"Dirty Diana" is a song written and produced by American singer-songwriter 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[]
"Dirty Diana" was first recorded in November 1983 at Hayvenhurst, for The Jacksons' Victory album, but it ultimately didn't make the cut.[1] Jackson revisited the track in 1986, this time with Quincy Jones behind the production. It was finally finished in 1987 at Studio D of Westlake.
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. Jones later confirmed that it was about groupies in an interview from the special edition of Bad.
Music video[]
The five-minute music video, directed by Joe Pytka and produced by Angela Jones, was filmed in March 1988 at Long Beach, California.[2][3] It won the "Number-One Video in the World" at the first World Music Awards held on April 14, 1989.[4] It is featured on the DVD albums Number Ones, Michael Jackson's Vision, and the Target version DVD of Bad 25. The titular Diana is played by model Lisa Dean, chosen over hundreds of girls who auditioned for the role.[5]
Live performances[]
Bad World Tour (Madison Square Garden, 1988)
"Dirty Diana" was first performed during the second leg of the Bad World Tour. It was performed by Jackson on June 23, 2009, during the This Is It rehearsals. Jackson intended to rehearse "Dirty Diana" before he died. The setup would include an expert pole dancer, who would lure Jackson onto a giant steel bed on which she performed acrobatic feats.[6] Bits of the rehearsal were put out in Michael Jackson's This Is It movie, albeit 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[7]](/wiki/File:Dirtydianavinylback.jpg "Dirtydianavinylback.jpg (82 KB)")
![Vinyl[7]](/wiki/File:Dirtydianavinyl.jpg "Dirtydianavinyl.jpg (62 KB)")
Trivia[]
- Billy Idol's former guitarist, Steve Stevens, performs the guitar solo.
- During the July 16, 1988 show of the Bad World Tour at Wembley Stadium, Jackson removed "Dirty Diana" from the setlist, due to Princess Diana attending the concert. It turned out that it was her favorite track, but it was too late to add the track back to the setlist.[8]
- "Dirty Diana" was later re-released as a B-side to the "Give In to Me" single, alongside "Beat It".
- The Weeknd covered "Dirty Diana" on his 2011 mixtape Echoes of Silence.
References[]
- ↑ Dirty Diana / Michael Jackson. Detailed Record View | U.S. Copyright Public Records System
- ↑ Michael Jackson: For the Record
- ↑ Michael Jackson: All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track
- ↑ Michael Jackson: The Solo Years
- ↑ The Woman Above the Legs
- ↑ Director of Michael Jackson's 'This is It' says singer was ready to triumph in London
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana - Discogs
- ↑ Michael Jackson, The King of Pop: The Big Picture: The Music! The Man! The Legend! The Interviews: An Anthology