But Jackson, her band, dancers and backup singers began roaring with a six-song set that melded one into the other beginning with “BURNITUP,” then gliding into “Nasty” (the crowd’s clear favorite of the night), “Miss You Much,” “Alright,” and “You Want This.” It was rapid fire and then Jackson stood crossed-armed, pose-struck breathing like an athlete for obvious reasons. It wasn’t just electronic dazzle - some later moments like Jackson in a strobing box and still later with three levels of bird images while she sang “After You Fall” were psychedelic. And suddenly the audience was no longer ready but actually partying with her. The lights lit the live Janet Jackson lifesize behind two scrims and a projected version of her much larger self appeared on the outside of the screen. A crew rolled the DJ’s table backstage and one curtain rose uncovering a scrim soon covered with projected birds, giving way to a gigantic crow, which turned into a mechanical giant as the intro to the Unbreakable CD with Missy Elliott grumbling ecstatically. After what seemed like a long wait accompanied by Janet Jackson’s DJ, spinning mainly Jackson songs and asking the audience if they were ready to “party with Janet Jackson” (they were). I love each of these for different reasons but they have such a deep meaning and such a great beat.Īlright, pleasure principle, because of love, velvet rope, go deep, all nite, so excited, make me, and damn baby.There are rock stars who take the stage, but this was one show where the stage took the audience. They hold up so well.ġ5) Love will never do/state of the world. I love these hits and they should have had more love but because of the SB incident they were drowned out.
I really could not say which of these I like better but they both solidified that Janet is in her own control do what she does.ġ4) Feedback/Rock with u. Such fire and passion.ġ3) Control/what have you done for me lately. I think the biggest rock hit by a black woman to this day. Great beat and catchy and I think an underrated song.ġ2) Black Cat. The longing for someone and not sure how they will come into your life. Also, do love Pinks rendition as well.ġ1) Someone to Call My Lover.
The look and dancing moves are so iconic. This song has so much meaning to me after a breakup or going through any relationship issues. Such a sexy and sleek song that exploded Janet’s femininity and really verified her place in the industry.ġ0) Miss You Much. I love this travel the world theme but honestly this got higher for me after Jimmy Fallon’s kid instrument with the Roots.ĩ) That’s the way love goes. I feel like this is her catchiest song for most and such a great harmonic hook, how can you not love this song?Ĩ) Runaway. With such a funky groove and notable Miss Jackson phrase makes this a crowd favorite.ħ) All for You. But an upbeat song that leave you feeling excited for the weekend.Ħ) Nasty.
The opposite of together again in meaning. And if you don’t like the upbeat one, there’s always the jazzy one to listen too.ĥ) Escapade. There is nothing to hate here and so meaningful for anyone that lost someone. I’ve been obsessed with this song lately and such a good music video that both the song and video still hold up!Ĥ) Together Again. Maybe the best music video of all time and also still influential to this day.ģ) If. Even though they are “different lower” letters, all these songs are at an actual S tier for me.ġ) Rhythm Nation: Still a classic and maybe her most well known song that inspired so many dance choreography hits after it.Ģ) Scream (with Michael): I think my favorite collaborative hit of all time. This was such a hard list and I tried doing my own and still conflict based on the day and mood I’m doing in so I limited my list to singles released or they were performed on tour.