Music Review: Michael Jackson "Dirty Diana"

Michael Jackson

Dirty Diana

Album: Bad

Year: 1988

        A groupie pursues Michael Jackson in the smoldering “Dirty Diana.”

       Cheering fans and an anxious synth stirs, setting a impetous tone. Diana has broken away from his drummer and walks over to him. She eyes him up and down, not saying a word. He tells her to back off. Pressuring him isn’t going to work. He puts his hand on her shoulder, whispering “this is your next move.” She continues to stare at him, staying close to close to him. He tells her he’s not interested. He’s seen groupies come and go over the years of touring. At first, he believed she wanted to get know him for him and not for the connections. He would talk to her about his day when she would approach him. However, he’s seen her go through nearly every person on the payroll. (“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.”)

        In the pre-chorus, she finally speaks. She touches his chin and says he can fight his feelings all he wants. Eventually, he will want her. He watches walk away, resisting the urge to spar with her some more. (“She's saying that's ok/Hey baby do what you please/I have the stuff the 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.”)

         In the chorus, he calls her by her nickname “Dirty Diana” and asks her to leave him alone. (“Dirty Diana/Dirty Diana/Dirty Diana, no/Dirty Diana/Let me be!/Oh no/Oh no/Oh no.”)

            Diana is well-known among musicians. She’s always hanging out at the venue before the show starts. Her list of conquests is many and he’s heard she’s broken up relationships. She only wants celebrities that could give her a career in the entertainment industry. (“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.”)

           In the pre-chorus, she promises the men she’s willing to do anything. She’ll sleep with them even if it involves crossing some lines. She’s not guided by morals. All they have to have to do is put her in one of their latest music videos or on a stage as a dancer. (“She's says that's ok/Hey baby do what you want/I'll be your night lovin' 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.”)

           The chorus is sung again but he only says “Dirty Diana” which is nine times.

            In the bridge, the synth thrusts with great force, shoving until it’s out of strength and exhausted. Meanwhile, Jacksoncalls for Diana. (“Diana!/Diana!/Dirty Diana!/It's Diana!”)

           It’s about 3 am and the last of the crew have put the set away. Diana tells him she’s leaving. She looks at empty arena and then back to him again. She continues to say she won’t be able take the band up on their invitation to join the tour. She wants to go back her apartment. It’s lonely there and she needs a friend. She asks him to drive with her home. He shakes his head no. He has to see his girlfriend at their hotel. She was expecting him hours ago and likely wondering what happened to him. He has to call her immediately. (“She said I have to go home/'Cause I'm real tired you see/But I hate sleepin' 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 puts her arms around his neck, letting her chin rest on his shoulder. He breaks the embrace right away and heads to the telephone. He begins talking with his girlfriend and lets her know he’s fine. He’s leaving for the hotel and should be there soon. Diana heads to the door. He hears a click and knows she has locked herself in with him. He races to the door and scrambles to find the key. He shouts that he can’t remember where he left it and to come back. However, Diana has picked up the phone and tells his girlfriend he’s in love with her. (“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/Because I forgot the key/She said he's not coming back/Because he's sleepin’ with me.”)

     The chorus is sung again.  

    Jackson’s vulnerable, defensive vocals are kindled by her presence. He first met Diana at one of his shows and began talking to her about his life. They formed a friendship. Members of his band would tease him about their connection and he would laugh it off, saying they are only friends. However, when he’s with her, he can’t deny that he’s fascinated by her. There’s something going on between them and eventually one of them will act on it. He struggles, knowing he has to be a good boyfriend yet unwilling to let Diana go, despite his protests.  

       At first glance, Diana can be perceived as a cold-blooded, selfish character out for herself. But her friendship with Jackson shows a fragile side to her. She’s longing for a connection beyond sex. Around him, she can him offer him more than her body. There’s a sadness to her, a resignation she’s simply good for being a hanger-on and not much more. 

      The underlying tension and subtext of “Dirty Diana” turn it an interesting character study.