Michael Jackson hizo bailar a más de uno con esta canción, pero al igual que lo ocurridocon el caso anterior Pumped Up Kicks,la gente empieza a bailar sin ponerle demasiada atención a la letra. Es que smooth criminal tiene un ritmo completamente envolvente. Sin embargo, la fuente de inspiración para este tema no fue tan divertida. Jackson canta la historia de una mujer que fue asesinada en su apartamento por un \"criminal silencioso\".
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 was sitting at the table He could see she was unable So she ran into the bedroom She was struck down It was her doom Annie, are you OK you OK you OK, Annie Annie, are you OK You OK you OK, Annie Annie, are you OK You OK You OK, Annie Annie, are you OK You OK you OK, Annie Annie, are you OK Will you tell us that you’re OK There’s a sign at the window That he struck you A crescendo, Annie He came into your apartment Left the bloodstains on the carpet Then you ran into the bedroom You were struck down It was your doom Annie, are you OK You OK you OK, Annie Annie, are you OK You OK you OK, Annie Annie, are you OK You OK you OK, Annie You’ve been hit by You’ve been struck by A smooth criminal So they came into the outway It was Sunday What a black day I could feel your salutation Sounding heartbeats Intimidations Annie, are you OK You OK you OK, Annie Annie, are you OK You OK you OK, Annie Annie, are you OK You OK you OK, Annie Annie, are you OK You OK you OK, Annie Annie, are you OK Will you tell us that you’re OK There’s a sign at the window That he struck you A crescendo, Annie He came into your apartment left the bloodstains on the carpet Then you ran into the bedroom You were struck down It was your doom Annie, are you OK You OK you OK, Annie You’ve been hit by You’ve been struck by A smooth criminal Annie, are you OK Will you tell us that you’re OK There’s a sign at the window That he struck you A crescendo, Annie came into your apartment He left the bloodstains on the carpet Then you ran into the bedroom You were struck down It was your doom Annie, are you OK You OK you OK, Annie Annie, are you OK You OK you OK, Annie Annie, are you OK You OK you OK, Annie Annie, are you OK You OK you OK, Annie