The King of Pop returned to the charts in triumphant fashion today with the newly-released single “Love Never Felt So Good” debuting on at #20 the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
“Love Never Felt So Good”, which is available in two versions (one a solo rendition and the other a duet with superstar Justin Timberlake) was released on the evening of May 1 after it premiered on the iHeartRadio Music Awards during a special dance tribute featuring Usher.
The track went on to sell more than 80,000 digital downloads in the three days following, while racking up 1.9 million U.S. streams, and an additional 2 million in other countries around the world, during that time. The track has achieved upwards of 7 million streams around the world to date.
Much of the track’s instantaneous success has to be attributed to Justin Timberlake, who has been involved in a series of major promotional moves including multiple tweets to his 32 million followers, Instagram posts and a 15-minute live-on-air U.S. radio interview with Ryan Seacrest focused specifically on Michael Jackson.
As a result of Timberlake’s involvement in the promotional campaign approximately 65,000 of the 80,000 digital downloads were attributed to the MJ and JT duet version of the track. Entering the charts at #20 means the track becomes the King of Pop’s equal-third-highest Hot 100 debut ever – bettered only by “You Are Not Alone” which debuted at #1 and “Scream” at #5. The song “Thriller” also debuted at #20.
The track, which has spent the majority of the past week in the Top 10 Songs chart on iTunes Stores all around the world, has also been strongly supported by Clear Channel-owned radio stations – some of which have the track spinning on the hour, every hour. It reach an audience of 34 million for the week ending May 6, from 358 stations, according to Nielsen BDS. It’s Jackson’s 49th Hot 100 hit (not counting his entries as part of the Jackson 5), and his 33rd top 20 Hot 100 hit.
To keep the momentum rolling for “Love Never Felt So Good” a music video will be released shortly featuring dancers performing mega-mix of Jackson’s iconic dance routines, with him, in a choreographed audio-visual work of art. Justin Timberlake is also said to be appearing in the video clip, which is being set to the duet version of the track. It is not clear as to whether Timberlake, who is currently on tour in Europe, will film fresh new content for the video, or whether footage from his previously-released videos will be incorporated.
Additionally, a deal between Chrysler Group LLC and Epic Records has been struck that will see “Love Never Felt So Good” featured in the upcoming summer advertising campaign to promote Jeep. (See the advert below)
“Jeep is an American icon as much as Michael Jackson is an American icon,” said Mr. Francois, who also serves as head of the Fiat brand. “Jeep is timeless as much as Michael Jackson is timeless.”
The campaign should help keep the single, and the ‘XSCAPE’ album from which it comes, in the limelight for an extended period. What’s funny is that in one track from the album Jackson sings about a Jeep. The only problem; Jackson’s Jeep gets a flat tyre and he has to pull over for help. The song is called “A Place With No Name”.
And to top it all off, it has just been announced that Michael Jackson will “create another slice of history at this year’s Billboard Music Awards.”
The Estate of Michael Jackson created the spot, which will present the superstar “like you’ve never seen him before,” during the awards ceremony on Sunday, May 18.
“On what already promises to be one of the year’s stand-out music events, the 2014 BBMAs raise the bar even higher with a world premiere experience featuring the late King of Pop,” reads the article. “It’s sure to be a thriller, but the finer details remains under lock-and-key.”
Speculation has already begun to swirl that extravagantly expensive state-of-the-art technology will be used to put Jackson centre-stage via 3D hologram projection – an controversial concept that, when discussed, draws a mixed reaction from Jackson’s fans around the world. Adding fuel to that rumour is the involvement in the Billboard event of choreographer and director Jamie King.
King is currently the director for both Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil shows – ‘Immortal’ and ‘ONE’ – and it just so happens that ‘ONE’ currently use hologram technology during their theatre show at Mandalay Bay. The only issue is that the hologram in ‘ONE’ has been created using footage of a Jackson impersonator – choreographed especially for the show to interact and dance with the live onstage performers. That might fly somewhat under the radar when being incorporated into an intimate 90-minute theatre production, but when the special appearance is advertised as being “Michael Jackson” himself, to promote the new album of Michael Jackson songs, you’d better make sure it’s the Michael Jackson and not a rip-off.
The Billboard Music Awards are held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday May 18, and will be broadcast live by ABC. All will be revealed then!
Damien Shields is the author of the book Xscape Origins: The Songs & Stories Michael Jackson Left Behind about Michael Jackson’s artistry and creative process. Click here to order your copy today - also available via Amazon, Kindle, iBooks, and Google Play. Follow Damien on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date with Michael Jackson-related news.
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Good news to hear that the single is performing well.
It’s so strange to hear MJ’s music on these commercials. First the phones, now the jeeps, what’s next? xD I don’t mind it , if it helps to promote the album.
About this MJ hologram rumors- I’m not sure. They should make it really perfect to capture his moves.
hi guys,
i wanted to speak about, aren’t you disgusted because they used a new version instaed of used the 2009 version which is for me far better.For me, it’s just a shame salve 2 the rhythm 2009 version is rocket number 1 hit am i all to think that the xscape version of this song shouldn’t be on the xcape album the 2009 version?
Damien shields about do you think about it ?? no way to try to make them deliver the 2009 version in single. We must do something, this incredible 2009 version can’t go to the trash like this. Please we must try something. A petition, something really.
more clearly what do you think about the 2009 version of slave to the rhythm against the xcape one ?
Is it confirmed that the so-called 2009 version is in fact newer than the one they used? Because the vocal track on the “2009 version” sounds from earlier in the process, especially the lyrics to the first verse. In the Xscape version they go “she dances at the crack of dawn and quickly cooks his food” which, to me, sounds further on in a writing process than the repetition of “she dances in the sheets at night” followed by “she dances, cooks his food”.
It could be a newer version where Michael just didn’t remember the lyrics right, but is it actually confirmed?
But your question… I like the simplicity and the energy of the “2009 version”, it has a drive that is a little harder to find in the Xscape version. But I like the vocals better in the version on Xscape, and I personally think they got some of the energy back into the track in the “updated” version, which I think is lacking a bit on the demo from Xscape.
So, well, I like all of them for different reasons!
Jesus I’m I the ONLY person who can tell that THIS IS NOT MJ SINGING AT ALL? It’s so obvious that I don’t get supposed fans not petitioning against using this song at all which would be great if it was Mike singing. Please don’t fall for the hype. It’s NOT Michael’s voice
Here we go again….
Love Never Felt So Good was leaked while Michael Jackson was still alive I do believe. I’ve heard it was possibly leaked by Michael himself. it was written for one of his childhood idols- Johnny Mathis to sing. Michael was proud he wrote this song. Given the vocals on the Xscape version have been manipulated to a lower register and possibly a slower speed, but it IS Michael FOR SURE. some people are silly.
Debbie, you need to clean your ears out. These songs on Xscape have been available online well before the controversial Michael album, and we’re worked on prior to MJ’s death, and years before that. The vocals are 100% Michael.
Don’t spread BS that ain’t true.
If anyone wants the album free ill send you the mp3s today I have the full album just message me on whatsapp 07707776016 and ill send
John
Do you have the deluxe edition of ‘Xscape’, or do you just have the regular edition?
better question is does this person just have the demos allready available online?
Well, since the album was released in (parts of?) Europe on the 9th, it would make sense to have the full album.
Well I am sitting here listening to Xscape. Its a better job than Michael. I think Chicago and Blue Gangsta could have developed and been made into songs in same league as Beat It or Give In to Me if MJ was around to finish them But the great man is no longer with us so we have to settle for half finished (by mjs standards ) tracks. If Michael was alive you would have strings in the right place to enhance or flavour the song. While listening to Blue gangsta I thought “oh they should have had strings in this section to emote the song more ” or thinking that a certain track just ended a bit too abruptly. I never found myself thinking like that for any of Michaels albums until Dangerous where everything was in the right place, nothing was over done. Over all this is good album. The sonic is poor. No involvement from Bruce Swedian I notice. His vocals, especially backing vocals are drowned out in some songs. The power in his songs comes from his voice but the way this album has been mixed, his vocals sound like he was singing with his back to the microphone. The music on Do you Know where your Children are sounds a bit too telephone bleepish, very crap production for what could have been a brilliant track. It sounds like a club remix and should really have had a strong electric guitar. My only hope is Quincy Jones produces his next album. I hope this album is promoted properly, with a video of a CG MJ. I hope Sony dont kill this album by releasing like they did with Invincible. I still hate Sony for the way it destroyed the Invincible campaign. It feels more Michael Jackson than the Michael Album
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