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

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.")

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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!

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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)

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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/

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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.)

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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.

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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.

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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!!

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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

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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.

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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. . . !