Explore Michael Jackson's "Thriller" with me! Vocal ANALYSIS of this creepy classic!

It's about time I get to Michael Jackson on this channel! Yes, I'm familiar with a lot of Michael's music, including the Jackson 5, but I've never done a deep dive analysis into "Thriller". So to kick off this Halloween season, we're going to break everything down in the official music video!
Join professional opera singer Elizabeth Zharoff, as she analyzes Michael Jackson's "Thriller" for the first time.
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Performed by Michael Jackson - Words and Music by Rod Temperton, Quincy Jones
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I definitely recommend watching the original video without interruptions. Here's the link: • Michael Jackson - Thri...
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Elizabeth Zharoff is an international opera singer and voice coach, with 3 degrees in voice, opera, and music production. She's performed in 18 languages throughout major venues in Europe, America, and Asia. Currently based somewhere between Los Angeles and Tucson, Arizona, Elizabeth spends her days researching voice, singing, teaching, writing music, and recording TONS. She also plays Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons.
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We have a sister channel: THE SINGING HOLE. Join us there to examine how ordinary creatures create extraordinary sounds. / @thesinginghole
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Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
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#michaeljackson #Reaction #thriller
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[@richard_n]

Michael Jackson definitely had one of the greatest voices of all time. The guy could flat out sing at an incredible level.

[@otisdriftwood8469]

Oh please.

[@mattcoffee1269]

noone in even a close second in last 50 years@@otisdriftwood8469

[@mateuss5754]

​@@otisdriftwood8469🤫🤫🤫🤫

[@artLopez24]

@@otisdriftwood8469and who are you to criticize

[@lotusfrucht111]

I disagree. I love Michael for his unique style of performance, he was super creative, but when looking at the voice in isolation there are so many better pop artists in my opinion (Tina Turner, Art Garfunkel, Freddie Mercury, even Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles I find have a lot more fascinating voices to name a few. Also newer artists like Sia, Adele, Beyoncé.... Michael had a good voice but not nearly one of the best of all time in my opinion. Also depending on your taste there of course are hundreds of opera singers with incredible voices, there's just too many examples of voices that outdo Michael's in my opinion).

[@sanandaallsgood673]

Just a little trivia. Vincent Price agreed to do this voice over and never saw the script until he walked into the studio to do the take. He did a quick read through and the director asked if he was ready. He did the first take, which turned out perfect and was used for the record. A master of his art!

[@richblack4451]

I am usually sceptical whenever a story comes out... "Did it in one take" but I've always thought there was a small mistake (gasp) "...to terrorize yourS neighbourhood". So 'one take' tracks for me.

[@sanandaallsgood673]

@@richblack4451 Actually, what Price was saying was "ya alls' neighborhood. It's quick so you need to listen carefully. lol

[@MM-jf1me]

​@sanandaallsgood673 Wow, now I hear it! All this time I also thought he was slurring together "yours neighborhood" but he did in fact clearly say "y'all's neighborhood" -- that gives that line a very different feel. Thank you for pointing this detail out.

[@TSIRKLAND]

Also notable that the script was written on the way to the recording studio! I heard an interview with the writer. They had something written, but decided that it was really no good. They needed something else. The writer was desperate; nothing was coming to him. In the cab on the way to the recording studio, he finally wrote out this "rap" more or less verbatim.

[@Ravolin]

@@TSIRKLAND Also to note, there is a third verse to the rap as well, but got cut from final production, as it didn't really fit... [Missing verse] The demons squeal in sheer delight It’s you they spy, so plump so right For though the groove is hard to beat Yet still you stand with frozen feet You try to run; you try to scream But no more sun you’ll ever see For evil reaches from the crypt To crush you with its icy grip

[@Cadinho93]

This song is 41 years old and no matter how many times you hear it, it still sounds like it was just released. Also, Michael Jackson's music changed the industry forever. His sound set the bar for others to aspire to. There is a reason he is called the "King of Pop" and the composer Quincy Jones had a lot to do with as well.

[@DAVIDFromIOWA]

I can’t believe it’s been 41 years. Holy s***! My family and I listened to this cassette tape non-stop. I would’ve been about 5 years old when it came out.

[@janette7330]

I agree, he really had his own sound and in a way timeless. ❤

[@teknotony]

It's a 40 year old Tik Tok video

[@robertj.batista]

Quincy Jones was the producer. The song was written and composed by Rod Temperton.

[@dragonlord12]

I had the vinyl record that had this song on it when I was a kid unfortunately all the records me & my 2 sisters had were lost. I'm sure a 1st print of this album would be worth tons today.

[@haruncimpo2332]

I swear, her reactions like a disney princess are so addictive. Good stuff.

[@ostlandr]

Love how Elizabeth, the opera singer and vocal coach who is diving deep into the vocals, fangirls even more than my other favorite react KZbinr, Alieen Senpai.

[@zacharymunson1105]

@@ostlandr touch some grass pal

[@LisFayte]

Have you seen her singing as Ursula from The Little Mermaid? Awesomeness!

[@BrenJen86]

Thank you so much for showcasing MJ’s vocal prowess. So many people let his dancing and showmanship overshadow his incredible voice that is truly iconic. I’ve heard him sing live in concert and he was amazing!

[@pitbullw35581]

A lot of music people like he sang with the Jackson 5 when he was a child MJ is the goat, he turned down putting profanity in his music and made a lot of people mad by not going along with the rap genre

[@mimsydreams]

No idea how anyone could overlook his singing. It's what made him famous in the first place! Baby Michael singing in the Jackson 5 overshadowed every other Jackson sibling. His voice was iconic before he hit puberty!

[@sabin97]

there's a guy called shaun track. he does music analysis from a music production perspective. he finds the individual tracks that form a song. he did an analysis of one or two michael jackson songs. micheal jackson could sing like a whole choir, recording each line of melody and he would always be on-key and always had perfect timing.....he was an amazing singer....

[@erenyeeagah204]

@@mimsydreams well people aknowledge that his voice is high and sounds unique but they usually dont go deeper than that.

[@mimsydreams]

@@erenyeeagah204 That's insane to me.

[@furygeist]

We need more MJ analysis vids! He had a voice that somehow glimmered. It's so pretty.

[@CrazyTasteyPi]

MJ was a sterling example of what you get when raw talent is honed by training and discipline. There's a good reason he was called, "The King of Pop" and considered one of the greatest performers of all time.

[@dennisfriden]

Watching Jackson dance, listening to his absolutely intoxicating voice, that funky beat making you wanna burst out dancing... And then on top of that adding Elizabeth brilliantly commentating and sharing her sparkling energy just made me smile, cheek to cheek, continuously, for 29 minutes straight. Awesome!

[@markburkley42]

The word "delight" always comes to mind listening and watching Elizabeth.

[@robbiec11671]

Absolutely ❤

[@G.lazaridis1993]

Your acknowledgment for "such a master", the way you feel it, is so nice to see. It just makes me emotional. And im a 30 year old man. I really think we all should be grateful we had the chance to witness such perfection. Literally a Legend! R.I.P. 🕊😮

[@DEPARTMENTOFREDUNDANCYDEPT]

This music video was the ultimate achievement of the form. Nothing else even comes close. The collection of talent involved in this production was literally lightening in a bottle, and nobody who experienced this video when it was released could claim to be unaffected by it. It is a candidate for the title of Michael Jackson's supreme musical/video creation. He was a unique talent, the likes of whom we will never see again.

[@metalmark1214]

For the full length video of Thriller John Landis, who worked on the 1981 movie An American Werewolf In London, was brought in to direct. Vincent Price, an actor known for his work on horror films, did the narration at the end of the song, including the evil laugh. Vincent Price's rap includes the line "Must stand and face the hounds of hell." This was inspired by the most popular Sherlock Holmes novel to date, The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The music video is considered the most famous music video of all time, at least by the Library of Congress, which added it to its National Film Registry in 2009, the first music video in their registry.

[@TimothyLafreniere]

John Landis also directed.....Blues Brothers

[@cjwright79]

thank you for that information Mark! 🙇‍♂️

[@hadtopicausername]

I saw a clip here on KZbin of Vincent Price doing that narration and evil laugh live on a talk show. It was fantastic.

[@robtooley4002]

I had the great pleasure of experiencing this when it first came out. Friends were calling each other saying you have to watch the Thriller video. Teachers talked about it and this was a time when teachers were more professional and you often didnt even know their first names. I think it was even on the news. Some people don't realize that it was MJ who brought the line of dancers performing in a music video to the world. It's a given now, but back when he started it, it was sensational and honestly there was no controversy or anything. Just about everyone was in love with this video! Even my grandparents loved it because Vincent Price was involved and he was their age group.

[@metalmark1214]

@@robtooley4002 Same here. I am old enough to have watch the premier of the full video.

[@GhostCrowBrother]

Glad to see people loving on MJ even now.

[@TacoBarato]

So glad they preserved this and upscaled it to 4k, it's looks incredible.

[@abrielrobertsson4160]

I can describe his voice as “gorgeous”. It makes you smile and sing along. Plus, emotive voices are so beautiful in general. You can tell when he's smiling, angry, sad, happy, etc. Obviously, he had tons of experience from singing since he was 5, so he found his perfect voice really early on. Plus, as you said, he's stupid precise. If you listen to the recording of "We are the World", in every single take he sings exactly the same. It's always magical listening to him and watching him perform live. There will never be another Michael Jackson, or anyone better. Not a single chance.

[@jwolfe01234]

I watched the Thriller video just the other day, because one must not go too long without watching Thriller, Halloween season or no. I'm always amazed at the precision of his movement. And here Elizabeth breaks down the precision of his voice and his music. There aren't words to describe how remarkable Michael Jackson was.

[@bryanhawkins9418]

Couldn’t have said it better! “One must not go too long without watching Thriller!” 🤣🤣 I love it!

[@PatrickKCompton]

Still remember seeing this for the first time. Blew me away! Also loved the full documentary that followed. What amazes me still, is watching the part where the dancers had been working all day, MJ walks into the room and freakin out moves them all. No rehearsal, just incredible talent. There will never be another MJ. Happy Halloween everyone!

[@calemobrien1139]

As much as I love Thriller, my favorite part is always Vincent Prices part! As a horror lover and lover of all things Price, it always gives me chills when I hear him & his iconic voice!!!!

[@deed5811]

You have heard Vincent Price's spoken pieces for Alice Cooper's The Black Widow?

[@carn9507]

I just love the fact that Vincent Price of all people is on the title track of the world's best selling album. A horror movie actor with a higher achieviement in the music industry that every actual music artist that ain't Mike, will likely never achieve themselves. :P

[@robertj.batista]

I always skip the Vincent Price part.

[@WastedTalent-]

@@deed5811 Search for "The Strange Case of Alice Cooper." It's the Welcome to my Nightmare TV special.

[@WastedTalent-]

@@deed5811 Can't forget Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast."

[@Chodaboy65]

The backup singers are typically 4 or 5 layers of MJ providing his own chorus. Absolutely amazing song and video.

[@xoxoxoxoxo7997]

That is rare and amazing

[@handsomeX]

Exactly. And it was a long and tedious process, especially back then. It required extra studio time which most other musicians wouldn't have been able to afford.

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

Reminds me of The Longest Time by Billy Joel, where he did all the voices by himself.

[@HammerOn-bu7gx]

But! But! But! You CUT Vincent's LAUGH! OH! THE HUMANITY!

[@0num4]

Michael Jackson's most impressive performance, to me at least, are the demo tapes of him figuring out Beat It and other songs *a cappella*. No instruments, no backing tracks, just layers of his own voice done on a simple recorder. His raw talent AND dedication to crafting his music is clearly evident--the man was a master.

[@MarlaSingersCancer]

And it shows how much he understood the music that he didn't even need coaching. He was coaching himself. It's incredible.

[@dannyblau3850]

It will forever blow my mind that he was apparently a full blow baritone with a deep voice which he didn't like for whatever his reasons were, so what we think of as his standard "register" we always heard him in was significantly higher and he just has so much range, ability and talent he could just choose to do that.

[@DrLipkin]

It's wild that Thriller, Billy Jean, and Beat It were all on the same album, and that it was the sixth studio album that Michael released. That many bangers at the same time, that deep into someone's career, is positively insane.

[@TheBlackDeath3]

Not just the same album, but a three-song run, one after the other after the other.

[@freebandz4332]

Well the thing is he had 4 albums released as a kid under Motown where he was still branded as that kid who sang lead for The Jackson 5, not as Michael Jackson the solo act. Thriller was his 2nd solo album as an adult, under Epic Records, where he had creative control. In the 4 Motown albums, Gordy made him basically just do the same things he was doing in The Jackson 5.

[@LordEriolTolkien]

I remember the night this was first aired. it was a televisual and musical premiere. I had this album and thrashed it to pieces

[@micheller314]

I also remember when this premiered. Halloween and a bunch of kids. The Halloween party was paused just so we could gather around to watch. Great times.

[@DarkMatterBurrito]

@@micheller314 I was a kid and it scared the ish out of me.

[@jhouck1969]

I can’t think of any other video’s premiere getting hyped as much as Thriller was.

[@prOGamer-ul5zc]

There was also a parent advisory warning before the premiere.

[@boqndimitrov8693]

years pass, and sometimes we forget how good a singer he was. But then we hear one of his songs, and the memories come back.

[@gloriagaddy]

What a great surprise! I remember being so excited when Thriller was released. It combined MJ, who I had watched on TV and heard on the radio since we were both small children, and Vincent Price, my favorite actor! Incidentally, Price took a one-time payment of just $20,000 for his part, rather than a share of the royalties.

[@TheFunk79]

I've loved MJ for over three decades, and yet your commentary sheds new light and helps me hear new things in it. Thanks so much for your gift that you share so willingly with all of us. You are a treasure. You may want to visit little MJ and do a vocal analysis on him in his Jackson 5 days to see what seeds in his voice you hear in the older version and any variations you notice (besides the pitch). Usually artists get better with time but he was just always great. Would be fun to investigate what he does even then that is so unique and a foreshadowing of things to come.

[@travman7251]

I remember when Thriller Album came out. My whole 6th grade class did the dance at a school performance. 150+ kids dressed as zombies and vampires dancing up a storm. This song makes me smile every time I hear remembering that time.

[@comvoice]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the analysis of Michael Jackson - one of the most stunning vocalists of all-time! And, to deep dive into "Thriller" is an extra treat!

[@chrismaverick9828]

MJ was not just a musical genius, but his performance ability was stunning. He held numerous patents for various set pieces used in his performances, most notably the Smooth Criminal "Lean Shoes" which is a fantastic example of simplicity that no one had really thought of before. His videos were described as "Hip Hopera" due to their production and lengths. Also, the entirety of the "Thriller" album is fantastic. There is a reason it is one of the top best-selling albums of all time.

[@MikeDalinsVideo]

Michaels vocal hiccup's were his way of doing rhythmic sounds like a beatbox while singing. Probably an innovator of that sound.

[@ianneub9796]

Please more Michael Jackson, listen to him and watch him is always fun for me, but see your enjoyment and your fun on top of it, is just a beautiful experience! I'm a man, born in 1983, so I was a boy in his peak. Hearing "Black or White" on my Walkman while the song startet with this iconic "scene", aweasome! If you want to make a video focus on his vocal performance: - "Human Nature" - "Off the Wall" - Or if as Child "Ben" - if you want to hear someone sing in slow motion (Not even sure how he does it that it feels like that, it's slows my heartbeat) "The Lady in my life" - Including Beatboxing (Sure why not, he can do everything) "Stranger in Moscow" A few tips beside his biggest hits.

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

If I had to describe his singing with one word, it would be "precision". He has that exact timing and intonation. And no matter what people think about MJ, he made Thriller!

[@BrianCharles-t6f]

Its good to hear a critique of a very well known pop star and get to understand just what made them special vocally. we don't really think of pop stars as outstanding singers but people like Michael Jackson - Freddy Mercury - George Michael - Whitney Houston - Mick Hucknell really had super talent and sounds all of their own. nice break down.

[@TenTonNuke]

I've seen enough behind the scenes stuff with Michael Jackson to know that to be the best, you have to dedicate yourself 100%. He oversaw every step and movement behind every dance. He demanded perfection from those he worked with, but was quick to give out compliments and praise when you got it right. MJ wasn't sitting around watching TV and reading Twitter. He spent every moment of every day perfecting his craft. And that's a sacrifice that many aren't willing to make.

[@for-house-stark]

PERIOD ❗

[@MrGhosta5]

What's amazing is that Michael Jackson didn't write any of his music down. He just told the band things like the beat goes like this and the drums go like that and then comes the guitar solo.

[@MarlaSingersCancer]

People always talk about the New Michael Jackson and all this and that, but all my life I've never heard another major pop artist add this much detail, nuance and skill into just the tiniest pieces of his art. Parts of the backing of his own music like Billie Jean are just his own vocals he sang and were used as instrumentations. Some of his beatboxing is part of his actual music sounding like a rhythm section. Even here listening to you talk about him for the first time I realized how he used his little vocal hiccups within his own singing too, like "under the moonlight-hiccup" and then uses that to punctuate his rhyming. He was very big on vocal coaches and used pretty much the same one all his life, and was rigorous about it, practicing every day. Also when he claps here in the video, those claps are in the song, he was clapping as he sang, dancing as he sang. All of that creates such an energy to his music. It's something we've completely lost now with autotune.

[@ClockworkEngineer]

It's also so crazy that he was so good at dancing that he made his professional backup dancers look like three legged elephants when his actual profession was singer.

[@xoxoxoxoxo7997]

Only pop star to be in the national dance museum in Saratoga NY

[@Mugthraka]

well he was driven to near exhaustion by his father has a Kid when they where in training And by the time he released Thriller, he allready had like a 18years career as a singer and dancer since he started at the age of 9.

[@STRAKAZulu]

He also had a keen eye when it came to choreographers. Most of the best of the 80’s and 90’s choreographers either got a huge bump from him, or got their start with him.

[@mjt1517]

His profession was performer, which includes singing and dancing.

[@smalltownhomesteadAC]

He has naturally a Baritone voice, his natural voice is not high. He kept that performance up his entire life, hence the smile. Imagine what that would take.

[@rhphotocdn]

I remember the night the video/movie was released. We gathered around the tv, continuing to watch it again days later. So iconic, even today it’s simply amazing.

[@dbblues.9168]

I was 3 when this came out. when I was old enough to watch on MTV, I was freaked out. I thought MJ was a god, I couldn't wrap my head around this amazing man being a zombie. he was was so special in the 80s .If you you didn't live it, you wouldn't get it. Genuinely terrified from this video . MJ was very special. Pure talent in his prime. Regardless of his later crap. He was absolutely special. Michael was magic in those days. That Jacket alone defined generation

[@austinrestovic]

Vincent Price's voice over, and his laugh at the end, have always been my favorite parts of this whole song, even before I knew who Vincent Price was.

[@Nutmeg142]

I was a little girl when this album came out and had such a crush on MJ and would make my dad play this song in the car over and over. And Michael was a known perfectionist so you know he thought of every movement over and over for max effect

[@roberttauzer7042]

MJ was such a master of his craft. No wonder his musical legacy was worth trillions.

[@Flayerthehatebound]

MJ is the most important person who was music and made a huge impact. Very iconic. Don’t really know anyone more iconic than him in pop

[@janette7330]

Wow this is nostalgia for me! I remember when MTV played it at certain times and we made sure to be able to see the video! It feels like a lifetime ago, and it makes me remember how big he was, everybody loved MJ! ❤ It is so sad what he went through, may he rest in peace.

[@demondaddy328]

Elizabeth, if you’ve never seen the film Ghosts that MJ made (and starred in as multiple characters) I beg you to watch it. One of his lesser known creations. The music video for “Is It Scary” is stunning.

[@endonyxoneaudio8644]

I'll second that !😊

[@carn9507]

I still don't get how legs move like they do in those dances (if you seen it, you know which part). :O

[@tinalutz342]

I agree! You need to watch MJ's "Ghosts". It's also a short horror/zombie themed film. It's amazing to see how far he advanced in his productions. The theatrics remind me of the Pirates of the Carribean movies. It's awesome!

[@carn9507]

@@tinalutz342 Even the 90s CGI holds up surprisingly well. :)

[@jaegordon25]

I love Ghosts. The choreography is amazing in that video.

[@tawesome]

I had always assumed that the music was synthesised and that a drum machine was used. Then videos of his drummer Jonathan Moffett appeared on my recommendations and I was blown away. Given how controlled and precise he is, maybe he is a machine.

[@Moonwalker1075]

Yessssss, you are finally doing Michael Jackson. I have waited for so long for you to do the king of pop and you finally have gotten around to it.

[@TracyN67]

I met Michael and his brothers when I was a kid. I was seven, and the year was 1974. We were moving to Wisconsin, but our house wasn’t ready yet, so we were staying at a hotel about 20 minutes from Milwaukee. It wasn’t really fancy or anything. I think it was a Marriott. Anyway, we were unlocking our door and Michael and his brothers were unlocking their doors in the two rooms next to us. We had our dachshund with us, and Michael ran over to see him. He was shy but very nice. I was a fan of the Jackson Five, so I knew who they were. We talked for a few minutes and then said goodbye. I was too young to think of getting an autograph and I didn’t have a camera unfortunately. But I will never forget it!

[@robertj.batista]

It's great how you highlight all the characteristics and qualities of Michael's voice and the great singer, dancer and composer he was.

[@benhague4374]

I don’t comment on videos really but I loved this, watching people with a passion talking about their passion is the best thing! Good luck with the exploring your voice! 😌

[@carn9507]

John Landis (director) and Rick Baker (make up effects) often get their well deserved credit for working on this video but composer Elmer Bernstein (who also worked on 'An American Werewolf In London' with them) is often overlooked and deserves plenty credit too for his excellent score (all the creepy orchestral music that isn't the Thriller song itself). Michael Jackson was a big fan of American Werewolf and wanted all of that crucial talent to help realise his vision. :)

[@christophersantiago445]

The howling at the beginning of the song/video are from American Werewolf in London...

[@Joreel]

​@@christophersantiago445Not too many people know that LoL 😋

[@STS125]

The music in thriller is actually from a rejected song from American Werewolf called Metamorphosis.

[@pringals]

This video gives me goosebumps from nostalgia of being a kid, sitting in front of the TV with MTV on, waiting for the song to come into the rotation to see the whole video. People today just don't understand. Now one can just type it in and instantly watch anything. The making of the video documentary is amazing too. One can only wonder where MJ would be today if he never had health and mental issues and never walked the path that led to people questioning his character. He was a genius in his music, artistic eye, and chorography. Who he was in his private life is for another discussion.

[@ElfSixDave]

I remember sitting up till about 1 am in the morning to watch the first ever showing of this video, and I was blown away. This was totally unbelievable back then. Still, one of the best videos ever.

[@WastedTalent-]

Don't forget the weeks of build up and "Making Of" specials.

[@seonaelizabethcoster8465]

As much as i love this song, and Michael's performance, i ABSOLUTELY ADORE the glorious shiver that Vincent Price creates with his recitation. (*chills*) It just wouldn't be the same without him.

[@AmiliaCaraMia]

One of your best videos yet. Also loved the commentary on Vincent Price 🙌

[@socialworker3046]

I can’t believe it’s been 41 years!!!!! I played the video for one of my 4th graders. Scared the crap outta him! Thriller has still got it!

[@GreenJeepAdventures]

Elizabeth, have you thought of interviewing voice actors? The voices they produce are wide ranging and its something I would love to learn more about.

[@emilywilhite5807]

I would love to see that.

[@cjwright79]

the Baldur's Gate III crew might be a good place to start! ⚔️🧙‍♂️🐉🌌

[@sweetpeafairy2255]

Grey DeLisle & Richard Horvitz always impressed me

[@BobSakamoto]

Courtney Draper would be a cinch. Great VA and also a fine singer.

[@vehlinge]

Also, most have impressive singing abilities as well.

[@eldenjr]

He created two of the greatest dance sequences in history. This and Smooth Criminal are phenomenal..... They premiered this video at the mall where I lived. We made a special trip there just to see it. I still rank that in my top 10 of musical experiences. Thanks, Michael.....

[@garylagstrom3864]

I saw the Jackson’s Victory tour August 1984 in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville Tennessee where the Tennessee VOLS football team play. Three nights sold out-Fri-Sun. They were incredible! Hits with his brothers and Michael’s solo material including all of Thriller!

[@brokl26]

Vincent Price said, “Y’all’s neighborhood”. First time hearing that I was floored. VP was the fright master, ultra white, and he said “y’all’s”. I about died. A girl I went to school with was the first of us to own the Thriller album and she had it on vinyl. We all dubbed it to cassettes. I saved some cash and eventually bought the vinyl as well. Great to be an 80s kid

[@maccah25]

The roar is indeed from an American werewolf in London. The “see you next Wednesday” is a tongue in cheek from the very same film. Rick baker created the wolf in that film and also the make up for this music video. Top of his game! The roar is a collection of lots of sounds, animal and funnily enough a freight train. The first attack in American werewolf gives you a good sample, it’s brutal though! 🙂

[@fawnwalker7855]

Had nightmares about his transformation in the bed for years @TheLordofEntropy

[@sluedoll]

That movie scared the poop out of me😮

[@TSIRKLAND]

"See You Next Wednesday" was a John Landis inside joke; he managed to sneak it into a lot of his projects. There's a poster for a film with that title on the bedroom of Jamie Lee Curtis' character in "Trading Places." It's mentioned in "American Werewolf..." and "Thriller." He snuck it in here and there in a lot of his movies! It's a fun easter egg to hunt for...

[@TSIRKLAND]

I've never heard it confirmed or denied whether "See You Next Wednesday" was a deliberate play on "C U Next Tuesday" (acronym for a very naughty word) or just a fun title, and the similarity a coincidence.

[@robertatkinson6864]

Okay, then explain why the Wikipedia article about Thriller specifically says "To record the wolf howls, Swedien set up tape recorders up around his Great Dane in a barn overnight, but the dog never howled. Instead, Jackson recorded the howls himself.[14] (Swedien refers to recording engineer Bruce Swedien.) So, are we supposed to believe you, some random guy on the internet, over the stated facts presented by the actual recording engineer for Thriller? 🙄🙄🙄

[@AndieFlowers3]

There is very few people in the world that can be extremely talented in more than one area. His music composition, lyrical ability, amazing interpretation, spectacular voice, incredible dancing, visionary of visual arts, he was each part of the orchestra and the conductor as well… He really put his vision and talents out there, incredible. He is the number one for sure and will always be, can’t see anyone getting anywhere close to his level! ❤

[@AmericasJanitor]

MJ was incredibly precise with his moves his sounds. He knew every single little pitch, how it should be sung and played. It was very impressive. Such a loss.

[@cjwright79]

I mean sure, but how much transformative, revolutionary work had Michael Jackson done on the downward slope of "Scream" and "They Don't Really Care About Us"

[@ishimuranacho]

Michael was my first fav artist since i was 3 years old. Im so happy to enjoy it with you. Thank you! you are the best my lady.

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

Huge props to Quincy Jones for the arrangement. M.J. seems to be dancing with his face, which is super cool. John Landis was still on a horror high after his film "An American Werewolf in London" which is worth your time to watch (it has some darkly comedic scenes). So was a natural to make the video. The transformation scene in that film was all practical effects, were ground breaking then and yet stands up well today. I'll see you all in the Slaughtered Lamb for a pint on all hallows eve.

[@speakstheobvious5769]

The amount of layering of his voice in parts of this song is astounding. Some of them were like 6-7 layers.

[@bixby9797]

I remember him and the Jackson Five on Ed Sullivan. So much talent but l lost track until this and it was epic. MJ shifted all of music with this album. Enough talent for an entire industry . MJ made this video so long specifically to get it into the Academy Awards Short Film category

[@CabinFever52]

We had a jukebox in my junior high cafeteria and Michael's Ben played back-to-back all the way through lunchtime.

[@CabinFever52]

Every day.

[@CabinFever52]

For at least one whole year.

[@talasmanca]

I remember this premiering, it was a family affair like waiting for a new movie, we all sat as a family to watch it and were utterly blown away, it was revolutionary and just showed how much of a genius he really was, listening to you go into detail on voice has given me such a new appreciation for it. I used to think you kinda just sang and not realized all the technical skill that goes into it. Even having been in choir and performing arts it was more about warming up and salt water gargling. Makes me listen to and analyze the voice in all my music.

[@gilanafaye]

a huge part of my childhood was watching the making of this music video, i think my mom recorded it off of hbo or something, but we had it on beta and i adored watching how they did the makeup, the costumes, the choreography, even down to the painful contacts that michael wore. i think it's why i ended up being a theatre kid when i got older. there's a couple uploads here on yt if you search for it.

[@TheNotSoFatman72]

His dancing is very percussive if that makes any sense. When I think of his dancing a lot of Rhythm beats come to me . Every aspect of him is musical in one way or another. Absolutely awesome reaction! Keep killing it!👍

[@LYBism]

I really appreciate you for your analysis of Michael's voice. My friend argued that Tevin Campbell (as a child) was a better singer than Michael was (as a child). I told her that the only differences were their singing styles and the types of songs that each sang as a child. But the ABILITY of Michael's voice as a child was undeniably superb.

[@mssha1980]

Is there any recordings of Tevin as a child? I think he debuted debuted post puberty.

[@jasonmatthews806]

Just play Who's Loving You from the J5 years when he was 10 years old. That will shut them down quick. The control and power he had that young is incredible!

[@lovelylych7643]

Thank you!! I love Michael so much and seeing your happy nerdiness about his fantastic voice just made my day!

[@orionsfall8532]

On the subject of non-singing vocal sounds... I'd love to see some analysis of Bobby McFerrin's work. He, more than anyone, uses his vocal instrument to the absolute limit.

[@jamsinentertainment7127]

Yes, please 😊 100% Elizabeth should break down "Don't Worry, Be Happy"

[@ellenstergaardgravesen1011]

Uh yes - I did a project analyzing his vocal solo concerts about 20 years ago at university. He is just amazing! "The Jump", "I'm my own walkman", "Blackbird", "I'm alone", "T.J." - love them all

[@handsomeX]

Great idea! He also did one of the Cosby Show intros. We also share the same birthday. March 11th 😏

[@jamespaulo3729]

Great video ,We need more MJ analysis vids!

[@BooksNCamping]

So excited to catch this “live”! I’ve recently found your channel, and I have binged you for the last few days hard core! You are a delight to watch. I love watching you listen to some of my favorite pieces from the 90s especially. It brings me right back to my college days. It’s been a pleasure watching you fall in love with genres of music that are not in your wheelhouse. A lot of rock/alt rock/grunge era was labeled noise. So to see someone who is classically trained and talented recognize the talent of an Eddie Vedder or James Hetfield warms my soul. I have a request, please, please, PLEASE checkout Alanis Morissette “You Oughta Know” if you haven’t yet. Her album Jagged Little Pill dropped the year I turned 18. Every single song was a banger and it solidified her as the alt rock goddess that she was! I remember exactly where I was when I first heard her, and 28 years later, it hits exactly the same. Thank you for all you do, and happy listening! P.S. Michael Jackson Thriller was the first album I owned. I believe I was 6, and so yeah, super excited to hear your commentary!

[@peverilngehngeh8536]

For forty thousand years people will still groove to thriller.

[@stevenkaye1625]

I love, love, love your analyses of songs! Your zest for it all makes me appreciate them so much more! Please do more MJ!

[@scottlambert3337]

I have never seen Elizabeth stop the song on every third word. Some serious advanced singing.

[@andyschnell58]

Great job premiering this video on Friday the 13th and right before Halloween. Hopefully Elizabeth gets a small army of videos of people doing the Thriller, zombie dance.

[@jennielee3977]

Many communities have a "zombie march" event at Hallowe'en where the public is invited to dress up as zombies and lurch their way along a set route downtown while Thriller is played, doing the dance. I think you would enjoy doing that!

[@BluEx22329]

This is probably vocally one of his best vocal performances

[@ArmandoMartinez-zz5xt]

I love how when he "dives back in" it is the first time he says the word thriller!!

[@sirkat344]

I was never what one could call a 'fan' of MJ, but this video was a must watch in '83/'84. Still is a fantastic watch. This is going to be a spooktacularly fun premiere! #ItsaThiller! #Letsgettoit 😈😈😈

[@ostlandr]

Ditto. I did end up buying a copy of the Thriller album on vinyl, just to see what all the hype was about. Incredible musicianship and artistry, but still not to my taste.

[@sirkat344]

I@ostlandrI f you'll note the liner notes, it's basically a Toto LP w/ MJ as the vocalist. Pretty weird- but yeah, awesome musicianship.

[@GuiSama8000]

The very first video I watched on KZbin was Thriller. My school, way back when, did a cultural festival, and some students where cast to dance the Thriller dance, beat by beat. And in preparation, everyone watched the full length video. No one knew what KZbin was, it was the early days for it, but the experience has stayed with me over the years. Truly a masterpiece.

[@casachezdoom2588]

When this came out it was quite an event in itself, following the huge success of the album. It was a lot more than just another music video, it was a short movie with quite a big production behind it. Sure left a mark!

[@LoriPeace]

There is a video about the making of this video that shows them running this sequence multiple times, working out how fast she needs to walk to allow him to sing the section he needs to sing there before getting to the cemetery. And I'm just now realizing, if you're only reacting to the singing part, that's really a very tiny section of this video -- the rest is inside the movie theater, the zombies coming out of the graves and surrounding the couple, Michael dancing with the zombies, a little more singing, and then the zombies chasing the girl into the house. Oh, wait, there's a some singing during cemetery scene.

[@OrangeCounty-zq1qs]

MTV would play this video every day around 3:00 PM, everybody in my college dorm would come to the lobby to watch on the big screen (well, the biggest TV iin 1983) ... even tho most of the guys were more into the Stones, AC/DC and Rush, that was an easy way to meet girls

[@victorialove9104]

I never tire of this video. Genius from start to finish.❤

[@owenpavey]

Fantastic tune,and video production,still heavily parodied across the world, especially by Pro Dancers on Strictly Come Dancing.Comedy trio Three of a Kind re-wrote parts "i think he's just a fan of Aston Villa" and of course Muse's recent tune "You make me feel like it's Halloween" has all the hallmarks of bieng a tribute to the time period.

[@bigdream_dreambig]

From what I recall, the Thriller album was the first one with the various vocal cries, etc., that immediately defined Michael Jackson's individual sound as distinct from the sound of Michael Jackson as the lead singer of the Jackson 5.

[@greeko811]

Hi, great reaction. 👍 Back in 2013 I actually met the director of this very video clip John Landis here in Melbourne, Australia when he came down to promote his then new book based on classic movie monsters. While down here he was invited to one of our local single screen classic movie theatres for a screening of “The Blues Brothers” for a Q&A session about the film and later actually sat down in the front row with his wife and watched it along with us. The following day we got a chance to meet him in person at the book signing. He was such a cool guy. According to him this entire video which indeed was filmed as a feature length movie and distributed along with bonus footage of the behind the scenes making of “Thriller” to MTV back in the day was the result of Michael Jackson simply wanting to dress up as a monster lol!!! 😂😂😂

[@chrisscheele2088]

Yep, I had the CED Video Disc of this (yes lol RCA failed attempt that was clost to a laser disc but not quite) The disc had the whole video on it and the making of it. Biggest thing I remember from the making of it was that John Landis was saying how all the zombies in the video where professional dancers that been training for years on dancing and MJ just would come in and do exactly and even better dance they the pros. lol. If you can find it was worth the watch.

[@TheFunk79]

What sets MJ's voice apart from the imitators is the sheer emotionality, unreal how he feels every note, every moment. So singular in his expression and in most everything.

[@charlescdt6509]

Any plans to do a break down of how his voice changes as he got older? That would be awesome.

[@IceHot247]

I love the sound effects in this video. Music videos mute the scene sounds. In this, they accentuate them even more. You can hear each step on the gravel so clearly as well as the claps, and other smacks. It's iconic. Even without the video, you know exactly what is happening because of the inclusion of the sound effects.

[@jasonep2]

Greatest music video ever. My favorite part of the video has always been the dance sequence. A connection between the worlds of opera and Michael Jackson I just discovered the other day: apparently countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo* did backing vocals for MJ, but I don't know which recording(s) he sang on. *his performance in the Philip Glass opera Akhnaten is sublime

[@matthewhead1465]

I remember when this video debuted. It was a huge deal, in primetime, at least in Canada, and it blew everyone away. No one had ever seen a music video like it before.

[@brianboyer6012]

Love him or hate him,he had an incredible voice.

[@gasimon5260]

No need to hate him.

[@DefenestrateYourself]

@@gasimon5260 other than hurting children, sure

[@therunawaykid6523]

@@DefenestrateYourselfpretty sure it was revealed he was totally innocent

[@owl4260]

​@@therunawaykid6523 In court, yes. But it's still incredibly weird and questionable to have other people's children spend the night in your bed without parental supervision, especially when you're not related to them.

[@therunawaykid6523]

@@owl4260 that is true

[@joel.6359]

I always learn so much from your videos, and I got a whole new appreciation for Michael Jackson's voice today! The mini-analysis of Vincent Price was a nice bonus, too.

[@djoetma]

There is an interesting Beyoncé performance of her singing acapella in a hospital where she does Halo while kneeling on some cushion. What's interesting is that she sings it differently from the video, really pronouncing the words out for some reason. Would love to hear your insights on that. Good to see you do an MJ video btw. Pity there are so few live performances of MJ. Apparently there is actually quite some studio footage out there showing MJ actually singing in the microphone. Hopefully they can clear it up and release it at some point. Most live footage are from concerts in the early 90s and the 80s. Wanna be Startin' Something at Wembley might be an interesting one. This is It footage is apparently tricky for KZbinrs to react to because of very strict copyright restrictions, so the live singing in there can probably not be covered.