Even today, the numbers and figures of this album are absolutely incredible. Twenty-nine million copies sold in the United States. As you are likely aware. We are only one country. Some estimates have it as high as 110 million copies sold worldwide. That’s a lot of albums. This album has been hailed as not only the masterpiece of the 80’s, but as one of the best albums created in the history of all music. Say what you want about his personal history, and whether or not certain things are true (I doubt they are), but there’s no denying the incalculable contribution this artist has had on music. You may have figured out by now that the artist in question is Michael Jackson. From a young age he had a big role in shaping how music effected my life, and even now when you go back and listen to albums(Especially “Thriller”), you can tell there was just something about it. Many times my mother has mentioned how I wore out records and tapes from constant listens, and most notably how I’d dance around the house in my MJ outfit. This album had such a big part in my early life that even at my wedding, the Bridal party all wore watching sequined gloves and danced down the aisle to the title track, all while doing the universally known dance that is featured in the video. Number six on my top albums of all time, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Released in the eleventh month of my birth year, 1982, from the opening notes of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin,’” which feature a very clearly 80’s synth rocking, you are aware this isn’t just any album. Jackson always prided himself on advanced sounds and an excellent production value, but on this, his sixth album, the bar was set so ridiculously high that it really hasn’t been topped, especially in terms of traditional “pop music.” That’s what is so great about not only this album, but his work as a whole. A consummate professional, as well as a perfectionist, you can tell it was painstaking process to get to a point where a song or idea was fully formed and completed. So much of the first song lays the way for advancement in music history. Everything from the vocal schemes, to the horns and keyboards are exacted in a precise manner. “Wanna Be Startin’ Something,” does just that. It starts the listener down the trail of the not only the best selling album of the 80’s, not only also the biggest winner in the history of the Grammy’s, but also of the most important recording in the history of pop music, at least from my point of view.

So many of these songs are classics. This would never happen now, but this album was at the top for so fucking long that of its 9 total songs, 7 of those were singles. That’s a staggering number. Once you get past that number and actually listen to the album, its not super surprising. A lot of the songs have a timeless quality to them. Jackson’s voice is great at not only singing, but also knowing the best moment to change his vocal style and approach to a song. Sometimes it’s heartfelt(“Baby Be Mine”), other times it’s forceful and defiant(“Beat It”), but it’s always unique and perfect.

By the third song, “The Girl is Mine” featuring Paul McCartney, we get a chance to hear a gorgeous textured love song. McCartney’s approach and gentle voice compliments the concept of the song, as well as the aesthetic of this lovely summer time ballad. I mean seriously, this song is made for a beautiful day in a nice park with someone you love. At the time this song was thought to have been a misstep, but listening now it’s another in a seemless row of awesome songs. From then on, the next three songs are impossible to deny, and the impact of these songs is still felt to this day.

We start this trilogy of bad ass songs with the title track “Thriller.” Easily one of the best songs of all time, and likely his best known song. The build up is unstoppable, and the beat is just plain sick. I wish I would have been of an age to witness how forcefully this song must have captivated the world, but I was barely born, and wouldn’t be exposed fully to its awesomeness for some time. The video is also nothing to dismiss. For the time, and limitations in terms of production and effects, there’s no denying the power and influence it had. It was in many ways a film, and it set the stage to more theatrical videos and helped to define music videos as a legitimate art form in a time where it was sorely needed. A little trivia for y’all. It’s been said that Jackson wanted Vincent Price to deliver the monologue throughout the song, but Price refused, citing religious reasons. The thing was, Jackson and Price were the same religion, and after a conversation with Jackson, Vincent agreed to do it. The end is history. Plain and simple, the song “Thriller” is a masterpiece, and still one of the most popular songs ever recorded. From there the synth rocks back to life and we dive straight into “Beat It.” This one is another one with an amazing video. I mean seriously, what kid didn’t want a red leather jacket after seeing this video. Aside from the video, the song is another gem. While not the best song on the album, it’s still a testament to the staying power held in the fiber of the music. The song bridges the gap in the middle of the album where most albums tend to slow down. “Thriller” doesn’t do that at all. It’s pretty smart actually. A lot of people check of the early tracks and the later tracks, but in an era where vinyl’s were extremely popular, putting the three strongest songs in the middle of the album was a genius move, and forced everyone to keep going based off of the momentum set up.

The next track is a giant hit too. In a way it’s nauseating to see how good these songs are, because not everyone is capable of brilliance at this level. “Billie Jean” is a love song gone wrong, but in that lies it brilliance and staying power. The drum beat through the course of the song is great, and Jackson’s impeccable voice implores us to “dance on the floor, in the round.” The bridge about “breaking young girl’s heart” has always been a favorite of mine, and the “whoo” is truly badass. The song has this strut to it that also has a timeless quality to it. It’s one of the best mid tempo songs I’ve ever heard, and even though the tempo isn’t super in your face, it’s impossible to resist dancing and singing to it.

From there, the hooks keep on coming. “Human Nature” is another gorgeous song that showcases more of his genuine voice and less of the exact production that other songs feature. I’m not trying to imply the production is less prominent here, but rather that on this track, the main draw is Jackson’s quiet, nurturing voice, and how it slowly pulls you in and makes you want to live inside the world he’s created for as long as you possibly can. Oh all the songs on the record, this might be among my least favorites, but it’s still a better song than 99.99% of the things you hear on current pop radio. Also, it’s kinda hard to follow-up a triple threat like “Thriller,” “Beat It,” and Billie Jean” and keep the awesome momentum going. The next song though, keeps the party going. “P.Y.T.” is feel good song about the innocence of being young and love, and it paints the perfect picture for the vibe of the song. “P.Y.T.” knows very well how to not throw too much at us at once, and not to overdo it. The beat is simple, and the introduction half way through of the abrasive guitar really adds a unique view-point to this overall positive song. That’s why this able is so hard to deny as a classic. It forces you to dance, and it doesn’t really let up during the whole duration of the album. There isn’t an artist even around now that was able to bring so many different elements to the table and meld it to create one awesome soundtrack for millions of people to embrace. The last song, the easy-going and quite beautiful “The Lady in my Life” delivers in a way that only a few of the other songs can do. It’s a song about love first and foremost, and Jackson’s voice is a voice in which you can trust. I’m aware of how cheesy this sounds, but it’s true. It’s almost as if he knew he couldn’t follow-up the force of the big three songs we’ve discussed earlier, so he chose to go a different route and have the last three songs follow a more down tempo, layered vibe as to not diminish the overall strength of the album. This is the way the end product of the album succeeds.

After decades, this album is still a testament to how much an amazing artist he was, and how there will likely never be anyone like him again. He’s one of the foundations of popular music in the lexicon on important music, and for all the pretenders who have come after him, there will always only be one “King of Pop.” Next time we’ll be talking the about the only live album on the list, and also the about the stage show that set the trend of electronic musicians having incredibly elaborate stage shows. And no, it’s not deadmau5. The dudes behind this album practically invited him. Thanks for reading.