Today, November 30, 2024, yes celebrate 42 years since the publication of Thriller, the album that redefined pop music and revolutionized the recording industry. Published November 30, 1982 in the United States, this Michael Jackson’s masterpiece has sold over 100 million copies worldwide, establishing itself as the best-selling album in history. With iconic songs like Billie Jean, Beat It and the eponymous Thriller, the project not only dominated the charts, but set new standards of innovation and success, leaving an indelible mark on global musical culture.
Among the elements that made Thriller an unprecedented phenomenon his famous video clip stands out, a real short film directed by John Landis. Launched in 1983, the video mixes horror atmospheres with innovative special effects for the time, spectacular choreography and a cinematic narrative. Jackson’s transformation into a werewolf and the famous zombie dance have entered the collective imagination, elevating music videos from simple promotions to autonomous artistic works.
With its perfect blend of pop, rock and funk, Thriller is not just an album, but a cultural phenomenon. It dominated the Billboard 200 for 37 consecutive weeks and had seven singles in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, setting records that still stand today. More than just a commercial success, Thriller has redefined the concept of musical success, influencing generations of artists and enthusiasts.
Thriller: the album and the cover
Thriller, the sixth studio album by Michael Jackson, was enthusiastically received by critics worldwide, who called itI will consider Jackson’s masterpiece and a milestone in the history of music. Fused between pop, rock, funk and disco, thealbum contained 9 tracks including iconic songs such as “Billie Jean”, “Beat It” and the title track “Thriller”. There production by Quincy Jones helped create a distinctive and innovative sound.
La album cover, shot by Dick Zimmerman, features Michael Jackson in a white suit worn by the photographer himself. A Siberian tiger was originally supposed to be included in the image, but was later removed. According to AllMusic critic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Thriller represents an exceptional fusion of musical genres, creating a record that has something for everyone, and calling it a “phenomenal body of music.”
Thriller: An Iconic Video That Launched MTV
The video for Thriller was a a real revolution in the world of video clips, transforming them into an artistic expression in all respects. Directed by John Landis, was one of the first to be treated as a short film, with a cinematic plot and format. The dance of the undead, accompanied by the famous dance steps and zombie makeup, has become iconic and continues to be reproduced throughout the world.
Thriller was Michael Jackson’s first massively promoted album via video clip, a success that also benefited MTV, which had recently begun to broadcast exclusively music videos. When Jackson promoted Billie Jean in 1983, the channel initially refused to broadcast the video, preferring rock music. Under the pressure by Walter Yetnikoff, CEO of Epic/CBS, MTV gave in and the video achieved immediate success, bringing the channel to peak ratings. Jackson’s music videos, including “Beat It” and “Thriller,” boosted album sales and revived MTV, which was at risk of closure. posted first quarterly profit in 1984.
Thriller: A Timeless Success
Thriller was not just a hit album, but a true musical revolution. The collaboration between Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones created a perfect formula that transformed the music industry. Its fusion of pop, rock, funk and disco has attracted a global audience, dominating the charts with 37 consecutive weeks at #200 on the Billboard 25, a record that still stands. It achieved instant success, selling over 1984 million copies by XNUMX and quickly becoming the best-selling album of all time.
In addition to commercial success, Thriller he won 8 Grammy Awards, a still unbeaten record for a single album. The album and Jackson also dominated the American Music Awards, where they won 8 awards. The video for Thriller won 3 awards at the MTV Video Music Awards of 1984, including the award for Best Performance in a Video and Best Choreography.
Throughout the years, Thriller continued to garner accolades, including awards for Best-Selling Album in the World at the World Music Awards in 1996. 2001 saw it inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and in 2008, both the album and its music video were included in significant cultural and historical registries. In 2020, Thriller was named by Rolling Stone magazine as one of top 500 albums of all time. Years later, the album continues to receive critical acclaim. In celebrating the album’s thirtieth anniversary, Billboard stated that Thriller “changed the world” and elevated Jackson from superstar to worldwide legend.
Furthermore, the album was entered into the Library of Congress, recognizing its historical impact.
The dispute over the world’s best-selling album
Michael Jackson’s Thriller, released in 1982, is often considered the best-selling album of all time, with an estimated 100 million copies sold globally but not everyone agrees on these numbers. Over the years, other albums, such as The Eagles’ Their Greatest Hits and AC/DC’s Back in Black, have often been considered Thriller’s main rivals. According to the Guinness World Record, Thriller has sold over 110 million copies, while the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) says that in the United States, sales amounted to approximately 34 million, placing the album behind the Eagles’ Their Greatest Hits. This difference in data has generated numerous debates among experts and music enthusiasts, turning the sales of Thriller into a matter of debate for years.
After death of Michael Jackson In 2009, the album met a new impulse, surpassing 2 million copies sold in just a few months. Her most iconic singles, such as Billie Jean, Beat It and the title track Thriller, continued to climb the charts, contributing to increasing recognition, such as the 29th platinum record in the United States in 2011. In 2018, Their Greatest Hits of the Eagles has claimed the primacy best-selling album in the United States, with 38 million copies, but these numbers have been questioned, especially in light of thestreaming era, which also takes into account the views and streams of individual songs. In fact, Hotel California, the most famous song by the Eagles, is not included in Their Greatest Hits and belongs to another album.
Despite the controversies and frequent comparisons, Thriller Maintains Record as Best-Selling Album Globally and best-selling studio album in the United States. The Guinness Book of World Records continues to recognize it as the best-selling, dismissing claims by other artists.
42 years after its release, Thriller continues to be a beacon in the history of music. Michael Jackson created not only a hit album, but a‘work that marked popular culture indelibly.
Thriller is still a testament to the power of music to unite genres, generations and cultures. Its legendary impact is not only in sales numbers, but in the world’s continued celebration of the King of Pop’s music.
