Thriller (album): Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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* [[Rock music|rock]]

* [[funk]]

* [[~~dance~~synth-pop]]

* [[contemporary R&B|R&B]]

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'''''Thriller''''' is the sixth [[studio album]] by the American singer and songwriter [[Michael Jackson]], released on November 29, 1982,<ref>{{cite magazine |author1=Grein, Paul |title=Stars Due Out: Platinum acts prominent in labels' November releases |magazine=Billboard |date=1982-11-06 |volume=94 |issue=44 |page=4 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1982/BB-1982-11-06.pdf ~~|publisher=Billboard Publications, Inc.~~ |location=New York, NY, USA |language=English |issn=0006-2510 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127015023/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1982/BB-1982-11-06.pdf |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |quote=Epic has set a Nov. 29 release date for "Thriller"}}</ref><ref>{{cite ~~journal~~magazine |author1=Martinez, Michael |title=The Rhythm Section: Short cuts |~~journal~~magazine=Cash Box |volume=44 |issue=28 |page=27 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1982/CB-1982-12-04.pdf |access-date=29 November 2022 |location=New York, NY, USA |language=English |issn=0008-7289 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809235144/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1982/CB-1982-12-04.pdf |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |quote=The much-awaited "Thriller" album on Epic by Michael Jackson, due to ship November 29}}</ref> by [[Epic Records]]. It was produced by [[Quincy Jones]], who previously worked with Jackson on his 1979 album ''[[Off the Wall]].'' Jackson wanted to create an album where "every song was a killer". With the ongoing backlash against [[disco music]] at the time, he moved in a new musical direction, resulting in a mix of [[pop music|pop]], [[post-disco]], [[rock music|rock]], [[funk]], [[synth-pop]], and [[contemporary R&B|R&B]] sounds, and darker themes. [[Paul McCartney]] appears on "[[The Girl Is Mine]]", the first credited appearance of a featured artist on a Michael Jackson album. Recording took place from April to November 1982 at [[Westlake Recording Studios]] in Los Angeles, California, with a budget of $750,000.

''Thriller'' became Jackson's first number-one album on the US [[Billboard 200|''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. Seven singles were released: "[[The Girl Is Mine]]", "[[Billie Jean]]", "[[Beat It]]", "[[Wanna Be Startin' Somethin']]{{-"}}, "[[Human Nature (Michael Jackson song)|Human Nature]]", "[[P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)]]", and "[[Thriller (song)|Thriller]]". They all reached the top 10 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart, setting a record for the [[List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones#Most top ten songs from one album|most top 10 singles from an album]], with "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" reaching number one. Following Jackson's performance of "Billie Jean" in the ''[[Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever|Motown 25]]'' television special, where he debuted his signature [[Moonwalk (dance)|moonwalk]] dance, the album began selling one million copies per week. Sales doubled after the release of the [[Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)|"Thriller" music video]] on [[MTV]] in December 1983.

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The relationship between Jackson and Jones became strained during the recording. Jackson spent much of his time rehearsing dance steps alone.<ref name="Interview" /> When the album was completed, both Jones and Jackson were unhappy with the result and remixed every song, spending a week on each.<ref name="Interview" />

[[File:Eddie Van Halen at the New Haven Coliseum 2.jpg|thumb|"Beat It" features guitar work from [[Eddie Van Halen]].|252x252px]]

"Billie Jean" was so personal to Jackson, who struggled with obsessed fans. Jones wanted to shorten the long introduction, but Jackson insisted that it remain because it made him want to dance.<ref name="Audio">{{cite AV media notes|first= Michael |last= Jackson |title= Thriller Special Edition Audio |type= CD}}</ref> The ongoing backlash against [[disco]] made it necessary to move in a different musical direction from the disco-heavy ''Off the Wall''.<ref name="jessejackson">{{cite interview |first= Michael |last= Jackson |interviewer= Jesse Jackson |title= Jesse Jackson Interviews Michael Jackson |date= March 27, 2005 |url= http://www.allmichaeljackson.com/interviews/jessejackson.html |access-date= September 8, 2014 |archive-date= March 29, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180329105215/http://www.allmichaeljackson.com/interviews/jessejackson.html |url-status= ~~live~~usurped }}</ref> Jones and Jackson were determined to make a rock song that would appeal to all tastes and spent weeks looking for a suitable guitarist for the song "Beat It". Eventually, they found [[Steve Lukather]] of Toto to play the rhythm guitar parts and [[Eddie Van Halen]] of the rock band [[Van Halen]] to play the solo.<ref name="Audio" /><ref name="Interview">{{cite news|first= Peter |last= Lyle |title= Michael Jackson's Monster Smash |newspaper= [[The Daily Telegraph]] |location= London |date= November 25, 2007 |access-date= April 20, 2008 |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3669538/Michael-Jacksons-monster-smash.html |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3669538/Michael-Jacksons-monster-smash.html |archive-date= January 11, 2022 |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref>

When Rod Temperton wrote the song "[[Thriller (song)|Thriller]]", he wanted to call it "Starlight" or "Midnight Man", but settled on "Thriller" because he felt the name had merchandising potential.<ref name="Interview" /> Wanting a notable person to recite the closing lyrics, Jones brought in actor [[Vincent Price]], an acquaintance of Jones' wife; Price completed his part in two takes. Temperton wrote the spoken portion in a taxi on the way to the recording studio. Jones and Temperton said that some recordings were left off the album because they did not have the "edginess" of other album tracks.<ref name="Audio" /> A cover of "[[Behind the Mask (song)|Behind the Mask]]", originally by the Japanese band [[Yellow Magic Orchestra]], was omitted when the parties could not agree on royalties.<ref name="mjftr">{{cite book |last1=Halstead |first1=Craig |url=https://archive.org/details/michaeljacksonfo00cadm |title=Michael Jackson: For the Record |last2=Cadman |first2=Chris |publisher=Authors OnLine Ltd |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-7552-0267-6 |location=Bedfordshire |pages=[https://archive.org/details/michaeljacksonfo00cadm/page/n38 31]–32 |url-access=limited}}</ref>

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== Release and commercial reception ==

''Thriller'' was released on November 29, 1982, through [[Epic Records]]<ref name=Bb6Nov82>{{cite magazine |last1=Green |first1=Paul |title=Stars Due Out |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1982/1982-11-06-Billboard-Page-0004.pdf |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|page=4~~|publisher=The Billboard Publishing Co.~~|location=New York|date=November 6, 1982|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712153534/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1982/1982-11-06-Billboard-Page-0004.pdf|archive-date=July 12, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> and internationally by [[Columbia Records|CBS Records]].<ref>{{cite magazine |first= Steve |last= Greenberg |title= Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' at 30: How One Album Changed the World |magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date= November 29, 2012 |access-date= April 26, 2016 |url= http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/473949/michael-jacksons-thriller-at-30-how-one-album-changed-the-world |archive-date= May 3, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160503105615/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/473949/michael-jacksons-thriller-at-30-how-one-album-changed-the-world |url-status= live }}</ref>{{sfn|Dyson|1993|p=60}} It reached number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' Top LPs & Tapes]] chart on February 26, 1983.<ref name="Billboard83" /> ''Thriller'' sold one million copies worldwide per week at its peak.<ref name="TIME" /> ''Thriller'' was the [[List of best-selling albums by year in the United States|best-selling album in the United States]] in 1983 and 1984, making it the first album to be the best-selling for two years. It also spent a record 37 weeks at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200, from February 26, 1983, to April 14, 1984, and has remained on the chart for 626 nonconsecutive weeks (and counting).<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Michael Jackson Chart History (Billboard 200) |magazine= Billboard |access-date= May 3, 2022 |url= https://www.billboard.com/artist/michael-jackson/chart-history/tlp/ |archive-date= May 10, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180510055821/https://www.billboard.com/music/michael-jackson/chart-history/billboard-200/song/181096 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first= Keith |last= Caulfield |title= Most Weeks at No. 1 on Billboard 200 By Title |magazine= Billboard |date= November 12, 2015 |access-date= October 21, 2019 |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/greatest-of-all-time/6760795/michael-jackson-thriller-most-weeks-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-by-title |archive-date= August 19, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200819202543/https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/greatest-of-all-time/6760795/michael-jackson-thriller-most-weeks-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-by-title |url-status= live }}</ref>

''Thriller'' was Jackson's global breakthrough, topping the charts in Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It has gained Diamond certifications in Argentina, Canada, Denmark, France, Mexico and the UK. ''Thriller'' sells an estimated 130,000 copies in the US per year; it reached number two in the [[Top Pop Catalog Albums|US Catalog charts]] in February 2003 and number 39 in the UK in March 2007.<ref name="Ultimate" /> It is the [[List of best-selling albums in the United Kingdom|sixth-best-selling album in the UK]].<ref>{{cite web |first= Rob |last= Copsey |title= The best-selling albums of all time on the Official UK Chart |publisher= [[Official Charts Company]] |date= April 11, 2019 |access-date= December 8, 2019 |url= https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-best-selling-albums-of-all-time-on-the-official-uk-chart__15551/ |archive-date= January 9, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220109082630/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-best-selling-albums-of-all-time-on-the-official-uk-chart__15551/ |url-status= live }}</ref>

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The "Billie Jean" music video debuted on March 10, 1983, on [[MTV]].<ref>{{cite magazine |first= Tamara |last= Palmer |title= How the 'Billie Jean' Video Changed MTV |website= [[The Root (magazine)|The Root]] |date= March 10, 2013 |access-date= March 27, 2019 |url= https://www.theroot.com/how-the-billie-jean-video-changed-mtv-1790895543 |archive-date= December 2, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201202163355/https://www.theroot.com/how-the-billie-jean-video-changed-mtv-1790895543 |url-status= live }}</ref> It brought MTV—until then a fairly new and unknown music channel—to mainstream attention. It was one of the first videos by a black artist to be aired regularly by the channel, as the network's executives felt [[African-American music|black music]] was not "[[Rock music|rock]]" enough.{{sfn|Campbell|1993|p=58}} Directed by [[Steve Barron]], the video shows a photographer who follows Jackson. The paparazzo never catches him, and when photographed Jackson fails to materialize on the developed picture. He dances to Billie Jean's hotel room and as he walks along a sidewalk, each tile lights up at his touch.{{sfn|Campbell|1993|p=58}}<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Sean |last= Weitner |title= Michael Jackson: A Life in Film |magazine= [[Flak Magazine]] |year= 2001 |url= http://www.flakmag.com/music/mj/videos.html |archive-date= March 6, 2003 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20030306071527/http://www.flakmag.com/music/mj/videos.html}}</ref>

The "Beat It" music video had its premiere on MTV during primetime on March 31, 1983.<ref>{{cite news |first= Chris |last= Willman |title= Cover Story : Traveling Along the MTV Time Line... |newspaper= Los Angeles Times |date= July 28, 1991 |access-date= September 21, 2010 |url= ~~http~~https://~~articles~~www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-07-28~~/entertainment/~~-ca-~~435_1_mtv~~435-~~videos/2~~story.html |archive-date= October 11, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121011072546/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-07-28/entertainment/ca-435_1_mtv-videos/2 |url-status= live }}</ref> To add authenticity to the production but also to foster peace between them, Jackson had the idea to cast members of rival Los Angeles street gangs the [[Crips]] and the [[Bloods]],<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Kevin |last= Ritchie |title= Q&A: Bob Giraldi on directing "Beat It" |magazine= [[Boards (magazine)|Boards]] |date= July 7, 2009 |url= http://www.boardsmag.com/articles/online/20090707/giraldibeatit.html |archive-date= March 28, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120328131555/http://www.boardsmag.com/articles/online/20090707/giraldibeatit.html}}</ref> and included around 80 genuine gang members.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= J.D. |last= Reed |title= Music: New Rock on a Red-Hot Roll |magazine= [[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date= July 18, 1983 |url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,950986-4,00.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= November 6, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121106040506/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,950986-4,00.html}}</ref> Its plot is Jackson bringing two gangsters together through the power of music and dance. It is also notable for its "mass choreography" of synchronized dancers, which would become the hallmark of Jackson's music videos.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Sean |last= Weitner |title= Michael Jackson: A Life in Film |magazine= [[Flak Magazine]] |url= http://www.flakmag.com/music/mj/videos.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120705071354/http://www.flakmag.com/music/mj/videos.html |archive-date= July 5, 2012}}</ref>

The [[Thriller music video|"Thriller" music video]] premiered on MTV on December 2, 1983.<ref>{{cite magazine |first= Leslie |last= Richin |title= On This Day in 1983, Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Premiered on MTV |magazine= Billboard |date= December 2, 2016 |access-date= November 28, 2019 |url= http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6334779/michael-jackson-thriller-premiere-mtv-anniversary |archive-date= June 30, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190630040926/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6334779/michael-jackson-thriller-premiere-mtv-anniversary |url-status= live }}</ref> In the video, Jackson and his girlfriend (played by [[Ola Ray]]) are confronted by [[zombie]]s while walking home from a movie theater; Jackson becomes a zombie and performs a dance routine with a horde of the [[undead]].<ref name="Griffin" /> It was named the greatest video of all time by MTV in 1999<ref name="mtvm.v.list2">{{cite web |title=MTV: 100 Greatest Music Videos Ever Made |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1999/mtv100.htm |access-date=January 23, 2010 |work=RockOnTheNet.com |publisher=Rock on the Net |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630124007/http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1999/mtv100.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and by VH1<ref name="abcnewsvh122">{{cite web |author=Vinny Marino |date=May 2, 2001 |title=VH1 Names '100 Greatest Videos of All Time' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=105861&page=1 |access-date=January 22, 2010 |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |archive-date=October 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024162824/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=105861&page=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']] in 2001.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Craig Duff |date=July 28, 2011 |title=The 30 All-TIME Best Music Videos – Michael Jackson, 'Thriller' |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2085389_2085392_2085363,00.html |url-status=dead |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728224445/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2085389_2085392_2085363,00.html |archive-date=July 28, 2011 |access-date=August 19, 2011}}</ref> In 2009, it became the first music video to be selected for the [[National Film Registry]] by the [[Library of Congress]].<ref name="Reuters: U.S. registry 2009-12-302">{{cite web |author=Alex Dobuzinskis |date=December 30, 2009 |title=Jackson "Thriller" film picked for U.S. registry |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BT43W20091230?type=musicNews |access-date=January 22, 2010 |work=[[Reuters]] |archive-date=January 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116143648/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BT43W20091230?type=musicNews |url-status=live }}</ref> The Library described it as "the most famous music video of all time".<ref>{{cite news |author=Dave Itzkoff |date=December 30, 2009 |title='Thriller' Video Added to U.S. Film Registry |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/arts/music/31arts-THRILLERVIDE_BRF.html |access-date=January 23, 2010 |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214141903/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/arts/music/31arts-THRILLERVIDE_BRF.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

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=== Rankings ===

In 1992, ''Thriller'' was awarded the [[Billboard Music Award|Special ''Billboard'' Award]] to commemorate its 10th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web |title= Winners Database: Michael Jackson |website= Billboard Music Awards |access-date= November 27, 2019 |url= https://www.billboardmusicawards.com/winners-database/?winnerKeyword=Michael+Jackson&winnerYear=&winnerCategory= |archive-date= June 24, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170624120641/https://www.billboardmusicawards.com/winners-database/?winnerKeyword=michael+jackson&winnerYear=&winnerCategory= |url-status= live }}</ref> In 2000, it was voted number 64 in [[Colin Larkin]]'s ''[[All Time Top 1000 Albums]]''. It was also ranked number 2 in the Soul/R&B – All Time Top 50 albums. The book states; it is the finest example of perfect [[disco-pop]], and a record that should be prescribed to musical snobs and manic depressives.<ref>{{cite book|editor-first= Colin |editor-last= Larkin |editor-link= Colin Larkin |year= 2000 |title= All Time Top 1000 Albums |title-link= All Time Top 1000 Albums |edition= 3rd |publisher= [[Virgin Books]] |page= 63 |isbn= 0-7535-0493-6}}</ref> At the [[2002 Billboard Music Awards|2002 ''Billboard'' Music Awards]], as a sign of the album's longevity, ''Thriller'' was awarded a second Special ''Billboard'' Award as a recognition for spending more weeks at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200 than any other album in history.<ref>{{cite web |title= 2002 Special Billboard Award |publisher= Billboard Music Awards |access-date= October 21, 2019 |url= https://www.billboardmusicawards.com/winner-categories/special-billboard-award-michael-jackson-recognizing-his-1982-epic-album-thriller-which-spent-more-weeks-at-no-1-37-than-any-other-album-in-the-history-of-the-billboard-200/ |archive-date= October 21, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191021151106/https://www.billboardmusicawards.com/winner-categories/special-billboard-award-michael-jackson-recognizing-his-1982-epic-album-thriller-which-spent-more-weeks-at-no-1-37-than-any-other-album-in-the-history-of-the-billboard-200/ |url-status= live }}</ref> In 2003, it was ranked at number 20 on the ''Rolling Stone'' [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]] list, maintaining the ranking in a 2012 revised list — it's the highest ranked pop album on both lists.<ref name="RS500">{{cite magazine|title= 20: Michael Jackson, 'Thriller' |magazine= Rolling Stone |date= May 31, 2012 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/michael-jackson-thriller-20120524 |archive-date= October 21, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121021053108/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/michael-jackson-thriller-20120524}}</ref> In a 2020 updated list by ''Rolling Stone'', ''Thriller'' was ranked number 12.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time |magazine= Rolling Stone |date= September 22, 2020 |access-date= October 5, 2020 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/ |archive-date= September 22, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200922163403/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/ |url-status= live }}</ref> It was ranked by the [[National Association of Recording Merchandisers]] (NARM), in conjunction with the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], at number three on its list of the Definitive 200 Albums of All Time.<ref name="D200">{{cite web|title= Definitive 200 |year= 2007 |publisher= [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum]] |url= http://www.rockhall.com/pressroom/definitive-200 |url-status= dead |archive-date= April 6, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080406020211/http://www.rockhall.com/pressroom/definitive-200}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= 500 Greatest Albums of All Time |magazine= [[Rolling Stone]] |date= May 31, 2012 |access-date= September 23, 2019 |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-156826/michael-jackson-thriller-2-170241/ |archive-date= July 4, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190704094852/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-156826/michael-jackson-thriller-2-170241/ |url-status= live }}</ref> "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" were both included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's [[500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll|500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll]].<ref>{{cite web|title= Experience the Music: One Hit Wonders and the Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll |publisher= Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum |url= http://rockhall.com/exhibits/one-hit-wonders-songs-that-shaped-rock-and-roll/ |archive-date= May 9, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120509180015/http://rockhall.com/exhibits/one-hit-wonders-songs-that-shaped-rock-and-roll/}}</ref> In 2006, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' included ''Thriller'' in its list of the All-TIME 100 Albums.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= All-TIME 100 Albums |magazine= [[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date= November 2, 2006 |access-date= November 20, 2019 |url= http://entertainment.time.com/2006/11/02/the-all-time-100-albums/slide/all/ |archive-date= November 17, 2018 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20181117041230/http://entertainment.time.com/2006/11/02/the-all-time-100-albums/slide/all/ |url-status= live }}</ref> In 2008, 25 years after its release, the record was inducted into the [[List of Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients (Q–Z)|Grammy Hall of Fame]] and, a few weeks later, was among 25 recordings preserved by the [[Library of Congress]] to the [[National Recording Registry]] as "culturally significant".<ref>{{cite web|title= GRAMMY Hall Of Fame – t |publisher= [[Grammy Hall of Fame Award]] |access-date= January 14, 2013 |url= http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/hall-of-fame#t |url-status= dead |archive-date= January 22, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110122042616/http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/hall-of-fame}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= Thriller, Joni Mitchell album make the cut for U.S. recording registry |publisher= [[CBC News]] |date= May 14, 2008 |access-date= February 3, 2009 |url= ~~http~~https://www.cbc.ca/~~arts~~news/~~media~~entertainment/~~story/2008/05/14/08us~~thriller-~~recregistry~~joni-mitchell-album-make-the-cut-for-u-s-recording-registry-1.~~html~~720520 |archive-date= July 24, 2009 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090724175221/http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/story/2008/05/14/08us-recregistry.html}}</ref> In 2009, music critics for [[MTV Base]] and [[VH1]] both listed ''Thriller'' as the best album released since 1981.<ref name="MTV" /> ''Thriller'', along with other critic favorites, were then polled by the public. 40,000 people found ''Thriller'' to be the Best Album of all time by MTV Generation, gaining a third of all votes.<ref name="MTV">{{cite news |title= MTV's Greatest Album Ever — Number 1 |publisher= [[MTV (UK and Ireland)|MTV]] |date= April 9, 2009 |access-date= January 22, 2016 |url= https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/p26ix3/mtvs-greatest-album-ever-number-1 |archive-date= January 28, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160128162426/http://www.mtv.co.uk/greatest-album-ever/news/mtvs-greatest-album-ever-number-1 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Michael Jackson's album Thriller voted best album since 1981 |newspaper= [[Daily Mirror]] |date= April 9, 2009 |access-date= January 22, 2016 |url= https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/04/09/michael-jackson-s-album-thriller-voted-best-album-since-1981-115875-21265620/ |archive-date= July 15, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090715224715/http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/04/09/michael-jackson-s-album-thriller-voted-best-album-since-1981-115875-21265620/ |url-status= live }}</ref> ''Thriller'' was ranked third on the Greatest of All Time ''Billboard'' 200 Albums.<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Greatest of All Time Billboard 200 Albums |magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date= November 12, 2015 |url= http://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-billboard-200-albums |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161001122709/http://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-billboard-200-albums |archive-date= October 1, 2016}}</ref> ''Billboard'' also ranked the album fourth on its list of All 92 Diamond-Certified Albums Ranked from Worst to Best: Critic's Take.<ref>{{cite magazine |first= Andrew |last= Unterberger |title= All 92 Diamond-Certified Albums Ranked from Worst to Best: Critic's Take |magazine= Billboard |date= September 29, 2016 |access-date= January 24, 2020 |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/billboard-lists/7526410/diamond-certified-album-riaa-ranked |archive-date= October 13, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211013162126/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/billboard-lists/7526410/diamond-certified-album-riaa-ranked/ |url-status= live }}</ref> In 2018, ''[[The Independent]]'' named ''Thriller'' the "most inspiring album of all time".<ref>{{cite news|first= Rob |last= Knight |title= Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' named most inspiring album of all time |newspaper= The Independent |date= September 14, 2018 |access-date= October 21, 2019 |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/lifestyle/michael-jackson-thriller-inspiring-album-uk-survey-a8537866.html |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/lifestyle/michael-jackson-thriller-inspiring-album-uk-survey-a8537866.html |archive-date= May 7, 2022 |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref>

== Reissues and catalog sales ==

''Thriller'' was reissued on October 16, 2001, in an expanded set, ''Thriller: Special Edition''. The album is [[remaster]]ed and includes a new booklet and bonus material, including the songs "Someone in the Dark", "Carousel" and Jackson's original "Billie Jean" demo, as well as audio interviews with Jones and Temperton.<ref name="Audio" /><ref>{{cite AV media notes|first= Michael |last= Jackson |title= Thriller Special Edition |type= booklet}}</ref> Sony also hired sound engineer and mixer [[Mick Guzauski]]<ref>{{cite magazine |first= Paul |last= Verna |title= Mick Guzauski |magazine= [[Mix (magazine)|Mix]] |date= May 1, 2001 |access-date= July 7, 2009 |url= http://www.mixonline.com/news/profiles/mick-guzauski/365129 |archive-date= June 27, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150627015945/http://www.mixonline.com/news/profiles/mick-guzauski/365129 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first= Kevin |last= Becka |title= Mix Interview: Mick Guzauski |magazine= Mix |date= June 1, 2006 |access-date= July 7, 2009 |url= http://www.mixonline.com/news/profiles/mix-interview-mick-guzauski/365646 |archive-date= December 31, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141231212805/http://www.mixonline.com/news/profiles/mix-interview-mick-guzauski/365646 |url-status= live }}</ref> to create 5.1-channel [[surround sound]] mixes of ''Thriller'' and Jackson's other albums for the [[Super Audio CD]] format, but Jackson did not approve the mixes.<ref>{{cite news|first= Roger |last= Friedman |title= First Jackson Effort Rejected, New One Not Ready |publisher= [[Fox News Channel]] |date= July 23, 2001 |access-date= July 7, 2009 |url= http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,30233,00.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= March 5, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090305073356/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,30233,00.html}}</ref> Consequently, ''Thriller'' was issued on SACD only in a stereo version.<ref>{{cite web |title= Michael Jackson on SACD |website= PS3SACD.com |date= July 9, 2009 |access-date= July 26, 2009 |url= http://www.ps3sacd.com/news.html#_20090709 |archive-date= September 29, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180929020229/http://www.ps3sacd.com/news.html#_20090709 |url-status= live }}</ref> A surround sound version of ''Thriller'' would not be realized until November 2022, when Sony created and released [[MPEG-H 3D Audio|360 Reality Audio]] and [[Dolby Atmos]] mixes of ''Thriller'' for [[Amazon Music]] and [[Apple Music]] respectively in honor of the album's 40th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web ~~|last=~~ |date=2022-11-18 |title=Thriller 40 – A Double CD Set Of Michael Jackson's Original Masterpiece Thriller & Bonus Disc Out Now |url=https://www.legacyrecordings.com/2022/11/18/thriller-40-a-double-cd-set-of-michael-jacksons-original-masterpiece-thriller-bonus-disc-out-now/ |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=Legacy Recordings |language=en-US |quote=Immersive audio mixes of Thriller are now available at various DSPs, including 360 Reality Audio on Amazon, Spatial Audio on Apple Music, mixed by Şerban Ghenea from the original masters for immersive audio, with the immersive mixes by John Hanes. |archive-date=November 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118202102/https://www.legacyrecordings.com/2022/11/18/thriller-40-a-double-cd-set-of-michael-jacksons-original-masterpiece-thriller-bonus-disc-out-now/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2008, [[Epic Records]] released ''[[Thriller 25]]''; Jackson served as executive producer.<ref name="Reuters">{{cite press release|title= Epic Records/Legacy Recordings Unveil the 25th Anniversary Edition of Michael Jackson's... |work= [[Reuters]] |date= November 30, 2007 |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/11/30/idUS58333%2B30-Nov-2007%2BPRN20071130 |url-status= dead |archive-date= November 3, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131103161426/https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/11/30/idUS58333%2B30-Nov-2007%2BPRN20071130}}</ref> ''Thriller 25'' appeared on CD, USB and [[Gramophone record|vinyl]] with seven bonus tracks, the new song "For All Time", a snippet of Price's voiceover and five remixes featuring American artists [[Fergie (singer)|Fergie]], [[will.i.am]], [[Kanye West]] and [[Akon]].<ref name="Reuters" /><ref>{{cite news |title= Kanye West, Will.I.Am on New Edition of Michael Jackson's ''Thriller''; Plus Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, 'High School Musical' & More, In For the Record |publisher= [[MTV]] |access-date= December 7, 2007 |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1575462/20071130/west_kanye.jhtml |archive-date= October 2, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101002032520/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1575462/20071130/west_kanye.jhtml |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Kanye, Akon Help Jackson Revisit 'Thriller' |magazine= Billboard |date= November 30, 2007 |access-date= June 23, 2008 |url= http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1047176/kanye-akon-help-jackson-revisit-thriller |archive-date= July 23, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130723065958/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1047176/kanye-akon-help-jackson-revisit-thriller |url-status= live }}</ref> It also included a DVD featuring three music videos, the ''[[Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever|Motown 25]]'' "Billie Jean" performance and a booklet with a message from Jackson.<ref name="Reuters" /> The [[ballad]] "For All Time" supposedly dates from 1982, but is often credited as being from the ''[[Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)|Dangerous]]'' sessions.<ref>{{cite news|first= Pete |last= Paphides |title= Michael Jackson: Thriller 25 |newspaper= [[The Times]] |date= February 8, 2008 |url= http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article3327950.ece |archive-date= May 17, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110517082449/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article3327950.ece}}</ref>

Line 276:

* [[Louis Johnson (bassist)|Louis Johnson]] – bass guitar {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 6, 8, 9)}}, handclaps {{small|(8)}}

* [[Quincy Jones]] – producer {{small|(all tracks)}}, rhythm arrangements {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 5)}}, vocal arrangements {{small|(3)}}, musical arrangements {{small|(8)}}

* [[Donn Landee]] -– engineer {{small|(track 5 guitar solo)}}

* Becky López – background vocals {{small|(tracks 1, 8)}}

* Jerry Lubbock – strings conductor {{small|(track 6)}}

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|16

!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' [[Top Pop Catalog Albums]]<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Top Pop ~~Catlog~~Catalog Albums |magazine= Billboard |date= October 3, 2009 |volume= 121 |issue= 39 |issn= 0006-2510 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=EX4yD1pJCxUC&pg=RA11-PA113 |access-date= November 1, 2020 |archive-date= February 23, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230223084002/https://books.google.com/books?id=EX4yD1pJCxUC&pg=RA11-PA113 |url-status= live }}</ref>

|16

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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Israel|type=album|title=Thriller|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1982|salesamount=80,000|salesref=<ref name="MM">{{cite magazine |title= Jackson Awarded for Israeli Success |magazine= [[Music & Media]] |volume= 10 |issue= 45 |page= 6 |date= November 6, 1993 |access-date= May 28, 2020 |url= https://www.americanradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-11-06.pdf |archive-date= February 23, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230223084510/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1993/MM-1993-11-06.pdf |url-status= live }}</ref>|certref=<ref name="MM" />}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|title=Thriller|artist=Michael Jackson|relyear=1982|region=Italy|nocert=yes|salesamount=700,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite news|title= E' Claudio Baglioni il Jackson italiano |newspaper= [[La Stampa]] |page= 24 |date= May 12, 1995 |access-date= September 3, 2020 |url= http://www.archiviolastampa.it/component/option,com_lastampa/task,search/mod,libera/action,viewer/Itemid,3/page,24/articleid,0706_01_1995_0125_0064_10427145/ |url-status= live |archive-date= August 21, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190821095326/http://www.archiviolastampa.it/component/option,com_lastampa/task,search/mod,libera/action,viewer/Itemid,3/page,24/articleid,0706_01_1995_0125_0064_10427145/ |language= it}}</ref>|note=sales as of 1995}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Thriller|type=album|award=Platinum|number=4|note=sales since 2009|relyear=~~1982~~2008|certyear=~~2014~~2024|id=13286|access-date=~~January~~September 1630, ~~2023~~2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Thriller (reissue)|type=album|award=Gold|certyear=1994|certmonth=3|relyear=1991|salesamount=2,500,000|salesref=<ref name="Global" />|access-date=July 21, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Thriller|type=album|award=Diamond+Platinum+Gold|number=2|number2=2|relyear=1982|certyear=2022|access-date=April 22, 2022}}

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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Zimbabwe|type=album|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Thriller|nocert=true|salesamount=8,000|relyear=1982|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine |first= Glenn A. |last= Baker |title= Record Industry Resists Piracy in Zimbabwe |magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date= December 19, 1987 |volume= 99 |issue= 51 |page= 59 |issn= 0006-2510 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-12-19.pdf |access-date= February 15, 2022 |archive-date= June 24, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210624024406/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-12-19.pdf |url-status= live }}</ref>}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Thriller|type=album|nocert=true|salesamount=18,000,000|note=1982-1987 sales|salesref= <ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Li0JBWU6E0C&pg=PA146|magazine=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]|title=Michael Jackson … continued|page=146|date=September 1987|via=Google Books|~~accessdate~~access-date=December 18, 2022|archive-date=February 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223084512/https://books.google.com/books?id=4Li0JBWU6E0C&pg=PA146|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Thriller|type=album|award=Platinum|certyear=2009|note=For sales in 2009}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|salesamount=70,000,000|salesref=<ref name="ANI" /><ref name="bbc" />}}