When Michael Jackson died last Thursday it was safely assumed that his back catalogue would get a significant, coffer-filling boost in sales. But no one expected what has actually happened. Today sees the release of the Official Chart Company's midweek sales report and Jackson is right there at one (with Man In The Mirror), nine, 10, 11, 13, 19, 21, 22, 23, 28, 31, 34, 38, 41 ... shall I go on?
In total, he has 31 records in the Top 100 singles chart and 10 albums in the Top 100 albums chart, with four in the Top 10. His Number Ones collection is currently holding the top spot, although the midweek sales indicate that La Roux's debut album is on course to overtake him.
Thriller is the biggest selling album of all time (despite no one seeming to know how many it has actually sold. Is it 47m or is it 100m? What sort of business is it that doesn't know how many copies of its own product have been sold?), yet here is proof that people need not only the original, but the actually rather ghastly 25th anniversary edition (Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008, featuring Akon, anyone?) too. With three 'best of' albums back to back, it also highlights how ruthlessly Sony Music have milked his work.
Without seeking it out at all I've heard Billie Jean, Beat It and that acapella version of I'll Be There so many times I feel like I'm going mad, yet a secret sadness remains. Because can you imagine how completely awe-inspiring and bizarre this would look if Top of the Pops was still on and, say, Zane Lowe and Sara Cox had to mention Jackson 13 times in 30 minutes? Would the BBC use a different picture for each release?
We are culturally poorer for not marking this incredible moment in chart history. Fearne and Reggie, it's in your Official Radio One chart rundown hands now. Make us proud.
