About The Song
“Dirty Diana” is a song by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson. It is the ninth track on Jackson’s seventh studio album, Bad (1987). The song was released by Epic Records on April 18, 1988, as the fifth single from the album. It presents a harder rock sound similar to “Beat It” from Thriller (1982) and a guitar solo played by Steve Stevens. “Dirty Diana” was written and co-produced by Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones. The song’s lyrics pertain to groupies. “Dirty Diana” has a moderate tempo and is played in the key of G minor.
“Dirty Diana” received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics, but was a commercial success worldwide in 1988, charting at No. 1 on the United States Billboard Hot 100. The song also charted within the top ten in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and New Zealand. In 2009, after Jackson’s death in June, the song re-entered charts, mainly due to digital download sales. A music video for “Dirty Diana” was filmed in front of a live audience and released in 1988.
“Dirty Diana” was written by Michael Jackson. It was produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson. It appeared on Jackson’s seventh studio album, Bad. The song was released by Epic Records on April 18, 1988, as the fifth single from Bad. After “Beat It”, “Dirty Diana” was the second hard rock song of his solo career with lyrics about a persistent groupie. Jackson hired Billy Idol’s guitarist Steve Stevens to back him on the track.
Initial reports at the time suggested the song was a poke at his close friend Diana Ross. However, it was later denied.[5] In fact, Ross started using the song as an overture at her concerts shortly before appearing on stage. In an interview from the special edition of Bad, Jones later confirmed that the song’s lyrics were about groupies. Jackson also confirmed the same during an interview with Barbara Walters, adding that it was not about Diana, Princess of Wales, though he was told personally by the Princess that it was her favorite among his songs.
Video
Lyrics
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
She said, “That’s okay
Hey baby do as 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 touchin’ me so to start
She says, “There’s no turnin’ back”
She trapped me in her heart
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana
Let me be
Oh no
Oh no
Oh no
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
She said, “That’s okay
Hey baby do what you want
I’ll be your night lovin’ thing
I’ll be the freak you can taunt
I don’t care what you say
I wanna go too far
I’ll be your everything
If you make me a star?
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana
Diana
Diana
Dirty Diana
It’s Diana-iana-iana, c’mon
She said, “I have to go home
‘Cause I’m real tired you see
Now I hate sleppin’ 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”
Diana walked up to me
She said, “I’m all yours tonight”
At that I ran to the phone
Sayin’, “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”
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana, no
Dirty Diana
C’mon
C’mon
C’mon
C’mon
C’mon (hey baby, won’t you? Hey baby, won’t you?)
C’mon (hey baby, won’t you? Hey baby, won’t you?)
C’mon (hey baby, won’t you? Hey baby, won’t you?)
C’mon (hey baby, won’t you?)
C’mon (ow)
C’mon
C’mon
C’mon
C’mon