Dirty Diana

Michael Jackson cranked up the distortion on "Dirty Diana," the ninth track from his 1987 album Bad. Released as the fifth single on April 18, 1988, through Epic Records, the song leans into pop rock and hard rock, echoing the aggressive guitar punch of "Beat It" from Thriller. Written and co-produced by Jackson with Quincy Jones producing, it features a blistering guitar solo by Steve Stevens, best known as Billy Idol's guitarist. The lyrics tackle groupies and the darker side of fame, with Jackson's vocal delivery shifting from breathy verses to a snarling chorus.

Critics gave "Dirty Diana" mixed reviews at the time, some finding the subject matter clichéd, but it became a global hit. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in July 1988 and reached the top ten in the UK, France, Italy, and New Zealand. After Jackson's death in June 2009, the song re-entered charts on digital sales. A live-audience music video, directed by Joe Pytka, was released in 1988, featuring Jackson performing on stage with a band.

The single's B-side varied by region, often including a dance remix of "Bad" or "I Just Can't Stop Loving You." The RIAA certified it Platinum in 2018 for one million units sold in the US, and the BPI awarded Silver in the UK. Despite not receiving a Grammy nomination, the video earned a nomination for Best Choreography at the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards.[edit]