*Michael Jackson’s catalog continues to gain new momentum from the success of “Michael,” and one of his most famous songs just added another Billboard achievement.
“Billie Jean” has reached No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart for the first time. The ranking tracks paid downloads of R&B songs in the United States, per Forbes. The song rose from No. 2 during its 57th week on the chart. It first appeared on the list in July 2013, making the climb to No. 1 a nearly 13-year journey.
Jackson released “Billie Jean” on Jan. 2, 1983, as the second single from “Thriller.” He wrote the track and produced it with Quincy Jones. The song quickly became a defining hit. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 1 in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Ireland, Switzerland and Belgium.
The latest milestone follows renewed interest in Jackson’s music after the release of the biopic “Michael.” The film helped drive new streaming and sales activity around his catalog. Earlier this year, “Billie Jean” also became Jackson’s first No. 1 song on Billboard’s Global 200 chart.
Scroll to continue reading
The track remains closely tied to one of Jackson’s most famous televised moments. His performance of “Billie Jean” on “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” earned an Emmy Award nomination and became a lasting part of pop culture history.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Michael Jackson Biopic Breaks Box Office Records in Africa
We Publish Breaking News 24/7. Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
