SEANMAN said:

"Our friends think we're opposites

Fallin' in and out of love

They all said we'd never last

Still we manage to stay together..."

The iconic video for the final single from RN, "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" showcased Janet in a light she'd never been seen in before. Sexy, newly svelte, and wearing a blonde upswept wig, half top and jeans, she sauntered confidently around a California desert, surrounded by a bevy of beautiful men that included model/actors Antonio Sabato, Jr. and Djimon Hounsou. She initially wanted to wear a dress for the video, but photographer/director Herb Ritts wanted her in nothing more than ripped jeans and a tank top. It worked. The video won Best Female Video at the 1991 MTV Movie Awards, and has placed on several Best Videos countdowns. It also inspired several music videos by various high-profile artists that follwed it.

The song itself reached the summit of Billboard's Hot 100 in early 1991, making Rhythm Nation 1814 not only the only album to produce #1s in three separate calendar years, but also the only album in history to achieve 7 top 5 Hot 100 hits (her brother's Thriller and Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA would be the only other albums to have similar chart successes, but those two albums' singles went top 10 instead of all of them going top 5). Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis had toyed with the idea of having a man sing co-lead on the song with Janet--namely Prince. Eventually, they asked her to sing the first verse in her lower register. Janet once said that they said to her, "Sing it low like some guy would sing it." The result was a sweeping mid-tempo groove that boasted famed trumpeter Herb Alpert on brass, and Janet singing like she was having the time of her life.

[Edited 9/23/12 16:36pm]

the facts don't distort the numbers......for a woman to accomplish this in a predominately male controlled field was astonishing.......

Scorp said:

SEANMAN said:

"Our friends think we're opposites

Fallin' in and out of love

They all said we'd never last

Still we manage to stay together..."

The iconic video for the final single from RN, "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" showcased Janet in a light she'd never been seen in before. Sexy, newly svelte, and wearing a blonde upswept wig, half top and jeans, she sauntered confidently around a California desert, surrounded by a bevy of beautiful men that included model/actors Antonio Sabato, Jr. and Djimon Hounsou. She initially wanted to wear a dress for the video, but photographer/director Herb Ritts wanted her in nothing more than ripped jeans and a tank top. It worked. The video won Best Female Video at the 1991 MTV Movie Awards, and has placed on several Best Videos countdowns. It also inspired several music videos by various high-profile artists that follwed it.

The song itself reached the summit of Billboard's Hot 100 in early 1991, making Rhythm Nation 1814 not only the only album to produce #1s in three separate calendar years, but also the only album in history to achieve 7 top 5 Hot 100 hits (her brother's Thriller and Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA would be the only other albums to have similar chart successes, but those two albums' singles went top 10 instead of all of them going top 5). Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis had toyed with the idea of having a man sing co-lead on the song with Janet--namely Prince. Eventually, they asked her to sing the first verse in her lower register. Janet once said that they said to her, "Sing it low like some guy would sing it." The result was a sweeping mid-tempo groove that boasted famed trumpeter Herb Alpert on brass, and Janet singing like she was having the time of her life.

the facts don't distort the numbers......for a woman to accomplish this in a predominately male controlled field was astonishing.......

Most definitely. And I think that's what made the success of this album all the more sweeter. She'd been an underdog quite some time, but this album, with its remarkable stats and achievements, solidified her pop icon status.

alphastreet said:

mjscarousal said:

Come on Alpha girl... why are you even entertaining that obviously baited ignorant statement.

If Janet continues to release generic mainstream garbage like she has this decade she can kiss her music career good bye. I dont care if someone is alive or not if the music isnt good, it isnt good period.

I would like to see her act more, though not sure about more Tyler Perry.

I think she should have a role where she appears more like she did in Poetic Justice instead of supporting ones.

[Edited 9/23/12 16:13pm]

It would have been nice for her to portray Lena Horne or a singer figure. I doubt she would ever get another leading role like that again, she would have to take some acting classes for a serious role.

Janet won marvelous reviews for her portrayal of a South Central LA hairstylist in Poetic Justice, John Singleton's follow-up to his Oscar-nominated Boyz N The Hood. Known since she was a child for her aptness in dramatic parts, she handled the role well, with favorable reviews from the likes of noted film critic Roger Ebert, who said, "Janet Jackson provides a lovable center for [the film]."

Janet also won excellent reviews for her roles in several Tyler Perry films, winning an NAACP Image Award for her role in Why Did I Get Married?, and drawing comparisons to various starlets of the past for her role as an icy magazine editor in For Colored Girls

[Edited 9/23/12 17:21pm]

Wonder if they are ever going to do a remasterd set for Control and Nation?

SEANMAN said:

Scorp said:

the facts don't distort the numbers......for a woman to accomplish this in a predominately male controlled field was astonishing.......

Most definitely. And I think that's what made the success of this album all the more sweeter. She'd been an underdog quite some time, but this album, with its remarkable stats and achievements, solidified her pop icon status.

exactly

MARY J. BLIGE famous debut album WHAT'S THE 411 in 1992......I have that CD to this day......one of my favorite albums ever....

that album and the look of it had Rhythm Nation influence written all over it...

even the album cover for WHAT'S THE 411 was strikingly similar to 1814

that was an amazing album in its own right......and Mary J. has said countless times how Janet Jackson was a major influence of hers....

Janet has nothing to prove..she proved her point and that's point blank

SEANMAN said:

Janet won marvelous reviews for her portrayal of a South Central LA hairstylist in Poetic Justice, John Singleton's follow-up to his Oscar-nominated Boyz N The Hood. Known since she was a child for her aptness in dramatic parts, she handled the role well, with favorable reviews from the likes of noted film critic Roger Ebert, who said, "Janet Jackson provides a lovable center for [the film]."

Janet also won excellent reviews for her roles in several Tyler Perry films, winning an NAACP Image Award for her role in Why Did I Get Married?, and drawing comparisons to various starlets of the past for her role as an icy magazine editor in For Colored Girls

[Edited 9/23/12 17:21pm]

she don't need acting classes...lolllllllll

Janet started off acting at the age of 7 imitating MAE WEST right to the T...

then starred in Good Times where she had to play a child being the victim of abuse which took great acting ability to pull off

Diff'rent Strokes, Fame......

Poetic Justice as you mentioned.....she has nothing to prove w/that either....lollllll

I believe in giving credit due when it's due........

to show how whack the 1990 Grammys were when Janet should have received a number of awards for 1814

The Grammys gave 2 awards to Milli Vanilla, a group who was lyp synching their songs.......and I knew they were lyp synching because the voices weren't matching up to what we heard on the record.....at that moment, I knew the music industry was on its way to tanking out and stopped taking that award show seriously

she got shafted for a fake group who were coerced to go along w/a scam concocted by their manager

other than the exception when Natalie Cole won 5 grammys for Unforgettable, Lauryn Hill racked up for The Miseducation and Carlos Santana when he racked up for Supernatural (even though they watered it down by giving him 8 tying him w/Michael's tally with Thriller)....I've been cool on the Grammys....

[Edited 9/23/12 17:44pm]

Scorp said:

SEANMAN said:

Janet won marvelous reviews for her portrayal of a South Central LA hairstylist in Poetic Justice, John Singleton's follow-up to his Oscar-nominated Boyz N The Hood. Known since she was a child for her aptness in dramatic parts, she handled the role well, with favorable reviews from the likes of noted film critic Roger Ebert, who said, "Janet Jackson provides a lovable center for [the film]."

Janet also won excellent reviews for her roles in several Tyler Perry films, winning an NAACP Image Award for her role in Why Did I Get Married?, and drawing comparisons to various starlets of the past for her role as an icy magazine editor in For Colored Girls

[Edited 9/23/12 17:21pm]

she don't need acting classes...lolllllllll

Janet started off acting at the age of 7 imitating MAE WEST right to the T...

then starred in Good Times where she had to play a child being the victim of abuse which took great acting ability to pull off

Diff'rent Strokes, Fame......

Poetic Justice as you mentioned.....she has nothing to prove w/that either....lollllll

I believe in giving credit due when it's due........

to show how whack the 1990 Grammys were when Janet should have received a number of awards for 1814

The Grammys gave 2 awards to Milli Vanilla, a group who was lyp synching their songs.......and I knew they were lyp synching because the voices weren't matching up to what we heard on the record.....at that moment, I knew the music industry was on its way to tanking out and stopped taking that award show seriously

other than the exception when Natalie Cole won 5 grammys for Unforgettable, Lauryn Hill racked up for The Miseducation and Carlos Santana when he racked up for Supernatural (even though they watered it down by giving him 8 tying him w/Michael's tally with Thriller)....I've been cool on the Grammys....

Pay no attention to that thing upthread. I'm glad it finally gave up and logged off.

Anyway, you are right, Janet does just fine with her acting. She has even passed up numerous roles over the years becuase she was busy touring or recording--roles that included Storm in X-Men, a part in The Matrix and part in the Lee Daniels drama Tennessee (that role went to Mariah when Janet had to bow out).

And that really was whack as hell that RN didn't rack up the Grammy noms, even though it did win one. She could have easily gotten an Album of the Year nom, but RN was released too late in 1989 to qualify for that category. Even still, Janet's award nominations are impressive. She's the only one in her famous family to ever get an Academy Award nomination. That's saying a lot.

paisleypark4 said:

Wonder if they are ever going to do a remasterd set for Control and Nation?

I'm hoping maybe they'll do a 25th anniversary remaster for RN, with the unreleased stuff included on it. That would be dope.

janet and rene dressing alike *smh* I hate that troll

and so what if she goes for acting classes, that doesn't reflect her ability...many singers have vocal coaches too, michael did and so does stevie wonder. Anyways janet did take acting classes during nutty II

SEANMAN said:

Scorp said:

she don't need acting classes...lolllllllll

Janet started off acting at the age of 7 imitating MAE WEST right to the T...

then starred in Good Times where she had to play a child being the victim of abuse which took great acting ability to pull off

Diff'rent Strokes, Fame......

Poetic Justice as you mentioned.....she has nothing to prove w/that either....lollllll

I believe in giving credit due when it's due........

to show how whack the 1990 Grammys were when Janet should have received a number of awards for 1814

The Grammys gave 2 awards to Milli Vanilla, a group who was lyp synching their songs.......and I knew they were lyp synching because the voices weren't matching up to what we heard on the record.....at that moment, I knew the music industry was on its way to tanking out and stopped taking that award show seriously

other than the exception when Natalie Cole won 5 grammys for Unforgettable, Lauryn Hill racked up for The Miseducation and Carlos Santana when he racked up for Supernatural (even though they watered it down by giving him 8 tying him w/Michael's tally with Thriller)....I've been cool on the Grammys....

Pay no attention to that thing upthread. I'm glad it finally gave up and logged off.

Anyway, you are right, Janet does just fine with her acting. She has even passed up numerous roles over the years becuase she was busy touring or recording--roles that included Storm in X-Men, a part in The Matrix and part in the Lee Daniels drama Tennessee (that role went to Mariah when Janet had to bow out).

And that really was whack as hell that RN didn't rack up the Grammy noms, even though it did win one. She could have easily gotten an Album of the Year nom, but RN was released too late in 1989 to qualify for that category. Even still, Janet's award nominations are impressive. She's the only one in her famous family to ever get an Academy Award nomination. That's saying a lot.

exactly....all amazing achievements........

if she never puts out another record.....her accomplishments are etched in stone...

Me too. I also want Janet to have those albums remastered. I know it might not be a big deal to her, but I want to see what those huge albums really sold as of today.

alphastreet said:

janet and rene dressing alike *smh* I hate that troll

and so what if she goes for acting classes, that doesn't reflect her ability...many singers have vocal coaches too, michael did and so does stevie wonder. Anyways janet did take acting classes during nutty II

Tyler Perry movies, and that role she played in Poetic Justice are not serious acting roles although she did good for what they were.

Anybody insisting that ANY of those roles are OSCAR WORTHY needs to go to a hospital or mental institution because they are NUTS those were not serious/ Oscar attention roles and if Janet ever wanted to take acting more seriously in that route she would have to take some acting classes.

Shes descent for those roles she did (alot better than some singer turned actresses)..... but she is no where in the league of a leading oscar actress role unless she takes some classes to develop that.

TV show roles are different from serious acting roles.

I never said Janet couldnt act

[Edited 9/23/12 18:30pm]

Scorp said:

SEANMAN said:

Pay no attention to that thing upthread. I'm glad it finally gave up and logged off.

Anyway, you are right, Janet does just fine with her acting. She has even passed up numerous roles over the years becuase she was busy touring or recording--roles that included Storm in X-Men, a part in The Matrix and part in the Lee Daniels drama Tennessee (that role went to Mariah when Janet had to bow out).

And that really was whack as hell that RN didn't rack up the Grammy noms, even though it did win one. She could have easily gotten an Album of the Year nom, but RN was released too late in 1989 to qualify for that category. Even still, Janet's award nominations are impressive. She's the only one in her famous family to ever get an Academy Award nomination. That's saying a lot.

exactly....all amazing achievements........

if she never puts out another record.....her accomplishments are etched in stone...

True that

Well personally I want her to act cause she enjoyed it as a child, it's not about awards though if she wins them, like she has at other award shows, that's great too...I enjoyed some of the snl skits and cracked up at will & grace

mtv gave her a couple of them for poetic justice for example

[Edited 9/23/12 18:29pm]

alphastreet said:

Well personally I want her to act cause she enjoyed it as a child, it's not about awards though if she wins them, like she has at other award shows, that's great too...I enjoyed some of the snl skits and cracked up at will & grace

mtv gave her a couple of them for poetic justice for example

[Edited 9/23/12 18:29pm]

I GET THAT Not knocking it.... Shes great at the roles that she does.... but those are not serious acting roles and all I am saying is if she wants to or ever decides to take that route she would need to take some classes to sharpen that.

I personally would like to see her go that route since that is a route she has never gone in acting.

SEANMAN said:

paisleypark4 said:

Wonder if they are ever going to do a remasterd set for Control and Nation?

I'm hoping maybe they'll do a 25th anniversary remaster for RN, with the unreleased stuff included on it. That would be dope.

I know, right? Who do we have to sleep with to make that happen?

Also, is it me, or does the person who wrote that Slant article seem to have some serious issues? Really, "Lonely" is an ode to sexual frustration? I'm one of those people who sees sexual innuendoes in EVERYTHING (for example, I will never be able to think of anything other than STDs when I hear "Burning Ring of Fire") but I never interpreted "Lonely" the way that writer did.

[Edited 9/23/12 18:48pm]

Oh and Michael Jackson got an Academy Award nomination LONG before Janet could even tie her shoes...... for BEN It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1973 and it won a Golden Globe.

P.S. Michael Jackson, God rest his soul, was never an Academy Award OR a Golden Globe nominee. He did not write "Ben", he only performed it, so the Oscar and GG noms for that song went to the writers. Janet, however, did write "Again", reaping the benefits of her songwriting with Academy Award and Golden Globe noms.

She also has the longest-running Hot 100 #1 out of anyone in her family ("That's the Way Love Goes"), but that's neither here nor there.

Arbwyth said:

SEANMAN said:

I'm hoping maybe they'll do a 25th anniversary remaster for RN, with the unreleased stuff included on it. That would be dope.

I know, right? Who do we have to sleep with to make that happen?

Also, is it me, or does the person who wrote that Slant article seem to have some serious issues? Really, "Lonely" is an ode to sexual frustration? I'm one of those people who sees sexual innuendoes in EVERYTHING (for example, I will never be able to think of anything other than STDs when I hear "Burning Ring of Fire") but I never interpreted "Lonely" the way that writer did.

[Edited 9/23/12 18:48pm]

Right

About that SLANT article, the writer is pretty funny, and he got most of it right. He was, however, way off on "Lonely". That is purely a song about being there for a friend in need and nothing else. It's a beautiful song with Spanish guitar in the background and some excellent harmonies and production by JJ/TL. Just another in the long line of stellar tracks from off that album.

SEANMAN said:

P.S. Michael Jackson, God rest his soul, was never an Academy Award OR a Golden Globe nominee. He did not write "Ben", he only performed it, so the Oscar and GG noms for that song went to the writers. Janet, however, did write "Again", reaping the benefits of her songwriting with Academy Award and Golden Globe noms.

She also has the longest-running Hot 100 #1 out of anyone in her family ("That's the Way Love Goes"), but that's neither here nor there.

Your so FULL of BULL SHIT.... BULL PHONEY SHIT at that

PS... Janet didnt write that song by herself she has a co wrote credit with with Jimmy and Terry.

And it doesnt matter. The song was still nominated and it won a Golden Globe. You insisted that NO ONE in the family ever got a nomination..... I had to do some CORRECTIONS

What does The Way Love Goes have to do with this discussion yea it is neither here nor there.... just shows YOUR PRESSED poor chile cant help yourself

michael was a young child still on motown genius, I can see the argument as a little bit valid if they had the same kind of contract, were the same age etc. but yeah, a lot of people forget he was nominated for one though the song has been remembered and referenced in popular culture for decades

alphastreet said:

michael was a young child still on motown genius, I can see the argument as a little bit valid if they had the same kind of contract, were the same age etc. but yeah, a lot of people forget he was nominated for one though the song has been remembered and referenced in popular culture for decades

I just cant get over that remark that the artist doesnt reep the benefit of singing the song if they win a movie award for a song......... yea they do and MJ had everything to do with why it got nominated not just specifically the lyrics which is as simple as turning a door knob, it got nominated for the emotion displayed in the singing and how well he sung it He is credited for being nominated for a Academy Award and that song is a classic.

The whole foolishly trying to bash other Jackson family members to make Janet look good... is getting quite old that shit may fly over at Janet Xone but it damn sure aint flying here ........ NEXT

at least have your FACTS to straight...

[Edited 9/23/12 19:17pm]

SEANMAN said:

Arbwyth said:

I know, right? Who do we have to sleep with to make that happen?

Also, is it me, or does the person who wrote that Slant article seem to have some serious issues? Really, "Lonely" is an ode to sexual frustration? I'm one of those people who sees sexual innuendoes in EVERYTHING (for example, I will never be able to think of anything other than STDs when I hear "Burning Ring of Fire") but I never interpreted "Lonely" the way that writer did.

[Edited 9/23/12 18:48pm]

Right

About that SLANT article, the writer is pretty funny, and he got most of it right. He was, however, way off on "Lonely". That is purely a song about being there for a friend in need and nothing else. It's a beautiful song with Spanish guitar in the background and some excellent harmonies and production by JJ/TL. Just another in the long line of stellar tracks from off that album.

Oh, so maybe I should read it when I've had some sleep? I remember when I was little and would listen to "Lonely," I thought she literally meant people could call her if they were lonely. I actually scanned the liner notes looking for a number, LOL! Then I decided if I was really desperate and needed to get ahold of her the number would probably just magically show up in the liner notes, like some sort of psychic invisible ink or something.

Arbwyth said:

SEANMAN said:

Right

About that SLANT article, the writer is pretty funny, and he got most of it right. He was, however, way off on "Lonely". That is purely a song about being there for a friend in need and nothing else. It's a beautiful song with Spanish guitar in the background and some excellent harmonies and production by JJ/TL. Just another in the long line of stellar tracks from off that album.

Oh, so maybe I should read it when I've had some sleep? I remember when I was little and would listen to "Lonely," I thought she literally meant people could call her if they were lonely. I actually scanned the liner notes looking for a number, LOL! Then I decided if I was really desperate and needed to get ahold of her the number would probably just magically show up in the liner notes, like some sort of psychic invisible ink or something.

it made me think of befriending someone who's down or all alone, and I had felt like it fit in with the RN theme

I think it's high time that Janet come back and record once she's done producing this film for Lionsgate, so that she can add to her already impressive musical legacy. She's done the #1 NY Times Bestsellers List thing, the Academy and Golden Globes thing, the touring the world thing, selling millions of albums, making movies, doing TV, etc. And yeah, Control, RN and janet. need re-certification.

Arbwyth said:

SEANMAN said:

Right

About that SLANT article, the writer is pretty funny, and he got most of it right. He was, however, way off on "Lonely". That is purely a song about being there for a friend in need and nothing else. It's a beautiful song with Spanish guitar in the background and some excellent harmonies and production by JJ/TL. Just another in the long line of stellar tracks from off that album.

Oh, so maybe I should read it when I've had some sleep? I remember when I was little and would listen to "Lonely," I thought she literally meant people could call her if they were lonely. I actually scanned the liner notes looking for a number, LOL! Then I decided if I was really desperate and needed to get ahold of her the number would probably just magically show up in the liner notes, like some sort of psychic invisible ink or something.

That's awesome! But yeah, it's a beautiful song. I love how it segues right into "Come Back To Me" on the album. Jam and Lewis laced those tracks with some lush instrumentation. It was magic.

SEANMAN said:

Arbwyth said:

Oh, so maybe I should read it when I've had some sleep? I remember when I was little and would listen to "Lonely," I thought she literally meant people could call her if they were lonely. I actually scanned the liner notes looking for a number, LOL! Then I decided if I was really desperate and needed to get ahold of her the number would probably just magically show up in the liner notes, like some sort of psychic invisible ink or something.

That's awesome! But yeah, it's a beautiful song. I love how it segues right into "Come Back To Me" on the album. Jam and Lewis laced those tracks with some lush instrumentation. It was magic.

I know! I think it's one of her most underrated gems. I can still remember it being so comforting to me when I was little and really, desperately lonely and scared. I know people like to give Janet flack for her voice and whatnot, but I think before criticizing her, we need to ask what we consider a good voice and why, and what the original purposes for singing were in the human race. Of course, there would have been multiple reasons our ancestors sang, but one thing that I keep coming back to is mothers singing their babies to sleep, and I can't really picture a voice better suited to that than Janet's.

[Edited 9/23/12 19:39pm]

Arbwyth said:

SEANMAN said:

That's awesome! But yeah, it's a beautiful song. I love how it segues right into "Come Back To Me" on the album. Jam and Lewis laced those tracks with some lush instrumentation. It was magic.

I know! I think it's one of her most underrated gems. I can still remember it being so comforting to me when I was little and really, desperately lonely and scared. I know people like to give Janet flack for her voice and whatnot, but I think before criticizing her, we need to ask what we consider a good voice and why, and what the original purposes for singing were in the human race. Of course, there would have been multiple reasons our ancestors sang, but one thing that I keep coming back to is mothers singing their babies to sleep, and I can't really picture a voice better suited to that than Janet's.

[Edited 9/23/12 19:39pm]

EXACTLY. Janet's voice is unique because she can convincingly go from throaty rock ("Black Cat", "What About") to the softest of ballads ("Lonely", "Every Time"). She has wonderful timbre in her voice, and she has outstanding backing harmonies in her songs (the vocal layering in the chorus of "I Get Lonely", for example, is beyond compare).

You don't always have to be a caterwalling screamer and belter to get your point across.