Eddie Dalton’s “Somewhere Along the Way” — an AI production — keeps Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” from finally reaching No. 1 on several Billboard charts. UNITED KINGDOM – AUGUST 18: Michael Jackson performing on stage, finger pointing up – Dangerous Tour (Photo by John Gunion/Redferns)
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For weeks now, fans of Michael Jackson – both those who count themselves as his most ardent supporters, as well as more casual listeners – have been consuming the work he left behind in unusually massive numbers. The superstar returned to many charts in America with several of his most popular songs and albums after his musical biopic Michael was released to theaters globally. Ever since that highly anticipated movie became one of the highest-grossing films of 2026, the late singer has managed some truly incredible feats on Billboard‘s rankings.
This time around, Jackson’s “Billie Jean” dances to new peak positions on a handful of tallies, and it nearly reaches the No. 1 space on a pair of charts – but the classic is held back from ruling, not by another superstar, but by a musical act that is, essentially, not even real.
Michael Jackson Almost Sends “Billie Jean” to No. 1
“Billie Jean” ascends one rung on both the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales and R&B Digital Song Sales charts, pushing from No. 3 to No. 2. That marks a new high point for the Thriller smash on the two tallies, which look at the bestselling tunes via platforms like iTunes that can be classified using those specific genre labels.
Michael Jackson Trails Eddie Dalton, An AI Musical Act
Steady at the summit on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales and R&B Digital Song Sales charts this week is “Somewhere Along the Way” by Eddie Dalton. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, it’s because Dalton isn’t a real person. It is an artificial intelligence music project, one which has proved to be incredibly successful when it comes to its signature brand of R&B music. These are early days for AI artists, and when it comes to the Billboard charts, Dalton has quickly proved to be one of the most successful.
“Billie Jean” Conquers the World
While “Billie Jean” may not rank as the top-selling track on either of the aforementioned lists, Jackson’s single does climb to No. 1 for the first time on another, more competitive rundown. “Billie Jean” leaps from third place to first on the Billboard Global 200, officially becoming the most-consumed song on the planet.
“Billie Jean” Holds at No. 1 on Several Billboard Charts
“Billie Jean” may not be able to topple Dalton’s “Somewhere Along the Way” when it comes to sales, but it does hold court once again in the peak position on another two style-specific rankings. “Billie Jean” is comfortable at No. 1 on both the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs and R&B Streaming Songs charts.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BRUNEI – JULY, 1996: American singer, songwriter, and dancer Michael Jackson (1958-2009) performs on stage during a concert for the 50th birthday of Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei circa July, 1996 at the Jerudong Park Amphitheatre in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. (Photo by Bill Nation/Sygma via Getty Images)
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The cut is also steady at No. 3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot R&B Songs lists, which are built around sales, streams and radio airplay. While “Billie Jean” conquers the Billboard Global 200, it remains in that same slot, No. 3, on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S., its all-time high.
Michael Jackson Claims Eight Bestsellers
The R&B Digital Song Sales chart only features 10 spaces, and amazingly, Jackson appears in eight of them at the moment. Dalton’s “Somewhere Along the Way” refuses to budge from the penthouse, while “I Just Might” by Bruno Mars swaps spots with “Billie Jean,” descending from No. 2 to No. 3. Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” reenters the tally at No. 10, marking a new peak position.
Here are all of Jackson’s hits on this week’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart.
- No. 2 – “Billie Jean”
- No. 4 – “Beat It”
- No. 5 – “Human Nature”
- No. 6 – “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough”
- No. 7 – “Smooth Criminal”
- No. 8 – “Thriller”
- No. 9 – “Bad”
- No. 10 – “Man in the Mirror”
Michael Jackson Fills Seven Spots Within the Top 10
Over on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart, Jackson lays claim to seven of the top 10 spots. In addition to both “Somewhere Along the Way” and “I Just Might,” “Let ‘Em Know” by T.I. appears at No. 7. That tally includes 15 spaces, and Jackson settles into in 11 of them.