31 Days of Halloween Hits: "Thriller" by Michael Jackson

by Tyler Glover
As we welcome October with its cool breezes, and - now socially distanced - festivities, we often think of scary movies, pumpkin patches and killers in masks. Rarely, if ever, do you hear anyone say what they’re looking forward to most about the season, is the music. Granted, Halloween music has nowhere near the mega-market that Christmas music has, but it seems that quality trumps quantity in this particular situation. With songs like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” Halloween season is a heavy hitter when it comes to music! 
 
That’s why we’re celebrating 31 Days of Halloween Hits here at The Word for the entire month of October. Every day we’re going to bring you a great song that fits right in on your Halloween playlist. Some are songs specifically written for the holiday, but others are great selections you can listen to year-around but have a great theme for the spookiest of all holidays. Some of these songs you’ve certainly heard and some are lesser known that we hope to familiarize you with. 

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Photo: Epic Records

Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is not only a great Halloween song, it is THE Halloween song! "Thriller" has been No. 1 on my Halloween playlist since I created it. From the moment "Thriller" begins, it feels like you are stepping into a scary movie. I don't mean a low-budget horror flick that went straight to DVD, but a masterful work of art reminiscent to a Hitchcock film. You immediately feel transported to a dark night where you feel like someone is following you. The song begins with: "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." With lyrics and a sound that instantaneously grab your attention, you are immediately sucked into this world and there is no escaping it. The song also uses sound effects, such as wind, thunder and footsteps to heighten the experience. When "Thriller" begins, you cannot turn it off and why would you want to? The song is absolutely "Thrill"-ing! 

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