Michael Jackson, Thriller | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 160th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Thriller” by the late, great King of Pop, Michael Jackson.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 160^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Thriller” performed by Michael Jackson.

“It’s close to midnight / And something evil’s lurking in the dark.” Oh, snap! Michael Jackson, the late, great King of Pop, had 30 top 10 hits during his lifetime. One of his biggest NOT to reach no. 1 on the pop charts was “Thriller”.  “Thiller” marked the seventh (!) single from the biggest album of Jackson’s career, Thriller, released in 1982.  “Thriller” the song wasn’t released as a single until November 1983. It didn’t reach its peak, no. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, until March 1984. Since its release, “Thriller” has been certified diamond by the RIAA.  Beyond a marvelous pop song penned by the prolific English songwriter, Rod Temperton, and produced by the legendary Quincy Jones, “Thriller” spawned a historically important music video. “Thriller” is nothing short of a thrilling song and the most impressive seventh single you’ll ever hear!

“Thriller” is north of four decades old, which is hard to believe 🤯.  Despite this, the song feels as F-R-E-S-H as the day it was released.  The musical accompaniment and production are top-notch. What makes the music sweet in an occult way? It’s the percussive groove, the sound effects, the synths, the winds and horns, the active bass line, and the guitar riffs that play a crucial role in the song’s success.  The instrumental fuels MJ’s fire.  He sings the rhythmic melody in a breathy, enigmatic way (“You hear the door slam / And realize there’s nowhere left to run / You feel the cold hand / And wonder if you’ll ever see the sun”). Eventually, he shows off his formidable, dynamic pipes during the song’s crowning achievement, the chorus:

“‘Cause this is thriller, thriller night

And no one’s gonna save you

From the beast about to strike

You know it’s thriller, thriller night

You’re fighting for your life inside a killer

Thriller tonight.”

Jackson’s artistry is on full display, selling this Grammy-winning pop cut (Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male) like a champ. Besides three verses and a memorable chorus, the bridge distinguishes itself. Speaking of distinguishing itself, what about that expensive, legendary music video? Specifically, what about the iconic dance? “Thriller” is one of MJ’s most memorable songs – a big reason why Thriller (the album) was the sugar honey iced tea.

Michael Jackson // Thriller // MJJ Productions // 1982

Michael Jackson, Thriller: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 160 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; MJJ Productions; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]