Thriller (song)

This article is about the Thriller song. For the music video Thriller, see Thriller (music video).

"Thriller"
Song

"Thriller" is a 1984 hit single recorded by Michael Jackson for the Epic label. On February 20, 2006, the single, as well as the video, was re-released as part of the Visionary: The Video Singles package.

Song information

Written by Rod Temperton, produced by Quincy Jones, and featuring a guest soliloquy from Vincent Price, "Thriller" is one of Jackson's signature songs, in no small part because of its music video. The single was included on Jackson's Thriller album, which was released on December 1, 1982. A voice-over recording session of "Thriller" appears on the special edition version of the album, released in 2001. This session features additional verses of the rap performed by Vincent Price, which were removed from the final version of the song.

Track listings

Original release

UK single

1. "Thriller" (single edit) – 4:37
2. "The Things I Do for You" (live with The Jacksons) – 3:39

U.S. single

1. "Thriller" (single edit) – 4:37
2. "Can't Get Outta the Rain" – 4:02

Visionary single

CD side

1. "Thriller" (Remixed short version) - 4:09
2. "Thriller" - 5:57

DVD side

1. "Thriller" (Music video)

Mixes

1. Album version – 5:56
2. Instrumental – 5:56
3. 7" edit – 4:37
4. Remixed short version – 4:09
5. Single edit w/Rap – 5:11

Credits

• Written and composed by Rod Temperton
• Produced by Quincy Jones
• Featuring: rap by Vincent Price
• Synthesizers: Greg Philinganes, Rod Temperton and Brian Banks
• Synthesizer programming: Anthony Marinelli
• Guitar: David Williams
• Trumpet and flügelhorn: Jerry Hey
• Trumpet and flügelhorn: Gary Grant
• Saxophone and flute: Larry Williams
• Trombone: Bill Reichenbach
• Vocal, rhythm and synthesizer arrangement by Rod Temperton
• Horn arragement by Jerry Hey
• Effects by Bruce Cannon and Bruce Swedien

Sampled

The song (particularly Vincent Price's laughter at the end of the song) has been sampled in numerous songs:

• Biz Markie - "Muddfoot"
• Def Squad - "No Guest List"
• DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - "Rhythm Trax — House Party Style"
• Large Professor - "Mad Scientist"
• N.W.A. - "100 Miles and Runnin'"
• The Prodigy - "The Way It Is"
• Public Enemy - "911 Is a Joke"
• Lidzlicious the Velvet Pole - "Thriller (Stanley Remix)"
• Kool Moe Dee - "Let's Go"

Trivia

• The original name for the "Thriller" single was "Starlight Love."
• In the South Park episode "Pinkeye", members of the town are turned into zombies. Chef (as a zombie) sings part of the song, but with different lyrics.
• The band Fall Out Boy gives several respects to the song. In their "Dance, Dance" video, a boy starts to do the dance in the music video. Also, they have a song called "Thriller", but just the title is a nod to this song.
• The New Found Glory song "Hit Or Miss" contains the lyric, "Remember the time we realized 'Thriller' was our favorite song?"
• The song was danced by numerous Filipino prisoners at CPDRC(Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center) as a morning exercise.

See also

• Thriller (music video)