Track by Track: Thriller

Track by Track is a monthly series that revisits iconic albums and dives deep into their music and legacy. For November, we explore Thriller by Michael Jackson, released in 1982. Thriller remains one of the most iconic albums in music history, a groundbreaking work that forever changed the music industry. With its fusion of pop, rock, R&B, and funk, Jackson’s Thriller set new standards for music production, performance, and video innovation.

The album’s title track, “Thriller,” with its iconic music video featuring dancing zombies, became a cultural touchstone. Other hits, like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” showed off Jackson’s incredible vocal range and genre-defying style. Thriller was not only a commercial success, selling over 66 million copies worldwide, but it also set a new benchmark for what a pop album could achieve, influencing the future of music videos and performance art.

Thriller earned a record-breaking 8 Grammy Awards, including Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and Record of the Year for “Beat It.” The album’s impact continues to be felt in the music world today, making it an enduring classic that transcends time.

Thriller is available for streaming, digital download, and physical purchase, with anniversary editions that showcase its ongoing influence on music and culture.