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

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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

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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!

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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)

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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. . . !

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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)