Coordinates	30°19′10″N81°39′36″N
name	Smooth Criminal
cover	Smooth Criminal.jpg
artist	Michael Jackson
album	Bad
released
format	5" CD single, 3" CD single, 12" vinyl, 7" single and Cassette single
recorded	1987
genre	Funk, dance-pop
length	4:17 (album version)4:10 (7" edit)7:49 (12" edit)
label	Epic
writer	Michael Jackson
producer	Quincy JonesMichael Jackson (co-producer)
last single	"Another Part of Me"(1988)
this single	"Smooth Criminal"(1988)
next single	"Leave Me Alone"(1989)
misc	}}

"Smooth Criminal" is the seventh single from Michael Jackson's 1987 ''Bad'' album. The song contains a fast-paced beat intertwined with Jackson's lyrics about a woman named Annie, who has been attacked in her apartment by a "smooth" assailant. It was released as a single on October 24, 1988 and peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was re-released on April 10, 2006 as a part of the ''Visionary: The Video Singles'' box-set. The re-released ''Visionary'' single charted at No. 19 in the UK. The piece is one of Jackson's signature songs, and has appeared on numerous greatest hits albums, including ''Number Ones'', ''The Essential Michael Jackson'', ''Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection'', ''King of Pop'' and ''This Is It'' (for the New version of song).

The song also serves as the theme song to Jackson's 1988 film ''Moonwalker''.

Song

"Smooth Criminal" was a song that almost didn't make it into the ''Bad'' album, with Jackson having to convince producer Quincy Jones that it was worthy of inclusion. With the final decision to include the song, Jackson originally decided to make the short film a western-styled short film. However, he later decided to change the style into a 1930s nightclub style.

Two early versions of the song were written by Jackson in 1985 and the original demo was recorded in 1986. The first song was called "Chicago 1945" the song it evolved into was "Al Capone". This version didn't make the album and was re-worked and re-written as "Smooth Criminal".

The style of both the clip and the clothes as well as mannerisms Jackson portrayed were reused in the arcade, the Sega Master System, the Sega Mega Drive and the Sega Game Gear adaptations of ''Moonwalker''. The song itself serves as the soundtrack for the Club 30s stage, the nightclub from the movie, in all versions of the game.

The song was performed live during the second leg of Jackson's 1988–89 Bad World Tour. The performance featured a dance routine modeled after the scene from ''Moonwalker''. By the time the 1992 Dangerous World Tour came around, this performance became a regular on Jackson tours, including his HIStory Tour. A spoken word and synth recording preceded the song on the second leg of the Bad tour and on the subsequent Dangerous World Tour, the same recording having been used as an intro for the song "This Place Hotel" on the first leg of the Bad Tour. By the time of the Dangerous Tour, Jackson had devised a way to perform the patented anti-gravity lean, which was featured in the Moonwalker video, on stage. Much like the robot move from "Dancing Machine" and the Moonwalk from "Billie Jean", this showcased Jackson's talent for creating unique moves to enhance stage performances. This performance can be seen on the Bucharest Dangerous Tour performance which is included as a DVD in ''The Ultimate Collection'' boxed set.

Part of the song was also briefly used in the middle of the live version of the song "Dangerous" since Jackson's performance at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards. In the HIStory Tour, he used a small snippet of this song during his performance of "Dangerous". Jackson was also going to use it again in his "Dangerous" performance in his This Is It concerts, along with the full track, had the concert series not been canceled due to his sudden death.

Film adaptation

The song was adapted into a short film which was the centerpiece of the 1988 film ''Moonwalker'' starring Michael Jackson and Joe Pesci in the lead roles.

Plot

The film begins with three homeless children (Sean, played by Sean Lennon, Katie and Zeke) sneaking through a big city to see their friend Michael walk out of his store. As Michael stands in front of the door, he gazes at the night sky before he is attacked by mobsters with machine guns. The film then backtracks to show Michael and the children playing in a meadow in happier times. Their dog Skipper runs away, and as Michael and Katie look for him, they uncover the lair of Mr. Big (Joe Pesci). Mr. Big – whose real name is Frankie LiDeo, which is an anagram of Frank DiLeo – is a drug-dealing mobster with a disciplined private army at his command. He wants to get the entire population of Earth addicted to drugs, starting with children. He likes to eat nuts and leaves nutshells wherever he goes. He is obsessed with spiders, as displayed by their abundance at the entrance to his lair and his operation named "bugs and drugs". He also of his proposed control of the world via drug dealing. Further, all his henchmen sport a spider crest on their uniforms. Katie screams when she sees a spider, and Mr. Big discovers them spying on his operation.

The story returns to the shooting in front of Michael's store. Unknown to the gangsters, Michael has a lucky star, and using it, he escaped the gunfire. Upon realizing that Michael has escaped again, Mr. Big orders his henchmen to track him down with dogs. Michael is eventually cornered in an alley, where he uses his lucky star again to turn into a sportscar (the 1970 Lancia Stratos prototype) that mows down several of Mr. Big's henchmen. Michael is pursued through the city streets until he loses the henchmen. Meanwhile, the children scout out ''Club 30's'', where Michael had told them to meet him, and find only an abandoned and haunted nightclub. As Michael arrives, Katie sees a silhouette of him turning back from a car into himself. The door of the club opens with a gust of wind, and Michael walks in to find it filled with zoot suiters and swing dancers. The children gather outside a window of the club and watch Michael dance to "Smooth Criminal".

The song used in the film is much longer than the album release, with several lyrics that clarify the story. There is also an interlude wherein Jackson joins the other dancers in a modern interpretive dance. At the climax of the song, Mr. Big lays siege to the club and kidnaps Katie. Michael follows them back to Big's lair and ends up surrounded by his henchmen. Mr. Big appears and taunts Michael by threatening to inject Katie with highly addictive narcotics. Katie breaks free for a moment, but Mr. Big grabs her again and starts kicking Michael. As Mr. Big stands over Michael and orders his henchmen to kill him and Katie, Michael looks up and sees his lucky star. He transforms into a giant robot and kills all of Mr. Big's soldiers, then turns into a spaceship. Mr. Big gets into a large hillside-mounted energy cannon, firing on the spaceship as it flies into a nearby ravine. The children are his next target, but the spaceship returns from the ravine just in time to fire a beam into the cannon with Mr. Big inside, killing him. The children watch the ship fly into the night sky with shower of light.

The children return to the city, believing that Michael is gone forever. As the boys talk about Michael, Katie walks away crying and clutching a paper star. As she sits in a corner wishing for him to come back, the paper star flies out of her hand and Michael walks out of the night fog. He takes them to ''Club 30's'', where they find that the club has turned into the backstage area of a concert. Michael's stage crew return the children's missing dog and then escort Michael onto the stage where he performs "Come Together".

Reception

The short film received generally positive reviews by critics and fans alike. It is believed to be the best segment out of the entire ''Moonwalker'' film.

Personnel

Written, composed, clap, vocal arrangement, solo and background vocals by Michael Jackson

Produced by Quincy Jones

Co-Produced by Michael Jackson

Bill Bottrell, John Robinson, Bruce Swedien: Drums

David Williams: Guitar

Kim Hutchcroft, Larry Williams: Saxophones

Gary Grant, Jerry Hey: Trumpets

Kevin Maloney: Muted Steinway piano

Christopher Currell: Synclavier

*Certain synclavier effects by Denny Jaeger and Michael Rubini

John Barnes, Michael Boddicker: Synthesizers

Chief Of Police Announcement by Bruce Swedien

Michael Jackson's heartbeat recording by Dr. Eric Chevlen; digitally processed in the Synclavier

Rhythm arrangement by Michael Jackson and John Barnes

Horn arrangement by Jerry Hey

Chart performance

{|class="wikitable sortable" |- !Chart (1988) ! style="text-align:center;"|Peakposition |- |align="left"|Australian Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|29 |- |align="left"|Belgian Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|1 |- |align="left"|UK Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|3 |- |align="left"|Canadian Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|6 |- |align="left"|Danish Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|1 |- |align="left"|Dutch Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|1 |- |align="left"|Eurochart Hot 100 Singles | style="text-align:center;"|2 |- |align="left"|French Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|4 |- |align="left"|German Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|9 |- |align="left"|Irish Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|1 |- |align="left"|Italian Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|6 |- |align="left"|New Zealand Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|29 |- |align="left"|Spanish Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|1 |- |align="left"|Swiss Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|5 |- |align="left"|United States ''Billboard'' Hot 100 | style="text-align:center;"|7 |- |align="left"|United States Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales Chart | style="text-align:center;"|13 |- |align="left"|United States Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Chart | style="text-align:center;"|2 |- |align="left"|United States Dance Music/Club Play Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|10 |- !Chart (2009) ! style="text-align:center;"|Peakposition |- |Australian Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|16 |- |Danish Singles Chart |align=center|28 |- |European Hot 100 Singles | style="text-align:center;"|20 |- |French Singles Chart |align=center|61 |- |French Digital Singles Chart |align=center|10 |- |align="left"|New Zealand Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|37 |- |align="left"|Swedish Singles Top 60 Chart | style="text-align:center;"|12 |- |align="left"|Swiss Singles Top 75 Chart | style="text-align:center;"| 12 |- |align="left"|United Kingdom Top 40 Singles Chart | style="text-align:center;"|13 |- |align="left"|United Kingdom Top 40 Download Chart | style="text-align:center;"|13 |- |United States ''Billboard'' Hot Digital Songs |align=center|12 |}

Track listing

7" Single: # "Smooth Criminal" (Single Mix) - 4:10 # "Smooth Criminal" (Instrumental) - 4:10

12" Maxi and CD-Maxi: # "Smooth Criminal" (Extended Dance Mix) - 7:46 # "Smooth Criminal" (Extended Dance Mix Radio Edit) - 5:20 # "Smooth Criminal" ("Annie" Mix) - 5:35 # "Smooth Criminal" (Dance Mix - Dub Version) - 4:45 # "Smooth Criminal" (A Cappella) - 4:12

''Visionary'' Single: CD side: # "Smooth Criminal" - 4:10 # "Smooth Criminal" (Extended Dance Mix) - 7:45

DVD side: # "Smooth Criminal" (Music Video) # "Smooth Criminal" (Moonwalker Version, Edit) - 9:36

3" CD-Single: # "Smooth Criminal" (Extended Dance Mix) - 7:46 # "Smooth Criminal" ("Annie" Mix) - 5:35 # "Smooth Criminal" (Dance Mix - Dub Version) - 4:45

CD Promo: # "Smooth Criminal" (Single Mix) - 4:12 # "Smooth Criminal" (Extended Dance Mix) - 7:46 # "Smooth Criminal" (Extended Dance Mix Radio Edit) - 5:20 # "Smooth Criminal" ("Annie" Mix) - 5:35 # "Smooth Criminal" (Dance Mix - Dub Version) - 4:45 # "Smooth Criminal" (A Cappella) - 4:12

Music video

Jeffrey Daniel of the soul music group Shalamar co-choreographed the "Smooth Criminal" video with Vincent Paterson, who had previously danced in "Beat It", "Thriller". It was directed by special effects coordinator Colin Chilvers. The dance sequence of the video in the 1930s style lounge (and Michael's white suit and fedora) pays tribute to the Fred Astaire musical comedy film ''The Band Wagon''. Currently there are four different versions of the video for "Smooth Criminal," as well as an additional vignette created for the 2009 This Is It concert series:

Original Moonwalker Version - This is the version included in the ''Moonwalker'' film - while technically the whole "Smooth Criminal" segment is about 40 minutes long, the actual "Smooth Criminal" song section is only about ten minutes. It is generally the most complete version of the video and includes the unedited middle section of interpretive dance with the dancers but does not include the last six seconds where a flapper fans herself after the door is shut behind Michael. In comparison to the original song this version has two lines in the second stanza added: "Everytime I try to find him he's leaving no clues left behind him. And they have no way of knowing of the suspect, or what to expect".

Moonwalker Edit - This version is included on ''History on Film, Volume II'' as well as ''Michael Jackson's Vision'' and it is basically an edited version of the ten minute song section from the "Smooth Criminal" segment in the film ''Moonwalker''. It is essentially the same, however it has some minor changes including: different opening music and no dialogue, the middle section with the dancers chanting has been truncated (some of the chanting has been shortened) and ends similarly to the original where Michael exits the club but with the addition of the lead flapper fanning herself.

Album Version - This is the version of the video that is on Michael Jackson's official website, as well as his YouTube channel. It also appears during the end credits for ''Moonwalker'' and ''Number Ones (video)'' and was included on the "Visionary" single. It is essentially a lot of clips from the Original Moonwalker Version of the "Smooth Criminal" video, that have either been sped up, or slowed down, with an added blur effect, and some alternate angles. The video is four minutes and seventeen seconds long. Throughout the video, the regular version of the song is played.

Single Version - This unreleased version is edited to be in sync with the Single Mix taken from the "Smooth Criminal" single released October 24, 1988. It excludes the added lyric & interlude. This video is four minutes and three seconds long. It is considered an MTV Base video.

This Is It Vignette - 2009 video, shot in black and white and intended to be shown during the London O2 concert series. It runs three minutes and forty-two seconds and features Jackson in a reprisal of his Moonwalker character, digitally inserted into the sets of various film noirs, including ''Gilda''.

The video won Best Music Video at the 1989 Brit Awards.

Anti-gravity lean

A seemingly impossible distance was achieved without the use of cables. A patent was applied for a hitching device built into the floor of the stage and the performers' shoes. The props needed for their technique were patented in the United States by Jackson in 1993, and consist of pegs that rise from the stage at the appropriate moment, and special shoes with ankle supports and cutouts in the heels which can slide over the pegs and be thereby attached to the stage temporarily. These allow the performers to lean without needing to keep their centers of mass directly over their feet.

Covers

===Alien Ant Farm cover===

name	Smooth Criminal
cover	alien_ant_farm_smooth_criminal.png
artist	Alien Ant Farm
album	Anthology
released	July 24, 2001
format	CD
recorded	2001
genre	Alternative metalFunk metalPunk rock
length	3:29
label	SKG Music
writer	Michael Jackson
producer	Jay Baumgardner
this single	"Smooth Criminal"(2001)
next single	"Movies"(2001) }}

In 2001, Alien Ant Farm released a cover of "Smooth Criminal" as their debut single from their 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''. It became a number one hit on ''Billboard'''s Modern Rock Tracks chart and was also a number one in Australia. The song was also featured in the 2001 film ''American Pie 2'', during a scene wherein Jason Biggs' character, Jim, superglues his hand to his crotch.

Also, the album ''Greatest Hits'' (1999) includes a "hidden track" named "Slick Thief", which is in fact an early version of "Smooth Criminal". This version was featured on the video games ''Karaoke Revolution'' and ''Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades''. It was released as downloadable content for the ''Rock Band'' series of video games.

Other versions and pop culture

In 1989, German comedian Otto Waalkes parodies the video in his movie ''Otto - Der Außerfriesische''. In a scene he enters a bar, flips a coin into a waitress' cleavage and does a short dance routine, including moonwalking back and forth, to a beat, closely resembling the song.

In 1992, the ''Alvin and the Chipmunks'' video special ''Rockin' with the Chipmunks'', part of the music video is shown, but with animation of Alvin inserted.

In 2002, the band ApologetiX has recorded a parody of "Smooth Criminal" called "Smooth Grandmama" for their album ''Grace Period''. The song's instrumentation is a parody of the Alien Ant Farm version.

In 2008, Violinist David Garrett recorded an classical instrumental cover of "Smooth Criminal". It is released on his album ''Encore''.

In 2008, J.Viewz, stage name of Israeli musician Jonathan Dagan and his band, recorded an easy-listening/jazz cover of "Smooth Criminal", which was released on the EP ''Besides''.

In 2008, South Korean boy band TVXQ's 3rd Japanese album ''T'', has a track called "Trick" that features "Smooth Criminal"'s pre-chorus ("Are you okay, Annie?" is changed to "Are you okay, honey?")

In 2009, leaked Wizard rock band The 8th Horcrux a parody, entitled "Ginny, Are You OK?", referring Ginny Weasley and the plot of ''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets''. It based also on the Alien Ant Farm version.

Lucky Boys Confusion performed a cover as a staple of their live performances but declined to record it for their major label debut.

In 2008, Video game ''Saints Row 2'', contains a dance part from "Smooth Criminal" that can be used as a taunt against enemies.

In 2009, singer Shakira pays homage to Jackson by doing an anti-gravity lean in her "She Wolf" music video.

''BlazBlue: Continuum Shift'' character Hazama dresses in a similar manner to Jackson and is the main antagonist behind the series, leading fans to refer to him affectionately as the "Smooth Criminal".

In January 2011, musical duo 2Cellos (consisting of Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser) recorded a cover of "Smooth Criminal" played solely on cello, which became a hit on YouTube. Delmos Wade performed a cover of "Smooth Criminal". In 2011, Corey Burton recorded a Death Metal cover (based off Alien Ant Farm's cover).

References

External links

Method and means for creating anti-gravity illusion

Category:1988 singles Category:2001 singles Category:Alien Ant Farm songs Category:Debut singles Category:B-side songs Category:Billboard Alternative Songs number-one singles Category:Michael Jackson songs Category:Music videos directed by Marc Klasfeld Category:Number-one singles in Belgium Category:Number-one singles in Denmark Category:Number-one singles in Australia Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles Category:Number-one singles in Spain Category:Singles certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan Category:Songs from films Category:Songs written by Michael Jackson Category:Songs produced by Michael Jackson Category:Songs produced by Quincy Jones

az:Smooth Criminal da:Smooth Criminal de:Smooth Criminal el:Smooth Criminal es:Smooth Criminal fa:مجرم زیرک fr:Smooth Criminal ko:Smooth Criminal it:Smooth Criminal sw:Smooth Criminal nl:Smooth Criminal ja:スムーズ・クリミナル no:Smooth Criminal pl:Smooth Criminal pt:Smooth Criminal ro:Smooth Criminal ru:Smooth Criminal sr:Smooth Criminal fi:Smooth Criminal sv:Smooth Criminal tl:Smooth Criminal th:Smooth Criminal tr:Smooth Criminal vi:Smooth Criminal

Coordinates	30°19′10″N81°39′36″N
alt	A mid-twenties African American man wearing a sequined military jacket and dark sunglasses. He is walking while waving his right hand, which is adorned with a white glove. His left hand is bare.
background	solo_singer
birth name	Michael Joseph Jackson
alias	Michael Joe Jackson, MJ, King of Pop
birth date	August 29, 1958
birth place	Gary, Indiana, U.S.
death date	June 25, 2009
death place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
instrument	vocals, guitar, drums, percussion, keyboards
genre	R&B;, pop, rock, soul, dance, funk, disco, new jack swing
occupation	Singer-songwriter, musician, composer, dancer, choreographer, record producer, actor, businessman, philanthropist
years active	1964–2009
label	Motown, Epic, Legacy
associated acts	The Jackson 5
relatives	Janet Jackson (sister)
website	130pxMichael Jackson's signature }}

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Often referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records. His contribution to music, dance, and fashion, along with a much-publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene along with his brothers as a member of The Jackson 5, then the Jacksons in 1964, and began his solo career in 1971.

In the early 1980s, Jackson became a dominant figure in popular music. The music videos for his songs, including those of "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Thriller", were credited with transforming the medium into an art form and a promotional tool, and the popularity of these videos helped to bring the relatively new television channel MTV to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" made him a staple on MTV in the 1990s. Through stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk, to which he gave the name. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style have influenced numerous hip hop, post-disco, contemporary R&B;, pop and rock artists.

Jackson's 1982 album ''Thriller'' is the best-selling album of all time. His other records, including ''Off the Wall'' (1979), ''Bad'' (1987), ''Dangerous'' (1991), and ''HIStory'' (1995), also rank among the world's best-selling. Jackson is one of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. He was also inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame as the first (and currently only) dancer from the world of pop and rock 'n' roll. Some of his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records; 13 Grammy Awards (as well as the Grammy Legend Award and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award); 26 American Music Awards (more than any other artist, including the "Artist of the Century"); 13 number-one singles in the United States in his solo career (more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era); and the estimated sale of over 750 million records worldwide. Jackson won hundreds of awards, which have made him the most-awarded recording artist in the history of popular music.

Life and career

Early life and The Jackson 5 (1958–1975)

Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, the eighth of ten children in an African American working-class family who lived in a small 3-room house in Gary, Indiana, an industrial city near Chicago. His mother, Katherine Esther Scruse, was a devout Jehovah's Witness, and his father, Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson, was a steel mill worker who performed with an R&B; band called The Falcons. Jackson had three sisters: Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet, and five brothers: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy. A sixth brother, Brandon, died shortly after birth.

Jackson had a troubled relationship with his father, Joe. In 1980, Jackson won three awards at the American Music Awards for his solo efforts: Favorite Soul/R&B; Album, Favorite Soul/R&B; Male Artist, and Favorite Soul/R&B; Single for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". That year, he also won Billboard Year-End for Top Black Artist and Top Black Album and a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B; Vocal Performance, also for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". Jackson again won at the American Music Awards in 1981 for Favorite Soul/R&B; Album and Favorite Soul/R&B; Male Artist. Despite its commercial success, Jackson felt ''Off the Wall'' should have made a much bigger impact, and was determined to exceed expectations with his next release. In 1980, he secured the highest royalty rate in the music industry: 37 percent of wholesale album profit.

''Thriller'' and ''Motown 25'' (1982–83)

In 1982, Jackson contributed the song "Someone In the Dark" to the storybook for the film ''E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial''; the record won a Grammy for Best Recording for Children in 1984. In the same year he won another seven Grammys and eight American Music Awards (including the Award of Merit, the youngest artist to win it), making him the most awarded in one night for both award shows. The album topped the ''Billboard'' 200 chart for 37 weeks and was in the top 10 of the 200 for 80 consecutive weeks. It was the first album to have seven ''Billboard'' Hot 100 top 10 singles, including "Billie Jean", "Beat It," and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." ''Thriller'' was certified for 29 million shipments by the RIAA, giving it Double Diamond status in the United States. The album won also another Grammy for Best Engineered Recording – Non Classical in 1984, awarding Bruce Swedien for his work. Thanks to the ''Bad'' album, Bruce Swedien and Humberto Gatica won one Grammy in 1988 for Best Engineered Recording – Non Classical and Michael Jackson won one Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form for "Leave Me Alone" in 1989. ''HIStory'' received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. However, the sales for ''Invincible'' were lower than those of his previous releases, due in part to a lack of promotion, no supporting world tour and the label dispute. The album also came out at a bad time for the music industry in general. Jackson rehearsed in Los Angeles in the weeks leading up to the tour under the direction of choreographer Kenny Ortega. Most of these rehearsals took place at the Staples Center, which was owned by AEG. With ''Thriller'', Christopher Connelly of ''Rolling Stone'' commented that Jackson developed his long association with the subliminal theme of paranoia and darker imagery. Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine noted this is evident on the songs "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'". In "Billie Jean", Jackson sings about an obsessive fan who alleges he has fathered a child of hers. In "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" he argues against gossip and the media. "Beat It" decried gang violence in an homage to ''West Side Story'', and was Jackson's first successful rock cross-over piece, according to Huey. He also observed that the title track "Thriller" began Jackson's interest with the theme of the supernatural, a topic he revisited in subsequent years. In 1985, Jackson co-wrote the charity anthem "We Are the World"; humanitarian themes later became a recurring theme in his lyrics and public persona.

In ''Bad'', Jackson's concept of the predatory lover can be seen on the rock song "Dirty Diana". The lead single "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" is a traditional love ballad, while "Man in the Mirror" is an anthemic ballad of confession and resolution. "Smooth Criminal" was an evocation of bloody assault, rape and likely murder. Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine states that ''Dangerous'' presents Jackson as a very paradoxical individual. He comments the album is more diverse than his previous ''Bad'', as it appeals to an urban audience while also attracting the middle class with anthems like "Heal the World". The first half of the record is dedicated to new jack swing, including songs like "Jam" and "Remember the Time". The album is Jackson's first where social ills become a primary theme; "Why You Wanna Trip on Me", for example, protests against world hunger, AIDS, homelessness and drugs. ''Dangerous'' contains sexually charged efforts such as the multifaceted love song, "In the Closet". The title track continues the theme of the predatory lover and compulsive desire. The second half includes introspective, pop-gospel anthems such as "Will You Be There", "Heal the World" and "Keep the Faith"; these songs show Jackson opening up about various personal struggles and worries. In the ballad "Gone Too Soon", Jackson gives tribute to his friend Ryan White and the plight of those with AIDS.

''HIStory'' creates an atmosphere of paranoia. Its content focuses on the hardships and public struggles Jackson went through just prior to its production. In the new jack swing-funk-rock efforts "Scream" and "Tabloid Junkie", along with the R&B; ballad "You Are Not Alone", Jackson retaliates against the injustice and isolation he feels, and directs much of his anger at the media. In the introspective ballad "Stranger in Moscow", Jackson laments over his "fall from grace", while songs like "Earth Song", "Childhood", "Little Susie" and "Smile" are all operatic pop pieces. In the track "D.S.", Jackson launched a verbal attack against Tom Sneddon. He describes Sneddon as an antisocial, white supremacist who wanted to "get my ass, dead or alive". Of the song, Sneddon said, "I have not—shall we say—done him the honor of listening to it, but I've been told that it ends with the sound of a gunshot". ''Invincible'' found Jackson working heavily with producer Rodney Jerkins. It is a record made up of urban soul like "Cry" and "The Lost Children", ballads such as "Speechless", "Break of Dawn" and "Butterflies" and mixes hip-hop, pop and R&B; in "2000 Watts", "Heartbreaker" and "Invincible".

Vocal style

Jackson sang from childhood, and over time his voice and vocal style changed noticeably. Between 1971 and 1975, Jackson's voice descended from boy soprano to high tenor. Jackson first used a technique called the "vocal hiccup" in 1973, starting with the song "It's Too Late to Change the Time" from The Jackson 5's ''G.I.T.: Get It Together'' album. Jackson did not use the hiccup technique— somewhat like a gulping for air or gasping— fully until the recording of ''Off the Wall'': it can be seen in full force in the "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" promotional video. With the arrival of ''Off the Wall'' in the late 1970s, Jackson's abilities as a vocalist were well regarded. At the time, ''Rolling Stone'' compared his vocals to the "breathless, dreamy stutter" of Stevie Wonder. Their analysis was also that "Jackson's feathery-timbred tenor is extraordinarily beautiful. It slides smoothly into a startling falsetto that's used very daringly". 1982 saw the release of ''Thriller'', and ''Rolling Stone'' was of the opinion that Jackson was then singing in a "fully adult voice" that was "tinged by sadness".

A distinctive deliberate mispronunciation of "come on", used frequently by Jackson, occasionally spelled "cha'mone" or "shamone", is also a staple in impressions and caricatures of him. The turn of the 1990s saw the release of the introspective album ''Dangerous''. ''The New York Times'' noted that on some tracks, "he gulps for breath, his voice quivers with anxiety or drops to a desperate whisper, hissing through clenched teeth" and he had a "wretched tone". When singing of brotherhood or self-esteem the musician would return to "smooth" vocals. When commenting on ''Invincible'', ''Rolling Stone'' were of the opinion that—at the age of 43—Jackson still performed "exquisitely voiced rhythm tracks and vibrating vocal harmonies". Nelson George summed up Jackson's vocals by stating "The grace, the aggression, the growling, the natural boyishness, the falsetto, the smoothness—that combination of elements mark him as a major vocalist".

Music videos and choreography

Referred to as the King of Music Videos, Steve Huey of Allmusic observed how Jackson transformed the music video into an art form and a promotional tool through complex story lines, dance routines, special effects and famous cameo appearances; simultaneously breaking down racial barriers. Before ''Thriller'', Jackson struggled to receive coverage on MTV, allegedly because he was African American. Pressure from CBS Records persuaded MTV to start showing "Billie Jean" and later "Beat It", leading to a lengthy partnership with Jackson, also helping other black music artists gain recognition. MTV employees deny any racism in their coverage, or pressure to change their stance. MTV maintains that they played rock music, regardless of race. The popularity of his videos on MTV helped to put the relatively young channel "on the map"; MTV's focus shifted in favor of pop and R&B.; His performance on ''Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever'' changed the scope of live stage show; "That Jackson lip-synced 'Billie Jean' is, in itself, not extraordinary, but the fact that it did not change the impact of the performance is extraordinary; whether the performance was live or lip-synced made no difference to the audience" thus creating an era in which artists re-create the spectacle of music video imagery on stage. Short films like ''Thriller'' largely remained unique to Jackson, while the group dance sequence in "Beat It" has frequently been imitated. The choreography in ''Thriller'' has become a part of global pop culture, replicated everywhere from Indian films to prisons in the Philippines. The ''Thriller'' short film marked an increase in scale for music videos, and has been named the most successful music video ever by the ''Guinness World Records''.

In the 19-minute music video for "Bad"—directed by Martin Scorsese—Jackson began using sexual imagery and choreography not previously seen in his work. He occasionally grabbed or touched his chest, torso and crotch. When asked by Oprah in the 1993 interview about why he grabbed his crotch, he replied, "I think it happens subliminally" and he described it as something that was not planned, but rather, as something that was compelled by the music. "Bad" garnered a mixed reception from both fans and critics; ''Time'' magazine described it as "infamous". The video also featured Wesley Snipes; in the future Jackson's videos would often feature famous cameo roles.

}} ;Bibliography

George, Nelson (2004). ''Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection'' booklet. Sony BMG.

Further reading

External links

Michael Jackson Live: Best Pics – slideshow by ''Life magazine''

Michael Jackson at MTV

FBI file on Michael Jackson

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