Thriller (1981-1983)

All the studio recordings (songs, demos and alternate versions) recorded by MJ during the Thriller era (1981-1983). Songs and poems written but never recorded, live performances, covers and remixes by other artists are not included.

Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Michael Jackson: For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead, Twitter account of Damien Shields and the amazing archives of the MJCast.

Released on : November 30, 1982

Recorded : April 14 – November 8, 1982
Studios : Westlake (Los Angeles, California)
Length : 42:16
Label : Epic CBS Records
Producers : Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson

Track Listing
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
Baby Be Mine
The Girl Is Mine
Thriller
Beat It
Billie Jean
Human Nature
P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
The Lady In My Life

Singles

The Girl Is Mine (October 18, 1982)
Billie Jean (January 2, 1983)
Beat It (February 14, 1983)
“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” (May 8, 1983)
“Human Nature” (July 3, 1983)
“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” (September 19, 1983)
“Thriller” (November 5, 1983 in UK and January 23, 1984 in US)

Rare and unreleased songs from this era (1981-1983) :

Attitude

Behind The Mask

Best Of Joy aka The Toy

Carousel aka Circus Girl

Don’t Be Messin’ Around

Don’t Let A Woman Make A Fool Out Of You

Personnel
Personnel as listed in the album’s liner notes are:

Tom Bahler – Synclavier (track 5)
Brian Banks – synthesizer (track 4), synthesizer programming (2)
Steve Bates – assistant engineer (tracks 3, 7–9)
Michael Boddicker – synthesizers (tracks 1, 2), Emulator (6–9), Vocoder (8), background vocals (1)
Bruce Cannon – effects (track 4)
Leon “Ndugu” Chancler – drums (tracks 2, 6, 8)
Paulinho da Costa – percussion (tracks 1, 7)
Mark Ettel – assistant engineer (tracks 3, 7–9)
Matt Forger – engineer (tracks 2, 3, 7–9)
David Foster – synthesizer (track 3), synthesizer arrangement (3)
Humberto Gatica – engineer (tracks 3, 7–9)
Gary Grant – trumpet and flugelhorn (tracks 1, 2, 4)
Bernie Grundman – mastering engineer (tracks 2, 3, 7–9)
Nelson Hayes – bathroom stomp board (track 1)
Howard Hewett – background vocals (track 8)
Jerry Hey – horn arrangements, trumpet, and flugelhorn (tracks 1, 2, 4), string arrangements (3, 6), strings conductor (3)
Bunny Hull – background vocals (tracks 1, 8)
James Ingram – background vocals (tracks 1, 8), keyboards, handclaps, and musical arrangements (8)
Janet Jackson – background vocals (track 8)
La Toya Jackson – background vocals (track 8)
Michael Jackson – co-producer (tracks 1, 3, 5, 6), lead vocals (all tracks), background vocals (1–7, 9), drum programming (1, 4), drum case beater (track 5), handclaps (8), horn arrangements and bathroom stomp board (1), vocal arrangements (1, 3, 5, 6), rhythm arrangements (1, 5, 6), synthesizer arrangements (6)
Paul Jackson Jr. – guitar (tracks 5, 8, 9)
Louis Johnson – bass guitar (tracks 1, 3, 6, 8, 9), handclaps (8)
Quincy Jones – producer (all tracks), rhythm arrangements (tracks 1, 3, 5), vocal arrangements (3), musical arrangements (8)
Donn Landee – engineer (track 5 guitar solo)
Becky López – background vocals (tracks 1, 8)
Jerry Lubbock – strings conductor (track 6)
Steve Lukather – guitars (tracks 3, 5, 7), bass guitar (5), musical arrangements (7)
Anthony Marinelli – synthesizer programming (tracks 2, 4)
Paul McCartney – lead vocals (track 3)
David Paich – synthesizers (tracks 2, 7, 9), rhythm arrangements and piano (3), musical arrangements (7)
Dean Parks – guitar (track 3)
Greg Phillinganes – keyboards (2, 4), synthesizers (1, 2, 4–6, 8), Fender Rhodes (1, 3, 5, 6, 9), synthesizer programming and handclaps (8)
Jeff Porcaro – drums (tracks 3, 5, 7, 9)
Steve Porcaro – synthesizers (tracks 5, 7, 9), synthesizer programming (2, 3, 5, 7), musical arrangements (7)
Vincent Price – voice-over (track 4)
Steven Ray – bathroom stomp board (track 1), handclaps (8)
Bill Reichenbach – trombone (tracks 1, 2, 4)
Greg Smith – Synergy (track 5), synthesizer (6)
Bruce Swedien – recording engineer and audio mixer (all tracks), effects (4)
Chris Shepard – vibraslap (track 5)
Rod Temperton – synthesizer (track 4), rhythm and vocal arrangements (2, 4, 9)
Eddie Van Halen – guitar solo (track 5)
Jerry Vinci – concertmaster (track 3)
Julia Waters – background vocals (track 1)
Maxine Waters – background vocals (track 1)
Oren Waters – background vocals (track 1)
David Williams – guitar (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6)
Larry Williams – saxophone and flute (tracks 1, 2, 4)
Bill Wolfer – keyboards (track 5), synthesizer (1, 6), programming (6)