"JANET JACKSON"-Janet Jackson 1982

[boogienights]

I came across Janet Jacksons self titled 1982 album on cd whilst killing time in a Cash Converters store and it was only 3 bucks so I thought I would get it.And I was glad I did! The album is a mix of funky pop songs and ballads.Several members of The Sylvers show up in the credits and Shalamars Howard Hewett does too.Best tracks are Say You Do (with strings!),Don't Mess Up This Good Thing,Young Love and Come Give Your Love To Me.A surprisingly good album from the early 80s..3 bucks well spent! Thoughts..?Anyone..?

[Cory Ander]

I used to have it but it didn't impress me much.....I thought "Say You Do" was ok but I thought the vocals were thin, reedy and grating and I sold the album. But in my opinion, her next album "Dream Street" was even worse, despite production from Giorgio Moroder. I remember an interview I read that said she only recorded at that time because of family pressure, and those records seem to bear that out. But back then I'd buy 25 cent albums in the bargain bins just out of curiosity, and not having learned my lesson from those early Janet albums next I tried "Such a Wicked Love" by sister LaToya. Yuck and double yuck!

[boogienights]

Thanks for the reply.Yeah its definitely not mind blowing but I would say I am somewhat entertained by it.I sort of like her vocals but I can see how people wouldnt.Its notable that when she released her "20yo" album in 2006 she dismissed those 2 albums and instead decided to commemorate since her album "Control" in 1986...so I guess, as you say, she really did not have her heart in it.And I can def see Joe Jackson pushing her into it.He seems good at pushing people around.. La Toya...think ill avoid it...

[Chap2Power]

I bought the CD for "Love and My Best Friend" which was a pretty ballad. Let's be honest. They really didn't know what to do with her for a while.

[markydefad]

"Come Give Your Love To Me" was the track that I thought really rocked.
DJs would mix it into Michael Jackson's "Beat it" since they are BOTH around 140 bpm and are BOTH by Jacksons.

[boogienights]

Yeah its got some great guitar work on it hey Markydefad? Its sort of brooding in a way.Wonder is she felt jealous of Michaels achievements that year in comparison to how she performed with her album??

[FranceJoliFan]

I came across Janet Jacksons self titled 1982 album. Thoughts..?Anyone..?

I never owned the album, but I did have a 12" single with both Young Love and Come Give Your Love To Me.

At the time, I thought of CGYLTM as a sister piece (both literally and figuratively) to Jermaine's Let Me Tickle Your Fancy. They both stood out as New Wave-influenced R&B, and sounded fresh at the time. I remember seeing Jermaine perform LMTYF on the Merv Griffin Show, and he brought Janet and LaToya along to do back up.

I was a big fan of LaToya's If You Feel The Funk. So I thought of Janet as riding on LaToya's coattails at the time. And even though Michael had already hit it big with the Off The Wall album, I still thought Jermaine was a contender. His Let's Get Serious was such a strong hit. I really thought he would be the one to take off and eclipse everyone. Janet sounded sweet. But I don't think anyone at the time thought she would become a superstar.

My favorite from her first two albums is All My Love To You. Still light and happy, but with more substance. In fact, I'd rather listen to it than most songs from her last three albums, although I do like her late 80s thru early 90s stuff. Fast Girls and Pretty Boy (also from Dream Street) are interesting because it sounds like they were trying to make her sound like Vanity. And the Moroder stuff--songs other artists had rejected? And let's not even mention her adult contemporary duet with Cliff Richard (Cher did this type of thing much better with Peter Cetera.) So basically, Janet was all over the map.

So yes, after these first two albums, I can see why she wanted to take Control. Because by album number three, everything clicked. But maybe she needed to find herself through these first two.

[boogienights]

Good post FranceJolifan. (Ps I like France too!). Well...I wasnt lucky enough to be around for the original releases of any of the stuff you mentioned..but from what I have heard,"Lets Get Serious" is a killer groove, and a serious (groan) hit! So i can see how you would think that..I guess it was not to be though! I kinda like his "Wear Out The Groove" track on the "Perfect" soundtrack.I only have one track from Latoya "You're Gonna Get Rocked" and uh its not that good.So I would be interested to hear the one you mentioned.Perhaps I ll youtube it.And Michael did a song with LaTOya called Nighttime Lovers or something?? I also like the ballad on Janets first album called "Love And My Best Friend".It kinda has a similar melody to "Ben" methinks. Its syrupy sweet. Dont know any of her other stuff but I must say I have been quite impressed with a lot of her dancey singles...

[SandraDee]

I always liked Latoya's 1981 version of 'Stay the Night' (the Billy Ocean song), even though her voice is a tad weak. That 'Janet Jackson' LP from '82 is really good i think, especially the side produced by Rene & Angela.

[PopAlongKid]

I like the Rene and Angela side as well - "Say You Do", "Young Love", "You'll Never Find..." - listen to those strings. "Come Give Your Love To Me" was also good. I'm glad that Janet Jackson incorporated "Young Love" and "Say You Do' into her last tour. She said that she had no idea there were fans out there for the first LP - until she conducted a poll for which songs to include on the "Rock Witchu" concert. She also dusted off "Don't Stand Another Chance".

[InvisibleMan]

I am much more of a Jody Watley fan when it comes to female 80's R&B/Dance. I never really liked Janet Jackson much. But I am not too familiar with her early 80's/late 70's output, just her later stuff, which I do not like much. I am rather surprised Moroder produced some of it, which makes me want to check it out

[nycsam]

I'm a huge Janet fan, but actually never bought the first two because I never read a single good word about either of them until the first post in this thread. I guess I shouldn't allow myself to be led around by the nose like that, but I've read over and over how her voice was thin and reedy, and yes, that's Janet's biggest challenge. So when she took "Control," she amped up the voice and tried to give more attitude (and hasn't "No, my first name ain't Baby, it's Janet" become an iconic phrase?). And since then her forte has been overdubs. She lays on the vocal tracks to make a very interesting and complex mix out of sometimes very simple songs.

Someone in this thread said they didn't like her last three albums and that's just unfathomable to me! I know we all have our own little favorite sounds that make us happy, but Feedback (Discipline) really seems classic to me. And Rollercoaster (also on Discipline) really revs my motor. What's Ur Name (Discipline again) has a very sexy groove to it and I walk around with the phrase "I'll put it right in my Sidekick and I'll hit you back soon as I get home" runnin' 'round my head a lot of the time. It's kind of infectious. And Greatest X (yes, Discipline) is one of those big ballads that I feel down to my toes. 20 YO wasn't as exciting, to me, but there were great moments. Get It Out Me is so super funky and just plain hot. Enjoy could have been a massive hit if it had been promoted properly (her ex-bf was right - they were doing nothing for her at that label!) and This Body has such a nasty feel to it I play it whenever I feel a little, um, naughty. And then it's great to follow it up with You Want This (from Janet).

I've read a lot from people who are kind of fed up with Janet's sexy side but I'm still into it enough. I mean, she *is* sexy! I'm a gay guy, but I have practically worn out my copy of Janet Live In Hawaii. Man, was she hot then! But I love her sweet side as well. Someone to Call My Lover, Doesn't Really Matter (from All For You) and Spendin' Time With You and I Want You (from Damita Jo) are marvelous pick-me-ups for me and just make me tingle with happiness. And tingling with happiness is a really good thing.

I love Janet and I'm super sorry nipplegate ever happened! People seemed to have turned against the poor girl for just being sexy and daring and for God's sake - isn't that what all those straight men want - sexy, daring women? Maybe they were threatened by her sexuality? But seriously, when they came up with this argument that it was so unthinkable that she should show her nipple when young boys were watching I thought it was about the stupidest argument I ever heard! Young boys are watching grown men slam into each other and knock each other out, but a little nipple could traumatize them for life. Sheesh!

[FranceJoliFan]

from what I have heard,"Lets Get Serious" is a killer groove...And Michael did a song with LaTOya called Nighttime Lover

and, just for the heck of it...

[kdavid13]

I loved that Janet Lp very much. She even sang "The magic is working" on "Different Strokes".

[InvisibleMan]

People always praise Control album. But I don't like it much, overrated and over promoted stuff. One of the reasons is probably because I am not that big on 80's R&B/dance , but even in that genre I find much better artists than Janet Jackson... like for example Mai Tai, Starpoint, Jody Watley or Midnight Star to name a few, artists who got less attention but had better tunes imho

[boogienights]

wow thats awsome that she incorporated those songs i never would have imagined her performing them now.the impression i got was that she tried to forget about that album..?im happily wrong i guess.

[SandraDee]

but even in that genre I find much better artists than Janet Jackson... like for example Mai Tai, Starpoint, Jody Watley or Midnight Star to name a few, artists who got less attention but had better tunes imho

You're so right about Starpoint - what a terribly under-rated outfit. Add to that list of under-rated 80s r'n'b/boogie/funky dance Dayton, Cashmere, T.S.Monk, Surface & Marc Sadane.

[FranceJoliFan]

Someone in this thread said they didn't like her last three albums and that's just unfathomable to me! I know we all have our own little favorite sounds that make us happy, but Feedback (Discipline) really seems classic to me.

I'll give Feedback a few more listens. Maybe it'll grow on me.

As for the sex factor, it's not so much that people are prudes. But Janet (and others) have overworked the fetish angle. Dressing in skin tight latex isn't that progressive anymore. And the group dance thing--cocking an elbow and jerking a neck in unison with 12 other dancers--it looked cool in the late 80s. But now it seems lazy. And kind of a cop out for not knowing how to genuinely dance.

That said...

I still enjoy Janet's dance routine from Pleasure Principle (alone in a loft, Flashdancing, drinking bottled water before it was hip.)

And is it coincidence, or did Kelly Rowland's stylist and choreographer lift everything (but the moon) from the Feedback video for Kelly's Commander?





So Janet still seems to be influential. I just wish her songs could have stronger, fresher hooks. And be as memorable as Commander. Maybe she should shake things up and work with David Guetta.

[boogienights]

Hmm..so I would like to pose a question: Has Janet peaked? I wouldn't call myself a hardcore fan but I definitely like her material and her voice and I find her very pretty.But has the mainstream community got 'over her' ? As was mentioned by someone one of her routines that was cool in the 80s doesnt quite wash today, yet I still see new bands doing the whole street dance thing. The thing I am sick to death of seeing are the hip hop lot doing those ridiculous moves with their hands and the obsession with bling and all that bullshit...thats what it is it is just bullshit.Although Janets lyrics may not have much substance, its still a positive vibe we get from her..which is one of the things that attracts me to disco in the first place...ok so got a bit off topic there.So do we think she is capable of gracing the charts once more?? Or has she left the best behind her??

[Chap2Power]

I was discussing this exact topic with someone in Japan today, during an A&R meeting. The truth is, Janet, Madonna and Mariah are three artists that are not doing anything intelligent where it comes to maturing their audience. Chasing rainbows with past successes that are no longer relevant because of the changing music landscape they all cater to is the biggest mistake they are all making. Mariah doing a new Christmas album is smart because she is finally singing again. Madonna will release another bad album soon enough with the word Celebrate in every song and Janet will try and be more hip hop. If one of them tried to make a pop album that was really for their own audiences as they are now, people would drool over them. Unfortunately, we are almost all certain to be disappointed, since they will all use the flavour of the month people rather than an orchestra to go with great songs.

[FranceJoliFan]

Hmm..so I would like to pose a question: Has Janet peaked?

Yes, she has.


To tweens, teens, and even 20-somethings, Janet is from a previous generation. Rhianna is their girl now.

In the 80s, I still fondly remembered Leslie Gore and Petula Clark from their 60s heyday. But I didn't expect them to keep up with Janet, Madonna, and Paula Abdul. But I would have been happy to see them in concert doing their old hits.

Janet has had a much more enduring career than the average pop star. She's the exception, like Madonna, and a few others. But most kids don't want to get their new music from singers from their parent's generation.

40+ year old gay men, of course, are forever young. And much more faithful to aging divas. But you can't dupe us forever with nude male torsos and s&m chic. Come up with some original music. Shock us by being tasteful. Something. Anything.

[nycsam]

Since my love for Janet is so strong this message punched me in the gut when I read it. But then I got past the emotion I said to myself "well, I'm a 40+ year old gay man, so maybe this guy's right."

But it is sad to me because I think Janet is still producing quality stuff that I love to return to again and again (as I mentioned in my previous post) and I think a lot of it is original - and tasteful. Not sure what was meant by the "nude male torso" comment. While I love nude male torsos, I can't say Janet's ever featured any on her album covers. Like Madonna, she splashes her own skin on those covers.

As for Rhianna, her success not only baffles me but annoys the heck out of me. I mean, seriously, "umbrella, ella, ella, ay, ay?" I ask you! And that Please Don't Stop the Music song was pretty much the same thing for five minutes straight wasn't it? Sorry, but if this is where dance music is headed I'll live in the past.

[FranceJoliFan]

I think Janet is still producing quality stuff that I love to return to again and again (as I mentioned in my previous post) and I think a lot of it is original - and tasteful. Not sure what was meant by the "nude male torso" comment.

The tough part is gettting radio to play her new stuff. Her remixes seem to get club action, though.

As for male flesh, a lot of divas seem to throw it into their videos for some easy pandering to their gay fan base. Sometimes it's done well (Madonna/Express Yourself, Janet/Love Will Never Do Without You.) Other times (Kylie/All The Lovers) it just seems desperate.

Think of the That's The Way Love Goes video. Memorable song, good performance. Janet's big smile. No group dance. No latex. No women-in-prison/dominatrix/alien themes. No gynecological exams. It seemed genuine. And Janet did it so well.

Even back when she did Nasty, and projected all that tough girl attitude, it still had the tone of a little girl playing dress-up. And it was cute seeing her try to act like one of the bad girls. But we still knew that deep down she was one of the good girls. But the schtick isn't as cute now at her age. She's lost her innocence. And now we know she wears skanky nipple piercings.

I think she's smart pursuing acting now. That's where all her experience can be put to good use. She can reinvent her image through movies. Then make a comeback with a big Theme From Mahogany style ballad.

[paul]

Well I think Janet has peaked. Despite having reservations about her musical talent in the early 80's, I did a complete 180 after hearing and seeing her "Control" album. Then she hit it again with "Rhythm Nation." After that, her music gradually leveled off IMHO.