Michael Jackson Takes Over Amazon and iTunes
By Harry McCracken | Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Reasonable people can disagree about just what Michael Jackson’s legacy is, and whether or not he was the biggest pop star of all time. But this much seems pretty much undeniable: He’s the biggest pop star to have died in the Web age. And so the Web is reflecting things about the reaction to his passing that give us more knowledge than we had when Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Elvis Presley, and John Lennon left us.
Amazon.com and Apple’s iTunes Store, for instance, both tell us their top sellers on a continuous basis, and as I write this, both are awash in Michael Jackson and Jackson Five items. More details after the jump.
Right now, all ten of the top Amazon CDs are his…
And so are nineteen of the top 25 Amazon MP3 downloads…
And eight of the top ten DVDs.
At Apple’s iTunes store, seven of the top ten songs, nine of the top ten albums, two of the top five ringtones, and all five top videos are Jackson’s.
I was startled for a moment that so much Michael Jackson is selling so well–I mean, Thriller is the best-selling album of all time, so doesn’t almost everybody who wants it already have it? Naive me. Clearly, news of his death has piqued the interest both of dedicated fans and those who weren’t even alive when his fame was at its height. I also forgot factors such as the fact that a very, very high percentage of those copies of Thriller were sold on vinyl or tape. (Trivia: Both CDs and Thriller first reached the public in November of 1982.) I’ll bet a lot of people who loved the album in 1982 are just now getting it in CD or MP3 form. And people who loved Jackson in the 1980s may be catching up on his later albums.
The Jacksonmania will fade away over time, but it’ll be interesting to see how long it takes. Will he still be at the top of the charts a month from now?
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Battlefield Heroes fazendo dinheiro com a morte de Michael Jackson - Campo Minado Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 9:39 am[…] e, consequentemente, nas vendas de tudo quanto é coisa relacionada ao ídolo. Dá uma olhada em como ficou os top-qualquer-coisa da Amazon e da iTunes Store. Impressionante, […]
June 28th, 2009 at 4:42 am
Michael Jackson is my favorite pop artist ever since i was a child. He is truly the King of Pop and i am saddened by this news.
June 28th, 2009 at 6:18 am
why the nation is honoring the death of Michael Jackson i don’t understand. survivors of child abuse and those abused by sexual predators are scratching their heads. Jackson used his fame and fortune to lure boys to Neverland Ranch.. Other bigger more talented celebs such as Bono (love or leave him) are actually making a difference on this planet.. and were not sulking pedophiles.. I hope the media decides to focus on more meaningful issues such as health care and Iran.
June 28th, 2009 at 7:36 am
You know, the child abuse thing was never proven. Come on, he is a legend, no matter what. What of Elvis? He had his issues too, women, drugs, alcohol, weight. He wasn’t perfect and he’s idolized like he was. Elvis was a role model, yet he abused drugs, someone can argue how bad that is, on kids, on everyone, like drugs is okay. I don’t care about all that, its about the talent. Elvis had it, and Jackson had it. Jackson is the King of Pop, he will never be forgotten. He’s a legend, thats just it.
June 28th, 2009 at 10:36 am
This is pretty cool.
For my bit on Jackson’s death:
http://hellouniverse.wordpress.com/
June 29th, 2009 at 6:32 am
I’m sorry for hear that, because I very sad about him in the news he die in Los Angeles Hospital. He is my favourite person and I like all song since 14 years ago. Goodbye…King of Pop… you always my hearts though you nothing more in here, You will become a legend musician success in the world is the moments forever.
June 29th, 2009 at 7:54 am
michael jackson is a very very talented person to the point that he rose as a pop icon. he would live forever in our history books and memories.
June 29th, 2009 at 8:51 am
I gotta admit, I spent much of that day online watchin’ MJ’s video legacy, and I’m tempted to buy the one MJ album I want but never got around to purchasing; Off The Wall.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Does this really surprise any one, music has lost an icon, and today they lay him to rest, thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends, he will truly be missed.
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:04 am
all of my friends are Michael Jackson fans, we would really miss the King of Pop.
October 27th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I’m looking forward to seeing this. The reviews that I’ve seen say that it’s pretty good. I REALLY hope that this movie does the great man justice.
March 18th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Wonderful blog, some fascinating points. I remember 2 of days ago, I have visited a similar post.
September 20th, 2011 at 1:03 am
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