Michael Jackson Becomes First Artist to Earn Hot 100 Top 10 Hits in Six Different Decades

Michael Jackson continues to make history more than a decade after his passing.

The late King of Pop’s “Thriller” rises from No. 32 to No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated November 15, marking a record-breaking milestone that cements his chart legacy. With this achievement, Jackson becomes the first artist ever to earn top 10 hits in six separate decades: the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and now the 2020s.

The Halloween classic, which originally peaked at No. 4 in 1984, benefits from a seasonal resurgence each year. This time, its climb is powered by a 57 percent boost in official streams to 14 million, a 124 percent increase in radio airplay to 9.3 million audience impressions, and 3,000 downloads sold in the United States during the October 31 to November 6 tracking week, according to Luminate.

With “Thriller,” Jackson surpasses Andy Williams, who previously held the record with top 10 entries in five decades. Williams’ holiday favorite “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” helped extend his chart presence into the 2010s and 2020s.

Jackson’s run on the Hot 100 began more than fifty years ago when his solo debut “Got to Be There” reached the top 10 in November 1971. As a solo artist, he has now accumulated 30 top 10 hits, including 13 No. 1s. His most recent appearance before this week came in 2018 as a featured artist on Drake’s “Don’t Matter to Me.”

Notably, Jackson first reached the top 10 even earlier as part of The Jackson 5, when “I Want You Back” entered the chart’s upper ranks on December 27, 1969.

“Thriller” also becomes Jackson’s longest-charting Hot 100 hit at 26 weeks, surpassing “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” both of which spent 25 weeks on the chart in 1983.

Six decades, one enduring legacy. Michael Jackson’s influence on pop music and the Hot 100 remains timeless.