Michael Jackson

Released: July 16, 1988

Songwriter: Michael Jackson

Producer: Quincy Jones

[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 ran underneath the table
He could see she was unable
So she ran into the bedroom
She was struck down, it was her doom

[Chorus]
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
Will you tell us that you're okay
There's a sound at the window
Then 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?
So, Annie, are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
You've been hit by—
You've been hit by a smooth criminal
OW

[Verse 2]
So they came into the outway
It was Sunday, what a black day
Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
Sounding heartbeats intimidations

[Chorus]
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
Will you tell us that you're okay
There's a sound at the window
Then 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?
So, Annie, are you okay?
Are you okay, Annie?
You've been hit by—
You've been struck by a smooth criminal
OW

[Instrumental break]

[Chorus]
(Annie, are you okay?)
I don't know
(Will you tell us, that you're okay)
I don't know
(There's a sound at the window)
I don't know
(That he struck you a crescendo, Annie)
I don't know
(He came into your apartment)
I don't know
(Left the bloodstains on the carpet)
I don't know
(And then you ran into the bedroom)
I don't know
(You were struck down, it was your doom, Annie)
Daggone it
(Annie, are you okay?)
Daggone it, Annie
(Will you tell us, that you're okay)
Daggone it, baby
(There's a sound at the window)
(That he struck you a crescendo, Annie)
Woo, woo
(He came into your apartment)
Daggone it
(Left the bloodstains on the carpet)
(And then you ran into the bedroom)
(You were struck down, it was your doom)

[Instrumental break]

[Outro]
You've been hit by—
You've been struck by a smooth criminal

Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana. Jackson began his career when he was seven years old as the lead singer of the Jackson 5, breaking into stardom in 1969 after signing into Motown. The Jackson 5’s first four singles all peaked at number one on the Billboard 100, and soon after Michael pursued a solo career.

His breakthrough fifth album, 1979’s Off The Wall produced four top ten hits (including “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”) and sold 20 million copies, establishing him as a household name. The album was followed with 1982’s Thriller, which became the best selling album of all time, and was the first album to feature seven top 10 singles, including “Billie Jean” and “Beat It.”

In 1985, Michael contributed to the collaboration single “We Are The World”, which remains one of the best-selling singles of all time and raised nearly $65 million for famine relief.

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