE CHARTS: 1989 – HP: #5 Weeks: 28 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #89) |
| 61. ALONE WITH YOU Sunnyboys (THE CHARTS: 1981 – HP: #28 Weeks: 17 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #56) |
| 62. SAY GOODBYE Hunters And Collectors (THE CHARTS: 1986 – HP: #24 Weeks: 16 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #97, 1990 #71) |
| 63. I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER Aretha Franklin (THE CHARTS: 1968 – HP: #10 Weeks: 17 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #92) |
| 64. SEXUALITY Billy Bragg (THE CHARTS: 1991 – HP: #46 Weeks: 11 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #22) |
| 65. RIDERS ON THE STORM The Doors (THE CHARTS: 1971 – HP: #10 Weeks: 18 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #86) |
| 66. POWER AND THE PASSION Midnight Oil (THE CHARTS: 1983 – HP: #8 Weeks: 18 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #88) |
| 67. THE MESSAGE Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five (THE CHARTS: 1983 – HP: #21 Weeks: 23 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #85) |
| 68. GOLDEN BROWN The Stranglers (THE CHARTS: 1982 – HP: #10 Weeks: 15 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #82) |
| 69. ANARCHY IN THE U.K. Sex Pistols (THE CHARTS: 1992 – HP: #75 Weeks: 5 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #17, 1990 #20, 1991 #25) |
| 70. HIERONYMOUS Clouds (THE CHARTS: 1991 – HP: #45 Weeks: 11 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #33) |
| 71. ROAM The B-52’s (THE CHARTS: 1990 – HP: #11 Weeks: 17 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #97) |
| 72. THE ONE I LOVE R.E.M. (THE CHARTS: 1987 – HP: #84 Weeks: 6 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #45, 1990 #46, 1991 #40) |
| 73. WEDDING CAKE ISLAND (from “BIRD NOISES” EP) Midnight Oil (THE CHARTS: 1980 – HP: #28 Weeks: 24 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #57) |
| 74. COME AS YOU ARE Nirvana (THE CHARTS: 1992 – HP: #25 Weeks: 16 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #76) |
| 75. WATCHING THE DETECTIVES Elvis Costello (THE CHARTS: 1978 – HP: #35 Weeks: 17 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #73) |
| 76. ONCE IN A LIFETIME Talking Heads (THE CHARTS: 1981 – HP: #23 Weeks: 13 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #79) |
| 77. JUST LIKE HEAVEN The Cure (THE CHARTS: 1987 – HP: #89 Weeks: 3 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #25, 1991 #11) |
| 78. O SUPERMAN Laurie Anderson (THE CHARTS: 1981 – HP: #28 Weeks: 15 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #96) |
| 79. WIDE OPEN ROAD The Triffids (THE CHARTS: 1986 – HP: #64 Weeks: 5 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #68, 1990 #49, 1991 #52) |
| 80. THE CUTTER Echo And The Bunnymen (THE CHARTS: 1983 – HP: #67 Weeks: 13 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #54) |
| 81. PUMP IT UP Elvis Costello And The Attractions (THE CHARTS: 1978 – HP: #55 Weeks: 19 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #71) |
| 82. TRUST Tall Tales And True (THE CHARTS: 1989 – HP: #59 Weeks: 7 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #93, 1991 #51) |
| 83. KHE SANH Cold Chisel (THE CHARTS: 1978 – HP: #40 Weeks: 19 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #95) |
| 84. PRETTY VACANT Sex Pistols (THE CHARTS: 1977 – HP: #52 Weeks: 12 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #65) |
| 85. GHOST SHIPS The Saints (THE CHARTS: 1984 – HP: #46 Weeks: 10 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #78) |
| 86. F**K THA POLICE N.W.A (THE CHARTS: 2015 – HP: #49 Weeks: 4 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #33) |
| 87. PRIMARY The Cure (THE CHARTS: 1981 – HP: #94 Weeks: 1 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #19, 1990 #19, 1991 #35) |
| 88. THE SIZE OF A COW The Wonder Stuff (THE CHARTS: 1991 – HP: #51 Weeks: 10 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #86) |
| 89. CAN’T BE SURE The Sundays (THE CHARTS: 1990 – HP: #74 Weeks: 7 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #56) |
| 90. ANYTHING, ANYTHING (I’LL GIVE YOU) Dramarama (THE CHARTS: 1991 – HP: #85 Weeks: 8 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #85) |
| 91. PICTURES OF YOU The Cure (THE CHARTS: 1990 – HP: #89 Weeks: 5 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #68) |
| 92. AVERAGE INADEQUACY Machinations (THE CHARTS: 1982 – HP: #98 Weeks: 1 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #25) |
| 93. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Concrete Blonde (THE CHARTS: 1990 – HP: #81 Weeks: 5 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #96) |
| 94. MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL XTC (THE CHARTS: 1980 – HP: #94 Weeks: 4 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #81) |
| 95. STREET TUFF Rebel MC & Double Trouble (THE CHARTS: 1990 – HP: #85 Weeks: 4 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #81) |
| 96. WALK ON THE WILD SIDE Lou Reed (THE CHARTS: 1973 – HP: #95 Weeks: 2 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #77, 1990 #98) |
| 97. BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE Talking Heads (THE CHARTS: 1983 – HP: #94 Weeks: 3 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #84) |
| 98. REPTILE The Church (THE CHARTS: 1988 – HP: #99 Weeks: 3 / TRIPLE J: 1990 #92) |
| 99. (I’M) STRANDED The Saints (THE CHARTS: 1977 – HP: #98 Weeks: 1 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #51) |
| 100. GREY CELL GREEN Ned’s Atomic Dustbin (THE CHARTS: 1992 – HP: #93 Weeks: 2 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #71) |
| 101. UNFINISHED SYMPATHY Massive Attack (THE CHARTS: 1991 – HP: #95 Weeks: 1 / TRIPLE J: 1991 #64) |
| 102. LAYLA Derek & the Dominos (THE CHARTS: 1972 – HP: #100 Weeks: 1 / TRIPLE J: 1989 #76) |
100 Songs 