From The Vault: Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ [Short Film]

Published: Sunday 31st Oct 2021 by Sam

Is it even Halloween if you haven’t played this track?

In the spirit of the day’s occasion, this week’s From The Vault pick is as legendary as it gets.

We give you Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller.’

After releasing instant classics in the form of ‘Billie Jean’, ‘Beat It’ and ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin,’’ Jackson went all out with the title track from his sixth album in 1984. And, in the process, he serviced the masses yet another pop culture fixture.

Inspired by MJ’s love for horror movies, ‘Thriller’ was helmed by wordsmith Rod Temperton and producer extraordinaire Quincy Jones. An early version named ‘Starlight’ was deemed not good enough and after settling on the horror theme, everything fell into place. From the spooky and dramatic sounds heard throughout the song, and horror actor Vincent Price’s creepy spoken-word monologue, Jackson and his production team managed to create one of the greatest songs (and visuals) of all time.

Peaking at #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100, it was also a worldwide hit charting inside the Top 5 of most of the countries it was released in

Horror director John Landis took on the huge task of creating a visual that lived up to the song’s vivid quality. And delivered that… and then some.

The short film for the track was filmed like a horror movie, with Michael luring his girlfriend to a cemetery before revealing his true deadly nature and dancing up a storm with his troop of zombies.

From its iconic choreography, cinematography, and fashion, this visual is the definition of “iconic” and is as fresh today as it was in ’84.

*************

In the almost 40 years following its release, ‘Thriller’ – both the song and its parent album – have never ceased to amaze the masses, and has lost none of its luster.

Sonically, it remains the perfect filler-free Pop album, and it visually changed the game for music videos forever.
Whether churning out whimsical songs, world-peace anthems, or heartfelt ballads, Jackson knew exactly what to do to turn his art into potent cultural moments, and it’s exactly why the King of Pop’s reign will never ever let up.

Happy Halloween!

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  1. Fancy BISH (Back To The Future 🤣) 👊🏽💎💋 October 31, 2021

    Masterful, iconic, classic, brilliant, game-changing, everything…and scared me to pieces lol ❤️🎶🤳🏽

    • Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

      Now you REALLY showing your age! Chile! lmaoooooooooo 🤣

      • Fancy BISH (Back To The Future 🤣) 👊🏽💎💋 October 31, 2021

        Yeah, and showing my taste level you Lana lover lmaooooooooo 🤣 Both of ya’ll mad ugly and flavorless 😂

      • Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

        I sense intense jealousy lmaoooooooooo 🤣

      • Fancy BISH (Back To The Future 🤣) 👊🏽💎💋 October 31, 2021

        PA! Chile, I let out an intense holler lmaoooooo 🤣 Jealous of WHO? 🤣 My kitchen is bigger than your whole house lol…FCK outta here 😂

      • Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

        (So she says) lmaoooooooooo 🤣

    • marilyn monh-O-E ® 👠(#1 DIVA) October 31, 2021

      Yessss Diva & Queen will chop you in pieces 💅🏿 Rest in ashes 💀

      • Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

        She’s already resting in ashes from her ashy skin 🤣💯

  2. J October 31, 2021

    This is super iconic

    Until you find out the director had just beheaded and crushed THREE of his actors in the Twilight Zone movie the year before! Look it up.

    Talk about desperation. MJ basically revived this m***********’s career when he should have gone to jail.

    Anyway, Happy Halloween y’all 😈🎃

    • True Tea October 31, 2021

      Wow!!! I did know this at all.

      Well he was definitely the right guy to direct a mini Horror video.

      • Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

        You don’t know much of anything, do you?

    • J October 31, 2021

      lucky for him they didn’t have social media back in 1982, killing children was easier to sweep under the rug I suppose for John Landis.

      • Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

        It was a stunt accident. It happens. He didn’t intentionally “kill children.”

      • True Tea October 31, 2021

        @J

        That is truly awful.

      • Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

        @Fake Pïss just like your incessant deflection and “logic.”

      • True Tea October 31, 2021

        Go clean ur a$$, STANK h/o/e.

      • Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

        “Someone has resorted to name calling since their argument has no legs to stand on. So typical of the basic & braindead, lol”

        I proved you wrong and now “your ego is shattered.” lmaoooooooooo 🤣

      • Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

        How does that big hard ç0ćk of BEING WRONG feel deep up inside your ass? I KNOW you feel it and you have no option but to take it like the BÎTČH you are 😂 So take it, bîtćh! Does it hurt? Being wrong? lmaoooooooooo 🤣

      • True Tea October 31, 2021

        There was no debate going on when you decided to interrupt J & I conversation. Learn when to use my quotes hun.

        None the less I’m glad you’re inspired, not that I can blame you since I would be also if I was BASIC AF.

        I see you roaches be everywhere. I guess I need to call the exterminator on you h/o/e/s.

      • Shayla Queen™ 👑 November 1, 2021

        Only someone who’s wrong needs to justify why they’re NOT lmaoooooooooo 🤣 You lost! LOSER! 💋

      • True Tea November 1, 2021

        I lost, lol

        Only a BASIC h/o/e would brag about winning on a gossip site. Awww! You have no real accomplishments, huh?? No real talent?? You give yourself titles such as Queen to feel import?? The delusions are strong with this one.

        😭😭😭

  3. True Tea October 31, 2021

    Ladies & Gents…This is what POP Music look & sound like. Even in 2021… Thriller is still more Entertaining than anything on Billboard.

    • Fancy BISH (Back To The Future 🤣) 👊🏽💎💋 October 31, 2021

      I’m just sippin your truth lol ☕️✅💯🤳🏽

      • Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

        Sipping it’s ASS more like, because you’re so desperate for someone to actually like and agree with you on here lmaoooooooooo 🤣

  4. Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

    “True Tea?” More like “Fake pïss,” but go off.

    • marilyn monh-O-E ® 👠(#1 DIVA) October 31, 2021

      Yesssss that t r a n n y can rest in p I s s 💅🏿

      • Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

        It smells like pïss too 💯

  5. marilyn monh-O-E ® 👠(#1 DIVA) October 31, 2021

    When his nose and skin were normal💅🏿

  6. Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

    Go team! 👑👠 Trashy Ashy P** and Fake Pïss could never 💯🤳🏽💋

    • Fancy BISH (Back To The Future 🤣) 👊🏽💎💋 October 31, 2021

      Keep it up bad mother lmaooooooooo…don’t make me go there 🤣🤳🏽

      • Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

        Bad P** lmaooooooooo…don’t make me go there 🤣🤳🏽

      • Fancy BISH (Back To The Future 🤣) 👊🏽💎💋 October 31, 2021

        Your baby is a p**…..WENT there lmaooooooooo 🤣

      • Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

        You’re a bad little P**! Oh yes you are! A VERY bad ashy little P**! lmaooooooooo 🤣

      • Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

        Your mother is a p** because she birthed and raised a bad little P** like you….WENT there lmaooooooooo 🤣

      • Fancy BISH (Back To The Future 🤣) 👊🏽💎💋 October 31, 2021

        Somebody’s triggered lmaooooooooooooooo 🤣 Go get Peppa lol

      • Shayla Queen™ 👑 October 31, 2021

        I don’t want to get yo momma lmaoooooooooo 🤣 Put her back on the farm, she stank! 😂

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