Smooth Criminal
by Michael Jackson

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“ Smooth Criminal ” is a song by American singer Michael Jackson from his seventh studio album Bad (1987). It was written by Jackson, and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. It was released as the album’s seventh single on November 14, 1988. It features lyrics about a woman who has been attacked in her apartment by a “smooth criminal”. The refrain “Annie, are you OK?” was inspired by Resusci Anne, a dummy used in CPR training.
“Smooth Criminal” peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the sixth top 10 single from Bad. It also peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart. It was certified 2x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song reached number one in Belgium, Iceland, the Netherlands and Spain. Though “Smooth Criminal” was not one of the Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, in retrospective reviews it has been regarded as one of the best songs on Bad and one of Jackson’s signature songs. It has appeared on numerous greatest hits albums and was performed on all of Jackson’s solo tours.

Lyrics

Smooth Criminal
As he came into the window
Was a 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 okay?
So, Annie are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie are you okay? Are you okay Annie?
Annie are you okay?
Will you tell us that you’re okay?
There’s a sign at 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 okay?
So, Annie are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie are you okay?
Are you okay, 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, intimidation
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie are you okay
Are you okay, Annie
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie are you okay
Are you okay, Annie
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie are you okay? Are you okay Annie?
Annie are you okay?
Will you tell us that you’re okay?
There’s a sign at 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 okay?
So, Annie are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
You’ve been hit by
You’ve struck by
A smooth criminal
Annie are you okay?
(I don’t know)
Will you tell us that you’re okay?
(I don’t know)
There’s a sign at 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 the 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 (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 sign at the window
(Dag gone it, baby)
That he struck you, a crescendo Annie
He came into your apartment
(Dag gone it)
Left the bloodstains on the carpet
Then you ran into the bedroom
You were struck down
(Dag gone it)
It was your doom, Annie

Songwriters: Michael Jackson