Michael JacksonThriller

Genre:

Funk / Soul, Pop

Style:

Contemporary R&B, Disco, Soul

Year:

Tracklist

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'6:02
Baby Be Mine4:20
The Girl Is Mine3:42
Thriller5:57
Beat It4:17
Billie Jean4:57
Human Nature4:05
P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)3:58
The Lady In My Life4:57

Credits (59)

Notes

From 1972 to 2001, the American singer Michael Jackson released ten studio albums.

Thriller is his sixth studio album.

USA 1st / early pressings do not list Michael Jackson as a co-producer on the back cover under the "Produced by Quincy Jones..." credit (example: Thriller). Later pressings add "Co-Produced by Michael Jackson" (examples: Thriller and Thriller).

Another feature of the earliest pressings is the inclusion of a mix of "Billie Jean" in which the "oh, no" in the right channel at 2:24 is barely audible. This was replaced with a loud "oh, no" for all later pressings, including (presumably) all US CDs, as well as for the Billie Jean single.

Every song of the LP, excluding "The Lady In My Life", either charted in the Billboard Top 100 or was issued as an A-side or B-side on 45 RPM singles. It was released on November 30, 1982 as the follow-up to Jackson's 1979 critically and highly commercially successful "Off The Wall" LP. "Thriller" explores similar genres to those that were heard on "Off the Wall" but redefined pop music, R&B, rock, post-disco, funk, and even adult contemporary music. According to Sony Music Entertainment, Thriller had sold 70 million copies by the end of 2009. To date it remains the best selling album of all time with estimated sales of more than 80 million worldwide.

Recording sessions took place between April and November 1982 at Westlake Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a production budget of $750,000, assisted by producer Quincy Jones.

Versions

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    795 versions
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    Version DetailsData Quality
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
    Epic – EPC 85930, Epic – 85930, Epic – QE 38112Europe1982Europe1982
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo
    Epic – 144776, Epic – 144.776Brazil1982Brazil1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
    Epic – ELPS 4328Australia1982Australia1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, Carrollton Pressing, With Co-Producer Credits
    Epic – QE 38112US1982US1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller = スリラー, 1982, VinylThriller = スリラー
    LP, Album, Repress, Stereo, Gatefold
    Epic – 25・3P-399Japan1982Japan1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Stereo
    Epic – 28・3P-455Japan1982Japan1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982-11-00, CassetteThriller
    Cassette, Album
    Epic – EPC 40-85930UK1982UK1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, CassetteThriller
    Cassette, Album, Beige Shell, Fabric Texture, Dolby System
    Epic – QET 38112US1982US1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
    Epic – 85930Portugal1982Portugal1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, CassetteThriller
    Cassette, Album, Dolby System
    Epic – QET 38112Canada1982Canada1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
    Epic – QE 38112Canada1982Canada1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
    Epic – DNW 2819South Africa1982South Africa1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, CassetteThriller
    Cassette, Album, Stereo, Dolby, Grey Shell, Checkered Edge
    Epic – 40-85930Europe1982Europe1982
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo
    Discos CBS – 47.266, Epic – 47.266Argentina1982Argentina1982
    New Submission
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, Gatefold
    Epic – EPC 85930, Epic – EPCCL 46 725 8, Epic – QE 38112Europe1982Europe1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
    Epic – EPC 85930Spain1982Spain1982
    Cover of Thriller, 1982-11-30, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
    Epic – EPC 85930UK1982UK1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album
    Epic – EPC 85930Greece1982Greece1982
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
    Epic – EPC 85930, Epic – 85930, Epic – QE 38112Europe1982Europe1982
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Gatefold
    Epic – EPC 85930Italy1982Italy1982
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, Gatefold
    Epic – EPC 85930, Epic – EPCCL 32117-4Europe1982Europe1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, 8-Track CartridgeThriller
    8-Track Cartridge, Album, Club Edition, Stereo
    Epic – QEA 38112US1982US1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album
    Epic – 19352Colombia1982Colombia1982
    New Submission
    Cover of Thriller, 1982-11-30, CassetteThriller
    Cassette, Album
    Epic – EPC 4328Australia1982Australia1982
    New Submission
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, Half-Speed Mastered, Gatefold
    Epic – HE 48112US1982US1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller = Representación Emocionante, 1982-11-29, VinylThriller = Representación Emocionante
    LP, Album, Repress, Stereo, Gatefold
    Epic – EPIC-243Venezuela1982Venezuela1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982-11-29, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, Pitman Pressing, Gatefold
    Epic – QE 38112US1982US1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
    Epic – LNS-17406Mexico1982Mexico1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, CassetteThriller
    Cassette, Album, Stereo
    Epic – 40-85930Europe1982Europe1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album
    Epic – QE 38112Turkey1982Turkey1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album
    Jigu Records – KJPL-0333South Korea1982South Korea1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
    Epic – ELPS 4328New Zealand1982New Zealand1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album
    Epic – CBS 85930Israel1982Israel1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Gatefold
    Epic – EPC 85930Ireland1982Ireland1982
    New Submission
    Cover of Thriller = スリラー, 1982, CassetteThriller = スリラー
    Cassette, Album
    Epic – 25.6P-199Japan1982Japan1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, With Co-Producer Credits, Pitman Pressing, Gatefold
    Epic – QE 38112, Epic – 38112US1982US1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller, 1982-11-30, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
    CBS/Sony – 25.3P 399Hong Kong1982Hong Kong1982
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, VinylThriller
    LP, Album, Stereo, Gatefold
    CBS – QCL-22001, CBS – QE 38112Philippines1982Philippines1982
    New Submission
    Cover of Thriller, 1982, CassetteThriller
    Cassette, Album, Club Edition, Chrome
    Epic – EPCCL 49 515 0, Epic – 40-85930Europe1982Europe1982
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Thriller = Representacion Emocionante, 1982, CassetteThriller = Representacion Emocionante
    Cassette, Album
    Epic – EPCT-243Venezuela1982Venezuela1982
    Recently Edited

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    Reviews

    • EnfieldRecords's avatar
      What can be added to one of the most ubiquitous talked about, poured over albums ever made on the planet?

      It changed the entire trajectory of music, being both so of it's time and simultaneously transcending time into timelessness.

      Perhaps the greatest pop album ever made, in the literal sense of "popular".

      Imagine if you will, even a lily white deputy in rural Arkansas would have been trying to moonwalk, a grandmother in Mexico City, a kid in Cleveland, the Soviet under secretary in Uzbekistan, the young man in Lagos, Riyadh, the mom in Tehran, your dad, your mom, your aunt, your sister, your grandparents, their parents.....1982, Michael Jackson united a planet under one groove!

      Television, increased spread of communication technology, etc. absolutely helped facilitate such a feat, but alone, it took MJ, Quincy, Rod Temperton, Tom Scott's Lyricon, Ndugu, and the rest of the team to make it real.

      The appeal was universal, MJ became a global icon, and made MTV, the modern music video is Beat It, the pool hall that has seen more then any other pool hall by more people then prior to it had even lived in human history *by this point in 2025 yes

      The range is incredible, and it's hard to think of any album that sounded more like a "greatest hits" compilation.

      What's wild is, in 2055, folks still going to be trying to do the Moonwalk.

      I have to imagine it's possible that even remote uncontacted tribes of humans, might have heard this as the first contact!

      Everyone, Laos to Libya to Los Angeles to Lithuania, everyone knows Thriller, the most quintessential, and popular album ever made* (to my thinking...*)
      • vaubergomez's avatar
        vaubergomez
        I don’t know if the digital masters used for this release are the same as the legendary 1982 pre-emphasised Japanese version (without pre-emphasis, of course), but this still sounds damn near perfect. If the only version of Thriller you’ve ever listened to is the remaster available on streaming services, you’ll be stunned by how dynamic and punchy this album sounds here.
        It’s literally as good as the original vinyl pressing, but without all the flaws of a vinyl record, like sibilance, inner groove distortion and noise. My go-to release every single time.
        • RadDude1023081684's avatar
          This CD is mastered quite loudly for the time. It clips a fair bit throughout the whole album.
          • ModelGuitarist's avatar
            Outstanding work by the team at MoFi, and the original production team.

            This album, along with the MoFi version of the Cars' debut album are masterpieces - though they always do great work.

            The SACD is a fantastic idea, it's a shame it didn't grow in popularity. Unfortunately, probably 80% of the general public have neither the critical listening skills, the necessary gear, nor the "ears" to appreciate DSD in all its glory.

            I do wish MoFi would have included a digital download accompaniment allowing those interested to also own the Remaster in DSD 256 (or at least 128) or to just sell the DSD 256 (DSF) files for these new remasters publicly.

            That would be excellent. I've never heard anything better than the small handful of recordings currently available which were recorded natively in DSD 256. Hopefully, as the cost of computing power increases, we can see recordings in native DSD 1024, as well as playback devices. I fear we are some time away from that marvel, however.

            In any case, this is a legendary piece of work from both the artist and the post production.

            • pgross's avatar
              pgross
              Mine is P p PAL 38112-2B D / G1 PBL 38112-2F 17 on the runouts . Sound mastering is good . Some have mention the recording signal is hot . True on that as on my VU meter , i have to gain down slightly . On Billie Jean it peak higher . I prefer this copy than the UK , more balanced and less of sibilance . A must have first US pressing and with that Carrollton/Pitman Split is unique and rare .
              • pgross's avatar
                pgross
                Quite a good pressing and mastering . Balanced sound and quality of vinyl is good with minimal surface noise . Great if you want to try out the India pressing version .
                • r_sawaki's avatar
                  r_sawaki
                  You will need a magnifying glass to read the insert.
                  • bobduncan2211's avatar
                    bobduncan2211
                    If this is a second pressing, what Aus edition is the first pressing?
                    Also should this be classified as a reissue.
                    • Recordgroves's avatar
                      Recordgroves
                      This copy is also missing Michael Jackson as the co producer on the back cover of the album cover as well as the miss print on side 2 of the record with PYT printed as PYP?
                      • Mico1973's avatar
                        Mico1973
                        This is a phenomenal sounding pressing! If you are An MJ fan you will be blown away!

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