The Magnificent Legacy of Janet (Or Ms. Jackson If You’re Nasty)
By: Richard Lebeau
Tags: Music, Culture, Entertainment, Race, Feminism

The 60 Best Songs by Jacket Jackson

60. “Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)” (All For You). This song undoubtedly works better in theory than in its execution, which is a bit chaotic. But having Janet team up with 1970s pop-rock icon Carly Simon for a “You’re So Vain”-sampling takedown of a worthless former lover was an inspired enough idea to give it a spot on this list.

59. “Say You Do” (Janet Jackson). The only representative of Janet’s first two pre-Control albums on the list, this is a genuinely infectious and funky dance tune that clearly found Janet and her producers trying to emulate the style of her brother Michael’s late 1970s successes. It is unnecessarily sprawling at over 6 minutes in length, but it is a certifiable ear worm and provides a taste of the force she will become.

58. “No Sleeep” (Unbreakable). Although it wouldn’t have been my choice for the lead single fro her stunning 11th album, this soulful ode to wanting quality time with your lover is a banger that exceeds most of what she churned out on her prior three albums.

57. “Better Days” (All For You). The album All For You mostly oscillates between extremes of horniness and anger, which makes this remarkably sweet, hopeful album capper all the more refreshing. With its guitar strings and layered backing vocals, it stands out as a sonically unique track in her catalogue.

56. “Make Me” (Number Ones). If her brother’s classic “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” and her own “All For You” were merged you would get something akin to this delightful funk-disco hybrid that was featured on her second greatest hits compilation.

55. “Luv Me, Luv Me” (non-album single). The late 1990s was perhaps the apex of the rap-sung collaboration. This collaboration between Janet and reggae artist Shaggy may feel dated in a number of respects, but her recurring refrain is infectious and iconic (“Ooh boy/ I love you so/ Never ever gonna let you go/ Once I get my hands on you.”)

Copyright: A&M Records

54. “Let’s Wait Awhile” (Control). Given how her persona would evolve over the next two decades, it seems odd to think that one of Janet’s first big hits was a tender ode to sexual abstinence. But then again, she was emerging from a carefully curated wholesome image and it was the height of the AIDS crisis. Regardless of the context, it is one of her most tender and affecting ballads.

53. “Truth” (All For You). This nearly 7-minute downtempo track heavily and effectively incorporates the sample of The Five Stairsteps’ iconic “O-o-h Child.” The song finds her speaking to a lover she is ending things with, encouraging him to confront the reality of the situation. It is an underrated song that is both catchy and moving.

52. “Take Me Away” (Unbreakable). This euphoric ode to being delivered from a painful reality by a lover is a soaring anthem that is superbly orchestrated and produced.

51. “The Knowledge” (Rhythm Nation). The fact that this is one of the weakest songs off the landmark parent album is more testament to how brilliant the album is than it is a criticism of this song. It’s beat and hook may not be as effective and memorable as many of the other tracks but it works well and its powerful message of turning away from drugs and toward education and enlightenment is a powerful one.

50. “The Pleasure Principle” (Control). Interestingly, the only song from her breakthrough album not produced by powerhouse duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, this song nevertheless fits in beautifully. (It was written and produced by Prince collaborator Monte Moir.) It’s a pretty standard issue independent woman anthem about a love gone wrong, but it is nevertheless a strong track.

49. “You” (The Velvet Rope). This jarring track mixes spoken word, digital vocal distortions, and a more traditional chorus over shifting tempos and a funky hybrid of hip hop and electronica. The lyrics center on the ways we lie to ourselves and the need to come clean.

48. “Night” (Unbreakable). This house anthem features Janet delivering breathy vocals about a tidal wave of love taking her over. It is not particularly novel in its lyrical content, vocal performance, or production but it is an utterly superb dance track.

47. “Diamonds” (non-album single). Janet has had several unlikely collaborations throughout her career and one of the most curious is her collaboration with the 1960s superstar trumpeter Herb Alpert. Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, this collaboration may feature a bit more big band energy than her Control-era tracks, but in lyrical content, production, and quality fits right in.

46. “Living in a World (They Didn’t Make)” (Rhythm Nation). This heartbreaking ballad examines the devastating experience of children being robbed of their innocence. It’s like Whitney Houston’s “The Greatest Love of All” reimagined by someone witnessing the crack and AIDS epidemics first hand. The incorporation of the children’s choir only underscores its power.

Copyright: Rhythm Nation Records

45. “Made For Now” (non-album single). Janet’s most recent Billboard Hot 100 hit, this infectious and celebratory collaboration with Daddy Yankee heavily features Latin influences and focuses on the need to live in the moment.

44. “Because of Love” (janet.). Janet delved into the early ’90s new jack swing craze with this somewhat syrupy but polished and joyous ode to her one true love.

43. “Come On Get Up” (All For You). This delightful house/pop song features heavy global influences, most notably in the unique use of percussion throughout the song. The lyrics about picking up a guy on the dance floor couldn’t be more slight, but it is intoxicating, frenzied, and joyous.

42. “Free Xone” (The Velvet Rope). Easily one of the strangest songs in Janet’s catalogue, this wildly funky ode to the LGBT community was ahead of its time and quite controversial. It’s an empowering ode to sexual freedom and acceptance that drastically shifts tempo and tone but never for one minute loses its feeling of dancing the night away with friends at a house party.

41. “You Want This” (janet.). Another successful foray into new jack swing, this track incorporates samples from Diana Ross & the Supremes (“Love Child”) and Kool & the Gang (“Jungle Boogie”) and finds a playful Janet taunting a man who is romantically pursuing her.

40. “The Great Forever” (Unbreakable). Janet takes on the tabloids, gossips, and haters and lets them know that they can do, say, and think whatever they want — she’s going to live how she lives and love who she loves. This is one of the few songs in her catalogue where you can clearly see a desire to pay homage to her brother Michael here, in terms of lyrics, vocals, and production.

39. “Every Time” (The Velvet Rope). One of the few true ballads in her catalogue, this tender, piano-driven examination of her fears of intimacy and commitment after a lifetime of disappointments. It’s contemplative, personal, and moving.

38. “All Nite (Don’t Stop)” (Damita Jo). Sadly, this song was nearly completely overlooked by the music industry and audiences due to it coming on the heels of the Super Bowl halftime show controversy that unfairly derailed her career for many years. But it deserved to be a huge hit. It’s a funky electronica meets house song with overtly sexual lyrics, a breathy vocal performance, and some truly phenomenal beats.

Copyright: Virgin Records

37. “Together Again” (The Velvet Rope). I was never as big a fan of this monstrous hit (her 8th #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100) as most others, but it is a lovely and polished dance-pop song about the hope to someday be reunited with a loved one who has died.

36. “Throb” (janet.). This utterly exhilarating track may be light on lyrics and vocals, but its incorporation of house music, a saxophone loop, and some truly risque lyrics make this one of the most successful forays Janet ever did into explicitly sexual dance music.

35. “I Get Lonely” (The Velvet Rope). This smash hit has a rousing and dynamic neo-soul vibe that belies the sadness of the lyrics, in which Janet examines her battles with loneliness and abandonment.

34. “What’ll I Do?” (janet.). Never one to be afraid of moving beyond pop and R&B into other musical genres, Janet still can sometimes really surprise her listeners. One of the most jarring — but surprisingly effective — departures is this hybrid of 1960s rock and funk in which she begs her lover not to leave.

33. “Go Deep” (The Velvet Rope). This fusion of funk and pop finds Janet getting geared up for an epic night out with the girls. It was criticized by some critics for being tedious, but I find it to be impossibly smooth, captivating, and hypnotic.

32. “Gon B Alright” (Unbreakable). The closing track of the standard edition of her latest album finds her veering into psychedelic rock territory (think Sly and the Family Stone). It’s a chaotic orgy of horns, percussion, shout-outs, and ad-libs that perfectly captures the spirit of the hopeful message she wanted to end the album on.

31. “The Velvet Rope” (The Velvet Rope). This ambitious and singular title track and opener to her most experimental album begins with a rapid electronica and ends with a violin solo by Vanessa Mae. In between its a superb mid-tempo techno song that samples the theme to The Exorcist and features lyrics about the desperation of human beings to be connected and accepted.

30. “Just a Little While” (Damita Jo). Another song from the post-Super Bowl era that should have been a massive hit, this one opens with a terrific funk guitar riff before exploding into an uptempo pop-rock confection that finds Janet desperate for some quality time with her lover.

Copyright: Island Records

29. “Feedback” (Discipline). Let’s get one thing out of the way first. Few lyrics in her catalogue are worse than: “I gotta body like a CL5/ Make a n***a wanna test drive/ But I’m so on fire/ Flyer than a pelican/ Find another chick better than/ I don’t see her/ ’Cause my swag is serious/ Something heavy like a first day period.” But, this is from the only post-Dream Street album that Janet didn’t write the lyrics for. This is the most aggressive and satisfying dance hall anthem in the long and disappointing era between All For You and Unbreakable. It’s also her most recent notable Billboard hit, peaking in the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100.

28. “Twenty Foreplay” (Design of a Decade). Perhaps nowhere in this list will I diverge more from contemporary consensus about Janet’s discography than my decision to exclude “Anytime, Anyplace” from it. Sure, the sensual, slow-burning surprise hit from janet. was a bold departure from her prior work and from contemporary music in general. But I also found it be a fairly monotonous seven minutes. To my surprise, I much prefer this track, which was tacked on to her first greatest hits collection and was clearly trying to emulate the mood and success of that song. This one has cleverer lyrics and a much more interesting arrangement while retaining what made “Anytime, Anyplace” special.

27. “Burnitup” (Unbreakable). In my opinion, this Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot-assisted dance floor anthem should have been the lead single from her most recent album. It captures the infectious spirit of Janet’s glory days superbly.

26. “The Best Things in Life Are Free” (non-album single). This song may have been the theme to a forgettable film (the 1992 Damon Wayans film Mo’ Money), but it is fresh, inspired, and memorable. A collaboration wtih contemporary R&B heavy hitters Luther Vandross, Ralph Tresvant, and Bell Biv DeVoe this uptempo fusion of R&B and dance benefits from a terrific hook.

25. “Control” (Control). The song that changed it all begins with her iconic spoken word intro: “This is a story about control/ My control/ Control of what I say/ Control of what I do/ And this time, I’m gonna do it my way.” The lyrics, vocals, and production are brimming with confidence and if it didn’t get a bit too repetitive as it neared the conclusion of its six minutes it would rank even higher on this list.

24. “State of the World” (Rhythm Nation). This aggressive, dance floor ready new jack swing anthem pointedly addresses homelessness, drugs, and crime. It is arguably the most overtly sociopolitical song she ever produced and the fact that she could deliver this commentary in a song that also fit perfectly into an album of pop/dance/R&B masterpieces is a true testament to her skills.

23. “Runaway” (Design of a Decade). Global influences (particularly African) are heard in the production (and mentioned specifically in the lyrics) of this pop/R&B hybrid that finds Janet noting that even though she has experienced all the beauties and wonders of the world, she still yearns for that special someone to share it with. Sure, the message is trite, but the production is elaborate and fresh and it features one of her sweetest vocal performances. (Fun fact: This song was reportedly written as an intended duet for her and Michael, but “Scream” was chosen instead.)

22. “What Have You Done For Me Lately?” (Control). This uptempo dance song was the first single released from her breakthrough album and her first Top 5 hit. It starts with a conversation between Janet and her girlfriends about how her boyfriend has stopped putting effort into their relationship and quickly evolves into sassy, confident pop perfection.

21. “Someone to Call My Lover” (All For You). Centered on a sample of the guitar riff from America’s song “Ventura Highway” this peppy, uptempo pop-rock ditty finds Janet optimistically searching for a new love after a breakup. It may be light, but it is one of her most joyous songs.

20. “Come Back To Me” (Rhythm Nation). From the opening choral coo to the extended cinematic intro, this elaborately orchestrated quiet storm ballad is a singular creation in Janet’s catalogue (and modern music). The lyrics find Janet eager to recapture a long-gone love and Janet delivers an effective, aching vocal performance.

Image from “Scream” Music Video (Copyright: Epic Records)

19. “Scream” (Non-album single). Another place where I markedly differ from the contemporary consensus regarding Janet’s catalogue is my love for “Scream.” There was deafening buzz surrounding this song, given that it was the first collaboration between Janet and her brother Michael, a pointed commentary on Michael’s sexual abuse allegations, and accompanied by the most expensive music video ever made (at the time). Many found the result disappointing, but I found it to be electrifying. Their voices blend well, the futuristic production is inspired, and the visceral anger on display make this song remarkably cathartic.

18. “Trust a Try” (All For You). This mashup of classical music, opera, hard rock, dance, and hip hop is mind blowing and breathtaking. It finds Janet convincing a lover who has lost the ability to trust anyone after repeated betrayals that he must give “trust a try.”

17. “Alright” (Rhythm Nation). Whether it’s the sprawling 6.5 minute original version or the trendsetting edit with Heavy D, this buoyant and infectious new jack swing song is pure pop perfection.

16. “Doesn’t Really Matter” (All For You). Janet’s 9th Billboard Hot 100 #1 was this dance/pop/electronica/R&B mashup with lyrics from a discarded poem she wrote. It served as the theme song to the Eddie Murphy comedy The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (in which she co-starred). Sweet and breathy vocals, intricate and playful lyrics, and a funky and elaborate production involving varying tempos converge for one of her most joyful tracks.

15. “When I Think of You” (Control). The first of Janet’s 10 #1s on the Billboard Hot 100 is this utterly irresistible ode to being passionately in love. It does not break new ground and it is relatively restrained in production and scope compared to most of the songs on the parent album, but this is a classic pop tune brimming with joy, innocence, and passion.

14. “Shoulda Known Better” (Unbreakable). The best song from her 11th and most recent album, greatly benefits from its tempo variance, oscillating between hopeful messages accompanied by orchestral surges and heartbreaking reflections with minimal accompaniment. It also finds Janet at her most reflective and political in decades as she examines her heartbreak that her dreams of a world of equality and peace never came to fruition. Janet has perhaps never delivered a line as devastatingly as when she croons “I had this great epiphany/And rhythm nation was the dream/ I guess next time I’ll know better.”

Copyright: A&M Records

13. “Black Cat” (Rhythm Nation). Previously considered strictly a pop and R&B artist, Janet memorably proved her promise as a rocker with this hard rock anthem that even garnered her a nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. It also marks the first song she wrote on her own. It is a blistering warning to a drug addicted loved one that they are on a tragic path. It’s unlike anything she ever did before or since and it became her 4th #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

12. “What About” (The Velvet Rope). Easily the most jarring and aggressive song Janet has recorded to date this song examines domestic violence head-on. The song oscillates between verses that tell a sweet love story told over flamenco guitars and an explosive hard rock chorus that depict the horrifying reality of the relationship. Few songs show Janet’s power, boldness, and artistry as well as this one.

11. “Miss You Much” (Rhythm Nation). Janet’s landmark album begins with three songs that pointedly discuss painful sociopolitical realities and feature appropriately aggressive production. Then in an ultra-brief interlude she says “Get the point? Good. Let’s dance.” The album then goes right into this transcendent, percussion-heavy, dance-floor ready banger that served as the album’s lead single and became her second #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Copyright: Virgin Records

10. “Again” (janet.) Romantic ballads have never been Janet’s strong suit and in recognition of this, they are few and far between in her catalogue. But she did produce at least one of the all-time great contributions to the genre with this restrained, yearning song chronicling a woman’s struggle to resist falling back in love with a man who had broken her heart. Janet deservedly received Academy Award and Golden Globe nomination for the song, which was featured in Poetic Justice, her film debut opposite Tupac Shakur.

9. “All For You” (All For You). There is nothing subtle about “All For You,” the album or the song. After all the song opens with the following sexually explicit and instant camp classic lyric: “All my girls at the party, look at that body/ Shakin’ that thing like you never did see/ Got a nice package alright, guess I’m gonna have to ride it tonight.” But as Janet so often reminds us, subtlety is overrated. Superb harmonies, elements of disco and funk, and some of the most irresistible hooks of her catalogue make it a timeless classic. This was her 10th and most recent #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

8. “New Agenda” (janet.) This song’s parent album was notable for veering away from the sociopolitical commentary of her prior album and into explorations of sexuality and empowerment. But you would never know that from this song, arguably the most politically pointed one that she has ever created. Although the song leans slightly too heavily on Chuck D.’s raps, the combination of its powerful message, profound lyrics, and terrific hook make this one of the highlights of her career. It is hard to think of a song in the history of music that more boldly spoke to the issue of the pain and power of black women. (Sample lyric: “History hidden from me/ To hide my identity/ So I’d never feel/ I am somebody/ You’ve gouged my eyes/ I see more clearly/ You’ve tried to rob/ My humanity/ My spirit you tried to break/ My soul you tried to take/ There’s no need to be afraid/ Cause I won’t do unto you now.”)

7. “That’s The Way Love Goes” (janet.) This smash hit marked Janet’s 6th #1 hit and launched the janet. era. It is a down tempo, sensual groove that blends numerous genres and seamlessly incorporates samples. The lyrics are romantic and provocative, the vocal arrangement is restrained and hypnotic, and it remains one of her best produced and most iconic songs

6. “Escapade” (Rhythm Nation). It is nearly impossible to name a pop song as utterly euphoric as this #1 smash, which finds Janet exhausted after a long week of working for her paycheck and trying to coax a guy she just met to run away with her for the weekend.

5. “This Time” (janet.) Perhaps Janet’s most powerful, underrated, and ambitious song, this nearly 7 minute exploration of a woman gathering the courage to leave her cheating partner is a true testament to her artistry. Her incorporation of the vocals of opera singer Kathleen Battle and dramatic orchestration underscore the emotional power of the song brilliantly.

Copyright: A&M Records

4. “Nasty” (Control). It may have been the title track of this album that was intended to announce Janet’s ferocious emancipation, but it is this one that truly does it (at least for me). With its hard and aggressive beats, unrepentant lyrics, and confident delivery, “Nasty” announces Janet’s arrival as a major musical force to be reckoned with. It’s also one of the greatest songs of the 1980s. (Iconic lyrics: “I’m not a prude/ I just want some respect/ So close the door if you want me to respond/ ’Cause privacy is my middle name/ My last name is control/ No my first name ain’t baby/ It’s Janet, Miss Jackson if you’re nasty.”)

3. “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” (Rhythm Nation). This song does not have profound lyrics (she’s telling her lover that even though she could have her pick of men and others doubt their longevity, she remains devoted to him). But it does have an epic, percussion-heavy production; a commanding bridge full of chants; a cinematic outro; and a superb vocal performance that starts in her lowest register and then gradually scales higher and higher into ecstasy. Many songs in Janet’s catalogue feel unnecessarily long. This isn’t one of them. It earns every second of its nearly six minute running time. This is just about as flawless as pop music gets.

2. “If” (janet.). This song was perhaps most notable at the time of its release for being the most sexually provocative thing she had recorded to date. But it is so much more than sex. It is a ferocious bid for female empowerment. It is a fusion of a mind boggling number of genres and sub-genres including (but not limited to) rock, hip hop, electronica, industrial music, and new jack swing. It samples Diana Ross & the Supremes’ classic “Someday We’ll Be Together.” It utilizes insane guitar riffs and a mid-song instrumental breakdown that leaves the listener breathless. It features one of Janet’s most complex and impressive vocal performances, oscillating between rapid spoken word and soulful wailing. It is one of the most singular, epic, and impressive songs not just of her catalogue but of all music released in the last 30 years.

Copyright: A&M Records

1. “Rhythm Nation” (Rhythm Nation). Not many music critics or die-hard Janet fans choose “Rhythm Nation” when asked to name her best song, but for me it’s not even a question. Its socially conscious lyrics are an impassioned call-to-arms demanding that people to come together to put an end to racism, fascism, and a variety of social ills. With its unmistakable bass groove (lifted from a Sly and the Family Stone song), the song takes on a fittingly aggressive, militant feel that was memorably described by Entertainment Weekly as evoking “a chorus line of stormtroopers.” It is one of the most radical hits ever by a mainstream pop artist in terms of production and lyrical content and also one of the most timeless and flawless dance songs ever produced. I have probably heard this song close to 1,000 times and it never ceases to stop me in my tracks and leave me electrified.