It's The Pleasure Princi-POLL -- ILM Artist Poll #103 -- JANET JACKSON Results Thread

https://i.gifer.com/2PTM.gif

Let's go!

😠😠😠😠😠😠YES😠😠😠😠😠😠

get it

But first, a short interlude.

With three ballots, here are the top three Janet interludes:

3. INTRO (from All for You, 2001; 14 points; 2 votes) [tie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZNDeNtlVNI

3. LET'S DANCE (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 14 points; 2 votes) [tie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-h_MQBaYZA

2. T.V. (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 19 points; 2 votes; 1 first-place vote)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNNXQVFCdgM

what could possibly be #1?????

1. SPEAKER PHONE (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 28 points; 3 votes; 2 first-place votes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4_m1qXxWsA

You #1 gon' swell up and fall apart.

Get the point? Good, let's remix.

Actually, with three ballots and almost no overlap between ballots, here are the full results.

1	If (Kaytranada Remix)	12	2
2	Go Deep [Masters At Work Remix]	10	1
2	Miss You Much (Oh I Like That Mix)	10	1
2	Alright (R&B Remix feat. Heavy D)	10	1
5	Alright (CJ Mackintosh House Mix)	9	1
5	Diamonds (Cool Summer Mix)	9	1
5	Escapade (Shep's Houscapade)	9	1
8	If (Brothers In Rhythm House Mix)	8	1
8	If (Adult Radio Mix)	8	1
8	Rockaway - J Dilla	8	1
11	Nasty (Cool Summer Mix)	7	1
11	Call On Me (Disclosure Remix)	7	1
11	Moon Boots - Sugar	7	1
14	Throb (Morales Bad Yard Club)	6	1

And, since I forgot to share earlier, here are the full results for interludes:

1	Interlude: Speaker Phone	28	3
2	Interlude: T.V.	19	2
3	Interlude: Intro	14	2
3	Interlude: Let's Dance	14	2
5	Interlude: Livin'... In Complete Darkness	9	1
5	Interlude: 2WayForYou	9	1
7	Interlude: Are You Still Up	8	1
8	Interlude: Promise	7	1
9	Interlude: Pledge	6	1
9	Interlude: Back	6	1

lol I think if I got my shit together enough to do remixes they'd all be stuff that wasn't on that list. Seriously, no one voted for "I Get Lonely (TNT Remix)"????

Only voted for tracks; could have plausibly put together album and video ballots, and possibly should have. The interludes, though, are just a nuisance and I usually skip them or program them out (actually had a playlist called "Janet sans Interludes" for the purposes of re-listening/organizing my ballot).

sorry stevie yr psychic hotline was closed

i thought everyone would vote for remixes!
oh well, i didnt vote for any interludes

Fabulous thread title

I'm pretty sure that someone here (Stevie?) put together a playlist that was ONLY Janet interludes once.

ha I didn't make it but I did search for and find it already made on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/42bXt23aO5Nkmqz57d3de0?si=niezKh6JQbK4aLXcChHQUA

Next in line, according to the number of voters (5), music videos!

9. THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE (1987; 23 points; 2 votes) [tie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-gu1KETjVY

9. THAT'S THE WAY LOVE GOES (23 points; 2 votes) [tie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b_KfAGiglc

aaaaaaaaaaaaa

thats the way love goes video is great. i really just wanted to kick it in that room with all those people, well mostly janet. really warm and inviting, good lighting. has aged really well i think.

I'm surprised "That's The Way Love Goes" is so low, it's such a moooood (also, J Lo)

I def love the vibe of that video but I also like other videos of hers better too idk

8. GO DEEP (1998; 25 points; 2 votes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjs7Vwf3t_E

7. ESCAPADE (1990; 25 points; 3 votes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFX3gQHIroU

I discovered the "Go Deep" video going thru all her videos for this poll and I was blown away, I think it was my #2

The "Go Deep" video rules

All that Requiem for a Dream shoulder-cam tho.

Wow haven't thought about that "Go Deep" vid for like 20 years. Very fun, very late '90s

ahh man, the 'go deep' video. . . the things one forgets! i think that's one case where the video really sold the song for me. i was lukewarm on it as part of the album, but after seeing the video a few times, i reassessed and surmised that it's a solid groove.

6. IF (32 points; 3 votes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTSd4vqnMwo

5. When I Think of You (1986; 36 points; 3 votes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaleKN9GQ54

(Need to take an hour. Will come back then with the final four videos and launch into albums.

I didn't vote for videos and now I'm mad that "That's the Way Love Goes" was so low but I have nobody but myself to blame.

IF video TOO LOW

Wow, somehow I have...never seen that awesome Julian Temple-directed "When I Think of You" video! I'm a sucker for "one-shot" stuff (even/especially if it's easy to see some of the cuts)

yeah i hadn't either. amazing!

i cried when the cops arrested the old white guy instead of the street dancers at the end

lol I read that the wrong way at first

Haha, me too. Yeesh.

4. RHYTHM NATION (1989; 39 points; 3 votes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAwaNWGLM0c

how was that not #1!

(BTW, that's the single song video, not the VHS "LP" thing.)

Sorry, forgot to include 1 first-place vote for both "When I Think Of You" and "Rhythm Nation."

03. LOVE WILL NEVER DO (WITHOUT YOU) (1990; 47 points; 4 votes; 1 first-place vote)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63zEDkg351c

02. ALRIGHT (1990; 48 points; 4 votes; 1 first-place vote)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8UidwWPin4

01. GOT 'TIL IT'S GONE (1997; 56 points; 4 votes; 1 first-place vote)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn6KpNLbUFk

what in the world

i think "love will never do {without you)" would have been my #1. so simple and beautiful - salt flats, bodies, light

I didn't give "Got 'Til It's Gone" it's first-place vote, but I absolutely endorse it in the top spot tbh.

And now for albums, which had waaaaay more participation.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f4/Janet_Jackson_20_Y.O..png

09. 20 Y.O. (2006; 6 points; 1 vote)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/34/Janet_Jackson_Discipline.png

08. DISCIPLINE (2008; 7 points; 1 vote)

My big albums question: given all the stumping in the voting thread, can Damito Jo overtake a classic (All For You, janet., Control?) and make it into the Top 5?

i mentioned this in the voting thread, but 'got til it's gone' was such a huge moment for me and the video is burned into my memory. i didn't submit a videos ballot, but that would have been my #1 if i had.

hey! i was the one vote for discipline!

I suppose the fact I was one of the 3 who voted for remixes but didn't vote for albums reveals the type of Janet fan I am. Still excited for the tracks rundown and enjoyed the deep dive

But some of those 90s house remixes really are among the finest examples of the form

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c9/Janet_Jackson_-_Damita_Jo.png

07. DAMITA JO (2004; 63 points; 9 votes)

xp to or something: so, when this is all rolled out, you wanna share a playlist or recommend some good ones?

because i'm admittedly very ignorant on most of her remixes and would like to not be.

My big albums question: given all the stumping in the voting thread, can Damito Jo overtake a classic (All For You, janet., Control?) and make it into the Top 5?

Not quite, as it turned out ... but for a little while it got close.

i didn't vote for damita jo, but i did enjoy listening to it a few times. she's certainly got better albums, but it's way better than its reputation. like, its reputation would have one believe that it's not even listenable past a couple songs and that's really not the case.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c6/Janet_Jackson_-_Unbreakable_%28Official_Album_Cover%29.png

06. UNBREAKABLE (2015; 82 points; 13 votes)

Xp to Austin

This was my ballot:

Miss You Much (Oh I Like That Mix)
Alright (CJ Mackintosh House Mix)
If (Brothers In Rhythm House Mix)
Nasty (Cool Summer Mix)
Throb (Morales Bad Yard Club)
That's The Way Love Goes (CJ FXTC Club Mix)
R&B Drunkie - Mark E
Escapade (Shep's Housecapade Remix)
You Want This (E Smoove's House Anthem)
Rhythm Nation (12" House Nation Mix)

All apart from the CJ Mackintosh House Mix of Alright are on Spotify, here's a link to the YouTube of that one:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EaI954eZqdg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2c/Janet_Jackson_-_All_for_You_%28album%29.png

05. ALL FOR YOU (2001; 110 points; 14 votes)

Of all the albums I came back to for review in this poll, I think All for You is the one that most pleasantly surprised me. So many songs that I had written off as B-minus Jam/Lewis/Jackson material, so many songs right up there with the peaks of the prior four studio albums.

Same here.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e6/Janetperiod1993.png

04. janet. (1993; 114 points; 15 votes)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/ff/Janet_Jackson_-_Control.png

03. CONTROL (1986; 181points; 22 votes; 8 first-place votes)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/91/Janet_Jackson_Rhythm_Nation_1814.png

02. RHYTHM NATION 1814 (1989; 192 points; 22 votes; 3 first-place votes)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a7/The_Velvet_Rope.png

01. THE VELVET ROPE (1997; 199 points; 22 votes; 11 first-place votes)

As you can see, the top three were basically jostling positions for the entirety of the balloting period.

wow

I ultimately voted for Unbreakable as my number 5 choice over All For You, but it was incredibly close.

Top 4 is the same as my ordering. Very close results for the top 3!

I ultimately voted for Unbreakable as my number 5 choice over All For You, but it was incredibly close.

Top 4 is the same as my ordering. Very close results for the top 3!

All for You had a first-place vote (from me) I believe? I could never be convinced it's not her best at this point, much as I love that top four.

Crap, yup, All For You actually had two first-place votes. No other album had any first-place votes, tho if I’m to be honest, on any other day I could’ve tossed my top spot to janet.

boooo!!! no way is velvet rope her best album!

here's my albums ballot:

1. Rhythm Nation
2. Control
3. All for You
4. Discipline
5. Unbreakable

also,

Miss You Much (Oh I Like That Mix)
Alright (CJ Mackintosh House Mix)
If (Brothers In Rhythm House Mix)
Nasty (Cool Summer Mix)
Throb (Morales Bad Yard Club)
That's The Way Love Goes (CJ FXTC Club Mix)
R&B Drunkie - Mark E
Escapade (Shep's Housecapade Remix)
You Want This (E Smoove's House Anthem)
Rhythm Nation (12" House Nation Mix)

All apart from the CJ Mackintosh House Mix of Alright are on Spotify, here's a link to the YouTube of that one:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EaI954eZqdg

― or something, Monday, August 3, 2020 4:48

awesome, thank you!

While I love a missive from Contraristan, I'm not sure I can accept remonstrations from someone who voted for Discipline ahead of Janet (and I love at least half of the former).

those are 9 amazing albums

my ballot:
1. rhythm nation 1814
2. the velvet rope
3. damita jo
4. all for you
5. control

Let's go!

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/77.jpeg

77. ENJOY (from 20 Y.O., 2006; 222 points; 5 votes)

Beautiful art!

(Thank Spottie for stepping up on that front!)

annoying tune imo but i'm here for some 20 yo representation

Haha, I could see a 20 Y.O. stan drawing the line with "Enjoy."

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/76.jpeg

76. ROLLERCOASTER (from Discipline, 2008; 236 points; 6 votes)

two songs i voted for so far.

also agreed: these graphics are great!

The album results were pretty much expected. I have a lot of time for Velvet Rope but I've never quite understood why so many people rate it as her best. I didn't end up putting it in my top five.

Happy to see All For You have good amount of support. As others have said, that album was a bit of a revelation when revising before voting. Same goes for Damita Jo which ended up taking a few spots on my tracks list. It's such a beautiful and breezy listen with barely any filler.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/75.jpeg

75. LOVE SCENE (OOH BABY) (from All For You, 2001; 238 points; 5 votes)

aces graphic work here spottie!

Love Scene is gorgeous. Ended up voting for most of the ballads on All For You.

I think I voted half of the ballad suite. Could easily have given all four a vote tho.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/74.jpeg

74. SAY YOU DO (from Janet Jackson, 1982; 247.5 points; 7 votes)

okay I was not taking anyone seriously re: appreciating Janet's first two albums but "Say You Do" is a fukkin bop
― shout-out to his family (DJP), Wednesday, July 15, 2020 12:05 PM (two weeks ago)

I stand by that post

Definitely my favorite jam of the first two albums.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/73.jpeg

73. COME ON GET UP (from All For You, 2001; 248 points; 5 votes)

"Come On Get Up" is the sound of a dead party desperately trying to lift off.
― Boven is het stil (Eric H.), Sunday, August 18, 2013 2:16 PM (six years ago)

(News flash, I was a total asshole and utterly wrong throughout the All For You thread.)

started a spotify list here:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6hS0aFHxLai83916ixqziO?si=oa-cojc6Tq-WMoDt0aRSlg

(You read my mind. Was just about to post one.)

Extrapolating "crazy for you" from the lyrics there was an awesome call, Spottie.

I'm so happy to see "Say You Do" place!!! I wonder how many more from the first two albums will pop up??

73. COME ON GET UP (from All For You, 2001; 248 points; 5 votes)

"Come On Get Up" is the sound of a dead party desperately trying to lift off.
― Boven is het stil (Eric H.), Sunday, August 18, 2013 2:16 PM (six years ago)

(News flash, I was a total asshole and utterly wrong throughout the All For You thread.)

i feel like you're still right about this one

I'm so happy to see "Say You Do" place!!! I wonder how many more from the first two albums will pop up??

hoping for "if it takes all night"

xp yeah I am still an asshole

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/72.jpeg

72. FUNKY BIG BAND (from janet., 1993; 253.5 points; 6 votes)

i think my favorite run on the record is funky big band -> new agenda -> because of love, though
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Friday, July 3, 2020 1:18 PM (one month ago)

Of all the songs I voted for today, this one got the most points, by a lot. Still blows the lid off Lucas with the lid off.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/71.jpeg

71. LIKE YOU DON’T LOVE ME (from Damita Jo, 2004; 255 points; 5 votes)

some of the production/guitar playing on this record is as lush as anything in her discography... the stretch from "like you don't love me" (great song) thru "moist" is colored by these curlicue guitar lines that kinda snake up like steam from a grate.
― J0rdan S., Saturday, February 16, 2019 11:15 PM (one year ago)

WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY TOO LOW

I love the idea of reading these lyrics and speculating about what the song itself might sound like, and then hearing it and realizing just how much of a sonic sidestep they pulled off here.

DO ME LIKE YOU WANNA DO THEM OTHER GIRLS

you're up at 3 in the morn
watchin that triple X porn
but you're so tired when you make love to me
what did you learn?

DAMN! is that all i get from you?

should be top 20

DAMN! is that all i get from you?

this song to all you lot tbh

That's the fire!

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/70.jpeg

70. EVERY TIME (from The Velvet Rope, 2006; 256 points; 7 votes)

There's not much to dislike on it (though if I recall "Every Time" is "Again v. 2.0" but not nearly as good)
― Tim F, Sunday, October 19, 2008 12:05 AM (eleven years ago)

(To Tim's assessment, here's where I admit to thinking they did it better second time at bat.)

If only because the of the last 5 seconds, when the instrumentation of wan balladry is suddenly stripped away, suddenly leaving behind a husk of sexy electro-R&B tension that's evident nowhere else in the track.

Its better than "Again.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/69.jpeg

69. WOULD YOU MIND (from All For You, 2001; 257 points; 5 votes)

no discussion of how eyebrow-raising "would you mind" is?
― lex pretend, Sunday, August 18, 2013 1:53 PM (six years ago)

I think Janet would approve of that position.

Haha. That actually happened?!

Janet would approve many positions.

Well done, I see your career rising in the east like the sun.

Oh wow, that's perfect.

Hahahaha
I had it in my top 10 but that's placement is too perfect

nice

My hunch is that photo is from the All For You your lap dance routine, but it looks like Mr. Self-Destruct.

Taking a midday break and will wrap the other 8 in a bit.

My hunch is that photo is from the All For You your lap dance routine

― Get the point? Good, let's dance with nunchaku. (Eric H.), Tuesday, August 4, 2020 11:28 AM (twenty-nine minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

correct. the placement of this track is truly perfection.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/68.jpeg

68. FEEDBACK (from Discipline, 2008; 264 points; 5 votes)

"Feedback" is straight fire
― shout-out to his family (DJP), Wednesday, July 8, 2020 8:18 AM (three weeks ago)

"Feedback" is straight fire.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/67.jpeg

67. BETTER DAYS (from All For You, 2001; 264 points; 6 votes)

So let's not really get down....BECAUSE JANET IS THE QUEEN! In 1993 she said in the Vibe Magazine what she thought about Madonna and it wasn't too nice, it wasn't nice at all to be honest! Janet has no reason to hate on Madonna! She is successful and has enough money to take care of herself for the rest of her life, not her and her kids (because she doesn't have any)! But let's not talk about Janet, because I will respond!!!!! QUEEN OF POP.....JANET! Rolling Stones, BET, Vibe, and even VH-1 has stated Janet is the Queen of Pop! MTV has said Madonna was, but then again they have also said Janet was!! But Janet been called the title by more people (magazines, television programs) than Madonna has! It' been so many others who have called Janet the Queen of Pop! She and her brother, Micheal are the KING & QUEEN OF POP! It just runs in the family! They are royalty to the music industry! Janet all the way!!
― Alfonse, Friday, July 27, 2001 7:00 PM (nineteen years ago)

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/67.jpeg

67. BETTER DAYS (from All For You, 2001; 264 points; 6 votes)

So let's not really get down....BECAUSE JANET IS THE QUEEN! In 1993 she said in the Vibe Magazine what she thought about Madonna and it wasn't too nice, it wasn't nice at all to be honest! Janet has no reason to hate on Madonna! She is successful and has enough money to take care of herself for the rest of her life, not her and her kids (because she doesn't have any)! But let's not talk about Janet, because I will respond!!!!! QUEEN OF POP.....JANET! Rolling Stones, BET, Vibe, and even VH-1 has stated Janet is the Queen of Pop! MTV has said Madonna was, but then again they have also said Janet was!! But Janet been called the title by more people (magazines, television programs) than Madonna has! It' been so many others who have called Janet the Queen of Pop! She and her brother, Micheal are the KING & QUEEN OF POP! It just runs in the family! They are royalty to the music industry! Janet all the way!!
― Alfonse, Friday, July 27, 2001 7:00 PM (nineteen years ago)

Just gonna start pulling quotes from the Madonna vs. Janet thread when I can't find anything better (days).

i remember liking feedback at the time but dont think its aged well.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/66.jpeg

66. TAKE CARE (from 20 Y.O., 2006; 266 points; 7 votes)

"take care" is the best song ever and i'm def voting for "do it 2 me" as well
― uberweiss, Monday, July 13, 2020 1:48 PM (three weeks ago) bookmarkflaglink

"take care" and "do it 2 me" are the other incredibly amazing songs on there
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Monday, July 13, 2020 2:00 PM (three weeks ago)

“Feedback” is great but I feel that Electrik Red’s “W.F.U” is a superior version of the same idea and I suspect that Janet herself would agree if asked. Also there are like five better songs on Discipline, which I’m not sure anyone would predict without listening to the album.

“Better Days” is lovely and I wish there were more songs like it.

The outro to "Better Days" is pretty jawdropping. (Reminds me of the outro to "Break You Off.")

I like "Feedback" but it's basically a Pussycat Dolls song

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/65.jpeg

65. 2NITE (from Discipline, 2008; 271 points; 7 votes)

"rock with u" is amazing but consider: "2nite"
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Wednesday, July 8, 2020 10:45 PM (three weeks ago)

^^^^ YES this song is amazing

"take care" deserved the world. pure opulence!

my #3

always sound
sensuous
any time we pillow talk

love this delivery

YEARNING inside with this BURNING desire

uberweiss, your ballot was truly the business.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/64.jpeg

64. I WANT YOU (from Damita Jo, 2004; 279 points; 7 votes)

"I Want You" isn't on there anymore? I guess that's just as well...it sounded like she just asked Kanye to do the same thing he did for Alicia Keys, but she really doesn't have the voice for it.
― Al (sitcom), Thursday, March 18, 2004 10:41 AM (sixteen years ago)

"I Want You" is so fucking great
― KIP malone (The Reverend), Thursday, April 28, 2011 10:44 PM (nine years ago)

I'm sure I liked this track at the time, but ... yeah ... Kanye.

yea this is the skip on damita jo for me

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/63.jpeg

63. THE GREAT FOREVER (from Unbreakable, 2015; 282 points; 8 votes)

ctrl-f "The Great Forever"
what the hell is wrong with all of you
― I Am Curious (Dolezal) (DJP), Monday, October 5, 2015 4:57 PM (four years ago)

that song is wonderful, i've had it in my head for three straight days
― insufficiently familiar with xgau's work to comment intelligently (BradNelson), Monday, October 5, 2015 4:59 PM (four years ago)

'better days', 'take care', and '2nite' — three songs that just missed my ballot. if i had expanded to 35 picks, all three definitely would have made it.

omg what a tune

still
it
might sound strange to you
YAH!

believe

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/62.jpeg

62. CHINA LOVE (from All For You, 2001; 290 points; 5 votes)

as opposed to the rest of the world, i think that "All For You" (the album) is rather consistent and overall excellent, with that rarest of things - a killer four ballad sequence (esp. "China Love" - as ornate and vividly exotic as Timbaland's finest out-there ballads).

― Mind Taker, Thursday, March 18, 2004 9:22 AM (sixteen years ago)

dude, going deep into old janet threads to get quotes is above and beyond. well done!

I was hoping Better Days would be a bit higher. My favourite closer of hers and it ended up just missing out on my top 10. It's just the kind of song I've needed over the last few months.

China Love, I Want You and All Nite made my list too. Great run today.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/61.jpeg

61. NEW AGENDA (from janet., 1993; 303 points; 7 votes)

I was thinking what was the consensus of Janet Jackson on ilm now. I'm glad there is still some love of her in this board. I know in the early 2000s threads they were very cruel about her. Also, I think the gripes about her interludes are much to do about nothing. On later albums they don't go with the concepts of the albums well but during her "peak" years they enhanced aforementioned concept. From the intro to "New Agenda" is probably the best streak of songs on a 90s pop album.
― Okay Pet Shop Boys Aren't That Bad. (lilsoulbrother), Monday, 21 February 2011 23:08 (nine years ago)

And here's today's installment recapped:

77. ENJOY (from 20 Y.O., 2006; 222 points; 5 votes)
76. ROLLERCOASTER (from Discipline, 2008; 236 points; 6 votes)
75. LOVE SCENE (OOH BABY) (from All For You, 2001; 238 points; 5 votes)
74. SAY YOU DO (from Janet Jackson, 1982; 247.5 points; 7 votes)
73. COME ON GET UP (from All For You, 2001; 248 points; 5 votes)
72. FUNKY BIG BAND (from janet., 1993; 253.5 points; 6 votes)
71. LIKE YOU DON’T LOVE ME (from Damita Jo, 2004; 255 points; 5 votes)
70. EVERY TIME (from The Velvet Rope, 2006; 256 points; 7 votes)
69. WOULD YOU MIND (from All For You, 2001; 257 points; 5 votes)
68. FEEDBACK (from Discipline, 2008; 264 points; 5 votes)
67. BETTER DAYS (from All For You, 2001; 264 points; 6 votes)
66. TAKE CARE (from 20 Y.O., 2006; 266 points; 7 votes)
65. 2NITE (from Discipline, 2008; 271 points; 7 votes)
64. I WANT YOU (from Damita Jo, 2004; 279 points; 7 votes)
63. THE GREAT FOREVER (from Unbreakable, 2015; 282 points; 8 votes)
62. CHINA LOVE (from All For You, 2001; 290 points; 5 votes)
61. NEW AGENDA (from janet., 1993; 303 points; 7 votes)

"The Great Forever" is proof that Jam-Lewis don't come up with the concepts.

Today's run is a great assemblage of Janet deep cuts.

Love "The Great Forever" so much, that and "Should've Known Better" and "Black Eagle" really create this philosophical gloss to Unbreakable that lift it above being just a collection of mostly great songs.

brilliant rollout today, eric! can't wait for the rest!

Yeah, great start today. Voted for Say You Do (7-minute version was my greatest discovery during voting), Every Time (cruelly pitting similar-ish songs against each other helped me narrow things down, and I agree it's > Again ;), Take Care, The Great Forever. Should've included Come On Get Up, Would You Mind, Better Days, but All for You was already over-represented on my ballot. Wait, is that possible?

TS Take Care: Janet vs. Big Star vs. Beach House vs. Deerhunter vs...

wow "come on get up" is way too low, such a great single. i really love that early 00s dance-pop sound

"better days" is really beautiful and has those fantastic backing vocals and guitar solo, also very underrated

"the great forever" is really elevated by the bridge which is an incredible moment

“New Agenda” was in or close to my top 5, SOOOO incredible and I still can’t believe it wasn’t a single and that it isn’t a fan favorite.

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 rub me of my humanity

I voted for it, is what I’m trying to say.

(I’m sure I’m just having a momentary blank, but the only Stevie Wonder sample she ever used, too, maybe? And what an outré choice.)

'China Love' is way way too low.
But great run!

Loving the rollout. "Enjoy" was a great way to kick off things - had never heard it before and I'm sorry not sorry annoying neighbour that I was digging it so much.

...and if anyone's looking for a fun break from all things Janet, they’re welcome to participate in this poll:

🇳🇬 NAIJA SPECIAL: which of these *seven* current high-profile Nigerian hit songs is the best one? please help me decide

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/60_truth.jpeg

60. TRUTH (from All For You, 2001; 308 points; 6 votes)

really amazing album track buried in all for you: "truth"
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Sunday, July 5, 2020 9:30 AM (one month ago)

'Truth' is such an incredible song.
― Nourry, Wednesday, July 8, 2020 12:41 PM (four weeks ago)

love this song, so gentle. prob my fav production job on all for you

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/59_luv.jpeg

59. LUV (from Discipline, 2008; 381 points; 7 votes)

Currently in "Discipline is 10x better than I realized" mode, wow @ "Luv" -> "Rock with U"
― geoffreyess, Thursday, July 2, 2020 11:10 PM (one month ago)

'luv' is a serious jam. top twenty on my ballot.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/58_whoopsnow.jpeg

58. WHOOPS NOW (from janet., 1993; 327 points; 9 votes)

I'm wondering what people think of Whoops Now? It was really sounding so joyful to me walking home in the heat today. Her saying "tiddlywinks" is a career high point.
― kitchen person, Monday, July 6, 2020 8:29 PM (four weeks ago)

Just found out that Whoops Now didn't even get into the R&B chart in the US (was it even a single there?) and um what!?
― Anti-Cop Ponceortium (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Tuesday, July 7, 2020 3:39 PM (four weeks ago)

nice!

First thing of mine to place! Such a joyous track.

(great image for "Truth," btw)

I have had Whoops Now in my head since last week, it’s such a sweet song!

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/57_diamonds.jpeg

57. DIAMONDS (with Herb Alpert, 1987; 332 points; 6 votes)

I have always loved this song
― BO (DJP), Friday, 10 December 2010 15:21 (nine years ago)

As good as the hits on Control.
― LeRooLeRoo, Wednesday, 23 January 2013 06:54 (seven years ago)

alas one of the '80s forgotten hits

It has the sound of an Imperial Phase hit for Jam-Lewis ("I know -- let's get Herb Alpert to blow his horn and Janet to sing the hook").

For me, it's the Cool Summer Remix of this track that is, as LeRoo says, as good as the hits on Control.

Still, "It melted, nice try."

I voted for Diamonds as the last spot on my ballot. Cool song, but barely a Janet song, in the end.

My highest showing song so far is "Every Time" - my second favorite song on Velvet Rope and absolutely one of Janet's best ballads. Too low.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/56_whatabout.jpeg

56. WHAT ABOUT (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 335.5 points; 6 votes)

"What About" doesn't work as a song necessarily but what a great trick generally - and the choruses are a good reminder of how fun Janet's contributions to "Scream" were.
― Tim F, Sunday, October 19, 2008 12:05 AM (eleven years ago)

ranking this hurt but here we go
what about
i get lonely
go deep
velvet rope
free xone
you
empty
my need
can't be stopped
rope burn
special
together again
anything
tonight's the night
every time
got til it's gone
― lex pretend, Thursday, January 15, 2015 12:14 PM (five years ago)

She almost trips on a couple of lines in the chorus, but what a track. More rock songs should emulate its knock-kneed sway.

lol i hate that song. always have.

I'm actually still shocked by lex's rankings there.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/55_unbreakable.jpeg

55. UNBREAKABLE (from Unbreakable, 2015; 353 points; 8 votes)

ahhhh i'm so glad it's good. "unbreakable" (the song) is my jam
― carly bae jepsen (monotony), Wednesday, September 30, 2015 7:55 PM (four years ago)

all three of the singles (BURNITUP, Unbreakable, No Sleeep [preferably minus Cole but he don't fuck it up too badly]) hold up to repeat listening super well; I have been playing all three more or less into the ground.
― Meta Forksclove-Liebeskind (forksclovetofu), Sunday, October 4, 2015 2:07 PM (four years ago)

"What About" is also my favorite song on Velvet Rope, just like Lex. I had it in my top 10. I see that i have very different opinions on Velvet Rope than the other voteers.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/54_feelssoright.jpeg

54. FEELS SO RIGHT (from All For You, 2001; 368 points; 8 votes)

i know i repped for "trust" earlier but "feels so right" may be even better. all for you: a great album
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Tuesday, July 7, 2020 3:17 PM (four weeks ago)

Was just thinking that if "Feels So Right" had shown up in, say, the back half of Erykah Badu's "Cain't Use My Phone" EP I'd still be spinning it weekly to this day.
― Get the point? Good, let's dance with nunchaku. (Eric H.), Thursday, July 9, 2020 8:12 PM (three weeks ago)

^^^^^ kept moving up my ballot with each listen until I think it landed in my top 25.

is the whole tracklist of all for you going to show up eventually????

^^^^^ kept moving up my ballot with each listen until I think it landed in my top 25.

― Get the point? Good, let's dance with nunchaku. (Eric H.), Wednesday, August 5, 2020 10:47 AM (six minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

same

when I downloaded AFY to listen to on my walks during a Sanibel vacation two weeks ago, "Feels So Right" became a favorite.

Whoa, I really expected "Unbreakable" to place higher (and I thought "Feedback" was way more beloved than it apparently is)

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/53_ropeburn.jpeg

53. ROPE BURN (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 374 points; 9 votes)

first off, janet has been in the business for over 28 years and a superstar for 15 and still going strong. her latest all for you has killer singles and don't even tell me about the title track. it's blazing with a capitol "b." and as far as the velvet rope being boring goes...pullleeezze!! the songs on there are so much more sensual and sexy than any of maddie's cold erotica stuff that it's not even funny. an indifferent grunt over a kool and the gang sample (erotica) is not as nearly as hot as a diana ross sample over smooth melodic beats (velvet rope's my need) or the come-hitherness found in rope burn or anything. nuff said.
― Dave M., Saturday, August 18, 2001 7:00 PM (eighteen years ago)

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/52_trustatry.jpeg

52. TRUST A TRY (from All For You, 2001; 375 points; 11 votes)

i am kinda digging rediscovering Janet's ROCKIN THE FUCK OUT tracks,"Trust a Try" is fucking awesome
― Fuck the NRA (ulysses), Thursday, July 9, 2020 11:40 AM (three weeks ago)

this was my major find during the recent oeuvre relisten; I think it's possibly a top ten track for her.

via the All for You wiki

"Trust a Try" was also intended to be released as a single, with Jackson saying, "I'll get around to "Trust a Try," because I love that song." A single version was prepared but was not released, as Virgin Records ceased promotion for all artists on the label following large financial losses from Mariah Carey's Glitter project and recording contract.

I'm so sure.

(Speaking of ripple effects, I just read that the only reason Amy Grant went crossover with Heart in Motion is because A&M found themselves without Janet when she bounced to Virgin, and they were like "OK, Amy, show us what you've got.")

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/51_funnyhowtimeflies.jpeg

51. FUNNY HOW TIME FLIES (WHEN YOU'RE HAVING FUN) (from Control, 1986; 384 points; 9 votes)

janet has almost always had some really good ballads. eg - lets wait a while, funny how time flies, any time any place, etc.
― Yellow Carded (titchyschneiderMk2), Monday, February 23, 2009 8:40 AM (eleven years ago)

The real sleeper on Control for me is that last track - "Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)"
― Bimble, Saturday, September 22, 2007 10:27 PM (twelve years ago)

This got quiet storm airplay, and I still hear it on this format.

brilliant song; it just made my top 20!

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/50_rbjunkie.jpeg

50. R&B JUNKIE (from Damita Jo, 2004; 401 points; 11 votes)

"R&B Junkie" is this album's "All For You" in that it really just cops a vintage sample and does little else in the production department (the sample in question is Evelyn "Champagne" King's "I'm In Love" which is, like, in my all-time Top 10 EVER EVER, so I can't say I mind Janet purring over it). That track, though, I think sets up the album's concept -- she's not exploring sex (as in Janet.'s oh-this-is-new, or TVR's oh-this-is-rough or AFY's oh-this-is-swingin'), but her love of R&B.
― Rich, Thursday, March 18, 2004 8:40 AM (sixteen years ago)

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/49_stateoftheworld.jpeg

49. STATE OF THE WORLD (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 418 points; 10 votes)

Janet is known for her soft singing voice. Janet could hit high notes, she has done it before and she could sing if you just put her on the spot, because she has done that before. Madonna can't!!!! There is nothing wrong with Janet's voice. She has been praised for it. It's WAY better than Madonna's voice, which is mainly studio creation. I know what studio created voice sound like. Take it from someone who has worked in one. Madonna has said she didn't get into the music industry because she thought she had a voice, she got in it for the attention. So that just shows you that she knows she isn't a GOOD singer, BUT you got those fans who don't know any better and are so quick to buy it, like a majority of people on this board. Now about Janet writing skills, whoever said they are weak is just past CRAZY!! She has written some of the best songs in the music industry such as: Growing up and being mature, taking control of your life and not to have and be pressured into having sex if it isn't right to you {that's the album "Control"]....she has talked about racism and prejudice things and people and how people she come together {that's the album "Rhythm Nation1814"}.......she has talked about being and feeling sexy {that's the album "janet."}.....she has talked about the media and rumors and how they just need to leave her [and her brother] alone because they make them want to scream {that's the song "Scream"}......she has talked about dealing with and overcoming depression and being free to be who you really are and she had dedicated a song to her friends she has loss aids to {that's the album "The Velvet Rope"}......she has talked about feeling free, being glad to be single and just confronting people who have done you wrong {that's the album "All for You"}.....And it is many more. So Janet's songs are excellent and always have some kind of meaning to them. And the thing is: she WRITES her songs. She is an excellent song writer. Does Madonna write her own songs???? So let's try not knock Janet down because it is just NO way. If you have something to say about what I type, you'll be wasting your time, but if you do respond, do come correctly and not in a foul manner. I don't have time to argue with anymore dumb ass people on a message board. I don't get paid for this.
― Alfonse, Monday, August 13, 2001 7:00 PM (eighteen years ago)

Good listen on this track: https://chris.molanphy.com/hit-parade-state-of-the-world-edition/

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/48_anything.jpeg

48. ANYTHING (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 428.5 points; 9 votes)

I like how it captures R&B on the verge between the plushness of the mid-nineties and the robotech of the late-nineties, and synthesises the two impulses into a general veneer of expensiveness that says "glamour"
― Tim F, Sunday, October 19, 2008 12:05 AM (eleven years ago)

(Tim was talking about Velvet Rope on the whole there, but I think it applies.)

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/47_thistime.jpeg

47. THIS TIME (from janet., 1993; 429 points; 9 votes)

i have to let it sink in. the break with the opera singing is slightly absurd in the best way possible ever ever ever.
― Surmounter, Wednesday, 15 August 2007 17:36 (twelve years ago)

i can't believe she throws in an opera solo at the end of "this time" and somehow makes it work ("you're dismissed"). and it sits coherently between the pounding house orgy of "throb" and that guitar bridge breakdown in "if". the stylistic ground janet and jam and lewis covered together throughout the 80s and 90s is astonishing.
― prolego, Wednesday, January 14, 2015 4:31 PM (five years ago) bookmarkflaglink

love "This Time." I think I voted for it in the janet poll.
― guess that bundt gettin eaten (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, January 14, 2015 4:33 PM (five years ago)

I didn't vote for it, but it is ridiculous in a way that I admire.

The last half when you think it's over. The song's about her own ambitions on this track: she went too far.

So, she dismisses herself in the end?

Given the evidence an album later on its Rod Stewart cover, I'd say her lover's not the only one who's played around w/those nasty ho's.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/46_brokenheartsheal.jpeg

46. BROKEN HEARTS HEAL (from Unbreakable, 2015; 432.5 points; 10 votes)

the way "broken hearts heal" is the most appropriate mj tribute bc it sounds exported from the boards of off the wall) and, like, that's awesome as hell
― insufficiently familiar with xgau's work to comment intelligently (BradNelson), Friday, October 2, 2015 9:14 AM (four years ago)

That list of Janet's laughs way upthread needs to be updated to include the one from "Broken Hearts Heal." A happier sound than any laugh since "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite."
― Ys Man a.k.a. Have One on G (geoffreyess), Saturday, October 10, 2015 12:07 PM (four years ago)

great accompanying image there

This sounds like the best, most shimmering of music boxes.

top 20 for me. gorgeous song and tribute. when the beat kicks in >

where is brad?

All over the excerpts at any rate.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/45_dammnbaby.jpeg

45. DAMMN BABY (from Unbreakable, 2015; 441.5 points; 10 votes)

"dammn baby" is awesome
― lex pretend, Friday, October 2, 2015 4:01 AM (four years ago)

this may be beside tim's point about damita jo but "dammn baby" sorta realizes the idea of janet's last train to paris for me. which, really it's the jam & lewis version of mustardwave, but that's how it ends up for me regardless
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Thursday, July 9, 2020 6:54 PM (three weeks ago)

Lovely song and sentiment, can't believe I forgot to vote for it

"Broken Hearts Heal", that is

I did, however, find time for this one! Love it, always felt like an unofficial focus track

60. TRUTH (from All For You, 2001; 308 points; 6 votes)

what a song

confession I didnt do any extra listening for this poll soooo most of the rollout so far is songs I havent heard or heard once & forgot about so this has been v educational so far!!

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/44_again.jpeg

44. AGAIN (from janet., 1993; 456 points; 11 votes)

Voted "Again" although this is her worst album before she stopped working with Jam & Lewis.
― Geir Hongro, Saturday, September 29, 2007 8:55 PM (twelve years ago)

never cared for "Again" tbh
― A deeper shade of lol (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, June 27, 2013 7:26 PM (seven years ago)

59. LUV (from Discipline, 2008; 381 points; 7 votes)

i shoulda stopped at the red light CUZ
now i'm like a deer caught in headlights UH

BANGER

he crashed intoooo my heart

ew

The first dud, and I mean it. I can't think of one single since "What Have You Done For Me Lately" that isn't sound, solid except this one.

54. FEELS SO RIGHT (from All For You, 2001; 368 points; 8 votes)

most beautiful song in the world. light as air

deserved top 10!

please don't pull away from me

thatigottabelieve
thatigottabelieve
thatigottabelieve
thatigottabelieve

Yes I do believe that "Again" was 1 of only 2 hit singles from Control through Janet that I didn't vote for.

"This Time" I had at #5. I don't disagree that it overreaches a bit but I respect the effort and it's for the most part overreaching in a good way anyways.

'again' is a bad song. just a completely saccharine, overproduced piece of fluff. no, thank you.

i dont need to hear it again now but it was a pretty big deal to me as a 12 year old

I feel the same way about "Again" as I do "I Just Called To Say I Love You." I'm glad Janet Jackson and Stevie Wonder have an Oscar nomination and win, respectively, even if it's for among my least favorite of their songs.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/43_somedayistonight.jpeg

43. SOMEDAY IS TONIGHT (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 465 points; 11 votes)

Someday Is Tonight is stunning
― yeahhh (surm), Wednesday, March 3, 2010 2:30 PM (ten years ago)

Love the Herb Alpert solo.
― Inculcate a spirit of serfdom in children (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, March 3, 2010 2:31 PM (ten years ago)

Even with all that followed, I think this is still her sexiest song.

yep

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/42_whatsitgonnabe.jpeg

42. WHAT'S IT GONNA BE?! (with Busta Rhymes, 1999; 473 points; 9 votes)

”What's It Gonna Be" - as sweet as fairy floss but quite alien at the same time.
― Tim, Sunday, August 4, 2002 7:00 PM (eighteen years ago)

i totally wanted to vote for 'what's it gonna be' but wasn't sure if it counted, so ultimately did not. i didn't care for that busta album, so bought the 12" and that was literally a piece of vinyl that i wore out. because of the odd time signature and super punchy drums, i used it a lot for fun beat juggling tricks while djing, in between just playing it for listening purposes; both copies i had of the 12" ended up basically unlistenable through all of the surface noise.
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Saturday, July 25, 2020 4:19 PM (one week ago)

TOO LOW

besides just being completely amazing, it has been hugely influential on me in my own music.

seriously a classic song. man!

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/41_lonely.jpeg

41. LONELY (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 483 points; 10 votes)

Just a couple weeks ago, I listened to "Lonely" in full for the first time and was all "whoa, where did this sexy thing come from?"
― Eric H., Friday, September 28, 2007 9:09 PM (twelve years ago)

That concludes today's installment.

77. ENJOY (from 20 Y.O., 2006; 222 points; 5 votes)
76. ROLLERCOASTER (from Discipline, 2008; 236 points; 6 votes)
75. LOVE SCENE (OOH BABY) (from All For You, 2001; 238 points; 5 votes)
74. SAY YOU DO (from Janet Jackson, 1982; 247.5 points; 7 votes)
73. COME ON GET UP (from All For You, 2001; 248 points; 5 votes)
72. FUNKY BIG BAND (from janet., 1993; 253.5 points; 6 votes)
71. LIKE YOU DON’T LOVE ME (from Damita Jo, 2004; 255 points; 5 votes)
70. EVERY TIME (from The Velvet Rope, 2006; 256 points; 7 votes)
69. WOULD YOU MIND (from All For You, 2001; 257 points; 5 votes)
68. FEEDBACK (from Discipline, 2008; 264 points; 5 votes)
67. BETTER DAYS (from All For You, 2001; 264 points; 6 votes)
66. TAKE CARE (from 20 Y.O., 2006; 266 points; 7 votes)
65. 2NITE (from Discipline, 2008; 271 points; 7 votes)
64. I WANT YOU (from Damita Jo, 2004; 279 points; 7 votes)
63. THE GREAT FOREVER (from Unbreakable, 2015; 282 points; 8 votes)
62. CHINA LOVE (from All For You, 2001; 290 points; 5 votes)
61. NEW AGENDA (from janet., 1993; 303 points; 7 votes)

60. TRUTH (from All For You, 2001; 308 points; 6 votes)
59. LUV (from Discipline, 2008; 381 points; 7 votes)
58. WHOOPS NOW (from janet., 1993; 327 points; 9 votes)
57. DIAMONDS (with Herb Alpert, 1987; 332 points; 6 votes)
56. WHAT ABOUT (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 335.5 points; 6 votes)
55. UNBREAKABLE (from Unbreakable, 2015; 353 points; 8 votes)
54. FEELS SO RIGHT (from All For You, 2001; 368 points; 8 votes)
53. ROPE BURN (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 374 points; 9 votes)
52. TRUST A TRY (from All For You, 2001; 375 points; 11 votes)
51. FUNNY HOW TIME FLIES (WHEN YOU'RE HAVING FUN) (from Control, 1986; 384 points; 9 votes)
50. R&B JUNKIE (from Damita Jo, 2004; 401 points; 11 votes)
49. STATE OF THE WORLD (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 418 points; 10 votes)
48. ANYTHING (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 428.5 points; 9 votes)
47. THIS TIME (from janet., 1993; 429 points; 9 votes)
46. BROKEN HEARTS HEAL (from Unbreakable, 2015; 432.5 points; 10 votes)
45. DAMMN BABY (from Unbreakable, 2015; 441.5 points; 10 votes)
44. AGAIN (from janet., 1993; 456 points; 11 votes)
43. SOMEDAY IS TONIGHT (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 465 points; 11 votes)
42. WHAT'S IT GONNA BE?! (with Busta Rhymes, 1999; 473 points; 9 votes)
41. LONELY (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 483 points; 10 votes)

https://media4.giphy.com/media/l41YB0pcWYFCjBIbu/giphy.gif

oh yeah, this is about to get real good. . . !

wow "what about" is way too low! it's kinda like "if" (which is surely a favourite?) except even better. those guitar stabs are fantastic and make it feel much heavier than it actually is?

completely baffled "again" is higher than "what about" and "this time" and "dammn baby" and "rope burn". i love those latter latter three and "again" is just way too treacly showtune for me. it's not terrible but higher than so many of the great tracks that have placed way too low?

oh yeah, this is about to get real good. . . !

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/40_myneed.jpg

40. MY NEED (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 505 points; 12 votes)

"My Need" is the best track you didn't mention. The bridge on that captures a sense of desperation so perfectly.
― Teddy Riley (The Reverend), Sunday, October 19, 2008 3:33 AM (eleven years ago)

This one always bounces in an out of my list of VR favorites. Right now it's out, but it's a remarkable, slinky track. The backbeat is so piercing.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/39_slolove.jpg

39. SLOLOVE (from Damita Jo, 2004; 521 points; 12 votes)

I think "SloLove" blows though, watered down body & soul shit.
― Rich, Thursday, March 18, 2004 8:40 AM (sixteen years ago)

“SloLove” is excellent – I can see why someone would think it’s “watered down Body&Soul shit” but I think it works a treat cos butterfly disco is Janet’s hometurf: yummy, slinky, sexy, mmmmmm
― Mind Taker, Friday, April 2, 2004 2:04 PM (sixteen years ago)

Damita Jo is such a chilled and gorgeous album. I just listened to the whole thing and apart from the last track which really seems out of place, it sounded glorious. R&B Junkie should have been a single. I Want You, SloLove and Truly all need to be on my ballot as well. Even the opening interlude is really lush. So underrated.
― kitchen person, Tuesday, July 7, 2020 6:23 PM (four weeks ago)

"My Need" is a cyborgian re-invention of "More, More, More."

Even 16 years later, Rich has the ability to make me second-guess myself, but I did give "SloLove" points because I guess watered-down Body & Soul shit sounds pretty awesome a decade and a half on.

i.e. I'm still listening to post-Y2K Masters at Work, and frequently

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/38_thebestthingsinlifearefree.jpg

38. THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE (with Luther Vandross, 1992; 544 points; 11 votes)

BY 1991, JANETS CONTRACT HAD RUN OUT WITH A&M. WITH A NUMBER OF LABELS COMPETING FOR HER, JANET CHOSE VIRGIN RECORDS FOR A REPORTED $50 MILLION ON MARCH 11, 1991.IT WAS AT THE TIME THE BIGGEST RECORDING DEAL IN HISTORY. THROUGHOUT 1992 JANET CONTINUED TO RECORD; HER DUET WITH LUTHER VANDROSS :THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE" FOR THE SOUNDTRACK FOR THE MOVIE FOR MO' MONEY BECAME A #1 HIT R&B FOR THE DUO AND WAS NOMINATED FOR A GRAMMY AWARD FOR BEST R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCE BY DUO OR GROUP. SO THERE YOU HAVE IT MADONNA IS A DICKHEAD AND JANET JACKSON IS AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE QUEEN OF POP.
― Kimi Swindells, Wednesday, May 10, 2006 8:14 AM (fourteen years ago)

What a summer: "Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover," "Too Funky," and this souffle.

absurdly hooky

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/37_freexone.jpg

37. FREE XONE (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 559 points; 13 votes)

If Gwen Stefani or Kelis Solange Janelle Monae made "Free Xone" everyone would pronounce it avant genius (albeit in different terms depending on which).
― Tim F, Sunday, October 19, 2008 12:05 AM (eleven years ago)

holy shit "Free Xone" is really fucking good
― Steve (Not Stevie) (Stevie D), Sunday, October 19, 2008 12:16 AM (eleven years ago)

imo "tighten up" sample in "free xone" is the best thing
― emo canon in twee major (BradNelson), Wednesday, January 14, 2015 2:01 PM (five years ago) bookmarkflaglink

ALL OF THE SAMPLES IN "FREE XONE" ARE THE BEST THING
― The Reverend, Wednesday, January 14, 2015 2:14 PM (five years ago)

I admit to taking "Free Xone" for granted now, what with its "See Spot Run" lyrics, but truthfully at the time, it meant as much to me as I expect something like Love, Simon meant to preteens 5 years ago.

Plus, it's Velvet Rope's "This Time" in terms of its go-for-broke maximalism.

Janet's not the only one singing about being lonely.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/36_rockwithu.jpg

36. ROCK WITH U (from Discipline, 2008; 561 points; 12 votes)

"Rock With U" is a pretty hot late-period jam.
― Palsied Phlebotomist (Old Lunch), Tuesday, January 7, 2014 1:08 PM (six years ago)

I used to hate “Rock With U” but I played it the other day and was like “wait this slams, what is happening”
― shout-out to his family (DJP), Friday, July 10, 2020 6:48 PM (three weeks ago)

discipline (2008) another one that's entirely new to me. hey 'rock with u' kinda jams.
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Friday, July 24, 2020 12:24 AM (one week ago)

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/35_blackcat.jpg

35. BLACK CAT (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 575.5 points; 11 votes)

"Black Cat" by Janet Jackson
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, March 25, 2005 9:57 PM (fifteen years ago) ... curiously posted to Disco Band's Worst Attempt at Rock

To take that a step further, I'd suggest that Janet Jackson is to music what pus is to a healthy body, but that's another thread.
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, March 26, 2005 12:18 AM (fifteen years ago) ... which explains why I've always loathed Alex in NYC

Hate this song, have always hated it, in sequence and out of.

I loved this song in high school & I still have a fondness but I don’t love it quite so much anymore

where is brad?
― Spottie, Wednesday, August 5, 2020 4:36 PM (yesterday)

Possibly lying low following the nuclear detonations in the LGBT thread? Agreed, tho, this thread needs more Brad.

it's passable. i mean i don't flat out dislike it. i didn't vote for it, so y'know.

So far as this micro-strain of Janet goes, I'd even take "Just a Little While" over it.

I do appreciate how it revels in every eighties arena rock trope.

I will say, for a first sole songwriting credit to her name, not all that bad.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/34_letswaitawhile.jpg

34. LET'S WAIT AWHILE (from Control, 1986; 649 points; 13 votes; 1 first-place vote)

I love the end of album ballad progression from Control through to janet. - from "Let's Wait Awhile" to "Someday Is Tonight" to fuck it, let's do it "Anytime, Anyplace".
― prolego, Monday, February 20, 2012 11:05 AM (eight years ago)

I regret not voting for "Let's Wait Awhile". A magnificent song, and possibly the best ever ballad by Jam & Lewis.
― Geir Hongro, Friday, September 28, 2007 4:21 PM (twelve years ago)

And yes, that was the first ranking song with a first-place vote.

(Geir didn't vote.)

Hate this song, have always hated it, in sequence and out of.

― Get the point? Good, let's dance with nunchaku. (Eric H.), Thursday, August 6, 2020 9:22 AM (twenty-seven minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

the first janet song i ever loved!

"Black Cat" rules

Possibly lying low following the nuclear detonations in the LGBT thread? Agreed, tho, this thread needs more Brad.

― Get the point? Good, let's dance with nunchaku. (Eric H.), Thursday, August 6, 2020 9:31 AM (twenty-five minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

oh :(

Not afraid to die on this hill.

"Black Cat" > "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" and THAT is a hill worth dying on

That would be a pretty sizable hill, yes.

omg I am so happy to see "Rock With U" place this high!!!

Let’s Wait Awhile is definitely a time-machine song for me, just the keyboard intro alone immediately makes me feel 9 years old

Surprised to see this above "Funny How Time Flies." Or maybe I just need Meshell Ndegeocello to cover it.

"Black Cat" rules (2)

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/33_velvetrope.jpg

33. VELVET ROPE (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 652 points; 13 votes)

At the time I thought "The Velvet Rope" the track was fabulously hi-tech, it'd probably remind me of late 90s Max Martin if I heard it now, perhaps cross-hatched with Soulshock & Karlin album.
― Tim F, Sunday, October 19, 2008 12:05 AM (eleven years ago)

I mean most of The Velvet Rope is very bedroom-focused but stuff like the title track, "You" and "Free Xone" help to create this sense of Janet operating with a broader vision and having "something to say" (even if most of that time that something is along the lines of "your coochie gon' swell up and fall apart").
― Tim F, Tuesday, July 7, 2020 7:32 PM (four weeks ago)

I file this one along with "Love's in Need of Love Today" (and maybe to a lesser extent "Sign o' the Times"). A very good tune that does its job setting the scene for a masterpiece of an album, but which I'd also rank near the bottom from said album's tracklist.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/32_strawberrybounce.jpg

32. STRAWBERRY BOUNCE (from Damita Jo, 2004; 656 points; 13 votes)

strawberry bounce. >>>>>>> strawberry bubblegum
― i petted a bodega cat today. (forksclovetofu), Saturday, March 23, 2013 8:15 AM (seven years ago)

the fabled strawberry bounce to the top
― Fuck the NRA (ulysses), Tuesday, July 7, 2020 5:42 PM (four weeks ago)

listening to damita jo for the first time and "strawberry bounce"!!!
― ufo, Saturday, July 11, 2020 6:42 PM (three weeks ago)

the best parts of the album (i.e. the above, but also stuff like "The One" as well as "Strawberry Bounce" obv) make it seem like it could have been Janet's Last Train to Paris avant la lettre
― Tim F, Tuesday, July 7, 2020 7:32 PM (four weeks ago)

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/31_throb.jpg

31. THROB (from janet., 1993; 689 points; 16 votes)

THROB THROB THROB THROB THROB
― HI DERE, Friday, October 5, 2007 6:05 PM (twelve years ago)

Oh "Throb." Even after all these years, I still find previously unheard fuck grunts in it. And like nothing since Debbie Deb's sainted "When I Hear Music," it perfectly recreates what it feels to lose oneself in the sweaty crosstalk of late night disco dancing. In fact, it may be even more specific than that because what it really reproduces is the vibe of a very naughty sex club, some place where you'd fear losing your govt. job were you caught there. You can hear the Crisco in the disco, the cum-stained sheets of Plato's Retreat. The one time I danced to it in a club (why was this song not spun more????), I felt like I was already in hell. But ya know, a fun, grindin', gay version thereof.
But not only is it a masterpiece in and of itself; like "Love Will Never Do," it finds use value in Miss Janet's limited vocal resources because it allows her to die into the song (as Ian Penman said of Prince). Her vocals if not her entire authorial presence are dispersed thoughout the track like a sprinkling of car parts upon a field.
In a way, then, it's the quintessential Janet Jam-Lewis song. That's why I believe the vocal levels debate doesn't apply here. Enunciation (if not good singing) has never been on the menu with her (quick - recite the verses of "Alright"). Like so many of the disco divas to come up in the 1980s, she just doesn't have the pipes (John Leland wrote a typically jaw-dropping piece on this in a late 1980s Spin "Singles" column). She was just lucky (and rich) enough to get some genius (and longevity) out of it.
― Kevin John Bozelka, Friday, October 5, 2007 8:51 PM (twelve years ago)

A decent erotic prose poem with no relation to the experience of listening to the song, but that's what music does.

Happy I got to use a KJB take itt.

Even after all these years, I still find previously unheard fuck grunts in it.

sigh

gonna start a punk-themed janet cover band. we're called the fuck grunts, who's in?

Only if you're nasty.

call it Janet.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/30_you-1.jpg

30. YOU (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 710.5 points; 14 votes)

"You" is such a sharp funk workout (and pretty on-point for 1997, though that's not really the point)
― Tim F, Wednesday, January 7, 2015 6:10 AM (five years ago)

"You" keeps holding up an urgent mirror to my own life.
― Eric H., Tuesday, January 6, 2015 10:51 PM (five years ago)

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/29_comebacktome.jpg

29. COME BACK TO ME (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 772 points; 16 votes)

"Come Back To Me" is one of the best songs on the album!
― relentless technosexuality (DJP), Friday, April 5, 2013 9:00 AM (seven years ago)

Come Back To Me is up there too. Her prettiest ballad?
― Public Brooding Closet (cryptosicko), Saturday, April 13, 2013 10:49 AM (seven years ago)

"come back to me", which sort of points ahead to the lush silken gorgeous balladry she really perfected in the '90s
― flamenco drop (lex pretend), Thursday, April 18, 2013 2:38 PM (seven years ago)

The last minute or so of this song is maybe the high point of her entire career in ballads.

Imagine Phil Oakey singing it.

Remove the question mark from my quoted post. This is her prettiest ballad.

flamenco drop

Which reminds me, nice acoustic guitar sweetening at the end of this tune, too.

i'm just happy for more rhythm nation songs. to me, the highlights of that album could easily make up the top ten in this poll and it would be totally accurate.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/28_whenweoooo.jpg

28. WHEN WE OOOO (from All For You, 2001; 784.5 points; 16 votes)

"When We Oooo" from AFY is as close to IDM as I've ever heard any mainstream American R&B get and I want more like it
― Rich, Thursday, March 18, 2004 8:40 AM (sixteen years ago)

i think the ballad section of this holds up really well, definitely just from an atmospheric perspective.
― J0rdan S., Saturday, September 5, 2015 11:05 AM (four years ago)

It's kind of experimental for her to program a 25-minutes bloc of R&B balladry right smack in the middle of the set.
― Norse Jung (Eric H.), Saturday, September 5, 2015 9:22 PM (four years ago)

it made my ballot. definitely a great track.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/27_night.jpg

27. NIGHT (from Unbreakable, 2015; 786.5 points; 15 votes)

"night" is kinda buried in the first half but i just need to talk about how amazing it is. the million janets in the chorus, the way the aerial "ooohs" combine with the ascending "after the LOVE tonight," how it becomes a straight up minneapolis funk song after the second chorus
― insufficiently familiar with xgau's work to comment intelligently (BradNelson), Friday, October 2, 2015 10:24 AM (four years ago) bookmarkflaglink

The second half of "Night" sounds like the second half of "I Wanna Be Your Lover".
― The Reverend, Friday, October 2, 2015 3:12 PM (four years ago)

I thought "Night" was going to be a dip but then the beat started ^_^
― I Am Curious (Dolezal) (DJP), Monday, October 5, 2015 5:13 PM (four years ago)

Fuck Unbreakable is so good. The duel between the laser zaps and piano at the end of Night!
― Tim F, Monday, July 13, 2020 5:14 AM (three weeks ago)

my favorite song on unbreakable. it made my top ten.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/26_becauseoflove.jpg

26. BECAUSE OF LOVE (from janet., 1993; 842 points; 17 votes)

You know what single rarely gets much love? "Because of Love."
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, July 3, 2020 4:58 AM (one month ago)

"Because of Love" is perfectly sequenced on the album, after the previous five or six songs' worth of genre zigging and zagging, nailing the landing with another "Escapade."
― Get the point? Good, let's dance with nunchaku. (Eric H.), Friday, July 3, 2020 8:07 AM (one month ago)

i think my favorite run on the record is funky big band -> new agenda -> because of love, though
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Friday, July 3, 2020 1:18 PM (one month ago)

What a ray of sunshine this song is when it finally arrives on janet.

i love love love it!!!

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/25_doesntreallymatter.jpg

25. DOESN'T REALLY MATTER (from The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, 2000; 903.5 points; 17 votes; 1 first-place vote)

"Empty", "Doesn't Really Matter" and "Someone To Call My Lover" form some sort of brilliant intergalactic trilogy charting R&B's rapprochement with idyllictronica (copyright Simon Reynolds), I love them all to death.
― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Wednesday, 17 November 2004 01:15 (fifteen years ago)

really it's hard to imagine a run of three consecutive pop singles for the time better than "doesn't really matter" -> "all for you" -> "someone to call my lover"
― J0rdan S., Saturday, September 5, 2015 11:05 AM (four years ago)

Why did I hate this?
― The Reverend, Thursday, 2 August 2007 05:23 (thirteen years ago)

This song is BAD ASS

I didn’t vote but I think DRM would have been my #1. I still remember falling in love with it and waiting by the radio for a couple days (which felt like an eternity) to record it to tape, as I seemed to never catch it. My sister was old enough to love Janet, my brother was old enough to love TVR and independently of them, I was euphoric about When’s It Gonna Be/All For You/GirlfriendBoyfriend/DRM/Someone To Call My Lover as singles. Truly one of the first pop stars I ever loved. Doesn’t Really Matter might have been the peak of that initial feeling. That one tape of Trevor Nelson’s midday Saturday rnb show got played to death in my bedroom.

TOO LOW

nice to see that it got a first place vote. it was top three for me.

such a happy song and brilliantly crafted. i love it so much.

BOL is her least played single, according to Sean Ross

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/24_wayarun.jpg

24. RUNAWAY (from Design of a Decade, 1995; 912 points; 19 votes)

Just looking at that list, I'd totally forgotten about Runaway from her first singles compilation. Such a lovely song.
― kitchen person, Tuesday, June 30, 2020 3:24 PM (one month ago)

I play "Runaway" at least once a month
― shout-out to his family (DJP), Tuesday, June 30, 2020 3:27 PM (one month ago)

oh yeah, i remember that song. i remember thinking at the time that it was kind of a rewrite of 'escapade.' it's okay.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/23_noplushsleeep.jpg

23. NO SLEEEP (from Unbreakable, 2015; 919.5 points; 20 votes)

God this song.
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, January 18, 2016 9:28 AM (four years ago)

I remember five summers ago almost weeping when "No Sleeep" was so damn good.
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, July 9, 2020 7:12 PM (four weeks ago)

enh, it's good but that's too high. i mean i voted for it, but. . . nah.

top ten for me. just a timeless sound. couldve easily been on one of her 90s albums.

How weird is it that I actually kinda prefer the version with J. Cole?

Also lol that image is perfect

I call it my favorite post All For You single.

whoa I really expected "Runaway" to be in the top 20 or 15

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/22_dontstopallnite.jpg

22. ALL NITE (DON'T STOP) (from Damita Jo, 2004; 937.5 points; 20 votes; 1 first-place vote)

"All Nite (Don't Stop)" comes close to Rhythm Nation's mechanical precision
― Rich, Thursday, March 18, 2004 8:40 AM (sixteen years ago)

"all nite (don't stop)" sounds AMAZING at street dance class
― لوووووووووووووووووووول (lex pretend), Wednesday, January 27, 2010 4:38 PM (ten years ago)

Okay, apparently Janet's new album isn't chock-full of unmemorable nonsense as I'd assumed from the first two singles; the new single pretty much panders everything I like about her music and is all the more glorious and wonderful for that. Far and away this is the best Janet single in YEARS (I think you'd have to go back to "Go Deep" or "Together Again" to match it).
― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, June 9, 2004 8:08 AM (sixteen years ago)

... unless this one is actually my favorite post All For You single.

This one is all about those swelling unresolved strings that keep popping up

For want of some better terminology

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/21_wantthisyoudo.jpg

21. YOU WANT THIS (from janet., 1993; 970 points; 20 votes)

"You Want This" is one song whose awesomeness I didn't fully recognize until I started listening for this poll.
― A White, White Gay (cryptosicko), Tuesday, July 21, 2020 4:09 PM (two weeks ago)

EdwardO is OTM re: "You Want This" having the "Love Child" sample. That ting-ting-tingtingting (ooh ooh) bit before the youwantthisBOMBABOMBOMABOMABAM chorus bit.
― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, March 18, 2004 9:02 AM (sixteen years ago)

20 tracks remain!

77. ENJOY (from 20 Y.O., 2006; 222 points; 5 votes)
76. ROLLERCOASTER (from Discipline, 2008; 236 points; 6 votes)
75. LOVE SCENE (OOH BABY) (from All For You, 2001; 238 points; 5 votes)
74. SAY YOU DO (from Janet Jackson, 1982; 247.5 points; 7 votes)
73. COME ON GET UP (from All For You, 2001; 248 points; 5 votes)
72. FUNKY BIG BAND (from janet., 1993; 253.5 points; 6 votes)
71. LIKE YOU DON’T LOVE ME (from Damita Jo, 2004; 255 points; 5 votes)
70. EVERY TIME (from The Velvet Rope, 2006; 256 points; 7 votes)
69. WOULD YOU MIND (from All For You, 2001; 257 points; 5 votes)
68. FEEDBACK (from Discipline, 2008; 264 points; 5 votes)
67. BETTER DAYS (from All For You, 2001; 264 points; 6 votes)
66. TAKE CARE (from 20 Y.O., 2006; 266 points; 7 votes)
65. 2NITE (from Discipline, 2008; 271 points; 7 votes)
64. I WANT YOU (from Damita Jo, 2004; 279 points; 7 votes)
63. THE GREAT FOREVER (from Unbreakable, 2015; 282 points; 8 votes)
62. CHINA LOVE (from All For You, 2001; 290 points; 5 votes)
61. NEW AGENDA (from janet., 1993; 303 points; 7 votes)

60. TRUTH (from All For You, 2001; 308 points; 6 votes)
59. LUV (from Discipline, 2008; 381 points; 7 votes)
58. WHOOPS NOW (from janet., 1993; 327 points; 9 votes)
57. DIAMONDS (with Herb Alpert, 1987; 332 points; 6 votes)
56. WHAT ABOUT (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 335.5 points; 6 votes)
55. UNBREAKABLE (from Unbreakable, 2015; 353 points; 8 votes)
54. FEELS SO RIGHT (from All For You, 2001; 368 points; 8 votes)
53. ROPE BURN (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 374 points; 9 votes)
52. TRUST A TRY (from All For You, 2001; 375 points; 11 votes)
51. FUNNY HOW TIME FLIES (WHEN YOU'RE HAVING FUN) (from Control, 1986; 384 points; 9 votes)
50. R&B JUNKIE (from Damita Jo, 2004; 401 points; 11 votes)
49. STATE OF THE WORLD (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 418 points; 10 votes)
48. ANYTHING (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 428.5 points; 9 votes)
47. THIS TIME (from janet., 1993; 429 points; 9 votes)
46. BROKEN HEARTS HEAL (from Unbreakable, 2015; 432.5 points; 10 votes)
45. DAMMN BABY (from Unbreakable, 2015; 441.5 points; 10 votes)
44. AGAIN (from janet., 1993; 456 points; 11 votes)
43. SOMEDAY IS TONIGHT (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 465 points; 11 votes)
42. WHAT'S IT GONNA BE?! (with Busta Rhymes, 1999; 473 points; 9 votes)
41. LONELY (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 483 points; 10 votes)

40. MY NEED (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 505 points; 12 votes)
39. SLOLOVE (from Damita Jo, 2004; 521 points; 12 votes)
38. THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE (with Luther Vandross, 1992; 544 points; 11 votes)
37. FREE XONE (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 559 points; 13 votes)
36. ROCK WITH U (from Discipline, 2008; 561 points; 12 votes)
35. BLACK CAT (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 575.5 points; 11 votes)
34. LET'S WAIT AWHILE (from Control, 1986; 649 points; 13 votes; 1 first-place vote)
33. VELVET ROPE (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 652 points; 13 votes)
32. STRAWBERRY BOUNCE (from Damita Jo, 2004; 656 points; 13 votes)
31. THROB (from janet., 1993; 689 points; 16 votes)
30. YOU (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 710.5 points; 14 votes)
29. COME BACK TO ME (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 772 points; 16 votes)
28. WHEN WE OOOO (from All For You, 2001; 784.5 points; 16 votes)
27. NIGHT (from Unbreakable, 2015; 786.5 points; 15 votes)
26. BECAUSE OF LOVE (from janet., 1993; 842 points; 17 votes)
25. DOESN'T REALLY MATTER (from The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, 2000; 903.5 points; 17 votes; 1 first-place vote)
24. RUNAWAY (from Design of a Decade, 1995; 912 points; 19 votes)
23. NO SLEEEP (from Unbreakable, 2015; 919.5 points; 20 votes)
22. ALL NITE (DON'T STOP) (from Damita Jo, 2004; 937.5 points; 20 votes; 1 first-place vote)
21. YOU WANT THIS (from janet., 1993; 970 points; 20 votes)

ahhh i had hoped my "all nite" first place vote might catapault it into the top 20 but alas. 22 is still pretty good!

nice to see a good showing for slolove too.

yeah, whoever was badmouthing 'slolove' was clearly wrong. that's a solid jam.

ace work again, eric! really looking forward to this top twenty.

also it looks like i neglected to vote for "night", which was a mistake

the "love is taking over" part is so cool and eerie and beautiful... not sure how to describe it, really, but it does things to me

Can't believe "Doesn't Really Matter" was #25! TOO LOW (2). Gotta get up get up get up get up get up and show you that it *ricochet* *boom* EDIT.

It's a certain someone's favorite Janet song, told him I'd tell him when it placed. Hopefully he's not too disappointed...

So I'm counting 6 from Control, 5 from Rhythm Nation, 3 from janet, 5 from Velvet Rope and 2 from All for You that I would've expected to make it, but that's already one too many. Am I overestimating "You Can Be Mine" or "Go Deep" or something? I suppose anything outside of those albums ("Daybreak"! "Lessons Learned"!) is unlikely at this point.

back half of 'night' is the best music

you want this was my #2. the bridge was always my favorite part. around that time i was a sucker for anything sounding remotely similar to 'if you had no loot' by tone tony toni.

think runaway slipped more than any song once i started placing songs seriously. went into it thinking it would be a top ten but it ended up at the bottom half of my ballot. i think i realized i dont like the yeaaaah yeaaaaaah yeaaaaah yeaaaaaaah adlibs

"runaway" is just a little too much of a lesser rewrite of "escapade" for me, didn't end up making my ballot

I haven't been able to keep up with the poll over the last few days so just catching up now. I was hoping Runaway and Doesn't Really Matter would scrape the top 20. I really love her carefree joyful side and those two songs are two of her best for that. Falling in love with Runaway during nominations was one of my favourite things about this poll. I was the number one vote for Doesn't Really Matter.

I'm pleasantly surprised to see a lot of Damita Jo and All For You deep cuts make it.

No Sleeep was the only Unbreakable song I voted for. I revisited that album over the last few weeks and I still haven't had that moment where everything clicked. I love that single though.

"You Want This" is the song that makes me always flash back on Christgau's comment on just how expensive that album feels. Coming between the close mixes on "That's the Way Love Goes" and "If," it's just a straight up EQ assault.

OK here we go!

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/20_lonelygetmoi.jpg

20. I GET LONELY (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 991.5 points; 20 votes; 2 first-place votes)

"I Get Lonely" (we're talking the Teddy Riley mix) is one of her very best singles.
― Rich, Thursday, March 18, 2004 8:40 AM (sixteen years ago)

i remember "i get lonely" being the first janet single i didn't like as a kid. think the drums bewildered me, they make the song sound both slow and fast
― emo canon in twee major (BradNelson), Monday, January 5, 2015 4:52 PM (five years ago)

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/19_yellowtaxibig.jpg

19. GOT 'TIL IT'S GONE (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 1,004.5 points; 20 votes)

Got til it's gone is the only Janet single I like.
― ◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝◦ ⃝ (Moka), Saturday, July 2, 2011 6:54 AM (nine years ago)

i don't hate "got til it's gone" or anything now but picking it as the BEST on this album is an opinion that seems increasingly insane the more i think about it
― lex pretend, Wednesday, January 14, 2015 12:47 PM (five years ago)

i mean, i love 'got til it's gone' so fucking much, like few other things. it was such a huge record for me — that was my entry point into joni mitchell and it just felt like a really poignant moment for everyone involved, possibly one of the first major jay dilla productions. it brings me to tears, truly
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Thursday, July 23, 2020 11:03 PM (two weeks ago)

J-Joni Mitchell never lies!

Ballsiest lead-off single of her career, if not single overall.

for which the public duly rewarded her with her lowest placing.

I was surprised to learn it wasn't Hot 100 eligible, as I remember it as maybe the most omnipresent among her 90s singles. Broke through my musical bubble like nothing else from Velvet Rope, at least.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/18_allivegottosayis.jpg

18. ANY TIME, ANY PLACE (from janet., 1993; 1,105.5 points; votes)

"any time, any place" is like proto-voodoo
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Friday, July 3, 2020 1:46 PM (one month ago)

it's so weird to hear kendrick's "any time, any place" sample on the radio and think, damn that song is 20 years old
― some dude, Thursday, June 27, 2013 6:50 PM (seven years ago)

I never heard "Any Time..." on pop radio, was surprised to learn how well it did R&B.

I heard it a lot, but then again I live in Minneapolis.

She included a Kendrick verse when she played this in 2015, and sorta pantomimed the delivery iirc, it was great. There was a time when I'd anticipate his voice when I'd play this but I find that's faded a bit recently, remembering this song as its own universe. Had it at #4 at one point, only fell a few spots.

really how it spends a few minutes jamming on that groove at the end

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/17_fingerdonut.jpg

17. ALRIGHT (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 1,251.5 points; 26 votes)

I could listen to "Alright" anytime anyplace.
― Eric H., Saturday, September 22, 2007 11:12 PM (twelve years ago)

i'm flabbergasted at all the love for the title track and alright, which are both ALRIGHT WITH ME but definitely not first billing
― Surmounter, Wednesday, September 26, 2007 7:25 AM (twelve years ago)

best one chord song?

I have distinct memories of hearing "Alright" at the same time as tracks from PE's Fear of a Black Planet got blanket rotation on college radio and thinking, "Man, Janet belongs here."

such a relentless groove

I know I've said it before, but I associate this song with the Minneapolis sound more than the earlier songs that actually defined the Minneapolis sound. I was 10. I had a sunnier view of Minneapolis back then.

Have said it already itt but everyone should check out this amazing deep house mix of Alright

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EaI954eZqdg

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/16_sayitloudandproud.jpg

16. TOGETHER AGAIN (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 1,309 points; 24 votes; 2 first-place votes)

Listening to the album sequentially for the first time in a frickin ever and I think I've been underestimating just how much of a cool drink of water it is when "Together Again" finally rolls around. Would've been amazing if they'd held it until even closer to the end instead of pulling the old backloading-ballads trick again.
― Vulvacura (Eric H.), Friday, January 16, 2015 8:57 AM (five years ago)

cool drink of water after the rope burn
― guess that bundt gettin eaten (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, January 16, 2015 9:02 AM (five years ago)

Oops, clipped the last quote off:

"Together Again" by Janet Jackson sounds like one of the levels in the first Sonic the Hedgehog game where you have to walk along a wall outside and jump over some water/bridges I think (haven't played it for about eight years though).
― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, October 15, 2004 5:34 PM (fifteen years ago)

okay, a lot of my picks are showing up now!

'alright' and 'got til it's gone' were top five for me.

We're definitely in big point jump territory now.

I voted "Together Again" #1, it's perfect in so many ways.

I have gone back and forth and back again w/r/t "Together Again." Thought it was just about her best single ever back in '98. Got tired of it really quick and regarded it as tacky and instantly dated for awhile. Have now settled on it being much closer to the first take.

Verse after the key change is gut-wrenching.

happiness (noun): 1. together_again.mp3

albeit from a place of grief. what a song! kept swapping it in and out of my #1 spot.

I hear it as the cheerful sequel to Pet Shop Boys' "Being Boring."

It feels hokey at a glance but it covers so much ground, from almost like a classic Motown-style simplicity to something more layered. The groove helps too. The part where her singing is isolated for a moment is stunning, every time. The music fading out at the end always feels super sad (before leading into my #3 pick, which I almost put at #1, "Empty".)

I have it on good authority that Brad thinks "I Get Lonley"'s placement is disgustingly low.

Please keep bringing the telephoned missives from Brad.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/15_wheniwas17.jpg

15. CONTROL (from Control, 1986; 1,352 points; 24 votes; 2 first-place votes)

the 12" mix of "Control" is one of the eighties' greatest pieces of music.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Sunday, 5 October 2008 01:43 (eleven years ago)

this is the album where janet is "janet" for the first time. the opening of the album is burned into my memory forever.
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Thursday, July 23, 2020 10:15 PM (two weeks ago)

THIS IS A STORY ABOUT CONTROL
― lex pretend, Saturday, May 12, 2007 9:42 AM (thirteen years ago)

Such a formidable, steely track.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/14_venturahighway.jpg

14. SOMEONE TO CALL MY LOVER (from All For You, 2001; 1,364.5 points; 24 votes)

i LOVE "someone to call my lover" so much, voted for that -- def my fav janet single from that album. gymnopedie no 1 in the chorus = amazing.
― teledyldonix, Thursday, June 24, 2010 11:18 AM (ten years ago)

someone to call my lover is really fun. like a better version of jordan knights give it to you but with the ventura highway sample built in.
― Spottie, Tuesday, July 7, 2020 7:41 PM (one month ago)

Someone to Call my Lover is the new single by Janet Jackson. Am I insane or are does this song sound like it could have (minus Janet's lyrics and voice) been ripped from the Sea and Cake's album the Fawn??? Is anyone with me on this?!
― Chaz A. Bartok, Wednesday, July 18, 2001 7:00 PM (nineteen years ago)

another one that climbed my ranks quickly.

any time any place was an important song for my uh... development.

really how it spends a few minutes jamming on that groove at the end

― ufo, Friday, August 7, 2020 7:24 AM (one hour ago) bookmarkflaglink

otm love this

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/13_vforvictory.jpg

13. MISS YOU MUCH (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 1,423 points; 25 votes)

actually, the only imperial era single I find meh is "Miss You Much."
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, July 5, 2020 12:32 PM (one month ago)

I suppose theoretically there's an argument to be made that "Miss You Much" is too similar to "Escapade" to stand tall on its own, but in practice "too similar to one of the best songs ever made" is the opposite of a put-down.
― Tim F, Sunday, July 5, 2020 6:22 PM (one month ago)

Miss You Much >>>>>>>> Escapade (and I like Escapade)
― shout-out to his family (DJP), Sunday, July 5, 2020 10:35 PM (one month ago)

ugh I just discovered that the chair dance is NOT a part of the actual standalone "Miss You Much" video and I am OUTRAGED
― vision joanna newsom (Stevie D(eux)), Tuesday, July 14, 2020 2:20 PM (three weeks ago)

Still a meh.

The bridge still lifts it to the exalted plane most of the rest of the album exists on.

I guess it underwhelmed me because after my lukewarm reaction she releaesed "Rhythm Nation" and I thought, "Oh, I get it now."

Then "Escapade," and I thought, "OH shit."

Then "Alright."

Well.

It does sort of function as a transitional point between Control and Rhythm Nation, retaining the earlier album's hard edges while indicating there would be sweeter rewards.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/12_ratedaandm.jpg

12. NASTY (from Control, 1986; 1,485 points; 27 votes; 1 first-place vote)

show me a more perfect drum track than the one on "nasty"
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Wednesday, July 1, 2020 9:25 AM (one month ago)

I listened to "Nasty" for the first time in a long time recently, and that syncopated percussion still sounds like the future to me. Plus some cool change-ups in between those sections. I'd put it in the running for GOAT
― Vinnie, Wednesday, July 1, 2020 10:00 AM (one month ago)

"Nasty" is of course one of the worst things ever to have happened to music, but the rest of the album is nice enough.
― Geir Hongro, Monday, 24 September 2007 10:47 (twelve years ago)

geir with the challop

"Nasty" outside the top ten? I don't know what to expect anymore.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/11_thankyoufalletinme.jpg

11. RHYTHM NATION (from Rhythm Nation 1814, 1989; 1492.5 points; 27 votes; 1 first-place vote)

i had a solo in chorus when i was 9 singing the title track from rhythm nation. no one else knew the words and i was quite incensed
― purp (roxymuzak), Saturday, April 13, 2013 11:43 AM (seven years ago)

title track is really addictive - my biggest thing is that I can't separate the song from the choreography now, as soon as I hear it I see the shoulders and those pivots and UGH she was so unstoppable
― set the controls for the heart of the sun (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, April 5, 2013 1:29 PM (seven years ago) bookmarkflaglink

The title track is one of the all-time great sample-into-song transformations.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, April 5, 2013 6:55 PM (seven years ago)

another just absolutely epic intro. the title track is still an "oh shit!" moment when i hear it on the radio or out and about. that was like my national anthem as a kid. still kicks so much fucking ass. man! that is the music of the gods.
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Thursday, July 23, 2020 11:03 PM (two weeks ago)

half of the beats on Rhythm Nation could be lifted wholesale by KMFDM and people wouldn't blink
― shout-out to his family (DJP), Wednesday, July 1, 2020 9:36 AM (one month ago)

the album's clanking industrial heart

She got that long beat breakdown into the top five.

lmao "Empty" really gonna beat out "Rhythm Nation" and "Nasty", huh

hey y'all, taking a brief hiatus from my hiatus to say you're all legends for getting "go deep" in the top ten

"Control" was my #1. The greatest artist statement in music history.

hey y'all, taking a brief hiatus from my hiatus to say you're all legends for getting "go deep" in the top ten

― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Friday, August 7, 2020

besos

^^^^^^^

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/10_fakeout.jpg

10. Luv Me, Luv Me (with Shaggy, 1998; 1,492.5 points; 27 votes)

why does shaggy hate women so much?

10_fakeout.jpg

tbh I think this should be #10

I figured there were too many actual fans of 20 Y.O. itt to go for, say, "So Excited."

I also would have accepted "Feel It Boy" in the top 10

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/10_cyclingkit.jpg

10. ALL FOR YOU (from All For You, 2001; 1,496.5 points; 28 votes)

when i was in college i heard a mediocre a cappella group performing the title track and i yelled out the "EDIT 4 3 2 1 chk" part from the audience and everyone else laughed :'(
― dyl, Sunday, August 18, 2013 9:58 AM (six years ago)

since they came out around the same time, "all for you" sounds like a lost classic off 'fever'
― J0rdan S., Sunday, August 18, 2013 2:06 PM (six years ago)

Just now hearing "All for You" -- pretty great!
― Sandy Denny Real Estate (jaymc), Sunday, October 28, 2012 11:17 PM (seven years ago)

(Thanks for that one, Spottie!)

since they came out around the same time, "all for you" sounds like a lost classic off 'fever'
― J0rdan S., Sunday, August 18, 2013 2:06 PM (six years ago)

'all for you" into 'can't get you out of my head' = silk

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/9_alwaysonmycouch.jpg

09. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY (from Control, 1986; 1,554 points; 26 votes; 1 first-place vote)

"what have you done for me lately" is a programming wonder and v much an early case of jam/lewis as industrial collage artists
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Wednesday, July 1, 2020 9:33 AM (one month ago)

only just now realising how structurally weird "what have you done for me lately" is. it really spends over half its runtime (from 2:17 until the end) messing around repeating the chorus
― ufo, Wednesday, July 22, 2020 4:06 AM (two weeks ago)

Ha, just noticed that 'What Have You Done For Me Lately?" features twice in my ballot!
― fun loving and xtremely tolrant (Billy Dods), Saturday, February 25, 2012 9:57 AM (eight years ago)

I had forgotten how terrifying "Joyful, Joyful" is. When it gets to the "OPP" part, part of my soul dies, bet then it goes on to quote "What Have You Done For Me Lately?" and the rest of my soul implodes and I am left actively hating everything and everyone and praying for nuclear Armageddon.
― juggalo iglesias (HI DERE), Thursday, September 16, 2010 1:42 PM (nine years ago)

I was quite young but this thing SLAMMED in 1986.

Will never forget the spilled milkshake.

Ah, my #2 pick. Iconic

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/8_butimserious.jpg

08. THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE (from Control, 1986; 1,561 points; 26 votes; 2 first-place votes)

Gary Numan - the Pleasure Principle, man what a great find.
― Elisabeth (Elisabeth), Wednesday, October 22, 2003 4:11 AM (sixteen years ago)

so it turns out this is a support slot for Gary Numan performing The Pleasure Principle in full
― basically just a 2/47 freak out (sic), Sunday, January 30, 2011 4:29 PM (nine years ago)

"Pleasure Principle" is great. Numan's first three albums are all good listens.
― earlnash, Sunday, November 23, 2003 11:21 PM (sixteen years ago)

The principle of pleasure!

lol @ those quotes!

Sort of sums up my impression of ILM rn.

I don't think there's another Janet song where my impression has done a fuller 180. I used to loathe this track growing up. Somehow in the last 5-10 years, it's become an unshakable top 3 Janet tune.

It might be even steelier than "Control" or "Nasty."

The only Control single in which she had no hand in writing.

It broke her top five streak too.

I always considered it and "Lets Wait Awhile" to be the minor Control singles. Only came around to really liking either of them when I was putting my ballot together.

xp Can't really fathom why it stalled out at that point tbh.

A&M was also promoting Herb Alpert's "Diamonds," and we know who the A of A&M was.

Yeah, just looked up the charts and saw the two criss-crossing slots in the summer of '87.

welp, my #1 has already shown, but my #2 has not. this is gonna be good. . .

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/7_tishadancingfunny.jpg

07. THAT'S THE WAY LOVE GOES (from janet., 1993; 1,625.5 points; 27 votes; 1 first-place vote)

that's the way love goes sounds like a rumors era vintage fleetwood track w/ slightly more modern production
― turkey in the straw (x2) (remy bean), Saturday, October 22, 2011 9:46 AM (eight years ago)

solid jam. definitely feels right in the top ten.

Didn't do anything for me when it was new, and still doesn't.

whats not to like???

Probably more of a personal defect than anything to do with the song: there's nothing wrong with it, I just can't get into it. Listened to it plenty when putting my ballot together, too, so if ever I was going to have a change of heart, it was gonna be now.

It's fascinating to me that this is the track that's Janet's longest-running #1 hit (right?).

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/6_gettingfreakedfrombehind.jpg

06. GO DEEP (from The Velvet Rope, 1997; 1,625.5 points; 29 votes)

"Go Deep" always struck me as what all the g-funk-influenced r&b jams of the mid-90s would have sounded like if they took their cues from DJ Quik instead of Dr. Dre.
― Teddy Riley (The Reverend), Sunday, October 19, 2008 3:33 AM (eleven years ago)

"Go Deep" is an excellently fluffy electro-disco throwback.
― Tim F, Sunday, October 19, 2008 12:05 AM (eleven years ago)

The opening bars of "Go Deep" -- the synth farts, the percussion -- are as awesome as "Escapade"'s and "What Have You Done For Me Lately."
― guess that bundt gettin eaten (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, January 14, 2015 4:08 PM (five years ago)

It's a bit thin sonically, but gawd those sounds and that earworm chorus

YESSS

perfect rev quote

always felt like the sister to 112's 'Only You'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVOqbskGeBs

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/5_oohsoinlove.jpg

05. WHEN I THINK OF YOU (from Control, 1986; 1,667.5 points; 31 votes; 1 first-place vote)

oh god that part in When I think of You (which thx to this has been in my head ALLLLLL morning, hittin tennis balls hummin) - the part at the end where it swells and she laughs. mmmm
― Surmounter, Sunday, June 24, 2007 12:48 PM (thirteen years ago)

"When I Think of You" -- sometimes I think that was the best song of the decade
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, May 8, 2001 7:00 PM (nineteen years ago)

My favourite Janet song of the 80s, my second favourite overall behind Empty.
― kitchen person, Wednesday, May 17, 2017 12:46 PM (three years ago)

The best laugh in pop history.

love that "Go Deep" thing where the song has basically ended but no one can stop singing

I have a video of my cat asking for a tummy rub while "When I Think of You" plays in the background. Happy times.

my most blissed out few minutes of listening for this poll happened with this song on headphones. one of those "why can't I always be this fully present for / surrounded by music" moments.

when i think of you is all about the bass line and horn stabs.

It was the song I thought would be my #1 going into this poll. I found only one Janet song that I could claim to like better.

given what's left for the top 4 I wouldn't think "Escapade" could be surpassed for #1, but my assumptions about the order have so far been wildly wrong

LET'S GO

one of those "why can't I always be this fully present for / surrounded by music" moments.

whew, those are the best.

ftr i listened to 'empty' for the first time today. zen buddhist footwork in 1997, cool cool

yes, when it's all said and done, this has been a blast of a rollout because i don't know if there's a true consensus here.

but at the same time, we all pretty much agree what her best songs are. this is fun. i'm a nerd. whatever.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/4_bestdancemovesever.jpg