"Dirty Diana" is the song where Michael Jackson let the guitars take over. Released by Epic Records on 18 April 1988 as the fifth single from his album Bad, the track presents a harder rock sound similar to "Beat It" from Thriller, and it features a guitar solo played by Steve Stevens. According to Wikipedia, the song was written and co-produced by Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones. The album version runs 4:52.

The song's lyrics pertain to groupies, and it tells the story of a woman who is drawn to the fame and lifestyle of a rock star. It received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics, but it was a commercial success worldwide in 1988, charting at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also charted within the top ten in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and New Zealand.

A music video for "Dirty Diana" was filmed in front of a live audience and released in 1988. In 2009, after Jackson's death in June, the song re-entered charts, mainly due to digital download sales. The song was the ninth track on Bad, and it was the fifth single released from the album, following hits like "Man in the Mirror."

The song that has always fascinated me is how it shows a different side of Jackson. He was known for his pop perfection, but "Dirty Diana" is raw and aggressive, with a rock edge that felt like a challenge. The guitar solo, the driving beat, and Jackson's vocal delivery all combine to create a song that is both seductive and dangerous. The collective reception, from the sources I read, is that this is a song that divided critics but won over audiences. It is a reminder that Jackson was never just one thing, and that his willingness to take risks is part of what made him great.