As he came in through the window was the sound of a crescendo

I am deeply saddened by the loss of one of the greatest performers of all time.  Put your politics aside and just embrace the awesomeness that is Michael Jackson.

I will now countdown my top 10 favorite MJ songs of all time.  

10.  Black or White- a wonderful message set to a catchy tune.  If you're thinking about being his baby, it don't matter if you're black or white.  A lesson in non-judgement for the ages.  The video features MJ walking through fire and guest appearances by Macaulay Culkin and Tyra Banks.  And that sweet rap at the end is just fantastic.  "I ain't scared of no brothers, I ain't scared of no sheets."

9.  Billie Jean- his biggest hit of course.  The video with the light up sidewalk is the epitome of coolness.  The story is of a girl approaching Michael claiming he is her baby daddy.  He denies it, naturally, but when baby cried, eyes looked like his.  Scandal.

8.  You rock my world- his attempt at R&B.  It's a very sexy song written about a capturing lady who rocks his world, obviously.  The video features Chris Tucker and Marlon Brando and of course a dance off.  He's a little crazy looking at this point, but I can always look past that.

7.  The way you make me feel- holy catchy tune.  This is Michael's attempt at telling a pretty lady with the high heels on about his insane attraction to her and why she should be his.  Full of witty metaphors and similes, it is a Shakespearian sonnet backed by a sweet drumbeat.  

6.  Dirty Diana- not much to be said about this classic.  Insanely awesome guitar backing though.  DIR-TEE DI-AH-NAH.  Fabulous and possibly the most instrumental of Mikey's songs.

5.  Beat it- of course.  A gang of street fighters/dancers coming after Michael, all the while him knowing he must show them that he's really not scared.  It is a badass hit filled with threats to the king of pop.  In the video, however, MJ ends up winning the dance off doesn't end up getting kicked and beat and told it's fair.  Also my favorite song from "Thriller 2008," even though it featured Fergie.

4.  PYT- an acronym for the ages.  This song addresses Michael's affection for a "pretty young thing" and his offers of love to her.  It's also got a super dancy beat and just all around fun to sing along to.

3.  Man in the mirror- the deepest MJ song written.  This tune hits my heart especially as it is a musical setting to my favorite Gandhi quote "You must be the change you wish to see in the Earth."  The video goes through all sorts of destruction from the rainforest to the KKK.  Overseas and in the USA.  Michael really knew what the deal was when he was starting with the man in the mirror and asking him to change his ways.

2.  Bad- obviously, Mikey's baddest song.  Bad as in AWESOME.  My favorite video.  Michael is part of a dancing chain gang, of course, and rocks a sweet long jerry curl.  The message: don't mess with me.  There's something very sexy about the confidence it takes to ask the whole world to answer right now, who's bad?  The answer:  Michael fricken Jackson.

1. [drumroll.........] Smooth Criminal.  Thus is the namesake of my title to this blog.  The story is a scary one- an intruder breaking into Annie's home and striking her.  Why?  Just because he's a smooth criminal.  I cannot do the song justice so I'm just going to post the lyrics.  P.S.  Even Alien Ant Farm can rock this shit out.

As He Came Into The Window 
It Was The Sound Of A Crescendo 
He Came Into Her Apartment 
He Left The Bloodstains On The Carpet 
She Ran Underneath 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? 
So, Annie Are You OK 
Are You OK, Annie 
Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK 
Are You OK, Annie 
Annie Are You OK? So, Annie Are You OK? 
Are You OK, Annie? 
Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You Ok, Are You Ok, Annie? 

(Annie Are You OK?) 
(Will You Tell Us That You're OK?) 
(There's A Sign In The Window) 
(That He Struck You - A Crescendo Annie) 
(He 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? 
So, Annie Are You OK? 
Are You OK Annie? 
Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK? 
Are You OK Annie? 
Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK? 
Are You OK Annie? 
You've Been Hit By 
You've Been Hit By -v A Smooth Criminal 

So They Came Into The Outway 
It Was Sunday - What A Black Day 
Mouth To Mouth Resus - Citation 
Sounding Heartbeats - Intimidations 

Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK? 
Are You OK Annie? 
Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK? 
Are You OK Annie? 
Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK? 
Are You OK Annie? 
Annie Are You OK? 
So, Annie Are You OK 
Are You OK Annie? 

(Annie Are You OK?) 
(Will You Tell Us That You're OK?) 
(There's A Sign In The Window) 
(That He Struck You - A Crescendo Annie) 
(He 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?) 
(So, Annie Are You OK?) 
(Are You OK Annie?) 
(You've Been Hit By) 
(You've Been Struck By - 
A Smooth Criminal) 

Okay, I Want Everybody To Clear The Area Right Now! 

Aaow! 
(Annie Are You OK?) 
I Don't Know! 
(Will You Tell Us, That You're OK?) 
I Don't Know! 
(There's A Sign In The Window) 
I Don't Know! 
(That He Struck You - A Crescendo Annie) 
I Don't Know! 
(He Came Into Your Apartment) 
I Don't Know! 
(Left Bloodstains On The Carpet) 
I Don't Know Why Baby! 
(Then You Ran Into The Bedroom) 
I Don't Know! 
(You Were Struck Down) 
(It Was Your Doom - Annie!) 
(Annie Are You OK?) 
Dad Gone It - Baby! 
(Will You Tell Us, That You're OK?) 
Dad Gone It - Baby! 
(There's A Sign In The Window) 
Dad Gone It - Baby! 
(That He Struck You - A Crescendo Annie) 
Hoo! Hoo! 
(He Came Into Your Apartment) 
Dad Gone It! 
(Left Bloodstains On The Carpet) 
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! 
(Then You Ran Into The Bedroom) 
Dad Gone It! 
(You Were Struck Down) 
(It Was Your Doom-Annie!) 
Aaow!!! 

Bless the man who brought me this splendid joy for so long.  I love you Mikey.