Michael Jackson makes history as Thriller hits Top 10 after four decades

Michael Jackson has returned to the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 as his iconic song ‘Thriller’ climbs to No. 10 following the 2025 Halloween season. 

This latest chart performance makes Jackson the first artist in history to score top 10 hits in six distinct decades, spanning the 1970s through the 2020s. The milestone highlights the continued influence of Jackson’s music and reaffirms his legacy as one of pop’s most enduring figures.

The resurgence in Jackson’s chart presence comes as anticipation builds for the Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic, ‘[Michael’, scheduled for theatrical release on April 24, 2026. The trailer for the film was recently released, generating significant public and media interest. The film promises a close look at Jackson’s rise to global stardom and his lasting impact on the music industry.

A statement accompanying the film’s promotional material notes: “‘Michael’ explores the global superstar’s journey to becoming the King of Pop, offering an intimate look at the life and enduring legacy of one of the most influential and trailblazing artists the world has ever known.”

Jackson first reached the Hot 100 top 10 as a solo artist in November 1971 with ‘Got to Be There’. Over the course of his career, he accumulated 30 top 10 singles, including 13 No. 1 hits. Prior to this week, his most recent top 10 appearance had been as a featured artist on Drake’s ‘Don’t Matter to Me’ in 2018, released posthumously.

This year’s chart movement for ‘Thriller’ followed a steep jump from No. 32 to No. 10, driven by a seasonal increase in streams and airplay. According to data from Luminate, the classic track amassed 14 million streams and a radio airplay audience of 9.3 million in the latest tracking week, underscoring its perennial popularity during the Halloween period.

Until now, the record for top 10 placements across the greatest number of decades was held by Andy Williams, who achieved the feat in five different decades prior to his death in 2012. Jackson’s new record sets a fresh benchmark for longevity in the pop music landscape.

In related chart news, Taylor Swift holds the No. 1 position with ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ for a fifth consecutive week, while her album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ remains atop the Billboard 200 for the same duration. Swift has maintained the song’s momentum with the release of a ‘Loud Luxury’ remix and an ‘Alone in My Tower Acoustic Version’.

For the week, Swift’s single drew 27.4 million official streams, 59.2 million radio airplay audience impressions, and 29,000 in sales, reflecting the current competitive landscape at the top of the charts.

Source: India Today
--Agencies