best blend of R&B groove and rock edginess, and a turning point in his shift toward darker, harder-edged material." In a retrospective review of Bad, Newsweek wrote: "[Smooth Criminal] is a sleek, exhilarating action sequence of a song that's unlike anything else in Jackson's catalog ... an urgent and inspired highlight. Bad is at its best when it explores the darker, more paranoid side that began to consume Jackson's life in the late '80s, and this song captures that impulse." Entertainment Weekly wrote: "If there was one song on Bad that truly captured the sense of artistic freedom that Jackson felt after Thriller, it was this track ... This is pop music as suspense drama." Track listings 7-inch single "Smooth Criminal" (single mix) – 4:10 "Smooth Criminal" (instrumental) – 4:10 12-inch maxi and CD-maxi "Smooth Criminal" (extended dance mix) – 7:46 "Smooth Criminal" (extended dance mix radio edit) – 5:20 "Smooth Criminal" ("Annie" mix) – 5:35 "Smooth Criminal" (dance mix – dub version) – 4:45 "Smooth Criminal" (a cappella) – 4:12 Visionary single CD side: "Smooth Criminal" – 4:10 "Smooth Criminal" (extended dance mix) – 7:45 DVD side: "Smooth Criminal" (music video (end credits version)) — 4:11 Cassette single "Smooth Criminal" "Smooth Criminal" (instrumental) 3-inch CD single "Smooth Criminal" (extended dance mix) – 7:46 "Smooth Criminal" ("Annie" mix) – 5:35 "Smooth Criminal" (dance mix – dub version) – 4:45 Japanese 3-inch CD single "Smooth Criminal" "Smooth Criminal" (instrumental) Personnel Adapted from single liner notes and Michael Jackson website. Michael Jackson – vocals, clap, vocal arrangement, rhythm arrangement, production Quincy Jones – production Bill Bottrell – drums John Robinson – drums Bruce Swedien – drums, police announcement, recording David Williams – guitar Kim Hutchcroft – saxophone Larry Williams – saxophone Gary Grant – trumpet Jerry Hey – trumpet, horn arrangement Kevin Maloney – muted Steinway piano Christopher Currell – Synclavier Denny Jaeger – Synclavier effects Michael Rubini – Synclavier effects John Barnes – synthesizer Michael Boddicker – synthesizer Dr. Eric Chevlen – heartbeat recording John Barnes – rhythm arrangement Charts Weekly charts Year-end charts Certifications Cover versions The Croatian duo 2Cellos performed the song in a viral YouTube video. They later performed it in the Glee episode "Michael". Neil Patrick Harris performed the song in the Michael Jackson tribute episode of Lip Sync Battle. Alien Ant Farm version In May 2001, American rock band Alien Ant Farm released a cover version