Thriller Went To #1
Today in 1983, Michael Jackson’s Thriller went to No.1 on the US album chart. It went on to become the best selling album in the world.
The album had seven US Top 10 hits. The first single, “The Girl Is Mine,” reached its peak chart position of #2 on January 8, 1983. The song “Thriller” was released over a year later, on January 23, 1984, peaking at #4 on March 3. This lifespan of chart singles from one album was unprecedented, but so was the video for “Thriller.” The clip was so effective that after six singles and a year of release, it boosted yet another track from the album into the Top 10. It also brought the album back to #1 on December 24, 1983 – it lost the top spot on September 17 to Synchronicity by The Police. Thriller held the peak position until April 21, 1984, over a year after it first went to #1 on February 26, 1983.