Smooth Criminal

Ellie Belvo

ENG 1201

February 16, 2021

Smooth Criminal

The song “Smooth Criminal” originally performed by Michael Jackson in 1987. To this day, the

song is very well-known and successful. Michael brought his incredible voice and his iconic

dance moves to the table, which gave him the title “King of Pop” which allowed him to create

his own brand of music that made him stand out from the rest of the music industry. This song

helped introduce music videos into the modern world. Many, many other artists have covered

this song since but only Michael and Alien Ant Farm have made videos for the song. Their two

videos are very different, as one is telling more of a story and the other is more just performing a

concert. But the two videos do come back with one common claim: violence is encouraged. In

the original video, starring Michael Jackson, violence is being promoted by showing us the

children idolizing Michael and the other people flocking to him after committing such violent

crimes, thus making him a smooth criminal. The Alien Ant Farm video promotes violence by

commercializing on it with their fighting arena used as their stage.

Michael Jackson is shown entering a discreet-looking bar scene, in what seems to be the 1920s

era assuming by their attire.  The lighting is dark to create a grim atmosphere within the video to

additionally represent the gangsters and their personalities. Everyone in the bar flocks to Michael

and dances with him. He takes out a few bad guys here and there, but he still remains the cool

guy in the bar. Even children are peering through the windows and are so amazed by him, they

mimic his moves! As the video goes on, a swarm of men with gun surround the premises. This

indicates that Michael is clearly a wanted man. Michael is able to shoot at them and escape. To

the bar goers, Michael is still seen as a hero despite his crimes. This shows that he is the “smooth

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Smooth Criminal

Ellie Belvo

ENG 1201

February 16, 2021

criminal”. This could be kind of a fallacy because he seems to be so well thought of even though

his is killing people. This video may be a little misleading.

As the Alien Ant Farm version of “Smooth Criminal” is quite different, they do touch on

similarities. The band is performing for a group of people, while in a fighting arena. The video

also shows lots of dancing, similar to Michael Jackson’s video. While this video wasn’t as

theatrical as the original it does still speak to violence with lyrics like, “Left the bloodstains on

the carpet, and then you ran into the bedroom, you were struck down, it was your doom.”

The two videos play on appeals, which triggers our emotions. Just listening to the song, although

it is upbeat, makes you feel sympathetic towards “Annie”. In the videos, neither artists address

who Annie is, they still portray violent crimes. Such crimes would make anyone feel guilty, sad

or sympathetic towards the victim. The original video makes you feel more suspense, while the

Alien Ant Farm version is a little calmer because it does not demonstrate any crimes to take

place.

The music videos, I believe, were directed towards an adult audience. Michael’s original video is

a little too dark and grim for children, even though he does include kids in his video. The

violence that is shown in the video would not be a good example to set for easily impressionable

minds. The Alien Ant Farm video, I would say is a little more open to everyone because there is

no real violence portrayed in the video. Alien Ant Farm commercializes on the violence by using

the fighting ring as a prop, while singing lyrics filled with doom.

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Smooth Criminal

Ellie Belvo

ENG 1201

February 16, 2021

After analyzing the two videos, the original video illustrates the lyrics more closely than the

Alien Ant Farm cover. The two videos do still circle back with the same “violence is

encouraged” claim. Michael Jackson’s video children are innocently observing the murder and

violent crimes he is committing, and admiring him. The Alien Ant Farm video promotes violence

by commercializing on it with their fighting arena used as their stage. The lyrics to the song do

describe violence to poor “Annie” as I had previously stated, but she is not a main character or

even acknowledged in either of these videos. The focus is more on the crime, rather than the

victim.

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Smooth Criminal

Ellie Belvo

ENG 1201

February 16, 2021

Works Cited

Jackson, Michael. “Smooth Criminal.” Bad, Quincy Jones Productions, 1987,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_D3VFfhvs4

Alien Ant Farm. “Smooth Criminal.” Smooth Criminal, Geffen Records, 2001,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDl9ZMfj6aE