Dirty Diana
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| "Dirty Diana" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by Michael Jackson | ||
| from the album Bad | ||
| Released | April 1988 | |
| Format | CD single | |
| Recorded | 1987 | |
| Genre | R&B/Rock | |
| Length | 4:52 | |
| Label | Epic Records | |
| Producer(s) | Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones | |
| Chart positions | ||
| Michael Jackson singles chronology | ||
| "Man in the Mirror" (1988) |
"Dirty Diana" (1988) |
"Another Part of Me" (1988) |
| Michael Jackson's Visionary chronology | ||
| "The Way You Make Me Feel" (2006) |
"Dirty Diana" (2006) |
"Smooth Criminal" (2006) |
"Dirty Diana" is a hit song by singer Michael Jackson. The song presented a harder rock sound than the previous "Beat It" had from the Thriller album.
Contents |
[edit] Song information
Jackson hired Billy Idol's former guitarist Steve Stevens to back him on the track. 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 and others thought he was talking about groupies. Quincy Jones later confirmed that it was about groupies on an interview from the special edition of Bad.
[edit] Chart Performance
"Dirty Diana" was a history-making single for Michael Jackson, crowning him the first solo performer to pull five consecutive #1 singles from one album. The single entered the Top 40 on May 14, 1988, and enjoyed one week at #1 during the week of July 2, 1988.
[edit] Live Performances
"Dirty Diana" was performed during later Bad concerts only. It was always 100% live and very energetic. He would chase Jennifer Batten (lead guitar) around while she was playing and would go wild. This all resulted in a stunning performance which sadly did not make it into the later tours.
[edit] Track listing
[edit] Original release
- "Dirty Diana" – 4:42
- "Dirty Diana" (Instrumental) – 4:42
[edit] Visionary single
- CD Side
- "Dirty Diana" - 4:42
- "Dirty Diana" (Instrumental) – 4:42
- DVD Side
- "Dirty Diana" (Music Video)
[edit] Mixes
- Album Version 4:52
- 7" Version 4:41
- This version replaced the original on later Bad releases.
- Instrumental 4:41
[edit] Credits
- Written, arranged, and composed by Michael Jackson
- Produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson
- Lead and background vocals by Michael Jackson
- Rhythm arrangements by Michael Jackson, John Barnes and Jerry Hey
- Synthesizer arrangements by Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and John Barnes
- String arrangement by John Barnes
- Vocal Arrangement by Michael Jackson
- Clave' Clapstick by Michael Jackson
- Guitar Solo by Steve Stevens
[edit] Trivia
According to Michael's autobiography Moon Walk, this song was scheduled for a live 1988 performance at Wembley Arena; however, Michael felt the song would be an insult to Diana, Princess of Wales, so he had it removed. Diana informed him the song was actually one of her personal favorites, but by that stage it was too late to reinstate it for the show.
The accompanying video was shot in early 1988 in front of a live audience.
| Preceded by "Foolish Beat" by Debbie Gibson |
Billboard Hot 100 number one single July 2, 1988 |
Succeeded by "The Flame" by Cheap Trick |
