I've been listening to Thriller for a few days now. First time I've ever listened to this album (or any Michael Jackson album for that matter) and I have to admit, this is really, really good. It's not quite the same experience I had with listening to Prince for the first time because I think I've already heard most of the songs on Thriller before at different times. But this was the first time I've listened to the whole album, start to finish. I actually think Thriller is the worst song on here. Or maybe that's just because I'm overly familiar with it already. But that wouldn't explain why I like Billie Jean so much.

Anyway, for what it's worth;

Wanna Be Starting Something 3/5
Nice song to start with. It didn't grab me at first but I've come around to it.

Baby Be Mine 5/5
I know this song well. I've been hearing this song regularly for the past 10 years and I still love it.

The Girl Is Mine 3/5
Decent song. Very decent song. I'd even go as far as to say that it's a good song. But that's all

Thriller 2/5
It's not a bad song but I'm kind of sick of it in a way. I've heard it too much.

Beat It 4/5
I know this is a big hit and a very well known song but for whatever reason, I'm not as familiar with it as I thought I was. I think I've heard the Weird Al version more than this. Regardless, it's a very good song.

Billie Jean 5/5
If there is a more perfect pop song, I'd love to hear it.

Human Nature 4/5
Very nice song that stops just short of being too schmaltzy for my liking.

PYT 4/5
I really like this one. Had never heard it before and it was a pleasant surprise.

The Lady In My Life 5/5
Definitely the biggest surprise for me. I don't know how to explain it exactly but it almost feels like a very "grown-up" song for Michael Jackson to do. I don't think I've ever heard him do this kind of thing before. My one gripe with the song is when he says "I will love you more each day" because I can't stop hearing "I will love you Morris Day". But that's my problem, not the song's.


Overall, I'd give the album a strong 4/5. It's not perfect but it is very good and has made me interested in checking out more of Michael Jackson.

TrivialPursuit said:

LoveGalore said:

Also I love The Toy and think Best Of Joy is dumb because the lyric makes no fucking sense and it drives me up a wall. "I'm your best of joy."???? What does that even mean.

And I cringed when he said something about "being your boy" coming from a Black man in a song about someone trying to hire a Black man as a toy.

But yeah, Fenwick and I were talking about the outtakes, what's missing, etc., and that some of these outtakes aren't great. And it's a safe assumption to say that if some of those songs were on Thriller, it'd not have been the blockbuster album that it turned into. While "Carousel" and even "Sunset Driver" (needs production etc) being good songs, they're not necessarily top shelf. BUt who knows. I do think "Carousel" could've been in place of "The Girl is Mine."

ALSO: I never knew "The Lady in My Life" had a whole other verse and pre-chorus etc that was edited out for the sake of the album run time. "Billie Jean" allegedly had a longer intro. I don't know if that's what ended up on the 12". But the longer "Lady" is pretty great.

There was a lot they edited. From Joe Vogel's book

Thought I'd log back in after awhile to post this old clippings

I always wondered why the lyrics to "Billie Jean" on the innersleeve outlasted the song on my original pressing

What I can say. I have purchased the album 5 times. It's that good.

Cassette

CD

First reissue

25th

40th