Michael Jackson's "Thriller" has become synonymous with Halloween, even though it was originally unrelated to the holiday. The song and its signature dance, which debuted in 1982, helped the album of the same name become the most commercially successful album of all time, and the music video garnered rave reviews and love from the public.
Its unforgettable choreography, terrifying storytelling, costumes and effects made “Thriller” a pop culture cult favorite, transcending the boundaries of Jackson’s fandom. It has now become the ultimate highlight of Halloween parties, with many events, such as the Village Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village, New York, where costumed zombies dance in sync to “Thriller.”
The Halloween Anthem and Disclaimer
Although it is considered the ultimate horror song, the video was accompanied by a disclaimer that it “in no way endorses belief in the occult,” which ultimately added to its mystery and appeal to audiences. The plot is reminiscent of a classic horror film: a teenage werewolf (Jackson) goes to the movies with his girlfriend, Ola Ray, and ends up scaring her as his zombie friends resurrect and dance.
The music video that changed the industry
“Thriller” became the first music video to demonstrate the power of image in the music industry, with MTV showing music videos non-stop and skyrocketing its popularity.
Behind the Scenes – “Thriller” and Jackson’s Pioneering
Michael Jackson, in his book *Moonwalk* (1988), stated that he envisioned the music videos for his albums, “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Thriller,” as innovative short films, aspiring to be a pioneer. “I wanted to make the best short music films we could make,” he wrote, and he treated the “Thriller” video as a true film production, breaking new ground for the industry.
