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Thriller (album)

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Thriller is the sixth studio album by American singer and songwriter Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, "Diana" (1981 CBS press photo) (cropped)
Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, "Diana" (1981 CBS press photo) (cropped)

Released on November 29, 1982, through Epic Records, it became a massive cultural landmark. The album was produced by Quincy Jones, who had previously worked with Jackson on the 1979 album Off the Wall. Jackson's goal for this project was unique and ambitious. He wanted to create an album where every single song was a "killer" hit. He felt frustrated by albums that had one good song and several weaker "B-sides." This drive for perfection helped define the sound and impact of the record.

Quincy jones 1980
Quincy jones 1980

The recording process was a massive undertaking at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles. The production budget for the album was $750,000. Recording sessions began on April 14, 1982, with the first official session being "The Girl Is Mine." This track featured Paul McCartney, marking the first time a credited featured artist appeared on a Jackson album. Jackson and Jones worked through 30 different songs, eventually selecting nine for the final tracklist. The process was not always easy, as the relationship between Jackson and Jones became strained during the sessions. After the initial recordings were finished, both men were unhappy with the results. They decided to remix every single song, spending one full week on each track to ensure quality.

Eddie Van Halen at the New Haven Coliseum 2
Eddie Van Halen at the New Haven Coliseum 2

The music on Thriller spans several different genres and styles. It includes pop, post-disco, R&B, funk, synth-pop, and rock. This variety helped the album appeal to many different types of listeners. Some songs, like the ballads "Human Nature" and "The Lady in My Life," are soft and soulful. Other tracks, such as "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," feature heavy funk rhythms. The album also incorporates rock elements, most notably in the song "Beat It." To achieve a rock sound, Jones and Jackson searched for weeks to find the right musicians. They eventually hired Steve Lukather of the band Toto for rhythm guitar and Eddie Van Halen for the famous guitar solo.

Michael Jackson Beat It Jacket (6043162620)
Michael Jackson Beat It Jacket (6043162620)

Jackson's songwriting methods were also quite distinct. He wrote four of the songs on the album: "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," "The Girl Is Mine," "Beat It," and "Billie Jean." Unlike most songwriters, Jackson did not write his lyrics on paper. Instead, he dictated them into a sound recorder and sang from memory during the studio sessions. The songs often explored complex and sometimes darker themes. These included paranoia, romance, and social consciousness. For example, "Billie Jean" deals with an obsessed fan, while "Thriller" uses supernatural imagery. The title track even includes sound effects like creaking doors, thunder, and howling dogs to create a spooky atmosphere.

Michael Jackson with Grammy Awards in 1984
Michael Jackson with Grammy Awards in 1984

The commercial success of Thriller was unprecedented in the music industry. It was Jackson's first number-one album on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart. The album stood at the top of the charts for a record-breaking 37 non-consecutive weeks. Several singles from the album also set major records. "Billie Jean" and "Beat It" both topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Other songs like "The Girl Is Mine" and "Thriller" reached the Top 10. In total, the album set a record for the most Top 10 hits from a single album. At its peak, Thriller was selling one million copies worldwide every single week.

Paul McCartney 930-6404 (cropped)
Paul McCartney 930-6404 (cropped)

Beyond sales, the album earned massive critical acclaim and numerous awards. Thriller won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. Jackson also earned eight American Music Awards for his work on the album. The success of the music videos was particularly important to the industry. The videos for songs like "Thriller" helped transform music videos into a serious art form. Jackson's fame grew so large during this time that it created an intense fan frenzy known as "Michaelmania." This era cemented his status as a global superstar with immense cultural significance.

President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan with Michael Jackson
President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan with Michael Jackson

Thriller's impact reached far beyond the music charts. For a Black American artist, the album's success helped break significant racial barriers in popular music. It remains one of the best-selling albums of all time, with estimated worldwide sales of 70 million copies. In the United States, it is certified 34 times platinum. The album's importance was officially recognized by the Library of Congress. In 2008, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It was also added to the National Recording Registry because it is considered a culturally and historically significant recording.

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🖼️ Images & Media (7)
File:Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, "Diana" (1981 CBS press photo) (cropped).jpg
Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Quincy...
File:Quincy jones 1980.jpg
Quincy jones 1980.jpg
File:Eddie Van Halen at the New Haven Coliseum 2.jpg
Eddie Van Halen at the New Haven Coliseum 2.jpg
File:Michael Jackson Beat It Jacket (6043162620).jpg
Michael Jackson Beat It Jacket (6043162620).jpg
File:Michael Jackson with Grammy Awards in 1984.jpg
Michael Jackson with Grammy Awards in 1984.jpg
File:President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan with Michael Jackson.jpg
President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan...
File:Paul McCartney 930-6404 (cropped).jpg
Paul McCartney 930-6404 (cropped).jpg
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