Ask Billboard: How ‘Good’ Is Michael Jackson?!

As always, submit your questions about Billboard charts, as well as general music musings, to [email protected]. Please include your first and last name, as well as your city, state and country, if outside the U.S. Or, Tweet questions to Gary Trust: @gthot20

HOW ‘GOOD’ IS MICHAEL JACKSON?!

Having fun with your takes on what might be this year’s song of the summer – and we’ll run those in the next “Ask Billboard.” In the meantime, three quick Q&As about this week’s chart action, including that of Michael Jackson, who should make for one of the major highlights (among so many) of tonight’s Billboard Music Awards.

Hi Gary,

So, Michael Jackson could soon add to his top 10 tally on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Love Never Felt So Good,” with Justin Timberlake. (It ranks at No. 22 this week.) If he does, he’ll pass Stevie Wonder in the category, as they’re currently tied with 28 each (as they have been since Jackson’s “You Rock My World” hit No. 10 in 2001).

What would be even more amazing is if Michael can reach No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, thus giving Justin his first No. 1 on the tally. Of course, Michael had a “Bad” time at No. 1 way back when (or, in 1987, when Justin was just about six years and nine months young, and most likely dancing to that hit).

And, Timberlake now has a “Good” song on the Hot 100 to accompany his “Bad” song – “Not a Bad Thing” – already in the top 10.

One more note about Jackson: he’s in the Hot 100′s top 40 thanks to two songs right now: “Good” and MKTO’s “Classic,” the latter of which rises 28-26. “Classic” brings Jackson, Prince, Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway to the masses via its cute lyrics that name-check those four soul/pop icons.

Pablo Nelson
Oakland, California

Thanks Pablo,

Beyond the Hot 100, Jackson will vie for No. 1 on this coming week’s Billboard 200 with “Xscape.” If it reigns, it will become his seventh No. 1 album.

As for Timberlake, “Good” holds at No. 6 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, marking his eighth top 10 (and Jackson’s 33rd). So far, he’s climbed as high as No. 2 with four songs: “My Love,” featuring T.I. (2006); “Dead and Gone,” (T.I. featuring Timberlake) (2009); “Suit & Tie,” featuring Jay Z, and “Holy Grail” (Jay Z featuring Timberlake) (both 2013).

Read More: http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6092016/ask-billboard-how-good-is-michael-jackson

Source: Billboard / Gary Trust / MJ-Upbeat.com