Michael Jackson SMOOTH CRIMINAL Original Studio Multitracks (Listening Session & Analysis) 

MJ's copyright owners will allow this video to remain on youtube but there must be consistent use of frequent stops. No one part of the the song in part or in whole can be played without frequent interruptions. This is partially why I stop and comment and sing during and after key sections that I play. If I just play the files, the video will be taken down. Presenting the files in this format with this kind of flow cements the FAIR USE intent which is why it can remain up on RU-vid. Along these lines, I can not reveal where or link to the source files or I'll get a takedown notice as well. Giving away content that is not mine to give also falls outside of FAIR USE intent. Thanks for understanding and for enjoying the video! I'm excited for you to hear all the wonderful nuances!

I think what makes MJ the top is because he used his entire body for music. Nothing is wasted. He’s using his feet, his voice is literally a beat machine in itself with the pitches, tones, gulps, screams. He’s like 12 people in the room lol.

IF ONLY we lived in a world where the mainstream media celebrated his awe inspiring talent and craft instead of seeking to destroy his name constantly.

12:43 You can TOTALLY hear roots of the song "Who is it" in there! That's so awesome!

There’s a reason why a lot of (us) musicians bow down to him and Prince. The level of passion in every single note they do is just scary. That was before people had to look up words like “passion” in the dictionary. That's why their music was the way it was(is), and the same goes for their videos. Smooth criminal video is not a video, it's a movie.

And to think that Quincy Jones didn't like the track and thought it wasn't album material... To me this is Michael's best song he has ever written. It is so good that you could let an orchestra play it and it sounds like a classic masterpiece from the 18th century. Michael Jackson is insanely underated as a writer/composer of music.

The thing that strikes me about MJ is that he was a musical savant. Sure he came from a musical family and drew on musical culture, but there's something unique about his talent, it's off the charts talented!

Michael Jackson was such a supreme beatboxer. Super versatile voice and his foot is one hell of a metronome. Phew! That’s why he’s the king eh?

It is IMPOSSIBLE not to move to a MJ song. The sheer rhythmic vocals and masterful mixing is, to me, unparalleled.

This man was a human instrument

10:04 - Man...That got me a little emotional. I was lucky enough to see Michael live when I was a kid. Leeds, roundhay park, UK. I still can't believe we lost him man. Such a perfectionist genius.

I've heard a bunch of Michael Jackson isolated tracks and they're stunning every single time. The guy was just insanely talented.

MJ: *breathes* Chris: Oh my god, did you hear that??

as a longtime Michael Jackson fan and as a singer, these videos of the raw multitracks are so important and special to me and not only to me but to other millions of fans around the world. thank you for how you, in a way, speak for Michael musically and tell viewers what was going down when these tracks were recorded. i also appreciate, from a singers perspective, how you incorporate your own little “voice lessons” and tips in these videos, very inspiring. i really really appreciate what you’re doing, thank you again!!

Majestic fact: Smooth Criminal was born / recorded through Michaels Heart Beat to get the tempo … Meaning they attacted some sort of patch on his chest just “ feel “ the entire Art at whole. Mr. jackson was a prophet in the world of Music, indeed.

MJ = Walking Percussionist.

Alot of true MJ fans in the comments! I go back to 1987.. got to see him in 1988 Aintree, Liverpool, England aged 9! at the time this concert was the largest attendance ever in the UK. I love the story QJ tells about Smooth Criminal video recording. "MJ was playing this track SO LOUD on set" MJ foooookin loved this record! This is his groove, his jam!! The beat still stands up today for so many reasons. But MJ's vocal and beat boxing and groovy grunts and BG vocals are just stunning! the vocal breakdown on this video is wonderful to watch! you really really understand the genius of MJ! PEACE

Those strings literally brought tears to my eyes. This arrangement is beyond anything I could have ever imagined was created for this song. Today the beats and instruments are just repeated over and over again throughout the entire song. It's boring. THIS is a completely different level of artistry. Just WOW!

Many singers/performers are usually REALLY good at one or two things and then 'good enough' at the rest of the talents to get by. It's rare that you get a once in a lifetime performer like MJ who so excels in each. and. every. single. category. From the beatboxing, highs, lows, mids, inventiveness, dancing, performing, he got a 10 out of 10 in each checkbox. Michael was so good that you almost didn't notice all the genius because you don't 'pick up' on anything unless it's wrong. It had such a natural flow and direction. Master musician. Sounded flawless.

This guy was honestly a musical genius. I’ve always wanted music experts to break down his recording process because it’s easy to see it’s very special compared to most mainstream music. So connected to the craft , that’s why his pop music is unique from anything else. Music today seems so cold and soulless I find. MJ was a different level I don’t care what anybody says.

Michael's vocals are like a locomotive the way it hits like a rhythmic charge. It's a freight train barreling down the rails. It's awe inspiring.

Micheal was amazing. His talent didn't just stop at singing. The Smooth Criminal music video was amazing. The dance moves, fashion, makeup. Everything. He was truly an entertainer. He seems unhuman. Almost other worldly.

I got teary-eyed hearing and FEELING some of his vocals, and to see it just wrap altogether… it’s the kind of symphony we’re all so lucky to be able to experience in our lifetime. What a gift from God MJ was…

There’s just something really special about Michael! His looks, his voice, his way of singing, his dance moves, he’s fashion I can go on forever!

Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, and everyone else who was in MJs production team…. YALL ARE FREAKIN MUSICAL GENIUSES. That is God-given musical gifts. The computers of this age can’t even produce something this perfect.

22:32 'I can barely talk, sorry' This passion for what he's doing is what makes Chris so watchable. Your videos are fanstastic because your love of sound is evident. Awesome, fuckin love it

Michael Jackson songs never get old. Billie Jean sounds just as modern and awesome now as it did in 1982 and Man In The Mirror is just the ultimate song of all time for me.

It's like a tour. A tour inside this legendary vision of Michael. It's truly incredible. I'm still amazed by his creativity. Michael, you are forever an inspiration, loved, admired, and unforgettable ❤

I have always loved Michael....and he is still making my heart melt with these kinds of videos. He will always live.❤❤❤❤

This man was giving all on everything he was doing. Best Dancers, best singer, you know, he was producer too, also the one making his videos script and bringing the ideas behind the camera. All in one, when I'm listening this , I realize we lost a talent. Thinking about this Doctor that give him that high dose of medication during his last WORLD TOUR, and I'm wondering why?? 😭He is gone with his unique talent, mind, knowledge for ever... [I was a boy in the 90s watching his movies and listening to his music,dreaming one day to see ,him but unfortunately. He will be remember for ever!]

People today only know him as a dancer but back when he was alive we knew him for his brilliant musical composition skills and arrangements. He was a genius that had his own original sound and it was powerful and cool at the same time. He'd obsess over the sound of every single instrument in his songs for hours. He literally lived his songs by dancing to them. He WAS his music.

Rest in Peace King. The talent is just brutal 🔥

It’s fascinating that the string parts are played almost delicately in spite of the extremely intense rhythm tracks. This is a masterclass in not only MJ’s genius but Quincy’s production genius, etc etc

20:26 he really sang it in a chest voice so insane so hard .. that you don't hear in the mix kind of .. i never realised till this point that he also sang in chest voice ...... i am blown out of my mind

At 28:00 I got sad. You litterally can hear the breath flow from his body. Such an incredible artist. His genius is just undeniable ❤️.

Without detailed breakdowns like this I feel the hard work, sweat and tears of many musicians goes under-appreciated, because people only perceive the end product and while they may enjoy it, they never experience the countless layers within, constituting the raw and pure talent and astonishing genius of an artist like Michael Jackson most certainly was. Thank you Chris for this analysis and thank you to the copyright owners for the license!

Imagine what Michael has did all besides his singing (all his shouts, his beatboxing, his snaps and stomps), and think about todays artist using auto tune for just their voices.^^ What a gigantic difference between them.^^ Therefore Michael will still be listened even in thousands of years from now on. We must keep his recordings for all the times, and I believe even Aliens will one day know Michael Jackson.^^ I bet his understanding of music will fit to all the species in the whole universe. RIP Michael, you are still so present in my heart 😢😢😢

Omg you dont understand how terrific this video is for me, thank you so much. I listen to MJ songs and I play them over and over again and try to focus on different aspects each time and always notice something new. He never fails to engage me actively in his musicianship whilst also enjoying the fruits of his musical endeavours. Seeing your sheer joy and excitement in uncovering each layer and how they all work together and picking up in certain parts that I've focused on before. Ah man MJ is just such a musician's musician and you can always learn so much from those who worked with him as well as the man and his music itself. I especially enjoyed the way you spoke about the versatility of his voice. His ability to manipulate his voice and still sound so full bodied and clear has always been so fascinating to me as I sing myself. The unique tongue placements and his way of emphasising certain words...he was a maestro in so many areas. Truly a gem of a musician. Thank you so much for this video and your analysis, I really enjoyed every aspect!

Subscribed! Woah, that low synth melody that you isolate at 12:51 is IDENTICAL to the strings at the beginning of “Who Is It”, and I feel like we just discovered an MJ Easter egg hidden in a multitrack! Amazing work!

Chris I can’t tell you how much I feel privileged for being allowed to see and hear and be inspired by these tracks and your enthusiasm! Please do not say sorry for not being allowed to play longer sections at once. I totally appreciate this. =)

Smooth Criminal, together with Dirty Diana, has always been my favourite from MJ. Having the opportunity to have such a detailed look into the track is so cool!

You gotta do Stranger in Moscow. Perhaps MJ's most lyrically and emotionally compelling, not to mention personal track. My favorite. Also, the beat is really his heartbeat and beatboxing combined.

MJ was and still is the best vocalist to ever grace the microphone. Thank you for these breakdowns.

32:16 hearing MJ’s noises between phrases makes my day. Thanks

I've watched it 3 times already, that's perfect, so many details! For now it's clearer, why MJJ's songs make such an impression. And along with dancing it's kinda magic = neurophysiological effect! Thank you for all these videos with his music, that's fantastic 💯

my mouth is so dry cause I couldn't get my jaw back up the whole vid. this was this first song as a kid I really fell in love with

This is pure gold. Thx for doing these videos. They illustrate just how brilliant Michael Jackson was as an arranger and vocalist. The best.

Wow! This is so incredible! It's like going backstage and experiencing his raw talents live beside him. Thank you so much for this fresh view of this material. I love MJ and respect him even more after this. Hands down the best vocalist and entertainer that has ever lived.

I hate the greedy copyright bs! MJ was a legend! He was and miss understood! He had it all! What a technical man!😊 Free all MJ MUSIC SO PEOPLE CAN LEARN!

This video was too short of a dissection. I could watch this for two hours straight and get awed by how amazing this is!!

I'm not crying. Something is in my eyes.

For the original 1987 release of this album they experimented with binaural effects on several tracks (which was removed from later versions), Smooth Criminal being one of them, so that might explain the double vocal tracks you were wondering about.

Anybody & everybody who had anything to do with this song is a plumb genius. Bravo MJ, Quincy Jones, all musicians, background vocalists, handclappers, mixers, just everyone! Why do I cry each time I hear Mike's raw vocals? Close your eyes, listen, and relish the wondrous moments as you listen carefully to Mike's voice, folks. Lord knows, I miss him dearly. Thanks for sharing this & for your brilliant analysis, Chris! 27:35, 29:05, and 29:07!

Oh my word this is INVALUABLE!! I'm actually working on an arrangement of this song for a huge 80s production called Arcade Orchestra - and hearing all these little parts in detail is incredibly helpful. Nice to hear confirmation I'm getting it all right for the most part! Some of those little intricate details get lost in the mix, but they are crucial - so thank you so much for doing this!

Its fking crazy what MJ was doing with the sounds in late 80's.. so ahead of time. Smooth Criminal is a bloody world in itself..its like travelling into Michael heart and realizing its a infinite ocean of dance, beats, vocal soul...its mindblowing fk

You know Orchestra and how beautiful! Plays violin 🎻 since 11 years old( 45 years old now). Your musical abilities knows no bounds! Michael Jackson and Prince that I have listened to my entire life and the only thing I care about music and to play music! But seeing your videos, you have educated me so much! I know the vocals for many songs, but the musicians! Many that I have missed.

Chris you are an amazing teacher. As a Grammy Winning Arranger I had the pleasure of playing on the History album, "Hold On Me" which wind up being a promo. And as you described his percussive moves so did I, and I was just like you I was like wow all this from this man just from his body and voice so inspiring!!!!

He's dancing with his voice 1000 thanks for your share Super work!

The musicianship level is off the charts here. So is absolutely everything else. Songwriting, arrangements, sound engineering and off course Michael's unreal vocal delivery. Thanx so so much for sharing this.

My all time favorite song and music video. It's an absolute masterpiece. Never knew it was THIS complex but, honestly I'm not surprised. Michael was truly a gift to humanity in so many ways. 💛

WOW just WOW! !MJ is the true meaning of "the one and only" in what he did as a singer and in a way, "a mix of multiple instruments" with his voice! He will be remembered in history of music until the end of human race. and Chris! you are a smart teacher with really sharp ears and very enjoyable to watch and listen to. i'm glad I have found your channel. as a singer and songwriter I will watch as many of your videos as I can and will enjoy them. thanks for sharing this masterpiece along with your tips and thoughts on it. really inspiring and helpful for all musicians

This is UNREAL, MY fav MJ track. Love that use of the Piano in the bass for the transients. Amazing. Genius. MJ production was ahead of its time on Bad. I just look with sadness onto todays music. Nothing really comes close.

I love these multitracks! As a massive MJ fan i never thought i could love these tracks even more than i already do. Thankyou for sharing!

Michael is a genius! All this sounds make me sooo happy especially because this is one of my fave songs and the reason is bcuz of how he plays so much with his voice going from high to low, from whispering to screaming. Is amazing!

This song has one of my favorite bass sounds of all time, very cool to hear all the different layers it's made of 👀 *takes notes*

MJ is a music genious, and his vocal performance as well as his musical sense is highly underrated. Most don't even know that he wrote most of his biggest hits

If you grew up listening to Michael like most of us then when you listen back as an older and more critical singer you realise how much distortion he was actually using, a lot of the time. It's actually ridiculous that he had the stamina to sing with the harshness and switch back to clean singing until he passed, and probably would have kept going for years.

MJ's voice is so pure and angelic, it makes me wanna cry.

Constant chills throughout. Love the breakdown and just the joy of discovery.

when I listened to the song on the radio, i never really gave much thought to it, but now that you explain it so well, i really get the feel for how much michael jackson puts into his songs. I really thought it was maybe 8 tracks total, but this is just insane.

A truly incredible artist, then and now

You remind me that some of MJs music will be listened to for centuries. When you dig deep you realize this was a symphony not just a song.

So imagine a person has this hugeley talented voice, and he is also the best and most talented dancer of all time. It happens once in a million years! ...Oh I forgot: an amazing composer

A musical genius he really was. Like all geniuses, the world could never keep up with the madness that is in their minds and they end up being lonely and living in their own twisted world. Then they all leave this world early…it’s sad.

29:09 YES , golden part .. goosebumps ..

That man was and will always be the UNDISPUTED GOAT

Phenomenal. Your breakdown and Michael’s song both. Amazing!!

This is why MJ is the King of Pop.

If I tried to introduce those vocal tics and stabs I would sound ridiculous. When he does it, it sounds sublime. What talent.

This is my favourite song of all time and I’m still learning new things about this song. Holy moly what a great find!

Thank you so much for exposing how amazing this man truly was.

He was master of blending the music and orchestrating the instruments in a suffisticated way. Self learned genious.

I now have a new found appreciate of this song and MJ than I already had before.

This is insane. The amount of layering and harmonization

I love how you can hear EVERY detail and every « outside » sounds in his isolated vocals, amazing

I was never an MJ fan but there's no doubt he was a sensational musician.

Omg this is so freaking cool! These are literally the songs the inspired me to make music as a kid, especially once I noticed almost all of his songs were written, arranged, & composed by MJ- I thought, as a kid, "well if he can do all that why can't I?"- and then I went and wrote my 1st song. "Who Is It" has some very cool beatboxing (especially the outro where they put it upfront), as well as strings. I absolutely love this, ty!

They should release a album of complete raw audio it's such a hype train

I live for this kind of stuff. Such great content, dude!

this is literally the best thing I have ever seen

I've been analyzing myself, but man am I grateful to be able to hear your more mature and personal opinions that come from a different regard than I would usually! Hope you know how much you help people with your channel, and you being unapologetically yourself wears off onto the viewers. Much love!

So amazing, that kind of Autopsy.. it reveal all different dimensions of MJ s work n of his creativity. Reveal also the extraordinary talent n his amazing vocals capacities.. Listening all these isolated multi tracks, gives us new opportunity to definitely realize how much his was so fuckin special n a genius...

Wow tremendous! So many sounds, so many gestures, so many different things on a song that I've been listening to since I was very little! Now I realise it!

Such an amazingly layered song.

This was great! Hearing a master at his craft and digging in to it was really awesome

20:25 love that part,some of the great performances & emotion was so pure untouched by any Autotune remains

it'd be really interesting if you analyzed Michale's song ' little susie', its a classical song(yes, the genre), he does one of his best storytelling in a song, with amazing melodies and vocals, would love for you to do it, its from the history album

It's crazy that the lead vocals and backing vocals sound like an effect or some kind of processing. Because he's singing the same part in both his chest voice and head voice, it sounds kinda like zero-delay reverb! Maybe that's just me, though. At 24:50 when he pulled back from the mic and let the room noise fill in to create that pseudo-reverb was fantastic, too. Not an effect at all, but the origin of effects! Which means he had that room set up in such a way that, when he leaned back and let the room reflections fill in, he knew that the echo would be ON TIME WITH THE MUSIC. That is, the room was the right size and shape for that to happen. Just for that tiny part! Getting to hear the individual tracks for this song is fantastic and i'm not even that into MJ's stuff. The other thing that strikes me is just how precise all of these tracks are. His take and his voice are amazing by themselves, but getting everything layered in there is crazy. There's a lot of them, and a lot of them are just the same thing over and over for the bars and bars. And every one of those performances keeps the energy up the full way through! His reputation as being demanding to work for was no joke! Getting all those tracks tight and on-beat with analog equipment is an incredible feat and a testament both to MJ's ability to even understand how to do that and his work ethic in making it happen. I wish we had a release of this song (and really all this stuff) that let the tracks breathe as much as it did in those brief moments when you played it. Maybe one of the 24 bit releases is like that.

This and Speed Demon has always been my favorite MJ arrangements because so much is going on in the music. It’s like 3 or 4 different songs that could be made out of a stripped down version of these songs. I always get lost in the music (in a good way) when I try to listen to all the different instruments and stuff. It’s amazing to hear these raw tracks. I wish I could hear them all. I’ve been an MJ fan since birth lol

I’ve heard these tracks. It’s next level production