Michael Jackson’s New Album Is An Immediate Top 10 Bestseller

After years of development and filming, Michael Jackson’s biopic, simply named Michael, arrives in theaters around the world today (April 24). Fittingly, the project is accompanied by a soundtrack, which serves as something of a greatest hits compilation – yet another by the King of Pop. Despite the fact that countless millions around the world already own many of Jackson’s albums and quite a few of his biggest hits, the soundtrack is a quick bestseller in the United Kingdom, where the singer’s fan base remains dedicated in supporting anything with his name attached.

Michael: Songs From The Motion Picture Debuts in Top 10

Officially titled Michael: Songs From The Motion Picture and credited solely to Jackson, the soundtrack launches within the top 10 on the iTunes Top Albums tally in the U.K. The list looks at the bestselling projects, regardless of genre, language or length in that country, on the vital sales platform. At the beginning of this new tracking frame, Michael debuts at No. 9, though it could continue to rise as the day progresses.

Michael Jackson Competes with Ringo Starr and Noah Kahan

Michael is one of five debuts inside the top 10 on the U.K.’s iTunes Top Albums chart this tracking week, and it’s the lowest entry of the bunch. The superstar is beaten by Your Favorite Toy from Foo Fighters, which dominates at No. 1. Fellow beloved artists Noah Kahan, Ringo Starr and Demi Lovato also start new studio efforts in loftier positions.

Michael Jackson Keeps Seven Albums on the iTunes Chart

For most artists, even the biggest in the world, one compilation is enough to satiate the public’s interest in their music at a time. But that is not the case for Jackson. He fills eight spaces on the iTunes Top Albums ranking in the U.K., and many of his current winners are on the rise.

Amazingly, Jackson sees seven of his eight charting efforts appear within the top 40. Both Number Ones and Thriller decline slightly, while at the same time The Essential Michael Jackson (No. 23), Bad (No. 26), Off the Wall (No. 28) and HIStory: Past, Present and Future – Book I (No. 40) all rise. Invincible, Jackson’s tenth and final album released during his lifetime, bounds back onto the roster at No. 120.

“Billie Jean,” “Thriller” and “Smooth Criminal” Sell Well

Jackson fills the same number of spots on the iTunes Top Songs roster across the Atlantic as he does on the iTunes Top Albums chart. Five of his eight current smashes appear on the Michael soundtrack, while three other favorites do not.

The quintet of tracks that support the newly-released album include “Human Nature” (No. 55), “Billie Jean” (No. 66) – up nearly 100 spaces from only about a day ago – “Beat It” (No. 86), “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” (No. 117) and of course “Thriller” (No. 119). Another trio of career-defining wins, “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” (No. 88), “Smooth Criminal” (No. 122) and “The Way You Make Me Feel” (No. 179), are also bestsellers in the European nation.

ForbesMichael Jackson’s Classic Returns As He Nearly Dominates The Albums ChartBy Hugh McIntyre