Smooth Criminal

"Smooth Criminal" evolved from an earlier song written by Jackson, "Al Capone" (named after real life gangster Al Capone), released on the 2012 reissue Bad 25.{{Cite magazine|last=Eisen|first=Benjy|date=July 10, 2013|title=Five Must-Hear Michael Jackson Rarities|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/five-must-hear-michael-jackson-tracks-from-the-ultimate-fan-extras-collection-122669/|access-date=February 1, 2019|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|archive-date=December 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228035427/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/five-must-hear-michael-jackson-tracks-from-the-ultimate-fan-extras-collection-122669/|url-status=live}} It is in the key of A minor,{{cite web |url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0037339& |title=Smooth Criminal – Michael Jackson Digital Sheet Music (Digital Download) |work=MusicNotes.com |date=August 21, 2000 |publisher=Alfred Publishing Co. Inc |access-date=July 6, 2012 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213138/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0037339& |url-status=live }} and Jackson's vocal spans from G₃ to C₆. The lyrics describe a narrator who finds a bloodstained carpet and an unconscious body.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/31/arts/pop-michael-jackson-s-bad-follow-up-to-a-blockbuster.html|title=Pop: Michael Jackson's 'Bad,' Follow-Up To A Blockbuster|last=Pareles|first=Jon|date=August 31, 1987|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 12, 2017|archive-date=June 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618002853/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/31/arts/pop-michael-jackson-s-bad-follow-up-to-a-blockbuster.html|url-status=live}} The chorus refrain, "Annie, are you OK?", was inspired by Resusci Anne, a dummy used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. Trainees learn to say "Annie, are you OK?" while practicing resuscitation on the dummy.{{Cite news|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/367450/new-michael-jackson-documentary-spike-lee-s-bad-25-is-a-funky-gem-you-can-watch-online|title=Michael Jackson's Bad at 25: The Movie|date=December 1, 2012|publisher=E!|access-date=November 11, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=November 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111173848/https://www.eonline.com/news/367450/new-michael-jackson-documentary-spike-lee-s-bad-25-is-a-funky-gem-you-can-watch-online|url-status=live}} The original mix of the song includes the sound of Jackson's fast-thumping heart and heavy breathing, which travel from left to right thanks to Hugo Zuccarelli's Holophonics system.{{cite news|date=November 18, 1987|title=New system puts sound all around|work=Detroit Free Press|agency=Associated Press|page=3B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-new-system-puts-sound/140909145/|access-date=February 14, 2024|via=Newspapers.com}}

"Smooth Criminal" peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the sixth top 10 single from Bad. It is certified 2× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and 2x platinum by the British Phonographic Industry.{{cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/brit-certified/|title=British single certifications – Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal|website=British Phonographic Industry|access-date=November 6, 2019|archive-date=April 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407115905/https://www.bpi.co.uk/brit-certified/|url-status=live}} The song reached number one in Belgium, Iceland, the Netherlands and Spain and the top 10 in Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland and the UK.

File:Smooth criminal video.jpg Jackson asked Vincent Paterson to conceive a concept for the short film. Paterson listened to the unfinished song and came up with the concept of a 1930s gangster club.Michael Jackson's Private Home Movies, 2003 Paterson, who was a lead dancer in the music videos for "Beat It" and "Thriller", co-choreographed the "Smooth Criminal" video with Jackson and Jeffrey Daniel of the soul music group Shalamar.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} The video and Jackson's white suit and fedora pay tribute to the Fred Astaire musical comedy film The Band Wagon, particularly the "Girl Hunt Ballet" (itself inspired by the novels of Mickey Spillane) scene.{{cite AV media |title=Bad 25 |language=en |time=1:23:24}} The video, directed by Colin Chilvers, was shot between mid-February and April 1987 at Culver City, California, and in the backlot at Universal Studios Hollywood{{cite book |first1= Richard |last1= Lecocq |first2= François |last2= Allard |year= 2018 |title= Michael Jackson All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track |chapter= Bad |location= London, England |publisher= Cassell |isbn= 9781788400572 |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=4qJfDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT500 |access-date= November 26, 2019 |archive-date= June 12, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200612012319/https://books.google.com/books?id=4qJfDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT500 |url-status= live }}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/is-michael-jackson-for-real-19870924|title=Is Michael Jackson For Real?|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 24, 1987|access-date=August 22, 2017|archive-date=May 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509044804/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/is-michael-jackson-for-real-19870924|url-status=live}} and premiered internationally on MTV on the night of October 13, 1988.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94316983/another-bad-video/|title=Another 'Bad' Video|journal=Daily News|location=New York|last=Weingrad|first=Jeff|date=October 13, 1988|page=104|issn=2692-1251|access-date=February 6, 2022|archive-date=February 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206020058/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94316983/another-bad-video/|url-status=live}}

In the video, Jackson and the other dancers perform a lean that appears physically impossible.{{Cite news|last=LaMotte|first=Sandee|date=May 22, 2018|title=How Michael Jackson's Tilt Defied Gravity|publisher=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/22/health/michael-jackson-dance-moves/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=January 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126131633/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/22/health/michael-jackson-dance-moves/index.html|archive-date=January 26, 2019}} The dancers lean forward 45 degrees with their backs straight and feet flat on the floor, and hold the pose before returning upright. The lean moves the body's center of mass further than it can support. The illusion was achieved using cables and a harness.{{Cite news|last=Hedges-Stock|first=Zoah|date=May 22, 2018|title=The Science of Smooth Criminal: Michael Jackson's Gravity-Defying Dance Moves Explained|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/science-smooth-criminal-michael-jacksons-gravity-defying-dance/|url-status=live|access-date=January 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126140023/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/science-smooth-criminal-michael-jacksons-gravity-defying-dance/|archive-date=January 26, 2019|quote="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|date=May 22, 2018|title=Doctors Explain Michael Jackson's Impossible Dance Move|publisher=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health-44195073|url-status=live|access-date=January 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126160606/https://www.bbc.com/news/health-44195073|archive-date=January 26, 2019|quote="Prior to the patented footwear invention, Michael had relied on supporting cables and a harness around his waist to create the illusion."}} In October 1993, Jackson's team patented a method of performing the lean in concert using specially designed shoes that hook into pegs that rise from the stage. Even with the shoes, the move requires good athletic core strength.

The video won Best Music Video at the 1989 Brit Awards{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/brit-awards/11432476/The-Brit-Awards-most-successful-acts.html?frame=3210691|title=The Brit Awards' most successful acts|journal=The Daily Telegraph|date=2015-02-25|access-date=2020-01-17|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230220857/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/brit-awards/11432476/The-Brit-Awards-most-successful-acts.html?frame=3210691|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite book |last=Lewis |first=Jel |title=Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Big Picture : the Music! the Man! the Legend! the Interviews!|year = 2005 |page=113|publisher=Amber Books Publishing|isbn=0-974977-90-X}}

In 2019, American television personality Kim Kardashian bought Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" fedora, which still had his makeup on it, for her daughter North West.{{cite web|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a30345187/kim-kardashian-north-west-michael-jackson-jacket-hat-christmas-twitter-reactions/|title=Twitter Is So Divided About Kim and Kanye Giving North a Michael Jackson Jacket and Hat for Christmas|last=Barbour|first=Shannon|date=2019-12-27|website=Cosmopolitan|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-27|archive-date=December 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227175124/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a30345187/kim-kardashian-north-west-michael-jackson-jacket-hat-christmas-twitter-reactions/|url-status=live}}

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 serves as the background music for the "Club 30s" stage, the nightclub seen in the music video, that appears in the game.{{cite web|title=Good Game Stories - Memory Cache: Michael Jackson's Moonwalker|url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s4203746.htm|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=June 22, 2018|archive-date=August 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823093040/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s4203746.htm|url-status=live}} The video is the centerpiece of the 1988 film Moonwalker.{{Cite web |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/michael-jackson-singer-songwriter-american-inventor-180950165/ |title=Michael Jackson: Singer, Songwriter, American Inventor |date=March 25, 2014 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |last=Stamp |first=Jimmy}}

On October 23, 2024, the video achieved 1 billion views on YouTube, making it the fifth of Jackson's video to reach this milestone after "Billie Jean", "They Don't Care About Us", "Beat It" and "Thriller."{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=2024-10-30 |title=Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal' Joins YouTube Billion Views Club |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/michael-jackson-smooth-criminal-youtube-billion-views-1235815381/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241101221351/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/michael-jackson-smooth-criminal-youtube-billion-views-1235815381/ |archive-date=2024-11-01 |access-date=2024-11-01 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

File:Michael Jackson white fedora (Smooth Criminal), close up, Hard Rock Cafe, Nice.jpg, Nice]]

Jason Elias of AllMusic wrote that "Smooth Criminal" was "a gorgeous and exhilarating record ... [it] presents Michael Jackson at his most captivating and it never fails to impress".{{cite web|title=Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson - Song Info|url=http://www.allmusic.com/song/smooth-criminal-mt0010540062|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=August 12, 2013|archive-date=November 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122132048/http://www.allmusic.com/song/smooth-criminal-mt0010540062|url-status=live}} Rolling Stone named it the sixth best Jackson song, writing that it was "his best blend of R&B groove and rock edginess, and a turning point in his shift toward darker, harder-edged material."{{Cite magazine|date=June 23, 2014|title=50 Best Michael Jackson Songs|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-best-michael-jackson-songs-22188/|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=June 13, 2019|archive-date=April 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416200109/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/50-best-michael-jackson-songs-22188/|url-status=live}} In a retrospective review of Bad, Newsweek wrote: "[Smooth Criminal] is a sleek, exhilarating action sequence of a song that's unlike anything else in Jackson's catalog ... an urgent and inspired highlight. Bad is at its best when it explores the darker, more paranoid side that began to consume Jackson's life in the late '80s, and this song captures that impulse."{{cite web|last=Schonfeld|first=Zach|date=August 31, 2017|title=Michael Jackson's 'Bad' at 30: Every song, ranked from best to worst|url=https://www.newsweek.com/michael-jackson-bad-video-smooth-criminal-king-pop-657221|access-date=June 14, 2019|website=Newsweek|language=en|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726135105/https://www.newsweek.com/michael-jackson-bad-video-smooth-criminal-king-pop-657221|url-status=live}} Entertainment Weekly wrote: "If there was one song on Bad that truly captured the sense of artistic freedom that Jackson felt after Thriller, it was this track ... This is pop music as suspense drama."{{cite magazine|title=Michael Jackson Dropped 'Bad' 30 Years Ago Today. Here's the Definitive Song Ranking.|url=https://ew.com/music/2017/08/31/michael-jackson-bad-album-song-ranking/|access-date=June 14, 2019|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|language=en|archive-date=May 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514011337/https://ew.com/music/2017/08/31/michael-jackson-bad-album-song-ranking/|url-status=live}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• 7-inch single{{cite web |url=http://www.lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Smooth+Criminal&cat=s |title=Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal (Chanson) |work=LesCharts.com |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=January 27, 2010 |archive-date=July 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707072656/http://www.lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Michael+Jackson&titel=Smooth+Criminal&cat=s |url-status=live }}

1. "Smooth Criminal" (single mix) – 4:10
2. "Smooth Criminal" (instrumental) – 4:10

• 12-inch maxi and CD-maxi

1. "Smooth Criminal" (extended dance mix) – 7:46
2. "Smooth Criminal" (extended dance mix radio edit) – 5:20
3. "Smooth Criminal" ("Annie" mix) – 5:35
4. "Smooth Criminal" (dance mix – dub version) – 4:45
5. "Smooth Criminal" (a cappella) – 4:12

• Visionary single

CD side:

1. "Smooth Criminal" – 4:10
2. "Smooth Criminal" (extended dance mix) – 7:45

DVD side:

1. "Smooth Criminal" (music video (Shortened Version)) – 4:11

{{col-2}}

• Cassette single

1. "Smooth Criminal"
2. "Smooth Criminal" (instrumental)

• 3-inch CD single

1. "Smooth Criminal" (extended dance mix) – 7:46
2. "Smooth Criminal" ("Annie" mix) – 5:35
3. "Smooth Criminal" (dance mix – dub version) – 4:45

• Japanese 3-inch CD single

1. "Smooth Criminal"
2. "Smooth Criminal" (instrumental)

{{col-end}}

Adapted from single liner notes and Michael Jackson's website.{{cite web|title=Smooth Criminal | CREDITS|url=https://www.michaeljackson.com/ms/track/smooth-criminal-6/|publisher=Michael Jackson|quote="David Williams: Guitar"|access-date=February 27, 2021|archive-date=February 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227183735/https://www.michaeljackson.com/ms/track/smooth-criminal-6/|url-status=live}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Michael Jackson – vocals
• Bill Bottrell – drum machine
• Bruce Swedien – police announcement
• David Williams – electric guitar
• Kim Hutchcroft – saxophone
• Larry Williams – saxophone
• Gary Grant – trumpet

{{col-2}}

• Jerry Hey – trumpet and horn arrangement
• Kevin Maloney – muted piano
• Christopher Currell – Synclavier
• Denny Jaeger – Synclavier
• Michael Rubini – Synclavier
• John Barnes – synthesizer
• Michael Boddicker – synthesizer
• Dr. Eric Chevlen – heartbeat recording

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|title=Smooth Criminal|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Platinum|relyear=1988|certyear=2023|id=12001|access-date=January 10, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|title=Smooth Criminal|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Silver|relyear=1988|certyear=1988|certmonth=12|source=infodisc|access-date=May 19, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Smooth Criminal|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1988|certyear=2023|access-date=February 18, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|title=Smooth Criminal|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Gold|relyear=2009|certyear=2019|access-date=May 20, 2019|refname="fimi"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Smooth Criminal|award=Gold|relyear=1988|certyear=2010|certmonth=6|type=ringtone|note=Full-length ringtone|access-date=May 23, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|title=Smooth Criminal|artist=Michael Jackson|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1988|certyear=2015|access-date=October 6, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Smooth Criminal|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1988|access-date=January 9, 2025|certyear=2025|source=radioscope}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1988|certyear=2024|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Smooth Criminal - Visionary|note=Visionary {{noitalics|version}}|accessdate=May 29, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|title=Smooth Criminal|artist=Michael Jackson|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2004|certyear=2025|id=9270-168-1|note=Digital Sales}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Michael Jackson|title=Smooth Criminal|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1988|certyear=2018}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|date=September 18, 2012|salesamount=7,500,000|salesref={{Cite web|url=https://www.michaeljackson.com/track/smooth-criminal-6/|publisher=Sony Music Entertainment |title=Smooth Criminal |date=September 18, 2012|website=michaeljackson.com|access-date=November 26, 2024|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926045430/https://www.michaeljackson.com/track/smooth-criminal-6/}}}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true/}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Smooth Criminal

| cover = alien ant farm smooth criminal.png

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Alien Ant Farm

| album = Anthology

| B-side = * "Orange Appeal"

• "Denigrate"

| released = {{Start date|2001|5|22}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = * Alternative metal{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/media/lists/best-songs-2001-top-100-9550936/ | title=The 100 Greatest Songs of 2001: Staff Picks | magazine=Billboard }}

• nu metal{{cite web|url=https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/alien-ant-farm-smooth-criminal-history|title=The Untold Story of Alien Ant Farm's 'Smooth Criminal'|last=Grierson|first=Tim|date=November 21, 2019|work=Mel Magazine|access-date=June 30, 2022}}
• hard rock{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/alien-ant-farm-smooth-criminal-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs|title= No. 38: Alien Ant Farm, 'Smooth Criminal' - Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs|last=Ramanand|first=Liz|date=June 28, 2012|website=Loudwire|access-date=January 4, 2024}}

| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=29}}

| label = DreamWorks

| writer = Michael Jackson

| producer = Jay Baumgardner

| prev_title = Movies

| prev_year = 2001

| next_title = Movies

| next_version = re-release

| next_year = 2001

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|CDl9ZMfj6aE|"Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal (Official Music Video)"}}}}

}}

In May 2001, the American rock band Alien Ant Farm released a "funky metallic"{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/alien-ant-farm-mn0000743709/biography|title=Alien Ant Farm|author=MacKenzie Wilson|website=AllMusic}} cover of "Smooth Criminal" as the second single from their second studio album, Anthology (2001). According to the singer, Dryden Mitchell, the band would play a few riffs of the song while warming up before gigs and audience members would request the entire song.{{cite web|url=https://www.kindamuzik.net/interview/alien-ant-farm/alien-ant-farm/1255/|title=Alien Ant Farm interview|last=Nijssen|first=Bart|date=February 8, 2002|work=KindaMuzik}}

The cover became a number-one hit on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and was also a number-one hit in Australia for eight weeks. In Europe, it reached number three in the United Kingdom and charted within the top 10 in 10 other countries. Alien Ant Farm's 1999 album Greatest Hits includes a hidden track named "Slick Thief", which is an early version of "Smooth Criminal".{{Cite web |date=2024-04-05 |title=Alien Ant Farm Share Mixed Feelings on "Smooth Criminal" |url=https://www.whosampled.com/sample/842087/Alien-Ant-Farm-Slick-Thief-Michael-Jackson-Man-in-the-Mirror/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003101258/https://primordialradio.com/alien-ant-farm-share-mixed-feelings-on-smooth-criminal/ |archive-date=2024-10-03 |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=Primordial Radio}}

Mitchell said he came to resent how popular the cover was, and did not want to perform it, thinking: "We're a better band than just this song." However, he accepted that fans wanted to hear it and decided he was being immature. He described it as a "fun party song" like the Beastie Boys' "Fight for Your Right".

The music video was directed by Marc Klasfeld and shot in San Fernando, California.{{Cite web |date=2019-11-21 |title=The Untold Story of Alien Ant Farm's 'Smooth Criminal' |url=https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/alien-ant-farm-smooth-criminal-history |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=MEL Magazine |language=en-US}} It features the band performing in a wrestling ring, and in front of a suburban house. The video also references various Jackson music videos and elements of his personal life, including the original "Smooth Criminal" video, Jackson's Moonwalk, and his pet chimp Bubbles.{{Cite web |last=Fife |date=2022-02-18 |title=Throwback Track: Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal |url=https://wixx.com/2022/02/18/throwback-track-alien-ant-farm-smooth-criminal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003101700/https://wixx.com/2022/02/18/throwback-track-alien-ant-farm-smooth-criminal/ |archive-date=2024-10-03 |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=WIXX 101}}{{Cite web |last=Grierson |first=Tim |date=2019-11-21 |title=The Untold Story of Alien Ant Farm's 'Smooth Criminal' |url=https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/alien-ant-farm-smooth-criminal-history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003102044/https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/alien-ant-farm-smooth-criminal-history |archive-date=2024-10-03 |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=MEL Magazine}}

Before its release, Alien Ant Farm sent the video to Jackson for his approval. At his request, they reshot some scenes to remove a child wearing a surgical mask, a reference to how Jackson wore them in public to cover cosmetic surgeries. However, Jackson decided he preferred the video with the mask. Reflecting on the video in 2022, Mitchell said, "We went through quite a bit of money and bullshit to make sure that we were appeasing Michael Jackson."{{Cite web |last=Villasenor |first=Yvonne |date=2022-06-30 |title=Catching up with Alien Ant Farm, unlikely distractions during a week of doomscrolling |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2022-06-30/alien-ant-farm-smooth-criminal-michael-jackson-twitter |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

{{col-begin|width=74%}}

{{col-2}}

UK CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Smooth Criminal|year=2001|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=DreamWorks Records, Newnoize|id=DRMDM50887}}

1. "Smooth Criminal"
2. "Orange Appeal"
3. "Denigrate"
4. "Smooth Criminal" (CD-ROM video)

UK cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Smooth Criminal|year=2001|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=DreamWorks Records, Newnoize|id=DRMCS50888}}

1. "Smooth Criminal"
2. "Denigrate"

European CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Smooth Criminal|year=2001|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=DreamWorks Records, Newnoize|id=450 888-2}}

1. "Smooth Criminal" (album version)
2. "Orange Appeal"

{{col-2}}

European maxi-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Smooth Criminal|year=2001|type=European maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=DreamWorks Records, Newnoize|id=450 885-2}}

1. "Smooth Criminal" (album version)
2. "Movies"
3. "Denigrate" (non-LP version)
4. "Smooth Criminal" (video)

Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Smooth Criminal|year=2001|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=DreamWorks Records, Newnoize|id=450 887-2}}

1. "Smooth Criminal" (album version)
2. "Orange Appeal"
3. "Denigrate" (non-LP version)
4. "Smooth Criminal" (video)

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2001|certyear=2001}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|access-date=December 10, 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|artist=Alien Ant Farm|title=Smooth Criminal|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2018|access-date=May 17, 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|award=Platinum|artist=Alien Ant Farm|title=Smooth Criminal|relyear=2001|certyear=2021|type=single|source=radioscope|refname="RMNZ"|access-date=February 6, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|type=single|artist=Alien Ant Farm|title=Smooth Criminal|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2002|nosales=true|access-date=October 23, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|access-date=July 3, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=single|artist=Alien Ant Farm|title=Smooth Criminal|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2002|access-date=December 10, 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Alien Ant Farm|title=Smooth Criminal|award=Platinum|relyear=2001|certyear=2019|id=9270-489-1|access-date=September 29, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

Croatian duo 2Cellos performed the song in a viral YouTube video.{{cite AV media |date=July 27, 2013 |title=2CELLOS - Smooth Criminal [OFFICIAL VIDEO] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx0xCI1jaUM |access-date=March 24, 2022 |publisher=2Cellos}} Jean Rodríguez sang lead vocals for Tony Succar's Latin-flavored version of "Smooth Criminal", from the album Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson (2015), including a section in Spanish.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin-notas/6443407/latin-tribute-michael-jackson-smooth-criminal-video |title=Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson Salsifies 'Smooth Criminal': Watch It Here |date=January 15, 2015 |last=Cantor-Navas |first=Judy |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 20, 2021}}{{cite AV media |date=January 13, 2015 |title=Tony Succar, Jean Rodriguez – Smooth Criminal |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74EIxwiGgWE |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=YouTube }} A video of their 2016 performance at the offices of Sirius XM went viral.{{cite AV media |date=February 18, 2016 |title='Smooth Criminal' Live @ Sirius XM – Tony Succar & Jean Rodriguez |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjbDSTQ-4mk |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=YouTube }}

{{Reflist}}

{{Bad (album)}}

{{Michael Jackson songs}}

{{Alien Ant Farm}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1987 songs

Category:1988 singles

Category:2001 singles

Category:Michael Jackson songs

Category:Alien Ant Farm songs

Category:Music videos directed by Marc Klasfeld

Category:Number-one singles in Australia

Category:Number-one singles in Denmark

Category:Number-one singles in Finland

Category:Number-one singles in Iceland

Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles

Category:Number-one singles in the Netherlands

Category:Number-one singles in Spain

Category:Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders) number-one singles

Category:Songs written by Michael Jackson

Category:Song recordings produced by Michael Jackson

Category:Song recordings produced by Quincy Jones

Category:Epic Records singles

Category:DreamWorks Records singles

Category:Songs about crime

Category:Songs about criminals