Smooth Criminal
Michael Jackson
1989
Annual listening-list association retained: 1989. The source-checked recording release year is 1987; these are separate date fields. A separately sourced single date is shown where available.
Release: 1987
Release: 1987Source checked
The original Bad album catalog documents this recording in 1987. Only the year is established here; any later single, video, regional issue or compilation is a separate event. The separate single year 1988 and its prior review attribution are retained; the new official album evidence verifies the earlier recording year.
Separately documented single release: 1988. Read the source note for the release region or version.
The large badge identifies this listening list, not a newly issued recording. Later reissues and renewed chart popularity do not replace an original release date. How years are assigned.
Michael Jackson: Bad (official album catalog)
Original album year and matching track, not a later compilation or re-recording. Year precision only; this source does not by itself establish a day-specific first single date.
Smooth Criminal - release / recording history
Prior review retained for the separate single year 1988. Bad album in 1987, single in 1988. The album year is the earlier release association. Source consulted 2026-10-13; not a complete discographic audit.
Inspiration and background
Supplied note - not independently verified
This note came with the supplied collection and has not been independently verified.
Inspired by Jackson's fascination with 1930s gangster films and the idea of a charismatic criminal.
Evidence scope: Source-provided note, not an established account of the songwriter's intent
Sources for this information
Owner-supplied 1989.html, song-list position 28
Supplied annotation reproduced with attribution; underlying historical claims have NOT been independently verified.
Other appearances and versions
catalog version unspecified
Textual identity reconciliation, not audio-fingerprint or exact-pressing verification. Version labels are catalog safeguards.
An annual chart year and an original release date are different. Similar titles may be covers or different masters; no audio fingerprint has been performed.
Sources and scope
Source-backed annual association (secondary source; not a complete discographic review)
Editorial artist-repertoire classification
Billboard year-end 1989 table (Wikipedia transcription)
Secondary chart transcription reviewed for title, artist and annual association. Not proof of release date, genre or inspiration.
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