Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean' Returns To Hot 100; Legend Lands 50th Hit

[czechstar]

[h=2]The late King of Pop's 1983 smash returns thanks to a viral video. Plus, 'Slave to the Rhythm' debuts, marking Jackson's milestone 50th Hot 100 hit[/h]A week after becoming the first artist to reach the Billboard Hot 100's top 10 infive different decades (and six including his work with the Jackson 5), as "Love Never Felt So Good," with Justin Timberlake zoomed 22-9, Michael Jackson makes news again, as his 1983 No. 1 "Billie Jean" returns. The song re-enters at No. 14 thanks to the popularity of a viral video featuring the track.

Meanwhile, Jackson scores his milestone 50th Hot 100 hit, as "Slave to the Rhythm," from his new album "Xscape," debuts at No. 45.

"Billie Jean" revisits the Hot 100 with 95 percent of its chart points from streaming. It debuts on the Streaming Songs chart at No. 2 thanks to the stylings of Brett Nichols, a junior at Pitman High School in Turlock, Calif. Nichols performed Jackson's iconic dance sequence from 1983's "Motown 25" TV special for his school's talent show, with the clip featuring the song's original audio. The video went viral and Jackson's classic bows on Streaming Songs with 11.2 million U.S. streams in the week ending May 25 (a 320 percent surge), according to Nielsen BDS. It debuts with 95 percent of its streams from YouTube (non-Vevo) activity.

"Billie Jean," from "Thriller," the best-selling studio album of all time (it's been certified 29 times Platinum by to the RIAA), spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in a 24-week run in 1983. It and 1991's "Black or White" mark the longest reigns of Jackson's 13 Hot 100 No. 1s, the most leaders among solo males.

On Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, "Billie Jean" re-enters at No. 6. It spent nine weeks at No. 1 in 1983, passing "Rock With You" (six weeks, 1980) for his longest command on the genre tally.


NIFTY FIFTY

Jackson also earns his landmark 50th Hot 100 entry, as "Slave to the Rhythm" begins at No. 45. With 75 of its chart points from streaming, the song enters Streaming Songs at No. 11 (3.9 million, up 345 percent). Fifty-six percent of its streaming activity is owed to the official Vevo video of the much buzzed-about virtual Jackson performing the song at the Billboard Music Awards on May 18.

Jackson becomes the 30th artist to collect at least 50 Hot 100 hits and the 20th solo male to earn the honor (tying Eminem's sum). Lil Wayne leads all male soloists with 121 entries, followed by Elvis Presley (108), James Brown (91), Jay Z (82) and Ray Charles (74). Among all acts, Lil Wayne trails only the cast of Fox's "Glee," which has made 207 Hot 100 visits.

On Hot R&B/Hop-Hop Songs, "Slave" soars 38-12. Jackson also debuts at No. 50 with "Chicago."

"Love Never Felt So Good" (which drops 9-16 on the Hot 100 dated June 7), "Slave" and "Chicago" are from Jackson's posthumous album "Xscape," whichdebuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 dated May 31. It ranks at No. 3 this week with 67,000 copies sold (down 57 percent) in the U.S. in the week ending May 25, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Its two-week sales total stands at 224,000.


REID'S WRITING 'RHYTHM'

An additional feat regarding "Slave": The song marks a return to the Hot 100 for L.A. Reid as a songwriter after a nearly 20-year break. The current chairman and CEO of Epic Records co-wrote "Slave" with Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Kevin Roberson and Daryl Simmons.

Reid co-wrote and co-produced numerous Hot 100 hits with Babyface in the '80s and early '90s for the likes of Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Boyz II Men and Bobby Brown. Reid eventually stepped back from writing in the early '90s, focusing on his then-role as co-president of LaFace Records.

Until "Slave," Reid had last charted as a writer on the Oct. 29, 1994, Hot 100, when Braxton's "You Mean the World to Me" spent its final week on the chart. It had peaked at No. 7.

"Slave" dates back to 1989, when Reid and Jackson collaborated in writing and recording sessions for what would become Jackson's 1991 album "Dangerous." "Slave" ultimately never was included on the set and sat unreleased until "Xscape." The original tune (produced by Reid and Babyface) was reworked and produced for its 2014 incarnation by Timbaland and Jerome "JRoc" Harmon.

As an artist, Reid was a member of the Deele (with Babyface), which reached No. 4 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and No. 10 on the Hot 100 in 1988 with its sultry ballad "Two Occasions."


Additional reporting by William Gruger

http://www.billboard.com/articles/c...ael-jackson-billie-jean-hot-100-return-xscape

 

[ChrisC]

The chart should reflect popularity of songs, man. A viral video like that isn't the reason people are clicking on to the video. It's a bit of a farce.

Still, great to see Michael with so many songs on the Hot 100 again.

 

[HIStory]

The chart should reflect popularity of songs, man. A viral video like that isn't the reason people are clicking on to the video. It's a bit of a farce.

Still, great to see Michael with so many songs on the Hot 100 again.

Well, those are the rules now for the charts. Not just for MJ, but for everyone else videos in which their songs are used, parodied, whatever - count. It's not a "facre", it's just how Internet age Billboard works.

 

[dewey]

:clapping: You go on with your Bad self, Michael Jackson. The world still loves your music, and always will.

 

[Moromete]

Billie Jean is doing a few better than LNFSG.

 

[ChrisC]

Well, those are the rules now for the charts. Not just for MJ, but for everyone else videos in which their songs are used, parodied, whatever - count. It's not a "facre", it's just how Internet age Billboard works.

I'm aware of all that. Do you agree then, with the rules as they are, that the Hot 100 accurately reflects the popularity of SONGS in the country? With rules like that, it doesn't. People clicked on to see some guy performing a Michael Jackson tribute - they simply heard a song in the background whilst they were watching. What if it had been a medley of songs? Would they have all charted? Its farcical.

I think instances of the song being played should count, and plays of the music video, but when a song appears incidentally in the background of a video then I think it makes the charts look silly.

 

[HIStory]

I'm aware of all that. Do you agree then, with the rules as they are, that the Hot 100 accurately reflects the popularity of SONGS in the country? With rules like that, it doesn't. People clicked on to see some guy performing a Michael Jackson tribute - they simply heard a song in the background whilst they were watching. What if it had been a medley of songs? Would they have all charted? Its farcical.

Well, in this case it's not true it's just some background music that is somehow unrelated to the video. The guy was doing the Billie Jean routine to the Billie Jean song that is obviously an integral part of the performance.

These are the rules. This is how charts are constructed these days. It wasn't made so that old MJ songs can chart. Often MJ was at the short end of chart rules (like when his albums and songs couldn't chart in 2009 despite of being best-sellers because catalogue material wasn't allowed to chart at the time), so I couldn't care less about any nitpicking now how it doesn't prove popularity. Billie Jean has proven enough already through the ages that it is a popular song. If it wasn't then this teen would not have been doing this routine, 31 years after the song's release, but something else.

 

[marebear]

That's great that this is even possible. The song is over 30 years old. Sometimes when songs or albums like that re enter the charts its very low like 95 or 89 but 14? That's amazing.

 

[ChrisC]

Well, in this case it's not true it's just some background music that is somehow unrelated to the video. The guy was doing the Billie Jean routine to the Billie Jean song that is obviously an integral part of the performance.

These are the rules. This is how charts are constructed these days. It wasn't made so that old MJ songs can chart. Often MJ was at the short end of chart rules (like when his albums and songs couldn't chart in 2009 despite of being best-sellers because catalogue material wasn't allowed to chart at the time), so I couldn't care less about any nitpicking now how it doesn't prove popularity. Billie Jean has proven enough already through the ages that it is a popular song. If it wasn't then this teen would not have been doing this routine, 31 years after the song's release, but something else.

This is the problem with so many people on here, every thing that isn't celebrate to the hilt is considered a slight on Michael. My opinion on this matter has absolutely nothing to do with him. Nada. Believe me, if i had my way the chart would be full of Michael songs til the end of time. To appropriately participate on the point I raised you need to realise that I'm not talking about Michael and I'm not talking about Billie Jean, i'm talking about the chart rules. Sure, he's benefited from the silly rule on this occasion, but I don't see why you need to defend it because of this. Unless of course you really do believe using these figures is an accurate reflection on a song's popularity - but you've yet to even tell me why you think so. lol

How many people clicked on that video to hear Billie Jean? The majority of people, we assume, clicked to see a tribute performance irrespective of what music was playing. To rank the SONG's popularity in America on this basis is a joke. If it was anyone else I'd say the same.

As an aside, when they collate streams they discount one's from international IPs assume? I could only hope so. But it's still a farce either way.

 

[Kikuchiyo]

How many people clicked on that video to hear Billie Jean? The majority of people, we assume, clicked to see a tribute performance irrespective of what music was playing. To rank the SONG's popularity in America on this basis is a joke. If it was anyone else I'd say the same.

You completely minimize the role of the song and all success you solely contribute to young man's performance. :blink: How many people would clicked that video if he danced to a different song?
"Billie Jean" is one of the pillars of the music and culture of the 20th century and the fact is, that young man's success is exclusively tied to "Billie Jean" and MJ famous performance.

Imagine that you are the author of wonderful songs. And now imagine that someone performs your songs and earns money, fame, etc. I wonder would you then say that the singer is successful only because he/she has a great voice and that his/her success have nothing to do with the songs he/she performs?
That young man could be a top talent, but without "Billie Jean" public wouldn't know about him. Fact!

 

[sfosteredi]

You completely minimize the role of the song and all success you solely contribute to young man's performance. :blink: How many people would clicked that video if he danced to a different song?
"Billie Jean" is one of the pillars of the music and culture of the 20th century and the fact is, that young man's success is exclusively tied to "Billie Jean" and MJ famous performance.

Imagine that you are the author of wonderful songs. And now imagine that someone performs your songs and earns money, fame, etc. I wonder would you then say that the singer is successful only because he/she has a great voice and that his/her success have nothing to do with the songs he/she performs?
That young man could be a top talent, but without "Billie Jean" public wouldn't know about him. Fact!

I agree. I don't think you can separate the song, the dance, the man (MJ) Hear the song, you think of the man and the dance. See the glove and hat, you think of the song and the dance. See someone do the dance, you hear the song in you head. Seeing the youtube tribute has sent many people back to their dancing shoes to brush up on their moonwalk.And started a new generation of moonwalkers. You can't separate that from the music.

 

[Ashtanga]

Just.... >>>>

 

[jamba]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXhy7ZsiR50

Billie Jean--the original performance--81M views on this one alone.

 

[HIStory]

How many people clicked on that video to hear Billie Jean? The majority of people, we assume, clicked to see a tribute performance irrespective of what music was playing.

Really? That performance had nothing to do with Billie Jean the song and Michael's original routine? It's true that he could have danced to anything else, but maybe if he had danced to anything else that would not have become this popular. And that's exactly because it is the iconic Billie Jean! So to pretend the success has nothing to do with the song or Michael's iconic routine is a bit odd.

 

[ChrisC]

Oh rubbish. It could just have easily been a soundalike, a different song, or a medley.

The video went viral for the visual content first and foremost.

IF the Billie Jean music video and/or song by itself suddenly experienced a massive surge as a result of the video then fine.

A rule such as this does not ACCURATELY gauge the popularity of a song within a given week in a country. Farce.

 

[HIStory]

Oh rubbish. It could just have easily been a soundalike, a different song, or a medley.

The video went viral for the visual content first and foremost.

And what that visual content is strongly related to?

You keep saying it could have been anything. Do you not acknowledge how iconic that routine and song is and that's a big part of why it was picked up by the media? He basically did the same routine as MJ did at Motown 25...

You try to play down the whole thing, but I find it impressive because it reflects on the longevity of Michael's music and iconography. That's actually in many ways a lot more impressive than having the biggest selling single for a week or two. Let's see how many will dance to the current #1 in 30 years, with the ability of creating such a buzz as this video did.

 

[ChrisC]

You keep warbling on about how iconic the routine is, and how the song and the performance are so closely intertwined and I COMPLETELY agree. It was a moment in pop history that will be revered for centuries. Clearly MJ agreed as he flogged the life out of it.

However, the SINGLES chart does not reflect the popularity of iconic performances, routines or tributes. It's not set up to do that. Next you'll be telling me that when a song is featured over the opening credits of a television show, that every time somebody buys a DVD of the show or streams it online, then it should generate units for the song on the singles chart. Sometimes a song and TV show become so closely interwined and ride each other to glory you know lol

I can't sit here and tell you what thoughts went through the head's of those who clicked on that video to make it go viral. But I'd be confident in saying I imagine that the vast, vast majority clicked to see a boy perform a Michael Jackson-style tribute performance at his high school show. That's it.

I'll say it again, if the tribute video surged views of the music video/song alone then it's fine.

 

[HIStory]

However, the SINGLES chart does not reflect the popularity of iconic performances, routines or tributes. It's not set up to do that. Next you'll be telling me that when a song is featured over the opening credits of a television show, that every time somebody buys a DVD of the show or streams it online, then it should generate units for the song on the singles chart. Sometimes a song and TV show become so closely interwined and ride each other to glory you know lol

That analogy is not a good one. The Billie Jean song and routine is what that performance was all about - it's absolutely NOT just some background music to some other unrelated activity someone is doing in a video.

And the singles chart is about whatever Billboard wants it to be about. A couple of years ago they decided the music market has changed so much that it will not only be about sales any more, but also about streaming. And there are certain rules of what counts and what doesn't.

If you want to only know about pure sales, then there is a chart for that as well (digital singles chart, for example), so anyone can check that out if they want and decide that to them that is the only relevant chart.

And by the way, if you only want the charts to reflect on pure sales then it's been a long, long time ago that it only reflected on sales. Even before they started counting streaming they counted air play for example - which can be and is often manipulated by labels and the industry (one of the reasons TDCAU had no chance in the US because radios refused to play it because of the stupid "anti-semitic" allegation).

 

[bluesky]

Here are other examples similar like this

Billboard's policy for counting digital streams towards Hot 100 placement also brought Michael Jackson's "Thriller" back to number 42 early last month as a result of the massive number of online plays it had around Halloween. The digital age has thrown an endless number of new hurdles in the path of the people who make and promote pop music, and it seems to have added yet another: random incursions from the past.


[h=3]Enya reenters the Hot 100 with help from Jean-Claude Van Damme[/h]
Then about halfway down you run into a 13-year-old Enya song sitting at number 43, in between Katy Perry's "Dark Horse" and Joe Nichols' forgettably breezy country-pop cut "Sunny and 75" like it's no big thing, and your brain locks up for a second while it tries to figure out exactly what's happening.

-----
"Only Time" is suddenly a semihit again because of the mind-blowing commercial featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme doing the splits between a pair of moving Volvo semi trucks that went viral recently.


http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2013/12/03/enya-re-enters-the-hot-100-with-help-from-jean-claude-van-damme

 

[marebear]

I don't mean to come off rude or offensive but Billie Jean #14 on the billboard 100 in 2014 is a great thing. Obviously this video of the student performing this routine got a lot attention and people connected to it. It doesn't matter to me why it happened. I am grateful it did happen for Michael. It was a nice surprise to see that. I hope I didn't offend anyone.

 

[michaeljackson&lisamarie]

I don't mean to come off rude or offensive but Billie Jean #14 on the billboard 100 in 2014 is a great thing. Obviously this video of the student performing this routine got a lot attention and people connected to it. It doesn't matter to me why it happened. I am grateful it did happen for Michael. It was a nice surprise to see that. I hope I didn't offend anyone.

well you certainly did NOT offend me. I agree, I don't care how it happened either. I'm just very happy that it did happen. this is great stuff for michael. let's all be happy over this and stop with the negativity.

 

[ChrisC]

Just wait until all of Michael's 'hard-earned' chart records are equalled and overtaken as a result of chart rules such as these. It'll be pretty funny watching a lot of people complaining about how MJ got his records the 'honest' way *coughs* Katy Perry.

respect, I never suggested at any point that the Hot 100 should be purely sales based, so why the need to bang on for two whole paragraphs about it I'll never know. I think we've both said our points of view on this so no need to keep dragging it on. I can only repeat myself really, and there's no point to that.

 

[lougrizli]

You can't compare Billie Jean and LNFSG.. lol