30. Feedback (2008)
A curious entry in her discography, “Feedback” from the Discipline album, released in 2008, is noteworthy for its sonic departure. Notably lacking songwriting input from Janet herself or her long-term collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, this Darkchild-produced lead single is a metallic, electropop-infused track. Built around the bold and memorable lyric, “heavy like a first day period,” “Feedback” is an experimental Janet Jackson song that showcases her willingness to explore new sounds.
29. Better Days (2001)
Closing out the upbeat All for You album in 2001 is “Better Days,” a song that captures Janet Jackson in a moment of liberation. As she described it, this track is about “untying the knots that were choking me.” This sense of release is palpable throughout the song, which evolves from a delicate ballad into a sweeping, mid-tempo 60s-inspired reverie. Complete with a playful guitar solo and lush orchestral flourishes, “Better Days” is a testament to Janet Jackson’s ability to convey emotional depth through her music.
28. 2 B Loved (2015)
While much of Janet Jackson’s eleventh album, Unbreakable, released in 2015, delves into themes of loss and social injustice, it also illuminates her unwavering capacity to project joy. “2 B Loved,” with its squelchy synths and prominent hand-claps, is a prime example. Layer upon layer of Janet’s soft, airy vocals create an immersive and uplifting experience, like floating on a sweet, candy-scented cloud. This Janet Jackson song exemplifies her ability to infuse happiness into her music even amidst more serious themes.
27. Enjoy (2006)
From her often-overlooked 2006 album 20 Y.O., “Enjoy” sits perfectly within Janet Jackson’s signature style. You can almost hear her beaming her famous smile as she sings, creating a track that feels almost self-referential in its sweetness. However, its effortless breeziness is undeniable, even elevating the children’s choir that appears towards the song’s finale to a transcendent level. “Enjoy” is a classic example of Janet Jackson’s ability to craft lighthearted and infectious pop songs.
26. The Great Forever (2015)
“The Great Forever,” another track from Unbreakable (2015), muses on the public’s fascination with Janet Jackson’s personal life. Decidedly quirky, the song opens with Jackson seemingly channeling her famous brother over a grinding bassline, even including a playful “bless you” to a sneeze. Despite its unconventional elements, “The Great Forever” builds into a quintessential Janet Jackson chorus, with melodies cascading and layering as the song progresses through its gears.
25. Rock With U (2008)
Created as a tribute to her LGBTQ+ fans, “Rock With U” from Discipline (2008), co-written with Ne-Yo, is a pulsating dancefloor anthem. It could easily fit alongside tracks from Kylie Minogue’s similar album X released the year before. “Strobe lights make everything sexier,” Janet coos, likely envisioning a more glamorous setting than a dimly lit club. “Rock With U” is a powerful and celebratory Janet Jackson song with broad appeal.
24. Strawberry Bounce (2004)
The Damita Jo album in 2004 saw Janet Jackson experimenting with both her sound and alter egos. For the lascivious “Strawberry Bounce,” co-produced by then-newcomer Kanye West, who constructs the song’s foundation from a chopped Jay-Z sample and a glockenspiel, we are introduced to Strawberry. This persona promises a lover’s playground focused on sensuality. “Strawberry Bounce” is a bold and adventurous Janet Jackson song that blends R&B with hip-hop influences.
23. Someone to Call My Lover (2001)
Sampling the sun-drenched guitar riff from 70s rock band America’s “Ventura Highway” and weaving in splintering synths, “Someone to Call My Lover,” the second single from All for You (2001), showcases Janet Jackson at her most playfully charming. “Maybe we’ll meet at a bar, he’ll drive a funky car,” she sings, lost in the dreamy possibilities of new love. This Janet Jackson song is an upbeat and catchy exploration of romance.
22. Shoulda Known Better (2015)
“Shoulda Known Better,” from Unbreakable (2015), begins as a delicate ballad before blossoming into a dance anthem. It finds Janet Jackson pleading for global unity while also reflecting on the lack of progress since she posed similar questions in 1989’s “Rhythm Nation.” With the lyric, “I don’t want my face to be a poster child for being naive,” she displays a poignant self-awareness. Similar to “Together Again” from 1997, “Shoulda Known Better” uses the liberating power of pop to heal pain and inspire hope, making it a powerful Janet Jackson song.
21. Got Til It’s Gone (1997)
A year before her deeply personal The Velvet Rope album in 1997, Janet Jackson signed a record-breaking $80 million deal with Virgin. It’s intriguing to consider what the label thought of “Got ‘Til It’s Gone,” the album’s intentionally low-key lead single. This mellow, J Dilla-inspired track, an ode to appreciating the present, blends a Joni Mitchell sample with a verse from Q-Tip. Purposefully made ineligible for US charts, “Got ‘Til It’s Gone” is a unique and understated Janet Jackson song.
20. R&B Junkie (2004)
Gliding over a sample of Evelyn “Champagne” King’s 1981 disco-funk classic “I’m in Love,” the immaculate “R&B Junkie” became another casualty of the post-Super Bowl controversy that Janet Jackson faced. Throughout the song, she sounds completely in her element, filled with giggles and bright “oohs,” while Jam and Lewis wrap her pure pop vocals in an early 80s glitterball sheen. “R&B Junkie” is a vibrant and infectious Janet Jackson song that highlights her disco and funk influences.
19. The Best Things in Life Are Free (1992)
Recorded for the soundtrack to Damon Wayans’ comedy Mo’ Money, “The Best Things in Life Are Free,” a duet with Luther Vandross, sounds like the exhilaration of new love. The pair are almost giddy with excitement as they navigate Jam & Lewis’s featherlight production, filled with sugar-coated synth strings and a chorus that feels like a warm embrace after a first kiss. This Janet Jackson song is a joyful and uplifting collaboration.
18. Come Back to Me (1989)
Critics often mention the perceived “lightness” of Janet Jackson’s voice – a notion seemingly absurd given her effortless command across genres, tones, and moods. However, her delivery on “Come Back to Me,” a soft-focus ballad, perfectly complements Jam & Lewis’s silken production, characterized by tactile beats and sighing strings. Is it her best ballad? Possibly. “Come Back to Me” is a beautifully tender and emotionally resonant Janet Jackson song.
17. I Get Lonely (1997)
Leaning into neo-soul and pure R&B, “I Get Lonely,” the expertly polished third single from The Velvet Rope (1997), finds Janet Jackson embracing her vulnerability and sadness. Moving away from breathy, close-mic ballads, everything here is amplified, from the soaring chorus to the sharp horn stabs and Janet’s yearning vocals. “I Get Lonely” is a powerful and raw Janet Jackson song that explores deeper emotions.
16. Any Time, Any Place (1993)
Built upon twinkly percussion, delicate rainfall sounds, and the subtle rhythm of breathing, “Any Time, Any Place,” an epic slow-burn from the Janet album, represents Janet Jackson at her peak of sensual majesty. While later attempts to recreate this intimate mood sometimes veer into unintentional comedy (like “Moist” from Damita Jo), “Any Time, Any Place” exudes genuine yearning at the core of its exceptional chorus. This Janet Jackson song is a defining moment in slow jam R&B.
15. All Nite (Don’t Stop) (2004)
Lost amidst the controversy following Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” at the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, “All Nite (Don’t Stop)” feels like a forgotten classic. This sweat-drenched single, built around a supple bassline and Janet’s signature breathy vocals, blends elements of house, electro-funk, R&B, and Latin music into a heady, forward-thinking concoction. “All Nite (Don’t Stop)” is an innovative and energetic Janet Jackson song that deserved more recognition.
14. Control (1986)
Having severed ties with her father as manager, divorced her husband, and moved out of the Jackson family home, a 20-year-old Janet Jackson channeled her newfound independence into “Control,” a bold and assertive statement. It’s a quintessential taut funk workout, but the standout moment arrives when the music drops and Janet declares, “Got my own mind, I want to make my own decisions.” Pure pop perfection. “Control” is a pivotal Janet Jackson song that marked her artistic and personal liberation.
13. Miss You Much (1989)
Instantly iconic for its chair-based video choreography (later referenced by Britney Spears in “Stronger” in 2000), “Miss You Much,” the lead single from Rhythm Nation 1814, became Janet Jackson’s biggest US chart hit. Balancing Janet’s yearning vocals with soaring synth stabs, a wobbly guitar riff, and that staccato chorus, it feels more like a demand for attention than a subtle plea. “Miss You Much” is a powerful and unforgettable Janet Jackson song with iconic visuals.
12. All for You (2001)
Eager to return to the dance floor after the introspection of The Velvet Rope, “All for You” feels like a nostalgic nod to the effortless, optimistic vibe of her 80s imperial phase. Dismissed by some critics as “frothy,” it revels in its post-disco influences, while lyrically, Janet is at her most playfully cheeky. Notably, when she shrugs at a guy with “a nice package” and quips, “guess I’m gonna have to ride it tonight.” “All for You” is a lighthearted and fun Janet Jackson song that celebrates dance and romance.
11. When I Think of You (1986)
Janet Jackson’s first US No. 1 single, “When I Think of You,” set the blueprint for her delightfully breezy take on loved-up pop. Effortless, akin to Whitney Houston’s best 80s moments, the chorus lyrics – “When I think of you, baby, nothing else seems to matter” – sound like they were sung in the midst of the realization of finding “the one.” “When I Think of You” is a quintessential 80s pop Janet Jackson song, marking a significant milestone in her career.
10. Together Again (1997)
Inspired by the loss of a friend to AIDS and a letter from a young fan who had lost his father, “Together Again,” a soothing balm in song form, initially began as a ballad. The final version increases the tempo, with Janet soaring over pristine dance-pop that positions the song’s immaculate chorus front and center. “Together Again” is a deeply moving and uplifting Janet Jackson song that blends dance and emotional resonance.
9. That’s the Way Love Goes (1993)
After a series of high-energy singles throughout the 80s, “That’s the Way Love Goes,” the hypnotic opening track from the softer Janet album, was perceived as a risk. Leaning more into languid, unhurried R&B, it captures the sensation of slipping into silk sheets and transforms it into a song. Filled with honeyed, multi-tracked vocals and slowly unfolding melodies, “That’s the Way Love Goes” is a sensual and sophisticated Janet Jackson song.
8. Island Life (2004)
Co-written with British pop star turned hitmaker Cathy Dennis, the seductively buoyant “Island Life” is the musical equivalent of the precise moment a bronzed body dives into a cool, crisp swimming pool. It’s a Solero ice cream in musical form. It’s the essence of a Lilt drink, three ice cubes, and a clean beach towel. If “Island Life” isn’t on your barbecue playlist in July, you’re missing out. This Janet Jackson song is the perfect summer anthem.
7. Rhythm Nation (1989)
With its post-apocalyptic setting and stylish unisex military outfits, complete with the iconic augmented flat cap, the music video for “Rhythm Nation” often steals the spotlight. However, the song itself is equally powerful, channeling metallic new jack swing, banging industrial funk, and a chorus line of regimented soldiers on backing vocals. Even its earnest lyrics resonate as genuine rallying cries. “Rhythm Nation” is a socially conscious and sonically groundbreaking Janet Jackson song.
6. Nasty (1986)
Released a year before her brother Michael began exploring harder-edged pop on Bad, the youngest Jackson sibling turned playfully confrontational on “Nasty,” the second single from Control. Written after experiencing street harassment, it’s a swaggering dismissal of “nasty boys,” polished to a high-gloss sheen. The iconic lyric “My first name ain’t baby, it’s Janet – Miss Jackson if you’re nasty” elevated it to pop canon status. “Nasty” is an empowering and sassy Janet Jackson song that became a feminist anthem.
5. Empty (1997)
Years before the internet revolutionized dating, “Empty” delves into the strange disconnection of forming relationships through computers. Its forward-thinking subject matter is matched by the music, which encases Janet Jackson’s delicate vocals in jittery, double-time beats and a swirling synth line that evokes a laptop awakening. Essentially, “Empty” invented “alt-R&B.” This Janet Jackson song is a pioneering exploration of technology and relationships.
4. What Have You Done For Me Lately (1986)
“What Have You Done For Me Lately,” the opening statement of Control, immediately dispels the pop ingenue image created by Janet Jackson’s earlier, less memorable albums. Harnessing her newfound freedom, Janet confronts a hapless ex (“little things are all you seem to give”), while Jam & Lewis channel their former collaborator Prince for the spectacular funk backdrop. “What Have You Done For Me Lately” is a bold and assertive Janet Jackson song that marked her artistic transformation.
3. Love Will Never Do (Without You) (1989)
It highlights the strength of Janet Jackson as a singles artist in the 80s that “Love Will Never Do (Without You),” a slice of pure pop ecstasy, was the seventh single from Rhythm Nation. Another US No. 1, it was initially conceived as a duet with Prince, which explains Janet’s lower vocal register in the first verse. If the joyful melodic lift into the chorus doesn’t give you chills, something is wrong. “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” is a pure pop Janet Jackson song, full of joy and infectious energy.
2. If (1993)
“If,” the frantic second single from the Janet album, is a masterclass in pent-up desire. Musically, it consistently feels on the verge of explosive release, struggling to contain swirling guitar riffs, stuttering synths, and an escalating chorus melody that never quite reaches full climax. The lyrics mirror this tension, with Janet detailing vivid fantasies, caught between passionate desperation and playful teasing. “If” is a sexually charged and musically intense Janet Jackson song.
1. Escapade (1989)
Pure joy is incredibly difficult to capture authentically in song. Overshoot it, and it becomes saccharine and cloying. Too calculated, and it loses genuine feeling. However, everything about the undeniably joyous “Escapade” is perfectly executed. From the twinkling opening riff, the cute “let’s go” ad-lib, the full-throttle charm, to the seemingly endless chorus that makes you feel like you’re on a bouncy castle. As the world reopens, the lyrics are incredibly relevant; we all hope to find time to relax and unwind. “Escapade” is the ultimate Janet Jackson song of pure, unadulterated joy and escapism.
