Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” debuts on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart inside the top 10 while rising to a new peak on another list. VARIOUS, VARIOUS – JUNE 25: **IMAGE RESTRICTED – NOT AVAILABLE FOR USE IN A NORTH AMERICAN MAGAZINE COVER UNTIL JULY 11, 2009** Michael Jackson performs in concert circa 1995. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
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Michael Jackson’s music is always popular in America, but there are special events or times of the year when certain tracks from the superstar’s discography gain considerably in popularity. His tune “Thriller” returns to multiple Billboard charts around Halloween each year, and lately “They Don’t Care About Us” has taken on new significance in America’s politically-charged current climate.
For several weeks now, “They Don’t Care About Us” has been growing in popularity, and it recently debuted on one Billboard chart. Just days after landing on another list for the first time, the smash finds its way to another tally it’s never reached, earning the late, great King of Pop one more top 10 success.
Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” Debuts
“They Don’t Care About Us” debuts on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart this week. The single, which will turn 30 later this spring, opens at No. 5 on Billboard’s ranking of the bestselling tracks on sites like iTunes, Amazon, and others that can be classified as hip-hop, R&B, or rap.
Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé, Vanilla Ice and Earth, Wind & Fire
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 25: Beyoncé looks on during a campaign rally with Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, at Shell Energy Stadium on October 25, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Vice President Kamala Harris is campaigning in Texas holding a rally supporting reproductive rights with recording artists Beyoncé and Willie Nelson. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Four tunes debut on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart this week, and Jackson claims the second-loftiest of the bunch. China Styles earns a special win with “I Love Me, Loud,” which enters at No. 3. Jamie Foxx’s latest release “Somebody,” as well as “Damn!,” credited to Youngbloodz and Lil Jon, start their time on the tally at Nos. 14 and 15, respectively.
Several other hits return to the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales roster, mixing things up from last period. Beyoncé’s “Die With You (4-4-17)” breaks back in at No. 6, which marks a new all-time high for her tribute to her husband Jay-Z. Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” and Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” also find their way to the sales tally once more, settling at Nos. 8 and 13, respectively.
Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” Hits a New High
Last week, “They Don’t Care About Us” debuted on the slightly-more-specific R&B Digital Song Sales chart. The track launched at No. 10, barely managing to find space on the 10-spot roster. This time around, in just a second stint on the rundown, “They Don’t Care About Us” leaps to No. 4.
The Singles From HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I
“They Don’t Care About Us” was selected as the fourth proper single from Jackson’s HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. The double album is both a greatest hits compilation and a traditional studio release. The first of two discs includes many of Jackson’s previous smashes, including tunes like “Billie Jean,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Beat It,” “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” and several others.
Before “They Don’t Care About Us” was chosen as a single, Jackson selected “Scream,” his collaboration with sister Janet, “You Are Not Alone,” and “Earth Song” as promotional focuses, and all of them enjoyed varied levels of success on the Billboard charts.
Michael Jackson’s Number Ones Hits a New All-Time Chart Peak
While “They Don’t Care About Us” is not featured on Jackson’s greatest hits compilation Number Ones, that set improves its standing on nearly every Billboard tally on which it appears. The project lives on the Vinyl Albums, Top Streaming Albums, Top Album Sales charts, and the Billboard 200.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 10: Michael Jackson performs on stage during is “HIStory” world tour concert at Ericsson Stadium November 10, 1996 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
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Number Ones climbs to a never-before-seen peak on the list of the most successful releases on streaming sites, as the compilation leaps from No. 35 to No. 30 in just its third turn on the Top Streaming Albums roster. That position is an important new high for Number Ones on the tally, but it is also the lowest that Number Ones sits on all half dozen Billboard rosters on which it takes up space.