The stats attached to Michael Jackson‘s 1982 studio album, ‘Thriller,’ could fill a library.
A mainstay atop “Best Albums of All-Time” lists from top publications over the last 40 years, its critical influence on virtually every major Pop or R&B artist after cannot be understated.
But, its immeasurable impact in that arena is only outweighed by its commercial significance – a weight that’s only gaining as the years pass.
With over 70 million records sold worldwide (and counting), the Quincy Jones-produced project stands as the best-selling album ever and has outsold the entire combined discographies of several artists by itself. In America, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) ranks ‘Thriller’ as the highest-certified LP by a solo act in history with 34 million units shifted since its early 80s debut.
At Billboard, the opus – already listed by them as the greatest album of all time by a male performer – is only extending its record-setting stats thanks to enduring sales.
Just a week shy of its 41st anniversary, the updated Billboard 200 reveals the effort (famous for its singles ‘Billie Jean,’ ‘Beat It,’ ‘Human Nature,’ its title track, and more) has notched its 600th week of printing on the Billboard 200.
Meeting the tenancy threshold makes MJ the first Black solo performer to achieve the feat.
Among all Black acts, only Bob Marley and the Wailers can boast having a project meet or exceed the stay as their 1984 compilation album, ‘Legend,’ has enjoyed a 808-week run (so far).
When all 10 efforts that have reached the mark are considered, ‘Thriller’ becomes only the second by a solo singer (following Bruno Mars‘ ‘Doo-Wops’ & Hooligans‘) to touch or surpass the 600-week mark.
See the full list below.
Billboard 200’s Longest-Charting Albums of All Time
The Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd (984 weeks)
Legend – Bob Marley and the Wailers (808 weeks)
Journey’s Greatest Hits – Journey (785 weeks)
Metallica – Metallica (734 weeks)
Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits – Creedence Clearwater Revival (668 weeks)
Curtain Call: The Hits – Eminem (658 weeks)
Doo-Wops & Hooligans – Bruno Mars (650 weeks)
Greatest Hits – Guns N’ Roses (650 weeks)
Nevermind – Nirvana (644 weeks)
Thriller – Michael Jackson (600 weeks)
Look below to see who joins MJ on this week’s TGJ Chart Check: Billboard 200 edition.
Thriller is a highly OVERRATED album
Girl Is Mine
Baby Be Mine
Human nature
^All 3 of these are filler
PYT and lady in my life are both just OKay, pretty good at best. It’s the other 4 songs that are GREAT.
History is MILES better and so is Invincible.
Bad Thriller and Dangerous are all MID as a whole.
(And Off the wall is good too.)