Michael Jackson’s name can typically be found on at least one or two Billboard charts at any given time. Usually, he holds on with either his album Thriller or one of several compilations that feature the dozens of hits he scored throughout his decades-long career. Interest in the King of Pop’s catalog remains too high for him to disappear from the rankings for long.
October, in particular, is when Jackson surges back onto the Billboard lists — a seasonal trend that has held for several years now. As streaming plays a larger role than ever in determining chart positions, interest in Jackson’s work, and particularly Thriller — both the album and its title track — spurs an impressive comeback every year.
Jackson’s popularity is once again visible as his smash “Thriller” blasts back onto multiple Billboard charts just ahead of Halloween. This frame’s rankings reflect activity from the days leading up to trick-or-treating and costume parties, making the timing perfect for the spooky classic’s annual resurgence.
“Thriller” Becomes a Billboard Top 10 Hit Again
This frame, “Thriller” appears on seven different Billboard charts, returning to five of them — and in remarkably strong positions for a song released more than 40 years ago. Of those five tallies, the single breaks back into the top 10 on just two. Jackson lands inside the loftiest region on both the Hot R&B Songs and R&B Streaming Songs charts, where “Thriller” reenters at Nos. 7 and 10, respectively.
Michael Jackson Returns to Multiple Charts
The same Halloween favorite also finds its way to the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs rankings, reopening at Nos. 18 and 23, respectively.
Amazingly, “Thriller” is once again counted among the most-purchased tracks in the U.S. overall, regardless of genre. The namesake track from the bestselling studio album of all time returns to the Digital Song Sales chart, coming in at No. 17. Luminate reports that during the most recent tracking period, the public purchased 1,400 copies of the single. That’s up 20% from the prior frame, and that number could climb again in the coming days as Halloween festivities boost sales further.
“Thriller” Sees Sales Rise as Halloween Approaches
There’s no need for “Thriller” to return to either the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales or R&B Digital Song Sales charts, as it has been rising and falling on both rosters for the past several weeks. The song tends to perform best each October in terms of pure purchases, as listeners look to own the cut, often to play it at Halloween parties or to get into the holiday spirit. This frame, “Thriller” improves from No. 4 to No. 3 on both purchase-only rosters.
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Recently Hit No. 1 – Again
Just two weeks ago, “Thriller” ruled both of the R&B-leaning sales charts. The tune reclaimed the top spot in mid-October, but last frame, Jackson was replaced and pushed down to fourth after R&B talent D’Angelo passed away and fans rushed to consume his catalog. “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” debuted at No. 1, while “Lady” and “Brown Sugar” also arrived in lofty positions. Neither D’Angelo nor Jackson leads this frame, but “Thriller” and easily return to the summit very soon.
Thriller Album Climbs Back on the Billboard 200
While Americans are once again falling in love with “Thriller,” the album isn’t performing quite as well as its title track. Thriller experiences a mixed showing on the Billboard charts this frame, holding steady on several tallies where it might have been expected to climb, such as the Top Album Sales and Top R&B Albums rankings. The project does manage an impressive rebound on the Billboard 200, returning to the upper quarter of the ranking as it leaps from No. 53 to No. 46 — just days after celebrating its seven-hundredth frame on the tally.