'Thriller' turns 25
When you're growing up in the 80s, there are some things you feel you can imagine happening in the future. Flying cars. Colonies on Mars. The Cubs in the World Series. Concert tickets costing hundreds of dollars. (Sadly, only the last one is true.)
But yet it feels entirely surreal to think that TODAY marks the 25th anniversary of the release of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album. Wasn't it just yesterday I was trying to moonwalk in my Converse high-tops? (Yeah, I know NOW that you need a smooth sole.)
The album's stats are eye-popping. More than 100-million in worldwide sales. Seven top-10 singles. Eight Grammy awards. And it all happened while M.J. was still on his first nose-job. Staggering!
To celebrate, download our Thriller podcast -- one of the Stuck in the 80s episodes that we still consider to be our best work. In it, you'll hear the Vincent Price's previously unreleased second stanza of the "Thriller" poem, Quincy Jones' amazing story about getting Eddie Van Halen to play on "Beat It" ... and Sean Daly's first reference to my "hairy knuckle pursuits" of young ladies.
Click here to listen. Or click here to get all our podcasts for free via iTunes.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
Ah yes and "Human Nature" has all new meaning when I hear it thanks to this podcast.
I agree it's a great podcast. I've listened to it more than a couple of times.
Posted by: Marissa | December 01, 2007 at 09:06 PM
If I could go back in time and talk to the 1982 version of me, I'm not sure which 2007 fact I would have a harder time buying: That Arnold would be Governor of California, or that Michael Jackson would be a white woman.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | December 02, 2007 at 12:11 AM
I used to enjoy the "what's the greatest pop album of all time" conversations until I realized that trotting out "Thriller" was like bringing a tactical nuke to a knife fight.
Could an album like this be made today? With seven top ten singles? Somehow I doubt it.
Posted by: Brad | December 02, 2007 at 02:31 AM
People give all the credit to MJ, but leave out the influence of Quincy Jones. You'll notice Michel's career took a nose dive when he started producing his own work. (For the record, Jones produced Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad). I've got no problem with MJ because I'm able to seperate the music from the man. Try to put on Wanna Be Startin Somethin without dancing - can't be done without sedatives!
Posted by: Big Tex | December 02, 2007 at 11:34 AM
I remember going to Caldor and buying this cassette tape! What a masterpiece!!!
Posted by: Spiky Sandy | December 02, 2007 at 03:43 PM
Jeff in Cuba, how about the fact that Prince now contributes songs to films like "Happy Feet" and Michael is now...well, you know.
Posted by: Clark | December 03, 2007 at 10:20 AM