Peak
23
Weeks
22
Score
2,395
Chart Year
2001
The music video was directed by Marc Klasfeld and shot in San Fernando, California.[80] It features the band performing in a wrestling ring, and in front of a suburban house. The video also references various Jackson music videos, including the "Smooth Criminal" video itself.
Michael Jackson originally recorded "Smooth Criminal" on his 1987 album Bad. Many of Alien Ant Farm's fans were too young to know about Jackson's version. This made Alien Ant Farm famous, but it was not their first single. They released "Movies" first, but the Los Angeles radio station KROQ started playing "Smooth Criminal" instead, which led to a great deal of exposure and prompted them to release it as a single. "Movies" was re-released later to take advantage of their new fame. This was included on their first album, which was released on an independent label. When they signed with a big record company, they included it on their first major-label release, ANThology. Alien Ant Farm have played a lot of quirky covers over the years. When they started, they tried to play a different cover at every show. Some of the bands they covered include Weezer, Bad Brains, The Police, and Sade. The video pokes fun at Michael Jackson, but they made sure to get his permission and keep it lighthearted. Some of the Michael Jackson clichés they make fun of are Bubbles the chimp and the Moonwalk. When Jackson saw the video, he asked that a scene with a boy in a surgical mask be removed, because it made fun of his medical condition. They took it out, but Jackson decided he liked it the way it was. In the end, there were 2 videos, one with the mask, one without. This was nominated for a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Song.
(Oh no) As he came into the window Was a sound of a crescendo He came into her apartment 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 okay, you okay, you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay? Would you tell us that you're okay? There's a sign at a window That he struck you A crescendo, Annie Came into her 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, you okay, you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie? You've been hit by You've been struck by A smooth criminal So they came into the outway It was Sunday, but a black day I could make a salutation Sounding heartbeat, intimidation Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay? Would you tell us that you're okay? There's a sign at a window That he struck you A crescendo, Annie Came into her 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, you okay, you okay, Annie? You've been hit by You've been struck by A smooth criminal Annie, are you okay? (Oh no) Would you tell us that you're okay? (Oh no) There's a sign at a window (oh no) That he struck you A crescendo, Annie (oh no) Came into her apartment (oh no) Left the bloodstains on the carpet (oh no) And then you ran into the bedroom (oh no) You were struck down, it was your doom Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie? Annie, are you okay, you okay, you okay, Annie?
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 25, 2001 | 78 | 48 |
| 2 | Sep 1, 2001 | 72 | 54 |
| 3 | Sep 8, 2001 | 58 | 68 |
| 4 | Sep 15, 2001 | 52 | 74 |
| 5 | Sep 22, 2001 | 43 | 83 |
| 6 | Sep 29, 2001 | 39 | 87 |
| 7 | Oct 6, 2001 | 38 | 88 |
| 8 | Oct 13, 2001 | 31 | 95 |
| 9 | Oct 20, 2001 | 29 | 97 |
| 10 | Oct 27, 2001 | 24 | 102 |
| 11 | Nov 3, 2001 | 24 | 102 |
| 12 | Nov 10, 2001 | 23 | 103 |
| 13 | Nov 17, 2001 | 26 | 100 |
| 14 | Nov 24, 2001 | 32 | 94 |
| 15 | Dec 1, 2001 | 41 | 85 |
| 16 | Dec 8, 2001 | 54 | 72 |
| 17 | Dec 15, 2001 | 54 | 72 |
| 18 | Dec 22, 2001 | 56 | 70 |
| 19 | Dec 29, 2001 | 79 | 47 |
| 20 | Jan 5, 2002 | 83 | 43 |