Janet Jackson’s 10 #1 Singles: Revisited, Reviewed & Ranked

1. “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” Year: 1991 Stay At #1: 1 week

Ecstatic. Exuberant. Iconic. And that’s just half-naked Djimon Honsou in the music video. Astoundingly and to La Jackson’s credit, “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” the song is even more jaw-droppingly perfect than Honsou or Antonio Sabàto, Jr. in their Speedos. (No, I can’t believe I wrote that either, 12-year-old me.)

Lushly, gloriously produced, “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” sparkles brighter than any of Janet’s other, wonderful-in-their-own-ways gems. Like your best summer vacation memories, this song bubbles along so beautifully, so youthfully, that you never really want it to end. And presiding over it all is girlish, gleeful Janet at the peak of her pop powers, demanding, “If you believe in love, SING!”

No true lover of music could resist the charms of Janet Jackson at her sunniest here. There’s a reason why she’s a legend among legends. Love may never do without you, but pop this pure and perfect will never do without her. — JONATHAN RIGGS

Agree with our ranking of Janet’s biggest hits? Think one of your favorites should have been placed higher? Let us know below!