Behind The Mask Thriller 40 Discuss

[KEDZ83]

Hi everyone, new to this forum

I have always been fascinated by this song, a fellow member Kai helped me create a version that I felt structure wise worked, hope you enjoy it ?

But anyway, back to the point.

The demo on Thriller 40 has left me even more confused. There is clearly a more finished version out there, so many vocals missing that are in the 2010 mix. Why couldn’t the estate give us the more updated version he clearly continued to work on, don’t get me wrong I still enjoyed the original demo but there are so many more vocals and the 2010 mix showed how easy it could be done.

The Greg P version, we know that MJ helped him finish it, the structure changed too, the chorus where he sings “heaven must be” is gone and replaced with “there is something in your eyes” and done over both choruses, the “ I don’t wanna walk about “ is at the end like MJ version, I do wonder how close is Greg P version to what we might of heard on Thriller. How close is the instrumental on Greg P to MJ might of used?

Hard to tell because the extra instruments MJ added on his demo , the guitar, extra drums and synth over the YMO original if polished are very Thriller whereas Greg’s one is a little more 1985 than a few years earlier.

So frustrating I wish there was a way to know what was the final vocal structure MJ chose, and what the final instrumental was closer too.

I love this song, would love your thoughts on the situation

 

[AlwaysThere]

Welcome to the forum!

Most of us have speculated that the legal drama between Quincy and the estate has basically ruined any chance of them collaborating, and countless songs have been caught in the crosshairs as a result. One of the forum’s insiders, Korgnex, said that everything on disc 2 of Thriller 40 had been cleared for release during MJ’s lifetime, hence why there were no issues including them. But then you look at “Behind the Mask,” of which we’ve only heard a completely remixed version and the Hayvenhurst demo, and it gives the impression that he’s not signing off on anything else that he was directly involved with.

The only comment I’ve ever seen regarding later versions comes from Joe Vogel, who said it’s basically the same as the Phillinganes version. So your edit is probably pretty dead on!

Personally, I’ve always thought the 1980s versions were rather mediocre. MJ’s music tends to age remarkably well, but “Behind the Mask” just doesn’t hold up at all to me. I think the 2010 version on MICHAEL is absolutely outstanding, though, and better fits the MJ standard (in my opinion).

 

[thiron]

Someone mentioned that Quincy, who possibly worked on the latest version on this song during the original thriller sessions, may still have beef with the Estate, resulting in the withholding of alls songs he contributed to.

 

[KEDZ83]

Welcome to the forum!

Most of us have speculated that the legal drama between Quincy and the estate has basically ruined any chance of them collaborating, and countless songs have been caught in the crosshairs as a result. One of the forum’s insiders, Korgnex, said that everything on disc 2 of Thriller 40 had been cleared for release during MJ’s lifetime, hence why there were no issues including them. But then you look at “Behind the Mask,” of which we’ve only heard a completely remixed version and the Hayvenhurst demo, and it gives the impression that he’s not signing off on anything else that he was directly involved with.

The only comment I’ve ever seen regarding later versions comes from Joe Vogel, who said it’s basically the same as the Phillinganes version. So your edit is probably pretty dead on!

Personally, I’ve always thought the 1980s versions were rather mediocre. MJ’s music tends to age remarkably well, but “Behind the Mask” just doesn’t hold up at all to me. I think the 2010 version on MICHAEL is absolutely outstanding, though, and better fits the MJ standard (in my opinion).

Wow what a reply! Thank you so much! I’ve not heard this Hayvenhurst demo, do you have a link?

 

[AlwaysThere]

Wow what a reply! Thank you so much! I’ve not heard this Hayvenhurst demo, do you have a link?

That’s actually the one on Thriller 40 — at least, that’s what the majority of us believe!

 

[KEDZ83]

That’s actually the one on Thriller 40 — at least, that’s what the majority of us believe!

Ahhhh ok!!! I am going to try get the original “I don’t wanna talk about it “ ad libs from the demo and add to my version and take out the 2bad song ones I used, then I can say it’s more or less perfect! Trying to get a proper clean a Capella for the thriller 40 demo is not easy though!

 

[AlwaysThere]

Ahhhh ok!!! I am going to try get the original “I don’t wanna talk about it “ ad libs from the demo and add to my version and take out the 2bad song ones I used, then I can say it’s more or less perfect! Trying to get a proper clean a Capella for the thriller 40 demo is not easy though!

Yeah, it’s unfortunate that T40’s second disc is so poorly mixed and mastered. This song in particular sounds very muffled.