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Smooth Criminal

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"El Ayuwoki"
Single by Michael Jackson
from the album Bad
B-side"Smooth Criminal" (instrumental)
ReleasedOctober 24, 1988 (1988-10-24)[1]
RecordedNovember 1986 - April 1987[2]
StudioWestlake Recording Studios (studio D), Los Angeles
Genre
Length4:17
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Michael Jackson
Producer(s)
Michael Jackson singles chronology
"Another Part of Me"
(1988) 		"El Ayuwoki"
(1988) 		"Leave Me Alone"
(1989)
Audio sample

"Smooth Criminal" is a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson, released on his seventh studio album Bad (1987). It was written and composed by Jackson and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. Its music video was first broadcast in early October 1988, followed by a single release on October 21, the seventh from the album.

"Smooth Criminal" is one of Jackson's signature songs, and has appeared on numerous greatest hits albums. It was performed on all his solo tours. It features a fast beat with lyrics about a woman who has been attacked in her apartment by a "smooth criminal".

"Smooth Criminal" peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100.[3] The song reached number one in Belgium, Iceland, the Netherlands and Spain. It was rereleased in 2006 as a single as a part of Jackson's Visionary: The Video Singles boxset. In 2001, the American rock band Alien Ant Farm released a cover of "Smooth Criminal", topping the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

Composition

"Smooth Criminal" is in the key of A minor.[4] Jackson's vocal spans from G3 to E5.[4] It has a moderate tempo of 118 beats per minute.[4] The lyrics describe a narrator who finds a bloodstained carpet and an unconscious body.[5]

The chorus refrain, "Annie, are you OK?", was inspired by Resusci Anne, a dummy used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training courses. CPR trainees learn to say "Annie, are you OK?" while practicing resuscitation on the dummy.[6]

"Smooth Criminal" evolved from an earlier song written by Jackson, "Al Capone", later released on the anniversary reissue Bad 25.[7]

Music video

Jackson originally wanted to make the music video in the western genre, but decided after watching The Godfather with director Colin Chilvers to change it to a 1930s gangster style.[8] Film was shot between mid-February and April 1987.[9] The video premiered on MTV on October 13, 1988.

Jeffrey Daniel of the soul music group Shalamar co-choreographed the "Smooth Criminal" video with Jackson and Vincent Paterson, who was a back-up dancer in "Beat It" and "Thriller". It was directed by special effects coordinator Colin Chilvers. The dance sequence of the video in the 1930s style lounge (and Michael's white suit and fedora) pays tribute to the Fred Astaire musical comedy film The Band Wagon.

The video won Best Music Video at the 1989 Brit Awards and the Critic's Choice awarded Jackson the "Best Video" award and the People's Choice Awards for "Favorite Music Video" for that same year.

The style of clothing as well as mannerisms Jackson portrayed were reused in the numerous adaptations of the video game Michael Jackson's Moonwalker. The song itself serves as the background music for the "Club 30s" stage, the nightclub seen in the music video, that appears in the game.[10]

The video is the centerpiece of the 1988 film Moonwalker.[citation needed]

Anti-gravity lean

Jackson performs the "anti-gravity lean" in the "Smooth Criminal" music video.

In the music video, Jackson and the dancers perform an "anti-gravity lean" lean that appears physically impossible.[11] The dancers lean forward 45 degrees with their backs straight and feet flat on the floor, and hold the pose before returning upright.[11] The lean moves the body's center of mass further than it can support.[11]

In the video, the illusion was achieved using cables and a harness.[12][13] In October 1993, Jackson and his team patented a method of performing the lean in concert using specially designed shoes that hook into pegs that rise from the stage.[11] Even with the shoes, the move requires good athletic core strength.[13]

Critical response

Jason Elias of AllMusic called the song one of Jackson's best: "Despite the content 'Smooth Criminal' is a gorgeous and exhilarating record."[14] Rolling Stone's Davitt Sigerson wrote: "Smooth Criminal" may be the result of retiring too soon after a Brian de Palma picture."[15]

Personnel

Chart performance

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[37] Platinum 614,000[36]
United States (RIAA)[38] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Track listing

Alien Ant Farm version

"Smooth Criminal"
Single by Alien Ant Farm
from the album Anthology
ReleasedJuly 24, 2001 (2001-07-24)
Recorded2000
Genre
Length3:29
LabelDreamWorks
Songwriter(s)Michael Jackson
Producer(s)Jay Baumgardner
Alien Ant Farm singles chronology
"Movies"
(2001) 		"Smooth Criminal"
(2001) 		"Movies (re-release)"
(2001)

In 2001, Alien Ant Farm released a cover version of "Smooth Criminal" as their debut single from their album Anthology. According to the band members, they would play a few riffs of the Jackson song while warming up before gigs and audience members would request them to play the entire song. This positive feedback encouraged them to record their own rendition of "Smooth Criminal" and include it on Anthology. It became a number one hit on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart and was also a number one in Australia. The music video was directed by Marc Klasfeld, and features multiple references to Michael Jackson music videos, including the "Smooth Criminal" video itself. The song was featured in the 2001 film American Pie 2 and the TV spot for Horrible Bosses 2. This version was featured in several video games including Karaoke Revolution, Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades and as downloadable content for the Rock Band series.

The album Greatest Hits (1999) includes a hidden track named "Slick Thief", which is an early version of "Smooth Criminal".

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2001) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[42] 1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[43] 6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[44] 3
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[45] 4
Denmark (Tracklisten)[46] 3
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[47] 2
France (SNEP)[48] 27
Invalid chart entered Germany2 5
Ireland (IRMA)[21] 2
Italy (FIMI)[49] 11
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[50] 4
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[51] 4
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[52] 4
Norway (VG-lista)[53] 7
Scotland (OCC)[54] 3
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[55] 5
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[56] 4
UK Singles (OCC)[57] 3
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[58] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[59] 23
US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard)[59] 18
US Modern Rock Tracks(Billboard)[59] 1
US Top 40 Mainstream(Billboard)[59] 12
US Top 40 Tracks(Billboard)[59] 24

Year-end charts

Chart (2001) Position
Australia (ARIA)[60] 8
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[61] 61
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[62] 24
Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)[63] 55
Germany (Official German Charts)[64] 43
Ireland (IRMA)[65] 17
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[66] 42
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[67] 48
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[68] 39
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[69] 32
Chart (2002) Position
Australia (ARIA)[70] 60

Decade-end charts

Chart (2000–2009) Position
Australia (ARIA)[71] 48

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[72] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Belgium (BEA)[73] Gold 25,000*
Germany (BVMI)[74] Gold 250,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[75] Gold 20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[76] Gold 400,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Glee version

In January 2012, Naya Rivera (as her character Santana Lopez) and Grant Gustin (as Sebastian Smythe) performed "Smooth Criminal" as a duet in the season three episode "Michael" of the American musical television show Glee, backed by musical duo 2Cellos. The song was filmed in a similar environment as the 2Cellos music video, in a room surrounded by empty chairs as the two musicians play. This cover debuted and peaked at number 26 at Billboard Hot 100, number 10 at Billboard Digital Songs, and number 28 at Billboard Canadian Hot 100 chart at the week of February 18, 2012.[77]

References

  1. ^ "Smooth Criminal". Michael Jackson Music. michaeljackson.com. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  2. ^ Lecocq, Richard (2018). Michael Jackson All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. London, England: Cassell. p. 1201. ISBN 9781788400572.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Bad > Awards". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-01-27.
  4. ^ a b c "Smooth Criminal – Michael Jackson Digital Sheet Music (Digital Download)". MusicNotes.com. Alfred Publishing Co. Inc. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  5. ^ Pareles, Jon (1987-08-31). "Pop: Michael Jackson's 'Bad,' Follow-Up To A Blockbuster". The New York Times.
  6. ^ "Michael Jackson's Bad at 25: The Movie". E! Online. 2012-12-01. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
  7. ^ Eisen, Benjy; Eisen, Benjy (2013-07-10). "Five Must-Hear Michael Jackson Rarities". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
  8. ^ Michael Jackson's Private Home Movies, 2003
  9. ^ "Is Michael Jackson For Real?".
  10. ^ "Good Game Stories - Memory Cache: Michael Jackson's Moonwalker". www.abc.net.au.
  11. ^ a b c d LaMotte, Sandee (May 22, 2018). "How Michael Jackson's Tilt Defied Gravity". CNN. Archived from the original on January 26, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2019. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Hedges-Stock, Zoah (May 22, 2018). "The Science of Smooth Criminal: Michael Jackson's Gravity-Defying Dance Moves Explained". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2019. In the Smooth Criminal video, Jackson just used wires to support himself in that impossible position, but he wanted to be able to perform the move live. Being hooked on and off a fishing line by stagehands would rather ruin the spectacle. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; January 26, 2019 suggested (help); Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ a b "Doctors Explain Michael Jackson's Impossible Dance Move". BBC. May 22, 2018. Archived from the original on January 26, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2019. Prior to the patented footwear invention, Michael had relied on supporting cables and a harness around his waist to create the illusion. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ "Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson - Song Info - AllMusic".
  15. ^ "Bad".
  16. ^ a b "Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  17. ^ a b "Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  18. ^ "Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  19. ^ a b c "Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal" (in French). Les classement single.
  20. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 10 (27. janúar 1989)" (PDF) (in Icelandic). Dagblaðið Vísir. Retrieved 23 July 2018. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  21. ^ a b c "Smooth criminal in Irish Chart". IRMA. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) Only results when searching "Smooth criminal"
  22. ^ a b c "Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal". Top Digital Download.
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  25. ^ a b "Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal". Top 40 Singles.
  26. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
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  28. ^ a b c "Michael Jackson". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  29. ^ a b "Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal" Canciones Top 50.
  30. ^ "Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal". Tracklisten.
  31. ^ https://www.billboard.com/artist/michael-jackson/chart-history/european-hot-100
  32. ^ "Download French Single Top 50 - July 11, 2009". LesCahrts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-01-27.
  33. ^ "Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal". Singles Top 100.
  34. ^ "Top 40 Downloads Archive :: WEEK 28 : 05/07/2009 - 11/07/2009". TheOfficialCharts.com. The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010-01-27. [dead link]
  35. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  36. ^ Copsey, Rob (27 August 2018). "Michael Jackson Top 60 songs on the official chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  37. ^ "British single certifications – Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Smooth Criminal in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  38. ^ "American single certifications – Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal". Recording Industry Association of America.
  39. ^ a b c d e f g "Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal (Chanson)". LesCharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-01-27.
  40. ^ Rock and Pop Reviews (2011-10-10). "Michael Forever, MIllenium Stadium, Cardiff, review". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  41. ^ "Alien Ant Farm - Biography & History - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  42. ^ "Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  43. ^ "Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  44. ^ "Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  45. ^ "Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  46. ^ "Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal". Tracklisten.
  47. ^ "Alien Ant Farm: Smooth Criminal" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  48. ^ "Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal" (in French). Les classement single.
  49. ^ "Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal". Top Digital Download.
  50. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 44, 2001" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  51. ^ "Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  52. ^ "Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal". Top 40 Singles.
  53. ^ "Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal". VG-lista.
  54. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  55. ^ "Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal". Singles Top 100.
  56. ^ "Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal". Swiss Singles Chart.
  57. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  58. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  59. ^ a b c d e "ANThology awards on AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  60. ^ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2001". ARIA. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  61. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2001" (in German). Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  62. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2001" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  63. ^ "Rapports annuels 2001" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  64. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts 2001" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  65. ^ "Best of Singles 2001". IRMA. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  66. ^ "Jaaroverzichten - Single 2001" (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  67. ^ "Årslista Singlar - År 2001" (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2018. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  68. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2001" (in German). Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  69. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  70. ^ "ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2001". ARIA. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  71. ^ "ARIA Chart Sales - ARIA End of Decade Singles/Top 100" (PDF). ARIA. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  72. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2001 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  73. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2001". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  74. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Alien Ant Farm; 'Smooth Criminal')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  75. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Smooth Criminal')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  76. ^ "British single certifications – Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Smooth Criminal in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  77. ^ Trust, Gary (2012-02-10). "Weekly Chart Notes: Madonna, Michael Jackson, 'Godspell'". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
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