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If asked what Michael Jackson’s biggest hit was, most people would probably guess “Billie Jean,” “Thriller” or perhaps “Beat It.” In fact – and rather surprisingly – it was his duet with Paul McCartney, “Say Say Say.” Billboard released Michael Jackson’s chart stats in advance of the anniversary of his death on June 25.

The stats show that although “Billie Jean” was number one for a week longer (seven weeks) on Billboard’s Hot 100 than “Say Say Say,” the latter stayed in the top 10 longer.

“Say Say Say” was recorded at Abbey Road studios and appeared on Paul McCartney’s “Pipes of Peace” album, released in 1983.

Paul McCartney/Michael Jackson – “Say Say Say”

Here’s Michael Jackson’s top ten Billboard successes:

1. “Say Say Say” – a six-week number one on the Hot 100
2. “Billie Jean” – the second single from the “Thriller” album stayed at number one for seven weeks in early 1983
3. “I’ll Be There” – a five-week number one for the Jackson 5 in 1970
4. “Beat It” – another classic from the “Thriller” album, this single was at number one for three weeks in 1983
5. “Rock With You” – Jackson’s first hit of the 1980s, which stayed at number one for four weeks
6. “Dancing Machine” – a number two hit for the Jacksons in 1974
7. “Man in the Mirror” – one of the stand out tracks on Jackson’s “Bad” album and a number one hit on the Hot 100 in 1988
8. “I Want You Back” – the number one Jackson 5 hit from 1969, which kickstarted the group’s career
9. “ABC” – the Jackson 5 also hit number one with this track in 1970
10. “The Girl is Mine” – the number two hit with Paul McCartney from 1983.

This does highlight how there can be a big difference between a song’s initial impact and it’s ongoing importance. “Billie Jean” has been by far the more enduring song and became an important part of Jackson’s live show over the years. Of course “Say Say Say” is a duet, so it wasn’t as easy to showcase the song in a live setting, but ultimately “Billie Jean” is a better and more memorable track. In fact, I think it’s fair to say that the majority of the songs in the top ten eclipse “Say Say Say” in terms of current airplay and popularity.