15 Trivia Facts About Michael Jackson’s Thriller
It’s almost impossible to find a music lover who doesn’t know Michael Jackson. One of his most applauded projects is the 1982 album Thriller, known for its iconic horror music video. While you may know much about it, there are still surprising facts to discover. Here are 15 trivia points about Thriller.
It’s the Best-Selling Album of All Time
Thriller first hit the best-selling album of all time status in 1983—roughly after its release. Today, it still sits in that position with over 70 million copies sold, which is about 20 million copies more than its closest contender, Back in Black by AC/DC.
“Thriller” Almost Had a Different Name
The song “Thriller” would have been named “Starlight” or “Midnight Man”. These were titles the writer of the song had considered before they went for Thriller. The songwriter wanted something mysterious, and Thriller, even though it first seemed like a bad idea, became the title.
Eddie Van Halen’s Iconic Guitar Solo Was Free
Remember the electrifying solo guitar on Beat It? Definitely one of the album’s peak moments. Well, he did it without asking for a fee. He played the solo, unsure of how Jackson would react to it, and when Jackson heard it, he thanked Halen for improving the song.
A Record-Setting Grammy Haul
In 1984, Michael Jackson set a record by winning eight Grammys in one night. All the awards were tied to the Thriller album. Among the categories it won were Album of the Year, Record of the Year (Beat It), and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male.
Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson’s First Collaboration
The first single from Thriller is “The Girl Is Mine,” marking Michael Jackson’s first collaboration with Paul McCartney. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the song became a hit. It reached Billboard Hot 100 in the US and secured the number 8 spot on the UK Singles Chart.
Quincy Jones Didn’t Want “Billie Jean” Intro
Billie Jean may have lost its 29-second intro if Jackson hadn’t fought to keep it there. The lead producer, Quincy Jones, preferred the song without it but agreed to leave it because of Michael Jackson’s claim that it made him want to dance.
A Groundbreaking Music Video Budget
The video for “Thriller” cost $500,000 to produce. Today, we have music videos costing millions of dollars, but before Thriller, no other music video had cost up to that amount. The music video for Thriller was not just another promo tool; its choreography, storytelling, and special effects set it apart.
A Horror Legend Directed the Music Video
Michael Jackson wanted to make a short horror film out of Thriller, and he reached out to the legendary horror director John Landis. This director was definitely a good choice, especially with the fact that his movie “An American Werewolf in London” left a mark on the horror movie industry.
The Introduction of Michael Jackson’s “Moonwalk”
The moonwalk became Michael Jackson’s signature move after he performed it to Billie Jean, a hit from the album. Jackson’s first performance of the dance happened on “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” on the 25th day of March in 1983. The TV show helped the dance gain more popularity.
Vincent Price’s Voiceover
While composing the song Thriller, it was decided that there should be a spoken part. The actor who was selected for the job was the late Vincent Price, who was a known name in the horror movie industry. His part was probably the last to be written, and it was done on recording day.
Thriller Jacket Fashion Trend
Thriller also shook the world of fashion. Jackson’s red jacket became such a fad that countless people in the 80s tried to copy it, and counterfeits hit the market. It was designed by Deborah Landis, who is the wife of the music video director, John Landis.
Thriller Was Added to the National Film Registry
The National Film Registry is curated by the Library of Congress and is made up of works that are considered “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” In 2009, the Thriller music video was added to this list. It became the first music video to achieve this feat.
Seven Top 10 Hits
Another record the album broke was having the most top ten hits. Seven of the 9 songs on the album made it to the top ten spots of the Billboard Hot 100. Among them are Billie Jean and Beat It, which made it to the number one spot.
Thriller’s Enduring Legacy
For 37 weeks, Thriller by Michael Jackson ruled the Billboard 200. The album has spent over 600 weeks on the charts, proving just how timeless it is. The groundbreaking music and unforgettable music video still grab attention and keep fans hooked all around the world.
Michael Jackson Wrote Four Songs on the Album
Quincy Jones was the lead producer for all songs on the Thriller album, but Michael Jackson has production credits for four songs that he also wrote. These songs are Billie Jean, Beat It, The Girl Is Mine and Wanna Be Startin’ Something’.
