Thriller

Song information

Author: Rod Temperton
Album title: Thriller
Year of release: 1982
Duration: 5:57
Lyrics:
[1st Verse]
It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark
Under the moonlight you see a sight that almost stops your heart
You try to scream but terror takes the sound before you make it
You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes,
You're paralyzed

[Chorus]
'Cause this is thriller, thriller night
And no one's gonna save you from the beast about to strike
You know it's thriller, thriller night
You're fighting for your life inside a killer, thriller tonight

[2nd Verse]
You hear the door slam and realize there's nowhere left to run
You feel the cold hand and wonder if you'll ever see the sun
You close your eyes and hope that this is just imagination
But all the while you hear the creature creepin' up behind
You're out of time

[Chorus]
'Cause this is thriller, thriller night
There ain't no second chance against the thing with forty eyes
You know it's thriller, thriller night
You're fighting to survive inside a killer, thriller tonight

[Bridge]
Night creatures call
And the dead start to walk in their masquerade
There's no escapin' the jaws of the alien this time (they're open wide)
This is the end of your life

[3rd Verse]
They're out to get you, there's demons closing in on every side
They will possess you unless you change the number on your dial
Now is the time for you and I to cuddle close together
All thru the night I'll save you from the terrors on the screen,
I'll make you see

[Chorus]
That it's a thriller, thriller night
'Cause I can thrill you more than any ghost would dare to try
Girl, this is thriller, thriller night
So let me hold you tight and share a killer, diller, chiller,
Thriller here tonight

[Rap Performed by Vincent Price]
Darkness falls across the land
The midnite hour is close at hand
Creatures crawl in search of blood
To terrorize y'awl's neighborhood
And whosoever shall be found
Without the soul for getting down
Must stand and face the hounds of hell
And rot inside a corpse's shell
The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of forty thousand years
And grizzly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of the thriller
Can you dig it?!!!!
(Into maniacal laugh, in deep echo)
Song recording information:
  • Featuring: Rap by Vincent Price
  • Greg Phillinganes, Rod Temperton & Brian Banks: Synthesizer
  • Anthony Marinelli: Synthesizer Programming
  • David Williams: Guitar
  • Jerry Hey: Trumpet, Flugelhorn
  • Gary Grant: Trumpet, Flugelhorn
  • Larry Williams: Sax, Flute
  • Bill Reichenbach: Trombone
  • Vocal, Rhythm and Synthesizer arrangement by Rod Temperton
  • Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey
  • Effects by Bruce Cannon & Bruce Swedien
Song released in albums:
Song type Album title, song's alt. title Duration Year of release
[I] The Rockridge Synthesizer Orchestra Plays Michael Jackson Unknown
Michael Jackson — Thriller 5:57 1982
[I] Michael Jackson - The Story - Played by London Twilight Orchestra - Vol. 1 Unknown
Michael Jackson — HIStory - Past, Present and Future - Book I 5:58 1995
Michael Jackson — Thriller Special Edition 5:58 2001
Michael Jackson — Thriller 25 5:58 2008
Michael Jackson — Greatest Hits - HIStory - Volume I 5:57 2001
Michael Jackson — Number Ones 5:12 2003
Michael Jackson — The Ultimate Collection 5:58 2004
Michael Jackson — The Essential Michael Jackson 5:12 2005
[G] Michael Jackson — Bad 25 4:28 2012
Michael Jackson — King Of Pop (Deluxe UK Edition) 5:13 2008
Michael Jackson — Thriller [A3643] S 4:37 1983
Michael Jackson — This Is It 5:57 2009
Michael Jackson — Thriller [34-04364] S 3:56 1984
[G] Michael Jackson — One Night In Japan (bootleg) 4:29 2009
[D] Michael Jackson — Thriller Demos

Starlight

5:09
[I] Michael Jackson — Instrumental Version Collection 6:00 1988
[G] Michael Jackson — Live at Wembley July 16, 1988 4:28 2012
Michael Jackson — The 12" Mixes 5:56 1988
[I] London Synphonic Orchestra Plays Michael Jackson 4:07 1995
Michael Jackson — Thriller [MJ 1/9] S 4:37 1983
[K] The Songs of Rod Temperton 5:58 2002
Michael Jackson — Thriller [065188] S 2006
[I] The Sunset Lounge Orchestra — The Michael Jackson Cool Down Experience - Part 2 4:35 2007
[I] Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ) Performs the Hits of Michael Jackson 3:14 2009
[I] #1 Tribute Band — Acoustic Guitar Tribute To Michael Jackson 5:28 2009
[I] Joey DeFrancesco — Never Can Say Goodbye 7:44 2010
[I] Adam Rafferty — I Remember Michael - A Michael Jackson Solo Guitar Tribute 4:27 2011
Michael Jackson — Thriller [065188] S

Thriller (Album Version)

2006
[R] Michael Jackson — Immortal 3:38 2011