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Thriller

Michael Jackson

1982

Thriller

Album Summary

Thriller is the sixth studio album by American singer and songwriter Michael Jackson, released on November 30, 1982, by Epic Records. It was produced by Quincy Jones, who had 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, post-disco, rock, funk, and R&B sounds. Thriller foreshadows the contradictory themes of Jackson's personal life, as he began using a motif of paranoia and darker themes. The album features a single guest appearance, with Paul McCartney becoming the first artist to be credited as a featured artist on one of Jackson's albums. Recording took place from April to November 1982 at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a production budget of $750,000. Thriller became Jackson's first number one album on the US 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'โ€‰", "Human Nature", "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)", and "Thriller". They all reached the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, setting the record at the time for the 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 television special, where he debuted his signature moonwalk dance, the sales of the album significantly increased, selling one million copies worldwide per week. The "Thriller" music video was premiered to great anticipation in December 1983 and played regularly on MTV, which also increased the sales of the album. With 32 million copies sold worldwide by the end of 1983, Thriller became the best-selling album of all time. It was the best-selling album of 1983 worldwide, and it was the first album to become the best-selling in the United States for two years, in 1983 and 1984. It set the standard for the music industry with its songs, music videos, and promotion strategies influencing artists, record labels, producers, marketers, and choreographers. Jackson's success and immediate influence led to him having a standing of cultural significance that was not attained by a Black American before him in the history of the entertainment industry, with the album's unprecedented popularity breaking racial barriers in popular music, having enabled Jackson's regular appearances on MTV and meeting with US President Ronald Reagan at the White House. Thriller was among the first albums to use music videos as promotional tools; the videos for "Billie Jean", "Beat It" and "Thriller" are credited for transforming music videos into a serious art form. Thriller remains the best-selling album of all time, with sales of 70 million copies worldwide. It is the second-best-selling album in the United States and was certified 34ร— platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2021. It won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards at the 1984 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, while "Beat It" won Record of the Year. Jackson also won a record-breaking eight American Music Awards at the 1984 American Music Awards. The album has been a frequent inclusion in lists of the greatest albums of all time. In 2008, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In the same year, the Library of Congress chose to preserve it to the National Recording Registry of "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant recordings".

Wikipedia

Rating

4.22

Votes

20177

Reviews

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Mar 27 2021
5

It's Thriller. You know, "best-selling album of all time" Thriller? "Respectable choice for best album ever" Thriller? "Beat It" Thriller? "Billie Jean" Thriller? Yeah, that Thriller. I didn't need to listen to it again to know it was a 5/5, but I did and I can confirm: it's still a 5. RIP MJ

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Jun 09 2023
1

I thought this was going to be better. A lot better. It's not. Yeah, it has the threee big numbers in the middle - and Billie Jean is by far the best of those btw. Beat it's OK and Thriller - well, relies on having seen the video a bit maybe? But the rest of it is utter bollocks. Turgid and really terrible at times - This girl is mine is particularly dreadful - I mean, honestly, a fucking awful way to close an album. And what the fuck was McCartney thinking about when he agreed to collaborate with the utter horseshit that is The girls is mine? And Pretty Young Thing hasn't exactly aged well as a concept has it? Genuinely can't understand the 4+ rating here. Yes, there are two, maybe three, decent tracks in the middle. Yes, the start of side 2 is pretty strong, but the end is so, so bad. I'm stuck between a 1 and a 2. I suppose it should be a 2 because it has some half decent tracks, but, in this instance, I'll bring in the man being into things. So it's my first one. And not just because of Jackson - I really, really disliked this and can't imagine I'd ever listen to it again.

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Jan 24 2021
5

All thriller no filler. Could be a greatest hits album. Superb. Michael Jackson really touches me in a special place.

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Jan 24 2021
5

Close to taking one away for McCartney's cringeworthy involvement.

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Apr 23 2021
5

Off the Wall was a massive success, spawning four Top Ten hits (two of them number ones), but nothing could have prepared Michael Jackson for Thriller. Nobody could have prepared anybody for the success of Thriller, since the magnitude of its success was simply unimaginable -- an album that sold 40 million copies in its initial chart run, with seven of its nine tracks reaching the Top Ten (for the record, the terrific "Baby Be Mine" and the pretty good ballad "The Lady in My Life" are not like the others). This was a record that had something for everybody, building on the basic blueprint of Off the Wall by adding harder funk, hard rock, softer ballads, and smoother soul -- expanding the approach to have something for every audience. That alone would have given the album a good shot at a huge audience, but it also arrived precisely when MTV was reaching its ascendancy, and Jackson helped the network by being not just its first superstar, but first black star as much as the network helped him. This all would have made it a success (and its success, in turn, served as a new standard for success), but it stayed on the charts, turning out singles, for nearly two years because it was really, really good. True, it wasn't as tight as Off the Wall -- and the ridiculous, late-night house-of-horrors title track is the prime culprit, arriving in the middle of the record and sucking out its momentum -- but those one or two cuts don't detract from a phenomenal set of music. It's calculated, to be sure, but the chutzpah of those calculations (before this, nobody would even have thought to bring in metal virtuoso Eddie Van Halen to play on a disco cut) is outdone by their success. This is where a song as gentle and lovely as "Human Nature" coexists comfortably with the tough, scared "Beat It," the sweet schmaltz of the Paul McCartney duet "The Girl Is Mine," and the frizzy funk of "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)." And, although this is an undeniably fun record, the paranoia is already creeping in, manifesting itself in the record's two best songs: "Billie Jean," where a woman claims Michael is the father of her child, and the delirious "Wanna Be Startin' Something," the freshest funk on the album, but the most claustrophobic, scariest track Jackson ever recorded. These give the record its anchor and are part of the reason why the record is more than just a phenomenon. The other reason, of course, is that much of this is just simply great music.

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Feb 18 2023
4

There are three bona fide amazing classics on here. Then some good songs, a couple of fillers, and one cringer. Sir Paul, the girl is yours, Michael didn't even like her.

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Aug 05 2024
5

No one should need to review this album. Rating it anything less than 5* is a crime

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Feb 25 2021
5

One of the finest albums in the history of time. There is not one weak track on it. Thriller by name, Thriller by nature

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Feb 03 2022
4

All those kids. Not to mention all those animals. All that plastic surgery. OK, Michael Jackson, in addition to his giant entertaining talent, really is kinda weird. Again, like everything else the King of Pop was recording during his glory years, Thriller also includes lots of romance (albeit the irresponsible baby-making kind of โ€˜Baby Be Mineโ€™), the sexy closer, โ€˜The Lady In My Lifeโ€™(with this marvelously cheesy lyric: โ€˜Meet me in paradise, lay back in my tendernessโ€™), and of course the famous duet with Paul McCartney, โ€˜The (doggone) Girl Is Mine.โ€™ Again, Michael is in your face, with songs like, โ€˜Beat It,โ€™ but most of the real fight is being waged down around the hips. Well, there is that other infamous fight with โ€˜Billie Jean,โ€™ in which Michael claims that sheโ€™s โ€˜not (even) my lover. Sheโ€™s just a girl who claims that I am the one. But the kid is not my son.โ€™ I love Michael. He manages to even steer this whole train wreck of a relationship back to, yep, the dance floor, where it belongs! โ€˜For 40 days and 40 nights the law was on her side. But who can stand when sheโ€™s in demand, her schemes and plans? โ€˜Cause we danced on the floor in the round.โ€™ And then, of course, โ€˜Thriller,โ€™ the title track, perhaps Michaelโ€™s greatest, biggest hit, ever. And still fun. Itโ€™s the very first opening track that puzzles me, one of theโ€ฆ well, there were actually more hit singles on this LP than not! Thatโ€™s Beatlesโ€™ territory, there, man. Anyway, Michael is, as usual, safely exercising his anger management training on the dance floor, asking the immortal Michael Jackson-esque question: โ€˜(Do you) Wanna be startinโ€™ something?โ€™ And then thereโ€™s all kinds of allegations made about someone, apparently, trying to start some shit with MJ. Get in line, dude (or dame). Iโ€™m betting thereโ€™s going to be a bit of a wait. In the meantime, weโ€™re all gettinโ€™ down, and then out of the blue this drops: โ€˜Youโ€™re a vegetableโ€ฆ still they hate you. Youโ€™re a vegetable. Youโ€™re just a buffetโ€ฆ they eat off of you. Youโ€™re a vegetable.โ€™ WTF? LMAO. Yeah, Michael was a weird dude. So was Mozart. Perhaps thatโ€™s part of the cost for both his massive talent and global fame. Hey, I didnโ€™t live with him, so what do I really know? Except that Thriller still thrills. Thatโ€™s all I wanted to know anyway.

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Feb 13 2021
5

Greatest pop album of all time. Number one selling album of all time. Made Michael Jackson the king of pop.

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Jan 20 2021
5

The album that defined the modern pop genre. Instant classics such as Thriller, Beat It, Billy Jean, and P.Y.T. all help make this one of the most influential and commercially successful albums of all time. The excellent bass lines and arrangements in many of these tracks are overshadowed by MJ's iconic singing. Truly an album that deserves at least one listen by any music lover.

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Dec 27 2022
1

This is not a great album. Its tree great songs in a row. The rest is pretty average.

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Nov 01 2021
5

Go on, then. This is the sort of album I expected to be on this list and I am happy for Thriller to be the Halloween selection. I am old and therefore I remember when this was released. I also remember not being especially all that fussed by the various singles (even though they were all solid), certainly not enough to actually want the album. But yet decades later, I know the album inside out, despite never having owned it. (Metallica's Black album is like that too!). The production of Thriller is great, both minimalist and maximalist when it needs to be. Maybe there are a few dud tracks. I love the Mac n Jack "Say Say Say" but "The Girl is Mine" feels lacklustre. On the other hand "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" is an incredible opening number. It's a cool album and also MJ is staggeringly beautiful on the album cover.

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Aug 07 2023
5

Shamone. Phenomenal. Paul McCartney does his best to ruin the funk on that one track but still a solid 5 stars.

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Feb 11 2021
3

Such incredible music from a kiddie fiddler.

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Feb 29 2024
1

At the end of my Bad review, I made the claim that I preferred it to Thriller, despite how much I hated that album. Having listened to Thriller all the way through for the first time in ages, Iโ€™m not actually sure if thatโ€™s true. In fact, itโ€™s one of those complicated feelings that arise when trying to criticise art you donโ€™t like. In my opinion, Bad is actively worse as music, it has more baffling decisions musically, lyrically, and production wise. But listening to Thriller reminded me just how boring it is. The music is in general better, it has more Post-Disco edge than the safe Pop sound that Bad attempts, the lyrics have less ridiculous posturing, which means that theyโ€™re less funny but also less interesting. Honestly there are two songs that actually I like, Baby Be Mine and Billie Jean, but Billie Jeanโ€™s been so overplayed that I canโ€™t enjoy it any more. But so many of the songs rely on the trick of repeating Jacksonโ€™s vocals with an echo affect and badly synthesised keyboard beeps, coupled with a dry, hollow-sounding production, that Iโ€™ve always just hated the experience of listening to the album. It sounds like a commercial product rather than a piece of art that someone has bled, sweated, and cried over. And if the artist canโ€™t be bothered to seem passionate about their work, I donโ€™t see why I should be either

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Nov 01 2024
5

I meanโ€ฆ..greatest album ever???

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Jan 19 2021
5

Such a great album. Amazing rhythms, song writing and of course essentially all played by Toto with guest guitar from EVH. Play it loud!

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Feb 28 2024
3

I expected much from this album. Was disappointed. Not only because every time I hear Michael Jacksons voice, I have to actively blend out thoughts about those South Park episodes and him being a child molester, but also because most of these tracks are just generic disco pop tracks with trivial lyrics. Of course, you have your three standouts: Thriller, Billie-Jean, and Beat It, but to be honest, Thriller isn't even that great. So overall, we have two songs that I can actually enjoy listening to today. Inclined to give it 2 starts, but it probably deserves a molestation condemnation compensation bonus

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Mar 21 2025
5

Much like Meryl Streep's relationships with Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin in a hit 2000's movie, it's complicated.

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Aug 05 2024
5

Michael Jackson was formative for me, and this album has what was my favorite song as a kid, "Billie Jean." It's just a complete classic.

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Aug 03 2024
5

An absolute banger this one, I love it!

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Aug 03 2024
5

Oh boy a great album from one of the GOATs! Such a musical mind!

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Jul 31 2024
5

Classic album, maybe one of the best ever in my opinion. Every song on this album is fantastic. I remember when the video for Thriller came out, it blew everyone away. My older sister went to see him in concert and she said it was an amazing show.

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Apr 16 2024
5

**Lyrics:** The lyrics of "Thriller" traverse a range of themes, from love and romance to horror and the supernatural. Tracks like "Billie Jean" and "Beat It" explore themes of personal relationships and societal issues, while songs like the title track "Thriller" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" venture into the realm of horror and the macabre. Jackson's songwriting prowess shines through in his ability to craft catchy hooks and memorable lines that resonate with listeners across generations. **Music:** The musical arrangements on "Thriller" are a testament to Jackson's versatility as an artist. The album seamlessly blends elements of pop, R&B, funk, rock, and disco, creating a sound that is both timeless and innovative. Tracks like "Thriller" and "Billie Jean" feature infectious basslines and danceable rhythms, while songs like "Human Nature" showcase Jackson's emotive vocals and melodic sensibility. The album's diverse sonic palette keeps listeners engaged from start to finish, making it a quintessential pop masterpiece. **Production:** One of the defining characteristics of "Thriller" is its meticulous production. Jackson enlisted the help of legendary producer Quincy Jones, who brought his unparalleled expertise to the project. Together, they assembled a team of top-notch musicians and engineers to create a polished and dynamic sound. From the crisp percussion to the lush orchestration, every element of the album is carefully crafted to perfection. The attention to detail in the production elevates "Thriller" from a mere collection of songs to a cohesive musical experience. **Themes:** Thematically, "Thriller" explores a wide range of topics, from love and desire to fear and paranoia. The album's title track, "Thriller," evokes the suspense and excitement of a horror movie, while songs like "Beat It" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" tackle themes of conflict and empowerment. At its core, "Thriller" is a celebration of life, love, and the human experience, with Jackson's dynamic performances breathing life into each track. **Influence:** The influence of "Thriller" on popular culture cannot be overstated. The album's groundbreaking music videos, including the iconic short film for the title track, set new standards for visual storytelling in the music industry. Jackson's signature dance moves, such as the moonwalk, became cultural phenomena, inspiring countless artists and entertainers. "Thriller" also helped to break down racial barriers in the music industry, demonstrating the universal appeal of Jackson's music and paving the way for future generations of artists. **Pros:** 1. Iconic singles: "Thriller" boasts some of the most memorable singles in music history, including "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and the title track. 2. Versatile sound: The album's diverse musical palette appeals to a wide range of listeners, transcending genre boundaries. 3. Meticulous production: Quincy Jones's masterful production elevates "Thriller" to legendary status, setting a new standard for excellence in pop music. 4. Cultural impact: "Thriller" has left an indelible mark on popular culture, influencing music, fashion, and entertainment for decades to come. **Cons:** 1. Limited lyrical depth: While the lyrics of "Thriller" are catchy and memorable, they may lack the depth and complexity found in some other albums. 2. Overplayed singles: The album's most popular singles have been played extensively on radio and television, leading to potential listener fatigue. 3. Short tracklist: With only nine tracks, some listeners may find "Thriller" to be relatively short compared to other albums. In conclusion, "Thriller" remains a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences around the world. From its infectious grooves to its groundbreaking visuals, the album represents the pinnacle of Michael Jackson's artistic achievement and stands as a defining moment in music history.

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Jan 11 2024
5

There are some duff tracks on this, though the willy-fencing with Macca is entertaining on one of them, but this is one of the greats. The production is great, striking while always subservient to the singer: Jones built a perfect setting for Jackson.

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Aug 05 2023
5

The album is really satisfying to listen to from the first track. There is so much complexity in the syncopated percussion, layered bass, interesting chords and vocal harmonies. The arrangement and production is ingenious and almost alien-like, when certain chords hit (like the thriller chord) it almost brought a tear to my eye. I have to say I believe that Jackson was a paedophile who exploited children that admired him. He was clearly a very damaged individual who had a traumatic life, but this does not excuse his crimes. It would be easy to give this 1/5 but there is no point lying, I still listen to this album and think it is incredible. As Iโ€™ve said in other reviews, I can separate an album from the artist so it is still getting 5/5 from me, but I want to be clear that I think Jackson did some horrific things in his life and I think people need to accept that.

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Jun 30 2021
5

A superb album by one of the greatest pop stars of all time. Timeless album with memorable songs that are easily recognizable from the first note. Such a groovy and get-down-on-the-floor sounds that are so infectious. Amazing sound sonically with great vocals and accompaniments to support. Overall, a very easy listen over and over again.

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May 16 2021
5

Not surprising, almost all of these songs are absolute hits. What is surprising is Michael not only banged a carny to lose his virginity but he didn't die from some disease.

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Jan 18 2021
5

Favorite is "Wanna be startin something." which is apparently about gossip magazines. This was his global breakout, and went 33x Platinum. Its the highest selling record of all time with 66 million copies. Crazy how many hits are on this one. Same with "Bad." I guess critics say this is the first time he uses a full adult voice.

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Aug 02 2024
4

Off the wall is still better, but this was a monster in 82

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Feb 17 2023
4

The singular 80s record. A new standard in just about every way. An onslaught of hits.

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Jan 23 2023
3

I was terrified by zombie Michael Jackson in the Thriller video as a kid in the 80โ€™s.

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May 09 2022
2

Clearly, Michael Jackson and his album, Thriller are iconic, it can't be denied, as this album is the best selling album of all-time. 70 million copies have been sold worldwide, so 70 million can't be wrong, can they? I am NOT one of those 70 million, but it seems over my lifetime, I've been forced to listen to songs from this record at least that many times. Just because a record gets endless airplay, music videos have been viewed billions of times, millions of people have seen him live and all those copies of the album were sold doesn't mean it's any good. Not to forget, that glove, that dance, his zoo, the kids...!! I had seen this album in bargain bins more than any other album, so you know people's parents bought this record because it was popular. The next generation that has followed have also been tricked into thinking this is a great piece of music...spoiler alert, it isn't!

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Nov 18 2022
1

Good album but unbearable to listen to given what we know about the artist now

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Sep 27 2022
1

Yuk. An uneven and overrated album and thatโ€™s before bringing in the singerโ€™s history.

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Aug 03 2022
1

I can't be doing with Michael Jackson. Okay, this is good if you like this mix of pop/funk/r&b, but the best selling album of all time? That just shows the vacuity of a large percentage of the record buying public. ;)

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Nov 11 2020
1

Everyone has heard this album. Its not that good

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Jun 20 2025
5

Is there a better pop album..?...... I'll wait.... Even if he's a nonce, this album is wall to wall bangers.

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Mar 27 2025
5

If you were a child in the early 80s, this album is part of your DNA. I probably haven't listened to it all the way through in 40 years though. Well-crafted pop. It's fun. I can't deny it. 4.5/5 Album 13/1001

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Jan 07 2025
5

Every track on Thriller is solid, Quincy Jones produced a timeless record with no weak spots. Michaelโ€™s vocals are on point throughout, delivering real power and style. The whole album flows effortlessly, never losing energy or focus. From the intense beats to the unforgettable hooks, itโ€™s a masterpiece that still feels fresh and engaging. This is more than an album itโ€™s a defining moment in music, setting a standard for pop with lasting impact.

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Nov 27 2024
5

You could argue this is the greatest album ever made. Easy 5/5.

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Nov 11 2024
5

Fire front to back. Human Nature, Billie Jean, and Beat it round out my top 3. This is the GOAT for a reason.

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Nov 05 2024
5

I was at a bar for a Halloween party this weekend. In between bouts of generic, shitty EDM, the DJ spun up Thriller. The crowd went fuuuucking nuts. We're talking an average age of maybe 25. If a song can create that much excitement, 42 years after its release, with a group of people whose parents were still kids when it came out, you know it's special.

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May 28 2024
5

Itโ€™s tempting to be contrarian with the highest-selling album of all time, but thereโ€™s a reason 34 million people bought it. Despite years of overplay, Thriller is just plain fun to listen to, with diverse sounds ranging from pop, R&B, funk, rock, and disco. Quincy Jones brought the heat on the production to accompany Michael at the height of his powers. It has the most top 10s from an album of all time (I donโ€™t care about the Mickey Mouse Spotify-era records of Taylor Swift, Drake, and 21 Savage). I debated dropping it to a 4 due to some down-ballot clunkers (โ€œThe Girl is Mineโ€ = cringe). However, an album this catchy, with this much cultural impact, and this many hits has gotta qualify as a 5, or else Iโ€™m setting myself an unreasonable standard.

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Jan 07 2024
5

he definitely touched those kids. this albums slaps tho ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ”ฅ

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Apr 23 2021
5

I mean... Two of these songs weren't even top 10 hits? Let's try a little harder next time, Mike.

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May 28 2025
4

In summary, this album is too popular for its own good, and too short when you remove the massively popular songs. Looking forward to more MJ though! 4 stars, would enjoy another listen - Holy 80s! - This is fun! Feels more timeless than Prince, despite the 80s instrumentation (especially bass) - A bit flat for me. I think it's just overplayed. But wild how huge these songs are - 2nd half is much stronger. Less overplayed (somehow Billie Jean sounds like a new song to me). Human Nature is good too.

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Jun 15 2024
4

Barely a 4 because the parts of this album I hadn't heard before were surprisingly bad (e.g., the girl is mine)

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Jun 14 2024
4

This album is pretty good. For one of the best selling albums of all time though, it does have quite a few misses imo. Billie Jean is the best track for sure. Also like Wanna be Startin Somethin, Beat it, and P.Y.T. The rest range from mid to downright goofy AND YES THAT INCLUDES THRILLER ITS GOOFY AF

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Jun 05 2024
4

Obvs, nonce, yes. This is still home to some all time brilliance though. Question is does the rest hold up? Will it be the same story as Off the Wall, 60% magic, rest a bit shit? Wanna be starting something is an absolutely irresistible pop song which remains so throughout...6 minutes? Yeah I had to double check. I stuck Soul Makossa on immediately after - Obviously they nicked the refrain but not much else, so it works as a coda to the song. Baby Be Mine, meh, also, very questionable key change near the end. Always hated The Girl is Mine, it was already unfeasibly cheesy in the 80s (even before the excruciating spoken section), and Macca's contribution to Off the Wall wasn't much better. Thriller is Thriller. I mean what can you say about it. It's silly, it's camp, it's funky, it's Halloween. Its...ALSO 6 minutes long? Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. A ha ha. Beat it kicks arse. Billie Jean is a cracking tune, the lyric always made MJ look a disdainful, responsibility shirking dickhead though even before I really understood what was going on. Human Nature stands as one of the very few genuinely great Jackson ballads that actually stands up in my opinion. PYT (or, the Nonceing National Anthem) might be a banging tune but you can't really listen to it anymore. A bit like if Gary Glitter had snuck a lyric saying he loves to touch kids into Rock n Roll. (Except he didn't so that one's still ok, Joker fans) Lady in my Life, it's another meh. Overall, got to say pretty much the same feeling as Off the Wall, with more or less the same reservations.

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Oct 24 2023
4

Nr. 16/1001 Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 4/5 Baby Be Mine 4/5 The Girl is Mine 4/5 Thriller 5/5 Beat It 5/5 Billie Jean 5/5 Human Nature 4/5 P.Y.T 4/5 The Lady in My Life 3/5 Average: 4,22 Awesome album. Really enjoyed it more than I remembered. This is my best rated album so far, taking over from Vol. 4 - Black Sabbath (3,78)

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Jul 31 2023
4

the sound can feel dated at times, but it is almost hilarious that 3 of MJ's most legendary songs are in a row

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Feb 01 2023
4

Thriller is all killer no filler? Sure, it's a pillar of pop iconography, but the shillers that can't see the weaknesses really need to chill here. It absolutely has some of the best pop songs ever written on here. But Human Nature is good not great; The Lady in My Life is just a step above mid; and good god in heaven The Girl Is Mine is so dogshit it makes me question two of music's biggest icons. The bops still outweigh the flops by a mile, but there ARE flops. This isn't the greatest pop album of all time; it's not even The King of Pop's greatest album (or even second greatest).

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Nov 16 2020
4

Ok, so here's where I lose a lot of cred with most folks: I don't actually like Michael Jackson. Never have. This record, however, is the one MJ album I have on vinyl. It's probably his best known (follwed closely by Bad), is the best selling album of all time, and on top of that, has some pretty good tracks on it. I play it once a year on or near Halloween and that's enough MJ to last me a whole year. I totally get why this is on the list. It's a good album. I'm just not much of a fan.

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Jun 13 2024
3

I never danced to this at the time so it has no specific memories apart from chart action and the MTV videos. Jackson was not cool for 17 year olds back in 82/83. Surprising how many songs I recognise, only 3 I didnโ€™t remember hearing. However that this remove in the cold light of day Billie Jean is a great track, human nature quite good but the rest leave me pretty cold. Iโ€™m one of the 70 million people who bought this (I was surprised to see I owned the 25th anniversary edition of this) but it wouldnโ€™t come near my top 500 favourite albums list. 3/5

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Apr 07 2024
3

Automatic star deduction for Paul McCartney and pedophilia. Honestly 3/4 of Thriller is amazing. 2 songs I would skip. Quincy Jonesโ€™ production is great and MJ is at the height of his talent.

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Jan 11 2024
3

used to love this, now hard to listen to given the weirdness and perversion following. Far better than Gary Glitter in a musical sense, but rating adjusted accordingly for similar behaviors

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Dec 16 2021
3

I always liked Billie Jean but aside from that song I wasn't a fan of the rest of this album on release or of Michael Jackson in general. After he died and we were bombarded with all the music he made I warmed up to him. I enjoyed listening to Beat It today. Truth be told, I know the lyrics to Weird Al's Eat It much better than I know the lyrics to Beat It. I remember Ray Davies introduced Lola as the song Van Halen made famous. For me, Beat It was the song Weird Al got me to like. Go figure. Vincent Price makes an appearance on Thriller. It's OK but his role pales in comparison to his role introducing Black Widow on Alice Cooper's Welcome to my Nightmare LP. There are a few too many weenie songs on this album. Human Nature and The Lady in my Life are good examples of songs that are so weenie they're hard to stomach. The worst though is This Girl Is Mine. It seems Michael was trying to adopt a cool image with the red leather jacket, etc. Who told him a duet with Paul McCartney would be cool? Makes ya wonder.

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Jun 17 2025
2

Hard to ignore that astonishing interview where Wacko confessed to sharing a bed with young children and was seemingly obliviously unaware that anyone would find this unnatural! The multiple sex abuse allegations and out of court settlements have forever tarnished his image. The album and the man are nothing short of massive cultural and musical icons and he should be applauded for his contribution to the advancement of black culture and shaping the future of pop music. Also the video to Thriller was iconic in itself. The hits from this album are good examples of pop music whilst I found the rest of it very underwhelming, including the cringe worthy duet with McCartney.

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Mar 04 2025
2

Certified loverboy, certified pedophile.

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Apr 09 2021
2

Really not my thing. I understand he's seen an icon, but I still think his music is shit and so is he.

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Oct 25 2023
1

Not listening to this stupid cunt shit pedophile faggot

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Jul 23 2025
5

Regardless of what you think of hin or his music, this album has one of the greatest 5 song runs ever - it goes Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean, Human Nature, and ends with PYT. When people speak of his greatness as an entertainer, this is what they are talking about.

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Jul 21 2025
5

What can be said, has been said. Period!

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Jul 19 2025
5

Essentially a Toto album with dance beats, all fronted by Michael freaking Jackson--what's not to love?

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Jul 17 2025
5

Listened in the truck via YouTube music. I donโ€™t think Iโ€™ve ever actually sat down and listened to Thriller all the way through. Over half the songs are classic singles, so Iโ€™d heard most of it before just not in sequence. Fantastic production with world class musicians.

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Jul 17 2025
5

human nature went through my body like cocaine...

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Jul 17 2025
5

incredible. amazing. perfect. show stopping. never been done before. hit after hit after hit. i listened to it three times in a row until china love distracted me ๐Ÿ’”

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Jul 16 2025
5

Greatest selling album of all time from the King of Pop and probable king of pedos. Nearly every song is super resplendent and hyper iconic and even the weakest final song Lady In My Life is still really lovely. Probably a trillion dollars worth of talent with MJ, Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney, Eddie Van Halen, Vincent Price, Toto, Seawind Horns, Louis Johnson, Greg Philliganes, Paulinho Da Costa etc. Out of all the incredible tracks here, PYT is by a distance the sparkliest, divinest, chipmunky and lyrically least appropriate gem here. Easy 5 stars.

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Jul 15 2025
5

The 5th star is probably nostalgia but this one is a pop music masterpiece

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Jul 15 2025
5

What do I need to say about this album that hasnโ€™t be said already?

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Jul 15 2025
5

Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson, what a combination. Nothing comes close to the brilliance of pop writing that connects the whole world, as these two produced. Timeless hit after timeless hit. Might be the most legendary combination of three songs in a row with Thriller, Beat It and Billie Jean. Legendary.

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Jul 15 2025
5

I try to ignore everything about an artist's personal life and personal failings when listening to music. Given that there is no way this album gets anything but 5 stars. Anyone who rates it less either is basing their rating on rumors of his personal life or just being pretentious. I'd say 80's pop music is one of my least favorite genres to listen to but this is still 5 stars.

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Jul 15 2025
5

As Dave Chappelle said on the stand โ€œhe made Thriller, Thillerโ€

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Jul 11 2025
5

Another banger from MJ, showing us why he was known as the King of Pop

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Jul 10 2025
5

Have this album and itโ€™s great!

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Jul 09 2025
5

It's not really my thing. But it is so well produced and put together and contains some of the biggest pop hits in history. If I am enjoying this kind of pop it must be damn good.

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Jul 09 2025
5

Hard not to give this a 5 although there are a few awful tunes.

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Jul 08 2025
5

no doubt this is the most famous most selled album in history, this is straight fire

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Jul 05 2025
5

Monumental, easy 5 stars. Maybe the best 5 song run ever Rating: 4.8

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Jul 04 2025
5

What else needs to be say about this album? Even with a dud like "The Girl is Mine" (and to a lesser extent, "The Lady in My Life" and "Baby Be Mine"), it's one of the greatest of all time, even with everything we know about Michael Jackson now. The controversy around him will inevitably fade, but the songs will remain.

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Jul 03 2025
5

I mean, whatโ€™s the point of giving me this album? ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚

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