Don Henley - I Can’t Stand Still album cover

Don Henley – Dirty Laundry Lyrics

Rock

I make my livin' off the evenin' news
Just give me somethin', somethin' 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 don't have to be clear
Come and whisper in my ear
Give us dirty laundry

Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em all around

We got the bubble-headed bleached-blonde, comes on at five
She can tell you 'bout the plane crash with a gleam in her eye
It's interesting when people die
Give us dirty laundry
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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 don't really need to find out what's goin' on
You don't really wanna know just how far it's gone
Just leave well enough alone
Eat your dirty laundry

Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're stiff
Kick 'em all around

(Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're stiff
Kick 'em all around)

Dirty little secrets, dirty little lies
We got our dirty little fingers in everybody's pie
We love to cut you down to size
We love dirty laundry

We can do "The Innuendo", we can dance and sing
When it's said and done, we haven't told you a thing
We all know that crap is king
Give us dirty laundry!

(Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
When they're up, when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down
Kick 'em when they're up
Kick 'em when they're down)

About This Song

"Dirty Laundry" is Don Henley's 1982 critique of sensationalist television journalism and media exploitation. The song condemns how news outlets prioritize ratings over responsible reporting, feeding public appetite for scandal and tragedy. With its driving rock beat and cynical lyrics like "kick 'em when they're up, kick 'em when they're down," Henley delivers a scathing indictment of media culture. The track became a top-5 hit and remains a prescient commentary on tabloid journalism's corrosive influence.

Comments (3)

  • Anonymous
    Don Henley is one of the most intelligent & creative Rock Balladeer Musicians of contempory times. He should be President! His songs & the Eagles music have given me hours of listening pleasure, may he continue to do so in the future. God Bless him! Terry Bone
  • Daniel A Barnes
    If you're getting your news from TV: don't forget this classic message.
  • Judith Ann Bernadette Jermark
    "Dirty Laundry" by Don Henley: " I make my living on the Evening News, Just give me somethin', somethin' I can use. People love it when you lose, they love dirty laundry" Great song from the 80's. My employees used to play it over the intercom for me at the law office I worked at.