How Michael Jackson's Thriller Sold Millions!

Michael Jackson's Thriller didn't automatically become the biggest selling album of all time. Let's take a look at how it actually happened.
#michaeljackson #kingofpop
Thriller 40 #thriller40

Music from Epidemic Sound:

Outside the Line - Margareta
FLACO - Azucares
Tell 'Em No - Flux Vortex
Frankenstein (Sting Version) - Josef Falkenskold
Falling Skies - Killrude
Deadbeat - Tigerblood Jewel
Bruiser - Bonkers Beat Club
Shining Armor - Guustavv

[rebeccaalex]

No matter how many people didn't belive in him he belived in HIMSELF.

[itsPOPROX]

And this happened without social media. MJ will live forever

[domigriffin]

I don’t think thriller ever was a flop the beginning sales were normal to average sells and then he just super exploded and took over the world 😊

[SheilaRamseySoprano]

The man was able to literally SPEAK something into existence that most of us can’t even dream up in our minds.

[isaacs.]

Beat It was Thrillers secret sauce, it brought him to a new audience

[queenbee]

He used to write on his mirror that his album would sell a certain amount and it actually surpassed it

[olijadu]

Thriller wasnt doing well untill Mike's Billie Jean performance in 1983- and then it took off. That man put himself on the map and no one will ever be able to touch him.

[dorianjacobs]

Thriller is literally a perfect album, there are no misses on the album

[-SpiderBrown-]

Summing up: success is not made only by good music, but also good decisions

[pensiveczar]

Even though it's bland as warm milk, "The Girl Is Mine" was actually a brilliant marketing move. At the time soft rock/lite FM was huge, and this song was custom made for that arena. Paul was still commercially viable, and Michael was coming off of his best success, so it was going to be a hit even if it sucked.

[Itsmycent]

Most don't know Thriller sells were not good at all until a year later in 83 when the short film was released. Why it's now in the library of Congress as the only music video inducted for its impact on culture video and music. Sales went through the roof. Quincy Jones actually told him it wasn't a good idea to make a video and Michael couldn't get financing from the record label so he did it himself with his own money. Upon production Quincy realized what Michael was doing and on camera during filming of the short film Quincy said I believe this will revolutionize music and music videos forever.

[joejoerunya]

It was never a flop. What made it explode was the Moonwalk and the music videos

[MrEOM]

Michael knew the album would be groundbreaking he kept his vision and the rest was history… 😎

[robcinq]

It breaks my records and MTV didn't believe in Michael

GOD DID!

[duncanidaho]

In order to understand MJ we must dive in what he left us: his 2 books, Moonwalk and Dancing the dream ( I managed to buy them this summer-i am a new fan, since last Autumn), his many serious interviews, esp with Ebony, the memories of ppl that worked with him and were close to him, and his art. Glad to discover such channel that concentrate in what is important, not the size of his nose or his appearance. And the short movie for Thriller-his idea to make a short movie that is like a story-r opened new doors for the music industry. Sometimes I wonder if the carpooling TV show originated from the video with him dancing in the car on Ignition.

[waynejeffery]

Thriller was never a flop. Then Michael did the moonwalk during Motown 25 and that's what started Michael Mania which sent album sells thru the roof.

[mrhawk]

It was never a flop. MJ has never had flops. He's still the biggest selling and star on the planet besides Elvis

[oaktree]

Billie Jean was amazing & when he danced live u were just amazed just stunning then 84 we had a revolution

[MelloMood]

WOW! I didn't know all that, I was 5 when Thriller was released and as a little kid, I thought Thriller was a major smash success out the gate. Really good remember watching the Motown 25 performance and my dad buying the vinyl record and bringing it home. 💎💎💎💎💎

[petergreen]

We on the street ALWAYS knew Thriller was not only great but DIFFERENT. The critics even then were talking the same old NONSENSE.