This is Thriller

Thriller, which is the best-selling album of all time, was released on 30th November 1982. It was the follow-up to Michael Jackson’s commercially successful ‘Off The Wall’, his sixth solo album to be released overall. Michael Jackson was one fifth of the biggest soul group of the 60’s, The Jackson 5. At the barely-ripe age of 6, Jackson was performing in strip joints with his brothers to generate fan interest. However by the time he was eleven, he had helped to set a chart record with ‘I Want You Back’, ‘ABC’, ‘The Love You Save’ and ‘I’ll Be There’ all reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Thriller showcased Jackson’s ability to captivate any audience and was selling 1 million copies a week when it was first released. The album was nominated for 12 Grammy’s and won 8.

The beginning track ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’’ is an up-tempo, internationally savvy song which uses an African chant (“Mama-se, mama-sa, ma-ma-coo-sa”) towards the end. The chant is a riff taken from Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango who first used it in 1973. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ is the longest track on Thriller, ending at 6 minutes and 3 seconds. ‘Baby Be Mine’ is a smooth album song which was never released into the public. Jackson returned to the disco beats of ‘Off The Wall’ for this tune (as with many others on Thriller) with the distinct mark of Rod Temperton’s song writing lying underneath the catchy riffs.

‘The Girl is Mine’ is a duet with Beatle’s maestro Paul McCartney. This, however, was before the feud between the two superstars when Jackson bought The Beatle’s back catalogue. ‘The Girl is Mine’ was the first single to be released from the album and received a poor response which, in turn, generated negative media interest about Thriller as a whole. Many believed the laidback, almost reggae mood of the song was a sign that the album would be exactly the same. The critics were proved wrong and sent away with their tails between their legs when it was finally released.

Thriller, the centerpiece of the album, is supernaturally themed with a soliloquy from Vincent Price, the king of horror. Despite it being the album’s namesake, most of the popularity surrounding this song is probably owed to the legendary music video - at 14 minutes, Michael Jackson’s Thriller is regarded as one of the best music videos of all time. With a repetitive beat and a catchy hookline that everybody knows, it’s easy to see how this is considered one of Jackson’s signature tunes. However, Thriller is not the best track on the LP.

The next track on the album is ‘Beat It’. Along with the mind-blowing guitar solo from Eddie Van Halen and the quintessentially rock-and-roll undertones, this is easily one of the best songs on Thriller, if not in the world. The song in itself proves that Michael Jackson could capture any genre and break it into pieces; many consider Beat It to be one of the greatest rock songs of all time. The riff, it’s safe to say, is one that everybody can recognise and it won Jackson and Quincy Jones 2 Grammy’s in 1984.

The next track, Billie Jean, is Michael Jackson's most recognisable song. It’s easy to spot why it’s such an iconic tune - the extraordinary bassline, the cutting-edge vocal hiccups and an intriguing story as to who Billie Jean actually is all add up to what it is a tremendous song. It’s arguable whether it is actually Jackson’s best work but it’s plain to see how Billie Jean and her slightly unhinged manner gave a kick to his career. It was a performance of Billie Jean at Motown 25 where Jackson premiered the now world famous moonwalk and most people probably associate the amazing song with equal as amazing dance moves.

Human Nature is a moody and a heavy contrast from Beat It’s gang culture theme. Jackson’s breathy vocals over a synthesiser make for a more intimate song than the rest of Thriller – it’s a slow ballad with dreamy lyrics (admittedly not written by Jackson but by Steve Porcaro and John Bettis) that easily ticks all of the boxes. Although it is considered a contrast from the hard Beat It, it’s easy to compare the rolling and sharp guitars. It is undoubtedly a lot softer than Beat It but Human Nature slots conveniently alongside it.

The consequent tune is one described as a disco paradise. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) again fails to showcase Jackson’s lyrical skills as soul legend James Ingram wrote it but the backing vocals, sung by Janet and La Toya Jackson, and the disco guitar throughout makes up for that. It’s generally not considered as the best song on Thriller and although it was one of the many songs released, it’s not as commercially known as other releases.

The Lady in My Life, the final track, is a silky smooth ballad. It’s a romantically endearing tune that is used to Jackson’s advantage when he croons out the sweet words to the lady in his life. This is one of two tracks not released from Thriller so it’s not as well known as many others, which is a shame. Along with the severity of its underestimation and Jackson’s gorgeously smooth vocals against a soul guitar, it can easily be named as one of Michael Jackson’s best works from this album and perhaps in his discography.

Overall, it’s straightforward to see why this is the greatest selling album of all time. Every track hits you with that Michael Jackson charm that was so easily forgotten with his exploitation, the charisma and general magnetism of a legend lost. Michael Jackson made sure there was a track on Thriller for everyone; there was something for the rock-and-rollers who were used to Whitesnake and Motorhead and for the Motowners who had not quite let go of the glory years. This, along with slick basslines, Cameroonian chants and sharp guitar riffs, makes it easy to comprehend how Thriller was named the best album of all time.