Billie Jean was released by Michael Jackson in 1983 as a single from his Thriller album, and its refrain quickly became one of the most recognisable hooks in pop music. The song topped charts around the world and helped define the sound and visual style of the early 1980s, especially after Jackson's celebrated television performance of the track. Decades later, the refrain still circulates in dance videos, remixes and short-form edits because its bass-driven groove is instantly familiar across generations.