Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” almost gives the late singer another posthumous No. 1 hit in the U.K. as it soars to No. 2 thanks to Halloween’s return. NETHERLANDS – JUNE 01: Photo of Michael JACKSON; Michael Jackson performing on stage at the Amsterdam ArenA – HIStory Tour (Photo by Michel Linssen/Redferns)
Redferns
Halloween has come and gone for another year, but its impact can still be felt on charts all around the world – and it will for several more days. Consumption of songs and albums tied to the holiday peaks, of course, on Halloween itself, and this year, the spooky celebrations landed on a Friday. The tracking frame in the global music industry begins again every Friday, so the most important moment for classic Halloween favorites opened a new period in the business.
Songs like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” – which is perhaps the most famous Halloween tune of all time – benefited greatly and are currently enjoying impressive runs on charts everywhere. In the United Kingdom, “Thriller” rockets up multiple rankings and almost gives Jackson another posthumous No. 1.
“Thriller” Just Fails to Reach No. 1 for the first time
“Thriller” currently sits in the runner-up space on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles chart. The tune pushes from No. 10 to No. 2, just barely missing out on finally reaching the top spot as Jackson’s smash flies to a new high point. It’s blocked from ruling by “Raindance,” a recently shared collaboration between Dave and Tems that debuted at No. 1 last week.
Michael Jackson Ties His Own Record on the R&B Ranking
“Thriller” is tied with several other Jackson tunes as it misses No. 1 by just one spot on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles chart. The cut is on the same level as tracks like “They Don’t Care About Us,” “Rock With You,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “You Are Not Alone,” and others.
Which Michael Jackson Songs Have Reached No. 1?
Throughout the decades, Jacks has racked up seven leaders on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles chart. He’s ruled with all of the following hits:
- “Scream” with Janet Jackson
- “Why” with 3T
- “Blood on the Dance Floor”
- “You Rock My World”
- “One More Chance”
- “Man in the Mirror”
- “Don’t Matter to Me”
The latter tune is the only one that has conquered the list that was released after Jackson’s death in 2009.
“Thriller” Climbs to New Highs on the U.K. Singles and Streaming Charts
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 31: Michael Jackson performs at the Super Bowl XXVII Halftime show at the Rose Bowl on January 31, 1993 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WireImage
“Thriller” simultaneously climbs to a new high on two other rankings in the U.K. On the Official Singles chart, the main list of the biggest hits in the nation, “Thriller” pushes from No. 33 to No. 9. The creepy cut enjoys an even greater leap on the Official Streaming roster, ascending from No. 88 to No. 17 in one massive improvement.
“Thriller” Still Sells Strong on Downloads and Sales Lists
The Halloween staple lives on five different charts in the U.K. at the moment, though it doesn’t quite make it to a never-before-seen position on two. “Thriller” steps up to No. 23 on the Official Singles Sales roster and from No. 22 to No. 17 on the Official Singles Downloads chart, as purchases improved noticeably thanks to the holiday.
“Billie Jean” Also Rises as Thriller Album Reappears
While “Thriller” was the focus for millions of people all around the world because of Halloween, it’s not the only successful track by Jackson in the U.K. at the moment. “Billie Jean” can be found on two tallies, and amazingly, it also reaches a new peak on one of them.
“Billie Jean,” which is featured on Thriller alongside the title track, reappears at No. 72 on the Official Streaming chart. That spot marks a new best placement for the decades-old favorite. The song also shoots from No. 98 to No. 89 on the Official Singles ranking, where it has previously run the show in the past.
Thriller Album Returns to Multiple U.K. Rankings
Thriller – the album – benefits from improved sales and streams and all the attention being paid to the song with which it shares its name. The full-length reappears on three rosters and hits a new high of No. 84 on the Official Albums Streaming chart.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2025/11/11/michael-jackson-blocked-from-charting-a-new-no-1-hit/
