Thriller (album)

Recording

Of the nine tracks that came to be on the final project of the album, Jackson at least had a hand in six of the tracks. Recorded between April and November of 1982, Thriller was co-produced by Quincy Jones and Jackson, and showcased a more in-control Jackson than the preceeding "Off the Wall" album from 1979.

Related Topics:
April - November - 1982 - Quincy Jones - Off the Wall - 1979

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Early versions of Thriller's songs were rougher around the edges than the slicker final mixes that eventually emerged, based on ideas that were cultivated by Jackson. After the album was retooled by Jackson, Jones, and Jackson engineer Bruce Swedien, Jackson's record label, Epic Records released the album in December.

Related Topics:
Epic Records - December

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The album's first single, "The Girl is Mine", a poppy duet with former Beatle Paul McCartney, was a commercially successful if critically maligned song that was solely written by Jackson. The album's second single, "Billie Jean", was a more definitive hit. Despite the controversy surrounding the lyrics, which dealt with illegitimacy, "Billie Jean" catapulted Jackson and Thriller to the top of the charts and from there Jackson's success grew. Jackson's reinvention as a crossover artist was complete with his third single, the rock number, "Beat It".

Related Topics:
Beatle - Paul McCartney - Billie Jean - Illegitimacy - Crossover - Rock - Beat It

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