Michael Jackson blocks himself from a new No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B Streaming Songs chart as “Chicago” stalls at No. 2 behind “Billie Jean.” Michael Jackson at the Dreamgirls after-party at Desilu Studios in Culver City, California on March 30, 1983. His album, Thriller hit number one three weeks earlier. Jackson is wearing his soon-to-be iconic J. Park red leather zipper jacket made famous in his Beat It video which aired 11 days later on MTV. (Billy Jean premiered on March 10th) Five days after this photo was taken, Michael electrified audiences when he performed on Motown 25: : Yesterday, Today, Forever, tv special which, when aired on May 16th, introduced the world to the Moonwalk. A series of events that will launch his career into the stratosphere. (Photo by Mike Guastella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
Less than a month ago, Beyoncé released a new single titled “Morning Dew (Donk).” At first, some fans thought the track might offer an initial taste of an upcoming album – the as-yet-untitled Act III, which follows Renaissance and Cowboy Carter is expected soon – but that is not the case. The song instead leads the forthcoming twentieth-anniversary rerelease of B’Day, and it quickly became a major hit.
“Morning Dew (Donk)” nearly earned Beyoncé another No. 1 on one streaming tally, but she was blocked from the summit by perhaps the most successful solo artist of all time. As Beyoncé’s latest single falls, Michael Jackson nearly scores another posthumous leader — but once again, he stops himself from reaching the peak position.
Michael Jackson Misses Out on a New No. 1 Again
“Chicago” leaps from No. 4 to No. 2 on the R&B Streaming Songs chart, which ranks the most-played R&B tracks in the United States on streaming platforms. Jackson’s hit trades places with “Morning Dew (Donk).” Beyoncé’s single slips from its all-time high of No. 2 to No. 4, while “Chicago” returns to the runner-up rung.
“Chicago” has now spent a lucky 13 weeks on the R&B Streaming Songs chart. It first reached No. 2 in June, nearly two months ago, and this frame it matches that previously-established peak.
Michael Jackson Blocks Himself From No. 1
“Billie Jean” continues to lead the R&B Streaming Songs chart, preventing “Chicago” from advancing to the loftiest space. Jackson occupies both the Nos. 1 and 2 positions on the ranking.
“Chicago” debuted on the R&B Streaming Songs chart in June 2014, but it took 12 years for the song to reach its peak. When it first climbed to No. 2 earlier this summer, “Billie Jean” was also the track that blocked it from ruling.
“Billie Jean” Has Now Led the Way for a Dozen Weeks
“Billie Jean” has now led the R&B Streaming Songs chart for 12 weeks. That is twice as long as the combined reigns of Jackson’s other two champions, “Thriller” and “Don’t Matter to Me,” his collaboration with Drake.
Michael Jackson Has Two No. 2-Peaking Tunes
“Chicago” is one of only two Jackson tracks to peak at No. 2 on the R&B Streaming Songs chart. “Human Nature” has also missed out on ruling by only one space, and it pushed to that slot only a few weeks ago.
“Human Nature” did not reach the ranking until May of this year, following the release of the Michael biopic. One week after debuting, the longtime favorite nearly led the charge, but “Billie Jean” kept it from the throne.
Michael Jackson Controls the Top Three
Jackson fills all three of the highest positions on the current R&B Streaming Songs chart. “Billie Jean” remains at No. 1, “Chicago” advances to No. 2 and “Beat It” climbs to No. 3.
“Beat It” steps up from No. 5 and returns to its already-established peak. The smash first settled into third place during the same week that “Human Nature” failed to conquer the tally by one rung.
Michael Jackson Fills a Third of the R&B Chart
The R&B Streaming Songs chart contains only 15 positions, and Jackson occupies five of them — exactly one-third of the entire ranking. In addition to “Billie Jean,” “Chicago” and “Beat It” appearing within the top three, “Human Nature” holds at No. 7. “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough” moves in the opposite direction, falling from No. 8 to No. 13 during, coincidentally, its thirteenth week on the tally.