Billboard's Top 200 Album Sales
What was the #1 album on the Billboard 200 chart for the week of July 5, 1986?
QUICK ANSWER
The #1 album on the Billboard chart for the week of July 5, 1986 was Control by Janet Jackson.
It held the top spot during a summer shaped by MTV power rotation, strong R&B crossover, and major pop releases.
Key Takeaway
The Billboard #1 album for the week of July 5, 1986 was Control by Janet Jackson
The summer of 1986 was driven by MTV, dance-pop, and radio crossovers
Several now-classic albums were rising at the same time
Album of the Week Spotlight
Like A Rock - Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
Like A Rock Bob Seger
Album of the Week Spotlight
Like A Rock – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
This album marked a strong return for Seger in 1986.
It blended heartland rock with reflection and grit.
Listeners connected with its honesty and working-class themes.
It reinforced Seger’s place as a steady arena draw in the mid-80s.
Notable Tracks
• Like A Rock
• American Storm
• It’s You
“Like A Rock” gained heavy radio play and later national exposure through Chevrolet truck commercials.
“American Storm” opened the album with energy and strong AOR rotation.
“It’s You” showed Seger’s softer side and broadened the audience.
The album sold on Vinyl, Cassette, and Compact Disc. CD was still growing but moving fast.
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AMERICA'S TOP TEN ALBUMS – WEEK OF July 5, 1986
Control – Janet Jackson
• Nasty
• What Have You Done For Me Lately
• When I Think of You
MTV airplay and crossover radio pushed this album hard. Producer duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis gave it a sharp sound.
Winner In You – Patti LaBelle
• On My Own
• Oh, People
• Kiss Away the Pain
“On My Own” was a massive duet hit with Michael McDonald. Adult contemporary radio drove sales.
Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston
• Greatest Love of All
• How Will I Know
• Saving All My Love for You
This debut kept selling due to vocal power and constant radio rotation.
Like A Rock – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
• Like A Rock
• American Storm
• Miami
Strong rock radio support kept it steady in stores.
So – Peter Gabriel
• Sledgehammer
• Big Time
• In Your Eyes
“Sledgehammer” dominated MTV with its groundbreaking video.
Love Zone – Billy Ocean
• There’ll Be Sad Songs
• Love Zone
• When the Going Gets Tough
Soulful pop with strong adult and pop radio support.
5150 – Van Halen
• Why Can’t This Be Love
• Dreams
• Love Walks In
The first album with Sammy Hagar. Heavy MTV and rock radio play.
Top Gun – Top Gun
• Danger Zone
• Take My Breath Away
• Playing With the Boys
The film’s success fueled nonstop soundtrack sales.
The Other Side Of Life – The Moody Blues
• Your Wildest Dreams
• The Other Side of Life
• I Know You’re Out There Somewhere
“Your Wildest Dreams” had a strong MTV presence.
Invisible Touch – Genesis
• Invisible Touch
• Land of Confusion
• Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
Pop crossover success helped Genesis reach new fans.
What Was Happening That Week
Music & Pop Culture
MTV was in heavy rotation mode. “Sledgehammer” was everywhere.
Arena tours filled summer schedules.
Compact Disc players were becoming more common.
Television & Movies
Top Gun dominated theaters.
The Cosby Show led network ratings.
Cable TV was expanding fast.
News & World Events
The U.S. was still reacting to the April 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster fallout in Europe.
President Ronald Reagan was in his second term.
Cold War tensions remained part of daily headlines.
Gas prices were low compared to earlier in the decade.
The Challenger disaster earlier that year was still fresh in public memory.
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Billboard Hot 100 – #1 Single
The #1 single this week was “There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)” by Billy Ocean.
It topped both pop and adult contemporary charts.
Radio airplay carried it nationwide.
WHY THIS WEEK STILL MATTERS
Summer 1986 showed pop and R&B crossing over strongly.
MTV shaped buying habits.
Artists blended rock, dance, and soul.
Many of these albums still define 1980s chart history.
FROM THE RECORD STORE FLOOR
Camelot Music – Park City Mall
In July 1986, I was working at Camelot Music in Park City Mall.
Summer traffic was steady. Teens had cash from summer jobs.
Control sold because of MTV. Customers came in asking for “Nasty.”
We kept it face-out in the front pop section.
Bob Seger sold well with adults. Local rock radio played “American Storm” daily.
We had cardboard stand-ups from Capitol Records.
Formats included Vinyl, Cassette, and 8-Track was nearly gone.
CD copies were stocked and were increasing while and vinyl was starting to decrease on some titles.
The Top Gun soundtrack moved fast.
After customers saw the movie, they came straight to the mall.
TRIVIA – July 5, 1986
Control was Janet Jackson’s first #1 album.
“Sledgehammer” won a record number of MTV Video Music Awards in 1987.
5150 was Van Halen’s first album with Sammy Hagar.
The Top Gun soundtrack became one of the best-selling soundtracks of the 1980s.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What was the #1 album on the Billboard chart in July 1986?
A: Control by Janet Jackson was the #1 album for the week of July 5, 1986.
Q: How long did Control stay at number one?
A: It spent two weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200 in 1986.
Q: What other albums were popular the same week?
A: Whitney Houston, 5150 by Van Halen, and the Top Gun soundtrack were major sellers.
Q: What was the #1 single that same week?
A: “There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)” by Billy Ocean topped the Hot 100.
Join The Conversation
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