"Smooth Criminal" is the seventh single from Michael Jackson's Bad album (1987). 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 Mr. Big/Frankie Lideo. It was released as a single on October 24, 1988 and peaked at 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 #19 in the UK. In 2003, the song appeared on the Number Ones greatest hits album.

Jeffrey Daniel of the soul music group Shalamar choreographed the "Smooth Criminal" video. It was directed by special effects coordinator Colin Chilvers. Currently there are four different versions of the video for "Smooth Criminal":

The Original Moonwalker Version - This is the version included in the Moonwalker film - while technically the whole short film is 39 minutes, the actual "Smooth Criminal" song chapter on the DVD is 9 minutes 21 seconds. 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.
The "Moonwalker Version" - This version is included on History on Film, Volume II and is an edited song section of the "Smooth Criminal" segment from 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 at the point in the original where Michael exits the club with an added shot of the lead flapper fanning herself. This version is approximately the same length as the original Moonwalker segment, despite having over a minute cut out from the middle section. Being a PAL to NTSC transfer (the Moonwalker DVD has only been released in PAL regions), this version suffers from blurred colors and other artifacts, and the speed of audio has been altered to accommodate for the edited section.
The Sped Up/Moonwalker Credits Version - This is commonly shown on music video stations, appears during the end credits for Moonwalker and was included on the "Visionary" single. It is essentially the "Smooth Criminal" video sped up, with an added blur effect, and some alternate angles. This version is also the version being sold in the iTunes Music Store
The Album Version - Also shown on some music video stations - it is the regular version of the video edited to be in sync with the original album version of the song. It excludes the added lyric, the middle section along with various other moments. However, commonly the Sped Up/Moonwalker Credits version is used rather than this version.
The video won Best Music Video at the 1989 Brit Awards.