"Dirty Laundry" is a song written by Don Henley and Danny Kortchmar, from Henley's Gold-plus debut solo album I Can't Stand Still, released in 1982. The song hit number 1 on the Billboard Top Album Tracks chart in October 1982, prior to being issued as a 45-inch vinyl. Lyrically, the song describes mass media sensationalism and yellow journalism. Released as the second single from I Can't Stand Still, it spent three weeks at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1983. The single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in March of 1983, representing sales of over one million in the United States.

Lyrics

I make my living off the evening news Just give me something-something I can use People love it when you lose, They love dirty laundry Well, I coulda been an actor, but I wound up here I just have to look good, I dont have to be clear Come and whisper in my ear Give us dirty laundry Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre up Kick em all around We got the bubble-headed-bleach-blonde who Comes on at five She can tell you bout the plane crash with a gleam In her eye Its interesting when people die- Give us dirty laundry Can we film the operation? Is the head dead yet? You know, the boys in the newsroom got a Running bet Get the widow on the set! We need dirty laundry You dont really need to find out whats going on You dont really want to know just how far its gone Just leave well enough alone Eat your dirty laundry Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre stiff Kick em all around Dirty little secrets Dirty little lies We got our dirty little fingers in everybodys pie We love to cut you down to size We love dirty laundry We can do the innuendo We can dance and sing When its said and done we havent told you a thing We all know that crap is king Give us dirty laundry!

Songwriters: Henley Donald Hugh / Kortchmar Daniel Dirty Laundry lyrics © Wb Music Corp., Warner-tamerlane Publishing Corp., Woody Creek Music, Mmm Music, Warner-tamerlane Pub Corp., W B Music Corp