Writers: James Harris III, Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson
Producers: Jimmy jam, Terry Lewis
The Billboard Hot 100: #1 (2 weeks) (Gold) (debuted 8/9/86, peaked 10/11/86 - 19 weeks on chart)
Hot 100 Airplay: #1 (2 weeks)
Hot Dance Music/Club Play: #1 (3 weeks) (debuted 8/23/86 - 11 weeks on chart)
After the smash success of "Nasty," Janet was on a roll. She was the pop artist to lookout for in 1986 and kept things rolling with the euphoric dance number "When I Think of You." Released in July of 1986, the single was Janet's "summer song." It was a light, wistful diddy with a carefree quality -- in stark contrast to the heavy, industrialized funk jams which kicked off her LP. And, carved yet another first for the Jackson, her first Number 1 pop hit. The song's impressions on the charts were immediate -- hitting the pole position on Billboard's Airplay, Dance Music/Club Play, ARC Top 40 and Hot 100 charts for two consecutive weeks in the fall of that year.
Janet Jackson - When I Think of You (David Morales Jazzy Mix)
"When I Think Of You" was a milestone for Janet Jackson. The single made Janet the youngest artist since Stevie Wonder to top the Billboard pop charts. She was only 19. In addition, made Janet and her older brother Michael, the only siblings in history to have solo Number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
Great article from Billboard Magazine (Click to enlarge)
The single's memorable short film evolves from Janet's personal life. "During Control," she says, "I began to assess the place and purpose of videos. I began to see that, like songs, videos should reflect my deepest feelings and truest moods. When it came to the storylines, the costumes, the choreography and especially the choice of directors, I decided to exert my influence. By then, Rene Elizondo had become my best friend. We went to see Julien Temple's Absolute Beginners and were knocked out by the opening sequence. It was so seamless, I asked him to direct 'When I Think of You.' I loved Julien's smooth sense of cinematography."
The video itself ran like a seamless Broadway music number, from dancing policemen to comedically hot tempered neighbors, the short film was a vibrant and polychromatic display of blissful abandon. Those without a sharp enough eye wouldn't be able to pick up the fact that the video was shot in multiple takes, though it appears as if it were achieved in one. A series of cleverly assembled takes were segmented through such simple things as camera pan-aways into dark walls and flashing light bulbs.
Plus, the video began a string of highly conceptualized, Broadway-inspired short films that would later become staples of Janet's career -- "Rhythm Nation," "Alright," "If" and "All For You."
November 1, 2009
Number Ones Countdown: When I Think of You (1986)
October 26, 2009
B-Sides: You Need Me
Single "Miss you Much" contains a B-side called "You Need Me", an outtake from Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814.
Janet straight spazzes on Papa Joe here (if it wasn't apparent to you). This is one of the most specific and autobiographical songs Janet has recorded about her family. You begin to get a good grasp of the frayed Jackson family dynamic here. This is a brilliant Jam & Lewis uptempo track, very in line with what they were doing with Janet at the time. You want to dance, but there's so much pain here that you feel wrong for jamming.
Janet Jackson - You Need Me
As a child I missed a lot of love I never had
And daddy he was distant
Never there to hold my hand
Never bought the things he'd always promise to give me
Mother made up for him always watching over me
Days would go by and we would never see his face
In my mind I'd wonder "Does he have another place?"
If and when he'd come in he would always be upset
All the kids were scared his next syndrome would be a fret
Now that you are older and you begin to see
Family's important to be there if you need
Father never taught us these things mom said to me
Now the table's turned so tell me you need me
Tell me
Tell me
Tell me
Just to me
You need me
Daddy daddy dearest, what is it you want from me
(Tell me)
I won't turn my back on you the way you did with me
Now you try to give and always faking not to cry
I'll give you what I can but I can't give what I don't have
Mother lends a shoulder, to cry on if you need
But are you there for mother when she needs your company?
Father never taught us, these things mom said to me
Now the table's turned so tell me
You need me
Tell me
Tell me
Tell me
Tell me
Say
You need me
If you realize we need each other, we will be a closer family.
I need you, yeah
I need you, and you know that
Say
You need me
Now that you are older and you begin to see
Family's important to be there if you need
Father never taught us, no no never taught us
Just to me
You need me
Tell me that you need me
Tell me that you love me
Tell me that you need me
Just to me
Say
You need me
Now that you are older and you begin to see
Family's important to be there if you need
Father never taught us these things mom said to me
Now the table's turned so tell me you need me
Tell me
Tell me
Tell me
Just to me
You need me
Mother lends a shoulder to cry on if you need
But are you there for mother when she needs your company?
Are you there for mother?
Are you there for mother?
Are you there for mother?
Father never taught us these things mom said to me
Just to me
You need me
October 25, 2009
Janet Covers: Warmen - Black Cat
Fourth album from the Finnish band Warmen, "Japanese Hospitality" includes cover version of Janet Jackson's classic song "Black Cat."
Warmen ft. Jonna Kosonen - Black Cat (Janet Jackson cover)
Janet’s "Black Cat" will be featured on the release of Band Hero, in stores November 3rd.
"Black Cat" was Janet's sixth single from her fourth album Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, which celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year.
Visit warmen.org / hub.guitarhero.com
