Michael Jackson: Smooth Criminal Meaning

Song Released: 1988

Covered By: Alien Ant Farm (2001)

Smooth Criminal Lyrics

Smooth Criminal lyrics
As He Came Into The Window
It Was The 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...

1. anonymous

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   Mar 20th 2017 !⃝

   Everyone commenting on this thread couldn't be anymore wrong about the meaning of smooth criminal. Smooth criminal was made about The Nightstalker Richard Ramirez whose crimes took place between 1984-1985 in Los Angeles California. Smooth criminal was about the crimes of Richard Ramirez.
2. anonymous

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   Feb 15th 2017 !⃝

   I think you are all taking the meaning of the lyrics too literally.
   
   I have always interpreted this song as not being about a physical "crime" at all, unless it is the crime of being "awe inspiring" or life changing in some way.
   
   In this song, I have always taken it as though Michael Jackson himself, or his music, is the "smooth criminal." The music came into the apartment from the window. The crescendo means it was more than just "loud," it had an emotional effect on you that "grew" and became more intense. The bloodstains are the carpet represent that the music killed her old self in some way. She was unable to hide from the music. She tried to run, and hide from the music, but she couldn't. It eventually hit her and struck her down.
   
   Annie are you Ok? No, she's not, she has been struck down by the music and the entire spectacle of it all (i.e., the smooth criminal). Like so many of Michael Jackson's songs, I think you are taking it far too literally if you think it is about an actual physical "crime" and not about something more symbolic. Just my two cents.
3. anonymous

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   Dec 30th 2014 !⃝

   It is sexual.. Michael Jackson once when he sang smooth criminal on stage in front of audience he ended the song by saying: you v been hit by, u v been f**kef by smooth criminal

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
4. anonymous

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   Oct 30th 2014 !⃝

   Whether it's murder or rape and murder isn't clear. Could have many allegorical meanings. The Annie are you OK is def about CPR, and hey does anyone else think that maybe the crescendo refers to the sound of glass breaking?
5. anonymous

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   Aug 21st 2014 !⃝

   Guys can I just say that I don't have a view on this song yet but I really love it and actually Annie is not the name of the girl in the song: The refrain of the song contains the phrase "Annie, are you OK?" This is a phrase used in CPR training courses. Resusci Anne, otherwise known as "Annie" in English-speaking countries, is the name of a mannequin commonly used in CPR training. As part of the training, trainees are taught to say "Annie, are you OK?" to the dummy in order to check that the patient is conscious and responsive. A paramedic in the field is supposed to address the patient by her actual name, but many have been known to say "Annie" out of habit. Michael Jackson once took a CPR course.
6. phoebe.judd.54

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   Jul 6th 2014 !⃝

   Personally, when I realised the real lyrics to this, it reminded me of the Official Halloween Parody movie, especially of the part where MICHAEL (See the similiarity to Jackson and Myers???) Myers rapes Annie.
   
   Happy childhood everyone! :3
   -Kasai
7. anonymous

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   Nov 24th 2013 !⃝

   I have to agree with Valerie W. with this one, it makes sense, and there were that many coincidences in a song to historical events, there had to be some relation. When I read that comment I was like, "my mind has officially been blown". (If you want to find the comment, I'm sorry I don't know where my comment is going to spawn.)

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
8. anonymous

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   Jul 6th 2013 !⃝

   I think that is sad the way she is killed has no heart
9. anonymous

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   Nov 28th 2012 !⃝

   Song is about CPR that Michael had taken. Anne are you ok, is what they teach you in CPR class wehn learning on the Laerdal CPR Manikin named Anne
10. anonymous

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    Nov 23rd 2012 !⃝

    Love it! The Smooth Criminal visits me quite frequently myself these days. He is the slick salesman who I graciously allow to steal away from me my addictions, my controlling nature, my laziness and my indecision.
    
    Left to my own devises, I rather fancy these parts of myself. When the Smooth Criminal hits town, I AM left cowering, as I am stripped... humble... and free.
    
    Smooth Criminal - you steal from me the things I am more times than not, too scared to let go of myself.
    
    Thanks Michael.
11. anonymous

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    Mar 14th 2012 !⃝

    My interpretation of this song is a girl or young woman (Annie) is in her apartment, and a man (the "smooth criminal") comes in and attacks her, then leaves. A friend or neighbor of Annie's comes in and finds the bloodstains and other evidence of a struggle, finds her in the bedroom, and tries to revive her with CPR, asking if she's okay. But he's too late because Annie's been "struck down", or killed.
12. anonymous

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    Feb 23rd 2012 !⃝

    Annie was attacked in her apartmant by a criminal who drank a smoothie.Just kidding,I think annie is the girl with the black cat in the bigenning of the song.
13. anonymous

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    Jan 17th 2012 !⃝

    I think the song is talking about "Annie" losing her innocence. She was taken advantage of by a guy who stole her innocence and used her only to leave her. "Smooth criminal", "player" or "heartbreaker"
14. anonymous

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    Sep 29th 2011 !⃝

    I don't think its about anything sexual. i think its about an attack.
15. anonymous

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    Aug 12th 2011 !⃝

    Annie are you Okay is what CPR students are taught when they go through training. You are supposed to ask, "___________, are you okay?" before you begin CPR. Most instructors use the name, Annie in the sentence. I think this was a cool title, given the 'victim' in the song was probably in need of emergency personnel.
    
    This song sticks in my mind, and most of my non-crazy-MJ friends LOVE this, even though they don't like MJ. I will always be a fan.

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