Janet (album)
Released May 18, 1993
Recorded September 1992 — February 1993
Studio Flyte Tyme Studios
(Edina, Minnesota)
Genre
Pop R&B
Length 75:23
Label Virgin
Producer
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Janet Jackson Jellybean Johnson
Janet (stylized as janet.) is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Janet Jackson, released on May 18, 1993, by Virgin Records America. Prior to its release, Jackson was at the center of a high-profile bidding war over her recording contract. In 1991, her original label A&M sought to renew her contract, while others, such as Atlantic, Capitol, and Virgin all vied to sign her. After meeting with Virgin owner Richard Branson, she signed with the label. The contract was worth an estimated $40 million, making her the world’s then-highest paid musical act.
Criticism that her success in the music industry was attributed to being a member of the Jackson family and a producer-dependent artist led her to write all lyrics for the album, in addition to co-producing every song and co-writing each of their arrangements with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Its title, read “Janet, period.”, is meant to disassociate her public image from her family, dropping her surname. A pop and R&B record, Janet incorporated hip hop, opera, house and jazz, eliminating the rigid, industrial sound of her previous records. Lyrically, the theme of Janet is sexual intimacy—an abrupt departure from her conservative image. Much of her lyrics emphasize a woman’s perspective on sexuality and the demand for practicing safe sex.
In the United States, Janet became the singer’s third consecutive album to top the Billboard 200 and her first to debut at number one. Selling 350,000 copies in its first week, it set a record for the highest first week sales for a female artist at that time.[Certified sixfold platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), it has sold over seven million copies in the US according to Nielsen SoundScan. Internationally, Janet topped the record charts in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and has sold an estimated 14 million copies worldwide.
Janet remains one of only seven albums in history to produce six top-ten hits on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, including the number-one singles “That’s the Way Love Goes” and “Again”. The MTV-sponsored Janet World Tour supporting the album received critical acclaim for Jackson’s elaborate stage performances, reinforcing her reputation as one of the preeminent artists of the MTV generation. Janet cemented her as an international icon and sex symbol, and is listed by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 200 Definitive Albums of All Time. Academics argued the erotic imagery in her music videos have contributed to a higher degree of sexual freedom among women.
Rumors of a multimillion-dollar bidding war over Jackson’s recording contract began to circulate in spring 1991. Jet magazine reported: “A recording company has offered in excess of $50 million to sign superstar Janet Jackson to a recording contract, making the 24-year-old singer/songwriter/dancer/actress the key player in one of the hottest bidding wars among today’s major record companies.”
Rumors of a multimillion-dollar bidding war over Jackson’s recording contract began to circulate in spring 1991. Jet magazine reported: “A recording company has offered in excess of $50 million to sign superstar Janet Jackson to a recording contract, making the 24-year-old singer/songwriter/dancer/actress the key player in one of the hottest bidding wars among today’s major record companies.” Reports indicated that Capitol, Virgin and Atlantic were all bidding for Jackson’s contract, as her ties to A&M would soon expire; by March, she had signed with Virgin. The New York Times declared “Janet Jackson has signed what is believed to be the most lucrative contract in the history of recording. The 24-year-old singer, songwriter and actress signed an exclusive contract with Virgin Records it was announced yesterday.” Her new contract guaranteed a twenty-two percent royalty payment, in addition to her then-historic signing bonus. Chuck Philips of the Los Angeles Times reported that it had been the largest bidding war in recent memory and that “one reason the bidding was so heavy, various industry observers have noted, was that Jackson-at just 24-is still a relatively fresh face on the pop scene and that her dance-pop style is ideal for today’s pop/video climate.” In addition, her potential as an international superstar proved to be the primary motivation for the label’s investment. Jeff Ayeroff, co-managing director of Virgin in the US stated: “Janet is a world-class artist and we expect her growth to be enormous.” Chairman Richard Branson spoke with Jackson privately to seal the deal. He commented: “A Rembrandt rarely becomes available… When it does, there are many people who are determined to get it. I was determined.
Track listing
1. “Morning” 0:31
2. “That’s the Way Love Goes”
Janet Jackson James Harris III Terry Lewis
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Jackson
4:24
3. “You Know…” 0:12
4. “You Want This”
Jackson Harris III Lewis
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Jackson
5:05
5. “Be a Good Boy…” 0:07
6. “If”
Jackson Harris III Lewis
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Jackson
4:31
7. “Back” 0:04
8. “This Time”
Jackson Harris III Lewis
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Jackson
6:58
9. “Go on Miss Janet” 0:05
10. “Throb”
Jackson Harris III Lewis
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Jackson
4:33
11. “What’ll I Do”
Jackson Steve Cropper Joe Shamwell
Jackson Jellybean Johnson
4:05
12. “The Lounge” 0:15
13. “Funky Big Band”
Jackson Harris III Lewis
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Jackson
5:22
14. “Racism” 0:08
15. “New Agenda”
Jackson Harris III Lewis Chuck D
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Jackson
4:00
16. “Love Pt. 2” 0:11
17. “Because of Love”
Jackson Harris III Lewis
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Jackson
4:20
18. “Wind” 0:11
19. “Again”
Jackson Harris III Lewis
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Jackson
3:46
20. “Another Lover” 0:11
21. “Where Are You Now”
Jackson Harris III Lewis
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Jackson
5:47
22. “Hold on Baby” 0:12
23. “The Body That Loves You”
Jackson Harris III Lewis
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Jackson
5:32
24. “Rain” 0:18
25. “Any Time, Any Place”
Jackson Harris III Lewis
Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Jackson
7:08
26. “Are You Still Up” 1:36
27. “Sweet Dreams” 0:14
28. “Whoops Now” (Hidden track) 4:59
Total length: 75:23
Personnel
(Ex) Cat Heads – rap
Alice Preves – viola
Ann Nesby – background vocals
Bernie Edstrom – horn arrangements, trumpet
Carolyn Daws – violin
Celine Leathead – violin
Chuck D – rap
Core Cotton – background vocals
Daria Tedeschi – violin
Dave Karr – flute
David Barry – guitar
David Bullock – violin
David Carr – flute
David Eiland – sax (alto)
David Rideau – mixing
Frank Stribbling – guitar
Gary Raynor – bass
Hanley Daws – violin
Jamecia Bennett – background vocals
Janet Jackson – main performer, record producer, vocals, background vocals
Jean Krikorian – design
Jeff Gottwig – clarinet, trumpet
Jeff Taylor – bass, vocals
Jellybean Johnson – producer
Jimmy Jam – keyboards, producer, vocals
James “Big Jim” Wright – keyboards, vocals
Jossie Harris – talking
Kathleen Battle – vocals
Ken Holman – clarinet, sax (tenor)
Kool & the Gang
Laura Preves – bassoon
Lawrence Waddell – organ (hammond)
Lee Blaskey – orchestration
Len Peltier – art direction, design
Marie Graham – background vocals
Mark Haynes – bass, drum programming, programming
Merilee Klemp – oboe
Mike Sobieski – violin
Patrick Demarchelier – photography
Robert Hallgrimson – sax (alto), trumpet
Steve Hodge – mixing
Steve Wright – trumpet
Steven Pikal – trombone
Stokley – drums
Tamas Strasser – viola
Terry Lewis – producer
The Average White Band
Tina Landon – talking
Tom Kornacker – violin
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