10 '80s Songs You Totally Forgot Were Great
3. Michael Jackson: Dirty Diana (1988)
The '80s was when everything took off for Michael Jackson. During the previous decade he had started releasing records independently of the Jackson 5; pretty soon it was clear he had the chops to go it alone.
In 1982 he released his sixth studio album, Thriller. It fast became the best selling album of all time, and turned Jackson into an icon. Billie Jean, Beat It, and of course Thriller became some of the biggest hits of the early '80s. By 1985 Michael Jackson had officially left the Jackson 5 (who by then had changed their name to the Jacksons).
His next album, released in '87, was filled with just as many decade defining numbers as his previous. The title track heard Jackson take on a grittier vocal tone; The Way You Make Me Feel heard rhythm and blues combined with synth pop; and Smooth Criminal became one of Jackson's greatest tracks.
With such a wealth of musical masterpieces, it's easy to forget less celebrated instalments. But if any deserve your attention, it's Dirty Diana. With a hard rock guitar, driving the action - courtesy of Billy Idol's former guitarist ,Steve Stevens - the track harkened back to Beat It. It was gritty, sinister and suggestive. Famously, Princess Diana claimed it was her favourite Jackson song.