Song DNA
Genre
Pop
Era
80s
Mood
Dark
Tempo
Upbeat
Key
Minor
Texture
Layered
Sound
Synth-heavy
Feel
Syncopated
As the centerpiece of the film Moonwalker, 'Smooth Criminal' showcases Michael Jackson's mastery of rhythmic tension and theatrical storytelling. Produced alongside Quincy Jones, it remains one of the most influential tracks in pop history, celebrated for its innovative sound engineering and legendary choreography.
Smooth Criminal is a masterclass in using natural minor (Aeolian) progressions to create a sense of urgency and 'cool.' Its harmonic identity is defined by the tension between the modal VI-VII-i progression and the strictly functional major V chord (E) at the…
The song evolved from an earlier demo titled 'Al Capone,' which was recorded during the 1985 sessions for the Bad album. Jackson spent significant time refining the groove and the narrative, eventually transforming it into 'Smooth Criminal.' The song tells the…
“The heartbeat heard at the beginning of the track is actually Michael Jackson's own heartbeat, recorded and processed by Bruce Swedien.”
Smooth Criminal is a masterclass in using natural minor (Aeolian) progressions to create a sense of urgency and 'cool.' Its harmonic identity is defined by the tension between the modal VI-VII-i progression and the strictly functional major V chord (E) at the end of phrases. This E chord provides the 'sting' that differentiates the track from standard dance-pop. The harmony is deeply intertwined with the rhythm; the staccato delivery of the Am tonic in the verse allows the complex bassline and percussion to provide the necessary momentum without the need for frequent chord changes.
The song evolved from an earlier demo titled 'Al Capone,' which was recorded during the 1985 sessions for the Bad album. Jackson spent significant time refining the groove and the narrative, eventually transforming it into 'Smooth Criminal.' The song tells the story of a woman named Annie who is attacked by a mysterious assailant in her apartment, using a cinematic film noir-style narrative that Jackson was particularly fond of.
As the centerpiece of the film Moonwalker, 'Smooth Criminal' showcases Michael Jackson's mastery of rhythmic tension and theatrical storytelling. Produced alongside Quincy Jones, it remains one of the most influential tracks in pop history, celebrated for its innovative sound engineering and legendary choreography.
Detailed analysis of this section is not yet available for this song.
Genre
Pop
Era
80s
Mood
Dark
Tempo
Upbeat
Key
Minor
Texture
Layered
Sound
Synth-heavy
Feel
Syncopated
8.7M
Plays
1.3M
Listeners
100%
Popularity
4:17
Duration
4/4
Time
Harmony Smooth Criminal is a masterclass in using natural minor (Aeolian) progressions to create a sense of urgency and 'cool.' Its harmonic identity is defined by the tension between the modal VI-VII-i progression and the strictly functional major V chord (E) at the end of phrases. This E chord provides the 'sting' that differentiates the track from standard dance-pop. The harmony is deeply intertwined with the rhythm; the staccato delivery of the Am tonic in the verse allows the complex bassline and percussion to provide the necessary momentum without the need for frequent chord changes. Deep Analysis Available Detailed analysis of this section is not yet available for this song. Request Full Analysis
No musician information available for this song yet.
Composition The song evolved from an earlier demo titled 'Al Capone,' which was recorded during the 1985 sessions for the Bad album. Jackson spent significant time refining the groove and the narrative, eventually transforming it into 'Smooth Criminal.' The song tells the story of a woman named Annie who is attacked by a mysterious assailant in her apartment, using a cinematic film noir-style narrative that Jackson was particularly fond of. Inspiration: The central refrain, 'Annie, are you OK?', was inspired by 'Resusci Anne,' the medical mannequin used for CPR training. Trainees are taught to check for responsiveness by asking the dummy 'Annie, are you okay?'. Jackson's interest in classic gangster films and film noir also heavily influenced the track's atmosphere. Recording Studio: Westlake Recording Studios Producer: Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson The heartbeat heard at the beginning of the track is actually Michael Jackson's own heartbeat, recorded and processed by Bruce Swedien. The song features the 'anti-gravity lean,' for which Jackson and his team later patented a specialized shoe system to perform live. The heavy breathing sounds and syncopated vocal ad-libs were intended to enhance the tension of the song's crime-scene narrative.
Chord Sheet Chords Used Hide functions Am i T F VI T G VII D E V D Progression by Section PreChorus F VI P G VII T Am i T F VI P G VII T E7 V7 D Chorus F VI P G VII P Am i T G VII P F VI P E V D Verse Am i T Chord Fingerings Am Standard F Standard G Standard E Standard Harmony Analysis Smooth Criminal is a masterclass in using natural minor (Aeolian) progressions to create a sense of urgency and 'cool.' Its harmonic identity is defined by the tension between the modal VI-VII-i progression and the strictly functional major V chord (E) at the end of phrases. This E chord provides the 'sting' that differentiates the track from standard dance-pop. The harmony is deeply intertwined with the rhythm; the staccato delivery of the Am tonic in the verse allows the complex bassline and percussion to provide the necessary momentum without the need for frequent chord changes. Find Tabs & Chords Songsterr Interactive tabs Ultimate Guitar Chords & tabs Cifra Club Chords
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