“Smooth Criminal” is the seventh single released from the 1987 ‘Bad’ album.
The song was written and composed by Michael Jackson and co-produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson. An estimated 7.5 million copies of the single have been sold to date.
Early versions of “Smooth Criminal” were originally entitled “Al Capone”. Michael recorded a demo of “Al Capone” in 1986, which appears for the first time on ‘Bad25’.
BONUS: The heartbeat heard in the beginning of the track is an actual recording of Michael Jackson’s own heartbeat, recorded by Dr. Eric Chevlen.
“Smooth Criminal”, the seventh single from Michael Jackson’s 1987 ‘Bad’ album, was released as a 7” promo single on October 21st, 1988. The song “Smooth Criminal” (4:10) also appears on the ‘B’-side.
“Smooth Criminal” was released as a 7” single on October 21st, 1988. The ‘B’ side is “Smooth Criminal – Instrumental” (4:10).
“Smooth Criminal” was released as a 12” single on October 21st, 1988. The 12” version single features five versions of “Smooth Criminal”: “Smooth Criminal – Extended Dance Mix” (7:46), and “Smooth Criminal – Extended Dance Mix Radio Edit” (5:20) on the ‘A’-side; and on the ‘B’-Side: “Smooth Criminal – ‘Annie’ Mix” (5:35), “Smooth Criminal – Dance Dub Mix” (4:45), and “Smooth Criminal – A Cappella” (4:12).
“Smooth Criminal” was released as a CD promo single on October 21st, 1988. The CD promo single contains six versions of “Smooth Criminal”: “Smooth Criminal – Single Mix” (4:10), “Smooth Criminal – Extended Dance Mix” (7:45), “Smooth Criminal – Dance Mix Radio Edit” (5:21), “Smooth Criminal – Annie Mix” (5:35), “Smooth Criminal – Dance Mix-Dub Version” (4:45), and “Smooth Criminal – A Cappella Mix” (4:12).
“Smooth Criminal” was released as a 3” mini-CD single on October 21st, 1988. The 3″ mini-CD single includes the songs “Smooth Criminal – Extended Dance Mix” (7:45), “Smooth Criminal – ‘Annie’ Mix” (5:35), and “Smooth Criminal – Instrumental Version/Dub Mix” (4:45).
Written and Composed by Michael Jackson
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!!!
©1987 Mijac Music. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
CREDITS:
“Smooth Criminal” - written and composed by Michael Jackson.
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.
Certain Synclavier Effects by Denny Jaeger and Michael Rubini.
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.
Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson and John Barnes.
Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey.
Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson.
©1987 Mijac Music