News June 13, 2025

Jimmy Barnes Extends ARIA Chart Record with ‘DEFIANT’

Editorial Director

Jimmy Barnes reigns again on the ARIA Chart, as DEFIANT (via Music Music) debuts at No. 1.

With his latest chart feat, the two-time ARIA Hall of Famer extends his record for most leaders with 16. As a member of Cold Chisel, that number rises to 22.

Barnes’ first top-charting album came in 1984 with Bodyswerve, followed by For the Working Class Man in 1985, Freight Train Heart in 1987, Barnestorming in 1988, Two Fires in 1990, Soul Deep in 1991, Hits in 1996, Double Happiness in 2005, The Rhythm and the Blues in 2009, 30:30 Hindsight in 2014, Soul Searchin’ in 2016, My Criminal Record in 2019, Flesh and Blood in 2021, Soul Deep 30 in 2022, and Blue Christmas in 2022.

Barnes’ personal tally is well clear of The Beatles’ 14 No. 1s, Taylor Swift’s 13, and Madonna’s 12.

“What a way to head into the weekend...DEFIANT is officially the #1 album on the ARIA charts. I’m so grateful to all of you for your support,” Barnes comments on a social post.

“For me, an album feels like a success the moment I get everything I need to say down on tape. When those songs connect with other people — that’s when the real magic happens.”

ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd adds: “What a truly incredible achievement. Congratulations almost doesn’t feel enough to celebrate such an enduring career and continued success. A standing ovation from all of us at ARIA to Jimmy and his phenomenal team for continuing to set the bar for Australian music.”

Barnes last enjoyed the sweet taste of chart victory in August 2024, when Cold Chisel’s 50 Years – The Best of blasted to No. 1. The legendary rockers reunited for a massive 50th anniversary tour in support of the retrospective, shifting more than 250,000 tickets.

Born in Scotland, the 69-year-old singer has collected six ARIA Awards as a solo artist and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005. Cold Chisel were elevated back in 1993.

“The Barnes and Gudinski families are just that, family,” comments Matt Gudinski, CEO of Mushroom Group, on Barnes’ latest towering achievement. “Jimmy has been an integral part of Mushroom since his debut solo album Bodyswerve in 1984, I am extremely proud to be celebrating another No. 1 album, his 16th solo number No. 1, 41 years later. The DEFIANT album highlights Jimmy is showing no signs of slowing down.”

DEFIANT is one of two homegrown albums on the ARIA Top 50, published Friday, June 13th. The other, Spacey Jane’s third LP If That Makes Sense, improves 23-21 in its fifth week on the survey.

Also new to the latest ARIA Chart is Addison Rae’s debut album, Addison. It’s at No. 2. Rae is a TikTok superstar, boasting more than 88 million followers. Over on the ARIA Singles Chart, Rae’s “Fame Is a Gun” fires 91-36.

Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem completes the podium, dipping 1-3.

American punk rock band Turnstile can celebrate an ARIA Top 10 with Never Enough, their fourth studio album. It’s new at No. 5.

Meanwhile, Alex Warren makes it an even dozen as “Ordinary” collects its 12th consecutive week at No. 1. According to ARIA, “Ordinary” is locked in a four-way tie with Eminem’s “Lose Yourself”, Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”, and Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” as the sixth longest-running single in Australian chart history. The leader of the pack is Tones and I’s “Dance Monkey”, which reigned for 24 non-consecutive weeks.

The top new release this week belongs to Sabrina Carpenter as “Manchild” opens at No. 2. It’s her fifth ARIA top 10 appearance, including leaders with “Espresso”, “Please Please Please”, and “Taste”. Australian artists fail to make an impact on the current national singles tally.