Seems like it was only yesterday that ad execs were pitching a flurry of educational videos which sought to capture the hearts and minds of America’s youth through hip-hop; one of my personal favorites being the Wendy’s training video, Grill Skills. Now, thanks to the good folks at the Chicagoist, I’m adding this video to the top of that list.

Note to the RIAA: take a page from the gaming industry play book of the 90’s; add a dash of entertainment to your shame…..shamertainment. Why not get Metallica to create a PSA on file sharing, “The Thing That Should Not Be (Copied)?”

P.S. We ARE the posse of the future.

I was nearly 7 years old when Michael Jackson released his monumentally epic pop album, Thriller. Around the same time, my parents hopped on board the early-adopter train of cable television, and MTV spilled forth into my world. I can remember, vividly, sitting in front of the television on our play room floor, waiting anxiously for full-length, 14-minute Thriller video to come on screen. Watching over and over again, I studied and mimicked every dance move — even took a break dancing class that, one day, focused entirely on learning the Thriller dance. Years later, MJ’s ghoulish beat would usher in my celebration of the year 2000. Flash ahead a couple more years, and it would inspire my friends to go ape-shit during our wedding reception.

Suffice it to say, Thriller has played a large part in my life. And I have learned, through the wisest and most-revealing of Internets, that Thriller has shaped the lives of the whole world, sometimes in the most interesting and bizarre of ways. Here, dear read, are the Top 5 strangest places that I’ve seen Thriller. Some of which you may have already seen; some of which may be horribly new. Either way, enjoy……

First off, it would be wrong not to cleanse your palette by showing the original video….

Most likely, you’ve seen this one….

Chiru (Otherwise known as Indian Thriller)

Ok, now onto ones that might not be as well known…..

“Thriller” as performed by inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center

Thriller Wedding Dance (I WISH we had risen to this level of coordination)

“Thriller”… with Legos

La Academia

Ok, ok, I know this goes beyond 5, but these deserve an honorable mention:

Final Fantasy’s Cast Does Michael Jackson’s Thriller

BYU Vocal Point

As always, I know that I’ve probably done a disservice to the Thriller reenactment fans, and I’ve most likely left out some doosies. Please feel free to add a comment and include some of your favorites as well.

Ever since I saw I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, I’ve always imagine myself struttin’ down the street with a funk band behind me, telling people, “They’re my theme music.”

Thanks to the iPod (and now iPhone), I get to live that memory, or at the very least I can do my best Bee Gees impersonation.

All that aside, given my new business venture, I feel the need for a corporate theme song. Perhaps something like the one that Apple created for its 1984 roll-out of the Macintosh computer. Wow.

It’s worth a read of the YouTube liner notes to get the full context. Thanks, Sandy, for passing the gem along.

When Stevie Wonder comes to mind, most envision the virtuoso hammering away behind his organ, spewing forth a cacophony of passionate vocal phrases and funky keyboard riffs. Many too will reminisce on his mastery of the harmonica, however it’s often forgot just how masterful Stevie is as a multi-instrumentalist, most notably his drumming. Have a look/listen. Thanks, Dan.

God, I love the Internet

Thanks, Jeff