On Wednesday, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced that Michael Jackson's Thriller has become the first album to be certified 30-times platinum in the U.S., meaning it has sold more than 30 million copies domestically since its release in 1982. Most of those sales are from the '80s — it went from platinum just two months after its release to 20-times platinum on Oct. 30, 1984, Variety reports. RIAA chief executive Cary Sherman called the sales record "an exceptional achievement and testament to Thriller's enduring spot in our hearts and musical history." With more than 100 million in sales globally, Thriller is recognized by Guinness World Records as the highest-selling album ever.
The album spawned a bunch of big hits, including the title track, "Billie Jean," "Beat It," and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," plus the Paul McCartney duet "The Girl is Mine." But to celebrate the milestone, watch below to hear the beautiful, vaguely creepy "Human Nature," written by Steve Porcaro and John Bettis. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'US tests ties with Israelis'Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
-
Marc Quinn's Light into Life: an 'al fresco treasure-hunt' of sculpture at KewThe Week Recommends Massive metallic sculptures dotted across the gardens explore 'links between nature and humanity'
-
Natalie Elphicke: the Tory defector facing a backlash from both sidesSpeed Read MP for Dover's hawkish stance on immigration and defence of sex offender ex-husband raises eyebrows among her new colleagues
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproarSpeed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain PrizeSpeed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 winsspeed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughterspeed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopicsSpeed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 GrammysSpeed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
