055519 04: Entertainer Michael Jackson performs at a concert November 8, 1988 in California. … [+]
It’s the spookiest time of year, so in the music world, that means one particular hit single is in the process of being resurrected. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is back on several Billboard charts this week. In fact, the track has risen to No. 1 once again on a specific list showing that even though it’s been out for decades, Americans still can’t get enough of this creepy smash.
This time around, “Thriller” returns to the highest spot on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart. The weekly ranking tracks the bestselling tunes in America that can be classified as R&B specifically. According to Luminate, “Thriller” sold just over 2,400 copies in the past tracking period.
This week, “Thriller” lifts from No. 3 to the penthouse on the R&B Digital Song Sales chart. It has now spent a total of six weeks at the top spot throughout its years of availability, regularly adding to that sum each Halloween season.
“Thriller” is not just performing well on the R&B Digital Song Sales chart, but also on a number of other lists as well. This week it’s up to No. 11 on the Digital Song Sales ranking, which doesn’t focus on just one style of music. This coming tracking week includes Halloween, so chances are that “Thriller” will continue to rise on the charts where it doesn’t already sit at No. 1.
“Thriller” is one of only two No. 1 hits Jackson has scored on the R&B Digital Song Sales chart. That low sum might sound a bit surprising, given how popular the singer is, but the ranking was introduced long after his heyday, so it makes sense that most of his biggest hits would’ve come and gone before the introduction of platforms like iTunes and Amazon
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