List of Michael Jackson records and achievements explained

This article lists some of the sales and charts records and achievements of Michael Jackson (1958–2009), an American singer, songwriter, and dancer. Jackson's success during his peak in the 1980s and 1990s included a number of notable statistical accomplishments. He is the most awarded recording artist in the history of popular music[1] and is recognized as the "Most Successful Entertainer of All Time" by Guinness World Records selling over 500 million records around the world.[2] [3]

Data for U.S. sales comes largely from Billboard magazine and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Selected countries

US chart records and achievements

See also: List of artists who reached number one in the United States and List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones.

Jackson's US number ones

Michael Jackson had 13 number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.[23]

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Jackson's US Top 10 Hits

Michael Jackson had 28 Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 charts while living, and to date has two posthumous Top 10 entries.

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Jackson's US R&B number ones

Michael Jackson had 16 number one hits on the Billboard R&B charts.[24]

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UK chart records and achievements

Jackson's UK number ones

Michael Jackson had seven number one hits on the UK Singles Charts.[26]

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French chart records and achievements

Jackson's French number ones

Michael Jackson had eight number one hits on the Top 100 Singles charts.

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Spanish chart records and achievements

Jackson's Spanish number ones

Michael Jackson had 21 number one hits on the Top 20 Singles charts.

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Canadian chart records and achievements

Jackson's Canadian number ones

Michael Jackson had five number-one hits on the Top 50 Singles charts.

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Australian chart records and achievements

Jackson's Australian number ones

Michael Jackson had four number one hits on the Top 100 Singles charts.

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Norwegian chart records and achievements

Jackson's Norwegian number ones

Michael Jackson had five number one hits on the Top 20 Singles charts.

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Swiss chart records and achievements

Jackson's Swiss number ones

Michael Jackson had four number one hits on the Top 100 Singles charts.

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New Zealand chart records and achievements

Jackson's New Zealand number ones

Michael Jackson had eight number one hits on the Top 100 Singles charts.

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Irish chart records and achievements

Jackson's Irish number ones

Michael Jackson had 10 number one hits on the Top 100 Singles charts, more than any other solo artist.

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Other records and achievement worldwide

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ladyt . 2022-03-31 . Most Awarded Artist Of All Time? . 2024-04-26 . Hip Hop News Uncensored . en-US.
  2. Web site: Michael Jackson : bientôt un biopic, dans la veine de " Bohemian Rhapsody ". Marc. Fourny. https://web.archive.org/web/20230203012150/https://www.lepoint.fr/culture/michael-jackson-bientot-un-biopic-dans-la-veine-de-bohemian-rhapsody-09-02-2022-2464122_3.php. February 3, 2023. Le Point. February 9, 2022. French.
  3. Wyman . Bill . 2013-01-04 . Around the time Jackson died, Jackson had sold about four hundred million records, give or take. Since Jackson's death, he's moved some forty million albums and fifty million song downloads, plus a lot of DVDs and ringtones for a total, more or less, of roughly five hundred and fifteen million sold . 2024-03-01 . The New Yorker . en-US . 0028-792X.
  4. News: Ranking Michael Jackson's No. 1 hits, in honor of what would have been his 60th birthday. Maeve. McDermott. USA Today. June 15, 2020. June 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200607174351/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2018/08/29/ranking-michael-jacksons-no-1-hits-honor-his-60th-birthday/1112672002/. live.
  5. Web site: 1963: Youngest Solo Artist at No.1. August 19, 2015. Guinness World Records. December 1, 2019. October 16, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191016231540/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/60at60/2015/8/1963-youngest-solo-artist-at-no-1-392993/. live.
  6. Web site: Music News – The latest music news and gossip from Yahoo and Google! Music UK & Ireland . Uk.news.launch.yahoo.com . November 14, 2006 . June 25, 2010 . June 7, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120607114121/http://uk.omg.yahoo.com/ . live .
  7. News: The Eagles' greatest hits album beats Michael Jackson's Thriller as No. 1 All Time Album Today . . August 20, 2018 . June 13, 2020 . June 13, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200613221223/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-eagles-greatest-hits-album-beats-michael-jacksons-thriller-as-no-1-all-time-album-today/ . live .
  8. 9 Longest streaks at billboard 200 top 5. Billboard. January 29, 2016. February 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205004929/http://www.musictimes.com/articles/36112/20150417/9-longest-streaks-billboard-200-top-5-taylor-swift-michael-jackson-garth-brooks.htm. live.
  9. Keith. Caulfield. Michael Jackson Breaks Billboard Charts Records. Billboard. July 1, 2009. 2009-07-01. October 4, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121004144323/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/news/e3i1a1890f91e4cda9a86bda8ff1bb029c8. live.
  10. News: Michael Jackson's music tops charts. CNN. July 1, 2009. 2009-07-01. July 4, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090704060620/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/01/michael.jackson.sales/index.html. live.
  11. How Michael Jackson's 'Bad' Became the First Album To Notch Five Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s. Billboard. August 6, 2021. July 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180708070111/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7948954/michael-jackson-bad-hot-100-five-number-one-hits. live.
  12. Web site: In 1991 Michael Jackson's "Black or White" enters the UK charts at No.1 | Pop Expresso. September 29, 2021. April 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210414035854/https://www.popexpresso.com/2020/11/23/in-1991-michael-jacksons-black-or-white-enters-the-uk-charts-at-no-1/. live.
  13. Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' at 30: How One Album Changed the World. Billboard. December 1, 2019. December 13, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161213211555/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/473949/michael-jacksons-thriller-at-30-how-one-album-changed-the-world. live.
  14. Here Are All the Hits That Have Debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100. Billboard. August 6, 2021. May 19, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180519082138/https://www.billboard.com/photos/426225/billboard-hot-100-number-1-song-debuts. live.
  15. Web site: Longest Span Between First And Last Number 1 - Top40Weekly.com. top40weekly.com. July 16, 2020. August 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200811131459/https://top40weekly.com/longest-span-between-first-and-last-1/. live.
  16. Hot 100 Turns 60! Artists With the Most No. 1s, From The Beatles to Rihanna & More. Billboard. December 1, 2019. September 16, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190916171140/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/hot-100-turns-60/8468185/hot-100-turns-60-artists-with-the-most-no-1s. live.
  17. Beatles,
  18. Web site: Longest span of US top 40 singles. Guinness World Records. December 1, 2019. April 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200424061811/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-span-of-us-top-40-singles/. live.
  19. Web site: Has Beyoncé Overtaken Michael Jackson as the Most Important Black Artist of Our Time?. Jeremy. Helligar. May 24, 2019. December 1, 2019. November 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191106154125/https://variety.com/2019/music/opinion/has-beyonce-overtaken-michael-jackson-most-important-black-artist-1203225597/. live.
  20. Michael Jackson, Coldplay Hit Hot 100's Top 10; John Legend Still No. 1. Billboard. July 16, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708170544/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6092276/michael-jackson-coldplay-hot-100-top-10-john-legend-no-1. live.
  21. News: JACKSON WINS 8 GRAMMYS. The New York Times. February 29, 1984. August 6, 2021. August 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210806160545/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/29/arts/jackson-wins-8-grammys.html. live.
  22. Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber & All the Record Setters at the 2020 AMAs. Billboard. August 6, 2021. August 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210806184535/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9488321/taylor-swift-justin-bieber-record-setters-2020-amas/. live.
  23. Michael Jackson. Billboard. December 1, 2019. June 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190625202807/https://www.billboard.com/music/michael-jackson. live.
  24. Michael Jackson. Billboard. December 1, 2019. December 11, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191211224901/https://www.billboard.com/music/Michael-jackson/chart-history/BSI. live.
  25. Web site: Record-Breakers and Trivia - everyHit.com. www.everyhit.com. April 7, 2007. April 9, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070409031321/http://www.everyhit.com/record2.html. live.
  26. Web site: Michael Jackson | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company. www.officialcharts.com. December 1, 2019. May 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210513085649/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/16519/michael-jackson/. live.
  27. Web site: Record-Breakers and Trivia – Albums . everyHit.com . June 25, 2010 . March 3, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205902/http://www.everyhit.com/recordalb.html . live .
  28. Web site: The best-selling albums of all time on the Official UK Chart. www.officialcharts.com. December 1, 2019. October 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191002091415/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-best-selling-albums-of-all-time-on-the-official-uk-chart__15551/. live.
  29. Web site: Official Charts Flastback: Michael Jackson – Bad. Official Charts.com. January 29, 2015. February 15, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160215235322/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-charts-flashback-michael-jackson-bad__4471/. live.
  30. Web site: Michael Jackson dominates the UK chart | NME. NME. June 28, 2009. December 1, 2019. April 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200424151913/https://www.nme.com/news/music/michael-jackson-332-1320263. live.
  31. News: Michael Jackson tops UK album charts as sales surge. Matthew. Taylor. The Guardian . June 28, 2009. www.theguardian.com. December 1, 2019. April 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200424155044/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jun/28/michael-jackson-tops-album-charts. live.
  32. Book: Atkins, Carla. Michael Jackson King of Pop an American Legend: Activity Book. February 9, 2010. AuthorHouse. 9781449054052. Google Books. August 6, 2021. August 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210806170459/https://books.google.co.in/books?id=QePUK9r7CTkC&pg=PA8&lpg=PA8&dq=Jackson+had+four+diamond+albums+in+France.+They+are+Thriller,+Bad,+Dangerous,+and+HIStory.&source=bl&ots=JNqTWeMb_o&sig=ACfU3U0sn0mabmMSzCCwqciTDxbW50ffiQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiZkYbd7JzyAhXWIbcAHTHeC-UQ6AF6BAgVEAM#v=onepage&q=Jackson+had+four+diamond+albums+in+France.+They+are+Thriller,+Bad,+Dangerous,+and+HIStory.&f=false. live.
  33. See List of best-selling music artists for information and references of sales figures.
  34. Web site: Most Successful Entertainer of All Time-Michael Jackson sets world record. August 11, 2020. February 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200223154519/http://www.worldrecordacademy.com/entertainment/most_successful_entertainer_of_all_time-Michael_Jackson_sets_world_record%20_90258.htm. live.
  35. Web site: Sun . Bruce Fessier, The (Palm Springs, Calif) Desert . Director remembers landmark Elvis Presley performance . 2024-07-07 . USA TODAY . en-US.
  36. Web site: 2016-11-14 . Michael Jackson's 'Black or White' Music Video Turns 25: What You Didn't Know . 2024-07-07 . Yahoo Sports . en-GB.
  37. Book: Michael Jackson reveals that he feels imprisoned by the Paparazzi - Jet . 1997-10-06 . Johnson Publishing Company . en.
  38. Web site: RÉCORD DE MICHAEL JACKSON . 2024-03-04 . Estadio Azteca . es.
  39. Web site: 2016-11-29 . The shows are still the largest the country has ever seen, attracting 230,000 people, according to Attie Van Wyk . . 2024-03-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161129082809/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-jackson-global-sb-idUSTRE5624OT20090704/ . November 29, 2016 .
  40. Bad World Tour - Attendance - 4,559,065 / 4,559,065 (100%)

    Dangerous Tour - Attendance - 4,106,000 (100%)

    History Tour - Attendance - 4,420,158 / 4,500,000 (98%)

  41. News: Swash . Rosie . 2009-03-13 . Michael Jackson's 50 dates at London's O2 arena sell out . 2024-03-04 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  42. Web site: Michael Jackson's best selling studio albums. The Telegraph. June 26, 2009 . June 15, 2020. October 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191017165055/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5648176/Michael-Jacksons-best-selling-studio-albums.html. live.
  43. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/26/michael.jackson.album.sale/
  44. Web site: MJ nearly scrapped 'Thriller' release | Music News | Zee News. September 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200926073042/https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/musicworld/mj-nearly-scrapped-thriller-release_42076.html. September 26, 2020.
  45. Stutz . Colin . 2015-12-16 . Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Becomes First-Ever 30 Times Multi-Platinum Album: Exclusive . 2024-03-04 . Billboard . en-US.
  46. [Got to Be There|Got to be There - 3.2 Million]
  47. Book: Company, Johnson Publishing . Jet . 2000-05-29 . Johnson Publishing Company . en.
  48. Web site: 2002-11-23 . Michael Jackson honored as 'pop artist of the millennium' . 2024-03-05 . The Age . en.
  49. Staff . Billboard . 2002-01-04 . Jackson To Accept AMA 'Artist Of The Century' Honor . 2024-03-04 . Billboard . en-US.
  50. Web site: Michael Jackson Death Anniversary Special: How The King Of Pop Reshaped Music Industry With His Trailblazing Songs On Climate Change, Racial Inequality . 2024-07-06 . English Jagran . en.
  51. Web site: Citron . Alan . Philips . Chuck . 1991-03-21 . Michael Jackson Agrees to Huge Contract With Sony . 2024-07-13 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
  52. Book: Halstead . Craig . Michael Jackson the Solo Years . Cadman . Chris . 2003 . Authors On Line Ltd . 978-0-7552-0091-7 . en.
  53. Web site: Most charities supported by a pop star. Guinness World Records. August 6, 2021. August 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210806174115/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/105188-most-charities-supported-by-a-pop-star. live.
  54. Web site: His iconic portrait of Michael Jackson used for the famed "Thriller" album cover is still the world's largest distributed portrait in history . 2024-03-04 . en-US.
  55. Web site: Mejia . John . September 18, 2019 . Celebrity Artist Dick Zimmerman teams Up with 'Gold and Diamond Source' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201124071837/https://www.businesszoneagency.com/web/20201124071837/https://www.businesszoneagency.com/celebrity-artist-dick-zimmerman-teams-up-with-gold-and-diamond-source . 2020-11-24 . 2024-03-04 . en.
  56. Note: I actually think the Spice Girls beat that record a long time ago so MJ's record didn't hold.
  57. Web site: Matthew . Zoie . 2019-02-21 . Most Oscars Statuettes Are Only Worth $1 . 2023-01-20 . Los Angeles Magazine . en-US.
  58. Web site: The 5 Most Expensive Music Videos Of All Time. Hugh. McIntyre. Forbes. August 9, 2021. September 27, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150927040927/http://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2014/08/24/the-top-5-most-expensive-music-videos-of-all-time/. live.
  59. Web site: 2017-08-29 . 11 Surprising Facts About Legendary Pop Icon Michael Jackson On His 59th Birth Anniversary . 2024-03-04 . IndiaTimes . en-IN.
  60. Book: Glenday, Craig . Before his death, Michael Jackson was the most famous living human being in the world. Guinness World Records 2011 . 2011 . Sterling Pub. . 978-0-440-42310-2 . en.
  61. Becker . Mark Seal,Jonathan . 2011-06-23 . Prince Jefri: The Prince Who Blew Through Billions . 2024-07-13 . Vanity Fair . en-US.
  62. Web site: Dahlsen . Lucy . 2020-09-20 . "Michael Jackson is the most depicted cultural figure of the twentieth century," - ELEPHANT . 2024-03-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200920033803/https://elephant.art/on-the-wall-michael-jackson/ . September 20, 2020 .
  63. Web site: Phalen . Tom . Living | Jackson Alters His New Video | Seattle Times Newspaper . Community.seattletimes.nwsource.com . November 16, 1991 . June 25, 2010 . September 30, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120930115921/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19911116&slug=1317521 . live .
  64. Web site: Full Discography of Michael Jackson – HIStory Past, Present And Future (1995) | The Official Michael Jackson Site . Michaeljackson.com . June 25, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110714083301/http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/blog/full-discography-michael-jackson-history-past-present-and-future-1995 . July 14, 2011 . mdy-all .
  65. October 23, 1999 . MCY makes global internet history today, drawing more than 10 million to its cybercast of Michael Jackson's concert in Munich . Billboard.
  66. Web site: Michael Jackson's Career Earnings, 1979–2009. Forbes. August 5, 2017. August 14, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170814023605/https://www.forbes.com/pictures/eeel45ekfki/michael-jacksons-career-earnings-1979-2009/. live.
  67. Sisario, Ben. In Death as in Life, Michael Jackson Sets Music Sales Records , The New York Times, July 2, 2009.
  68. Web site: 2010-06-27 . Jackson sells 35 million albums since death . 2024-07-13 . TODAY.com . en.
  69. David Germain. 'This Is It' tops charts with $101M worldwide , AP, November 1, 2009.
  70. Scott Bowles. The biggest concert film of all time: 'This' is it with $101M , USA Today, November 1, 2009.
  71. News: Sony Places Big Bet on a Fallen 'King'. March 16, 2010. The Wall Street Journal. March 17, 2010. Ethan. Smith. February 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150224205802/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704588404575124023860735864. live.
  72. Web site: Marlon Speaks at Dance Induction Ceremony . Mjfanclub.net . August 16, 2010 . April 7, 2011 . December 20, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101220145836/http://mjfanclub.net/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3983:marlon-speaks-at-dance-induction-ceremony&catid=85:latest-news&Itemid=82 . live .