Michael Jackson Entertainment Art "Thriller" (Epic) Released February 12, 2008

Once upon a time, Michael Jackson was the most important phenomenon on the planet. Thriller arrived at the right possible time. The 1980’s started with two of the most jaw-dropping events that changed the direction of our culture. First, the devastating victory of Ronald Reagan over the incumbent Jimmy Carter signaled a new course in American history, one that would divide Americans into those that were important and those who weren’t. The second event was the shocking murder of John Lennon on December 8, 1980. Signaling a crushing and heartbreaking end to the sixties counterculture dream. The Reagan victory was especially glaring considering that it represented a shift back to the tepid and lackluster era of the 1950’s, which eventually led to a revolution that allowed us to communicate with one another.

The deluxe expanded edition of Thriller shows us why it was such an important album at the right time.

First off, the bonus tracks to the deluxe edition are a hit and miss. Akon’s version of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” strips the original track to its core, reducing it to a respectable piano ballad. Kanye West’s Billie Jean 2008 is a valiant effort but someone should tell the undisputable champion of Hip-Hop that Billie Jean is best served with its timeless bass line. And Fergie’s attempt at “Beat It” is another example of how the American idol generation has done a wonderful job at bastardizing classic songs.

Notwithstanding the bonus tracks, the original 9 songs are a reminder of why Thriller remains the most popular album in music history.

The new Conservative movement that blanketed our nation might’ve not wanted us to engage in a dialogue but Thriller’s music brought us together.

The hit singles “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” taught music fans to listen each other. It gave us the permission to absorb ourselves in other genres of music that we probably wouldn’t be caught dead listening to. To understand its importance, we look no further than to the moment when Run DMC and Aerosmith joined forces to perform “Walk this Way.” Without the contributions from Jackson’s success in 1983, there is no question that moment when Hip-Hop and Rock came together wouldn’t have taken place. The creepy and sleek bass line of “Billie Jean” and its haunting music video introduced Michael Jackson to the MTV generation. Prior to “Billie Jean” music videos from black artists were pretty nonexistent. But Jackson changed the rules overnight and not only established himself to the new art form of music videos but made it all possible for other groundbreaking African-American artists to express themselves on MTV. Again, without Jackson, there’s no question that Prince wouldn’t have been the major success that he ended up being.

Lost in the shuffle of ”Beat It,” “Billie Jean” and the amazing opening track “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin” is the performance of Jackson’s singing. The greatest strength of Thriller is that voice. The way Jackson interprets each track is like a boxer methodically picking apart his opponent. And when the fighter knows he has his opponent ripe for the picking, he delivers that knockout blow. Jackson’s singing doesn’t miss a beat. Even in the saccharine duet with Paul McCartney, “The Girl Is Mine,” Jackson keeps the listener in the palm of his hand because even though he is syrupy he doesn’t come across as dishonest. “The Lady in my Life” is a better sequel to “She’s Out of My Life”. The closing track gives us a window into a maturing artist who was to get better with each album he released. Michael Jackson was destined to surpass Stevie Wonder’s groundbreaking accomplishments that he made to popular music back in the 1970’s. The decade belonged to Stevie and the 80’s were to belong to Michael Jackson.

However, Thriller is a reminder of the Michael Jackson we know today, paranoid and clearly distracted. “Still they hate you/you’re a vegetable/You’re just a buffet/you’re a vegetable/They eat off of you/you’re a vegetable” are lyrics from “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” that offer us a look at the mindset of Jackson and his battles with the tabloid press. “Billie Jean” was a song about a woman accusing Jackson of fathering one of her fraternal twins.

To look at Michael Jackson today gives me great anger. Not at just the vultures who surround him but the seeming willingness on his part to toss his talent away like it was garbage. Michael Jackson isn’t important anymore. He’s been relegated to punch line status. He was cool but now whenever you mention the name Michael Jackson it’s almost like a swear word these days. Even in my neck of the woods the very idea of having Thriller in your musical collection brings laughter.

As decent his next recordings were, Bad and Dangerous, they don’t measure to the success of Thriller. Thriller will forever haunt Michael Jackson, because as great as he was, he never duplicated the artistic and commercial success of that record. He wasn’t the same Michael Jackson, after Thriller. It’s as if subconsciously he knew that down the road his life would take such a drastic and scary turn but before that detour he wanted to leave us with something that we could all appreciate.

Comments

Written by Guest on 2008-06-08 12:56:40 i loved the article

Michael is Still the Best Written by Guest on 2008-06-08 13:05:46 I liked your article a lot, and you certainly did a fine job capturing the huge impact Thriller had on culture and why it was so great. However, saying that his life took a "drastic and scary turn" is not true or fair. His skin color changed because of vitiligo. None of the rumors about oxygen chambers and that kind of stuff are true. He didn't "dangle" his baby over a balcony like the tabloids say he did. I've seen parents toss their children in the air and catch them-in fact, my parents used to do this to me often-and no one accuses them of being an unfit parent. The allegations of child molestation were brought about only because people can be greedy, and the accusers thought they had figured out the best way possible to suck more money out of the richest superstar in the world. Also, I have to say that while Thriller has sold 104 milion copies worldwide, MJ is certainly not "haunted" by its success. His next album, Bad, is actually the second largest selling album in the world, with sales of 40 million. His Dangerous album, in my opinion, reached an unprecedented level of artistic expression and genius, and is a much better album than Thriller. Just my 2 cents, but please don't believe what you read in tabloids from now on.

jjis19 Written by Guest on 2008-06-08 13:08:07 i do think he still is important his work is bein copied all the time look at usher he jus dnt dance like him musically u hear a yunga version of michael even betta neyo he may not dance like him but boy his songs are jus off the wall remakes then justin timberlake his las album had a very prince feel 2 it but he has the michael moments his career is like mikes early beginning ppl say hes the closest 2 bein the nex mj that was b4 chris brown on a bet special they said he is the nex michael jackson and he is closest 2 mike in dancing than any otha artist 2day so i think hes still relevant and a big deal if he was 2 perform 2ma on tv it would be the big huge and the ratings thru the roof

guest Written by Guest on 2008-06-08 13:11:20 This man wrote music history and his music will never die. I love u Michael

bigbigfanmj Written by Guest on 2008-06-08 16:52:59 It's not that Michael Jackson has thrown his talent away it's just that he spent his entire life giving to the public and now he wants to concentrate on his family. For the first time in his life these past few years he doesn't have to answer to anybody. Michael may feel as if his body of work is out there from the J5 days, the variety, to Thriller, and beyond and if people want to explore him they can it's there. I don't think he feels the need to do more because he's doen so much and he wants the last remaining years to be his and his alone. Don't be angry with Mike by alla coounts he's happy so we should all be happy for him.

Great article Written by Guest on 2008-06-08 17:42:34 Great article, however i have to agree with bigbigfan Michael never threw his talent away, he has always had it his personal life and problems (children, the trial, etc) have distracted him from working. (music, performances)    The man is definately a legend and will probably go down as the most important musician in history.

Eh, not so much Written by Guest on 2008-06-08 22:35:42 I get what the article was trying to put forward, the greatness of Thriller and how Michael Jackson impacted the recording and video industry with the release, but honestly,.. you entertain millions basically non-stop for 40 years and see how that makes you feel. Prince, Madonna, the Beatles, Elvis... no matter who you look at, Michael Jackson has been doing his thing (professionally)longer than anyone else...or as He himself once said , "I was a veteran by the time I was a teenager." So no. I dont think he has thrown way his talent. He just really has no one left to prove his greatness to.

Written by Guest on 2008-06-09 01:25:36 I am in africa and even I can see that there is a campaign to cast MJ in negative light at any given opportunity.Some want to suggest that he cant even sing anymore This man has has given millions to charities around the world and his music is tmeless.    Londg live Michael jackson

micheal was sabotaged! Written by Guest on 2008-06-09 05:01:05 it was his investment in the Beatles music library rights after he got financial advice from Paul McCartney that ruined him.. he outbid Paul himself on the auction for those very rights, and owned the rights to music as timeless as his own.. Sony has slowly pilfered back the library by underpromoting his music and putting Jackson in serious debt, for which eventually Jackson trades portions of the catalog. i'd say there was significant financial reason/motive for Micheal to be ruined, but that's my own humble opinion. The Beatles library is estimated to be worth billions in rights over a lifetime.

Lady Madonna Written by Guest on 2008-06-09 05:41:19 The Beatles

you Written by Guest on 2008-06-09 05:48:09 The Beatles  The most covered songs in history

michael is the greatest Written by Guest on 2008-06-09 07:51:00 michael is quite an amazing human being,i mean everybody knows who michael jackson is.  Even though 25 years has passed,thriller is not outdated,not the tinniest bit!

Written by Guest on 2008-06-09 10:59:53 michael jackson is my god and iam his huge fan(teenager) & thriller is my favourite album

MiCHAEl JACKSON iS H-A-W-T ! Written by Guest on 2008-06-09 11:30:55 MiCHAEL iS THE BEST THiNG OUT THERE. HE iS A GiFT FROM GOD TO US !! WE SHOULD CHERiSH iS LiFE AND MUSiC. EVERYTHiNG THAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT HiM , FROM THE TRiAL TO HiS SHYNESS AND EVEN AbOUT HiS SKiN iS Allllllllllllllllllllll CAUSED bY   J-E-A-L-O-U-S-L-Y ! !  NUff SAiD:    -CHRiSTiNA ilY MiCHAEl JACKSON!!

Written by Guest on 2008-06-09 12:11:13 i strongly disagree about u saying he was never the same after thriller...are you joking??? bad..dangerous?? classics, especially Bad.

Written by Guest on 2008-06-09 12:18:38 just because bad and dangerous dint have as many sales as thriller doesnt mean that they are of inferiour quality!! same for his next albums, wich werent even mentioned(blood on the dance floor, history, invincible-wich wasnt properly publicised)

Written by Guest on 2008-06-09 12:18:54 just because bad and dangerous dint have as many sales as thriller doesnt mean that they are of inferiour quality!! same for his next albums, wich werent even mentioned(blood on the dance floor, history, invincible-wich wasnt properly publicised)

Idol Written by Guest on 2008-06-09 12:27:16 People fear greatness and genious. They fear what they do not understand. Fear leads to jealousy, jealousy leads to anger, anger leads to hate.     "Before you judge me, try hard to love me."  Michael Jackson

Are you kidding Written by Guest on 2008-06-09 18:55:29 I still love his music. Listen to "speechless" on the Invincible album a masterpiece! And what about "you rock my world". I agree this guy has nothing to proove anymore. And he's got a family too. So I say take your time Michael we are not going anywhere. You have given us so much. Long live the King of Pop

Really Written by Guest on 2008-06-09 22:05:54 I absolutely love Michael Jackson and I know that he has given the world his best and will continue to do so until GOD takes him home. GOD bless such a peacful, loving, genorous, and sexy, fine man that Michael is.

Mindy Written by Guest on 2008-06-10 00:42:18 Did you say the idea of having Thriller in your musical collection brings laughter!? You're kidding right? Thriller re-released 25 years later topped charts nationwide. If he never performs again, he'll always be celebrated as the greatest entertainer to ever live. That's just a fact. No one out performs MJ.

Thriller is still a seller Written by Guest on 2008-06-10 08:38:50 Thriller 25 is (at the time of writing) the second biggest selling album of 2008.    The album that has sold more than any other in the history of music is still right up there with the best new albums in terms of sales.  I hope Mike comes out with a new album soon. Even if it doesn't match the commercial success he is used to (who can match that?!), I'm sure there will be millions of people willing to buy it.

Akon и Michael Jackson - Hold My H Written by Guest on 2008-07-03 08:33:27 you can listen & download it here  http://www.stepashka.com/forum/t106498.html

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