Smooth Criminal

Song information

Author: Michael Jackson
Album title: Bad
Year of release: 1987
Duration: 4:16
Lyrics:
As he came into the window
It was the sound of a crescendo
He came into her apartment
He left the bloodstains on the carpet
She ran underneath the table
He could see she was unable
So she ran into the bedroom
She was struck down, it was her doom

Annie are you ok?
So, Annie are you ok
Are you ok, Annie
Annie are you ok?
So, Annie are you ok
Are you ok, Annie
Annie are you ok?
So, Annie are you ok?
Are you ok, Annie?
Annie are you ok?
So, Annie are you ok, are you ok, Annie?

(Annie are you ok?)
(Will you tell us that you're ok?)
(There's a sign in the window)
(That he struck you — a crescendo Annie)
(He came into your apartment)
(He left the bloodstains on the carpet)
(Then you ran into the bedroom)
(You were struck down)
(It was your doom)

Annie are you ok?
So, Annie are you ok?
Are you ok Annie?
Annie are you ok?
So, Annie are you ok?
Are you ok Annie?
Annie are you ok?
So, Annie are you ok?
Are you ok Annie?
You've been hit by
You've been hit by — a smooth criminal

So they came into the outway
It was Sunday — what a black day
Mouth to mouth resuscitation
Sounding heartbeats — intimidations

Annie are you ok?
So, Annie are you ok?
Are you ok Annie?
Annie are you ok?
So, Annie are you ok?
Are you ok Annie?
Annie are you ok?
So, Annie are you ok?
Are you ok Annie?
Annie are you ok?
So, Annie are you ok?
Are you ok Annie?

(Annie are you ok?)
(Will you tell us — that you're ok?)
(There's a sign in the window)
(That he struck you — a crescendo Annie)
(He came into your apartment)
(Left the bloodstains on the carpet)
(Then you ran into the bedroom)
(You were struck down)
(It was your doom)

(Annie are you ok?)
(So, Annie are you ok?)
(Are you ok Annie?)
(You've been hit by)
(You've been struck by — a smooth criminal)
Okay, I want everybody to clear the area right now!

Aaow!
(Annie are you ok?)
I don't know!
(Will you tell us, that you're ok?)
I don't know!
(There's a sign in the window)
I don't know!
(That he struck you — a crescendo Annie)
I don't know!
(He came into your apartment)
I don't know!
(Left bloodstains on the carpet)
I don't know why baby!
(Then you ran into the bedroom)
I don't know!
(You were struck down)
(It was your doom — Annie!)
(Annie are you ok?)
Dad gone it — baby!
(Will you tell us, that you're ok?)
Dad gone it — baby!
(There's a sign in the window)
Dad gone it — baby!
(That he struck you — a crescendo Annie)
Hoo! Hoo!
(He came into your apartment)
Dad gone it!
(Left bloodstains on the carpet)
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
(Then you ran into the bedroom)
Dad gone it!
(You were struck down)
(It was your doom — Annie!)
Aaow!!!
Song recording information:
  • Michael Jackson: Solo and background vocals, clap
  • Bill Bottrell, John Robinson, Bruce Swedien: Drums
  • David Williams: Guitar
  • Kim Hutchcroft, Larry Williams: Saxophones
  • Gary Grant, Jerry Hey: Trumpets
  • Kevin Maloney: Muted Steinway piano
  • Christopher Currell: Synclavier
  • John Barnes, Michael Boddicker: Synthesizers
  • Chief of Police Announcement by Bruce Swedien
  • Michael Jackson's heartbeat recording by Dr. Eric Chevlen digitally processed in the Synclavier Holophonics by Hugo Zuccarelli
  • Creaking and heavy breathing by Frank Dileo
  • Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson and John Barnes
  • Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey
  • Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson
Song released in albums:
Song type Album title, song's alt. title Duration Year of release
[I] Michael Jackson - The Story - Played by London Twilight Orchestra - Vol. 1 Unknown
Michael Jackson — Bad 4:16 1987
Michael Jackson — Smooth Criminal [34-08044] S 4:10 1988
[I] Michael Jackson — Smooth Criminal [34-08044] S 4:10 1988
Michael Jackson — Number Ones 4:18 2003
Michael Jackson — The Ultimate Collection 4:17 2004
Michael Jackson — The Essential Michael Jackson 4:17 2005
Michael Jackson — King Of Pop (Deluxe UK Edition) 4:18 2008
Michael Jackson — This Is It 4:17 2009
[R] Michael Jackson — Immortal 2:00 2011
[G] Michael Jackson — Live at Wembley July 16, 1988 4:41 2012
Michael Jackson — Smooth Criminal [653026 7] S 4:10 1988
[I] Michael Jackson — Smooth Criminal [653026 7] S 4:10 1988
[I] The Rockridge Synthesizer Orchestra Plays Michael Jackson Unknown
Michael Jackson — The Bad Mixes

Smooth Criminal (7" Version)

4:10 1989
[A] Michael Jackson — The Bad Mixes

Smooth Criminal (A Cappella Mix)

4:12 1989
[A] Michael Jackson — The Bad Mixes

Smooth Criminal (Annie Mix)

5:35 1989
[A] Michael Jackson — The Bad Mixes

Smooth Criminal (Dance Mix Dub Version)

4:45 1989
Michael Jackson — Smooth Criminal [073792] S 2006
[I] David Garrett — Encore 2008
[A] Michael Jackson — King Of Pop (Deluxe UK Edition)

Smooth Criminal (Extended Dance Mix)

7:49 2008
[I] Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ) Performs the Hits of Michael Jackson 2:51 2009
[I] 2Cellos — 2Cellos 2011
[G] Michael Jackson — Bad 25 4:41 2012
[A] Michael Jackson — Smooth Criminal [EPC 653026 6] S

Smooth Criminal ("Annie" Mix)

5:35 1988
[A] Michael Jackson — Smooth Criminal [EPC 653026 6] S

Smooth Criminal (A Cappella)

4:12 1988
[A] Michael Jackson — Smooth Criminal [EPC 653026 6] S

Smooth Criminal (Extended Dance Mix)

7:46 1988
[A] Michael Jackson — Smooth Criminal [EPC 653026 6] S

Smooth Criminal (Extended Dance Mix Radio Edit)

5:20 1988
Michael Jackson — Bad Special Edition 4:16 2001
[A] Michael Jackson — Smooth Criminal [EPC 653026 6] S

Smooth Criminal (Dance Mix — Dub Version)

4:45 1988
[I] The London Symphony Orchestra — Rock Symphonies Vol. II 1989
[A] Michael Jackson — Smooth Criminal [073792] S

Smooth Criminal (Extended Dance Mix)

2006
Michael Jackson — Bad 25 4:18 2012