Smooth Criminal Lyrics
(Oh no)
[Verse 1]
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 was sitting at the table
He could see she was unable
So she ran into the bedroom
She was struck down
It was her doom
[Break]
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
[Chorus]
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
And then you ran into the bedroom
You were struck down
It was your doom
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
You've been hit by, you've been struck by a smooth criminal
[Verse 2]
So they came into the outway
It was Sunday, but a black day
I could make a salutation
Sounding heartbeats, intimidation
[Break]
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
[Chorus]
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
And then you ran into the bedroom
You were struck down
It was your doom
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
You've been hit by, you've been struck by a smooth criminal
[Short Instrumental]
[Chorus]
Annie, are you okay (oh no)
Will you tell us that you're okay (oh no)
There's a sign at the window (oh no)
That he struck you (oh no)
A crescendo, Annie (oh no)
He came into your apartment (oh no)
Left the bloodstains on the carpet (oh no)
And then you ran into the bedroom (oh no)
You were struck down
It was your doom
[Break]
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
About
Alien Ant Farm covered “Smooth Criminal” originally by Michael Jackson for their 2001 album Anthology.
According to the band members, they would play a few riffs of the Jackson song while warming up before gigs and audience members would request them to play the entire song. This positive feedback encouraged them to record their own rendition of “Smooth Criminal” and include it on Anthology.
An early version of this cover is featured on the band’s first album titled Greatest Hits. The song is there titled “Slick Thief” (a slight rewording of “Smooth Criminal”).
Alien Ant Farm’s cover of “Smooth Criminal” has become their only substantial hit, and featured in American Pie 2, Horrible Bosses 2, Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades, and Karaoke Revolution.
The music video has just about any Michael Jackson reference possible, in a period where MJ was considered a freak who possibly molested children instead of the hitmaker from the preceding decades.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
