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Thriller is Michael Jackson's sixth studio album, released on November 30, 1982 and recorded in April-November, 1982. It is Jackson's second album co-produced with Quincy Jones. Thriller remains the best-selling album of all time, with sales of 70 million copies worldwide. The album forshadows themes of Jackson's personal life, using a motif of paranoia and darker themes in general.
Thriller set the standard for the music industry with its songs, music videos and promotion strategies. The release generated some of the most iconic hits released by the singer, including "Billie Jean", "Thriller" and "Beat It". The record's success led to him having a standing of cultural significance that was not attained by a Black American before him in the history of the entertainment industry.
Background[]
- "It was a complete transition. Ever since I was a little boy, I would study composition. And it was Tchaikovsky that influenced me the most. If you take an album like Nutcracker Suite, every song is a killer, every one. So I said to myself, 'Why can't there be a pop album where every song is a killer?'"
- — Jackson talking about Thriller[1]
Following Off the Wall, Jackson went on to reunite with Jones to create his next project. They began working on multiple songs, with the first sessions beginning in 1981. Thriller was recorded at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, starting on April 14, 1982, with a production budget of $750,000 ($2,274,310.34 in 2022 US dollars). Songs written by Michael were dictated into an audio recorder, after which he'd sing them from memory. Among the personnel members were the band Toto. Most notably, Eddie Van Halen was featured as the guitarist for "Beat It", creating one of the most iconic guitar solos in history. The album also featured Jackson's first credited collaboration. Paul McCartney would provide co-lead vocals for "The Girl is Mine", Thriller's lead single.
Of course, the production couldn't go by without any struggles. Jackson and Jones made many different mixes of each song due to their dissatisfaction with every result. Additionally, creative differences started to show between the two. Quincy initially didn't want "Billie Jean" on the record. As Jackson insisted on having it on Thriller, Jones once again suggested changes, such as shortening the intro or re-naming it to "Not My Lover". Thankfully, those wouldn't ruin the atmosphere and on November 8, 1982 the final touches to the record were made.[2]
Artwork[]
The album cover was shot by Dick Zimmerman on July 22, 1982 and features Jackson laying on the ground in a white suit, holding a baby tiger.
- Main article: 1982 Dick Zimmerman Photoshoot
Charts[]
Thriller became Jackson's first number one album on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart, where it spent a record 37 non-consecutive weeks at number one, from February 26, 1983, to April 14, 1984.
Track list[]
Standard edition | ||
---|---|---|
No. | Title | Length |
1. | "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" | 6:03 |
2. | "Baby Be Mine" | 4:20 |
3. | "The Girl Is Mine" (featuring Paul McCartney) | 3:42 |
4. | "Thriller" | 5:57 |
5. | "Beat It" | 4:18 |
6. | "Billie Jean" | 4:54 |
7. | "Human Nature" | 4:06 |
8. | "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" | 3:59 |
9. | "The Lady in My Life" | 5:00 |
Total length: | 42:16 |
Special Edition | ||
---|---|---|
No. | Title | Length |
10. | "Quincy Jones Interview #1" | 2:17 |
11. | "Someone in the Dark" | 4:48 |
12. | "Voice-Over Intro Quincy Jones Interview #2/Quincy Jones Interview #2 / Voice-Over Intro Billie Jean (Demo)" | 2:04 |
13. | "Billie Jean (Home Demo From 1981)" | 2:20 |
14. | "Quincy Jones Interview #3" | 3:10 |
15. | "Voice-Over Intro Rod Temperton Interview #1 / Rod Temperton Interview #1" | 4:02 |
16. | "Quincy Jones Interview #4" | 1:32 |
17. | "Voice-Over Intro / Voice-Over Session from Thriller" | 2:52 |
18. | "Voice-Over Intro Rod Temperton Interview #2 / Rod Temperton Interview #2" | 1:55 |
19. | "Quincy Jones Interview #5" | 2:01 |
20. | "Carousel" | 1:49 |
21. | "Voice-Over Intro Quincy Jones Interview #6 / Quincy Jones Interview #6" | 1:17 |
Total length: | 1:10:23 |
Singles[]
Notes[]
- All of the singles reached the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, setting the record at the time for the most top 10 singles from an album, with "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" reaching number one.
Re-releases[]
Thriller: Special Edition[]
On October 16, 2001, a special edition of the album was released. This included "Someone in the Dark" (originally from the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial soundtrack) and for the first time ever, the 1981 home demo of Billie Jean and "Carousel". Along with these, interviews with Quincy and Rod Temperton were included.
Thriller 25[]
On February 8, 2008, Thriller 25 was released. This was Michael's final studio album released during his lifetime. This included five remixes of "The Girl is Mine", "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", "Beat It" and "Billie Jean". Jackson served as executive producer. These featured will.i.am, Kanye West, Akon and Fergie. A previously unheard track, "For All Time", appeared on the rerelease as well, although the song originates from the Dangerous sessions. It also included a DVD featuring three music videos, the Motown 25 "Billie Jean" performance and a booklet with a message from Jackson.
Thriller 40[]
On November 18, 2022, the most recent reissue being Thriller 40 was released. This included the biggest amount of demos and outtakes in comparison to the previous albums. Most notably, the release featured the demo of "Behind the Mask", original version of "Best of Joy", titled "The Toy" and more.
Trivia[]
- Thriller was one of the first albums in history to use music videos for promotional purposes, thanks to which such was finally considered as a serious art form.