The short film for Michael Jacksons "«Smooth Criminal»" was the centerpiece of the feature film Moonwalker, and featured the debut of Michaels iconic "«anti-gravity lean.»" Inspired in part by Fred Astaires "«Girl Hunt Ballet»" dance number in the film The Band Wagon, "«Smooth Criminal»" was named Best Video at the BRIT Awards, Broadcast Film Critics Association and the Peoples Choice Awards.
Written and Composed by Michael Jackson
Produced by Quincy Jones for Quincy Jones Productions
Co-Produced by Michael Jackson for MJJ Productions, Inc.
From the album Bad, released August 31, 1987
Released as a single October 21, 1988
THE SHORT FILM
Director: Colin Chilvers
Primary Production Location: Los Angeles, California
Michael Jacksons short film for "«Smooth Criminal»" was the sixth of nine short films produced for recordings from Bad, one of the best selling albums of all time. The "«Smooth Criminal»" single hit No. 1 in Spain and The Netherlands and reached the Top 10 in the UnitedStates, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland and Switzerland. In the United States, "«Smooth Criminal»" reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100-the sixth single from Bad to do so-as well as Billboards Hot Dance Club Play and Hot R
Did ya really think, I’d just forgive and forget…no
After catching you with her…your blood should run cold...so cold
you…you two timing, cheap lying, wannabe
you’re a fool…if you thought that I’d just let this go
I SEE RED, RED, OH RED
GUN TO YOUR HEAD, HEAD, TO YOUR HEAD
NOW ALL I SEE IS RED, RED RED
Did ya really just say, she didn’t mean anything…oh
I’ll remember those words, when I come for your soul…your soul
You know that you…you dug your own grave…now lie in it
you’re so cruel…but revenge is a dish best served cold
I SEE RED, RED, OH RED
GUN TO YOUR HEAD, HEAD, TO YOUR HEAD…OH
EXECUTIONER STYLE, AND THERE WON’T BE NO TRIAL
DON’TCHA KNOW THAT YOU’RE BETTER OFF DEAD
ALL I SEE RED, RED, OH RED
NOW ALL I SEE IS…
Run...hide…you’re so…done
Better sleep with one eye open tonight
I SEE RED, RED, OH RED
GUN TO YOUR HEAD, HEAD, TO YOUR HEAD…OH
EXECUTIONER STYLE, AND THERE WON’T BE NO TRIAL
DON’TCHA KNOW THAT YOU’RE BETTER OFF DEAD
ALL I SEE RED, RED, OH RED
NOW ALL I SEE IS…
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Sona Jobarteh performed in Weimar on invitation of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar and its UNESCO Chair of Transcultural Music Studies (TMS). The TMS Chair regularly invites artists to bring the musicology students into contact with various musical cultures for inspiration and exchange.
Sona Jobarteh is the first female Kora virtuoso to come from a west African Griot family. The Kora is one of the most important instruments belonging to the Manding peoples of West Africa (Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau). It belongs exclusively to griot families, and usually only men who are born into these families have the right to take up the instrument professionally. Sona Jobarteh combines various genres of African Music and western musical elements.