Lisa Marie Presley, Dirty Laundry | COVERS

In the 4^th edition of COVERS (2023), the late Lisa Marie Presley delivers a compelling rendition of “Dirty Laundry,” originally performed by Don Henley.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and totally cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS separates itself from a related column, Head 2 Head 🗣️ only highlighting the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer. COVERS is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 4^th  edition of COVERS (2023), 🎙 Lisa Marie Presley delivers a compelling rendition of 🎵 “Dirty Laundry”, originally performed by 🎙 Don Henley.  

“I make a living off the evening news / Just give me something  / Something I can use / People love it when you lose / They love dirty laundry.” Sadly, 🎙 Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of 🎙 Elvis Presley, passed away far too soon at the age of 54 😢.  The Presley family has endured tragedy, including The King, Lisa Marie’s son, Benjamin Keough, and Lisa Marie herself.  Her output as a musician as modest – three albums released beginning in her mid-30s.  Even so, Presley released an intriguing cover on her sophomore album, 💿 Now What, released in 2005. She covers the 1982 pop hit, “Dirty Laundry” (peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100) by the one-and-only, 🎙 Don Henley.  Tough shoes to fill, obviously, the Presley rendition has more of a rock flare, distinguishing itself from 80s sound of the original.

Positively, Lisa Marie Presley sings with great energy, showing off her personality. This starts with the intro with her ad-libs.  Her vocal performance can be described as playful, which fits the tenor of the lyrics.  Was she the most talented vocalist? There can be debate about that, obviously, but in her hands, this is an entertaining cover of one of the best songs from the 1980s.  With most of the emphasis on guitars instrumentally, Presley amplifies the dirtiness in “Dirty Laundry.” Key moments include the tuneful chorus and its wall of sound, punchy guitar riffs, and those gang vocals: “Kick ‘em when they’re up / Kick ‘em when they’re down / Kick ‘em when they’re up / Kick ‘em all around.” All told, this 2005 cover is worth revisiting – something I should have done long before the untimely loss of Lisa Marie.  RIP.

🎙 Lisa Marie Presley • 💿 Now What • 🏷️ Capitol • 📅 2005

Lisa Marie Presley, “Dirty Laundry”: Covers No. 4 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Capitol; Paul Brennan from Pixabay, Sdf Rahbar on Unsplash]