Have You Heard Of This Underground, Unknown Album Called Thriller? by Nick Law - December 30, 2008 When you think of Michael Jackson, what comes to mind? Wait, let me re-phrase that. When you think of Michael Jackson 20 years ago, what comes to mind? At its peak, one album world sell a million copies a week and in just over a year after its release, would go on to become the best selling album of all time – a title that it has yet to relinquish. That album is of course 1982’s Thriller. Jackson and producer Quincy Jones began production in April of 1982 with a budget of $750,000. After the release of the album’s first single, “The Girl Is Mine”, many fans thought that Thriller would go on to enjoy mediocre success at best. With the release of “Billie Jean” shortly thereafter, however, Thriller would go on to establish Jackson as one of the biggest pop stars of the late 20th century, a position that he has now surpassed as the “King of Pop”. Just looking at the track listings, it’s hard to believe that Thriller is not a “best of” album. It features some of Jackson’s best-known work, such as: “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”, “Beat It” and “Billie Jean”. Albums like this kind of make you wonder what the artist was famous for before it came out. It’s like looking at the lineup of the 1927 New York Yankees. Of course no track on the album is or ever will be as famous as the title track and its unforgettable 14-minute long music video. “Thriller” was written by Michael Jackson and directed by John Landis, who gained notoriety in the horror/comedy genre by directing the classic An American Werewolf In London. Several scenes are a homage to the works of Landis, including the line “See You Next Wednesday”, which can be heard in the beginning of the film and is the name of the porno that the main character David is watching just before his transformation in An American Werewolf In London. The video is still popular, especially around Halloween time. Last year, thousands flocked to Times Square to take part in a new Guinness World Record for the largest Thriller dance team in history. Film fans praise Thriller not only for the title track’s campy video and its famous director (Landis) and voice over talent (Vincent Price). The music video for “Beat It” also became a homage to West Side Story, with its anti-gang violence. The track would go on to become one of Jackson’s best-known songs, further establishing him as the great performer we know today. Thriller would go on to win a record breaking seven Grammy Awards in 1984, including Album of the Year. The same year, Michael Jackson won eight American Music Awards, the Special Award of Merit and three MTV Video Music Awards. No other album has enjoyed the commercial success that Thriller has received over the years. I’m thinking that Quincy Jones is probably pretty happy that he signed on to produce the project. I mean, without it he would only be slightly less insanely wealthy.  Subscribe to Latest Articles

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Rob Lambert January 9, 2009 9:48 PM Funny: "Underground, Unknown Album" :)

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