"Smooth Criminal"
"Smooth Criminal" cover
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Bad
Released	November 1988
Format	CD single 12" vinyl
Recorded	1987
Genre	Funk
Length	4:17
Label	Epic Records
Writer(s)	Michael Jackson
Producer(s)	Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones
Peak chart positions
#1 (Spain, Belgium, Denmark) #4 (France) #5 (Switzerland) #7 (U.S.) #8 (UK) #9 (Germany, Italy) #29 (Australia)[1]
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Another Part of Me" (1988) "Smooth Criminal" (1988) "Leave Me Alone" (1989)
Michael Jackson's chronology
"Dirty Diana" (2006)	"Smooth Criminal" (2006)	"Leave Me Alone" (2006)
Bad track listing
"Dirty Diana" (9)	"Smooth Criminal" (10)	"Leave Me Alone" (11)
Audio sample
(Wikipedia:Media help:Image:Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson.ogg)

"Smooth Criminal" is the seventh single from Michael Jackson's Bad album (1987). The song contains a fast-paced beat intertwined with Jackson's lyrics about a woman named Annie, who has been attacked in her apartment by a suave hitman. It was released as a single in 1988 and peaked at seven on the Billboard Hot 100. [1] It was re-released on April 10, 2006 as a part of the box-set. The re-released Visionary single charted at #19 in the UK. In 2003, the song was re-released on the Number Ones greatest hits album.

Song information

The song was the centerpiece in Jackson's film Moonwalker, in which an entire hour-long short film (featuring Joe Pesci) was produced around the song. In the film, Jackson plays with his young friends outdoors when they come upon a cave, which leads to a kind of dream world in which "Mr. Big" Frankie Lideo has been selling drugs to youths in order to get everyone hooked. In the dream world, Jackson must save a kidnapped girl named Katie from Mr. Big's soldier-like henchmen, which he does through the power of a "wishing star". In the process, he transforms into a super-fast car, a robotic man and even a spaceship before saving her life. "Smooth Criminal" was presented in a ten-minute long clip in which Jackson dances through a 1930s-style nightclub. The version of the song used in the clip is different from the album version — the background beats are different, there are several new lyrics, and the song is much longer overall. The version of the video that is usually aired on network television is 4 minutes long and is merely a sped up version of the clip from the film. For more information regarding the video see below.

Both the style of the clip and the clothes and mannerisms Jackson portrayed were reused in the arcade and Sega Genesis adaptations of Moonwalker.

The song was performed live during the second leg of Jackson's 1987–88 Bad World Tour. The performance featured an exciting dance routine modelled after the scene from Moonwalker. By the time the 1992 Dangerous World Tour came around, this performance became a regular on Jackson tours. This time Jackson had devised a way to perform the anti-gravity lean, which was featured in the Moonwalker video, on stage. Much like the robot move from "Dancing Machine" to the Moonwalk from "Billie Jean", this showcased Jackson's talent for creating unique moves to enhance stage performances. This performance can be seen on the Bucharest Dangerous Tour performance which is included as a DVD in boxed set.

Music video

Currently there are 4 different versions of the video for Smooth Criminal:

• The Original Moonwalker Version - This is the version included in the Moonwalker film - while technically the whole short film is 39 minutes the actual "Smooth Criminal" song segment is aprox. 10 minutes. It includes an added lyric in the second chorus, a middle section of interpretive dance with the dancers among other changes.
• The "Moonwalker Version" - This version is included on History on Film, Volume II and is the song section of the "Smooth Criminal" segment from the film Moonwalker. It is essentially the same, however it has some minor changes including: different opening music and no dialogue, the middle section with the dancers chanting has been truncated (a shot of the cat is removed, the chanting has been shortened) and ends at the point in the original where Michael exits the club with an added shot of one of the flappers fanning herself. It also contains the added lyric.
• The Sped Up/Moonwalker Credits Version - This is commonly shown on music video stations, appears during the end credits for Moonwalker and was included on the "Visionary" single. It is essentially the "Smooth Criminal" video sped up, with an added blur effect, and some alternate angles.
• The Album Version - Also shown on some music video stations - it is the regular version of the video edited to be in sync with the original album version of the song. It excludes the added lyric, the middle section along with various other moments. However, commonly the Sped Up/Moonwalker Credits version is used rather than this version.

Anti-gravity lean

While the video version used special harnesses and ropes to achieve the lean it would be impossible to rig this for a live performance. Accordingly, Jackson and his team had to come up with an alternative way to achieve the effect on stage. The anti-gravity lean technique was filed under United States patent law by Jackson in 1993 ^[2], and consisted of the dancers wearing special shoes which could be locked down onto clips attached to the stage. This allowed the performer to lean beyond their own center of gravity. The trick is over a century old, originating in Vaudeville shows, where it was known as simply "the lean". The Jackson patented version, U.S. Patent No. 5,255,452, uses a unique type of latch and a specially hidden support. Michael has actually fallen doing this in a performance, in which he got back up and continued dancing. ^[3]

Track listing

Original release

UK 7" single

1. "Smooth Criminal" – 4:16
2. "Smooth Criminal" (instrumental) – 4:16

UK 12" single

1. "Smooth Criminal" (extended dance mix) – 7:46
2. "Smooth Criminal" (dance mix - dub version) – 4:45
3. "Smooth Criminal" (a cappella) – 4:12

Visionary single

CD side

1. "Smooth Criminal" (7" version) - 4:10
2. "Smooth Criminal" (Extended Dance Mix) - 7:46

DVD side

1. "Smooth Criminal" (Music video) -9:35

Mixes

1. Album version – 4:17
2. Album version #2 4:17 - Some backgrounds are panned differently
3. Album version #3 4:17 - Same as #2, except the breathing at the beginning is removed.
4. 7" version – 4:10
5. Instrumental version – 4:10
6. Extended Dance Mix – 7:46
7. Extended Dance Mix Radio Edit – 5:23
8. "Annie" Mix – 5:36
9. Dance Mix - Dub version – 4:47
10. A Cappella – 4:13
11. Ben Liebrand Remix – 6:51 - Recently re-released on DMC Commercial Collection 291

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

References

Alien Ant Farm version

"Smooth Criminal"
"Smooth Criminal" cover
Single by Alien Ant Farm
from the album ANThology
Released	2001
Format	CD
Recorded	2001
Genre	Alternative metal
Length	3:29
Label	SKG Music
Writer(s)	Michael Jackson
Producer(s)	Jay Baumgardner
Peak chart positions
#1 (U.S. Modern Rock, Australia, Ireland) #3 (UK) #18 (U.S. Mainstream Rock) #23 (U.S. Hot 100)
Alien Ant Farm singles chronology
N/A "Smooth Criminal" (2001) "Movies" (2001)

In 2001, Alien Ant Farm released a remake of "Smooth Criminal" as their debut single from their album ANThology. It became a number one hit on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.

The music video featured numerous references to Michael Jackson:

• The video for the original "Smooth Criminal" is referenced when the band members do that video's choreographed lean.
• Various objects and sidewalk panels lighting up is a reference to the video for "Billie Jean." Additionally, an editing technique utilizing several split screens and freeze frames mirrors a similar sequence in "Billie Jean."
• The scene where lead singer Dryden Mitchell stands on a car and screams while its windows explode is taken from the controversial ending of the video for "Black or White".
• Several references are made to "Thriller," including the dance by the old men, the werewolf mask worn by the girl jumping into the pool, and the end of the video where a man turns to the camera with cat's eyes.
• The chimpanzee is a reference to Michael Jackson's pet chimp Bubbles. In addition to that, the chair Mitchell is sitting on during the scenes with the chimp is shaped like a gloved hand.
• The Japanese school girls in uniforms holding the sign reading "We love AAF" is a reference to Michael Jackson's idol status in Japan.
• Lead singer Mitchell rips a ventilation shaft grill from the ground, releasing steam. This is a combined reference to the video for the song "Bad," in which Jackson pulled a grill from a subway wall as well as another scene from the controversial ending of the video for "Black or White" where Michael Jackson dances in steam rising from the ground.
• Michael Jackson-like vocalizations can be heard, including a high-pitched "Whoo!" several times in a row.
• The lead singer Mitchell pulls up his pants to expose his socks, much like Michael Jackson.
• Drummer Mike Cosgrove wears one white studded glove.
• Bobby Edner performs a dance similar to the dance moves of Michael Jackson. In addition to that, he is wearing a surgeon's mask.
• One man has a tattoo of Elizabeth Taylor on his back.

ApologetiX's version

The band ApologetiX has a parody to Smooth Criminal called Smooth Grandmama

External links

• http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5255452.PN.&OS=PN/5255452&RS=PN/5255452 Link to U.S. Patent applied for by Jackson describing the "anti-gravity lean".
• Michael Jackson version (Sped-Up version)
• Alien Ant Farm - "Smooth Criminal": MTV Mask version
• Michael Jackson 'Smooth Criminal' Collection

Preceded by "Because I Got High" by Afroman	ARIA (Australia) number one single (Alien Ant Farm version) November 4 2001 - December 23 2001	Succeeded by "Get the Party Started" by Pink
Preceded by "Fat Lip" by Sum 41	Billboard Modern Rock Tracks number-one single August 25, 2001	Succeeded by "How You Remind Me" by Nickelback

•  • [ e] Michael Jackson singles

Got to Be There: "Got to Be There" • "Rockin' Robin" • "I Wanna Be Where You Are" • "Ain't No Sunshine" Ben: "Ben" Music and Me: "With a Child's Heart" • "Music and Me" • "Happy" Forever, Michael: "We're Almost There" • "Just a Little Bit of You" The Wiz: "Ease on Down the Road" (w/Diana Ross) • "You Can't Win (Pt. 1)" • "A Brand New Day" (w/Diana Ross) Off the Wall: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" • "Rock With You" • "Off the Wall" • "She's out of My Life" • "Girlfriend" One Day in Your Life: "One Day in Your Life" Thriller: "The Girl Is Mine" (w/Paul McCartney) • "Billie Jean" • "Beat It" • "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" "Human Nature" • "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" • "Thriller" Farewell My Summer Love: "Farewell My Summer Love" / "Girl You're So Together" Bad: "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (w/Siedah Garrett) • "Bad" • "The Way You Make Me Feel" • "Man in the Mirror" "Dirty Diana" • "Another Part of Me" • "Smooth Criminal" • "Leave Me Alone" • "Liberian Girl" Dangerous: "Black or White" • "Remember the Time" • "In the Closet" • "Jam" • "Who Is It" "Give In to Me" • "Heal the World" • "Will You Be There" • "Gone Too Soon" HIStory: "Scream/Childhood" • "You Are Not Alone" • "Earth Song" • "They Don't Care About Us" • "Stranger in Moscow" : "Blood on the Dance Floor" • "HIStory/Ghosts" Invincible: "You Rock My World" • "Cry" • "Butterflies" Number Ones: "One More Chance" Other collaborations: "Somebody's Watching Me" (w/Rockwell) • "Say Say Say" (w/Paul McCartney) • "Get It" (w/ Stevie Wonder) • "Why" (w/ 3T)

•  • [ e] Alien Ant Farm
Dryden Mitchell | Joe Hill | Alex Barreto | Mike Cosgrove
Terry Corso | Tye Zamora
Discography
Greatest Hits (1999) | ANThology (2001) | truANT (2003) | 3rd Draft (unreleased) |Up in the Attic (2006)
Singles
"Smooth Criminal", "Movies", "Attitude", "These Days", "Glow", "S.S. Recognize", "Forgive and Forget"
Label(s)
Universal Records