Tag Archives: Janet Jackson

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Song of the Day #6,325: ‘What Have You Done For Me Lately’ – Janet Jackson

Concluding my look at the albums of 1986…

I didn’t grasp exactly how popular Janet Jackson was until many years later. At the time of her commercial dominance (from 1986 through the end of the last century), she rewrote the record books and achieved feats topped only by her brother Michael. Imagine being that successful and still being #2 in your own family.

It’s even crazier to think that success was halted largely due to the controversy surrounding Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show. What a different time that was.

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Song of the Day #5,622: ‘Again’ – Janet Jackson

The week of November 20, 1993, saw Meat Loaf hanging on to the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).’ It would have been more appropriate for turkey to top the chart that Thanksgiving week, but I guess Meat Loaf will do.

At #2 was Janet Jackson with ‘Again,’ the third single from her hit album Janet and the second to hit #1 (it reached the top spot for two weeks in December).

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Song of the Day #5,559: ‘If’ – Janet Jackson

The week of September 18, 1993, saw a few repeats at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, as it has on almost every Throwback Weekend from the decade. Mariah Carey held on to the top spot with ‘Dreamlover,’ Tag Team claimed #2 with ‘Whoomp! (There It Is),’ and UB40 sat at #3 with ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love.’ Oh my god, the 90s sucked!

In the #4 spot we have Janet Jackson with ‘If,’ the second single from her album Janet. You might recall that first single ‘That’s the Way Love Goes‘ spent two full months at #1, longer than any song by her brother Michael.

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Song of the Day #5,433: ‘That’s the Way Love Goes’ – Janet Jackson

It’s a family affair this weekend. A decade after Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’ topped the Hot 100, his sister Janet did the same with ‘That’s the Way Love Goes.’ We’re throwing back to the week of May 15, 1993, when the lead single of Janet Jackson’s album Janet dominated the charts.

‘That’s the Way Love Goes’ and Janet shifted Jackson’s image in a sultry, sexually provocative new direction. The song’s video found her dancing slinkily in a sleeveless half-shirt surrounded by her backup dancers (one of whom is a then unknown Jennifer Lopez).

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Song of the Day #4,655: ‘Black Cat’ – Janet Jackson

In addition to individual songs, the Library of Congress adds whole albums to the National Recording Registry. This year, albums by Jackson Browne, Jimmy Cliff and Nas were among those inducted.

Also honored was Janet Jackson’s 1989 album Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 (that’s a mouthful of a title). As I noted a couple of years ago, I have a huge blindspot when it comes to Janet Jackson, not realizing exactly how major an impact she has had both commercially and creatively. Clearly the Library of Congress doesn’t share my ignorance.

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