Let's save our troubles for another day

6. Escapade | 9.333 Highest Scores: 11: (Nina West, popchartfreak, Liam.k), 10: (Sour Candy, dandy, Simon, Davidson), Lowest Scores: 7/7.5: (vibe, blacksquare)


At the #6 spot is Escapade, released in January 1990 as the 3rd single (4th in the UK) from Janet's 4th studio album Rhythm Nation 1814, and was written and produced by Janet and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The writers and producers came up with the song's theme after hearing the word used in a conversation, deciding it would make an interesting song title due to the word being uncommon. The song was partially inspired by Martha & the Vandellas's 1965 song "Nowhere to Run", which Janet originally considered covering for the album, but instead chose to record a new song after a suggestion from producer Jimmy Jam. Upon release it became the 3rd of the historic seven top 5 singles released from the album, and became her 3rd #1 hit on the US Billboard chart. Elsewhere it also managed to top the charts in Canada & Japan, top 20 peaks in Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Germany, and UK, then top 40 peaks in France & Australia. However, the song didn't get a physical release in many countries, which affected its chart positions despite strong airplay. The song and its video have influenced other songs and videos from several artists, who have cited influence from its upbeat tempo and joyous feel. The track won a BMI Pop Award for Most Played Song due to its frequent airplay and popularity among the general public and was also performed by Janet in her Japanese commercials for Japan Airlines.

One of my all-time fave Janet Jackson songs and my personal fave from the 'Rhythm Nation' album hands down. There's no denying its cultural impact with its bubbly and carefree vibe that exudes joy and fun. The loud synthesizers at the very start are instantly captivating before the glorious mid-tempo beats kicks in full of catchy grooves and sparkling rhythms that captures the wonderous sense of abandonment and feel good party vibe of the lyrics thanks to Janet's sleek and energetic vocals. This is something that's full of energy and bliss that stands as one of Janet's very best songs. A iconic classic through and through.

Time for another results re-cap 6-10:

06. Escapade - 9.333
07. Love Will Never Do (Without You) - 9.333
08. Someone To Call My Lover - 9.1
09. Got 'Til It's Gone (ft Q-Tip & Joni Mitchell) - 8.966
10. When I Think of You - 8.9

Here's the top 5:

Rhythm Nation
That's The Way Love Goes
If
Together Again
All For You


Thoughts? Predictions? Feel free to share...

Edited December 9, 20231 yr by Nina West

Escapade :wub:

Just 5 left now & here's a reminder of what's left from each era:

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

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


Just 4 albums left in the running now with 'Janet' having the most left with 2, quite a feat considering all the other singles dropped out quite quickly. 'Rhythm Nation' had the most in the top 10, but only the title track is left remaining. Then finally 'The Velvet Rope' & 'All For You' each has 1 left.

With music by our side to break the color lines

5. Rhythm Nation | 9.433 Highest Scores: 11: (Sour Candy, dandy, Cremey), 10: (Nina West, Davidson, blacksquare, Liam.k, Math), Lowest Scores: 7: (Simon)


#5 is the almighty Rhythm Nation, released in October 1989 as the 2nd single from Janet's 4th studio album Rhythm Nation 1814, and was written and produced by Janet, in collaboration with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The distinctive guitar riff was based on "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)" by Sly and the Family Stone. Janet developed the song's concept in response to various tragedies in the media, deciding to pursue a socially conscious theme by combing a political standpoint with upbeat dance music. The song's lyrics were written as a montage of racial unity with Janet's passion for dance and desired the song's theme to capture the attention of her teenage audience. Upon release it was a big commercial success on the US Billboard charts by reaching a #2 peak for two consecutive weeks. Internationally it managed top 10 peaks in Canada, South Africa & Netherlands, top 20 peaks in New Zealand & Ireland, as well as top 40 peaks in Switzerland, UK, & Belgium. The song received several accolades, including BMI Pop Awards for "Most Played Song", the Billboard Award for "Top Dance/Club Play Single" and a Grammy nomination for Jackson as "Producer of the Year". The record label attempted to persuade her against filming the video, feeling as if it didn't have mainstream appeal. But upon Janet's insistence the music video became instantly iconic has been listed on many best music videos of all-time lists & would win many awards such as 2 MTV Music Video awards & a Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video. The handwritten and music video outfit are included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power" exhibit.

'Rhythm Nation' becomes the latest casualty in this countdown as we draw nearer and nearer to the finish line. Janet definitely succeeds in her ambition of creating a global anthem as she addresses her concerns of social themes with refreshing honesty and in a straightforward manner; the lyrics are direct, and her intent is clear, with the emotional power it sustains. This song could have easily sounded heavy handed, but thankfully it doesn't thanks to the densely textured beats, the militant staccato grooves, and that grand pop chorus keeps the momentum going throughout and of course that polished production which combines dance/pop with an industrial edge, which even to this day still sounds fantastic. This is for sure one of Janet's signature and most important songs in her back catalogue with a timeless message that will always resonate with anyone who listens to it.

Awwwww a shame to see that out, even if it has still done well to be top 5. It just should have been top 2 instead *.*

I think Escapade belongs to top 5 but #6 is great as well

the last two are #11-20 for me but alas

Don't have to work that hard, just be yourself

4. All For You | 9.533 Highest Scores: 11: |Nina West, Liam, Sour Candy), 10: (Jessie Where, Simon, Cremey, blacksquare), Lowest Scores: 8/8.5: (Bjork, popchartfreak, vibe)


#4 is All For You, released in March 2001 as the lead single from Janet's 7th studio album of the same name, and was written and produced by Janet along with her collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, The song heavily samples "The Glow of Love" by Change and became the first single to be added to every pop, rhythmic, and urban radio format within its first week of release. Amidst Janet's divorce from René Elizondo Jr, exposing their secret nine year marriage to the public, she started working on a new album, which was described as "upbeat, fun and carefree", in contrast to the dark and sexually explicit previous record "The Velvet Rope" . Janet and her producers listened to older songs before starting work on the album to find inspiration & that was when they heard 'The Change of Love' track and Jimmy Jam really wanted to use it. Upon release it became a commercial smash hit by topping the US Billboard charts for 7 weeks, making it the longest reigning hit of the year after setting the record for the highest debut of a song which was not commercially available in the country. To date, it is Janet's 10th and final #1 hit in the USA. Elsewhere it also attained success by topping the charts in Canada & South Africa, top 5 peaks in New Zealand, France, UK, Australia, Finland, Netherlands & Spain, then top 10/20 peaks mostly everywhere else, making this one of her biggest worldwide hits. The song won several accolades, including the prize for Best Dance Recording at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards, and was referenced on the track "Snow on the Beach" by Taylor Swift & Lana Del Rey.

This marked a perfect contrast to the dark and heavy themes of her previous album, as here she delves into a more light and carefree sound which is a near-perfect pastiche of 70s disco, 80s synthpop, and 00s dance-pop that glides gracefully on the iconic piano line from the classic disco sample and works perfectly alongside the modern beat. This is a great song and easily one of Janet's best up-tempo grooves, thanks to her smooth vocal delivery and fantastic harmonies, giving this a warm and catchy sound & also love that iconic dance break which elevates this to a whole other level. A well deserved big hit and shame it was all downhill from here career wise.

fab rundown, mostly as expected, but good to see Someone To Call My Lover so high, it's a genius record mash-up of genres, Escapade should have been top 5 (if not 1) and a few later tracks I rate lower than earlier ones near the top end, but mustn't grumble. Oh and I never knew Harry "KC & The Sunshine Band" Casey had a hand in Best Things In Life Are Free. Big fan of KC, an underrated cornerstone of 70's discofunk, from Rock Your Baby to 90's covers of 70's biggies of his.

 

Janet's UK career sadly never recovered from her cancelling her 2001/2 UK tour after 9/11. I know I was not a happy bunny...! I never did get to see her in concert... :o

A hit!

An absolute classic which I still hear around so often now (granted in gay clubs but alas)

 

I remember at the time thinking she was in with a realistic shot of getting her first #1 and was devastated when it didn't happen. I still to this day am quite pissed about that and believe it was robbed.

Emma Bunton was just too strong for Janet! :cool: Almost 6,000 copies ahead, even though it was Emma's second week on sale and Janet's first.

 

1- WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG- Emma Bunton (64,800) [2nd week]

2- IT WASN’T ME- Shaggy Ft Rik Rok Ducent (62,000) [7th week]

3- ALL FOR YOU- Janet Jackson (59,000) [1st week]

 

Maybe if Janet had had a CD1 and CD2 set then she would have got to #1?

 

In terms of formats, the Top 3 was quite a level playing field, with none of them having a CD2 (as far as I can tell from Discogs). Shaggy and Janet had vinyl formats whereas Emma didn't (although I can't imagine they contributed many sales). All three were released on cassette too.

 

 

Looking at their Top 75 chart runs, bar a couple of weeks, Emma remained ahead of Janet:

 

01-01-08-11-16-20-27-32-39-46-54-60-out Emma Bunton

00-03-10-13-15-21-26-33-41-52-57-64-out Janet Jackson

 

 

Janet's album (#2) ended up doing better than Emma's (#4). Janet also kind of got her own back on Emma in the singles chart later in the year - Son of a Gun (#13) was released in the same week as We're Not Gonna Sleep Tonight (#20).

All For You is probably in my top 3 Janet songs, though I didn’t like it much at the time.

 

Also Jay, thanks for providing the chart information. You’re like an encyclopaedia!

Also Jay, thanks for providing the chart information. You’re like an encyclopaedia!

:lol: It's true! You're welcome :wub:

 

All for You was the first Janet CD single I ever bought! :heart:

Get ready for #3

Close your eyes and imagine my body undressed

3. If | 9.666 Highest Scores: 11: (Sour Candy, dandy, Cremey, Liam.k, Math), 10: (Nina West, Liam, popchartfreak, Davidson, vibe), Lowest Scores: 7: (Bjork, Pandamic Tension)


At the #3 spot is If, released in July 1993 as the 2nd single from Janet Jackson's 5th studio album Janet, who co-wrote and co-produced "If" with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with Harvey Fuqua, John Bristol and Jackey Beavers receiving songwriting credits for the sampling of their composition "Someday We'll Be Together", performed by Diana Ross & the Supremes. The song fuses various genres, including rock, trip hop and industrial music, with elements of new jack swing and hip hop. Virgin records originally wanted this to be the album's lead single, but Janet disagreed and wanted 'That's The Way Love Goes' released instead, so decided to release this as the follow-up instead. After her role in the film Poetic Justice, it gave her the confidence to attempt edgier themes musically and came up with this track in a conference room during a meeting and once the recording process started, Janet and the producers started trying out different ideas and that's how it became to be. Upon release it received critical acclaim from music critics and became a commercial hit by reaching a #4 peak on the US Billboard charts. Elsewhere it also found success by hitting top 10 peaks in Canada, New Zealand, & Netherlands, & top 20 peaks in Finland, UK, Australia, & Sweden, then top 40 peaks everywhere else. It received a BMI Pop Award for Most Played Song and was also ranked among Slant Magazine's Best Singles of the 1990s.

Fun fact this scored the most 11's & only missed out on a runner-up spot by a mere 0.5, with this & the #2 song constantly flip flopping between positions throughout the rate. This would have been a strong enough choice for the lead single, but 'That's The Way Love Goes' was the correct choice, and this was far better suited as a strong follow up, which is what it became. A cracking tune with crashing heavy metal guitars, prominent violin strings, and thick relentless industrial beats with riveting rhythms making this an epic dance/rock explosion. Janet's multi-layered vocals cuts through the funky bass and infectious chorus at breakneck speed right up until the soaring climax. Big, loud, and larger than life, this is one of Janet's very best dance recordings, and one of my all-time personal faves.

Edited December 12, 20231 yr by Nina West

That's The Way Love Goes VS Together Again

 

 

'Janet' vs 'The Velvet Rope'

 

 

Who will win?

 

 

Stay tuned to find out

My absolute favourite :wub:

 

A shame it couldn't quite sneak second but tbh third is better than I would have expected before the rate began. It's got everything I want from a Janet track, interesting and epic production, a mash of different (all very strong) sections and styles in the verse/bridge/chorus, sexual undercurrents and a sense of female empowerment. It's just great.

Her UK chart history is full of positions lower than the songs deserved, and If being a #14 is certainly one of those moments. What wasn’t clicking!