BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1984
“Thriller” is a song recorded by American singer Michael Jackson, composed by English songwriter Rod Temperton, and produced by Quincy Jones. It is the seventh and final single released by Epic Records from his 1982 studio album Thriller. A 14-minute video showing Jackson in a Halloween-themed performance premiered on November 14, 1983. It was first shown on MTV on December 2, 1983. The song was not released as a single until January 23, 1984.
The song features a rap by actor Vincent Price.
In the song, sound effects such as a creaking door, thunder, feet walking on wooden planks, winds and howling dogs can be heard, and the lyrics contain frightening themes and elements. “Thriller” received positive reviews from critics and became Jackson’s seventh top-ten single on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart from the album, while reaching the top of the charts in France and Belgium and the top ten in many other countries.
Sadly on 5 October 2016, songwriter Rod Temperton’s death was announced after what was described by his music publisher as “a brief aggressive battle with cancer”. Temperton had died in London the previous week and his funeral had already taken place. The exact date of his death was not announced. He was 68 years old.
The European 12″ included a “special edit” which omitted the Vincent Price rap. I have included it here as a bonus cut.
SIDE A:
Thriller (Special Long Mix Version) 5:57
SIDE B:
Thriller (Instrumental) 5:57
BONUS CUT:
Thriller (Special Edit) 4:09
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Thriller | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #4 |
| 1983 | Thriller | U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary | #24 |
| 1983 | Thriller | U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles | #3 |
| 1983 | Thriller | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #1 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Epic – 12・3P-492
Series: Michael Jackson Jumbo Single Series 3
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: Japan
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul
Style: Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Co-producer – Michael Jackson
Producer – Quincy Jones
Written-By – R. Temperton*
NOTES:
Special versions from the LP “THRILLER”
Find the 12″ on DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
hi, could you reup the flac 24 bit rip?? thanx a lot!!
By the time “Thriller” came out as a single I was one of the three or four people left who didn’t yet own the album. Thanks to the popular video for the song, I had assumed that the Vincent Price rap appeared before the end of the track and that it was followed by a reprise of the chorus. when I finally heard the album version I was shocked and somewhat disappointed that it ended abruptly after the rap. I thought maybe the 12″ version remedied this but apparently not! As others have said, it sounds more or less identical… Read more »
Is the Special long version the same as the Album version? I ask because it sounds the same from what I remember when I owned the album.
The only nitpick I have on this is a pretty noticeable pop on the Special Edit version at about 3:06. Was it not noticeable (I was listening to it with earphones) to you or was it not possible to remove it? Other than that, this was a very great rip. 🙂
I didn’t notice it and I manually declicked it using headphones. I will have to go back and listen again.
Also I hope I don’t come off as bothering to you but I think there is a click on the regular version at about 4:29 or 4:30, but I only hear it on the right channel and it’s not as noticeable. I just really love this song (one of my favorites) and I just want this to be as good as possible in this great of quality. Again sorry if I come off as a bit annoying.
I just found out how to remove clicks with ClickRepair by turning automatic off and manually removing them and now the clicks aren’t there anymore! 😀
Thank you for RIP and and share.
The original title of this classic song was not Thriller but Starlight. It had no supernatural lyrics. Here is the original version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_kimWJ7128
RIP Mr Temperton.
Wow, that remix/edit is cool. I don’t think I’ve heard it since I was a kid.
I am truly very thankful of you for taking the time to rip this 12″. It had been one of my biggest requests, and my request has finally been fulfilled. And the bonus cut just makes things even better. And speaking of that bonus cut, the “Special Edit” version that was ripped is not actually the “Special Edit” version found on the UK/European 7″, but rather the “Remixed Short Version”. Apparently the original European 12″ was either mislabeled or the wrong mix was used. As someone posted earlier, the actual “Special Edit” version still had part of Vince Price’s rap,… Read more »
I think you are correct Rob the sleeve says “Special Edit” however the label does say “Remixed Short Version”. So it is a misprint.
Great share! I had the US 45 when I was younger, and I believe the A-side was the same as this “Special Edit” — no Vincent Price rap, but with a bit of extended instrumental on the fade where the rap should be. Good to hear this, it’s been a while!
I believe you are correct Eric I don’t have the 7″ to compare.
🙂
🙂
Thanks Paul,
finally “Thriller” in your audio-quality!
Sad for the missing of Rod Temperton.
Is this “special long mix version” the same “album version” ?
So the instrumental version is the real ” 12″ dance single “.
Regards.
Yes I believe it is BE.D12” 🙂
There’s another edited version.
One version is a complete re-edit of the multi-tracks without some effects, no Vincent Price rap at all, etc.
The other version starting as the normal version without the intro BUT where it should be the 2nd part of Vincent Price rap (well 3rd part in the real recording but 2nd part in the final song) then it’s the only version that it goes instrumental and fade out.
I was looking on Discogs a found a 3:56 and 4:37 version.
A fitting tribute to the songwriter Rod Temperton. And what a track!
Thanks Paul 🙂
You’re welcome Junior 🙂
Nice post… It is amazing how many pop/funk classics Rod Temperton wrote.. A one man hit writing machine. Though regarding this song, props must be made to Quincy Jones who made the crucial quality control call and insisted that the original version of this song “starlight” was not good enough, and insisted on a re-write. Regarding this post, what a strange call for the European 12″ to have the Vincent Price rap taken out… It wasn’t until much later that I discovered the last part was as much a tribute to horror mogul Boris Karloff who used to host a… Read more »
I agree Joey Mr. Temperton was a song writing machine so many hits. Quincey did a brilliant job on this production. The European 12″ did include the standard long mix but had the edit as the b-side along with The Jacksons “Things I Do For You (Live)”.
Thanks Paul. This is one of my favorite songs by MJ. I think there’s also the standard 7″ which runs for 5:07 min, right?
according to Discogs there is a 4:37 and 3:56 version but I don’t have either.
The 3:56 version is the “Remixed Short Version” so you have that one. 🙂
Ooh, Paul!! I was hoping we’d get a Halloween post soon into the month of October, and what better than the 12-inch of a Halloween classic, than M.J.’s “Thriller.” It’s also uncanny with the way you present things because, earlier today, I read on Yahoo news that Thomas Dolby is having a new memoir published. The excerpt Yahoo shared was when Mr. Dolby met Michael Jackson at his house at the time, five months after “Thriller” the album was released. It was a cool, surreal experience for Thomas Dolby. Gosh, such a cool thing how things once past come to… Read more »
Thank you Jeff Thomas Dolby is brilliant would have loved to hear their conversation. I did want to start the Halloween season but mostly this was in celebration of the song writer Rod Temperton who just passed away from cancer looking at his Discogs page he wrote many hit songs including “Thriller” what a talent.
Have a great weekend.
And thank you Paul for letting us know about the song writer, Rod Temperton who sadly passed away. You really pay so much tribute to the ones who are behind our favorite records.
Best,
Jeff