Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” returns in full force this Halloween, hitting No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart and reaches the top 10 on multiple tallies. JAPAN – 1987: Singer Michael Jackson perfomes on stage in 1987 in Japan. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
As is the case every year, Halloween brings Michael Jackson back to the Billboard charts in a big way. The late pop icon will forever be connected to the holiday thanks to one of his most famous songs, “Thriller.” The tune served as a single from Jackson’s blockbuster of the same name, which will be remembered as both one of the best artistic packages and commercial successes of all time.
In recent years, “Thriller” has taken on new importance, as it has become a fixture on radio every October and a must-hear at any Halloween party. Both streams and sales of the decades-old cut skyrocket as the spooky day approaches, and notable increases in all forms of consumption lead “Thriller” back to various charts in the United States.
“Thriller” Hits a New Chart High
This season, “Thriller” manages to conquer one Billboard tally, but is denied from reaching the summit for the very first time on one list, settling for second place and a new all-time high. Jackson climbs from No. 23 to the runner-up spot on the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs chart, 14 weeks into its time on the list of the most-played tunes on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music that can be classified as R&B, rap, or hip-hop.
“Thriller” hits a new peak as it settles in at No. 2. Only one track, “Folded” by Kehlani, beats the Halloween favorite, as that smash remains comfortable at No. 1 for another turn.
“Thriller” Returns to No. 1 on a Billboard Chart
“Thriller” only manages to appear in the highest spot on one Billboard ranking, the R&B Digital Song Sales chart. In that case, Jackson leaps from No. 3 to the peak position, returning to the loftiest space after 80 weeks on the ranking. “Folded” by Kehlani is steady at its all-time peak of No. 2, while several other Halloween favorites — like Ray Parker Jr.’s “Ghostbusters,” Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me,” and Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” — all make space inside the top 10.
Sales of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Double Thanks to Halloween
Sales of “Thriller” doubled from one frame to the next, and that uptick is thanks entirely to Halloween. In the most recent tracking period, Jackson’s single sold a little more than 2,800 copies throughout the U.S., per Luminate. The period before, that number was just 1,400.
“Thriller” Reenters the Top 10 on Multiple Billboard Tallies
VARIOUS, VARIOUS – JUNE 25: Michael Jackson performs in concert circa 1986. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
WireImage
Twice as many purchases as just days prior help “Thriller” rocket up the Digital Song Sales chart. Last frame, the tune sat at No. 17, and now it’s back inside the top 10, where it makes a home at No. 7. “Thriller” has come close to commanding the tally before, as it previously peaked at No. 1. Perhaps by next October, Jackson’s track will make it to a full year, or 52 weeks, on the roster – a relatively uncommon feat for the most competitive sales chart in America.
“Thriller” and “Billie Jean” Find Space on Several Charts
In addition to the aforementioned rankings, “Thriller” also lives inside the top 10 on multiple other rosters. It sits at No. 2 on both the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales and R&B Streaming Songs tallies. Megan Thee Stallion’s “Lover Girl” blocks the star from another posthumous turn at No. 1 on the sales ranking, while on the R&B Streaming Songs chart, Kehlani is still in charge. “Thriller” also appears in the top 10 on both the Hot R&B Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs lists, coming in at Nos. 4 and 5, respectively.
Michael Jackson Returns to the Hot 100’s Top 40
Jackson reappears on multiple Billboard charts, but he will almost certainly disappear soon after the Halloween surge concludes for another year. “Thriller” bounds back inside the top 40 on both the Hot 100 and the Streaming Songs rankings and is once again present on both of Billboard’s global rosters.
Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” Soars Alongside “Thriller”
VARIOUS, VARIOUS – JUNE 25: Michael Jackson performs in concert circa 1988. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
WireImage
At the same time that “Thriller” reaches a new high, “Billie Jean” also returns to the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs tally, though in last place, far from its best showing. The same tune, also taken from the Thriller album, can be found on the R&B Streaming Songs chart and at never-before-seen peaks on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. lists.