Michael Jacksonhas released plenty of music throughout his career. But if one song stands out, it has to be “Thriller,” released in 1982. Nobody knew it would be an iconic track that would last decades. Yet, since its release, it has charted at number 1 in multiple countries, became a certified platinum record, and became the singer’s sixth studio album title. But beyond its initial release, the song would have had a chokehold on pop culture, thus allowing the track to transcend for multiple decades, evolving from a funk track to something more evergreen.
Thriller vs. the Satanic Panic
During the 80s, a mortal panic called The Satanic Panic took place, where people would believe the conspiracy theory that anything involving the occult would equate to devil worshiping to some degree and that its followers were abusing children. Things likeDungeons & Dragonswould spark suspicion, and this phenomenon was revisited in the Netflix seriesStranger Things.
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This moral panic is mentioned because Jackson was called out by Jehovah’s Witness before the music video’s release.Vanity Fairreported the church threatened to excommunicate Jackson because the music video, more specifically, the part involving the werewolf, was “promoting demonology.” This threat affected Jackson, who was willing to destroy the music video. But instead of calling it off, they’ve put a disclaimer stating that it “no way endorses a belief in the occult.”
As of writing, the music video currently sits at 1 billion views on YouTube. People praised it for its choreography, the story that’s attached to it, and how it tried to do something different, which captivated audiences. It became one of Jackson’s most memorable music videos as it was something different whilst unknowingly and accidentally challenging the moral and religious panic at the time.
Thriller Played a Role in Many Viral Moments
Despite its success, Thriller played a role in many other viral moments, both on the internet and in traditional media, showing that this song transcends music and creates memorable events. In 2007, a viral video circulated on YouTube featuring the inmates of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center dancing to a thriller. The video featured prisoners wearing orange jumpsuits dancing to Jackson’s track, all in sync. What caught the awe of many was the sheer number of performers featured in this video and how it was a perfect performance. The video currently sits at 59 million views on YouTube, with many praising the prisoner’s performance and Jackson’s music’s reach. Additionally, this viral video would play a role in another notable moment in entertainment, in traditional media.
The dancing inmates were referenced in the Season 2 episode ofGlee, The Sue Sylvester Shuffle. The Glee Club and the football team performed a mashup of “Thriller” and “Heads Will Roll” during the halftime show with the goal of having the two clubs form some sort of unity, and was inspired by the viral inmate dancing video. “Thriller/Heads Will Roll” became the first song inGlee: The Music, Volume 5, generating over 26 million streams on Spotify. Additionally, the episode in question drew 26.8 million viewers in the U.S., according toThe Hollywood Reporter, and became the “highest-rated scripted TV broadcast in three years.”
How Thriller Inspires a New Generation of Artists
Since its release, “Thriller” has been sampled and covered by many artists, thus becoming a point of inspiration to many. But if there is one musician worth noting, it’sThe Weeknd. It’s no secret that Jackson influenced his career. His most recent album,Hurry Up Tomorrow, “Wake Me Up” (featuringJustice), contains samples of the 80s track. The same can be said for the 2022 albumDawn FM. According toMusicRadar, Timbaland commented on the album, noting references to “Thriller” in its tracks. The Weeknd shows his appreciation for Jackson’s art by sampling and transforming an iconic song, showing how influential the King of Pop’s music is to the next generation. It won’t be long until another artist follows suit.
Thriller Has a Strong Place in Pop Culture After 40 Years
From breaking music video boundaries and pushing back against moral panics to inspiring viral moments and shaping the sound of future artists,“Thriller” continues to have a place in pop culture 40 years afterits release. Its staying power isn’t just due to its catchy hooks or recognizable sound, but its ability to become something timeless. Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or the hundredth, “Thriller” still gives that same electric jolt that many people can dance to, a testament to why it’s not just a hit but a legacy.
