Michael Jackson has made so much amazing music that it is difficult to choose just one or two tracks to look at more closely. However, this is one from Michael Jackson’s enormous back catalog of hits that I believe deserves special attention.
The song marked a departure from much of his earlier music. And the meaning behind “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson also represented a bit of a change from what had gone before. So, let us get straight to it and take a look at the history and significance of “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson.
Michael Jackson’s Career
Before we take a closer look at the song, let us first briefly refresh our memories about Michael Jackson’s career. It all started in 1958 when he began performing at just a week old at the insistence of his dad. OK, truthfully, he might have been six when he first started performing with the Jackson 5. But, you get my point.
Family business…
Michael Jackson continued through most of the 60s and nearly all of the 70s as an integral part of the family group. He eventually became the lead singer and the focal part of the group when their name changed to The Jacksons.
It was an incredible apprenticeship that saw him learn and develop amazing singing, dancing, and performing skills. Additionally, he also picked up one of the most important lessons – how to craft great Pop songs.
His time with the family band was in the peak Motown Years, and during this period, he enjoyed several hits. Possibly the best of these was the Jackson 5’s 1969 first #1 hit, “I Want You Back.”
In 1979, Michael cut free from his brothers and went it alone…
What happened next should not have been a surprise. But, not many of us were expecting a #1 hit with Michael Jackson’s first solo album. However, that is what we got as his debut album, Off the Wall, made it to #1 in the US and several other countries around the world. Additionally, it sold 20 million copies, making it one of the best-selling debut albums in history.
That was spectacular enough, but what was to follow was truly mind-blowing. In 1982, Thriller was released, and it became THE best-selling album in history. It sold an unbelievable 70 million copies.
To put that into context, the second best-selling album is Back in Black by AC/DC, which sold 50 million copies. And only seven other artists have sold 40 million or more copies of an album. That should give you a better idea of just how big Thriller was.
Fast forward five years…
Michael Jackson released his third album, Bad. This was the album that included the song “Smooth Criminal,” which I will be looking at in more detail shortly. Sadly, this was also a time when Michael Jackson was increasingly losing a grip on reality.
His infatuation with plastic surgery and his appearance was getting out of control. Plus, he became involved in a series of strange kinds of behavior. It all culminated in some poor decision-making that resulted in several child abuse accusations.
His life was a mess…
And, I can’t help thinking that if he still had his family around him, or wasn’t constantly surrounded by “yes men,” he might have been able to keep his life on track. Sadly, at the age of 50, the culmination of his crazy lifestyle and heavy reliance on sedatives would prove to be his undoing.
He died on the 25th of June 2009 of a propofol overdose. Now, let’s take a look at his hit song, “Smooth Criminal,” released when things were still kind of in control.
“Smooth Criminal” – Chart Success
The single was released in 1988 and was the seventh song to be released from the album Bad. Coincidentally, it made it to #7 in the US and #8 in the UK. It enjoyed solid chart success. Although, compared to the first five singles released, which all reached #1, sales and chart positions could have been better.
The reason for this is that by the time “Smooth Criminal” was released as a single, the album had already been out for over a year. Consequently, many Michael Jackson fans may have bought the album, so there was no real reason to buy the single.
Sales may have been muted by Michael Jackson’s standards, but it sold enough to earn double-platinum discs in the US and a single-platinum disc in the UK.
Bad fared much better, to say the least…
It went to #1 in the US and the UK, as well as in several countries around the world. It also went 11 times platinum in the US and 14 times platinum in the UK. Bad sold an incredible 35 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time.
Sometimes, it is hard to comprehend that Michael Jackson sold more than 100 million records with just two albums. Namely, Thriller and Bad.
Recording and Video
I am a huge fan of “Smooth Criminal” and think it is easily one of the 3 best Michael Jackson songs ever. Of course, I am in the minority, but there is no denying its incredible beat and groove. It is a blend of Pop, Rock, and R&B with a hard, gritty edge but a sublime beat that truly sets it apart.
This kind of harder sound was a change of direction for Michael Jackson…
And it would become increasingly popular as his career progressed. The song was produced by the masterful Quincy Jones, the mastermind behind much of Michael Jackson’s great music. So, the finished product was polished and gleamed like a diamond.
Interestingly, despite Quincy Jones’ wonderful contribution, he was far from happy with the darker and more Rock-based feel of the song. He was also against the violent nature of the lyrics, which very much went against his strong religious beliefs. Plus, he felt that it was an unnecessary diversion from what had previously been a more Pop-orientated and highly commercially successful sound.
Lots of people disagreed with this stance…
I was undoubtedly one of them. There were plenty of great covers to prove this point. The most notable included the marvelous Alien Ant Farm cover, as well as a great version from those kids of “Glee” fame.
When it comes to making videos, there were very few, if any, that could come even remotely close to what Michael Jackson was making in the 80s. “Thriller” was possibly his best but “Smooth Criminal” was not very far behind.
Michael Jackson dressed up to look like Al Capone in the video, which was nine minutes long and was superb. It also featured him in his iconic gravity-defying leans that, once seen, can never be forgotten.
I do not know how he did it…
But I can only assume he was wearing weighted or screwed-to-the-floor boots. However it was achieved, the final result was epic. Even more incredible is that when he toured, he was somehow able to achieve these same 45-degree spectacular leans. Maybe he was pals with David Blane at the time.
I saw him live in 1990 and was lucky enough to see him pull off this famous Michael Jackson dance routine. It was amazing, although he kind of spoiled things by constantly grabbing at his crotch. Maybe he was itchy because of his leather pants.
The Meaning Behind “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson – Lyrics
You may not know, but the inspiration behind “Smooth Criminal” was the 1930s Chicago gangster Al Capone. Michael Jackson had initially written the song with the title “Al Capone” but had axed the idea sometime earlier. However, he dusted off his notebook, resurrected the song, and renamed it “Smooth Criminal” for inclusion in Bad.
There is a relatively straightforward meaning behind “Smooth Criminal.” And, unlike many songs with complicated lyrics and multiple metaphors, the track is a relatively simple tale. It tells of a woman who is attacked and murdered in her own apartment.
She is struck down by a sinister and sharply dressed criminal in the form of some Al Capone look alike. In the first verse, we witness the gangster breaking into her apartment and striking her with some object, fatally wounding her in the process.
Cue what could be one of the greatest chorus lines of all time…
Following her attack, paramedics arrive on the scene and begin the hopeless job of trying to resuscitate her. Subsequently, they use the classic line used by medics when undergoing CPR training. Once they have finished a round of resuscitation, they are trained to ask the victim if they are OK. In the case of CPR training, the doll used is referred to as ‘Annie.’
We, therefore, get the classic line, as Michael Jackson sings out with more and more intensity, asking if Annie is OK. This is absolutely brilliant.
Lyrically, very little is added after the first verse and chorus…
The rest of the song is pretty much a repetition of what has gone before it. However, we get one added line as it is proclaimed that the victim has been hit by a smooth criminal.
There is no doubt about the dark undertones in the meaning behind Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.” It is sinister and troubling, though strangely highly entertaining at the same time. Maybe it is this element, and the possible glamourizing of crime and murder, that Quincy Jones was so strongly against. Regardless, I love it, and plenty of others did and still do.
Need More Songs from Giants of Pop Music?
Well then, check out our thoughts on the Best Maroon 5 Songs of All Time, the Best Songs By Celine Dion, the Best Rihanna Songs of All Time, the Top 10 Richard Marx Songs, the Top 10 Debbie Gibson Songs, and the Best John Legend Songs of All Time for more amazing song selections.
And you’ll need to listen to them. So, take a look at our in-depth reviews of the Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, the Best Sound Quality Earbuds, the Best Headphones for Music, the Best Headphones Under $200, the Best Cheap Earbuds Under $100, and the Best Bluetooth Headphones Under $100 you can buy in 2024.
The Meaning Behind “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson – Final Thoughts
It has been a long time since I have listed to this song or watched the video. Honestly, it has been a lot of fun revisiting it and reliving the 80s in some small way. It has also been fun delving a little deeper into the meaning of “Smooth Criminal” and the story behind it.
I hope you have enjoyed the journey, too. And I would love to hear if there is anything you disagree with. Plus, if you have any of your own interesting stories about the song, Michael Jackson, or his music, be sure to let me know in the comment below.
Until next time, happy listening.
