'Thriller' hits a new record on the Billboard charts

NPR | By Stephen Thompson

Published November 13, 2026 at 4:06 PM EST

NPR Music's Stephen Thompson reports on the Halloween season's enduring hit.

Stephen Thompson

Stephen Thompson is a host, writer and reviewer for NPR Music and Pop Culture Happy Hour. He appears frequently on All Songs Considered and NPR newsmagazines.

See stories by Stephen Thompson

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