A Tale of Three A Tale of Three AlbumsAlbums

Thriller, Born in the U.S.A., Thriller, Born in the U.S.A., and and Graceland Graceland

Thriller Thriller (1982)(1982) Michael Jackson (b. 1958)Michael Jackson (b. 1958) Produced by Quincy JonesProduced by Quincy Jones

– Demonstrated a kind of across-the-board appeal that Demonstrated a kind of across-the-board appeal that established new and still unduplicated heights of established new and still unduplicated heights of commercial successcommercial success

The top-selling album in history, with worldwide The top-selling album in history, with worldwide sales in excess of forty million copies sales in excess of forty million copies

The Number One album for thirty-seven weeks The Number One album for thirty-seven weeks during 1983during 1983

The zenith of Michael Jackson’s career, which had The zenith of Michael Jackson’s career, which had been gathering momentum throughout the been gathering momentum throughout the 1970s, even while he was a member of the 1970s, even while he was a member of the Jackson FiveJackson Five

ThrillerThriller Represented an effort to find ways to Represented an effort to find ways to

mediate among the various genres of mediate among the various genres of early 1980s pop musicearly 1980s pop music

Jackson confronted the racial divide by Jackson confronted the racial divide by collaborating with two very popular, and collaborating with two very popular, and very different, white artists:very different, white artists:

– Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney on “The Girl is Mine”Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney on “The Girl is Mine”– Guitarist Eddie Van Halen, of the heavy metal Guitarist Eddie Van Halen, of the heavy metal

group Van Halen, on “Beat It”group Van Halen, on “Beat It” These songs were fashioned to attract These songs were fashioned to attract

different segments of the white audience. different segments of the white audience.

ThrillerThriller ““The Girl Is Mine” was essentially a The Girl Is Mine” was essentially a

soft rock hit.soft rock hit.– The single was Number One on The single was Number One on BillboardBillboard’’s ’’s

adult contemporary chart for four weeks adult contemporary chart for four weeks and had enough crossover appeal to top and had enough crossover appeal to top the R&B chart for three weeks.the R&B chart for three weeks.

““Beat It,” with its guitar solo by Eddie Beat It,” with its guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen, was an obvious gesture to Van Halen, was an obvious gesture to fans of heavy metal music. fans of heavy metal music.

ThrillerThriller The album’s highly original title song, The album’s highly original title song,

“Thriller,” is a good example of its “Thriller,” is a good example of its successful synthesis of diverse stylistic successful synthesis of diverse stylistic elements.elements.

Starts out depicting a horror-movie scene, which Starts out depicting a horror-movie scene, which eventually turns out to be on the television screen eventually turns out to be on the television screen being watched by two loversbeing watched by two lovers

In a conclusion that pairs an old white voice with a new In a conclusion that pairs an old white voice with a new black style, horror-movie star Vincent Price comes from black style, horror-movie star Vincent Price comes from out of nowhere to perform a “rap” about the terrors of out of nowhere to perform a “rap” about the terrors of the night. the night.

This “rap” describes some typical horror-film situations, This “rap” describes some typical horror-film situations, but its language is occasionally spiced up with current but its language is occasionally spiced up with current pop-oriented slang—“the funk of forty thousand years.”pop-oriented slang—“the funk of forty thousand years.”

ThrillerThriller Thriller Thriller is not a concept album.is not a concept album. Out of the nine songs on Out of the nine songs on Thriller, Thriller, seven seven

were released as singles, one by one, were released as singles, one by one, starting with “The Girl Is Mine”starting with “The Girl Is Mine”

All seven were Top 10 hits. Both “Billie All seven were Top 10 hits. Both “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” were Number One pop Jean” and “Beat It” were Number One pop hits; these two and “hits; these two and “ThrillerThriller” sold over two ” sold over two million copies each as singles, and “The million copies each as singles, and “The Girl Is Mine” was a million-selling single. Girl Is Mine” was a million-selling single.

– The only songs from The only songs from Thriller Thriller that were not that were not turned into hit singles are “Baby Be Mine” and turned into hit singles are “Baby Be Mine” and “The Lady in My Life.” “The Lady in My Life.”

Michael Jackson’s Music Michael Jackson’s Music Videos Videos

• Visual media played a significant role in the Visual media played a significant role in the Thriller Thriller saga. saga.

Michael Jackson’s music videos were Michael Jackson’s music videos were carefully, creatively, and elaborately carefully, creatively, and elaborately produced.produced.

– Brought his work to the attention of another Brought his work to the attention of another segment of the music publicsegment of the music public

– Helped boost the power and prestige of MTV Helped boost the power and prestige of MTV – Were the first by an African American artist to be Were the first by an African American artist to be

programmed with any degree of frequency on programmed with any degree of frequency on MTVMTV

Born in the U.S.A.Born in the U.S.A. (1984) (1984) Bruce SpringsteenBruce Springsteen Throughout the 1970s, Bruce Springsteen Throughout the 1970s, Bruce Springsteen

(b. 1949) forged a progressively more (b. 1949) forged a progressively more successful career in pop music.successful career in pop music.

His music and his personal image His music and his personal image portrayedportrayed– the rebellious rock ’n’ rollers of the 1950s the rebellious rock ’n’ rollers of the 1950s

andand– the socially conscious folk rockers of the the socially conscious folk rockers of the

1960s.1960s.

Springsteen’s Songs Springsteen’s Songs Reflected his working-class origins Reflected his working-class origins

and sympathiesand sympathies Related stories of still young but Related stories of still young but

aging men and womenaging men and women– With dead-end jobs (or no jobs at all)With dead-end jobs (or no jobs at all)– Looking for romance and excitement Looking for romance and excitement – Seeking meaningful outlets for their Seeking meaningful outlets for their

energies and hopes, with no part of the energies and hopes, with no part of the American dream left for themAmerican dream left for them

Springsteen and His E Street Springsteen and His E Street BandBand

Characterized by a strong, roots rock Characterized by a strong, roots rock soundsound

Emphasized Springsteen’s connections to Emphasized Springsteen’s connections to 1950s and 1960s music1950s and 1960s music

– Included a saxophone to mark the link with the Included a saxophone to mark the link with the R&B and rock ’n’ roll of earlier erasR&B and rock ’n’ roll of earlier eras

– Utilized twelve-bar blues forms, an obvious Utilized twelve-bar blues forms, an obvious homage to the roots of rockhomage to the roots of rock

– Focused on the traditional rock ensemble of Focused on the traditional rock ensemble of guitars, bass, and drums, with keyboard guitars, bass, and drums, with keyboard instruments occasionally used prominentlyinstruments occasionally used prominently

NebraskaNebraska (1982) (1982) The album immediately preceding The album immediately preceding

Born in the U.S.A.;Born in the U.S.A.; represented a represented a departure for Springsteen and departure for Springsteen and featured him in a solo, “unplugged” featured him in a solo, “unplugged” setting.setting.

Born in the U.S.A. Born in the U.S.A. (1984)(1984) Many fans may have celebrated Many fans may have celebrated Born Born

in the U.S.A., in the U.S.A., which brought back the which brought back the E Street Band, as a kind of “return to E Street Band, as a kind of “return to form” for Springsteen. form” for Springsteen.

The album is dominated by up-The album is dominated by up-tempo, rocking songs, with tempo, rocking songs, with Springsteen shouting away and the Springsteen shouting away and the band playing full tilt behind him. band playing full tilt behind him.

Born in the U.S.A. Born in the U.S.A. The lyrics can be seen as a dire commentary by The lyrics can be seen as a dire commentary by

Springsteen on the current state of the union. Springsteen on the current state of the union. The very first lyrics of the title song, which opens The very first lyrics of the title song, which opens

the album, set the tone decisively:the album, set the tone decisively:Born down in a dead man’s town,Born down in a dead man’s town,The first kick I took was when I hit the ground.The first kick I took was when I hit the ground.You end up like a dog that’s been beat too muchYou end up like a dog that’s been beat too muchTill you spend half your life just covering up.Till you spend half your life just covering up.

““Born in the U.S.A.” tells the story of a returning Born in the U.S.A.” tells the story of a returning Vietnam veteran unable to get a job or to rebuild Vietnam veteran unable to get a job or to rebuild his life, and its despairing message is his life, and its despairing message is characteristic of most of the songs on the album.characteristic of most of the songs on the album.

Born in the U.S.A. Born in the U.S.A. In the wake of this album’s rapid and In the wake of this album’s rapid and

enormous popularity, its pessimism was lost enormous popularity, its pessimism was lost on many fans. on many fans.

In a general way, In a general way, Born in the U.S.A.Born in the U.S.A. is a is a concept album, a series of musical snapshots concept album, a series of musical snapshots of working-class Americans.of working-class Americans.

In the album’s original LP form, each of the In the album’s original LP form, each of the two sides starts out with a strong, aggressive two sides starts out with a strong, aggressive song and winds down to a final cut that is song and winds down to a final cut that is softer in sound but darker in mood. softer in sound but darker in mood.

““My Hometown”My Hometown” Springsteen sings of the decay of his place Springsteen sings of the decay of his place

of birth and of possibly “getting out” with his of birth and of possibly “getting out” with his wife and child.wife and child.

Springsteen comes as close as any pop artist Springsteen comes as close as any pop artist ever has to embracing and conveying an ever has to embracing and conveying an authentically tragic vision.authentically tragic vision.

““My Hometown” was a major hit as a single My Hometown” was a major hit as a single in early 1986 (Number Six on the pop chart in early 1986 (Number Six on the pop chart and Number One on the adult contemporary and Number One on the adult contemporary chart).chart).

It was the last of seven consecutive singles It was the last of seven consecutive singles to be culled from the album, all of which to be culled from the album, all of which were Top 10 pop hits.were Top 10 pop hits.

Born in the U.S.A.Born in the U.S.A. Followed in the footsteps of Followed in the footsteps of Thriller Thriller as an as an

album that spawned a parade of hit album that spawned a parade of hit singles. singles.

The album itself sold over fifteen million The album itself sold over fifteen million copies and stayed on the album charts copies and stayed on the album charts for over two years. for over two years.

The popularity of The popularity of Born in the U.S.A.Born in the U.S.A. was was enhanced by a series of popular music enhanced by a series of popular music videos for several of the songs released videos for several of the songs released as singles. as singles.

Graceland Graceland (1986),(1986), Paul Paul SimonSimon

Graceland Graceland is a truly “global” album is a truly “global” album from a geographical point of viewfrom a geographical point of view

Recorded in five locations on three Recorded in five locations on three continents: continents: – Johannesburg, South AfricaJohannesburg, South Africa– London, EnglandLondon, England– New York CityNew York City– Los AngelesLos Angeles– Crowley, Louisiana Crowley, Louisiana

GracelandGraceland A considerable portion of the music A considerable portion of the music

for for GracelandGraceland was actually recorded was actually recorded in South Africa, resulting in some in South Africa, resulting in some awkward political issues for Simon. awkward political issues for Simon.

Simon broke a United Nations Simon broke a United Nations boycott on performing and recording boycott on performing and recording in South Africa, but he claimed that in South Africa, but he claimed that he was in no sense supporting the he was in no sense supporting the ideology of the South African ideology of the South African government. government.

GracelandGraceland What distinguishes What distinguishes Graceland Graceland from from

earlier forays into world music is the earlier forays into world music is the extent to which the album explores the extent to which the album explores the concept of collaboration.concept of collaboration.

The idea of collaboration provides a The idea of collaboration provides a conceptual basis for conceptual basis for GracelandGraceland..

Simon’s album is quite different from the Simon’s album is quite different from the usual concept album. usual concept album.

– No story line that connects the songsNo story line that connects the songs– No central subject that links all the songs No central subject that links all the songs

togethertogether

GracelandGraceland Simon took various approaches to the Simon took various approaches to the

concept of collaborationconcept of collaboration– ““Homeless,” in which both the words (in Zulu Homeless,” in which both the words (in Zulu

and English) and the music were co-written and English) and the music were co-written by Simon and Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith by Simon and Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black MambazoBlack Mambazo

– “ “I Know What I Know,” in which Simon added I Know What I Know,” in which Simon added his own lyrics and vocal melody to his own lyrics and vocal melody to preexisting music (originally not written for preexisting music (originally not written for Simon) by General M. D. Shirinda and the Simon) by General M. D. Shirinda and the Gaza SistersGaza Sisters

““You Can Call Me Al”You Can Call Me Al” The third verse of “You Can Call Me Al” The third verse of “You Can Call Me Al”

describes a man who is uncomfortable in a describes a man who is uncomfortable in a foreign culture:foreign culture:

A man walks down the streetA man walks down the streetIt’s a street in a strange worldIt’s a street in a strange worldMaybe it’s the Third WorldMaybe it’s the Third WorldMaybe it’s his first time aroundMaybe it’s his first time aroundHe doesn’t speak the languageHe doesn’t speak the languageHe holds no currencyHe holds no currencyHe is a foreign manHe is a foreign manHe is surrounded by the soundHe is surrounded by the soundThe soundThe sound

GracelandGraceland The “sound” here is being produced by a The “sound” here is being produced by a

group of black South African musicians group of black South African musicians playing with Simon and American session playing with Simon and American session musicians in New York City.musicians in New York City.

Members of this same diverse ensemble Members of this same diverse ensemble also play on “Under African Skies,” the also play on “Under African Skies,” the verses of which actually shift location verses of which actually shift location from Africa to Tucson, Arizona, and back from Africa to Tucson, Arizona, and back again. Here, Simon is joined in vocal duet again. Here, Simon is joined in vocal duet by Linda Ronstadt—from Tucson, Arizona.by Linda Ronstadt—from Tucson, Arizona.

GracelandGraceland The last two cuts on The last two cuts on GracelandGraceland demonstrate demonstrate

the cultural diversity found without the cultural diversity found without venturing to other countries or continents: venturing to other countries or continents:

– ““That Was Your Mother” That Was Your Mother” Simon is joined by the Zydeco band Good Rockin’ Simon is joined by the Zydeco band Good Rockin’

Dopsie and the Twisters, from LouisianaDopsie and the Twisters, from Louisiana– ““All Around the World, or The Myth of All Around the World, or The Myth of

Fingerprints”Fingerprints” Simon played with Los Lobos, the well-known Mexican Simon played with Los Lobos, the well-known Mexican

American band from Los Angeles. American band from Los Angeles. The prominent employment of accordion The prominent employment of accordion

and saxophone creates aural links with the and saxophone creates aural links with the sounds of South African ensembles on other sounds of South African ensembles on other songs from songs from Graceland.Graceland.

GracelandGraceland Sold over five million copies but never hit Sold over five million copies but never hit

Number One on the album chart Number One on the album chart – Did not prove to be a major source of hit Did not prove to be a major source of hit

singlessingles Grammy Award winner for Album of the Grammy Award winner for Album of the

Year in 1986Year in 1986 Revived Simon’s careerRevived Simon’s career Garnered attention for many of the Garnered attention for many of the

musicians who played on the albummusicians who played on the album– Responsible, more than any other album, for Responsible, more than any other album, for

introducing a wide audience to the idea of introducing a wide audience to the idea of world musicworld music