The next lot of results will include a single from 'Control' & 'Janet'

 

Any guesses?

Maybe Throb feels like the most likely to fall from Janet?

 

For Control, surely it has to be Funny How Time Flies

Dancing with a whole new meaning

46. Make Me | 5.8 Highest Scores: 8: (Liam,k), Lowest Scores: 1: (popchartfreak)
45. Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun) | 5.892 Highest Scores: 8: (Bjork), Lowest Scores: 3: (popchartfreak)
44. What'll I'll Do | 5.9 Highest Scores: 7/7.5: (Nina West, Liam, Sour Candy, Jessie Where, Simon, Davidson), Lowest Scores: 3: (dandy)
43. Made For Now (ft Daddy Yankee) | 5.933 Highest Scores: 10: (Simon), Lowest Scores: 0: (Bjork)


#46 is Make Me, released in September 2009 as the lead and only single included on Janet's 2nd greatest hits album Number Ones and was written by Janet, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Thomas Lumpkins, and Michaela Shiloh. The song was originally presented as an audio stream to those who joined her web site's official mailing list in September 2009, it was released via digital download later that month, then released as a single later that month. There were claims made that the song was a tribute song to her late brother Michael's 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough', Janet later stated in an interview that it is not, despite the lyrical similarities in the outro. Upon release it saw very minor success by only charting on the US component charts and peaking at #71 on the UK singles chart, her first release since her collaboration with Nelly to chart in the UK top 75. This is a nice little disco banger that bounces on a tight electro beats with a nice breezy playful charm to it. Not up there with some of Janet's other pop jams of course, but a nice throwaway number tailor made for a greatest hits album.

#45 is Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun), released in November 1987 as the 7th and final single from Janet's 3rd studio album Control and was written and produced by Janet and collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The single was only officially released in the UK & Australia where it attained a minor peak of #59, but fared better in Ireland where it peaked at #24. It wasn't given a full release in the USA, solely for airplay where it became something of a late night staple on some radio stations there. The song has been sampled and covered a few times over the years, Jazz musician Stanley Clarke covered it in 1988 & more recently Tinashe sampled it on her song 'How Many Times' in 2014. 2 years later it was sampled on SWV's 'MCE (Man Crush Everyday)'. The most forgotten single from Janet's iconic breakthrough album 'Control' due to it not having a music video which probably led to its poor chart performance. But that aside it probably was one single too many and by the time it was released the album was nearly 2 years old. A nice soothing quiet storm ballad that demonstrates Janet's ability to command a melody and give the song thw nuanced emotion it deserves. A nice ending to an iconic era, even if it wasn't necessary.

#44 is What'll I'll Do, released in March 1995 as a double a-side alongside "Whoops Now" as the final single from Janet's 5th studio album Janet. The song is a cover of Johnny Daye's 1967 song called "What'll I Do for Satisfaction". While it did serve as a double a-side in Europe, Japan & Oceania, this track did get released on its own in certain parts of Europe and on its own in Australia. Upon release the overall chart performances for the single was successful by topping the charts in New Zealand, reaching top 10 peaks in Austria, France & UK, and top 20 peaks in Australia, Germany, Denmark & Switzerland. Another largely forgotten final single from an iconic album, but this time the song was an actual hit, however, it was overshadowed by its counterpart. On its own its a rather decent number with its guitar driven funk beats giving it a nice 70's throwback vibe. Not as memorable as the album's previous singles, its still a nice bop though.

#43 is Janet's most recent offering to date - Made For Now, which features Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee. Released in August 2018 as a standalone single was co-written by Janet alongside many others and produced by Harmony Samuels, Janet and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The release marks the first for Jackson's new partnership with independent music publisher and distributor Cinq Music Group to distribute future releases her from her independent label Rhythm Nation Records. The project came about when Janet wanted to record a song about love, unity and "the world coming together" and songwriter Harmony drew upon his own Nigerian heritage and past work with Nigerian recording artists and recorded it with various other. After hearing it Janet made changes so the song would fit her and recorded it with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Upon release the song peaked at #88 on the US Billboard charts, becoming Janet's 41st chart entry on there and Daddy Yankee's 10th. Did hope that this could have done better on here, but oh well. The track is really solid with its infectious beats and cool tropical upbeat rhythms. The mixtures of pop, afrobeats with hints of latin and reggaeton are uplifting and glorious. Nice to see that even at this stage in her career, Janet can still deliver a joyous dancefloor banger.

Edited November 14, 20231 yr by Nina West

Oh I completely forgot about What'll I Do existing - that is definitely the correct first song to fall from the Janet album

The next lot will feature a single from 'The Velvet Rope' & a single from 'Damita Jo'

 

Any guesses?

 

How are you liking these results and commentaries so far?

Whoops Now/What'll Do was released in March 1995 btw

 

Made for Now is brilliant, shame she hasn't released anything since.

Edited November 14, 20231 yr by Sour Candy

not up to the stage where I start saying "ohhh, I love that one. too low!" and great commentaries, lots of stuff I don't know! :)

Commentaries are incredible, amazing job, great research!

 

Oh I do love Funny How Times Flies, sure they overdid it by releasing a 7th single off Control but it's a great kinda chillout track

Whoops Now/What'll Do was released in March 1995 btw

 

Made for Now is brilliant, shame she hasn't released anything since.

 

Thanks for that, typing error :wub:

Miss Jackson, oh she wear the crown

42. I Want You | 6.266 Highest Scores: 9: (Sour Candy), Lowest Scores: 2: (popchartfreak)
41. Every Time | 6.3 Highest Scores: 8.5/8: (Nina West, Sour Candy, Simon, Math), Lowest Scores: 0: (Jessie Where)
40. Burnitup (ft Missy Elliot) | 6.366 Highest Scores: 10: (Nina West, Liam), Lowest Scores: 1: (popchartfreak)


#42 is I Want You, released in February 2004 as the 2nd single from Janet's 8th studio album Damita Jo and was written by Harold Lilly, Kanye West, and John Legend, while it was produced by Kanye, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and Janet. It was originally titled "Have Your Way With Me" during its early stages, and was one of two songs from the album that Janet did not co-write. The song is notable for being among the first singles to have writing and production credits by Kanye West and John Legend, who were both upcoming artists at the time. Upon release the song's performance was largely affected by the blacklisting of her music videos and singles worldwide due to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, regarding her infamous Superbowl performance, which caused the song to stall at #57 on the US Billboard charts & wasn't given a worldwide release apart from the UK where it was released as a double a-side alongside 'All Nite (Don't Stop)' & peaked at #19 there. The track did receive a Grammy nomination 'Best Female R&B Vocal Performance' in 2005. A nice nostalgic trip back to the Motown era with sweet melodies, sensual vocals and soulful laid back grooves. A nice little number that perhaps felt a little out of place during its time, but due to the backlash, nothing could have saved her career by that point.

#41 another Janet ballad drops - Every Time, released in November 1998 as the 6th and final single from Janet's 6th studio album The Velvet Rope and was written by Janet, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Rene Elizondo Jr with production by Janet and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The music videos for Britney's 'Everytime' & Rihanna's 'Stay' have both been compared to this by critics with many noting the similar themes. Upon release the song wasn't quite as successful as the album's previous singles by reaching top 40 peaks in Netherlands & New Zealand as well as top 75 peaks in UK, Australia & Germany. In the USA it failed to chart on the Hot 100 and peaked at #125 on the Bubbling Under chart. This is a lovely tender wistful Janet Jackson ballad with delicate piano lines and gorgeous breathy vocals against the understated percussion. What makes this song so effective is the way that Janet's vocals quivers with such emotion. An underrated beautiful number for sure that deserved far more than the mere chart performance that it got.

At the #40 spot is the fabulous Burnitup (stylized as "BURNITUP!") which features on Janet's 11th studio album Unbreakable and features rapper Missy Elliot. It was written and produced by Janet, Dem Jointz, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Missy Elliot. The song marked the 4th time Janet and Missy collaborated and was released as a promotional single in September 2015, while a digital promo single containing the album's version and a radio edit was released in October of that same year. The pair's other duets include the 1998 remixes of 'Go Deep', 'Son of a Gun' in 2001 & 'The 1' back in 2008. Despite not getting a proper single release the song did manage to chart at #16 in Japan and hit a #17 peak on the US R&B songs chart. I know I was cheating a bit by including this, but for the life of me I could have sworn that this was a single. I mean WHY THE HELL wasn't it a single anyway with a kick ass music video full of Janet and Missy's epic dance moves. The chemistry between the both artists is off the wall (literally), and was my instant firm fave from Janet's fantastic comeback album 'Unbreakable'. The song is an epic, electrofunk, dance classic with stabbing synths and awesome vocals. This is one of Janet's most exciting and thrilling songs she's recorded in many years.

Edited November 22, 20231 yr by Nina West

I Want You is a gem <3

'Every Time' really is awful

Here's a re-cap of the results 40-62

40. BURNITUP (ft Missy Elliot) – 6.366
41. Every Time – 6.3
42. I Want You – 6.266
43. Made for Now (ft Daddy Yankee) – 5.933
44. What’ll I’ll Do – 5.9
45. Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun) – 5.892
46. Make Me – 5.8
47. What’s It Gonna Be (ft Busta Rhymes) – 5.75
48. So Excited (ft Khia) – 5.566
49. Twenty Foreplay – 5.433
50. Girlfriend/Boyfriend (ft Blackstreet) – 5.142
51. Unbreakable – 5.133
52. Dammn Baby – 5.033
53. Young Love – 5.0
54. Call on Me (ft Nelly) – 4.966
55. Come Give Your Love to Me – 4.954
56. Say You Do – 4.545
57. Luv Me Luv Me (ft Shaggy) – 4.214
58. Nothing – 4.192
59. Feel It Boy (ft Beenie Man) – 4.107
60. Don’t Stand Another Chance – 4.0
61. Fast Girls – 3.181
62. Two to the Power of Love (ft Cliff Richard) – 1.458

As we're now heading into the top 40 here's a reminder of what's left from each Janet Jackson era:

Janet Jackson - 0/3
Dream Street - 0/3
Control - 6/7
Rhythm Nation - 8/8
Janet - 8/9
The Velvet Rope - 5/6
All For You - 4/4
Damita Jo - 2/3
20 Y.O. - 0/2
Discipline - 2/2
Unbreakable - 1/4

Greatest Hits - 2/4
Collaborations/Other - 1/7



As you can see we've lost 3 eras already, none of which are surprising though as 'Janet Jackson' & 'Dream Street' were expected to drop out quickly. '20 Y.O.' only had 2 singles & neither of them were very well recieved. 'Rhythm Nation', 'All For You' & 'Discipline' are the only albums not to lose any of their singles yet, but all that could change within' the next lot of results.

within'

 

I'd rather keep the trash and throw you out

39. Just A Little While | 6.566 Highest Scores: 11: (Simon), Lowest Scores: 4/4.5: (Davidson, vibe)
38. No Sleeep | 6.6 Highest Scores: 10: (Cremey), Lowest Scores: 1: (popchartfreak)
37. Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song is About You) (ft Carly Simon & Missy Elliot) | 6.666 Highest Scores: 10: (Sour Candy), Lowest Scores: 1: (dandy)


#39 is Just A Little While, released in February 2004 as the lead single from Janet's 8th studio album Damita Jo and was written by Janet & Dallas Austin & produced by the latter. The song leaked online ahead of schedule in January 2004, causing several radio stations in the United States to play it illegally, which caused her record label to rush with a music video and promotion. Upon release the song's commercial performance was affected by Janet's Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy; despite being the most added and played song on radio following its release in the USA. but because of the blacklisting it ended up peaking at #45 on the US Top 100, which would be her lowest charting lead single since 1983. Internationally it was more successful, reaching top 10 peaks in Canada & Spain and top 20 peaks in Australia & UK. This was a very odd choice to lead the album campaign, not that it didn't matter because in hind sight, nothing else would have stood a chance due to the blacklisting. But this pop/rock number doesn't represent the album at all & even its placement on there, being tucked away at the end, simply because it wouldn't have fitted anywhere else. While I do like the carefree vibe of the song, it just feels very lightweight even with the punchy production. Not that it would have mattered but 'All Nite (Don't Stop)' would have been my choice as the lead single.

#38 is No Sleeep, released in June 2015 as the lead single from Janet's 11th studio album Unbreakable and was co-written and produced by Janet and her long-time collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, it is the first record to be released under Jackson's independent label Rhythm Nation Records, distributed by BMG Rights Management. The album version of the song features additional verses from American rapper J Cole. The song almost didn't make the final cut of the album and due to producer Jimmy Jam was having a sleepless night and came up with the skeleton of the track, before it evolved from there months later and was asked to come up with a melody for it, which Janet loved. Upon release the song debuted at #67 on the US Hot 100, marking her 40th chart entry and when the album version came out featuring J Cole, it attained a new peak of #63, while also topping the US Adult R&B Songs chart. This is a gorgeous quiet storm R&B ballad with warm bass, excellent jazzy production and excellent breathy vocals by Janet who conveys the simplistic message of the song perfectly. Even the addition of J Cole adds a different perspective and adds even more greatness to this solid soulful number. This deserved to rank far higher on here than #38.

#37 is Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song is About You), which features Carly Simon and Missy Elliot. Released in November 2001 as the 4th and final single from Janet's 7th studio album All For You and was written and produced by Janet, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with additional lyrics by Carly Simon. The song is built around a sample of Carly Simon's 1972 hit "You're So Vain", who also added some new spoken parts into the song. The track was remixed for its single release to feature Missy Elliot. Janet phoned Carly to ask for her permission to use the 'You're So Vain' sample, she agreed but wanted to re-record her vocals and ended up rapping on the track, which the producers decided to use. Many speculated that the song was about Janet's ex-husband René Elizondo Jr, but she denied these claims. Upon release it was met with weak charting positions due to the label abruptly ending the promotional campaign for All For You due to the company's financial difficulties. In the USA it peaked at #28, her first to miss the top 10 in over a decade. Elsewhere it managed top 20 peaks in UK, Denmark, Australia and Belgium. This isn't one of my fave Janet tracks to be honest and having 3 back to back sampled singles was probably a bit much and considering that there were much better tracks on the album such as 'Come On Get Up', 'Trust A Try' or even 'Feels So Right' that could have made better singles (the former 2 were due to be released but were scrapped). The song is just way too cluttered and unfocused to be called enjoyable, despite a somewhat catchy chours.

Edited November 15, 20231 yr by Nina West

'No Sleeeeeeep' is actually really good!

 

As for the other two, well they exist and that's probably the kindest thing I can say about them.

No Sleep and Son of a Gun are too low :/ Although I can understand Dandy's criticism about the use of You're So Vain in the latter, the song is still a banger.

In the next lot there will be a 'Rhythm Nation' single & a 'Janet' single

 

 

Any guesses?

 

 

 

Thanks for all your comments so far :heart:

Ready for the next set of results....