• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Do you own Michael Jackson - Thriller?

Do you own Michael Jackson - Thriller?

  • Yes

    Votes: 42 51.9%

  • No

    Votes: 34 42.0%

  • Billie Jean's not my carrot

    Votes: 5 6.2%
  • Total voters
    81
Status
Not open for further replies.
#41
Interesting to see the polarizing effect this album seems to have on TB members. We had this album at home when I was a kid and I remember bringing the record sleeve on the school bus so that I could read the lyrics while a group of us would sing some of the songs off the album. I bought a CD of Thriller a few years back and listen to it every now and then. I find a lot of the production dated but I also really like a lot of the songs. I'd say that anyone who can't appreciate the pop songsmith quality of a song like "Thriller" is missing something. And there are few songs that make me want to hit the dancefloor like "Wanna Be Starting Something". For those who might not understand the popularity of the album in the 80s it might be worth bearing in mind that "Billie Jean" was the first video by a non-white artist to be aired on MTV (three years after MTV debuted?) and the impact of that was no doubt huge.
 
#43
I got 2 copies on vinyl and the gf has a cd.
I think her 10th B-day party was a MJ themed party and they had pin the glove on the michael game.

I love it, total classic, that record was a music industry game changer.

Quincy Jones was firing on all cylinders, had all of Westlake working on that record.
 
#45
bass12 said:
... For those who might not understand the popularity of the album in the 80s it might be worth bearing in mind that "Billie Jean" was the first video by a non-white artist to be aired on MTV (three years after MTV debuted?) and the impact of that was no doubt huge.
Click to expand...

Not true at all and a simple google search disproves it. Decent discussion of it at the link below with some references. Certainly MTV could have opened their format more outside of standard rock in the early days, but to say they were in existence for 3 years before airing a video by a non-white artist is nowhere close to reality.

http://prince.org/msg/8/329893
 
#47
Nope. No MJ stuff here.
Never really saw the attraction as it all seemed so bubble gum pop culture to me. Same league as Back Street Boys and Abba, just too much hype and teen focus for me. Of course I was probably in my late 20's when Thriller came out. IIRC I was more focused on Genesis and Alan Parsons and other more progressive stuff.
I'll take carrots on this one.
 
#53
It's amusing to me to see how worked up some people get over this album. I admire a lot about it--I think the songwriting and arranging are top-notch. But I can see why the slick production, Michael's girly vocals, the fact that it's probably overrated (I think all of us could name a few albums we think are better), and especially Michael's creepy persona might send a lot of people running the other way.
 
#57
inthevelvet said:
I was in almost exactly the same boat, and felt the same way about Prince as well. Really dig both of them now. Heck I just learned "beat it" a few weeks ago on bass just 'cause. I've really changed my thinking since those days, about music and life in general. I used to have a very dichotomous way of seeing things...I could like Maiden or Prince, but never both? I now like both, as well as country, opera, big band, metal, and Lady Gaga(more so just her and a piano live as opposed to the records she puts out). Good music is just good music, and crap is just crap. And outside of music - I feel like I'm equal parts cowboy, engineer, amateur musician, deer hunter and gay/transgender rights advocate.
Click to expand...

Obviously I've changed my thinking since 6th grade, too, except I still can't stand hearing any songs from "Thriller". They were drilled into my head way too much through radio and MTV when I was growing up for me to get any enjoyment from them today.

I was into Prince during that era, though. I really liked "1999" and "Purple Rain" back then and still do.
 
#58
inthevelvet said:
Not true at all and a simple google search disproves it. Decent discussion of it at the link below with some references. Certainly MTV could have opened their format more outside of standard rock in the early days, but to say they were in existence for 3 years before airing a video by a non-white artist is nowhere close to reality.

http://prince.org/msg/8/329893
Click to expand...

I didn't read the whole thread you posted but if it's suggesting that The Specials were a "non-white artist" then things get a bit tricky. I think the point still stands though.
 
#59
madrob said:
You know, no mater what the world thinks sometimes the king really has no clothes.
Click to expand...
I totally understand why some people wouldn't like Thriller (especially from a production standpoint) but I don't see how anyone could dismiss it completely - especially if you like rhythm (which I assume - perhaps foolishly - most bass players do).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back