Smooth Criminal Lyrics

[Chorus]
Annie, are you okay?
Will you tell us that you're okay?

There's a sound at the window
Then he struck you, a crescendo, Annie
He came into your apartment
Left the bloodstains on the carpet
And then you ran into the bedroom
You were struck down
It was your doom

[Post-Chorus]
Annie, are you okay? Annie, are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?


[Refrain]
You've been hit by—
You've been struck by—
A smooth criminal

[Interlude]
Choo-cha, choo-cha
Ow!
Okay, I want everybody to clear the area right now!

[Breakdown]
Ow!
Hoo!
Hoo!
Hoo!
Hoo!
Ow!
[Chorus]
Annie, are you okay? (I don't know)
Will you tell us that you're okay? (I don't know)

There's a sound at the window (I don't know)
Then 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)
And then you ran into the bedroom (Help me)
You were struck down
It was your doom, Annie (Dag gone it)
Annie, are you okay? (Dag gone it, baby)
Will you tell us that you're okay? (Dag gone it, baby)

There's a sound at the window (Dag gone it, baby)
Then he struck you, a crescendo Annie (Hoo! Hoo!)
He came into your apartment, (Dag gone it)
Left bloodstains on the carpet (Hoo!)
And then you ran into the bedroom (Hoo! Hoo!)
You were struck down (Dag gone it)
It was your doom, Annie (Ow!)

[Outro]
Ow!
Ow!
Shoo-cha-choo, shoo-cha-choo!
Ow!
Ow!

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About

Genius Annotation

“Smooth Criminal” was an idea Michael had in 1984. Originally, it was to be a Western Musical, with Michael being a gunslinger.

When he didn’t like the original sketching of the concept, he decided to make it a gangster scene instead. From there he wrote basic lyrics to go along with the idea he had for the musical hook.

There have been some critics who state that it’s overly simplistic. They, as usual, miss the entire point. It was meant to be a song with a hook and a basic story and nothing more. It was created from the beginning as a pure video song.

“Smooth Criminal” was an international smash hit, topping the chart in Spain, Belgium & The Netherlands and reaching the top 10 in several others including a #7 peak in the US. The song is also remembered for the dance routine in its music video, which includes an “anti-gravity lean” with the help of anchors in the floor that the dancers' shoes locked into.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Translations
What did Michael Jackson say about "Smooth Criminal"?
Genius Answer

How many times does Michael say "Annie" in this song?
Genius Answer

50 times

Credits
Written By
Mixing Engineer
Mastering Engineer
Copyright ©
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Horns Arranger
Background Vocals
Recording Engineer
Muted Steinway
Holophonics by
Michael Jackson's Heartbeat Recorded By
Chief Of Police Announcement
Recorded At
Westlake Recording Studios, West Hollywood, California
Release Date
November 14, 1988
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