Song and Video Premiere: Diane King “Dangerous”

Americana Highways, July 2025

Americana Highways is hosting this premiere of Diane King’s song “Dangerous,” co-written with Anne E. DeChant, from her forthcoming album SKY, set for release in September. The album was produced by Stephan Oberhoff and Diane King; engineered by Stephan Oberhoff; mixed by Mark Lonsway; and mastered by Daniel Bacigalupi at Infrasonic Mastering. It was recorded at Creation Station, East. This song will be available on July 18.

“Dangerous” is Diane King on acoustic guitar, vocals and harmonies; Jack Bruno on drums; Steve Mackey on bass; Bob Britt on electric and slide guitar; and Stephan Oberhoff on keyboards and organ.

Cinematography and Editing for this video was done by Steve Cross. It was directed by Diane King with lyrics added by Shaye Smith.

Diane tells us: “I knew all along this song was edgy and a rocker. I could hear it in my mind, this driving, full-of-attitude, gritty, anthem song.

“When it was time to record, my co-producer, Stephan Oberhoff, and I brought in two guys we knew could get it done. We called bassist Steve Mackey (Luke Combs, Peter Frampton, Wynonna Judd) and drummer Jack Bruno (Tina Turner, Delbert McClinton, Elton John) to lay down the song’s foundation. The day we tracked the drums and bass, we first played my vocal and acoustic guitar demo for them. After listening to that, I talked them through how I heard the build of the intro and first verse into the chorus, the kick-drum rhythm, how the bass stays on the one note, and all the details of what I was hearing in my mind. Of course, then they added their talent and skill and took it to a whole ‘nother level! After the first couple passes of recording, Steve turned to me and very seriously said, “This is a rocker!” That’s when I was totally validated that I had a kick-ass song!! I knew it! And Steve just confirmed it!

“Next, we brought in Bob Britt (Kenny Chesney, Trisha Yearwood, The Mavericks) to put down the electric guitars. This was such a vital part of the song, and Bob killed it! Like the other musicians, I talked to him about what I was hearing in my mind, the drive, the grit, the attitude.

“After Bob put down the electric rhythm tracks, which were the perfect complement to my acoustic guitar tracks, it was time for the guitar solo in the break! He grabbed his slide, and Stephan and I loved that idea! He worked through the solo a couple times, then we went in the red to record. He played a very “nice” solo. Lovely, if fact, but not exactly what we were looking for. He looked at me and said, “Well, that was rather decorous.” I didn’t know what the word meant, so I asked him. He said, “You know, kind of nice and polite.” Indeed, it was! But that’s not what this song is about. So, with a great amount of thought I said to him, “Can you make it more…[long pause]… umm… dangerous?!!” He looked at me, was ready to go, we hit the record button, and he played my favorite lead guitar break ever! And that is the solo guitar break in ‘Dangerous!’ We did a little whoop and holler and moved on! We knew we had it! Dangerous, indeed!”

This song is dynamic and anthemic, a hearty roots rocker in the tradition of Dan Baird and the Yahoos. The video is footage of Diana on a rooftop, with the rockin groove and the sexy lines “If you’re the fire I’m the wind / Whatever you desire, Baby, you can count me in / Just tell me what you’re thinking, I’ll fan that flame / We’ll watch it gettin’ higher, And then here we go again.” Rock it Diane!

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