I feel quite privileged to have a pristine copy of Thriller, still in the plastic sleeves I always meticulously used for my albums all through the 80s. It had such an influence on me back then and still has to this day. The songs remain fresh, relevant and this is a tip of the hat to the genius this man was.

Produced by the legendary Quincy Jones, Thriller was born out of Jackson's desire to craft an album where every song was a hit. Recorded from April to November 1982 at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, Thriller featured a blend of pop, post-disco, rock, funk, synth-pop, and R&B sounds. With a budget of $750,000, the album became a playground for experimentation and innovation.

Unlike many artists, Jackson did not write these songs on paper. Instead, he dictated into a sound recorder; when recording he would sing from memory.

When Rod Temperton wrote the song "Thriller", he wanted to call it "Starlight" or "Midnight Man” but settled on "Thriller" because he felt the name had merchandising potential. Wanting a notable person to recite the closing lyrics, Jones brought in actor Vincent Price, an acquaintance of Jones' wife; Price completed his part in two takes. Temperton wrote the spoken portion in a taxi on the way to the recording studio.

Music and Lyrics

Thriller was more than just an album; it was a sonic journey that showcased Jackson's versatility as an artist. From the infectious beats of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" to the haunting melody of "Billie Jean," each track told a unique story. Jackson's vocals, ranging from silky smooth to electrifying, breathed life into lyrics that explored themes of love, paranoia, and the supernatural.

Thriller foreshadows the contradictory themes of Jackson's later works. With Thriller, Jackson began using a motif of paranoia and darker themes including supernatural imagery in the title track. This is evident on the songs "Billie Jean", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and the track "Thriller". In "Billie Jean", Jackson sings about an obsessive fan who alleges he fathered her child; in "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" he argues against media gossip. For "Billie Jean", Jones had Jackson sing overdubs through a six-foot (180 cm) cardboard tube and brought in jazz saxophonist Tom Scott to play the lyricon, a wind-controlled synthesizer. The song opens with a long bass-and-drums introduction. "Thriller" includes sound effects such as creaking doors, thunder, footsteps, wind, and howling dogs.

The anti-gang-violence "Beat It" became an homage to West Side Story and was Jackson's first successful rock cross-over piece. Jackson later said of "Beat It", "the point is no one has to be the tough guy, you can walk away from a fight and still be a man. You don't have to die to prove you're a man". "Human Nature", co-written by Steve Porcaro of the band Toto, is moody and introspective, as conveyed in lyrics such as, "Looking out, across the morning, the City's heart begins to beat, reaching out, I touch her shoulder, I'm dreaming of the street".

A bit more on “Beat It’ and the solo from Eddie Van Halen, as he personally recalls in a 2012 CNN interview. The Van Halen founding guitarist famously played the guitar solo on the track for free, and it took him all of half an hour to record the 20-second solo. He are his words from that CNN discussion:

“Michael left to go across the hall to do some children's speaking record. I think it was "E.T." or something. So, I asked Quincy, "What do you want me to do?" And he goes, "Whatever you want to do." And I go, "Be careful when you say that. If you know anything about me, be careful when you say, "Do anything you want!"

I listened to the song, and I immediately go, "Can I change some parts?" I turned to the engineer and I go, "OK, from the breakdown, chop in this part, go to this piece, pre-chorus, to the chorus, out." Took him maybe 10 minutes to put it together. And I proceeded to improvise two solos over it.

I was just finishing the second solo when Michael walked in. And you know artists are kind of crazy people. We're all a little bit strange. I didn't know how he would react to what I was doing. So, I warned him before he listened. I said, "Look, I changed the middle section of your song."

Now in my mind, he's either going to have his bodyguards kick me out for butchering his song, or he's going to like it. And so, he gave it a listen, and he turned to me and went, "Wow, thank you so much for having the passion to not just come in and blaze a solo, but to actually care about the song, and make it better."

Release and Reception

Upon its release on November 29, 1982, Thriller skyrocketed to the top of the charts, becoming Jackson's first number-one album on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart. With seven chart-topping singles, including "Billie Jean" and "Beat It," Thriller dominated the airwaves and set a new standard for success in the music industry. Its unparalleled commercial success, coupled with critical acclaim, solidified its status as a cultural phenomenon.

The Jones/Jackson collaboration sold one million copies worldwide per week at its peak. It was the best-selling album in the United States in 1983 and 1984, making it the first album to be the best-selling for two years. It also spent a record 37 weeks at number one on the Billboard 200, from February 26, 1983, to April 14, 1984, and has remained on the chart for 500 non-consecutive weeks (and counting).

Thriller spawned a string of hit singles that became anthems for a generation. From the infectious groove of "The Girl Is Mine" to the electrifying energy of "Beat It," each track showcased Jackson's unparalleled talent and charisma. "Billie Jean," in particular, became a global sensation, topping charts around the world and solidifying Jackson's status as the King of Pop.

On December 16, 2015, Thriller was certified 30× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for shipments of at least 30 million units in the US. After the inclusion of streaming and tracks sales into the RIAA album awards in 2017, Thriller was certified 33× platinum for a total of 33 million album-equivalent units. By the end of 1983, Thriller became the world's best-selling album, having sold 32 million copies.

It remains the best-selling album of all time, having sold over 70 million copies worldwide.

Music Videos: Visual Spectacles That Transformed Pop Culture

The music videos for Thriller were more than just promotional tools; they were cinematic experiences that captivated audiences worldwide. From the iconic sidewalk lighting up beneath Jackson's feet in "Billie Jean" to the epic gang dance-off in "Beat It," each video pushed the boundaries of creativity and storytelling. And who could forget the groundbreaking "Thriller" video, with its iconic dance routines and spine-tingling visuals that continue to inspire artists to this day.

The "Billie Jean" music video debuted on March 10, 1983, on MTV. It brought MTV, until then a fairly new and unknown music channel, to mainstream attention. It was one of the first videos by a black artist to be aired regularly by the channel, as the network's executives felt black music was not "rock" enough.

The "Beat It" music video had its premiere on MTV during primetime on March 31, 1983. To add authenticity to the production but also to foster peace between them, Jackson had the idea to cast members of rival Los Angeles street gangs the Crips and the Bloods and included around 80 genuine gang members. Its plot is Jackson bringing two gangsters together through the power of music and dance. It is also notable for its "mass choreography" of synchronized dancers, which would become the hallmark of Jackson's music videos.

The "Thriller" music video premiered on MTV on December 2, 1983. In the video, Jackson and his girlfriend (played by Ola Ray) are confronted by zombies while walking home from a movie theater; Jackson becomes a zombie and performs a dance routine with a horde of the undead.

It was named the greatest video of all time by MTV in 1999 and by VH1 and Time in 2001. In 2009, it became the first music video to be selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. The Library described it as "the most famous music video of all time.

Critical Reception: Celebrating a Musical Masterpiece

Thriller was not only a commercial juggernaut but also a critical darling, earning rave reviews from music critics worldwide. With its innovative sound, groundbreaking visuals, and timeless appeal, Thriller transcended genre boundaries and solidified Jackson's legacy as one of the greatest entertainers of all time. From winning a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards to topping countless lists of the greatest albums of all time, Thriller's impact on popular culture is undeniable.

The album topped The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop poll of 1983. It won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards at the 26th Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. Jackson won seven of the Grammy Awards for the album, while the eighth Grammy Award went to Bruce Swedien. That same year, Jackson won eight American Music Awards, including the American Music Award of Merit, and three MTV Video Music Awards. Thriller was recognized as the best-selling album of all time on February 7, 1984, when it was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records.

A year after the album's release, Time summed up the three main singles from the album, saying, "The pulse of America and much of the rest of the world moves irregularly, beating in time to the tough strut of 'Billie Jean', the asphalt aria of 'Beat It', the supremely cool chills of Thriller. In 1989, Toronto Star music critics reflected on the albums they had reviewed in the past ten years to create a list judging them based on "commercial impact to social import, to strictly musical merit." Thriller was placed at number one on the list, where it was referred to as his "masterwork" and that "commercial success has since overshadowed Jackson's artistic accomplishments on Thriller, and that's a pity. It was a record for the times, brimming with breathless anticipation and a dread fear of the adult world, a brilliant fantasy that pumped with sexual heat, yet made room for serious reflection".

Conclusion: A Timeless Tribute to Musical Brilliance

Michael Jackson's Thriller is more than just an album; it's a cultural landmark that continues to inspire and influence artists to this day. From its groundbreaking sound to its visually stunning music videos, Thriller remains a testament to Jackson's unparalleled talent and creativity. As we celebrate its legacy, let's remember the magic of Thriller and the everlasting impact it has had on the world of music.