Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”—the story behind a monster classic pop hit

+ 13 surprising cover versions of “Thriller” including acoustic jazz, a cappella, Korean rap, and even an educational version

The title track from the best-selling album in history, “Thriller” from pop music king Michael Jackson carried a theatrical edge to reflect his love of movies. As such, the music and lyrics evoke horror films—with sound effects and even a spoken-word sequence performed by the legendary horror actor Vincent Price.

Of course, Price’s presence in the song was striking because he acted in LOTS of classic monster movies. That list includes The Invisible Man Returns (1940), The Fly (1958), House on Haunted Hill (1959), Tales of Terror (1962), The Last Man on Earth (1964), Theater of Blood (1973), The Monster Club (1981), and more.

The songwriter behind “Thriller,” Rod Temperton, had written Jackson’s earlier hits “Rock with You” and “Off the Wall” for Jackson’s 1979 album Off the Wall. For “Thriller,” he wanted to write something theatrical to suit Jackson’s love of movies:

“I wanted it to build and build—a bit like stretching an elastic band throughout the tune to heighten suspense.” (Revealed: The Story Behind Jacko's Thriller—M Magazine)

The accompanying music video for “Thriller” was one of the most cinematic videos in MTV history. On screen, Jackson is seen as a zombie performing a dance routine with a crowd of the undead. It was directed by John Landis, whose credits include the horror movies An American Werewolf in London (1981) and Innocent Blood (1992).

Considered one of the greatest music videos of all time, “Thriller” was the first music video inducted into the National Film Registry.

Below, you can watch the original video—plus a video interview about working on the album. Also below are 13 dramatic cover versions of “Thriller” in different genres—including acoustic jazz, heavy metal, a cappella and Korean rap!

Related link: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”—listen to 60 cover versions here!

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Michael Jackson - Thriller (Official 4K Video)

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Toto Band Members on Working on MJ’s Thriller | Professor of Rock

Over the years, members of the band Toto worked as studio players for a number of recording artists. In addition to Michael Jackson, they have also spent time in the studio with Alice Cooper, Boz Scaggs, Seals and Crofts, Steely Dan, Sonny & Cher, and Chicago. They also recorded their own albums as the band Toto—including such pop rock hits as “Hold the Line,” “Georgy Porgy,”
“I Won’t Hold You Back,” “Africa,”
and “Rosanna.” (I also want to call attention to their hit “99,” a love song directed toward the character played by Barbara Feldon on the 1960s spy comedy TV show Get Smart.)


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13 Cover Versions of “Thriller”

Including acoustic jazz, heavy metal, a cappella and Korean rap

The list below features music video covers of “Thriller.” In a previous post, we actually shared more than 60 artists putting their own spin on the song—including R&B versions, heavy metal covers, acoustic renditions, a cappella and more.

Coming back to the song today, we decided to choose our 13 favorite covers. Well, frankly, we leaned more in the direction of choosing the 13 most original-sounding versions. (Every one of the 60+ cover versions is worth at least one listen.)

Let me know which cover versions you enjoy most below!

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13 cover versions of Michael Jackson’s hit “Thriller”

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#1 Phillip Phillips (with the American Idol winner offering an acoustic jazz version)

For American Idol-winner Phillip Phillips, playing his version of “Thriller” has often been a regular part of his sets.

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#2 Jessica Ray (featuring a dramatic take with a crew of funky dancers)

Back when she was a dance student, Jessica Ray told The Columbia Missourian that whenever a Michael Jackson song came on, he inspired a lot of people to dance. “And everybody tried,” she said, “but not everyone could.”

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#3 Lauren Babic (kicking a metal cover with guest rockers Cody Johnstone and Brett Seaton)

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#4 Wayne Brady (offering a really catchy 1930s Cab Calloway-style vintage remake with Postmodern Jukebox)

Notes the folks at Nerdist: “The horror classic could likely fit well in any genre but we’re pretty darn glad they chose ’30s style jazz. The bass lines and horn in the original translate really well into a more vintage style of music.” Also worth mention is how Wayne Brady—known for more normal types of media entertainment—also has worked in horror. Including being cast for a live production of Ghostbusters, as well as writing some horror fiction.

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#5 Oneus (with a dramatic pop rock take from the South Korean boy band—including a surprisingly catchy Korean rap)

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#6 FunkyardX (offering a head-nodding mix of funky rhythms powered with rock’n’roll)

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#7 Violet Orlandi (with a tender acoustic version)

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#8 No Resolve (rock version)

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#9 Lily Singh (whose fun “high school edition” makes the song into an instructional video)

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#10 Duwende (a cappella version)

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#11 Conlon Bonner, Yahosh Bonner, Oba Bonner, and dancers from American Leadership Academy

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#12 ChoirCast (virtual choir cover—with some very theatrical elements to their approach)

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#13 Taylor Davis (violin cover—with LOTS of violins)

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BONUS MASHUP: Pomplamoose with guest Tessa Violet (This cover of “Thriller” also includes the theme from “Ghostbusters,” “Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” “Monster Mash,” and “Poker Face”)

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