As much as I love 'Black Cat' it does seem a little too high on here? I think it helps that it sounds different from the rest of her discography, but don't think it should have been some of the classics on here.

 

This rate really drives home how strong her discography is though.

Anytime my world gets crazy

10. When I Think Of You | 8.9 Highest Scores: 11: (Math), 10: (Nina West, Bjork, Jessie Where), Lowest Scores: 7/7.5: (Sour Candy, blacksquare)


At #10 and matching it's UK peak When I Think of You, released in July 1986 as the 3rd single from Janet's 3rd studio album Control and was composed by songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Upon release it became Janet's first #1 single on the US Billboard charts, and made Janet and her brother Michael Michael Jackson the first, and only siblings to both have solo number-one singles on the Hot 100. Worldwide it became a commercial success with top 10 peaks in Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, Ireland, & UK, as well as top 40 peaks in Germany & New Zealand. The music video was choregraphed by Paula Abdul and uses an edit of the 12-inch dance remix instead of the album version. In 1995 the song was remixed on two limited-edition CD single formats in the UK, one containing remixes by Deep Dish, Heller and Farley and the other containing remixes by David Morales. Pitchfork included the song on their "The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s" list at number 48.

Honestly didn't think that this would have been the top ranking 'Control' single on here, but there you go. This is a glorious euphoric gem that shows a more feel-good side to Janet after the album's previous 2 singles and its a refreshing change of pace as she gets to show her more romantic side with this fun and evocative number. The simplistic pianos works well with the stabbing synths, funky guitars and pulsating dance beats, all of which goes perfectly with Janet's breathy vocals and creates an overall wonderful track. Although I am surprised that the 'Control' era would be the first out of Janet's big 5 to lose all its singles, but at least one of them made the final 10 and its a classic.

I'm outraged it's that low! :cry:

The next to fall will be later tonight & it will be a 90's single

 

But which one?

No idea tbh - I can see a case for it being any of them that aren't Together Again

 

 

Oh and very happy that my 11s are all still in (saying that now just in case it is If or Got 'Til It's Gone that is out next :D )

'Doesn't Really Matter' would be a high score for me!

Joni Mitchell never lies

9. Got 'til It's Gone (ft Q-Tip & Joni Mitchell) | 8.966 Highest Scores: 11: (dandy, blacksquare), 10: (Nina West, Bjork, Pandamic Tension, Cremey), Lowest Scores: 7/7.5: (popchartfreak, Jessie Where, Simon, vibe)


#9 is Got 'til It's Gone, featuring American rapper Q-Tip and Canadian singer Joni Mitchell due to song's usage of her 1970 song 'Big Yellow Taxi'. Released in September 1997 as the lead single from Janet's 6th studio album The Velvet Rope, and was written by Janet, Jam & Lewis, with additional writing by René Elizondo Jr., Joni Mitchell, and Kamaal Ibn Fareed, with production handled by Janet, Jam & Lewis. For the track Janet opted for a less polished sound which resulted in an authentic blend of R&B, pop, and hip hop with traces of reggae influences. Upon release the song wasn't given a commercial release in the USA, making it ineligible to chart on the top 100, however it did manage a #36 peak on the Hot 100 airplay chart and #3 on the R&B/Hip Hop chart. Worldwide the song was a huge success with top 10 peaks in Hungary, New Zealand, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, UK, Taiwan & Australia, along with top 20 peaks in 10 other countries. The music video was dubbed a masterpiece by many critics and won a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video. The song was also covered by singer Marsha Ambrosius, and was also a source for several book titles. After the song's release there was some controversy with British singer Des'ree sued Janet and the song's producers due to it sounding like her own song 'Feels So High' from 1992. In July 1998, she was awarded an out-of-court settlement granting her 25 per cent of the publishing royalties from the song; around £2 million.

What I've always liked about Janet is that you never quite know what to expect with a new album lead-off single, it could be an up-tempo banger or a subtle slow jam or it could be something far more experimental like this a soulful downtempo trip-hop number that incorporates Joni Mitchell's 'Big Yellow Taxi'. A risky move that pays off big time thanks to it's slick production, and the contrast between Janet's understated and nuanced vocals contrasts Joni's vocals & Q-Tip's raps perfectly along with the superb genre blendings and therefore creates a masterpiece of a song. This is perhaps Janet's most adventurous lead single of her entire career.

Way way waaaaay too high for me.

What a classic :cheeseblock:

 

Surprised I gave less than 10

Edited December 6, 20231 yr by Sour Candy

really surprised at When I Think Of You only #10... there seems to be a bias against the old songs :/ can't believe the highest from Control only got to #10

I don’t know about that, Rhythm Nation still has a couple to come. Plus 10th feels about right to me, Control is great but it’s only my 4th favourite Janet album after Rhythm Nation, Janet and Velvet Rope

Friends say I'm crazy 'cause easily I fall in love

8. Someone To Call My Lover | 9.1 Highest Scores: 11: (popchartfreak, Math), 10: (Nina West, Sour Candy, blacksquare), Lowest Scores: 7/7.5: (Liam, Davidson, vibe)


#8 is Someone To Call My Lover, released in June 2001 as the 2nd single from Janet's 7th studio album All For You and was written and produced by Janet and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, The song uses a guitar riff from America's "Ventura Highway" and the melody from Erik Satie's "Gymnopédie No. 1". Janet heard the Satie track when she was a child and loved it and searched for years for the catchy track. She came across the tune again 7 years later at Ralph Lauren's on a CD. Upon release it became a success by reaching a #3 peak on the US Billboard charts, becoming her 27th and final top 10 hit to date. Elsewhere it managed a top 10 peak in Canada and top 20 peaks in UK, Australia, & New Zealand. Alongside it's single release a So So Def remix was produced and became her first collaboration with Jermaine Dupri. The song would earn a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2002.

The last minute score of 11 caused this to skyrocket to a respectable 9.1 average & a top 10 ranking on here. Personally I wouldn't have it this high, but its a great song nonetheless and was an obvious pick to follow the massive title track. Colourful, sweet, vibrant, and tailor made for radio/chart success. The acoustic guitar gives the song a wonderful summery vibe courtesy of the Ventura Highway sample which works incredibly well with the light beats, bright melodies, and catchy chorus. Janet's vocals sounds warm and rich, and are perfectly pitched against the song's samples. This is just a delight listen through and through, and its such a shame that this was her last real hit & her success pretty much ended here. However, this was an instant firm fave upon the album's release, and may in fact be one of the most poppiest moments of her entire career.

One of her best singles :wub:

It's not like a huge huge favourite of mine and probably wouldn't have it this high either, but it's a nice breezy summer tune.

There's 7 songs left & the next 2 entries will have the same average of 9.3

 

But which ones?

 

(Look on the first page to see what's left)

 

 

btw on page 3 for the results 36-34; I changed the video to 'Rock With U' instead of 'Come Back To Me'

Edited December 6, 20231 yr by Nina West

Yeah 8 is too high for that, but it is definitely one of her best singles from the latter decades of her career. It’s fun and carefree

'Someone To Call My Lover' is good but definitely not as good as 8th place.

They've all said we'd never last

7. Love Will Never Do (Without You) | 9.333 Highest Scores: 11: (Simon, Cremey, Liam.k), 10: (popchartfreak, Sour Candy, Math), Lowest Scores: 7: (Jessie Where)


#7 is Love Will Never Do (Without You), released in October 1990 as the 7th single from Janet's 4th studio album Rhythm Nation 1814, and was composed by songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Originally Jam & Lewis considered the idea of making the song a duet, with artists such as Prince, Johnny Gill, or Ralph Tresvant in consideration. However, there was no concrete plan and during the recording of the first Jam told Janet to sing it in a lower octave register, and then go up in the 2nd verse. Despite being one of the album's last singles released, it was actually one of the first songs recorded with the background vocals recorded in late 1988, while the lead vocals were completed in January 1989. Upon release it topped the US Billboard charts in 1991, becoming her 5th #1 overall and the 4th from this album. This made her the only artist to achieve 7 top 5 hits from one album. The song's success also helped the album to become the first in history to produce #1 hits in 3 separate calendar years, with 'Miss You Much' in 1989, 'Escapade' & 'Black Cat' in 1990, then finally this in 1991. Elsewhere it topped the charts in Canada, but wasn't as commercially successful anywhere else, with a top 20 peak in Australia, then top 40 peaks in Ireland, New Zealand, Netherlands, & UK. The song's music video has won an MTV Music Video award for Best Choreography, as well as a nomination for Best Art Direction, and has appeared on several all-time best lists, by MTV, Rolling Stone, & VH1. Although released in 1990, Pitchfork included it on their list of "Top 200 Best Songs of the 80's'.

This is actually tied with the #6 entry, but placed lower due to it getting one less high score. An uptempo love song that cleverly sees Janet take the higher and lower register of song and create a duet with herself, and its absolutely fabulous. The euphoric production that features dramatic synths, slamming drum beats, overlapping four-part harmonies, and the incredible vocal runs makes this an instant joyful experience and a firm classic in Janet's discography. What a grand way to close the chapter on an incredible album campaign.

I don't know why I gave it 7, it's actually better than a 7!

Ready for another