Thriller (album)
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| Thriller | |||||
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| Image:Michaeljacksonthriller.jpg | |||||
| Studio album by Michael Jackson | |||||
| Released | December 1, 1982 | ||||
| Recorded | April - November 1982 | ||||
| Genre | R&B, Funk, Soul, Rock | ||||
| Length | 42:19 (Original release) 71:30 (Special Edition) |
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| Label | Epic Records EK-38112 |
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| Producer | Quincy Jones[1] | ||||
| Professional reviews | |||||
| Michael Jackson chronology | |||||
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| Alternate cover | |||||
| Image:Music album record thriller.jpg Special Edition release cover. |
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Thriller is the best-selling album of all time, the sixth overall studio album by American singer Michael Jackson and his second studio album with Epic Records, released on December 1, 1982. It is Jackson's most popular album and catapulted him to international stardom when it was released. In 2007, the NARM and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ranked Thriller third on their "Definitive 200" greatest albums ever list.[2]
According to Guinness Book of World Records, Thriller has worldwide sales exceeding 104 million making it by far the best selling album of all time.[3][4]. The album is also notable for being one of only three albums to remain in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 for one full year (along with Falling Into You by Celine Dion and Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette), spending 80 consecutive weeks in the top 10, 37 of which were at number one. Thriller is also the first album of only three in history to produce seven Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles, and the first and only album to date to be the best-selling album of two years (1983 and 1984) in the United States, according to Billboard. The album continues to sell an estimated 60,000 units in the United States per year.[5]
In February 1984, Jackson was nominated for twelve Grammy Awards — of which he won eight, breaking the record for the most Grammy Awards won in a single year.[6] Seven were for Thriller and the other for the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial storybook. The most important in terms of record sales was the 1984 Grammy Award for Album of the Year, which was awarded for Thriller. That same year, Jackson also won eight American Music Awards and the "Special Award of Merit" and three MTV Video Music Awards.
At 25, The New York Times called Jackson a "musical phenomenon," further commenting that "in the world of pop music, there is Michael Jackson and there is everybody else."[7] Time magazine explained that "the fallout from Thriller has given the [music] business its best years since the heady days of 1978, when it had an estimated total domestic revenue of $4.1 billion."[8] Thriller also helped to bring music from African-American artists back into mainstream radio for the first time since the mid-1970s.[8]
Contents |
[edit] Recording
Recorded between April and November 1982, Thriller was the second of Michael Jackson's solo albums to be produced by Quincy Jones, though this time showcasing Jackson in a more prominent position of control than the preceding Off the Wall album from 1979. Of the nine tracks that came to be on the final project of the album, Jackson wrote four.
The album's first single, "The Girl Is Mine", a pop duet with Paul McCartney, was a commercially successful, though critically maligned, song that was solely written by Jackson. The album's second single, "Billie Jean", was a more definitive hit. The song catapulted Jackson and Thriller to the top of the charts. Jackson then performed "Billie Jean" at the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever special, showing off his signature dance move, the "moonwalk", to an enormous audience.
From there, Jackson's already considerable success grew further. Jackson's reinvention as a crossover artist was complete with his third single, the rock song, "Beat It", which features guitar work by guitarist Eddie Van Halen. Several members of the Los Angeles band Toto also contributed their musical talents (see track credit descriptions below).
[edit] Thriller 25
To mark the 25th anniversary of Thriller, a special edition featuring a variety of bonus content is to be released in February 2008. The release will feature several unreleased tracks, including new remixes featuring Kanye West, will.i.am, Fergie and Akon.
[edit] Track listing
[edit] Original release
- "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (Jackson) 6:02
- "Baby Be Mine" (Temperton) 4:20
- "The Girl Is Mine (featuring Paul McCartney)" (Jackson) 3:42
- "Thriller" (Temperton) 5:57
- "Beat It" (Jackson) 4:17
- "Billie Jean" (Jackson) 4:57
- "Human Nature" (Bettis/Porcaro) 4:05
- "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" (Ingram/Jones) 3:58
- "The Lady in My Life" (Temperton) 4:57
- 2001 Special Edition bonus tracks
- Interview with Quincy Jones #1 – 2:18
- "Someone in the Dark" (Bergman/Bergman/Temperton) – 4:48
- From the "E.T. Storybook"
- Interview with Quincy Jones #2 – 2:04
- "Billie Jean" (Home Demo from 1981) (Jackson) – 2:20
- Interview with Quincy Jones #3 – 3:10
- Interview with Rod Temperton #1 – 4:02
- Interview with Quincy Jones #4 – 1:32
- "Voice-Over Session from "Thriller" (Temperton) – 2:52
- Interview with Rod Temperton #2 – 1:56
- Interview with Quincy Jones #5 – 2:01
- "Carousel" (Sembello/D. Freeman) – 1:49
- Interview with Quincy Jones #6 – 1:17
Note: track information in italics do not have official names; they are assumed titles.
- 2008 25th Anniversary Edition
- "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (Jackson) 6:02
- "Baby Be Mine" (Temperton) 4:20
- "The Girl Is Mine" (featuring Paul McCartney) (Jackson) 3:42
- "Thriller" (Temperton) 5:57
- "Beat It" (Jackson) 4:17
- "Billie Jean" (Jackson) 4:57
- "Human Nature" (Bettis/Porcaro) 4:05
- "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" (Ingram/Jones) 3:58
- "The Lady in My Life" (Temperton) 4:57
- "Someone In The Dark" (Bergman/Bergman/Temperton) - 4:48
- "Billie Jean" (Original Demo Recording)
- "Carousel" (Bonus Track) (Sembello/D. Freeman) – 1:49
- "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" (Will.i.am Remix)
- "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" (Will.i.am Remix)
- "The Girl Is Mine" (featuring Paul McCartney) (Will.i.am Remix)
- "Billie Jean" (Kanye West Remix]]
- "For All Time" (Bonus Track)
[edit] Certifications
| Country | Certification | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 10x Platinum | 500,000 |
| Australia | 12x Platinum | 850,000 |
| Brazil | 6x Diamond | 2,000,000 |
| Belgium | 11x Platinum | 550,000 |
| Canada | 2x Diamond | 2,000,000 |
| Finland | 3x Platinum | 90,000 |
| France | 3x Diamond | 3,000,000 |
| Germany | 3x Platinum | 1,500,000 |
| Japan | 2x Diamond | 2,500,000 |
| Mexico | Diamond | 500,000 |
| Netherlands | 11x Platinum | 880,000 |
| New Zealand | Diamond | 150,000 |
| Portugal | 3x Platinum | 140,000 |
| Spain | 8x Platinum | 640,000 |
| Switzerland | 6x Platinum | 240,000 |
| UK | 11x Platinum | 3,570,000 |
| USA | 27x Platinum | 27,000,000 |
| World | 52x Platinum | 104,000,000 |
[edit] Singles
- 1982: "The Girl Is Mine" (with Paul McCartney)
- 1983: "Billie Jean"
- 1983: "Beat It" (with Eddie Van Halen)
- 1983: "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
- 1983: "Human Nature"
- 1983: "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
- 1984: "Thriller"
[edit] Album
| Chart | Position |
|---|---|
| Billboard 200 (122 Weeks) | 1 (37 Weeks) |
Thriller spent 255 days at #1 in the U.S. from Feb 26, 1983 - Apr 20, 1984. 144 days at #1 in 1983 & 111 days at #1 in 1984.
[edit] Credits
[edit] "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
- Produced by Quincy Jones
- Co-produced by Michael Jackson
- Rhodes and synthesizer: Greg Phillinganes
- Synthesizer: Michael Boddicker and Bill Wolfer
- Guitar: David Williams
- Bass: Louis Johnson
- Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
- Trumpet and flügelhorn: Jerry Hey
- Trumpet and flügelhorn: Gary Grant
- Saxophone and flute: Larry Williams
- Trombone: Bill Reichenbach
- Bathroom stomp board: Steven Ray
- Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
- Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones
- Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey and Michael Jackson
- Background vocals: Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, Oren Waters, James Ingram, Michael Jackson, Bunny Hull and Becky Lopez
[edit] "Baby Be Mine"
- Written and composed by Rod Temperton
- Produced by Quincy Jones
- Keyboards and synthesizer: Greg Phillinganes
- Synthesizer: Michael Boddicker and David Paich
- Synthesizer programming: Steve Porcaro, Brian Banks and Anthony Marinelli
- Guitar: David Williams
- Drums: N'dugu Chancler
- Trumpet and flügelhorn: Jerry Hey
- Trumpet and flügelhorn: Gary Grant
- Saxophone and flute: Larry Williams
- Trombone: Bill Reichenbach
- Vocal, rhythm and synthesizer arrangement by Rod Temperton
- Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey
[edit] "The Girl Is Mine"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
- Produced by Quincy Jones
- Rhodes: Greg Phillinganes
- Piano: David Paich
- Synthesizer: David Foster
- Synthesizer programming: Steve Porcaro
- Guitar: David Parks and Steve Lukather
- Bass: Louis Johnson
- Drums: Jeff Porcaro
- Vocal: Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
- Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones
- Rhythm arrangement by Quincy Jones and Moss Glately
- Synthesizer arrangement by David Foster
- Strings arranged and conducted by Jerry Hey
- Concertmaster: Jerry Vinci
[edit] "Thriller"
- Written and composed by Rod Temperton
- Produced by Quincy Jones
- Featuring: Rap by Vincent Price
- Synthesizers: Greg Philinganes, Rod Temperton and Brian Banks
- Synthesizer programming: Anthony Martinelli
- Guitar: David Williams
- Trumpet and flügelhorn: Jerry Hey
- Trumpet and flügelhorn: Gary Grant
- Saxophone and flute: Larry Williams
- Trombone: Bill Reichenbach
- Vocal, rhythm and synthesizer arrangement by Rod Temperton
- Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey
- Effects by Bruce Cannon and Bruce Swedien
[edit] "Beat It"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
- Produced by Quincy Jones
- Co-produced by Michael Jackson
- Featuring: Guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen
- Rhodes and synthesizer: Greg Phillinganes
- Keyboards: Bill Wolfer
- Synclavier: Tom Bahler
- Synthesizer and synthesizer programming: Steve Porcaro
- Synergy: Greg Smith
- Guitars, electric Bass: Steve Lukather
- Guitar: Paul Jackson
- Drums: Jeff Porcaro
- Drum case beater: Michael Jackson
- Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
- Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones
[edit] "Billie Jean"
- Written and composed by Michael Jackson
- Produced by Quincy Jones
- Co-produced by Michael Jackson
- Rhodes and synthesizer: Greg Phillinganes
- Synthesizer: Greg Smith
- Synthesizer and synthesizer programming: Bill Wolfer
- Guitar: David Williams
- Bass: Louis Johnson
- Drums: N'dugu Chancler
- Emulator: Michael Boddicker
- Vocal, rhythm and synthesizer arrangement by Michael Jackson
- Strings arranged by Jerry Hey
- Strings conducted by Jeremy Lubbock
[edit] "Human Nature"
- Written and composed by Steve Porcaro and John Bettis
- Synthesizer and synthesizer programming: David Paich
- Guitar: Steve Lukather
- Drums: Jeff Porcaro
- Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
- Emulator: Michael Boddicker
- Arrangement by David Paich, Steve Porcaro and Steve Lukather
[edit] "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
- Written and composed by James Ingram and Quincy Jones
- Produced by Quincy Jones
- Synthesizer and synthesizer programming: Greg Phillinganes
- Vocoder and emulator: Michael Boddicker
- Portasound keyboard: James Ingram
- Guitars: Paul Jackson
- Electric bass: Louis Johnson
- Drums: N'dugu Chancler
- Handclaps: Michael Jackson, Louis Johnson, Greg Phillinganes, James Ingram and Steve Ray
- Arrangement by James Ingram and Quincy Jones
- P.Y.T.'s
- Janet Jackson
- LaToya Jackson
- Becky Lopez
- Bunny Hull
- Additional background vocals
- James Ingram
- Howard Hewitt
[edit] "The Lady in My Life"
- Written and composed by Rod Temperton
- Produced by Quincy Jones
- Rhodes: Greg Phillinganes
- Synthesizer: David Paich and Steve Porcaro
- Guitar: Paul Jackson
- Bass: Louis Johnson
- Drums: Jeff Porcaro
- Emulator: Michael Boddicker
- Arrangement by Rod Temperton
[edit] Technical credits
- Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien
- Technical engineer: Matt Forger
- Assistant engineer: Steve Bates and Mark Ettel
- Additional sound sources recorded by Humberto Gatica and Matt Forger
- Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo on "Beat It" recorded by Donn Landee
[edit] References
- ^ Album Credits for Thriller, from Artist Direct retrieved on February 3, 2006
- ^ 200 list. definitive200.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-06.
- ^ CBS: Pop Icon Looks Back At A "Thriller" Of A Career In New Interview
- ^ Jacko's Back!. MTV UK (November 16 2006). Retrieved on 2006-11-19.
- ^ Online Athens
- ^ Guinness World Records (2006). Guinness World Records 2007. Guinness. ISBN 1-904994-12-1.
- ^ "MICHAEL JACKSON AT 25: A MUSICAL PHENOMENON", New York Times, January 1984. Retrieved on 2007-05-15. (English)
- ^ a b Cocks, Jay. "Why He's a Thriller", Time Magazine, March 1984. Retrieved on 2007-03-17. (English)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- mjjcharts.com - Motown Sales
- Michael Jackson's Billboard Albums
- The Ultimate Michael Jackson Stats Site – Album sales
- Michael Jackson charts – Chart run
- Michael Jackson Stats site - This site is in French
- Michael Jackson Collection
- Michael Jackson's Monster Smash
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