We're Still Being Thrilled by Michael Jackson's Thriller

Do most people know that Michael Jackson's Thriller is still the world's top selling albums of all time? Well, over twenty five years later it is still selling strong. It is the first pop album to reach 100 million sales worldwide.

Released in November of 1982, Michael Jackson's Thriller, is the iconic album of 80's pop music, crowning Michael Jackson as the undisputed king of pop.

The most popular songs on this 9 track album included the top selling single "Billie Jean", "Beat It" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' and of course the title track, "Thriller". Seven of the nine tracks hit the top 10 on the Billboard music charts.

This pop album was full of substance and surprise. It departed from the post disco period of the '70 which Michael Jackson was part of, so it's safe to say that this album was not what had become expected of Jackson. The song "Beat It", with its high energy driving guitar riffs and solo had no resemblance to Jacksons previous work on Off the Wall. Also the songs message of non-violence was not a usual subject to the commercial genre of pop, and Michael Jacksons vocal style projected a tougher character, truly different from tracks of his previous album such as "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin Somethin'" gives insight into some of Michael's problems at the time with media and an alleged paternity suits. However, Thriller is the song everyone is sure to remember if not because of the music then for the theatrical video that was produced for the song. The album also had a friendly duet with ex-Beatle Paul McCartney on "TheGirl is Mine". This song was released as the first single which surely gave no indication of the other darker tracks on the album such as "Beat It", "Billie Jean" and "Thriller". This first single was also positioned to gain greater appeal for the album before jumping into some of the more personal tones of the other tracks such as the second single "Billie Jean" which sent the album sales into the stratosphere.

The strength and impact of this album on fans and the pop music world is still evident to today. Few pop artist today will exclude Michael Jackson and Thriller as influences on their careers. Further evidences of the album's strength is that the reissued album topped the charts 25 years after the initial album's release.

Michael Jackson and producer Quincy Jones also have another accomplishment with the album Thriller. The song hits and accompanying videos launched video making into a real creative art not realized beforehand. And with the help of MTV, these song videos solidified Thriller and Michael Jackson as the undisputed king of pop who has yet to be challenged to this day.

Sources:
National Public Radio
Wikipedia
Billboard Music Charts

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http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8697984&st=thriller&lp=5&type=product&cp=1&id=1834264

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