Michael Jackson – Thriller

Written and composed by Rod Temperton and Michael Jackson
* 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

Title track of the album that would go on to become the no.1 best selling record ever released, THRILLER, issued in December 1982.

Written by Rod Temperton; an inspiration was the Jacksons’ hit, Heartbreak Hotel. Early titles include ‘Starlight’, ‘Starlight Sun’ and ‘Give Me Some Starlight’ – the title was changed after Michael told Temperton he wanted something that would appeal to kids.

Featured a rap by horror actor, Vincent Price – an unused, third verse of the rap was included on the expanded, special edition reissue of THRILLER in October 2001.

Thriller is one of Jackson’s signature songs, in no small part because of its music video. A voice-over recording session of Thriller appears on the album special edition of 2001.

Debuted on the Hot 100 in the States at no.20 – the highest new entry for over 20 years (John Lennon’s Imagine also debuted at no.20 in 1971). Rose to no.4, to give Michael his seventh Top 10 hit from THRILLER – a new record from one album.

Charted at no.3 on the R&B singles chart in the States, and achieved no.10 in the UK, where it logged 18 weeks on the Top 75.

RIAA Platinum Record (USA million seller).

Thriller – Lyrics

It’s close to midnight
And something evil’s lurkin’ in the dark
Under the moonlight
You see a sight that almost stops your heart
You try to scream
But terror takes the sound before you make it
You start to freeze
As horror looks you right between the eyes
You’re paralyzed

‘Cause this is thriller
Thriller night
And no one’s gonna save you
From the beast about to strike
You know it’s thriller
Thriller night
You’re fighting for your life
Inside a killer
Thriller tonight, yeah

You hear the door slam
And realize there’s nowhere left to run
You feel the cold hand
And wonder if you’ll ever see the sun
You close your eyes
And hope that this is just imagination
Girl, but all the while
You hear a creature creepin’ up behind
You’re outta time

‘Cause this is thriller
Thriller night
There ain’t no second chance
Against the thing with the forty eyes, girl
(Thriller)
(Thriller night)
You’re fighting for your life
Inside a killer
Thriller tonight

Night creatures call
And the dead start to walk in their masquerade
There’s no escaping the jaws of the alien this time
(They’re open wide)
This is the end of your life

They’re out to get you
There’s demons closing in on every side
They will possess you
Unless you change that number on your dial
Now is the time
For you and I to cuddle close together, yeah
All through the night
I’ll save you from the terror on the screen
I’ll make you see

That this is thriller
Thriller night
‘Cause I can thrill you more
Than any ghost would ever dare try
(Thriller)
(Thriller night)
So let me hold you tight
And share a
(killer, diller, chiller)
(Thriller here tonight)

‘Cause this is thriller
Thriller night
Girl, I can thrill you more
Than any ghost would ever dare try
(Thriller)
(Thriller night)
So let me hold you tight
And share a
(killer, thriller)

I’m gonna thrill you tonight

[Rap]
Darkness falls across the land
The midnight hour is close at hand
Creatures crawl in search of blood
To terrorize y’awl’s neighbourhood
And whosoever shall be found
Without the soul for getting down
Must stand and face the hounds of hell
And rot inside a corpse’s shell

I’m gonna thrill you tonight
(Thriller, thriller)
I’m gonna thrill you tonight
(Thriller night, thriller))
I’m gonna thrill you tonight
Ooh, babe, I’m gonna thrill you tonight
Thriller night, babe

[Rap]
The foolest stench is in the air
The funk of forty thousand years
And grizzly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of the thriller