Thriller (song): Difference between revisions
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* {{Start date|1983|11}} (UK)<ref name=MW>{{cite journal|journal=Music Week|date=1983-11-05|page=30|title=New Singles (for the week ending November 11, 1983)|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1983/Music-Week-1983-11-05-I.pdf}}</ref> |
* {{Start date|1983|11|11}} (UK)<ref name=MW>{{cite journal|journal=Music Week|date=1983-11-05|page=30|title=New Singles (for the week ending November 11, 1983)|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1983/Music-Week-1983-11-05-I.pdf|access-date=June 6, 2022|archive-date=February 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213143702/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1983/Music-Week-1983-11-05-I.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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* {{Start date|1984|1|23|mf=y}} (US)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mtv.com/news/cq8ysv/glee-thriller | title=Michael Jackson's 'Thriller': Story Behind the 'Glee' Cover | website=[[MTV]]|first=Aly|last=Semigran|date=2011-02-07|access-date=2023-09-17}}</ref> |
* {{Start date|1984|1|23|mf=y}} (US)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mtv.com/news/cq8ysv/glee-thriller | title=Michael Jackson's 'Thriller': Story Behind the 'Glee' Cover | website=[[MTV]]|first=Aly|last=Semigran|date=2011-02-07|access-date=2023-09-17}}</ref> |
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| recorded = 1982 |
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"'''Thriller'''" is a song by the American singer-songwriter [[Michael Jackson]]. It was released by [[Epic Records]] |
"'''Thriller'''" is a song by the American singer-songwriter [[Michael Jackson]]. It was released by [[Epic Records]] on November 11, 1983 in the UK and on January 23, 1984, in the US, as the seventh and final single from his sixth studio album, ''[[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]''.<ref name="Academy">{{cite web|first=Tim|last=McPhate|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/michael-jackson-thriller-reaches-billboard-chart-milestone|title=Michael Jackson's "Thriller": For The Record|publisher=[[The Recording Academy]]|date=2017-11-02|access-date=2019-11-17}}</ref> |
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"Thriller" is a [[funk]] song featuring a repeating synthesizer bassline and lyrics and sound effects evoking [[horror film]]s. It ends with a spoken-word sequence performed by the horror actor [[Vincent Price]]. It was produced by [[Quincy Jones]] and written by [[Rod Temperton]], who wanted to write a theatrical song to suit Jackson's love of film. |
"Thriller" is a [[funk]] song featuring a repeating synthesizer bassline and lyrics and sound effects evoking [[horror film]]s. It ends with a spoken-word sequence performed by the horror actor [[Vincent Price]]. It was produced by [[Quincy Jones]] and written by [[Rod Temperton]], who wanted to write a theatrical song to suit Jackson's love of film. |
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The album ''Thriller'' was released in November 1982 on [[Epic Records]] and spent months at the top of the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref name="Griffin" /> "Thriller" was not initially planned for release as a single, as Epic saw it as a [[novelty song]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Aja|date=2018-10-31|title=Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is the eternal Halloween bop — and so much more|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/10/31/18046940/michael-jackson-thriller-facts-trivia-making-of-john-landis|access-date=2021-10-25|website=Vox|language=en}}</ref> The Epic executive [[Walter Yetnikoff]] asked: "Who wants a single about monsters?"<ref name="Griffin">{{cite news|last=Griffin|first=Nancy|date=July 2010|title=The "Thriller" Diaries|magazine=Vanity Fair|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2010/07/michael-jackson-thriller-201007?printable=true¤tPage=2|access-date=2011-01-02}}</ref> |
The album ''Thriller'' was released in November 1982 on [[Epic Records]] and spent months at the top of the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref name="Griffin" /> "Thriller" was not initially planned for release as a single, as Epic saw it as a [[novelty song]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Aja|date=2018-10-31|title=Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is the eternal Halloween bop — and so much more|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/10/31/18046940/michael-jackson-thriller-facts-trivia-making-of-john-landis|access-date=2021-10-25|website=Vox|language=en}}</ref> The Epic executive [[Walter Yetnikoff]] asked: "Who wants a single about monsters?"<ref name="Griffin">{{cite news|last=Griffin|first=Nancy|date=July 2010|title=The "Thriller" Diaries|magazine=Vanity Fair|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2010/07/michael-jackson-thriller-201007?printable=true¤tPage=2|access-date=2011-01-02}}</ref> |
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By mid-1983, sales of the album had begun to decline. Jackson, who was "obsessive" about his sales figures,<ref name="Griffin" /> urged Yetnikoff and another Epic executive, Larry Stessel, to help conceive a plan to return the album to the top of the charts. Jackson's manager [[Frank DiLeo]] suggested releasing "Thriller", backed by a new music video.<ref name="Griffin" /><ref name="Eagan2011">{{cite book|last=Eagan|first=Daniel|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g_moAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA175|title=America's Film Legacy, 2009–2010: A Viewer's Guide to the 50 Landmark Movies Added To The National Film Registry in 2009–10|date=November 24, 2011|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-4411-9328-5|pages=175|access-date=May 14, 2016}}</ref> It was the final single from the album, released in January 1984.<ref name=":2" /> |
By mid-1983, sales of the album had begun to decline. Jackson, who was "obsessive" about his sales figures,<ref name="Griffin" /> urged Yetnikoff and another Epic executive, Larry Stessel, to help conceive a plan to return the album to the top of the charts. Jackson's manager [[Frank DiLeo]] suggested releasing "Thriller", backed by a new music video.<ref name="Griffin" /><ref name="Eagan2011">{{cite book|last=Eagan|first=Daniel|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g_moAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA175|title=America's Film Legacy, 2009–2010: A Viewer's Guide to the 50 Landmark Movies Added To The National Film Registry in 2009–10|date=November 24, 2011|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-4411-9328-5|pages=175|access-date=May 14, 2016}}</ref> It was the final single from the album, released in the US in January 1984.<ref name=":2" /> |
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Alternative versions of "Thriller", including the "Starlight" demo, were released on the anniversary reissue ''[[Thriller 40]]'' (2022).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bet.com/article/3igvw7/thriller40-cultural-critics-celebrate-michael-jacksons-impact | title=#Thriller40: Cultural Critics Celebrate Michael Jackson's Impact | publisher=[[BET]]|author=Miles Marshall Lewis|date=2022-11-30 }}</ref> |
Alternative versions of "Thriller", including the "Starlight" demo, were released on the anniversary reissue ''[[Thriller 40]]'' (2022).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bet.com/article/3igvw7/thriller40-cultural-critics-celebrate-michael-jacksons-impact | title=#Thriller40: Cultural Critics Celebrate Michael Jackson's Impact | publisher=[[BET]]|author=Miles Marshall Lewis|date=2022-11-30 }}</ref> |
Revision as of 18:45, 18 May 2024
"Thriller" | ||||
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Single by Michael Jackson | ||||
from the album Thriller | ||||
B-side | "Things I Do for You" | |||
Released | ||||
Recorded | 1982 | |||
Studio | Westlake (Los Angeles, California) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | Epic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Rod Temperton | |||
Producer(s) | Quincy Jones | |||
Michael Jackson singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Thriller" on YouTube |
"Thriller" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson. It was released by Epic Records on November 11, 1983 in the UK and on January 23, 1984, in the US, as the seventh and final single from his sixth studio album, Thriller.[4]
"Thriller" is a funk song featuring a repeating synthesizer bassline and lyrics and sound effects evoking horror films. It ends with a spoken-word sequence performed by the horror actor Vincent Price. It was produced by Quincy Jones and written by Rod Temperton, who wanted to write a theatrical song to suit Jackson's love of film.
Jackson decided to release "Thriller" as a single after Thriller left the top of the Billboard 200 chart. The "Thriller" music video, directed by John Landis, has Jackson dancing with a horde of zombies. It has been named the greatest music video of all time by various publications and readers' polls, and doubled sales of Thriller, helping it become the best-selling album in history.
It was the album's seventh top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number four. It reached number one in Belgium, France and Spain, and the top ten in many other countries. In the week of Jackson's death in 2009, it was Jackson's bestselling track in the US, with sales of 167,000 copies on the Billboard Hot Digital Tracks chart. It entered the Billboard Hot Digital Singles Chart at number two, and remained in the charts' top ten for three consecutive weeks. "Thriller" is certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America. It appears on several of Jackson's greatest-hits albums and has been covered by numerous artists. The song has returned to the Billboard Hot 100 chart multiple times due to its popularity around Halloween and is one of the best selling singles of all time.
Composition
"Thriller" is a disco-funk song[6] The introduction features sound effects such as a creaking door, thunder, feet walking on wooden planks, winds and howling wolves.[7]
Writing
"Thriller" was written by the English songwriter Rod Temperton, who had previously written "Rock with You" and "Off the Wall" for Jackson's 1979 album Off the Wall.[8] Temperton wanted to write something theatrical to suit Jackson's love of film.[9] He improvised with bass and drum patterns until he developed the bassline that runs through the song, then wrote a chord progression that built to a climax.[9] He recalled: "I wanted it to build and build – a bit like stretching an elastic band throughout the tune to heighten suspense."[9]
Temperton's first version was titled "Starlight", with the chorus lyric: "Give me some starlight / Starlight sun".[10] The production team, led by Quincy Jones, felt the song should be the title track, but that "Starlight" was not a strong album title. Instead, they wanted something "mysterious" to match Jackson's "evolving persona".[9] Temperton considered several titles, including "Midnight Man", which Jones felt was "going in the right direction". Finally, he conceived "Thriller", but worried that it was "a crap word to sing ... It sounded terrible! However, we got Michael to spit it into the microphone a few times and it worked."[9]
With the title decided, Temperton wrote lyrics within "a couple of hours".[9] He envisioned a spoken-word sequence for the ending, but did not know what form it should take. It was decided to have a famous voice from the horror genre perform it, and Jones' then-wife, Peggy Lipton, suggested her friend Vincent Price.[7] Temperton composed the words for Price's part in a taxi on the way to the studio on the day of recording.[7]
Recording
Along with the rest of the album, "Thriller" was recorded over eight weeks in 1982.[11] It was recorded at Westlake Recording Studios on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, California.[7] The engineer Bruce Swedien had Jackson record his vocals in different approaches, doubling takes and recording at different distances from the microphone. Some background vocals were recorded in the Westlake shower stall.[7]
The bassline was performed on an ARP 2600 synthesizer, and the verse pads were performed on a Roland Jupiter-8 layered with a Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 and a Yamaha CS-80.[12] The percussion was created with a LinnDrum drum machine modified with sound chips from two other drum machines: a snare hi-hat and congas from an LM-1 and a clap from a TR-808. "Thriller" also features Rhodes piano performed by Greg Phillinganes and guitar performed by David Williams.[13]
To record the wolf howls, Swedien set up tape recorders up around his Great Dane in a barn overnight, but the dog never howled. Instead, Jackson recorded the howls himself.[14] For the creaking doors, Swedien rented doors designed for sound effects from the Universal Studios Lot and recorded the hinges.[14] Price recorded his part in two takes; Jones, acknowledging that doing a voice-over for a song is difficult, praised Price and described his takes as "fabulous".[7]
Release
The album Thriller was released in November 1982 on Epic Records and spent months at the top of the Billboard 200.[15] "Thriller" was not initially planned for release as a single, as Epic saw it as a novelty song.[16] The Epic executive Walter Yetnikoff asked: "Who wants a single about monsters?"[15]
By mid-1983, sales of the album had begun to decline. Jackson, who was "obsessive" about his sales figures,[15] urged Yetnikoff and another Epic executive, Larry Stessel, to help conceive a plan to return the album to the top of the charts. Jackson's manager Frank DiLeo suggested releasing "Thriller", backed by a new music video.[15][17] It was the final single from the album, released in the US in January 1984.[16]
Alternative versions of "Thriller", including the "Starlight" demo, were released on the anniversary reissue Thriller 40 (2022).[18]
Music video
The music video for "Thriller" references numerous horror films,[15] and stars Jackson performing a dance routine with a horde of the undead.[15] It was directed by the horror director John Landis and written by Landis and Jackson. Jackson contacted Landis after seeing the director's film, An American Werewolf in London. The pair conceived a 13-minute short film with a budget much larger than previous music videos. Jackson's record company refused to finance it, believing Thriller had peaked, so a making-of documentary, Making Michael Jackson's Thriller, was produced to receive financing from television networks.[15]
Michael Jackson's Thriller premiered on MTV on December 2, 1983.[19] It was launched to great anticipation and played regularly on MTV.[19] It doubled sales of Thriller, and the documentary sold over a million copies, becoming the best-selling videotape at the time.[15] It is credited for transforming music videos into a serious art form, breaking down racial barriers in popular entertainment, and popularizing the making-of documentary format.[20]
Many elements have had a lasting impact on popular culture, such as the zombie dance and Jackson's red jacket, designed by Landis' wife Deborah Nadoolman.[20] Fans worldwide re-enact its zombie dance and it remains popular on YouTube. The Library of Congress described it as "the most famous music video of all time". In 2009, it became the first music video inducted into the National Film Registry as "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant.[15]
Chart performance
"Thriller" entered the Billboard Hot 100 charts at number 20.[21] It reached number seven the following week,[22] number five the next, and peaked the next week at number four, where it stayed for two weeks.[23][24] It finished as the #78 single on Billboard's Hot 100 for the 1984.[25]
"Thriller" charted at number 19 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart.[26] On March 10, 1984, it reached its peak at number 3.[27] "Thriller" debuted on the UK Singles Chart on November 19, 1983, at number 24, and the following week peaked at number ten; it appeared on the chart for 52 weeks.[28] Beginning on February 5, 1984, "Thriller" peaked on the French Singles Chart at number one and topped the chart for four consecutive weeks.[29] "Thriller" also topped the Belgian VRT Top 30 Chart for two weeks in January 1984.[30]
Following Jackson's death in 2009, his music surged in popularity.[31] In the week of his death, "Thriller" was Jackson's best-selling track in the US, with sales of 167,000 copies on the Billboard Hot Digital Singles Chart.[31] On July 11, 2009, "Thriller" charted on the Billboard Hot Digital Singles Chart at number two (its peak), and the song remained in the charts' top ten for three consecutive weeks.[32] In the United Kingdom, the song charted at number 23 the week of Jackson's death.[33] The following week, the song reached its peak at number 12 on the UK Single Chart.[28] On July 12, 2009, "Thriller" peaked at number two on the Italian Singles Chart[34] and was later certified gold by the Federation of the Italian Music Industry.[35] "Thriller" reached at number three on the Australian ARIA Chart and Swiss Singles Chart and topped the Spanish Singles Charts for one week.[36] The song also placed within the top ten on the German Singles Chart, Norwegian Singles Chart and Irish Singles Chart, at number nine, number seven and number eight respectively.[36] "Thriller" also landed at number 25 on the Danish Singles Chart.[37] In the third week of July "Thriller" peaked at number 11 in Finland.[38]
"Thriller" has returned to the Billboard Hot 100 chart multiple times due to its popularity around Halloween. It re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2013 at number 42,[39] number 31 in November 2018,[40] and number 19 in November 2021, its highest placement since 1984.[41] This gave Jackson at least one top-20 hit across seven consecutive decades from 1969 on the Billboard Hot 100.[41]
"Thriller" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on December 4, 1989, for sales of over one million physical units in the US[42][43] As of August 2016, the song had sold 4,024,398 copies in the US.[44] The song was later certified Diamond by RIAA for sales over 10 million equivalent-units.[45][46] "Thriller" reached number one on three different Billboard charts the week of November 8, 2023, more than a decade after Jackson's death. Those charts included: R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs, R&B Streaming Songs and R&B Digital Song Sales charts.[47]
Critical reception
Ashley Lasimone, of AOL's Spinner.com, noted that it "became a signature for Jackson" and described "the groove of its bassline, paired with Michael's killer vocals and sleek moves" as having "produced a frighteningly great single."[48] Jon Pareles of The New York Times noted that "'Billie Jean', 'Beat It', 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' ' and "the movie in the song 'Thriller'", were the songs, unlike the "fluff" "P.Y.T.", that were "the hits that made Thriller a world-beater; along with Mr. Jackson's stage and video presence, listeners must have identified with his willingness to admit terror."[49] Ann Powers of the Los Angeles Times described "Thriller" as "adequately groovy" with a "funked-out beat" and lyrics "seemingly lifted from some little kid's 'scary storybook'".[50][51]
Personnel
- Written and composed by Rod Temperton
- Produced by Quincy Jones
- Michael Jackson: lead and background vocals, LinnDrum drum machine
- Rod Temperton and Brian Banks: synthesizers
- Greg Phillinganes: synthesizers, Rhodes piano
- Anthony Marinelli: synthesizer programming
- David Williams: guitar
- Jerry Hey, Gary Grant: trumpets, flugelhorns
- Larry Williams: saxophone, flute
- Bill Reichenbach: trombone
- Vocal, rhythm and synthesizer arrangement by Rod Temperton
- Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey
- Effects by Bruce Cannon and Bruce Swedien
- Featuring: Narration by Vincent Price (Not featured on original edited single version)
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[111] | 6× Platinum | 420,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[112] | 6× Platinum | 480,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[113] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
France (SNEP)[114] | Platinum | 1,000,000* |
Germany (BVMI)[115] | Gold | 250,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[116] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
Mexico (AMPROFON)[117] | 4× Platinum+Gold | 270,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[118] | 2× Platinum | 100,000* |
United Kingdom (BPI)[119] Digital sales since 2004 |
2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[120] other release |
Gold | 500,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[121] | Diamond | 10,000,000‡ |
Ringtone | ||
Japan (RIAJ)[122] Full-length ringtone |
Platinum | 250,000* |
United States (RIAA)[123] Mastertone |
Gold | 500,000* |
Summaries | ||
Worldwide Physical Sales (1984) |
— | 9,000,000[124] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
See also
- List of best-selling singles
- List of best-selling singles in the United States
- List of most expensive music videos
- Michael Jackson's Thriller
- Thriller (viral video)
- Thrill the World
References
- ^ "New Singles (for the week ending November 11, 1983)" (PDF). Music Week: 30. November 5, 1983. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 13, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ^ Semigran, Aly (February 7, 2011). "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller': Story Behind the 'Glee' Cover". MTV. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ Engel Bromwich, Jonah (October 25, 2018). "Who Actually Listens to Halloween Music?". The New York Times. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
- ^ McPhate, Tim (November 2, 2017). "Michael Jackson's "Thriller": For The Record". The Recording Academy. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
- ^ George 2004, p. 23.
- ^ Jones, Jel D. Lewis (2005). Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Big Picture – The Music! The Man! The Legend! The Interviews: An Anthology. Amber Books Publishing. p. 6. ISBN 0-9749779-0-X. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f Lyle, Peter (November 25, 2007). "Michael Jackson's monster smash". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel (October 5, 2016). "Rod Temperton, 'Thriller' songwriter, dead at 66". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "Revealed: the story behind Jacko's Thriller". M magazine. October 31, 2012. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ^ Glazer, Eliot (September 25, 2009). "Top 1984 Songs". AOLRadioBlog.com. AOL Inc. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
- ^ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (February 18, 2008). "Quincy Jones' 'Thriller' Memories". EW.com. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
- ^ Carr, Dan (November 30, 2022). "The synth sounds of Michael Jackson's Thriller (and how to recreate them in your DAW)". MusicRadar. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
- ^ Rogerson, Ben (February 10, 2023). "Watch Greg Phillinganes recreate Michael Jackson's Thriller using the original synths". MusicRadar. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ a b "The making of Michael Jackson's Thriller". MusicRadar. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Griffin, Nancy (July 2010). "The "Thriller" Diaries". Vanity Fair. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
- ^ a b Romano, Aja (October 31, 2018). "Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is the eternal Halloween bop — and so much more". Vox. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
- ^ Eagan, Daniel (November 24, 2011). America's Film Legacy, 2009–2010: A Viewer's Guide to the 50 Landmark Movies Added To The National Film Registry in 2009–10. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 175. ISBN 978-1-4411-9328-5. Retrieved May 14, 2016.
- ^ Miles Marshall Lewis (November 30, 2022). "#Thriller40: Cultural Critics Celebrate Michael Jackson's Impact". BET.
- ^ a b Richin, Leslie (December 2, 2014). "On This Day In 1983, Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Premiered On MTV". Billboard.
- ^ a b Hebblethwaite, Phil (November 21, 2013). "How Michael Jackson's Thriller changed music videos for ever". The Guardian. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
- ^ "Week of February 11, 1984". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
- ^ "Week of February 18, 1984". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. January 2, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
- ^ "Week of March 3, 1984". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. January 2, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
- ^ "Week of March 10, 1984". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
- ^ a b "Billboard Top 100 – 1984". billboard. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
- ^ "Week of March 3, 1984". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on January 21, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Week of March 10, 1984". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Michael Jackson". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
- ^ a b "Toutes les Chansons N° 1 des Années 80". Infodisc.fr. Dominic Durand / InfoDisc. Archived from the original on November 20, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Thriller". Top30-3.radio2.be (in Dutch). VRT – Auguste Reyerslaan. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
- ^ a b Ed Christman, Antony Bruno (July 2, 2009). "Michael Jackson Music Sales Surge Could Last For Months". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ "July 11, 2009". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ "Chart For Week Up To 04/07/2009". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ "Thriller in Italian Chart". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
- ^ "Certificazioni Download FIMI" (PDF) (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 5, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Michael Jackson – Thriller – Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ a b "Track Top 40 – July 10, 2009". Hitlisterne.dk. IFPI Danmark & Nielsen Music Control. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ "Thriller in Finnish Chart". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ "Eminem Debuts at No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart; Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Returns". Billboard. November 8, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
- ^ "Top 100 Songs | Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
- ^ a b "Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Leads Halloween Treats on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Michael Jackson – Thriller". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "Rock Music, etc., Terms". Georgetown College. October 26, 1999. Archived from the original on May 18, 2011. Retrieved January 8, 2010.
- ^ "Hip Hop Single Sales: The Weeknd, Zay Hilfigerrr & Drake". Hip Hop DX. November 13, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
- ^ "Michael Jackson's Catalogue Garners Major New Gold & Platinum Awards". RIAA. August 23, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
- ^ Appel, Rich (October 30, 2014). "Revisionist History, Part 3: Michael Jackson Gets Revenge on Prince! Year-End Hits of the Past, Re-Analyzed". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
- ^ "Michael Jackson Scores Three No. 1 Hits On The Billboard Charts This Week". Forbes. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ Lasimone, Ashley (October 28, 2009). "Clash of the Cover Songs: Michael Jackson vs. Imogen Heap". Spinner.com. AOL Inc. Retrieved January 23, 2010.
- ^ Pareles, Jon (September 3, 1987). "Critic's Notebook; How Good Is Jackson's 'Bad'?". The New York Times. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Powers, Ann (February 15, 2008). "Nine reasons why Jackson masterpiece remains a 'Thriller'". SouthCoastToday.com. Dow Jones Local Media Group. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
- ^ Comstock, Miriam Marcus and Courtney. "Thriller Chiller For Jackson". Forbes. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
- ^ Kent, David (2003). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Michael Jackson – Thriller" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
- ^ "Top Singles – Volume 40, No. 1, March 10, 1984". RPM. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
- ^ a b Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Michael Jackson". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 113. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
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And the Single (Thriller) with 9 million sales has earned more than 15 awards
- Bibliography
- Brooks, Darren (2002). Michael Jackson: An Exceptional Journey. Chrome Dreams. ISBN 1-84240-178-5.
- George, Nelson (2004). Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection (booklet). Sony BMG.
- Grant, Adrian (2009). Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1-84938-261-8.
- Jones, Jel (2005). Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Big Picture: the Music! the Man! the Legend! the Interviews!. Amber Books Publishing. ISBN 0-9749779-0-X.
- Taraborrelli, J. Randy (2004). The Magic and the Madness. Terra Alta, WV: Headline. ISBN 0-330-42005-4.
- Halstead, Craig (2003). Michael Jackson The Solo Years. On-Line Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7552-0091-7.
- 1982 songs
- 1983 singles
- 1984 singles
- CBS Records singles
- Columbia Records singles
- Compositions with a narrator
- Epic Records singles
- Halloween songs
- Michael Jackson songs
- Number-one singles in Spain
- SNEP Top Singles number-one singles
- Song recordings produced by Quincy Jones
- Songs about monsters
- Songs written by Rod Temperton