In 1983, Michael Jackson was already recognized as the King of Pop worldwide. With record-breaking sales, legions of adoring fans, and trailblazing performances, Jackson had cemented himself as a musical icon. However, with his sixth studio album, Thriller, Jackson aimed to push the boundaries even further.
The lead single off the album, “Billie Jean,” was a funky, uptempo track accented by Jackson’s velvety vocals. The ambiguous lyrics followed a stalker claiming the narrator, Billie Jean, was the mother of the stalker’s child. Backed by a catchy baseline and Jackson’s impassioned delivery, “Billie Jean” quickly shot up the charts upon its release in January 1983.
Jackson knew he needed a music video that matched the intrigue and innovation of “Billie Jean.” He turned to director Steve Barron, hot off the success of hit videos for bands like Adam Ant, Human League, and Culture Club. Barron had a bold, creative vision for the video, one that would shake up the conventions of music videos at the time.
Shooting on Location Across L.A.
Barron eschewed the standard practice of shooting music videos on closed soundstages. Instead, he took Jackson out on location across Los Angeles to film in real urban environments. Shooting occurred in a downtown back alleyway covered in colorful graffiti, on the streets of skid row, and inside LA’s iconic Union Station.
This gritty, documentary-style approach made the video feel more raw and realistic. Against the backdrop of a dingy subway station or dark, debris-strewn alley, Jackson’s slick choreography and vibrant red leather jacket really popped. The locations also aligned with the video’s mysterious narrative and amplified the song’s lyrical drama.
Pioneering Choreography Captivates Viewers
While the locations added new depth, Jackson’s dancing remained the star. The choreography was incredibly varied, moving from relaxed grooving to full-out dance breaks. Jackson chose moves that were both athletic and graceful, keeping perfect rhythm while adding flare and emotion.
Some of the most iconic moments occurred during the video’s dance solo segments. Jackson launched into a series of spin-and-rise sequences interspersed with forceful, staccato hand movements. In the subway segment, he utilized poles and benches as props, catapulting himself into smooth slides and proto-breakdancing.
Jackson’s energy and control were mesmerizing. His dancing came across as completely spontaneous while clearly being the product of endless rehearsal. Every tilt of his hat or thrust of his pelvis was executed with precision. Jackson’s chemistry with the camera further drew viewers in and made his performance feel intimate and authentic.
Innovative Cinematography and Editing
To match Jackson’s game-changing dancing, Barron utilized innovative techniques during filming and editing. Long tracking shots moved alongside Jackson as he danced, immersing the viewer in his kinetic performance. Slow-motion effects heightened the most impressive moves, while sharp edits synced perfectly with the song’s rhythm.
One particularly notable sequence occurs during the first dance solo. The camera moves into a low-angle close-up of Jackson’s feet as he does an quick shuffle step. As Jackson launches into a spin, the camera rotates rapidly around him, creating a spiraling visual whirlwind.
Barron also made expert use of lighting, shadows, and silhouette to add drama and mystique. Chiaroscuro lighting in the back alley segments obscures Jackson’s features, making him seem elusive and enigmatic. Silhouetted shots cast Jackson in stark black shadow as he dances under spotlights.
Overall, the cinematography aligned perfectly with the tone and energy of the track. The video was essentially one long dance sequence, with each shot and edit crafted to spotlight Jackson’s iconic style.
While “Billie Jean” broke ground through its dancing and visuals, it also stood out for its narrative structure. Music videos at the time usually amounted to little more than an artist lip-synching or performing on stage. They offered minimal storytelling or conceptual imagery.
Barron’s video for “Billie Jean,” in contrast, unfolds like a self-contained short film. It employs the song’s lyrics as a jumping-off point to weave an oblique but compelling story arc.
The narrative remains mysterious, with Jackson playing a nameless protagonist. As he dances his way across Los Angeles, it appears someone is following him trying to track him down. The paparazzi seem to be on Jackson’s tail as well, spying on him from around corners.
Small moments and images advance this thin storyline. In one scene, Jackson gazes down at a newspaper headline about a woman claiming he is the father of her child. Later, Jackson notices a police officer who eyes him with suspicion.
The motivations and relationships between the characters are left ambiguous. But the video builds a distinct, haunting mood that amplifies the song’s themes of paranoia and being persecuted by false accusations.
Jackson ultimately manages to evade the woman claiming he fathered her child. In the end, though, the video leaves the drama chillingly unresolved. Jackson looks directly into the camera lens with a disquieting glare, suggesting the worst is yet to come.
Pioneering Use of Visual Effects
To realize his ambitious vision, Barron utilized pioneering visual effects that were groundbreaking for music videos at the time.
One prominent effect was the use of motion control photography. This allowed Jackson to essentially “dance with himself” through split screen effects.
In several scenes, Jackson’s performances were perfectly synchronized on either side of the screen. This technique made his dancing even more captivating and accentuated the symmetry and intricacy of his steps.
Green screen effects were also used to layer and composite shots in innovative ways. In one shot, Jackson appears to slide from one side of the frame to the other, seamlessly passing his own double.
These visual tricks mirrored the song’s themes of being inescapably haunted and evading false accusations. Jackson is literally confronted by his own image and forced to face persecution from himself.
A New Era for the Music Industry
When it premiered on MTV in March 1983, the impact was immediate and profound. The network reportedly played it twice an hour to meet popular demand. It shattered viewership records and became one of the most requested videos ever on MTV.
Almost overnight, the “Billie Jean” video ushered in a new era for music videos. Its success proved they could be legitimate art forms unto themselves rather than just promotional tools. Music videos with storylines, themes, andç visual innovation became standard.
The video also catapulted Michael Jackson into the stratosphere of superstardom. It helped secure “Billie Jean” as Jackson’s first #1 solo hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
The album Thriller became the best selling LP of all time, eventually moving over 100 million copies worldwide. Jackson’s status as the undisputed King of Pop was carved in stone.
A Lasting Legacy
Four decades later, the “Billie Jean” video remains a seminal work that influenced generations of artists, directors, and choreographers.
Its excellence across so many dimensions—dance, storytelling, cinematography, editing—set the standard for everything that followed.
Jackson’s syncopated steps and crisp movements are now iconic. The video routinely tops lists of the greatest and most influential ever made.
At just over four minutes in length, the video for “Billie Jean” made an indelible impact on pop culture. It demonstrated the boundless creative potential of music videos and pioneered many techniques that are commonplace today.
Above all, it cemented Michael Jackson’s status as the consummate entertainer. With its release, Jackson made a bold statement about his singular, trailblazing talent, visionary artistry, and mastery of the visual medium.
