Thriller

"Thriller" is one of the most famous songs by American superstar Michael Jackson, the title track of his record-shattering 1982 album and a defining moment in pop culture. Written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones, the song fuses pop, funk and disco with an unmistakable horror theme, built on a memorable synthesizer bassline, eerie sound effects and a chilling spoken-word coda delivered by veteran horror-film actor Vincent Price. Atmospheric and theatrical, it evokes a campy haunted-house mood, complete with creaking doors, howling winds and footsteps, while keeping an irresistible dance groove at its core. The song's reputation is inseparable from its groundbreaking music video, an extended, cinematic short film featuring elaborate choreography, ghoulish makeup and a now-iconic zombie dance sequence that revolutionized the medium and helped transform music videos into a major art form. Released as a single from an album that became the best-selling of all time, "Thriller" was both a commercial success and a cultural phenomenon, cementing Jackson's status as the King of Pop. Decades later it remains a perennial favorite, especially around Halloween, and its instantly recognizable hook, dance and imagery endure as some of the most celebrated and imitated elements in the entire history of popular music.[edit]