Songwriter Rod Temperton wrote classic pop track 'Thriller'
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Molly Driscoll Staff writer
Rod Temperton, who died last week, was a songwriter who is likely best known for writing the ultra-popular Michael Jackson song 鈥淭hriller.鈥澛�
Mr. Temperton also penned songs such as the Heatwave song 鈥淏oogie Nights鈥� and the Jackson's song 鈥淩ock with You.鈥�
The British songwriter also worked on tracks for many other artists, including Aretha Franklin, Karen Carpenter, Herbie Hancock, and Michael McDonald.聽
The album 鈥淭hriller,鈥� on which the song of the same name appeared, has become one of the most popular works of music of all time. Late last year, the album 鈥淭hriller鈥� became the first album to become certified 30 times multi-platinum in the United States.聽
The album includes such other classics as 鈥淏eat It鈥� and 鈥淏illie Jean.鈥� Songs on the album that were also written by Temperton include 鈥淏aby Be Mine鈥� and 鈥淭he Lady in My Life.鈥�
And the video that accompanied the song 鈥淭hriller鈥� is considered a classic of the genre, one that had a huge influence on the medium. wrote that the video 鈥渋s among the most influential music videos of all time,鈥� while called it 鈥渢he most popular music video of all time 鈥� [it] changed the business.鈥澛�
The video premiered on MTV when the TV network was in its infancy and MTV reportedly played the music video for 鈥淭hriller鈥� twice an hour after it became incredibly popular.聽
As for the song itself, writes that 鈥渆ven before it became music video's defining moment, the audio track for 鈥楾hriller鈥� was already a classic horror flick that played between your ears. A vivid monster-mash-up penned by Rod Temperton, the song features gruesome (but fun) lyrics, sound effects of creepy footsteps, wolf howls and slamming doors, plus actor Vincent Price's indelible recitation.鈥�
