Thriller (song)

File:Vincent Price in House on Haunted Hill (cropped).jpg provided the spoken-word sequence around the mid-point of the song "Thriller".]]

"Thriller" is a disco-funk song.{{cite book |last=Jones |first=Jel D. Lewis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LuEPnk7irOMC&q=%22thriller%22+funk+disco |title=Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Big Picture – The Music! The Man! The Legend! The Interviews: An Anthology |publisher=Amber Books Publishing |year=2005 |isbn=0-9749779-0-X |page=6 |access-date=July 22, 2010}} It was written by the English songwriter Rod Temperton, who had previously written "Rock with You" and "Off the Wall" for Jackson's 1979 album Off the Wall.{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=2016-10-05 |title=Rod Temperton, 'Thriller' songwriter, dead at 66 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rod-temperton-thriller-songwriter-dead-at-66-116248/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} Temperton wanted to write something theatrical to suit Jackson's love of film.{{Cite news |date=2012-10-31 |title=Revealed: the story behind Jacko's Thriller |language=en-US |work=M magazine |url=https://www.m-magazine.co.uk/features/the-story-of-thriller/ |url-status=dead |access-date=2018-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103125222/http://www.m-magazine.co.uk/features/the-story-of-thriller/ |archive-date=3 November 2012}} He improvised with bass and drum patterns until he developed the bassline that runs through the song, then wrote a chord progression that built to a climax. He recalled: "I wanted it to build and build–a bit like stretching an elastic band throughout the tune to heighten suspense." "Thriller" is written in the key of C♯ (musical note) dorian.

Temperton's first version was titled "Starlight", with the chorus lyric: "Give me some starlight / Starlight sun".{{cite web |url=http://www.aolradioblog.com/2009/09/25/top-1984-songs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927204804/http://www.aolradioblog.com/2009/09/25/top-1984-songs/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 27, 2009 |title=Top 1984 Songs |first=Eliot |last=Glazer |work=AOLRadioBlog.com |publisher=AOL Inc |date=September 25, 2009 |access-date=January 24, 2010}} The production team, led by Quincy Jones, felt the song should be the title track, but that "Starlight" was not a strong album title. Instead, they wanted something "mysterious" to match Jackson's "evolving persona". Temperton considered several titles, including "Midnight Man", which Jones felt was "going in the right direction". Finally, he conceived "Thriller", but worried that it was "a crap word to sing ... It sounded terrible! However, we got Michael to spit it into the microphone a few times and it worked."

With the title decided, Temperton wrote lyrics within "a couple of hours". The intro features sound effects such as a creaking door, thunder, footsteps, winds and howling wolves. For the ending, Temperton envisioned a spoken-word sequence, but did not know what form it should take. It was decided to have a famous voice from the horror genre perform it, and Jones' then-wife, Peggy Lipton, suggested her friend Vincent Price.{{cite web |first=Peter |last=Lyle |date=November 25, 2007 |title=Michael Jackson's monster smash |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3669538/Michael-Jacksons-monster-smash.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3669538/Michael-Jacksons-monster-smash.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |access-date=January 24, 2010 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}{{cbignore}} Temperton composed the words for Price's part in a taxi on the way to the studio on the day of recording.

File:Quincy Jones 2008.jpg

Along with the rest of the album, "Thriller" was recorded over eight weeks in 1982.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/02/07/quincy-jones-thriller/ |title=Quincy Jones' 'Thriller' Memories |first=Simon |last=Vozick-Levinson |magazine=EW.com |date=February 18, 2008 |access-date=January 24, 2010}} It was recorded at Westlake Recording Studios on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. The engineer Bruce Swedien had Jackson record his vocals in different approaches, doubling takes and recording at different distances from the microphone. Some background vocals were recorded in the studio's shower stall.

The bassline was performed on a Roland Jupiter-8, not an ARP 2600 as claimed by Anthony Marinelli in various interviews. In addition: the "Shooting Star" and theremin sounds were created on an ARP 2600, the synth marimba was performed on a Roland Jupiter-4, the "Froggie" was performed on a Casio keyboard, the pipe organ was performed on a Synclavier, and the Bass Sweep in the bridge was performed on a Minimoog Model D. {{Cite web |title=Mix Magazine – November 2008 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Mix-Magazine/00s/2008/Mix-2008-11.pdf |website=World Radio History |access-date=2025-03-28}} The verse pads were performed on a Roland Jupiter-8 layered with a Prophet 5.{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Dan |date=2022-11-30 |title=The synth sounds of Michael Jackson's Thriller (and how to recreate them in your DAW) |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/thriller-synth-sounds |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}} The percussion was created with a LM-1 drum machine synced with a TR-808 using a prototype Garfield Electronics Doctor Click. This was the first time multiple drum machines were synced together in recorded music.https://gearspace.com/board/attachments/electronic-music-instruments-and-electronic-music-production/1136530d1732796884-thriller-bass-jupiter-8-not-arp-2600-a-img_1213.jpeg "Thriller" also features Rhodes piano performed by Greg Phillinganes and guitar performed by David Williams.{{Cite web |last=Rogerson |first=Ben |date=2023-02-10 |title=Watch Greg Phillinganes recreate Michael Jackson's Thriller using the original synths |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/thriller-synths-recreated-greg-phillinganes |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=MusicRadar |language=en}} Horns were arranged by Jerry Hey and performed by Jerry Hey, Gary Grant, Larry Williams, and Bill Reichenbach Jr..

To record the wolf howls, Swedien set up tape recorders up around his Great Dane in a barn overnight, but the dog never howled. Instead, Jackson recorded the howls himself.{{Cite news|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/the-making-of-michael-jacksons-thriller-222109|title=The making of Michael Jackson's Thriller|work=MusicRadar|access-date=2018-10-25|language=EN-GB}} For the creaking doors, Swedien rented doors designed for sound effects from the Universal Studios Lot and recorded the hinges. Vincent Price recorded his part in three takes; Jones, acknowledging that doing a voice-over for a song is difficult, praised Price and described his takes as "fabulous".

The album Thriller was released in November 1982 on Epic Records and spent months at the top of the Billboard 200. "Thriller" was not initially planned for release as a single, as Epic saw it as a novelty song.{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Aja|date=2018-10-31|title=Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is the eternal Halloween bop — and so much more|url=https://www.vox.com/2018/10/31/18046940/michael-jackson-thriller-facts-trivia-making-of-john-landis|access-date=2021-10-25|website=Vox|language=en}} The Epic executive Walter Yetnikoff asked: "Who wants a single about monsters?"{{cite news|last=Griffin|first=Nancy|date=July 2010|title=The "Thriller" Diaries|magazine=Vanity Fair|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2010/07/michael-jackson-thriller-201007?printable=true¤tPage=2|access-date=2011-01-02}}

By mid-1983, sales of the album had begun to decline. Jackson, who was "obsessive" about his sales figures, urged Yetnikoff and another Epic executive, Larry Stessel, to help conceive a plan to return the album to the top of the charts. Jackson's manager Frank DiLeo suggested releasing "Thriller", backed by a new music video.{{cite book|last=Eagan|first=Daniel|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g_moAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA175|title=America's Film Legacy, 2009–2010: A Viewer's Guide to the 50 Landmark Movies Added To The National Film Registry in 2009–10|date=November 24, 2011|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-4411-9328-5|pages=175|access-date=May 14, 2016}} It was the final single from the album, released in the US in January 1984. Alternative versions of "Thriller", including the "Starlight" demo, were released on the 2022 anniversary reissue Thriller 40.{{cite web | url=https://www.bet.com/article/3igvw7/thriller40-cultural-critics-celebrate-michael-jacksons-impact | title=#Thriller40: Cultural Critics Celebrate Michael Jackson's Impact | publisher=BET|author=Miles Marshall Lewis|date=2022-11-30 }} The 2025 song "Wake Me Up" by the Canadian singer the Weeknd and French electronic duo Justice contains an interpolation of "Thriller".{{Cite news |last1=Harmsen |first1=Jesse |last2=Kinos-Goodin |first2=Jesse |last3=Lau |first3=Melody |date=January 31, 2025 |title=5 takeaways from the Weeknd's new album, Hurry Up Tomorrow |url=https://www.cbc.ca/music/the-weeknd-hurry-up-tomorrow-takeaways-david-lynch-michael-jackson-lana-del-rey-1.7447150 |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=CBC.ca}}{{Cite magazine |last1=Lamarre |first1=Carl |last2=Saponara |first2=Michael |date=January 31, 2025 |title=Every Song From The Weeknd's 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' Album Ranked: Critic's Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/the-weeknd-hurry-up-tomorrow-album-song-rankings/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

{{Main|Michael Jackson's Thriller (music video)}}

The music video for "Thriller" references numerous horror films, and stars Jackson performing a dance routine with a horde of the undead. It was directed by the horror director John Landis and written by Landis and Jackson. Jackson contacted Landis after seeing the director's film, An American Werewolf in London. The pair conceived a 13-minute short film with a budget much larger than previous music videos. Jackson's record company refused to finance it, believing Thriller had peaked, so a making-of documentary, Making Michael Jackson's Thriller, was produced to receive financing from television networks.

Michael Jackson's Thriller premiered on MTV on December 2, 1983.{{cite magazine |last=Richin |first=Leslie |date=December 2, 2014 |title=On This Day In 1983, Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Premiered On MTV |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6334779/michael-jackson-thriller-premiere-mtv-anniversary |magazine=Billboard}} It was launched to great anticipation and played regularly on MTV. It doubled sales of Thriller, and the documentary sold over a million copies, becoming the best-selling videotape at the time. It is credited for transforming music videos into a serious art form, breaking down racial barriers in popular entertainment, and popularizing the making-of documentary format.{{Cite web|last=Hebblethwaite|first=Phil|date=2013-11-21|title=How Michael Jackson's Thriller changed music videos for ever|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/nov/21/michael-jackson-thriller-changed-music-videos|access-date=2018-10-29|website=The Guardian|language=en}}

Many elements have had a lasting impact on popular culture, such as the zombie dance and Jackson's red jacket, designed by Landis' wife Deborah Nadoolman. The zombie dance, choreographed by Michael Peters for the music video, is re-enacted worldwide by fans and remains popular on YouTube. The Library of Congress described it as "the most famous music video of all time". In 2009, it became the first music video inducted into the National Film Registry as "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant. In September 2024, Michael Jackson's Thriller became the fourth Jackson video to reach one billion YouTube views.{{Cite magazine |last=Dailey |first=Hannah |date=2024-09-19 |title=Michael Jackson's iconic 'Thriller' music video surpasses a billion views on YouTube |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/michael-jackson-thriller-music-video-youtube-billion-views-1235779608/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240919185950/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/michael-jackson-thriller-music-video-youtube-billion-views-1235779608/ |archive-date=2024-09-19 |access-date=2024-09-19 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

"Thriller" entered the Billboard Hot 100 charts at number 20.{{cite magazine|title=Week of February 11, 1984|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1984-02-11|access-date=October 10, 2015|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc}} It reached number seven the following week,{{cite magazine|title=Week of February 18, 1984|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1984-02-18|access-date=October 10, 2015|magazine=Billboard|date=January 2, 2013|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc}} number five the next, and peaked the next week at number four, where it stayed for two weeks.{{cite magazine|title=Week of March 3, 1984|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1984-03-03|access-date=October 10, 2015|magazine=Billboard|date=January 2, 2013|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc}}{{cite magazine|title=Week of March 10, 1984|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1984-03-10|access-date=October 10, 2015|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc}} It finished as the #78 single on Billboard's Hot 100 for the 1984.{{cite magazine|url=http://billboardtop100of.com/1984-2/|title=Billboard Top 100 – 1984|magazine=billboard|access-date=March 29, 2020}}

"Thriller" charted at number 19 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart.{{cite magazine|title=Week of March 3, 1984|url=https://www.billboard.com/#/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs?chartDate=1984-03-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100121190433/http://www.billboard.com/|archive-date=January 21, 2010|access-date=January 23, 2010|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc}} On March 10, 1984, it reached its peak at number 3.{{cite magazine|title=Week of March 10, 1984|url=https://www.billboard.com/#/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs?chartDate=1984-03-10|access-date=January 23, 2010|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc}} "Thriller" debuted on the UK Singles Chart on November 19, 1983, at number 24, and the following week peaked at number ten; it appeared on the chart for 52 weeks.{{cite web|title=Michael Jackson|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/michael%20jackson/|access-date=October 10, 2015|publisher=Official Charts Company}} Beginning on February 5, 1984, "Thriller" peaked on the French Singles Chart at number one and topped the chart for four consecutive weeks.{{cite web|title=Toutes les Chansons N° 1 des Années 80|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/Number1_80.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120112709/http://www.infodisc.fr/Number1_80.php|archive-date=November 20, 2012|access-date=January 23, 2010|work=Infodisc.fr|publisher=Dominic Durand / InfoDisc}} "Thriller" also topped the Belgian VRT Top 30 Chart for two weeks in January 1984.{{cite web|title=Michael Jackson – Thriller|url=http://top30-2.radio2.be/#/song-info/5161|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222214652/http://top30-2.radio2.be/|archive-date=February 22, 2012|access-date=January 24, 2010|work=Top30-3.radio2.be|publisher=VRT – Auguste Reyerslaan|language=nl}}

Following Jackson's death in 2009, his music surged in popularity.{{cite magazine |author=Ed Christman, Antony Bruno |date=July 2, 2009 |title=Michael Jackson Music Sales Surge Could Last For Months |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268217/michael-jackson-music-sales-surge-could-last-for-months |access-date=January 23, 2010 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc}} In the week of his death, "Thriller" was Jackson's best-selling track in the US, with sales of 167,000 copies on the Billboard Hot Digital Singles Chart. On July 11, 2009, "Thriller" charted on the Billboard Hot Digital Singles Chart at number two (its peak), and the song remained in the charts' top ten for three consecutive weeks.{{cite magazine |title=July 11, 2009 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2009-07-11/digital-songs |access-date=January 23, 2010 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media}} In the United Kingdom, the song charted at number 23 the week of Jackson's death.{{cite web|title=Chart For Week Up To 04/07/2009|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/|access-date=January 23, 2010|publisher=Official Charts Company}} The following week, the song reached its peak at number 12 on the UK Single Chart. On July 12, 2009, "Thriller" peaked at number two on the Italian Singles Chart{{cite web|title=Thriller in Italian Chart|url=http://italiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Thriller&cat=s|access-date=June 21, 2013|publisher=Hung Medien}} and was later certified gold by the Federation of the Italian Music Industry.{{cite web|title=Certificazioni Download FIMI|url=http://www.fimi.it/temp/cert_GFK_download_502011.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605021629/http://www.fimi.it/temp/cert_GFK_download_502011.pdf|archive-date=June 5, 2012|access-date=January 2, 2012|publisher=Federation of the Italian Music Industry|language=it}} "Thriller" reached at number three on the Australian ARIA Chart and Swiss Singles Chart and topped the Spanish Singles Charts for one week.{{cite web|title=Michael Jackson – Thriller – Music Charts|url=http://acharts.us/song/7886|access-date=January 23, 2010|work=Acharts.us}} The song also placed within the top ten on the German Singles Chart, Norwegian Singles Chart and Irish Singles Chart, at number nine, number seven and number eight respectively. "Thriller" also landed at number 25 on the Danish Singles Chart.{{cite web|title=Track Top 40 – July 10, 2009|url=http://www.hitlisterne.dk/tracklisten.asp?w=27&y=2009&list=t40|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930065038/http://www.hitlisterne.dk/tracklisten.asp?w=27&y=2009&list=t40|archive-date=September 30, 2011|access-date=January 23, 2010|work=Hitlisterne.dk|publisher=IFPI Danmark & Nielsen Music Control.}} In the third week of July "Thriller" peaked at number 11 in Finland.{{cite web|title=Thriller in Finnish Chart|url=http://finnishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Thriller&cat=s|access-date=2010-01-23 |publisher=Hung Medien}}

"Thriller" has returned to the Billboard Hot 100 chart multiple times due to its popularity around Halloween. It re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2013 at number 42,{{cite magazine|title=Eminem Debuts at No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart; Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Returns|magazine=Billboard|date=November 8, 2013|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/5785551/eminem-debuts-at-no-1-on-hot-rbhip-hop-songs-chart-michael|access-date=October 2, 2016}} number 31 in November 2018,{{Cite news|title=Top 100 Songs {{!}} Billboard Hot 100 Chart|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100|access-date=2018-11-11}} and number 19 in November 2021, its highest placement since 1984.{{Cite news|title=Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Leads Halloween Treats on Billboard Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9657016/michael-jackson-thriller-halloween-billboard-hot-100|access-date=2021-11-09}} This gave Jackson at least one top-20 hit across seven consecutive decades from 1969 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Thriller" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on December 4, 1989, for sales of over one million physical units in the US{{Certification Cite Ref|region = United States|type = single|title = Thriller|artist = Michael Jackson}}{{cite web|date=October 26, 1999|title=Rock Music, etc., Terms|url=http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/burnette/Mus570d/terms.htm|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518145136/http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/music/burnette/Mus570d/terms.htm |archive-date=May 18, 2011|access-date=January 8, 2010|work=Georgetown College}} As of August 2016, the song had sold 4,024,398 copies in the US.{{cite web|date=November 13, 2016|title=Hip Hop Single Sales: The Weeknd, Zay Hilfigerrr & Drake|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.41249/title.hip-hop-single-sales-the-weeknd-zay-hilfigerrr-drake|access-date=November 14, 2016|website=Hip Hop DX}} The song was later certified Diamond by RIAA for sales over 10 million equivalent-units.{{Cite web|date=2018-08-23|title=Michael Jackson's Catalogue Garners Major New Gold & Platinum Awards|url=https://www.riaa.com/michael-jacksons-catalogue-garners-major-new-gold-platinum-awards/|access-date=2018-12-21|website=RIAA|language=en-US}}{{cite magazine|last=Appel|first=Rich|date=October 30, 2014|title=Revisionist History, Part 3: Michael Jackson Gets Revenge on Prince! Year-End Hits of the Past, Re-Analyzed|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6296796/revisionist-history-hot-100-michael-jackson-vs-prince-paul-simon-free-chili-peppers|access-date=October 30, 2014|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media}} "Thriller" reached number one on three different Billboard charts the week of November 8, 2023, more than a decade after Jackson's death. Those charts included: R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs, R&B Streaming Songs and R&B Digital Song Sales charts.{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/11/08/michael-jackson-scores-three-no-1-hits-on-the-billboard-charts-this-week/?sh=49057613492c|title=Michael Jackson Scores Three No. 1 Hits On The Billboard Charts This Week|work=Forbes|access-date=November 10, 2023}}

Ashley Lasimone, of AOL's Spinner.com, noted that it "became a signature for Jackson" and described "the groove of its bassline, paired with Michael's killer vocals and sleek moves" as having "produced a frighteningly great single."{{cite web|first=Ashley|last=Lasimone|date=October 28, 2009|title=Clash of the Cover Songs: Michael Jackson vs. Imogen Heap|url=http://www.spinner.com/2009/10/28/clash-of-the-cover-songs-michael-jackson-vs-imogen-heap/|access-date=January 23, 2010|work=Spinner.com|publisher=AOL Inc|archive-date=September 13, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913183951/http://www.spinner.com/2009/10/28/clash-of-the-cover-songs-michael-jackson-vs-imogen-heap/|url-status=dead}} Jon Pareles of The New York Times noted that "'Billie Jean', 'Beat It', 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' ' and "the movie in the song 'Thriller'", were the songs, unlike the "fluff" "P.Y.T.", that were "the hits that made Thriller a world-beater; along with Mr. Jackson's stage and video presence, listeners must have identified with his willingness to admit terror."{{cite news|first=Jon|last=Pareles|date=September 3, 1987|title=Critic's Notebook; How Good Is Jackson's 'Bad'?|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/03/arts/critic-s-notebook-how-good-is-jackson-s-bad.html?n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fJ%2fJackson%2c%20Michael|access-date=January 25, 2010}} Ann Powers of the Los Angeles Times described "Thriller" as "adequately groovy" with a "funked-out beat" and lyrics "seemingly lifted from some little kid's 'scary storybook'".{{cite web|first=Ann|last=Powers|date=February 15, 2008|title=Nine reasons why Jackson masterpiece remains a 'Thriller'|url=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080215/LIFE/802150316|access-date=February 6, 2010|work=SouthCoastToday.com|publisher=Dow Jones Local Media Group|archive-date=June 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606220310/https://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article/?AID=%2F20080215%2FLIFE%2F802150316|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|last=Comstock|first=Miriam Marcus and Courtney|title=Thriller Chiller For Jackson|url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/01/30/landis-jackson-thriller-face-markets-0128_autofacescan01.html|access-date=2019-11-04|website=Forbes|language=en}}

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• Written and composed by Rod Temperton

Musicians

• Michael Jackson: lead and background vocals
• Vincent Price: Spoken vocals
• Rod Temperton and Brian Banks: synthesizers
• Greg Phillinganes: synthesizers, Rhodes piano
• David Williams: guitar
• Jerry Hey, Gary Grant: trumpets, flugelhorns
• Larry Williams: saxophone, flute
• Bill Reichenbach: trombone
• Michael Boddicker (uncredited): synthesizers and drum machine
• Leon "Ndugu" Chancler (uncredited): drums

Technical team

• Produced by Quincy Jones
• Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien
• Vocal, rhythm and synthesizer arrangement by Rod Temperton
• Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey
• Effects by Bruce Cannon and Bruce Swedien
• Synthesizer programming by Anthony Marinelli

Allard, François., Lecocq, Richard. Michael Jackson: All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. United Kingdom: Octopus, 2018.

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Thriller"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|title=Thriller|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Platinum|number=6|certyear=2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|title=Thriller|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Platinum|number=6|relyear=1983|certyear=2024|access-date=April 23, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|title=Thriller|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Platinum|certyear=2023|id=12611|access-date=July 2, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|title=Thriller|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Platinum|relyear=1983|certyear=1984|source=infodisc|accessdate=November 28, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Thriller|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1983|certyear=2023|access-date=February 18, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|title=Thriller|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Platinum|relyear=2004|certyear=2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=single|title=Thriller|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Platinum+Gold|number=4|certyear=2022|relyear=1983|access-date=November 28, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Thriller|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1983|access-date=December 16, 2024|certyear=2023|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|type=single|title=Thriller|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Gold|certyear=2024|relyear=1983|id=file_2024-11-08-12-40-29.pdf|refname=Portugal}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|title=Thriller|artist=Michael Jackson|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1983|certyear=2024|access-date=July 24, 2024|refname=SPAIN}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|title=Thriller|artist=Michael Jackson|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1983|certyear=2010|certweek=42|access-date=July 25, 2024|refname=SPAIN1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|title=Thriller|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2023|relyear=2004|id=7588-168-1|note=Digital sales since 2004|access-date=March 17, 2023|refname=BPI}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|title=Thriller|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Gold|certyear=2014|relyear=1983|note=other release|id=7588-2659-1|access-date=March 17, 2023|refname=BPI1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United States|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Thriller|award=Diamond|relyear=1984|certyear=2022|refname=RIAA|accessdate=August 29, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Separator|title=Ringtone}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=ringtone|title=Thriller|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Platinum|relyear=2004|certyear=2009|certmonth=11|note=Full-length ringtone|access-date=December 30, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=ringtone|region=United States|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Thriller|award=Gold|note=Mastertone|relyear=2003|certyear=2009|refname=RIAA1}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|type=Physical single|award=9 Million|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Thriller|nocert=true|salesamount=9,000,000|note=Physical / Pure Sales|salesref={{cite book|first= Robert |last= Johnson |year= 1984 |title=His Album Thriller sets Guinness World Record |publisher= Ebony | page= 164 |issn= 0012-9011 |quote= And the Single (Thriller) with 9 million sales has earned more than 15 awards }}}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}

• List of best-selling singles
• List of highest-certified digital singles in the United States
• List of most expensive music videos
• Michael Jackson's Thriller
• Thriller (viral video)
• Thrill the World

{{Reflist}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{cite book|last=Brooks|first=Darren|title=Michael Jackson: An Exceptional Journey|publisher=Chrome Dreams|year=2002|isbn=1-84240-178-5}}
• {{cite AV media notes|author-link=Nelson George|last=George|first=Nelson|year=2004|title=Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection|type=booklet|publisher=Sony BMG}}
• {{cite book|last=Grant|first=Adrian|title=Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary|publisher=Omnibus Press|year=2009|isbn=978-1-84938-261-8}}
• {{cite book|last=Jones|first=Jel |title=Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Big Picture: the Music! the Man! the Legend! the Interviews! |year = 2005 |publisher=Amber Books Publishing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LuEPnk7irOMC&q=Michael%20Jackson%2C%20the%20King%20of%20Pop%3A%20The%20Big%20Picture%3A&pg=PP1|isbn=0-9749779-0-X}}
• {{cite book|last=Taraborrelli|first=J. Randy|author-link=J. Randy Taraborrelli|title=The Magic and the Madness|year=2004|publisher=Headline|location=Terra Alta, WV|isbn=0-330-42005-4}}
• {{cite book|last=Halstead|first=Craig|author-link=J. Randy Taraborrelli|title=Michael Jackson The Solo Years|year=2003|publisher=On-Line Ltd|isbn=978-0-7552-0091-7}}

{{Refend}}

{{Thriller (album)}}

{{Michael Jackson songs}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1982 songs

Category:1983 singles

Category:1984 singles

Category:CBS Records singles

Category:Columbia Records singles

Category:Compositions with a narrator

Category:Epic Records singles

Category:Halloween songs

Category:Michael Jackson songs

Category:Number-one singles in Spain

Category:SNEP Top Singles number-one singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Quincy Jones

Category:Songs about monsters

Category:Songs written by Rod Temperton