Thriller 25
Thriller 25 is the 25th-anniversary edition reissue of Thriller (1982), the sixth studio album by American singer and songwriter Michael Jackson. The original album has sold 70 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling album of all time. Thriller 25 was released by Sony BMG's reissue division, Legacy Recordings. Along with the original material, the reissue contains remixes, new material, a DVD (for some versions)[1] and collaborations with contemporary artists. Thriller 25 was one of the last recorded works released during Jackson's lifetime, and the last he was extensively involved with, as Jackson co-produced all of the newly remixed tracks.
Thriller 25
February 8, 2008
- April–November 1982
- 1990
- November 2007
- 67:11 (CD)
- 28:32 (DVD)
- Michael Jackson
- Quincy Jones
- will.i.am
- Akon
- Kanye West
- Giorgio Tuinfort
- Anthony Kilhoffer
The prospect of a "second chapter" to Thriller was first publicly discussed on Access Hollywood in late 2006. Jackson said he would discuss the idea with collaborator will.i.am. Thriller 25 was released on February 8, 2008 in Australia,[2] on February 11, 2008 internationally, and on February 12, 2008 in the United States, by Epic Records, Legacy Recordings and MJJ Productions.[3] To help promote Thriller 25, Jackson's website was recreated and accounts on both MySpace and Facebook were set up. On February 3, 2008, a SoBe advertisement was aired during Super Bowl XLII to an audience of over 95 million viewers. The ad aired again at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards on February 10, 2008.[4]
Thriller 25 debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Pop Catalog Albums and in nine other countries. It was a commercial success, selling three million copies worldwide until Jackson's death in June 2009, and was generally well received among critics, despite their view that the new material was not as inspiring as the original. Thriller 25 was the best-selling catalog album in the US of 2008. Two singles, "The Girl Is Mine 2008" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008", were released from the album to moderate success, and a number of the other remixes charted despite no physical release.
Release[edit]
Thriller 25 was released on CD and vinyl and included seven bonus tracks: the previously unreleased ballad "For All Time" (with backing provided by Toto), Vincent Price's voice-over and five remixes featuring contemporary artists Fergie and Akon.[17][18][19] It also included a DVD featuring three award-winning music videos, the Emmy-nominated Motown 25 "Billie Jean" performance, and a booklet with a message from Jackson. "For All Time" supposedly dates from 1982, but leaks often credit it as being from Dangerous sessions.[20] Despite this, a new bridge and new background vocals were used in the Thriller 25 release.
On the iTunes Store, Zune Marketplace, and Amazon MP3, a "Super Deluxe Edition" can be purchased which also features the bonus material from Thriller: Special Edition, "Billie Jean (Underground Mix)", an instrumental "Thriller" mix, an extended "Billie Jean" and a digital booklet. Copies bought in Target, Best Buy, Circuit City and Independent Music Stores in the US feature the bonus tracks "Billie Jean (Four on the Floor Club Mix)", "Thriller (Def Thrill Remix)", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (Extended 12" Mix)" and "Billie Jean (Four on the Floor Radio Mix)" respectively. Sony also released a "fan pack" containing Thriller 25 and the Number Ones DVD.
Promotion[edit]
To help promote the album, Jackson's website was recreated and accounts on both MySpace and Facebook were set up.[21][22][23] On February 3, 2008, a Sobe advertisement was aired during Super Bowl XLII to over 95 million Americans, with Naomi Campbell and Sanam Nazar CGI lizards dancing to "Thriller". The ad aired again at the Grammys on February 10, 2008.[4] In the United Kingdom, Odeon Cinemas ran free Thriller viewings on February 8 and 9, 2008 and television adverts announcing the release were aired throughout Europe.
"The Girl Is Mine 2008" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" were the first singles taken from the album. "The Girl Is Mine 2008" reached number two in Japan, three in Mexico, six in the Netherlands and the top 20 positions in the major European markets.[24][25][26] "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' 2008" reached number three in Sweden, four in New Zealand, eight in Australia, 10 in France and 32 in Canada, but had disappointing sales in America.[27][28][29] These were Jackson's first singles since "One More Chance" in 2003. The album track "Beat It 2008" also began charting in European countries, reaching number 26 in Switzerland, 31 in Denmark, 43 in Sweden, 60 in Japan, 74 in Germany, 75 in Austria, and 77 in Canada.[25][30][31] as did "Billie Jean 2008", reaching 91 in Germany.
Commercial performance[edit]
Thriller 25 was a commercial success. It peaked at number one in 11 countries and Europe. It peaked at number two in the United States, number three in the United Kingdom and reached the top ten in over 30 national charts. Thriller 25 spent three weeks at number one in France and two weeks at number one in Belgium.[44] The album has been certified gold in 11 countries, including the United Kingdom. In Poland, the album was certified gold, reaching number six on the chart on its release day, and is Jackson's highest-charting album in Norway.[45] In France Thriller 25 received a 2× Gold certification, and in Poland it was certified platinum.
In the United States, Thriller 25 was the second-best-selling album of its release week, selling 166,000 copies, 14,000 short of reaching the number one position. It was ineligible for the Billboard 200 chart as a re-release but entered the Pop Catalog Charts at number one (where it stayed for 10 non-consecutive weeks),[46] with the best sales on that chart since December 1996.[47][48][49] That November, Thriller 25 spent an 11th non-consecutive week atop the U.S. catalog chart. This brought U.S. sales of the album to 688,000 copies, making it the best-selling catalog album of 2008, selling 1.2 million U.S. copies and three million shipments worldwide until Jackson's death in June 2009.[50][51] This was Jackson's best launch since Invincible in 2001.[52] Like the artist's other albums, Thriller 25 saw a resurgence of interest following Jackson's death.