"Dirty Diana" is a song by Michael Jackson released as the ninth track from the Bad album. It was released as a single on April 18, 1988, serving as the fifth single from the album.
Background[]
The track was written and first recorded from November 1983 to 1984 for the Jacksons' Victory album, but it ultimately didn't make the cut. Michael returned to working on "Dirty Diana" in the Fall of 1985, this time with Quincy Jones behind the production. It was finally finished on August 11, 1987.
There was a mystery for many years leading to some speculation as to what Jackson was talking about in the song. Some say he was talking about his former mentor Diana Ross, whom he had had a crush on as a child. Quincy Jones later confirmed that it was about groupies in an interview from the special edition of Bad.
Music video[]
The video was directed by Joe Pytka and filmed in March 1988. It was released on April 14, 1988. It features Jackson performing the track onstage, with the titular Diana being played by the model, Lisa Dean.
Live performances[]
Bad World Tour (Madison Square Garden, 1988)
Michael performed "Dirty Diana" throughout the Bad World Tour. It was originally intended to be performed at the Royal Concert, but the song was scrapped from the setlist. It wouldn't be brought back to the set list until the This Is It rehearsals. The last time it was performed would be on June 23, 2009. Bits of this rehearsal were put out in Michael Jackson's This Is It movie and its behind-the-scenes.
Audio[]
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
You'll never make me stay
So take your weight off of me
I know your every move
So won't you just let me be?
I've been here times before
But I was too blind to see
That you seduce every man
This time, you won't seduce me
[Pre-Chorus]
She's saying "That's okay
Hey, baby, do what you please
I have the stuff that you want
I am the thing that you need"
She looked me deep in the eyes
She's touching me so to start
She says "There's no turning back"
She trapped me in her heart
[Chorus]
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, let me be!
(Oh, no, oh, no, oh, no)
[Verse 2]
She likes the boys in the band
She knows when they come to town
Every musician's fan
After the curtain comes down
She waits at backstage doors
For those who have prestige
Who promise fortune and fame
A life that's so carefree
[Pre-Chorus]
She's saying "That's okay
Hey, baby, do what you want
I'll be your night-loving thing
I'll be the freak you can taunt
And I don't care what you say
I want to go too far
I'll be your everything
If you make me a star"
[Chorus]
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana
[Interlude]
Diana
Diana
Dirty Diana
It's Diana, -iana, -iana
C'mon!
[Verse 3]
She said "I have to go home
'Cause I'm real tired, you see
But I hate sleeping alone
Why don't you come with me?"
I said "My baby's at home
She's probably worried tonight
I didn't call on the phone
To say that I'm alright"
[Pre-Chorus]
Diana walked up to me
She said, "I'm all yours tonight"
At that, I ran to the phone
Saying, "Baby, I'm alright"
I said "But unlock the door
'Cause I forgot the key"
She said "He's not coming back
Because he's sleeping with me"
[Chorus]
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana
[Outro]
C'mon! (Dirty Diana, no)
C'mon! (Dirty Diana, no)
C'mon! (Dirty Diana, no)
C'mon! (Dirty Diana) (Hey, hey)
C'mon! (Dirty Diana, no) (Hey, baby, won't you-)
C'mon! (Dirty Diana, no) (Hey, baby, won't you-)
C'mon! (Dirty Diana, no) (Hey, baby, won't you-)
C'mon! (Dirty Diana) (Hey, baby, won't you-)
C'mon! Aaow! (Dirty Diana, no)
C'mon! (Dirty Diana, no)
C'mon! (Dirty Diana, no)
C'mon! (Dirty Diana)
C'mon! (Dirty Diana, no)
C'mon! (Dirty Diana, no)
C'mon! (Dirty Diana, no)
Gallery[]
![Vinyl back cover[1]](/wiki/File:Dirtydianavinylback.jpg "Dirtydianavinylback.jpg (82 KB)")
![Vinyl[1]](/wiki/File:Dirtydianavinyl.jpg "Dirtydianavinyl.jpg (62 KB)")
Trivia[]
- Billy Idol's former guitarist, Steve Stevens, performs the guitar solo.[2]
- During the July 16, 1988 show of the Bad World Tour at Wembley Stadium, Jackson removed the song from the setlist, due to Princess Diana attending the concert. Turned out the track was her favorite, but it was too late to add it back to the setlist.
- Among others, the song was famously covered by The Weekend in 2011, under the title of "D.D.".[3]
- The song was later re-released as a B-side to the "Give In to Me" single, alongside "Beat It".