FROM the 1995 G.H. COMPILATION ALBUM "Design of a Decade: 1986/1996"
RELEASED on October 10th, 1995
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on ALBUM: #3 (Billboard 200); #4 (R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart)
"Runaway"
Produced and written by Janet Jackson, James "Jimmy Jam" Harris, III and Terry Lewis
Released on August 29th, 1995
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on SONG: #3 (Hot 100); #6 (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart); #8 (Dance/Club Play Songs chart); #7 (Adult Contemporary Songs chart)
"Runaway" made JANET the first female artist in Billboard history to debut in the Top Ten on the Hot 100 chart. Much like "Escapade" and "When I Think of You", "Runaway" has that bubbly vibe to it. It contained a pop/hip-hop sound that incorporated African and Indian influences. This song will always make me smile.
"Design of a Decade..." really did capture all of JANET's hits since the release of "Control". The compilation became double-platinum and the lead single was certified Gold. The second single released from the album entitled "Twenty Foreplay" received moderate success in Europe...but was never commercially released here in the United States. I once remember hearing JANET speak about each album project she embarked on and how it reflected the mood she was currently in at that moment. Her next release proved to be the most darkest, controversial, and provocative one yet.
FROM the 1997 ALBUM "The Velvet Rope"
RELEASED on October 7th, 1997
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on SONG: #1 (Billboard 200--10/25/1997); #2 (R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart--10/25/1997)
"Got 'Til It's Gone" featuring Q-Tip and Joni Mitchell
Produced and co-written by Janet Jackson, James "Jimmy Jam" Harris, III and Terry Lewis
Also written by Rene Elizondo, Jr., Kamaal Ibn Fareed, and Joni Mitchell
Released on September 22nd, 1997
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on SONG: #6 (Dance/Club Play Songs chart)
Once again, I'm surprised by some of the information I've learned by doing this review. I never knew that "Got 'Til It's Gone" wasn't the official lead single from the album. It was released commercially in other countries...but it only gained airplay here in the States. The song featured a rap verse by Q-Tip that would later be interpolated in rapper T.I.'s 2006 song "Why You Wanna". Nothing Q-Tip ever did was memorable...so it goes without saying that his being part of this song is forgettable to most. What is amazing and a stand-out is the sampling of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" that's featured (obviously) in the title and chorus to the song. Interesting fact: JANET was sued by pop/soul singer Des'ree who believed her single "Feel So High" was sampled on "Got 'Til It's Gone". So, now...Des'ree is credited as a co-writer to the single.
"Together Again"
Produced and co-written by Janet Jackson, James "Jimmy Jam" Harris, III and Terry Lewis
Also written by Rene Elizondo, Jr.
Released on December 2nd, 1997
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on SONG: #1 (Hot 100--01/31/1998); #8 (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart--01/03/1998); #5 (Pop Songs chart--03/14/1998); #1 (Dance/Club Play Songs chart--02/7/1998); #29 (Adult Pop Songs chart--06/27/1998)
THIS was the official single for "The Velvet Rope". "Together Again" (which was originally meant to be a ballad) is a dedication to JANET's friends who had passed from AIDS. It ended up becoming her most recognized international single after it hit the Top Ten and Top Five slots in several countries. Personally, I enjoy the "Deeper Remix" to this song. The smooth, moodier remake of "Together Again" proved to be more seductive and meaningful to me than the original version.
"I Get Lonely (TNT Remix)" featuring BLACKStreet
Produced and co-written by Janet Jackson, James "Jimmy Jam" Harris, III and Terry Lewis
Also written by Rene Elizondo, Jr.
Released on February 24th, 1998
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on SONG: #3 (Hot 100--05/23/1998); #1 (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart--05/23/1998); #10 (Dance/Club Play Songs chart); #29 (Adult Pop Songs chart--06/20/1998)
I have NEVER liked this remix that featured BLACKStreet...again, leaving me to say that I would pick the album version over how it was remade. JANET has never been the artist to have twenty guest appearances on an album like most people nowadays. These guys...although talented in their own right...really watered down the single for me. "I Get Lonely" was nominated in 1999 for a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance...but ended up losing to Lauryn Hill.
"Go Deep"
Produced and co-written by Janet Jackson, James "Jimmy Jam" Harris, III and Terry Lewis
Also written by Rene Elizondo, Jr.
Released on July 8th, 1998
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on SONG: #1 (Dance/Club Play Songs chart--08/08/1998); #12 (Pop Songs chart--10/17/1998)
Definitely a party song...and one that reminds me of my 22nd birthday party (don't ask). "Go Deep" rightfully deserved to have gotten to the top of the Dance/Club Play Songs chart. The song was originally supposed to have been performed at the 1998 VH1 Fashion Awards...but instead JANET opted with "What About" (a song I almost performed in seventh grade).
"What's It Gonna Be?!" featuring Busta Rhymes (NOT featured on "The Velvet Rope" album)
Produced and co-written by Darrell "Delite" Allamby
Originally on BUSTA RHYMES' 1999 album "Extinction Event Level"
Also written by T. Smith and A. Roberson
Released on March 9th, 1999
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on SONG: #3 (Hot 100--04/17/1999); #1 (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart--04/03/1999); #40 (Pop Songs chart--06/05/1999)
This song has the ability to make anyone wet...I'm sorry...I just had to put that out there. I remember being in awe watching this music video. To be honest with you, JANET and Busta Rhymes collaborating together was one of the hottest things ever done. "What's It Gonna Be?", with its abundance of sexual innuendos, became a Number One hit in the U.S., as well as a hit in countries like Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
"Doesn't Really Matter"
Produced and written by Janet Jackson, James "Jimmy Jam" Harris, III and Terry Lewis
Originally from the 2000 soundtrack album "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps"
Also found (in an alternate version) on the 2001 album "All For You"
Released on July 25th, 2000
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on SONG: #1 (Hot 100--08/26/2000); #3(R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart--08/26/2000); #3 (Pop Songs chart--09/09/2000)
JANET became the first artist in history to have Number One hits in the 80s, 90s, and 00s when this single was released. "Doesn't Really Matter" showed a departure from the intensity that was found in "The Velvet Rope" album...the song was light and inviting. I have always loved the breakdown in the middle of the song where the choreography really shines through. For the "All For You" track, "Doesn't Really Matter" featured of the "Dance All Day Extended Mix" of the song as remixed by Rockwilder.
In the beginning of this review, I made mention to my appreciation towards JANET. "The Velvet Rope" was the very first album I ever owned from her. I remember sitting in front of my stereo, literally two inches away from it, to listen to the album from start to finish two or three times a day, DAILY! Even though I had heard of JANET, her music wasn't part of my household..EVER!. I was the one who ventured out to find her "greatest hits" compilation "Design of a Decade", where I learned more about her accomplishments. Of course, I was taken down "memory lane" when I heard the music. Since then, I have bought EVERY JANET album...I have searched long and hard to find B-Sides and remixes to her music...I have analyzed her music videos like it was part of my reason to live in order to learn the choreography on my own...I listened intently to every syllable from every lyric ever sung just so I can feel deeper what it was she was trying to convey through her music.
This is why I say I'm a die-hard JANET fan...and I really do owe everything I've done in my life to her...she truly is an inspiration.
"The Velvet Rope" album ended up becoming one the most thought-provoking albums ever. During the two years prior to the release of the album, JANET suffered from long-term depression. Often times she would "[take] time off during the during the recording of the album or abruptly [leave] the studio during recording sessions". Plenty rumors started to arise over her own sexuality. Songs like "Free Xone" and the remake to Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night" didn't exactly help her case as they contained several references towards homosexuality. The album became the first album to be banned from countries because of its sexually-explicit material ("Rope Burn"). Other singles were released from the album including "You" and "Everytime". During this time, JANET collaborated with other artists such as Shaggy (1998's "Luv Me, Luv Me"), BLACKStreet (1998's "Girlfriend/Boyfriend" along with Eve and Ja-Rule), and Elton John (1999's "I Know the Truth"). "The Velvet Rope" became triple-platinum and yielded two Gold singles ("Together Again" and "I Get Lonely"). JANET would soon reap the benefits of keeping it true to herself on her next release that was a return to the happy and adventurous side of JANET.
FROM the 2001 ALBUM "All For You"
RELEASED on April 24th, 2001
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on ALBUM: #1 (Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart)
"All For You"
Produced and written by Janet Jackson, James "Jimmy Jam" Harris, III and Terry Lewis
Also written by Wayne Garfield, David Romani, and Mauro Malavasi
Released on December 13th, 2000 (radio) and March 13th, 2001 (official single release)
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on SONG: #1 (Hot 100 and R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart--04/14/2001); #1(Pop Songs chart--05/05/2001); #1 (Dance/Club Play Songs chart--5/12/2001); #1 (Radio Songs chart--05/19/2001); #28 (Adult Pop Songs chart)
The first time I heard this song, I was just beyond excited. "All For You" became JANET's tenth Number One on the Hot 100 where it stayed for seven weeks. Unfortunately, it so far has been her last Number One. The song ended up winning several awards, including the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
"Someone To Call My Lover"
Produced and written by Janet Jackson, James "Jimmy Jam" Harris, III and Terry Lewis
Also written by Dewey Bunnell
Released on June 26th, 2001
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on SONG: #3 (Hot 100--09/01/2001); #11 (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart--09/08/2001); #3 (Pop Songs chart--09/01/2001); #1 (Dance/Club Play Songs chart--08/18/2001); #9 (Radio Songs chart--09/01/2001); #29 (Adult Contemporary Songs chart--09/15/2001); 26 (Adult Pop Songs chart--10/13/2001)
"Someone To Call My Lover" wasn't one of my favorite JANET songs. The So-So Def Remix that followed featuring Jermaine Dupri really irritated me also. What is memorable about this song is its sampling of "Ventura Highway" by America. I will admit it's catchy but "Someone To Call My Lover" never fully impressed me.
Ask anyone from my high school and they will tell you one thing...I was a JANET freak who would break into the "All For You" dance routine at any given moment. Apparently, I had to cut class to get the album when it was released...this I don't remember. The "All For You" album became the FIRST album in her career that didn't yield six singles. "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" featuring Carly Simon (and Missy Elliott/Diddy on certain remixes) was the only other single released along with "Come On Get Up", which gained airplay here in the States. More controversy arose over this album as it became the first to carry a Parental Advisory Warning because of profanity and sexual content. As a matter of fact, the album was banned from Singapore after the record label refused to remove the track "Would You Mind". "All For You" went double-platinum and held one Gold single ("Doesn't Really Matter").
In my eyes, this is where the tumble in JANET's career begins. She divorced Rene Elizondo, Jr. and later became involved with Jermaine Dupri...someone who didn't do a damn thing for her musically. It also signified a departure from her long-time producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. After the whole Super Bowl issue, the release of JANET's next album suffered a lot of heavy criticism...therefore marking the beginning of a six-year stretch of failed exposure.
FROM the 2004 ALBUM "Damita Jo"
RELEASED on March 30th, 2004
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on ALBUM: #2 (Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart--
04/17/2004)
"All Nite (Don't Stop)"
Co-produced and co-written by Janet Jackson
Also produced by BAG and Arnthor
Also written by James "Jimmy Jam" Harris, III, Terry Lewis, Tony "Prof T" Tolbert, Anders Bagge, Arnthor Birgisson, Herbie Hancock, Paul Jackson, and Melvin M. Ragin
Released on May 29th, 2004
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on SONG: #90 (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart--07/03/2004); #33 (Pop Songs chart--07/10/2004); #1 (Dance/Club Play Songs chart--0/27/2004)
Another one of my favorite songs of all time, "All Nite (Don't Stop)" didn't do well whatsoever (with the exception of it being a major Dance hit). The song never broke onto the Hot 100 chart...but regardless, the video was definitely one of the most amazing...and yet another that inspired me at one point in my life. JANET received plenty of mixed criticism from the LGBT community for the collaboration she did on the Dancehall Remix to the song with Elephant Man (who was known for making homophobic references in his own music). JANET had already issued an apology for having worked with another artist (Beenie Man; "Feel It Boy") for the same reasons.
This album featured the singles "Just a Little While", "I Want You", and "R&B Junkie" (as a promo). "Damita Jo" (taken from JANET's middle name) impressed me in the slightest bit. It was supposed to have been another "side" of JANET...the more raunchier side, if I'm not mistaken. Songs like "Warmth" and "Moist" ended up winning JANET another Parental Advisory Warning for explicit material...not to mention songs like "Strawberry Bounce" that had a definite presence of profanity. The album did go platinum. "Damita Jo" never became one of my favorite albums...and it wasn't until the next that I felt slightly optimistic about JANET's career...
FROM the 2006 ALBUM "20Y.O"
RELEASED on September 26th, 2006
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on ALBUM: #2 (Billboard 200--10/14/2006); #1 (R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart--10/14/2006); #2 (Digital Albums chart--10/14/2006)
"Call On Me" with Nelly
Co-written and co-produced by Jermaine Dupri, James "LROC" Phillips, James "Jimmy Jam" Harris, III, and Terry Lewis
Also produced by Janet Jackson
Also written by Cornell "Nelly" Haynes, Jr. and Johnta Austin
Released on June 19th, 2006 (radio) and September 5th, 2006 (official single release)
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on SONG: #25 (Hot 100--08/05/2006); #1 (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart--09/23/2006); #2 (Dance/Club Play Songs chart--09/30/2006); #19 (Radio Songs chart--09/09/2006)
This song has great memories for me...from the moment it was released to recently when I heard the "Luny Tunes Main Mix" (Reggaeton) to it. "Call On Me" was very different from anything released from "Damita Jo". It kind of took you back to her earlier songs like "Runaway". Regardless, this song wasn't one that called out to many people. As a matter of fact, the song suffered from being played on MTV because of the Super Bowl incident.
"20Y.O." was a celebration of JANET being in the industry (at that point) ...well, for twenty years. Other singles like "So Excited" featuring Khia didn't help elevate the album off the ground. "Enjoy" and "With U" never got the recognition they deserved either. (The former was released in Japan, while the latter never had a music video to accompany its release.) Still with J.D. at the forefront of production, the album simply ended up being average...it did go platinum...but no single carries a certification of any sort. And that's a shame...
FROM the 2008 ALBUM "Discipline"
RELEASED on February 26th, 2008
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on ALBUM: #1 (Billboard 200, R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and Digital Albums chart--03/15/2008)
"Feedback"
Co-written and produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and Dernst "D'Mile" Emile
Also written by LaShawn Daniels and Tasleema Yasin
Released on December 29th, 2007
BILLBOARD INFORMATION on SONG: #19 (Hot 100--03/15/2008); #39 (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart--02/09/2008); #30 (Pop Songs chart--02/09/2008); #1 (Dance/Club Play Songs chart--03/22/2008); #7 (Digital Songs chart--03/15/2008)
This song has some real great memories for me...none of which need to be shared with the general public. "Feedback" marked the return of JANET after she signed with Universal Music Group's Island Records. The song was accepted by many...and I thought it would've paved the way for the comeback she so rightfully deserved. Unfortunately..that didn't occur...and the remix with Ciara just killed the song altogether...don't people know not to match icons with less-than-capable subjects?
The entire "Discipline" album (from beginning to end) was outstanding. JANET worked with several people including Missy Elliott, Tricky Stewart, The-Dream, and Ne-Yo to make an album that was completely different from anything we've heard from her. The sad part is that Island Records (in association with Def Jam) did not do anything to promote this album...or her tour. Despite releasing three more singles ("Rock With U", "Luv", and "Can't Be Good"), the album only reach Gold status...
From the looks of it, the blame for everything can really be put on Jermaine Dupri...that's just my opinion. His label did absolutely nothing to promote JANET in the slightest bit....so she left...and I don't blame her. Hopefully now that he's not the "love interest" in her life, she'll be able to focus and get her music career to where it should be.
She is releasing "Number Ones" under Universal Music Group's Hip-O Records...and I'm very happy for her. As for her upcoming studio album, she's working with people like Darkchild...here's hoping she teams up with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis since (in reality) her major hits came from when she worked with them.
FROM the G.H. COMPILATION ALBUM "Number Ones"
TO BE RELEASED on NOVEMBER 17th, 2009
"Make Me"
Co-written and produced by Janet Jackson and Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins
Also written by Thomas Lumpkins and Michaela Shiloh
Released on September 29th, 2009
Has yet to appear on the Billboard Charts
In lieu of everything that has happened in JANET's personal life, she came back with a single inspired by her brother's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". I love this song...it's fresh and brand new...JANET seems revitalized as she sings the lyrics...almost inspired. Here's hoping this is a sign of good things to come.
So there we go, kiddies! An elaborate review comes to an end. I've done reviews like this for BRITNEY and MADONNA...but neither one touched me as much as this one. And I hope it was able to shed some light on the undeniable ICON that is JANET JACKSON!
From JANET JACKSON's newest compilation album "NUMBER ONES", here's the new single "Make Me..."
"Together Again (Deeper Remix)"
From the 1997 album "The Velvet Rope"
Directed by Rene Elizondo, Jr.
(4.10)
"I Get Lonely"
From the 1997 album "The Velvet Rope"
Directed by Paul Hunter
(4.45)
"All For You"
From the 2001 album "All For You"
Directed by Dave Meyers
(4.35)
"All Nite (Don't Stop)"
From the 2004 album "Damita Jo"
Directed by Francis Lawrence
(4.29)
"So Excited" featuring Khia
From the 2006 album "20Y.O."
Directed by Joseph Kahn
(3.23)
"Feedback"
From the 2008 album "Discipline"
Directed by Saam Farahmand
(4.14)
"Rock With U"
From the 2008 album "Discipline"
Directed by Saam Farahmand
(3.52)
Next REVIEW to be POSTED on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16th, 2009:
50 CENT-- "Before I Self Destruct"
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.
Written by Felix-Lee "Campbells" Andrades, III
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