Janet Jackson’s 10 #1 Singles: Revisited, Reviewed & Ranked
6. “All For You”
Year: 2001
Stay at #1: 7 weeks
After Janet Jackson produced some of the most emotionally complex and rich music of her career on 1997’s smash The Velvet Rope — a record that dealt with domestic violence, depression and more sexually explicit themes — the arrival of All For You in 2001 felt like the euphoria after the purge. A collection of groovy, dance-floor ready disco and funk tracks, it was an album designed specifically to catapult to the top of the charts. (The exception being the lacerating “Son Of A Gun” featuring Missy Elliot, which was, and remains, my favorite Janet song ever.) During the album’s recording, Jackson had just ended a tumultuous relationship Rene Elizondo Jr. and you can actually hear and feel her re-discovery of passion, love and happiness in the album’s title track, which would go on to become her tenth #1 hit.
“All For You” is one big whooshing of a summer breeze, a throwback to the innocent ’80s dance pop of Janet’s earlier career, and also, a great companion piece to the day-glo happiness of her previous #1, “Doesn’t Really Matter,” which was released a year prior. The reality is that, no, “All For You” was not the most groundbreaking of Janet’s work, which led some critics to levy claims that the track, and in turn the album, was a bit of a regression in her career. And while some of those criticisms might be valid, it shouldn’t matter. The pure pop success of “All For You” feels boldly evident on the first listen; Janet is in hall of fame mode and she knows it. And if this ends up being the last #1 hit of her career, it’s a damn fine exclamation point. — PATRICK BOWMAN
5. “When I Think Of You”
Year: 1986
Stay at #1: 2 weeks
Control was Janet Jackson, seizing it. Behind the scenes, she camped out in Minneapolis to work with then-rising electro funk duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. This was the first time that Janet created music without her showbiz father’s supervision or her brother Michael’s approval. “I wanted this album to be my success, not my family’s,” she told SPIN. The final result is just as assertive, swapping cutesy bubblegum pop for dance floor ferocity to help reintroduce this child sitcom star as an independent woman.
As an effervescent pop cut, “When I Think of You” isn’t Control‘s most obvious example of Janet’s newfound autonomy. (It’s more widely known as the reason why she and Michael became the first siblings to earn solo #1 hits.) Still, especially in retrospect, it’s one of the finest displays of Janet’s natural charisma to date. This attribute would further set her apart from her brothers and sisters, and, more importantly, it was something that her father never could have taught her. — CHRISTINA LEE
4. “Escapade”
Year: 1990
Stay At #1: 3 weeks
While Janet Jackson’s fourth studio album Rhythm Nation 1814 had several upbeat tracks, the project was arguably darker — from the black and white visuals to even the industrial sounds in parts. “Escapade” was such a break from all of that, as Janet provided the most optimistic track for detailing the art of escapism. “Come on, baby, let’s get away. Let’s save our troubles for another day.” It was audible euphoria, saying forget anything going on in your life that’s bad at that exact moment and run off to go have a good time. Who doesn’t need to be told that at least twice a day?
As much as “Escapade” was one of those quintessential Janet Jackson singles where you wanted to just awkwardly dance around and pretend to be her, there was a message behind it. That message was to exhale every now and then even in the midst of madness. Janet Jackson: badass singer, kickass dancer and life coach. — KATHY IANDOLI
3. “Miss You Much”
Year: 1989
Stay At #1: 4 weeks
The second time Janet Jackson escaped to Minneapolis to record new songs, she ended up with her hardest-hitting music yet: Rhythm Nation 1814. Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis started incorporating found sounds like breaking glass and trash can lids into their electro-funk — New Jack Swing turned industrial. Eventually, they all figured that such cacophony could lend itself well to the pop protest album Rhythm Nation became. But first, they tested out this assertive new sound on a love song.
“Miss You Much” is a prime example of what the boldly self-assured Janet does best: presenting unfettered emotion through pop, set to ambitious music that pushes the genre forward. Plus, to the benefit of future stars like Britney Spears, this chart-topping hit also showed how a soft-spoken woman shouldn’t always be mistaken for shy. Historically, critics have given Jimmy and Terry a large amount of credit for Rhythm Nation‘s success. However, it’s Janet’s attitude that makes this song. — CHRISTINA LEE
2. “That’s The Way Love Goes”
Year: 1993
Stay At #1: 8 weeks
Janet has established herself as one of the fiercest entertainers of our time, thanks to those killer dance moves and vibrant singles. But let’s not forget about the other end of her musical spectrum — the artist also shines on her more down-tempo tracks that reveal a softer side.
As a case in point, let’s look at “That’s The Way Love Goes,” Janet’s enticing lead single off her eponymous fifth studio album. Written and produced by Janet and her right-hand men Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the sultry track found the singer completely owning her sensuality. “Like a moth to a flame burned by the fire/ My love is blind/ Can’t you see my desire?,” Janet croons as the warm, relaxed production hypnotizes the ears and soul.
The accompanying video, directed by René Elizondo, Jr. (Janet’s ex-husband and the hands covering her breasts on that infamous Rolling Stone cover), brought the single’s seductive nature to life. Set at an intimate party in a loft, the singer and her backup dancers groove to the song. One of the major highlights from the clip was a cameo by a then-unknown Jennifer Lopez, who was known mainly as a Fly Girl on In Living Color at the time.
“That’s The Way Love Goes” became a single favorite for many, as it topped the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks and went on to be certified Platinum in the US and Australia. Janet collected five awards for the tune, including Grammy for Best R&B Song.
Meanwhile, J. Lo saw a boost in her already-rising career. So along with turning into a timeless classic for the fans, “That’s The Way Love Goes” became a win-win for the two divas! — BIANCA GRACIE
