Today, 11 years ago, Janet's 7th studio album All For You was released. The follow-up to the darker, heavier-themed The Velvet Rope, All For You found Janet newly single, slender and happy as a single woman. The album debuted at the top spot of the Billboard 200 and R&B charts, selling just over 605,000 in the first week (the biggest opening week sales of her career). It also debuted at #1 in Canada, and in the top 5 in the UK, Europe, Japan, Switzerland and Australia. The title track sampled Change feat. Luther Vandross's "The Glow of Love" and shot to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, staying there for 7 weeks, which made it the longest-running #1 song of 2001 and Janet's most successful single since "That's the Way Love Goes".

All For You once again saw Janet working with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and newly on board was R&B/Hip-Hop producer-of-the-day Rockwilder. The album was a more lighthearted affair than its predecessor, with such feel-good songs as the title track, "Come On Get Up", "Better Days" and "Someone to Call My Lover" (the album's top 5 second single). Also included on the album was a remix of the #1 hit "Doesn't Really Matter", which had been released the year before on the "Nutty Professor 2" soundtrack. If The Velvet Rope explored sensual themes, then All For You took it a step further with several new "baby-making" songs for Janet's repertoire. "China Love" (a song that came about after Janet had participated in a past-life regression in which she was told that in her past life, she was a Chinese princess who was separated from her great love), "When We Oooo", "Love Scene (Ooh Baby)" and the salacious "Would You Mind" (which some critics compared to Donna Summer's "Love To Love You Baby" for the orgasm-on-wax aspect) rounded out the album's suite of erotic tunes, and the blistering "Trust A Try" brought Janet back to the hard rock front while including a string section and varied vocals. "Son of a Gun" (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)", the third single, saw Janet collaborating with the legendary Carly Simon (ala Joni Mitchell in "Got 'til it's Gone"), and can be described as the song equivalent of flipping the bird to an ex-lover. Interpolations of Simon's "You're So Vain" are woven throughout the track, and Simon herself raps a new set of lyrics while Janet tells off the man in question.

Two other kiss-off tracks from the album include the lead-in song, Rockwilder's hand clap-filled club banger "You Ain't Right" (a "fuck you" ode to an ex-friend which some suspected was either about Janet's former choreographer Tina Landon or her former dancer Tish Oliver) and "Truth", which played like a letter to her ex-husband Rene Elizondo ("...hope your love was sincere...don't act like you don't know the truth, 'cause deep down in your heart you do" she sings). "Feels So Right", one of the latter tracks on the disc, is a warm R&B mid-tempo number that's perfect for riding with the top (or windows) down on a breezy summer day.

All For You continued Janet's tradition of including several interludes throughout her albums. A funny skit opens the disc in which Janet uncannily mimicks actress Fran Drescher's nasally laugh, and later on, after "Would You Mind", Janet yells "I didn't even get to come!" when the song abruptly ends. She then calls the men outside of the recording booth "lame" for fucking up her almost-orgasm.

MTV celebrated the era by bestowing Janet with its first ICON award, and in 2002, she won a Best Dance Recording Grammy for the title track. In the summer of 2001, Janet went on a world tour for the album. The last show took place at Hawaii's Aloha Stadium and was filmed for HBO.

[Edited 4/24/12 18:46pm]

One of my fav Janet Albums!

This era reminds me of geting my first job and going into college.

Jaet was on the first "im free" stage and while there were some personal song on the album like You Aint Right and Better Days....they didnt hit the mark as much as Velvet Rope did.

The concert was pretty cool ..Live From Hawaii...very nice and lengthy amount of songs...although the choreography stayed the same.

The non single tunes werent that bad either...You Aint Right , When We OOO, China Love, Come On Get Up and Trust A Try were very good. The pace of the album was a little off however and thus the album as a whole did not flow very well from song to song except for the middle slow jam portion.

[Edited 4/25/12 8:05am]

I love when we ooo the album is def very solid I didnt like the concert as much as the velvet rope or the janet tour but it was def better than the Rock witchu tour but yes janet was def at her happiest with this album!

Sean, i always thought the version of "Doesn't really matter" on the album was the original.

It sounds like an original version, and they spiced it up for the single (which was released before the album, but still).

What do you think?

I was in California when this one dropped and I remember this huge billboard promotion on Sunset Strip that was quite distracting for some as they passed I bought it the day of release and just knew "Come On Get Up" would be released as a single. Boy was I wrong. Talk about dropping the ball. Epic fail on Virgin's part

Even though I liked Son of a Gun as an album cut, I knew it wouldn't do much on the charts or radio. COGU would've sustained the life of the album a lot better.

Come on get up should have been a single.

That era started out on the right note and then ended all fucked up.

i'd heard she'd fallen out with Tina Landon but what happened with Tish or were the incidents related? I vaguely remember hearing something about some cheating that Janet knew of but didn't disclose.

AFY was solid, I think it had the LEAST amount of singles potentially than anything except Damita Jo but, the title track did well enough for her. As did the tour, the first one I missed. they'd pulled Would You Mind by the time i copped my cd, which was good, she went to far with that one IMO

Timmy84 said:

That era started out on the right note and then ended all fucked up.

Couldn't agree more! It was downhill from there.

Good memories! i was 9 when all these songs where coming out. Didn't know she had hits in the 80's & 90's. This was how i got introduced to her, it was for sure her last huge era. Those songs where played CONSTANTLY on radio.

Wow it's been 11 years! I remember so much about the era including seeing her during interview promo and going for the tour in summer, and I turned 18. I was finishing up high school, working on university applications, high off invincible era, sad about 9-11 and aaliyah, my parents were going through crap that I tried to block out and I was in my own world feeling so inspired by mj and janet.

I loved the All For You album at first but then got bored with it as more albums came out that year and I found myself listening to her older stuff and other artists older music more. I thought All For You and STCML were good singles choices and was really happy they went to #1 though I also felt she was not giving her all this era though she looked better and happier than ever and the performing at the tour made up for it. I too like many thought the album was disjointed, especially with it being slow in the middle and then fast again, and I thought swearing on the album was so unnecessary sometimes and just ruined the flow of a song like love scene or better days. Was disappointed Trust a Try wasn't a single like she told TRL it would be after A4U, and I know Come On Get Up mixes were released in Japan and pulled, I've heard them on YouTube. STMCL mixes were the BEST of this era, OMG, especially the Hex Hector and Velvet Mix. I blame Mariah for the promotion of this album stopping cause of the big payout, the era would have lasted into summer 2002 for sure with Janet having one or two more big hits. And years later after it's release, I think All For You and Discipline are the better janet albums of this decade, it aged better than the other stuff of that time though she had some elements of it in the music and remixes.

Also though I always knew she was sexual, I thought it was too much in this era with the moaning and some of the footage in All For You on HBO and so unecessary for someone like her who was a veteran by then with so much talent and innovation and for a few years, though I still listened to her and loved her, my level of respect had gone down for a bit and I felt odd about playing her around people, but now I just shrug her sexual tendencies off....I grew up at some point too and she herself is hot and should flaunt it! And realize she helped me realize my inner freak.

[Edited 4/25/12 10:20am]

I enjoy several songs on this album and was glad ehen she performed a couple on tour last year. Now, how about that new album, Janet?

robertlove said:

Sean, i always thought the version of "Doesn't really matter" on the album was the original.

It sounds like an original version, and they spiced it up for the single (which was released before the album, but still).

What do you think?

The DRM that's on All For You is the Rockwilder Mix. It's on the DRM CD single import, I believe. She performed this version at the 2000 MTV Music Awards.

Musicslave said:

I was in California when this one dropped and I remember this huge billboard promotion on Sunset Strip that was quite distracting for some as they passed I bought it the day of release and just knew "Come On Get Up" would be released as a single. Boy was I wrong. Talk about dropping the ball. Epic fail on Virgin's part

Even though I liked Son of a Gun as an album cut, I knew it wouldn't do much on the charts or radio. COGU would've sustained the life of the album a lot better.

According to Wikipedia, "Come On Get Up" was the fourth single released, but instead of getting a proper commercial release, it was only released as a promo to DJs in the US and Japan. Supposedly, she was scheduled to shoot a video for it and everything, but at the last minute the plan was scrapped and work started to begin on Damita Jo. This is similar to the janet. album, where "Where Are You Now" was supposed to get a release, but Janet chose to work on "Scream" instead.

Timmy84 said:

That era started out on the right note and then ended all fucked up.

I agree. Virgin dropped the ball by not lengthening the promotion and releasing "Come On Get Up". "You Ain't Right" would have burned up the radio too.

SEANMAN said:

Timmy84 said:

That era started out on the right note and then ended all fucked up.

I agree. Virgin dropped the ball by not lengthening the promotion and releasing "Come On Get Up". "You Ain't Right" would have burned up the radio too.

Don't forget "Trust a Try". Matter of fact I think Janet picked the wrong second single (and don't get me started on "Son of a Gun")...

Timmy84 said:

SEANMAN said:

I agree. Virgin dropped the ball by not lengthening the promotion and releasing "Come On Get Up". "You Ain't Right" would have burned up the radio too.

Don't forget "Trust a Try". Matter of fact I think Janet picked the wrong second single (and don't get me started on "Son of a Gun")...

"Trust a Try" is a jam too. Maybe the singles should have been:

All For You

You Ain't Right

Come on Get Up

China Love

Trust A Try

China Love is probably the best slow jam that could've been released as a single, given the great potential for a video the song has. I always pictured her in on location somewhere in China (not an LA soundstage ) with some handsome Asian actor as her male lead. I always said there were too few singles released from this album.

purplethunder3121 said:

I enjoy several songs on this album and was glad ehen she performed a couple on tour last year. Now, how about that new album, Janet?

SEANMAN said:

Timmy84 said:

Don't forget "Trust a Try". Matter of fact I think Janet picked the wrong second single (and don't get me started on "Son of a Gun")...

"Trust a Try" is a jam too. Maybe the singles should have been:

All For You

You Ain't Right

Come on Get Up

China Love

Trust A Try

China Love is probably the best slow jam that could've been released as a single, given the great potential for a video the song has. I always pictured her in on location somewhere in China (not an LA soundstage ) with some handsome Asian actor as her male lead. I always said there were too few singles released from this album.

China Love was one of THE CUTS on that album. Kinda reminded me of the Taste of Honey version of "Sukiyaki".

alphastreet said:

Wow it's been 11 years! I remember so much about the era including seeing her during interview promo and going for the tour in summer, and I turned 18. I was finishing up high school, working on university applications, high off invincible era, sad about 9-11 and aaliyah, my parents were going through crap that I tried to block out and I was in my own world feeling so inspired by mj and janet.

I loved the All For You album at first but then got bored with it as more albums came out that year and I found myself listening to her older stuff and other artists older music more. I thought All For You and STCML were good singles choices and was really happy they went to #1 though I also felt she was not giving her all this era though she looked better and happier than ever and the performing at the tour made up for it. I too like many thought the album was disjointed, especially with it being slow in the middle and then fast again, and I thought swearing on the album was so unnecessary sometimes and just ruined the flow of a song like love scene or better days. Was disappointed Trust a Try wasn't a single like she told TRL it would be after A4U, and I know Come On Get Up mixes were released in Japan and pulled, I've heard them on YouTube. STMCL mixes were the BEST of this era, OMG, especially the Hex Hector and Velvet Mix. I blame Mariah for the promotion of this album stopping cause of the big payout, the era would have lasted into summer 2002 for sure with Janet having one or two more big hits. And years later after it's release, I think All For You and Discipline are the better janet albums of this decade, it aged better than the other stuff of that time though she had some elements of it in the music and remixes.

Also though I always knew she was sexual, I thought it was too much in this era with the moaning and some of the footage in All For You on HBO and so unecessary for someone like her who was a veteran by then with so much talent and innovation and for a few years, though I still listened to her and loved her, my level of respect had gone down for a bit and I felt odd about playing her around people, but now I just shrug her sexual tendencies off....I grew up at some point too and she herself is hot and should flaunt it! And realize she helped me realize my inner freak.

[Edited 4/25/12 10:20am]

"Trust A Try" was hot too. That would've blown up too. Whatever magic she had with Virgin, it was definitely wearing thin by the time they got around to this release.

Musicslave said:

I was in California when this one dropped and I remember this huge billboard promotion on Sunset Strip that was quite distracting for some as they passed I bought it the day of release and just knew "Come On Get Up" would be released as a single. Boy was I wrong. Talk about dropping the ball. Epic fail on Virgin's part

Even though I liked Son of a Gun as an album cut, I knew it wouldn't do much on the charts or radio. COGU would've sustained the life of the album a lot better.

I always thought Son Of A Gun would be a big hit. The video is hot too, one of her best.

Definitly Janets last successful era. Personally, dont think this follow up tops Velvet Rope but their were a few cuts that SHOULD have been singles. When We OOO is my favorite from the album, Come on Get Up, You Aint Right.... I remember her songs ALWAYS being on the radio.. I was like 8 or 9

She was SO skinny .....

[Edited 4/25/12 12:20pm]

Timmy84 said:

That era started out on the right note and then ended all fucked up.

To my ear, All For You was the first of many Janet albums that were mixed results. Even in 2012, she has not have a album masterpiece since The Velvet Rope.

Rene & Tina out of Janet's personal and professional life was part of it, no doubts. But the real problems were producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis had gotten too soft and too safe musically for their own good. There wasn't enough MPLS funk, uptempo dance-pop, or experimental tracks on a Janet Jackson album as before.

TonyVanDam said:

Timmy84 said:

That era started out on the right note and then ended all fucked up.

To my ear, All For You was the first of many Janet albums that were mixed results. Even in 2012, she has not have a album masterpiece since The Velvet Rope.

Rene & Tina out of Janet's personal and professional life was part of it, no doubts. But the real problems were producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis had gotten too soft and too safe musically for their own good. There wasn't enough MPLS funk, uptempo dance-pop, or experimental tracks on a Janet Jackson album as before.

I agree. Thats why I dont like probably 90 to 95 percent of everything after Velvet Rope.

TonyVanDam said:

Timmy84 said:

That era started out on the right note and then ended all fucked up.

To my ear, All For You was the first of many Janet albums that were mixed results. Even in 2012, she has not have a album masterpiece since The Velvet Rope.

Rene & Tina out of Janet's personal and professional life was part of it, no doubts. But the real problems were producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis had gotten too soft and too safe musically for their own good. There wasn't enough MPLS funk, uptempo dance-pop, or experimental tracks on a Janet Jackson album as before.

Jimmy & Terry definitely started to fell out around that time. That was one of the main reasons Janet's musical career has suffered. They got too familiar instead of trying to change the game.

mjscarousal said:

Definitly Janets last successful era. Personally, dont think this follow up tops Velvet Rope but their were a few cuts that SHOULD have been singles. When We OOO is my favorite from the album, Come on Get Up, You Aint Right.... I remember her songs ALWAYS being on the radio.. I was like 8 or 9

She was SO skinny .....

[Edited 4/25/12 12:20pm]

Yeah! that's what i was saying. i was 9 & remember doesn't matter, all for you & someone to call my lover ALL THE DAMN TIME

As for son of a gun... yeah i heard it was top 40 hit. But i only heard it a few times on BET

She also had that song with beenie man wtf happened to him i Guess he went with Shaggy and is in hiding.

Btw The Velvet Rope is of course probably her most beloved besides RN

But i only remember I Get Lonley & Together Again being played... did she release any other singles from that album?

Gunsnhalen said:

Btw The Velvet Rope is of course probably her most beloved besides RN

But i only remember I Get Lonley & Together Again being played... did she release any other singles from that album?

She released "Got 'til It's Gone", "Go Deep", "You" and "Every Time" but not as "singles" I guess in what was then the traditional sense. GTIG, GD and ET were airplay only, You was only released in certain countries (not the US) but the video of the song (which was culled from her tour) was always on BET. "Go Deep", I guess, was supposed to be promoted but Janet decided not to promote it as such (even going so far to do another song from the album - "What About" - at the VH-1 Vogue Fashion show). "Every Time" suffered from it not being released on the day that airplay was counted to the charts and little promotion existed because Janet's one of those types to move on. Guess she didn't wanna focus on promoting six, seven singles as she did with "Control", "Rhythm Nation 1814" and "janet."

Timmy84 said:

Gunsnhalen said:

Btw The Velvet Rope is of course probably her most beloved besides RN

But i only remember I Get Lonley & Together Again being played... did she release any other singles from that album?

She released "Got 'til It's Gone", "Go Deep", "You" and "Every Time" but not as "singles" I guess in what was then the traditional sense. GTIG, GD and ET were airplay only, You was only released in certain countries (not the US) but the video of the song (which was culled from her tour) was always on BET. "Go Deep", I guess, was supposed to be promoted but Janet decided not to promote it as such (even going so far to do another song from the album - "What About" - at the VH-1 Vogue Fashion show). "Every Time" suffered from it not being released on the day that airplay was counted to the charts and little promotion existed because Janet's one of those types to move on. Guess she didn't wanna focus on promoting six, seven singles as she did with "Control", "Rhythm Nation 1814" and "janet."

Well it happens to every artists

Think of Prince or Bruce who had TONS of singles from one album. Then after that only release a few every album and get decent successs.

Personally What About is the one i think would have made a great single & video

[Edited 4/25/12 13:03pm]