Scott BresslerCharles Barkley is famous for saying, “I am not a role model,” but Michael Jackson has really taken that phrase to new heights, or depths. He has seemingly no concern for how he is perceived by the press, whether he is being charged for sexual misconduct with minors, waving around his baby over a balcony or converting his face from that of an attractive black boy/man to that of a surprised alienoid. That said, Michael Jackson made music history over and over again and will forever be remembered for his fantastic pop music.
This week, we’re taking pause to look specifically at Michael’s biggest hit “Thriller.” Released on Nov. 30, 1982, “Thriller” was Michael’s sixth solo album and the follow-up to his career-making smash “Off the Wall.” With 104 million sales to date, “Thriller” is the best-selling album ever. It was ranked third on the 2007 National Association of Recording Merchandisers/Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “Definitive 200” albums list.
“Thriller” is one of only three albums to remain in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 for a full year and the first of only three albums to have seven Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles. Even more impressively, it is the only album to date to be a best-seller for two years (1983 and 1984) in the United States.
Enough with statistics though; Michael Jackson had even more of a cultural impact. At the album’s release, MTV was still just a baby. Jackson’s first video from “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” was promptly refused by MTV, which rarely aired videos by black performers. When CBS Records President Walter Yetnikoff heard this, he threatened that he’d be, “pulling everything off the air, all [their] product” if MTV continued this practice.
This was enough to turn MTV’s act around, and they started giving “Billie Jean” heavy coverage. When the 14-minute long “Thriller” video came out, it was running as often as twice an hour at its height. Videos from “Thriller” put MTV on the map and thus MTV shifted its musical focus as time went on, going from rock videos to more pop and R&B acts. MTV found, as so many do, that not being blatantly racist can also be financially profitable.
The 14-minute “Thriller” music video was revolutionary as well. It was the first popular video ever to be significantly longer than the song itself. This trend has continued today, with most recent wide success attained by 30 Seconds to Mars’ video for “From Yesterday.” Additionally, it started the motif of having the artist dancing during a video with an entourage of other no-name, good-looking dancers following suit behind.
This week, Thriller’s legacy started a new chapter with the release of a 25th Anniversary Edition. This new edition features the original tracks, a voice-over session by Vincent Price, a previously unreleased “Thriller”-era track and remixes that feature Will.i.am, Kanye West, Fergie and Akon.
After extensive listening, it is safe to say that Michael Jackson’s original conception of the album is as fantastic as ever. However, the added material is a more interesting sidebar than it is great pop.
Will.i.am’s remix of “The Girl is Mine” is likely the best of the remixes. Fergie ruins “Beat It” as her vocals are significantly worse than Michael’s. Kanye West does some good work on “Billie Jean” that will definitely appeal to his fans but likely not Michael’s. Finally, Akon proves how incredible he is at making even other artists’ songs sound exactly like every song he’s ever produced. I don’t understand how he sounds the same on literally every song.
In the end, this 25th Anniversary Edition will neither hurt nor help any of the artists involved. Jackson’s and “Thriller’s” legacies will remain intact. While Will.i.am has once again shown his talent, he will still be overshadowed by the no-talent, trailer-trash, pop tart he shares the stage with in the Black Eyed Peas. Lastly, while Akon is still nothing more than a terrible fad who will soon die out, his legacy is significantly enhanced by having now been associated with Michael Jackson.