The Genius of Michael Jackson’s Thriller – Wisecrack Edition

Watch as we crack into Michael Jackson's Thriller – the best selling album of ALL TIME! Thriller was a cultural melting pot and was the first album by a black artist to have songs in heavy rotation on MTV. But even though the innovative electronic sound on the album sounded new, it still had roots in traditional black music.

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Narrated by: Greg Edwards AKA Sparky Sweets, PhD.
Produced & Edited by: Jacob Salamon
Academic Advisors: Jeremy Katzenstein & Nick Sibicky
Co-Edited by: Ryan Hailey

© 2015 Wisecrack, Inc.

[WisecrackEDU]

Happy Halloween, everybody. What do you think? Want to see more music breakdowns?

[Hushoo]

The Beat It music video also had members from 2 different gangs dancing with one another. How MJ got both crips and bloods to work together for a music video is impressive if you ask me.

[baracksdubsfans]

This is perfect brain food after hours of editing.

[menroflkuk]

I always thought Smooth Criminal's video was just way better. Thriller might have revolutionized music videos, but smooth criminal made it to perfection

[nikimj]

i love how people are saying "this song is better" or "no this other song is better" but at the end of the day, they're all Michael's songs lol. Clearly no one dares to mention another artist's songs as they can't compare to MJ's

[r.babylon]

I was never a very big Michael Jackson fan, but I have found new appreciation for his work with this video.

[gsboss]

"the beatles arent even close"
"im a
you dont know how much this made me smile

[Bartholomule]

That was awesome. I love the recognition of modern stars who were new an innovative for their time but also don't forget their roots.

That's partially why I've bwen diggin' so much on this year's Kendrick Lamar album.

The lyrics and message are a hife part of what I loge about it, but also I love that in the modernity of the beats the traditions of Jazz, Funk and Soul shine through.

Not only do the sounds highlight the tradition on Black music but so do the featured artists. George Clinton on Parliament opens the album, Flying Lotus and Thundercat all over it and great Jazz musicians like Kamasi Washington and Robert Glasper are also involved. Bilal and others sing on this too.

[LeanDoughnut]

please more musical analysis, Dr. Sweets!

[treygoeshard]

Human Nature might be the best song ever written.

[ezewow]

I listen to Thriller for the first time a few months ago. oh God was I missing out ! I only really listen to 90s and early 2000s Punk. but now I I'm hooked on Michael.

[MitchMitchellStories]

Fantastic breakdown! This is my second favorite album of all time; the first is the first Jackson Five album I bought back in '69 with I Want You Back on it. It makes me more than proud that it's the best selling album at all time, and it was credited with not only saving the music industry, which was struggling, but changing it forever for the good... well, except for right now (old guy speak for new music lol).

[milesbennettdyson]

Sparky Sweets, you damn genius! You've gotta make more of these, awesome video!

[amberace]

I remember when the music video first aired on tv. I was a kid and thought it was a movie. That was how epic it felt. I still hold this song in my top 5.

[SheilaFunGAL]

Back in the day, I remember that this video had a premiere on television. I was a kid, but my mom let my brother and I stay up to watch it. It was a huge deal!

[stottification]

Hot shit. This is the best and most relevant video I've ever seen on YouTube.

[Omar_E]

Thriller is amazing and all, but I like Smooth Criminal better. That's including the music videos. I dunno, maybe it's nostalgia or something but I just fucking adore that song/music video. Both are spectacular works though, and are some of Jackson's best work.

[gsboss]

this is one of those pleasant videos wisecrack throws out at you, and i love it

[neifert]

I'd love to see more musical analysis, especially about geniuses like The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Queen, Led Zeppelin, etc.

[manudehanoi]

you forgot to mention Quincy Jones. If you take his career into account you can understand the skillful blend of genres.