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When it comes to legacy artists - those who once churned out bestselling albums and hit songs but who are no longer dominating the musical conversation as they once did - it is typically albums that keep older names on the Billboard charts. Years ago, streaming activity became an important factor determining where full-lengths and EPs land on most of the company's album rosters, and compilations filled with career-defining singles and the millions of plays they rack up on sites like Spotify make even those artists that have long since departed this world fixtures on the weekly rundowns.
Michael Jackson may never disappear from the Billboard lists for this reason, and he often occupies multiple spots with a handful of projects. What's less common is for stars like Jackson and dozens of others to land a hit in America, though it's not impossible. Some of Jackson's tunes remain inescapable and so popular even decades after their initial heyday that they can stand out as top streamers and bestsellers.
This frame, one of Jackson's most famous compositions returns to several Billboard charts and reaches a new peak position in the process.
Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" Returns To Multiple Charts
"Billie Jean" moonwalks back onto two tallies in America. Jackson's Thriller classic breaks back into the top 10 on the R&B Digital Song Sales chart after not finding space on the tally just a few days ago. At the moment, "Billie Jean" can be found at No. 8.
"Billie Jean" Dances to a New Peak on One Chart
"Billie Jean" comes close to the highest tier on another related rundown, but misses out by just a few spaces, though fans of the King of Pop will surely celebrate the tune’s placement nonetheless. "Billie Jean" reenters the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart at No. 12. Only about a month into its time as one of the bestselling hip-hop, R&B, or rap cuts in the nation, "Billie Jean" reaches a new all-time high.
"Billie Jean" Has Spent Months as a Bestseller
Between the two rosters, "Billie Jean" has, of course, peaked in a more impressive position on the R&B Digital Song Sales chart. In fact, this frame, it nearly returns to that space, as it has already surged to No. 7 - just one spot above where it settles right now.
In terms of longevity, "Billie Jean" has spent significantly more time on the R&B Digital Song Sales tally than the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart. Jackson’s hugely successful single is up to 43 stays on the R&B-only list, compared to just four on the other roster -- less than only one-tenth of its time on the more all-encompassing rundown.
Michael Jackson Appears on Billboard's Global Charts
"Billie Jean" can also be found on both of the company's worldwide tallies, and it coincidentally lands in the same space. Jackson's cut descends to No. 99 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. lists. Last frame, it appeared at No. 78 on the ranking that details the most consumed songs all around the world, with streams and sales originating from American listeners excluded. At the same time, it lived just nine spaces higher than where it sits at the moment on the Billboard Global 200.
Michael Jackson's Thriller And Number Ones Continue
Thriller is a bestseller again in America, as is always the case. Jackson’s Album of the Year Grammy winner - which includes "Billie Jean" - climbs slightly on both the Vinyl Albums and Top Album Sales rankings, holding as a top 40 win once more.
His Number Ones compilation appears on three times as many rankings at the same time. While it improves on the two tallies where Thriller can be found, Number Ones drops on two others -- the Billboard 200 and Top Streaming Albums chart -- and is comfortable once more and stationary inside the top 10 on both the Top R&B Albums and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums lists.