This article is about the song. You may have been looking for the album.
"Thriller" is a song by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released as the fourth track from the 1982 album of the same name. It was released as a single on November 11, 1983 in Europe, and on January 23, 1984 in the United States, serving as the seventh and final single from the album. It is largely considered one of Jackson's signature songs.[1]
The instrumental was released as a B-side to the "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" single, then on Thriller: Special Edition, and Thriller 25. A 1992 Def Remix was also released on Thriller 25, as a Best Buy bonus track. A demo of "Thriller", named "Starlight", was released in 2022 as part of Thriller 40.
Background[]
"Thriller" was written by Rod Temperton, who also wrote "Rock with You" and "Off the Wall" from Jackson's previous album.[2] It was written because Temperton knew Jackson loved films, so he wanted to write something that was like a film. Temperton also improvised with bass and drum patterns until he developed the main bassline, and then wrote a chord progression that built to a climax.[3]
The first version was titled "Starlight", though the Quincy Jones-led production team thought that it wasn't a strong album title, and instead wanted something "mysterious" to match Jackson's "evolving persona".[3] Temperton considered several titles, including "Midnight Man", which Jones felt was "going in the right direction". Finally, the latter came up with "Thriller", but worried that it wouldn't sound good upon Jackson singing. However, after a few tries with Jackson, it eventually worked out.
Now with the title decided, Temperton wrote lyrics within "a couple of hours".[3] He envisioned a spoken-word sequence for the ending, but didn't know what form it should take. Evenutally, it was decided that a famous voice from the horror genre perform it, with Jones' then-wife, Peggy Lipton, suggesting her friend Vincent Price. On the day of recording, Temperton composed the words for Price's part in a taxi on the way to the studio.[4]
Production[]
"Thriller" was recorded at Westlake Recording Studios over eight weeks in 1982.[5][4] Engineer Bruce Swedien had Jackson record his vocals in different approaches, doubling takes and recording at different distances from the microphone. Some background vocals were recorded in the studio's shower stall.[4]
The bassline was performed on an ARP 2600 synthesizer, with a Prophet 5-layered Roland Jupiter-8 being used for the verse pads.[6] A LinnDrum drum machine, modified with a LM-1 snare, hi-hat, congas, and a TR-808 clap, was used to create the percussion. The Rhodes piano was performed by Greg Phillinganes, with the guitar being performed by David Williams.
Swedien set up tape recorders around Max, a Great Dane, in a barn overnight to record the wolf howls. However, he never howled, so Jackson stepped in, and recorded the howls himself.[7] For the creaking doors, Swedien rented sound-designed doors from the Universal Studios Lot and recorded the hinges.[7] Price recorded his part in three takes; Jones praised Price and described his takes as "fabulous".[4]
Music video[]
- Main article: Michael Jackson's Thriller
The 13-minute music video, directed by John Landis, had a much larger budget than previous music videos. Epic, believing that Thriller had peaked already, decided to not finance it, so a making-of documentary, Making Michael Jackson's Thriller, was produced to receive financing from television networks.[8]
The highly anticipated music video premiered on MTV on December 2, 1983.[9] It quickly became popular, doubling the sales of Thriller, with the documentary selling over a million copies, becoming the best-selling videotape at the time.[8] It is credited for making music videos a serious art form, breaking down racial barriers in popular entertainment, and popularizing the making-of documentary format.[10]
Many elements have had a lasting impact on popular culture, such as the zombie dance, choreograped by Michael Peters, and the Thriller jacket, designed by Landis's wife Deborah.[10] The Library of Congress described it as "the most famous music video of all time". In 2009, it became the first music video inducted into the National Film Registry as "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant.[8] In September 2024, the music video became Jackson's forth to reach one billion YouTube views.[11]
Synopsis[]
Jehovah's Witnesses controversy[]
Before the music video's release, Jackson, who at the time was a Jehovah's Witness, was accused of spreading demonology. Due to this, John Branca suggested to Jackson that a disclaimer be included in the clip's intro, one that stressed the following:
| “ | Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult. | ” |
–Jackson in the "Thriller" short film, 1983 | ||
During an interview for Awake! Magazine, Jackson stated:
| “ | I just intended to do a good, fun short film, not to purposely bring to the screen something to scare people or to do anything bad. I want to do what's right. I would never do anything like that again. | ” |
–Jackson in a interview for Awake! magazine | ||
Live performances[]
Jackson performed "Thriller" throughout all of his solo concert tours. For all of them, he'd wear the iconic red leather jacket, though in rare occasins, he'd wear a green jacket. Additionally, during the 1996 Amsterdam show, a different, red jacket with white outlines debuted. However, it wouldn't ever make another appearance again.[12] The last time Jackson performed "Thriller" was during the This Is It rehearsals on June 24, 2009, less than 24 hours before his passing.
Audio[]
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
It's close to midnight
And something evil's lurking in the dark
Under the moonlight
You see a sight that almost stops your heart
You try to scream
But terror takes the sound before you make it
You start to freeze
As horror looks you right between the eyes
You're paralyzed
[Chorus]
'Cause this is thriller, thriller night
And no one's gonna save you
From the beast about to strike
You know it's thriller, thriller night
You're fighting for your life inside a killer
Thriller tonight, yeah
Ooh
[Verse 2]
You hear the door slam
And realize there's nowhere left to run
You feel the cold hand
And wonder if you'll ever see the sun
You close your eyes
And hope that this is just imagination (Girl)
But all the while
You hear a creature creepin’ up behind
You're out of time
[Chorus]
'Cause this is thriller, thriller night
There ain't no second chance
Against the thing with forty eyes, girl
Thriller (Ooh), thriller night
You're fighting for your life
Inside a killer, thriller tonight
[Bridge]
Night creatures call
And the dead start to walk in their masquerade
There's no escaping the jaws of the alien this time
(They're open wide)
This is the end of your life, ooh
[Verse 3]
They're out to get you
There's demons closing in on every side (Ooh)
They will possess you
Unless you change that number on your dial
Now is the time
For you and I to cuddle close together, yeah
All through the night
I'll save you from the terror on the screen
I'll make you see
[Chorus]
That this is thriller, thriller night
'Cause I can thrill you more
Than any ghoul would ever dare try
Thriller (Ooh), thriller night
So let me hold you tight
And share a killer, thriller, chiller
Thriller, here tonight
'Cause this is thriller, thriller night
Girl, I can thrill you more
Than any ghoul would ever dare try
Thriller (Ooh), thriller night
So let me hold you tight
And share a killer, thriller (Ow)
[Outro]
I'm gonna thrill you tonight
Darkness falls across the land
The midnight hour is close at hand
Creatures crawl in search of blood
To terrorize y'all's neighborhood (I'm gonna thrill you tonight)
And whosoever shall be found
Without the soul for getting down
Must stand and face the hounds of hell
And rot inside a corpse's shell
I'm gonna thrill you tonight
Thriller, ooh, babe (Thriller)
I'm gonna thrill you tonight (Thriller night)
Thriller, oh, darling (Oh, baby)
I'm gonna thrill you tonight (Thriller)
Ooh, babe (Thriller night)
I'm gonna thrill you tonight (Thriller)
Oh, darling (Oh, baby)
Thriller night, babe (Thriller night, babe)
Ooh
The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of forty thousand years (Thriller night, thriller)
And grisly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver (I'm gonna thrill you tonight)
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of the thriller
[Verse 1]
There's indication
That someone else is standing on the ground
Across the nation
There's always people trying to pull you down
Now is the time
For us to spend this evening close together
Deep in the night
We're holding on to someone else's dream
Girl, can't you see?
[Chorus]
We need some starlight, starlight sun
There ain't no second chance
We got to make it while we can
You'll need the starlight, some starlight sun
I need you by my side you give me
Starlight, starlight, starlight, yeah
[Verse 2]
They're out to get you
There ain't no issue, you're acting like a fool
Love can possess you
And make you see that heart is gonna move
High in the night
This magic's gonna keep us close together, yeah
We'll start to fly
'Cause this is the beginning of your life
Baby, tonight
[Chorus 2]
Give me some starlight, starlight sun
With this, the only chance
We've got to make it while we can
You'll need the starlight, starlight sun
I need you by my side so give me
Starlight, starlight, starlight
[Bridge]
Light up the world, let the love start take charge of this masquerade
Take your delivery and show me that this is no lie
Give me your starlight tonight
[Verse 1]
There's indication
That someone else is standing on the ground
Across the nation
There's always people trying to pull you down
Now is the time
For us to spend this evening close together
Deep in the night
We're holding on to someone else's dream
Girl, can't you see
[Chorus]
We need some starlight, starlight sun
There ain't no second chance
We've got to make it while we can
You'll need the starlight, starlight sun
I need you by my side so give me
Starlight, starlight
Starlight, starlight sun
There ain't no second chance
We've got to make it while we can
You'll need the starlight, starlight sun
I need you by my side so give me
Starlight, starlight
Starlight, starlight sun
There ain't no second chance
We've got to make it while we can
You'll need the starlight, starlight sun
I need you by my side so give me
Starlight, starlight, starlight
[Outro]
Give me, give me that sun
Give me, give me that sun
Give me, give me that sun, ooh yeah
Give me, give me that sun, ooh babe
Give me, give me that sun, we can't be together
Give me, give me that sun, starlight sun
Give me, give me that sun
Give me, give me that sun, ooh babe
Starlight (starlight)
Starlight (starlight)
Starlight (starlight)
Starlight (starlight)
Starlight
Starlight
Starlight
Gallery[]
![Vinyl[13]](/wiki/File:Thrillervinyl.jpg "Thrillervinyl.jpg (101 KB)")
![Vinyl back cover[13]](/wiki/File:Thrillvervinylback.jpg "Thrillvervinylback.jpg (92 KB)")
|
"Look deep within yourself, and you'll find something amazing." To view the Thriller (song) gallery, click here. |
Trivia[]
- "Thriller" started the trend of Jackson making Halloween-themed songs; others include "Ghosts", "Is It Scary" and "Threatened".
- A part of the session with Price was released on Thriller 25.
- Years before its release on Thriller 40, "Starlight" had leaked online on July 7, 2002.[14]
- "Starlight" was also considered for Thriller 25, but it was left off.
- "Thriller" was later re-released as a B-side to the "Gone Too Soon" single, alongside "Human Nature" and "She's Out of My Life".
- In 2017, a Steve Aoki remix of "Thriller" was released to promote the Scream compilation album.
- To a certain extent, "Starlight" is one of the two Temperton-written songs not to progress past its demo stage, the others being "Got the Hots" and "Rolling the Dice".
References[]
- ↑ 10 Best Michael Jackson Songs of All Time
- ↑ Rod Temperton, ‘Thriller’ Songwriter, Dead at 66
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Revealed: the story behind Jacko’s Thriller
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Michael Jackson's monster smash
- ↑ Quincy Jones on "Thriller"
- ↑ The synth sounds of Michael Jackson's Thriller (and how to recreate them in your DAW)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "We always recorded with Michael in the dark - he hated light": Engineer Bruce Swedien on the making of Michael Jackson's Thriller, track by track
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 The “Thriller” Diaries
- ↑ On This Day In 1983, Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ Premiered On MTV
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 How Michael Jackson's Thriller changed music videos for ever
- ↑ Michael Jackson’s Iconic ‘Thriller’ Music Video Surpasses a Billion Views on YouTube
- ↑ Michael Jackson - Thriller | HIStory Tour in Amsterdam, 1996 | Remaster (Rare Jacket)
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Michael Jackson – Thriller – Vinyl (12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Carrollton Pressing), 1984 - Discogs
- ↑ Hear “Starlight,” Michael Jackson’s Early Demo of “Thriller”: A Version Before the Lyrics Were Radically Changed