MJ Remains King Of UK Charts

Michael Jackson's catalog sales enjoyed another successful week in the UK. His album chart presence increased from three to four of the top five, six of the top ten and nine of the top 20.

"The Essential Michael Jackson" began a second week at No. 1 (sales: 113,000), while "Off The Wall" climbed from #10 to #3, overtaking "Thriller," which improved from #6 to #4. Motown's 2008 compilation "The Motown Years" re-entered at #5.

UK Album Charts:

"The Essential Michael Jackson" #1 (previous week #1)
"Off The Wall" #3 (previous week #10)
"Thriller" #4 (previous week #6)
"The Motown Years" #5
"Number Ones" #7 (previous week #3)
"Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition" #9 (previous week #18)
"King of Pop" #14 (previous week #5)
"The Very Best Of" #15 (previous week #23)
"HIStory — Past Present & Future Book 1" #17 (previous week #33)

"Thriller" is likely to figure in the U.K. charts a third time soon, as Sony Music Entertainment has a July 20 release scheduled for a five-disc box including it along with Michael's other solo albums "Off The Wall," "Bad," "Dangerous", and "Invincible."

Meanwhile his tally of Top 40 singles slightly decreased from 13 to a still astonishing 11.

UK Singles Charts:

"They Don't Care About Us" #28 (previous week #32)
"Who's Lovin' You" #36

"Who`s Lovin' You" entered the charts after it was performed by 12-year-old Welsh singer Shaheen Jafargholi at last week's memorial service. Jafargholi had previously sung it on the last series of "Britain's Got Talent," prompting its first-ever appearance on the U.K. singles chart for a week at No. 54 in late April.

Michael also has the top four titles on Billboard's European Top 100 Albums, led by "King of Pop".

Source: MJFC / Billboard / Official Charts Company data