The Velvet Rope

The Velvet Rope is the sixth studio album by American singer Janet Jackson. The album was released on October 7, 1997 through Virgin Records. It was the last album that Jackson would use her full name on the title. The Velvet Rope was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Reviews

The Velvet Rope received mixed to positive reviews.

Track listing

Samples
 "Velvet Rope" samples "Hobo Scratch" by Malcolm McLaren and The World Famous Supreme Team and "Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield.
 "You" samples "The Cisco Kid" by War.
 "Got 'til It's Gone" samples "Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell.
 "My Need" samples "Love Hangover" by Diana Ross and "You're All I Need to Get By" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
 "Together Again" samples "Bridge Zone"  by Yuzo Koshiro.
 "Free Xone" samples "Think (About It)" by Lyn Collins, "Tighten Up" by Archie Bell & the Drells, and "Joyous" by Pleasure.

Personnel
Credits adapted from AllMusic.[ Credits: The Velvet Rope]. AllMusic. Retrieved November 21, 2010.

Musicians

 David Barry – guitar
 Lee Blaske – string arrangements
 Jan Chong – violin
 Carolyn Daws – violin
 Hanley Daws – violin
 Glen Donnellen – viola
 Lynne Erickson – trumpet
 Charles Gray – viola
 Alyssa Hanson – vocals
 Rayvaline Harrell – choir director
 Shawnette Heard – vocals
 Camilla Heller – cello
 Joshua Koestenbaum – cello
 Kelly Konno – vocals
 Tina Landon – vocals
 Brenda Mickens – violin
 Joni Mitchell – performer
 Debbie Morrison – vocals
 Dale Newton – cello

 Willie R. Norwood – choir director
 Alice Preves – viola
 Prof. T. – vocals
 Q-Tip – rap, performer
 Myrna Rain – viola
 Nicholas Raths – guitar
 Gary Raynor – bass
 Alexander Richbourg – vocals, drum programming, rhythm arrangements
 Miko Salone – vocals
 Mike Scott – guitar
 Leslie Shank – violin
 Daryl Skobba – cello
 Liz Sobieski – violin
 Mike Sobieski – violin
 Daria Tedeschi – violin
 United Children's Choir – choir, chorus
 Vanessa-Mae – violin, performer
 James "Big Jim" Wright – organ, keyboards, vocals, rhythm arrangements

Production

 Flavia Cureteu – design
 Steve Durkee – assistant engineer
 Rene Elizondo, Jr. – executive producer
 Brian Gardner – mastering
 Steve Gerdes – design
 Steve Hodge – engineer, mixing
 Ken Holmen – clarinet, flute, saxophone
 Janet Jackson – vocals, background vocals, producer, executive producer, vocal arrangement, rhythm arrangements
 Jimmy Jam – producer, vocal arrangement, rhythm arrangements

 Tim Lauber – engineer, assistant engineer
 Terry Lewis – producer, vocal arrangement, rhythm arrangements
 Michael McCoy – assistant engineer
 Mike Ozdozzi – mastering assistant
 Len Peltier – art direction
 Xavier Smith – assistant engineer
 Mario Testino – photography
 Ellen von Unwerth – photography
 Bradley Yost – assistant engineer

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (1997–98)PeakpositionAustralian Albums (ARIA)4Austrian Albums (IFPI)9Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)11Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)14Canadian Albums (Billboard)2Danish Albums (Tracklisten)1Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)3European Albums (European Top 100)4Finland Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)19French Albums (SNEP)5German Albums (Official Top 100)5Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)40Italian Albums (FIMI)11Japanese Albums (Oricon)10New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)8Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)4South African Albums Chart1Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)10Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)4Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)5United Kingdom Albums (OCC)6US Billboard 2001US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums2US Billboard Catalog Albums30

Year-end charts
Chart (1997)PositionAustralian Albums Chart42Belgian Albums Chart (Wallonia)85US Billboard 200 (SoundScan)115Chart (1998)PositionAustralian Albums Chart82Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)43Belgian Albums Chart (Wallonia)39Canadian Albums Chart34Dutch Albums Chart20French Albums Chart17Italian Albums Chart42Swiss Albums Chart43US Billboard 20027

Certifications

References

Category:1997 albums
Category:Janet Jackson albums
Category:Dance albums
Category:Hip hop soul albums
Category:R&B albums
Category:Virgin Records albums