Michael Jackson was THE titan of 80’s Pop, and you need look no further than “Thriller” to find a masterpiece.
I love most of the songs on this album, and have done for some time … so I’m amazed I’ve forgotten to rank the album’s tracks from worst to best until now!
Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:
OK
9 – The Lady in My Life
I said I love most of the songs on “Thriller” … and that’s because “The Lady in My Life” is a comparative let-down.
It’s far from the energetic album closer I was expecting, and it does a disservice to the eight catchy tracks that came before it.
Good
8 – The Girl Is Mine
Part of me wishes Paul McCartney hadn’t cameo-ed on “The Girl Is Mine” so that the whole of “Thriller” belonged to Jackson himself, but as a Beatles fan I can have few complaints.
Their vocal chemistry is fantastic, but the central musical ideas and melodies aren’t the most scintillating on the album.
7 – Baby Be Mine
“Baby Be Mine” is a prime reason why this album is so fantastic – despite being a filler track for the most-part, it’s oodles of fun and demands multiple re-listens.
6 – P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
I don’t like the high-pitched synth as much as others, but other than that I can see why “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” is considered a classic.
Great
5 – Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
A great, energetic album opener.
Quincy Jones’ production sounds great, so the only drawbacks are that it’s a bit too long and that the “you’re a vegetable” refrain is very weird.
4 – Human Nature
I was about to declare “Human Nature” as Michael Jackson’s most underrated song … but I realised it has more streams on Spotify than even “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'”!
It’s one of the most luscious and strangely nostalgic songs I’ve ever heard, but it doesn’t have quite the same punch as these top three iconic tracks.
Amazing
3 – Beat It
It’s peppy, it’s aggressive, and it’s oh so catchy.
“Beat It” powers by before you’ve even realised, and that guitar solo by a young Eddie Van Halen is awesome.
2 – Thriller
I always used to consider “Thriller” a holiday-dependent song that shouldn’t be played outside of Halloween. These days I see it as one of Jackson’s best, regardless of the occasion or season.
That repeated bass synth riff is iconic, and Vincent Price’s monologue is as atmospheric as it gets.
All-Time Great
1 – Billie Jean
“Billie Jean” is the combination of everything great about the album – slick bass and drums, amazing production, and a vocal performance worthy of the “King of Pop”.
There has been a tidal wave of speculation about the song’s lyrics, but one thing is certain – the song will remain on the airwaves until radio ceases to exist.
Aaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my related blog posts below:
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