Michael Jackson Tribute: “Dirty Diana” by Trey Kerby
Trey Kerby’s fansite dedicated to the wardrobe of Ricky Rubio can be found at The Blowtorch. Ole!
“Dirty Diana” is the only Michael Jackson song that’s not about a rat that I’ve ever actively disliked. When Number Ones was released, it was the track that I’d skip. It only has three stars in my iTunes. I’ve never been able to put a finger on why, exactly, I don’t like this song. Maybe it’s that it’s pretty gimmicky, in a “let’s put some rock guitars on this pop song” way. Maybe it’s the tired subject matter. Maybe it’s the tacked on audience applause, included only to drive home that this song is about groupies. Maybe it’s the absolutely insane choice to have his sister play the groupie in the video. For whatever reason, to these cynical ears, this is the “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” of Michael Jackson song.
But lately, I’ve realized that I’ve graded “Dirty Diana” on an unfair curve. A three star Michael Jackson song is five stars for anyone else. And Latoya Jackson playing a groupie isn’t just a slightly insane and incestuous decision, but a prophetic and anticipatory reaction to the video for “You’re Gonna Get Rocked.”
Stumble It!
July 1st, 2009 at 7:34 am
MJ played the same weird incest card w/ LaToya in the “Say, Say, Say” video w/ Paul McCartney, no?
It’s weird, too, because they seemed like a family with such strong moral values, too.
July 1st, 2009 at 11:56 am
““Dirty Diana” is the only Michael Jackson song that’s not about a rat that I’ve ever actively disliked.”
You don’t actively dislike “We Are The World”? Or “Stranger In Moscow”?
July 1st, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Incest? LMAO. How about nepotism! Happens all the time. It’s not as if you can recognize that it’s LaToya Jackson in the video. I thought she played the part extremely well–if she hadn’t then THAT would be something to complain about.
July 1st, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I don’t care about those, and therefore don’t actively dislike them.
July 14th, 2009 at 11:49 am
apparently its not Latoya but Sheryl Crow in the video!! i love the song, especially the rock beat, and the guitar, and the way it commences!!