Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal (Moonwalker Version)

Written by Michael, and recorded for his Bad album, issued in September 1987 – it evolved from another of Michael’s songs, Chicago 1945.

The opening heartbeat heard on the song was Michael’s recorded by Dr. Eric Chevlan, and digital processed using a synclavier.

It is the seventh single lifted from the album – charted at no.2 on the R&B singles chart and no.7 on the Hot 100 in the US, and no.8 in the UK (where it gave Michael a record seventh Top 30 hit from one album).

It featured in Michael’s movie, Moonwalker, which cost him an estimated $27 million, and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in France on 18th May 1988.

Michael sang extra lines in the film version, compared with the album and singles versions – it’s believed these were part of the original studio version, but were taken out prior to the album’s release (possibly to reduce the running time).

The 45 degree ‘lean’ in the short film was achieved using wires; in concert, Michael used an ‘Anti-Gravity Illusion’ device, to achieve the same effect.

Credits

* Written and composed by Michael Jackson
* Solo and background vocals and clap: Michael Jackson
* Drums: Bill Bottrell, John Robinson and Bruce Swedien
* Guitar: David Williams
* Saxophones: Kim Hutchcroft and Larry Williams
* Trumpets: Gary Grant and Jerry Hey
* Muted Steinway: Kevin Maloney
* Synclavier: Christopher Currell
* Certain Synclavier effects by Denny Jaeger and Michael Rubini
* Synthesizers: John Barnes and Michael Boddicker
* Chief of Police announcement by Bruce Swedien
* Michael Jackson’s heartbeat recording by Dr. Eric Chevlan digitally processed in the synclavier
* Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson and John Barnes
* Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey
* Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson

Smooth Criminal – 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 resus – Citation
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)
(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)
(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