"Dirty Laundry" is a song written by Don Henley and Danny Kortchmar, from Henley's 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 rpm single. Lyrically, the song describes mass media sensationalism. 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 1983, representing sales of a million copies in the United States. History The song is about the callousness of TV news reporting as well as the tabloidization of all news. Henley sings from the standpoint of a news anchorman who "could have been an actor, but I wound up here". The song's theme is that TV news coverage focuses too much on negative and sensationalist news; in particular, deaths, disasters, and scandals, with little regard to the consequences or for what is important ("We all know that crap is king"). The song was inspired by the intrusive press coverage surrounding the deaths of John Belushi and Natalie Wood, and Henley's own arrest in 1980 when he was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and possession of marijuana, cocaine, and Quaaludes after paramedics treated a 16-year-old female who was suffering from drug intoxication at his Los Angeles home. Among the musicians on the record were Timothy B. Schmit and Joe Walsh, two of Henley's bandmates of the Eagles. Walsh performs the first guitar solo, followed by Steve Lukather of the band Toto; the guitar basic tracks are played by Danny Kortchmar who also helped Henley compose this song. The sleeve notes also mention musicians George Gruel, Roger Linn and Steve Porcaro. Personnel Don Henley – lead vocals, backing vocals Steve Porcaro – keyboards, special keyboard effects Roger Linn – special effects Danny Kortchmar – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Joe Walsh – 1st guitar solo Steve Lukather – 2nd guitar solo Timothy B. Schmit – bass, backing vocals Jeff Porcaro – drums George Gruel – backing vocals Chart performance Weekly charts Year-end charts Certifications See also Don Henley discography List of Billboard Mainstream Rock number-one songs of the 1980s Narcotizing dysfunction Yellow journalism References External links Lyrics of this song 1982 singles Don Henley songs