France Album Sales: Michael Jackson
Bad (1987) Era
Issuing a blockbuster is tough, reproducing it is even harder. Facing Pink Floyd’s new album, Bad still went to #1 rather easily upon release, immediately shipping enough to be certified Platinum at 400,000 units.
Although the singles failed to perform as incredibly well as Thriller’s hits with I Just Can’t Stop Loving You #12, The Way You Make Me Feel #29, and Man In The Mirror uncharted – although #13 on airplay ranking – all failed to reach the Top 10, a feat only achieved by Bad title track at #4 until the album topped 2xPlatinum mark at 600,000 units in the first half of 1988. If the singles weren’t massive, they were definitely consistent. Thus, each new album extract continued to attract new buyers.
Dirty Diana was the fifth single, peaking at #9 in part thanks to the huge hype around the Bad Tour that came to Paris during the summer of 1988. That incredibly powerful tour strongly increased the demand with the album climbing from #25 to #2 within’ a few weeks. Another Part Of Me then went as high as #32 in October, looking as if it was the end of the album’s promotion.
It wasn’t yet as three more singles got issued. Smooth Criminal (#4), Leave Me Alone (#17) and Liberian Girl (#15) all supported the album for many more months until ultimately passing the million mark in early 1989, a year it closed with 1,1 million units sold.
The Bad Tour boost also benefited the pop star’s catalog as both Thriller (#18) and Off The Wall (#27) re-entered the Top 30 Album Chart.
Top 3 (+3) Most Streamed Tracks on Spotify
- Man In The Mirror – 86,747,000
- Smooth Criminal – 64,091,000
- The Way You Make Me Feel – 56,946,000
- Bad – 40,223,000
- Dirty Diana – 33,507,000
- I Just Can’t Stop Loving You feat. Siedah Garrett – 22,512,000