Halloween Review: Michael Jackson - Thriller
Another year, another Halloween review. Last year, I reviewed VIXX's impeccable K-Pop classic, On and On. I wondered where to go for this Halloween. While there were several underrated and underappreciated gems I wanted to highlight, there is one definitive classic that defines Halloween musically, a Halloween song that simply cannot be topped. Even had I not named it within the title, I am quite sure any reader would guess that I was referring to Michael Jackson's Thriller. Perhaps the most iconic Michael Jackson song, and one of the iconic songs of the '80s, and perhaps of all time, Thriller is an all-time classic. But to best appreciate it, it is a little helpful to understand where Michael Jackson was coming from when he wrote and released Thriller.
Despite being the best selling album of all time, it surprises me that few talk about the Thriller album as a whole. Thriller is arguably Jackson's first stint with the increasing paranoia voiced in his music. Human Nature views the world as a villain that does not let him fall in love, Billie Jean sees Jackson facing allegations that a child is his, and Beat It fights against violence envoloping the world. Even a simpler song like The Girl is Mine sees Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney aggressively fighting for an individual's love. Over years, the paranoia voiced in Michael Jackson's music would eventually evelope him, especially after he would be faced with allegations of pedophilia (which are furiously debated to this day). But back in 1982, Jackson was just a bright-faced, new kid on the block, one with lots of potential.
Thriller might be my least favorite of the three main, music video-supported singles from Thriller (the album), and one of the lesser songs on Thriller overall. This however means nothing, the other two are amongst my favorite songs of all time. In a way, Thriller's iconic-ness hurt its odds. I think by the age of five, a sizable portion of the global population can dance to Thriller by heart, and the music video is arguably the most iconic of all time. Nonetheless, it is important to note that Thriller does its homework really, really well.
How about we start with that opening? Cowbell and some haunting strumming leads towards a mysterious centerpiece, before Quincy Jones' dramatic synths signal us we are in for one of the greatest dance romps ever. And what about the repetitive funk base of the song? Name me a more iconic instrumental of the top of your head. Go on, I am waiting. But the song doesn't stop here, Jackson's opening "It's close to midnight" instantly sets the mood, and the hooks never let up from that point. Clever usage of backing vocals only improves the melody.
Given how iconic it is, Thriller's chorus arrives with no fanfare. It is almost as if Quincy Jones knew that the melody and production would alone carry this chorus across time. I love the brass and vocal choirs that assist Michael's smooth falsetto. Everything in this chorus is so iconic it is truly difficult to say anything new.
From this base, Thriller keeps evolving with minor assists. The brass is perhaps the most notable, along with the wonderful extended segment between the first chorus and the second verse. Oh, and of course, Vincent Price. Where do I even start? This cheeky segment was truly an iconic moment in popular culture. You could write an essay on it, but suffice to say Price does his part to make this song as iconic as it is.
In the end, Thriller is a wonderful song. I love the funky beat (funk of forty-thousand years indeed), and Jackson's performance is completely iconic. In a way, Thriller is the perfect Halloween song, and that is unlikely to change any time soon.
I agree. Thriller is not only best to listen to but danced to and see others dance to it. I have seen countless videos using in wedding performance as well. That said this song has reached many corner of the world?.
ReplyDeleteWell, it charted really well throughout the western world, and it is quite prominent through the rest of it too. But yeah, how can one think of Thriller without the dance!
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