StExactly 40 years have passed since the release of Michael Jackson’s sixth album of unreleased songs. On November 30, 1982, in fact, it was released in the United States and in the United Kingdom Thriller, the best-selling album in history.
Thriller: Michael Jackson’s album of records
Nine songsseven of which became singles with dizzying numbers confirmed by incredible placements in charts around the world. Thriller it’s not just a disc: it is a part of the cultural history of the world. Yes, because also thanks to this recording project Michael Jackson is now Michael Jackson. A timeless icon. That today, a thirteen years after his deathcontinues to inspire thousands of people.
The tracklist of Thriller it is a pleasure. Tracks that have been released as singles are: The Girl Is Mine, Billie Jean, Beat ItWanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, Human Nature, PYT (Pretty Young Thing) and, of course, the title track Thriller.
Speaking of the latter song, it was also what made this project unique the clip of the song. Indeed, the video of Thriller – directed by John Landis – revolutionized the concept of music video. Approaching a Hollywood production, in fact, Michael Jackson raised the video bar. Overturning the rules “in force” until then.
By choosing to publish three different versions (the integral one, from over 13 minutes, but also the 8- and 7-minute televised ones) showed that pushing the image in this way would help the project become iconic. And he was right. The video was a resounding success and even won a Grammy Award. With a film plot and a stratospheric budget (we are talking about over 500 thousand dollars), the clip made history. And he anticipated many other hyper productions.
Michael Jackson, on stage at the World Music Awards, in London on November 15, 2006. Credit: Dave Hogan/Getty Images
The most purchased record in history with 100 million copies sold
The music blockbuster that encompassed pop, rock, disco, funk and soul has sold over 100 million copies worldwide. Becoming like this the best-selling record in history.
But that’s not all. There are other figures that, thinking about it, make your head spin. The disc conquered 8 Grammy Awards and it was for 500 (five hundred!) weeks within the American record sales chart, the famous Billboard 200. Within this chart it occupied the Top 10 for the first 80 weeks of its release (37 of these at #1 and this too is a record as of yet unbroken by any other artist).
In its 112th week on the US Albums Chart became the first title ever to be certified double diamond, on October 30, 1984, for its over 20 million copies sold stateside. On February 1, 2016, exceeding 32 million copies sold in the country, it conquered the triple diamond disc (first record in the history of music to get it).
To date, Thriller – produced by Quincy Jones – it’s still the best-selling album of all time globally (estimate is over 105 million copies sold) And the best-selling studio album ever in the United States of America. The inspirations ofartist for this disc? Saturday Night Fever of the Bee Gees and Hot Spaces of Queen.
The new celebratory box set
In short: despite the accusations of pedophilia and the controversies that have always surrounded his figure, Michael Jackson remains a timeless icon.
A few days ago it came out in stores a box set to celebrate this anniversary. Michael Jackson Thriller 40indeed, it contains a double disc composed of Thriller and also from a second special album. Inside, in fact, there are songs written by King of Pop during the making of the disc and never released.
Sony Music and the Michael Jackson Estate so they decided to publish this exclusive reissue which contains audio mixes available in multiple versions at all digital stores: from 360 Reality Audio on Amazon to Spatial Audio by Apple Music. A nice way to celebrate a record that proved how far music can go. Yup, until the story changes.
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