Jackson Scores a New Top 10 Single on R&B Digital Song Sales
Posthumously, Michael Jackson lands a new top 10 placement on Billboard's R&B Digital Song Sales chart. His socially charged track, "They Don’t Care About Us," debuts at No. 10, marking its first appearance in the upper tier of the digital-only ranking of R&B songs sold in the U.S. on platforms like iTunes.
The chart is otherwise dominated by contemporary hits, most notably Bruno Mars, whose comeback single "I Just Might" continues to hold strong. Ahead of Jackson, Whitney Houston’s timeless ballad "I Will Always Love You" maintains its familiar presence, illustrating the enduring appeal of classic R&B tunes.
Classic Hits Make a Return
Jackson isn’t just making a modest comeback with a single. His signature hit "Billie Jean" also reenters the R&B Digital Song Sales chart, claiming the No. 8 spot, just shy of its all-time peak at No. 7. This makes Jackson the only artist this week to secure more than one position in the chart’s top 10, underscoring the lasting impact of his music across generations.
A Tale of Two Singles from Different Eras
The two songs hail from different eras of Jackson’s career. "Billie Jean," released in 1983 as the second official single from the iconic album Thriller, quickly became one of his defining hits, climbing to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In contrast, "They Don’t Care About Us" emerged more than a decade later, in 1996, from HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. While it was not promoted as aggressively as other singles like "Scream" or "You Are Not Alone," the track has found renewed interest in the streaming and digital era. At the time of its release, it peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, making its current top 10 entry a notable achievement.
Global Recognition for "Billie Jean"
While "They Don’t Care About Us" is confined to the U.S. R&B digital tally, "Billie Jean" enjoys a wider global resurgence. The song reenters three separate Billboard rankings, including the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S., which tracks worldwide popularity without American data. On the latter, "Billie Jean" jumps from No. 115 to No. 96, solidifying its place in the top half of the global chart. Its movement on the broader Billboard Global 200 is more modest, climbing to No. 114.
Albums Also See Gains
Jackson’s influence isn’t limited to singles. His compilation Number Ones climbs to a new peak of No. 35 on the Top Streaming Albums chart, up from No. 36 the previous week. On genre-specific charts, the collection remains strong, holding No. 2 on the Top R&B Albums chart and No. 6 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
The compilation has also celebrated a major milestone on the Top Album Sales ranking, marking 200 weeks as one of the bestselling releases in the U.S. — a testament to Jackson’s enduring legacy and cross-generational appeal.
Even decades after his defining releases, Michael Jackson’s music continues to captivate listeners, proving that his presence on charts isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s a reflection of the timeless quality of his artistry.