I promise
I'll be worth the wait

15. Let's Wait Awhile | 8.3 Highest Scores: 11: (Bjork, vibe), 10: (Sour Candy, Simon), Lowest Scores: 7/7.5: (Liam, popchartfreak, Jessie Where, Davidson, Cremey, blacksquare, Math)


At #15 is the last of Janet's ballads to feature here - Let's Wait Awhile, released in January 1987 as the 5th single from Janet's 3rd studio album Control and was written and produced by Janet, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with Melanie Andrews serving as co-writer. It is also the first song Janet co-produced. The song was inspired by conversations Andrews had with her childhood boyfriend, which led to write the lyrics, which discuss sexual abstinence and postponing sexual intimacy within a relationship until the time is right. Upon release it received praise from music critics with many considering it to be a teaching tool to encourage sexual abstinence amidst the AIDS crisis at the time. The track peaked at #2 on the US Billboard charts, becoming her 5th consecutive top 5 hit. Internationally it was also successful with top 5 peaks in UK & Ireland, top 20 peaks in Canada, Iceland, Belgium, & Netherlands and top 40 peaks everywhere else. In that same year controversy arose when the road manager for the band America heard the song and heard striking similarities to the band's 1975 song "Daisy Jane" written by band member Gerry Buckley, which led to a litigation for plagiarism against Janet and Jam and Lewis, which was eventually settled out of court.

This gorgeous and tender ballad could have easily gotten lost amongst the album's uptempo bangers, but thankfully it doesn't as it not only shows how diverse Janet's range is, but also showcases her ability to combine a beautiful melody with a meaningful message. There is a fragility and tenderness to Janet's vocals that perfectly represents the theme of the song's nature. The production is simply stunning with sensual beats that stays in your mind long after the song's over.

The next to fall will be a chart topper

 

But which one?

Lets wait awhile is my fav Janet song, the first one I loved as a kid and bought back in the day <3 such a gorgeous little song

deserved top 10 but I knew it was gonna fall short cos it's a ballad

That's the end?

14. Miss You Much | 8.4 Highest Scores: 10: (Nina West, Liam, Sour Candy, Liam,k), Lowest Scores: 6: (popchartfreak, Simon)


#14 is Miss You Much, released in August 1989 as the lead single from Janet's 4th studio album Rhythm Nation 1814 and was composed by songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. As with all tracks for the album, recording took place at Lewis and Jam's Flyte Tyme Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota between 1988 and 1989. Upon release the song was heavily anticipated in the USA during the late summer when it started facing stiff competition from Madonna's 'Cherish', which caused a media stir, but Janet won out in the end by topping the US Billboard charts for 4 weeks, becoming the 2nd #1 of her career, and would later become the year's 2nd biggest selling single behind Phil Collins ''Another Day in Paradise'. Based on changing metrics of how chart performance is evaluated, Billboard magazine listed "Miss You Much" Jackson's all-time biggest Hot 100 hit. Internationally it was also successful with top 5 peaks in Canada & New Zealand, top 20 peaks in Australia, Finland, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, as well as top 40 peaks everywhere else. The music video for the song directed by Dominic Sena was produced as part of the long form Rhythm Nation 1814 film, a 30 minute special aired on MTV which included two other album cuts 'The Knowledge' & 'Rhythm Nation'. In 1990 the song received Grammy nominations for "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" and "Best Rhythm & Blues Song". It won the Billboard Award for the Top Hot 100 Single of the Year and the American Music Awards for Favourite Dance Single and Favourite R&B Single.

The loud pounding percussive beats kicks in just before the frenetic R&B dance infused grooves set against the industrial soundscapes which perfectly accompanies Janet's light and girlish vocals perfectly. The sampled beats are packed with plenty of hooks and the funky guitars that comes at the end, just stellar. The production elements helps everything flow together and creates one of Janet's finest singles of her stellar career. This was the absolute perfect lead single to start the 'Rhythm Nation' campaign and marked just the beginning of an iconic and legendary era.

I think its time for another

What I thought was happiness was only part time bliss

13. The Pleasure Principle | 8.7 Highest Scores: 10: (Nina West, Davidson, vibe, Cremey, blacksquare), Lowest Scores: 6: (Simon)


At #13 is the highest ranking song not to get an 11 its the Pleasure Principle, released in May 1987 as the 6th single from Janet's 3rd studio album Control and was written and produced by Monte Moir, with co-production by Janet and Steve Wiese. This was the only song on the album not to be written or produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, instead , it penned by the Time's keyboardist Monte Moir who was working with his bandmates at Flyte Time studios when they were offered the chance to work with Janet on the album. The song is an "independent woman" anthem about taking control of a personal relationship by refusing to settle for loveless materialism. Upon release the song was a modest commercial success by peaking at #14 on the US Billboard chart, becoming the album's lowest charting single. Elsewhere it managed top 20 peaks in Netherlands and Belgium and top 40 peaks mostly everywhere else, but failed to match the international success of the album's previous singles. The music video was seen as iconic by music critics and received 2 nominations at the 1988 MTV Music Video awards, eventually winning one. The video has been re-enacted by many singers including Mya, Ciara, Tinashe, and Normani. In 2000 Britney Spears referenced the chair routine on her 'Stronger' music video. In 2008, Janet's lingerie line was named after the song.

Didn't expect this to rank quite so high on here, but the scores speak for themselves. A prime example of 80's urban synthpop with its frantic pulsating sonic grooves, pounding keyboards, and awesome electric guitar riffs makes this one of the most engaging songs in Janet's back catalogue. Musically bold and liberating, and despite being the only song on 'Control' not to be penned by Jam & Lewis, this seamlessly slots in next to their creations.

oh poor Miss You Miss, the UK did it dirty when officially released and kinda flopped... and now it flops in this :/

 

how did Pleasure Principal end up so high!!!! really surprised about this one, not as good as the last 7-8 songs that have exited

oh poor Miss You Miss, the UK did it dirty when officially released and kinda flopped... and now it flops in this :/

 

how did Pleasure Principal end up so high!!!! really surprised about this one, not as good as the last 7-8 songs that have exited

 

 

Wouldn't say 'Miss You Much' flops on here, 8.4 average is pretty strong & its up against some pretty stiff remaining competition

but we're talking her biggest US hit ever

The Pleasure Principle > Miss You Much

 

x

Miss You Much is one of her best singles :heart:

Soap opera says, you've got one life to live
Who's right, who's wrong?

12. What Have You Done To Me Lately | 8.8 Highest Scores: 11: (Liam), 10: (Nina West, blacksquare), Lowest Scores: 7: (Simon)


A BIG SHOCK now at #12 is What Have You Done For Me Lately, released in January 1986 as the lead single from Janet's 3rd studio album Control. After two unsuccessful albums and a management change, the singer began developing a new album, and this song was originally penned for one of Jam and Lewis's own records, but the lyrics were re-written to convey Janet's feelings about her recent divorce from James DeBarge in January 1985. Upon release the song gained positive critical reviews, with many believing it erased the former image of her first 2 albums, and reestablishing her as an "independent woman" figure. The song peaked at #4 on the US Billboard charts, becoming her first breakthrough hit. Elsewhere it was an international smash hit by topping the charts in Netherlands and hit top 10 peaks in UK, Australia, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland & Ireland. The song has been featured in critic lists as one of the greatest songs of all time and received a nomination for 'Best Rhythm & Blues Song' at the 1987 Grammy Awards. To this day the song is regarded as one of Janet's signature songs which helped establish her as a known artist and finally breaking free from her family's shadow.

This originally looked set for a top 10 placement on here, but towards the end other songs started gaining more traction and this sadly got left in the dust. Often seen as Janet's real debut single & for good reason - it's excellent and helped establish Janet as a credible artist. The thumping strutting beats, funky uptempo grooves, and Janet's assertive vocals which bring a real authority to the mesmerizing production. The song's message is simply timeless and blasts away any preconceived notions about what her music really is. Still to this day this track remains a pop feminist anthem.

Now 12 for that is a crime — a classic.

Oh wow, I'd have pegged that as being top 5 easily!

Get ready for the next entry that just missed out on a top 10 placement!!!!

Living on the edge, not afraid to die

11. Black Cat | 8.866 Highest Scores: 11: (Liam), 10: (Jessie Where, dandy, Cremey), Lowest Scores: 7: (popchartfreak, Simon)


Just outside the top 10 at #11 is Black Cat, released in August 1990 as the 6th single from Janet's 4th studio album Rhythm Nation 1814 and was written solely by Janet herself, who produced it with Jellybean Johnson. The song marked a stark departure from her prior material, transitioning from her customary style of industrial-based dance-pop to the heavy metal and hard rock genre. This was also Janet's first sole writing credit and the first time she worked with producers other than Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. It was the last song recorded for the album, after Janet along with Jam & Lewis, composed its main riff when desiring a rock song to complete the record. Upon release it became a commercial success by topping the US Billboard charts, making this the album's 3rd #1 hit and the 6th of the historic 7 singles from the album to reach the top 5. Elsewhere it managed top 10 peaks in South Africa, Norway, Finland, Australia, Canada, Iceland, & Switzerland, along with top 20 peaks in Ireland, UK, Sweden, & Netherlands. The song received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, making her the only artist in history to receive nominations spanning five genres. It also won a BMI award for Most Played Song, and also made Janet the first solo artist to achieve two #1 hits in the 90's.

This only missed out on a top 10 placing by a mere 0.5 points. One of the most remarkable and surprising hits off the legendary Rhythm Nation 1814 album. A dance song laced with glam rock, and even though its an anomaly on the album in that it doesn't quite fit in with the themes or sounds, but that doesn't stop this from being a blistering epic guitar driven track that shows that Janet can rock out with the best of them. Upon your first listen through the album, you know that this is something special and cannot be contained as simply just an album track with its frenetic energy, the thunndering bass, flawless production, and of course Janet's aggresive vocal delivery which transforms the song into epic proportions.

Before we head into the top 10, here's are-cap of the results 11-20

11. Black Cat - 8.866
12. What Have You Done For Me Lately - 8.8
13. The Pleasure Principle - 8.7
14. Miss You Much - 8.4
15. Let's Wait Awhile - 8.3
16. Again - 8.266
17. Go Deep - 8.133
18. Doesn't Really Matter - 8.1
19. The Best Things In Life Are Free (ft Luther Vandross) - 8.0
20. Scream (ft Michael Jackson) - 7.966

Here's what's to feature in the top 10:

When I Think of You
Rhythm Nation
Escapade
Love Will Never Do (Without You)
That's The Way Love Goes
If
Got 'Til It's Gone (ft Q-Tip & Joni Mitchell)
Together Again
All For You
Someone to Call My Lover

Would've switched WITOY and MYM but otherwise brilliant top ten.

'Black Cat' is utterly sensational, I'd loved for her to do more songs in this rocky style and she totally smashes it with the attitude.

 

I'm not quite sure 'Got Til It's Gone' deserves to be in the top 10 over some that have fallen.

Here's a reminder of what's remaining from each era:

Janet Jackson – 0/3
Dream Street – 0/3
Control – 1/7
Rhythm Nation – 3/8
Janet – 2/9
The Velvet Rope – 2/6
All For You – 2/4
Damita Jo – 0/3
20 Y.O. – 0/2
Discipline – 0/2
Unbreakable – 0/4

Greatest Hits – 0/4
Collaborations/Other – 0/7