It’s been four decades, yet Michael Jackson’s Thriller retains its first position on the charts as soon as Halloween arrives. Even this year, the song rose to #5 on the global Spotify chart with 5.677 million streams following the spooky season.
The chart data has posted a tweet about the song’s data:
Michael Jackson's "Thriller" rises to #5 on the global Spotify chart with 5.677 million streams following Halloween. pic.twitter.com/6SjMLvWHps
Released in November 1982, the album of the same name spent months on the Billboard Top 200. After some time, the album was displaced, and the team decided to release the song as a single. It has now almost become a tradition for the track to make its grand return and steal the spotlight at every Halloween listening party.
Inside the Making of Thriller: The Song That Redefined Pop and Horror
When Thriller was first released, it wasn’t just another pop song; it simply changed how music could feel, sound, and look. Combined with the howls, creaks, and beats, MJ’s aura turned the track into an unforgettable listening experience.
The song is written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones. The music video, which is directed by John Landis, has brought the horror fantasy to life.
A 13-minute masterpiece blurred the line between cinema and pop and revamped how artists approached music videos ever since. Decades later, be it the album or the song, it remains untouchable as a Halloween anthem and a global pop benchmark.
Every year, around the spooky season, as streaming numbers soar again, the song marks its entry and proves to be a celebration of music’s ability to thrill, scare, and unite generations.
Other Michael Jackson Hits That Keep the Halloween Spirit Alive
While Thriller may be the king of Halloween playlists, Jackson’s discography is filled with tracks that carry the same aura. Songs like Ghosts and Is It Scary showcase Jackson’s fascination with supernatural storytelling in pop music.
Another fan favorite, Dirty Diana, adds a darker edge to the singer’s musical persona. Likewise, Blood on the Dance Floor combines danger, dance, and desire, wrapping menace in rhythm, a signature MJ move that keeps listeners both thrilled and uneasy.
In all, Jackson’s storytelling is often filled with shadows, chase scenes, and moral ambiguity. It keeps his music linked to the spooky season.
Decades on, his sound still dominates every Halloween, proving that the King of Pop also triumphs over the kingdom of chills and thrills.
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