Miss you much - Janet Jackson

'Miss you much' was the first single taken from Janet Jackson's 1989 album 'Rhythm Nation 1814', the follow-up to the exceedingly successful 'Control' album. In the UK, the single was released with a poster sleeve, but it only reached number 22 in the singles chart. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it reached number 1, while in the Dutch Top 40 it got to number 15.

The B-side, 'You need me', is about Jackson's personal feelings about her father, and how the tables are turned, that now he needs her. At the time of its release there were reports that the B-side was the product of Jackson's record labels pressure on her in an attempt to produce a 'Control part 2' album, addressing the rumours in the press regarding her personal life and family. Jackson didn't do this and only produced this one autobiographical track, which is therefore considers to be a collectors' item.

My collection: 7" single no. 999
Found: HMV, London, October 16, 1989
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Miss you much' / 'You need me'

The pleasure principle - Janet Jackson

'The pleasure principle' was written by Monte Moir and recorded by Janet Jackson for her successful 1986 album 'Control'. The track was remixed by Shep Pettibone and released as the sixth single from the album in the summer of 1987.

Although the single reached number 14 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, it was much less successful in other territories: in the UK it only got as far as number 24. The best result outside the USA was made in the Netherlands, where the single peaked at number 15.

My collection: 7" single no. 2061
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, December 24, 1993
Cost: 2 guilders
Track: 'The pleasure principle (Shep Pettibone remix)' / 'The pleasure principle (Shep Pettibone dub edit)'

Let's wait awhile - Janet Jackson

'Let's wait awhile' is a track from Janet Jackson's successful album 'Control'. It was written by Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Melanie Andrews. The song talks about waiting until the right moment to have sexual intercourse. The song can also be interpreted as an anthem to sexual abstinence, as it was a hit during the height of the AIDS pandemic.

When the track was released as the fifth single from the album, it reached number 2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 16 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1182
Found: Oldies Unlimited, UK, February 26, 1990
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'Let's wait awhile' / 'Nasty (Cool summer mix, part 1)'

Runaway - Janet Jackson

Written and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, 'Runaway' was one of two previously unreleased songs on Janet Jackson's 1995 compilation album 'Design of a decade 1986-1996'. It was released as the first single from that album, and much to my surprise, it was also released on 7" vinyl - albeit only in the USA. I found this copy 14 years after its release.

'Runaway' reached number 1 in Canada, number 6 in the UK and number 32 in the Dutch Top 40. In the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, the single reached number 3.

My collection: 7" single no. 4213
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, November 21, 2009
Cost: 0,66 euro
Tracks: 'Runaway' / 'When I think of you (Morales House mix '95)'

Control - Janet Jackson

'Control' was the fourth single taken from Janet Jackson's third album of the same name. The song was written by Jackson, James Harris III, and Terry Lewis and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The lyric is about Jackson who wants to finally take control of her life. Its arrangement, built upon complex rhythmic tracks, showcased a state-of-the-art production.

Jackson has performed the song on almost all of her tours. The single reached number 5 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 42 in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2323
Found: June 3, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Control' / 'Fast girls'

When I think of you - Janet Jackson

'When I think of you' was released as the third single from Janet Jackson's third album, 'Control'. The song was written by Jackson with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who also produced the track.

It is Janet Jackson's first number 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached number 10 in the UK singles chart and number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 1642
Found: May 3, 1992
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'When I think of you' / 'Pretty boy'

Nasty - Janet Jackson

'Nasty' was written by Janet Jackson after she was confronted with abusive men. She later commented: 'They were emotionally abusive. Sexually threatening. Instead of running to Jimmy or Terry for protection, I took a stand. I backed them down. That's how songs like 'Nasty' and 'What have you done for me lately' were born, out of a sense of self-defense. Control meant not only taking care of myself but living in a much less protected world. And doing that meant growing a tough skin. Getting attitude. '

The song became the second single taken from Janet Jackson's 1986 album 'Control'. It reached number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 19 in the UK singles chart and number 5 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2470
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, September 16, 1995
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Nasty' / 'You'll never find (a love like mine)'

What have you done for me lately - Janet Jackson

Michael Jackson's little sister Janet made her worldwide breakthrough with this single, 'What have you done for me lately'. The song was written by her with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and produced by Jam & Lewis. The single reached number 1 in the Dutch Top 40, number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Rapper King MC recorded a track called 'What have I done for you lately' ('...Well what have you done for me baby') that same year in response to this track.

My collection: 7" single no. 2010
Found: Record Exchange, London, October 18, 1993
Cost: 1 pound
Tracks: 'What have you done for me lately' / 'Young love'

I get lonely - Janet Jackson

'I get lonely' was released as the third single from Janet Jackson's sixth studio album 'The velvet rope' (1997) in February 1998. The single version featured extra material by Blackstreet, an American R&B group who apparently specialises in mumbling through other people's good songs in an incoherent manner.

Needless to say, I don't especially appreciate this version, but fortunately the remix on the B-side is a bit more interesting. The single reached number 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100, number 5 in the UK singles chart and number 18 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 3015
Found: September 5, 1998
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'I get lonely (TNT remix edit featuring Blackstreet)' / 'I get lonely (Jam & Lewis Feel my bass mix - radio edit)'

Whoops now / What'll I do - Janet Jackson

As far as I know, it doesn't happen that often that a 'hidden track' on a cd album is subsequently released as a single. But that's exactly what happened with Janet Jackson's 'Whoops now' in 1995. It was the eighth single taken from Jackson's 1993 album 'Janet', and it was released in the UK as a double A-side with 'What'll I do', another album track.

This 7" single was released as a picture disc only, which might have helped sales a little. The single reached number 9 in the UK singles chart, while it reached number 1 in New Zealand.

My collection: 7" single no. 2257
Found: Wreckastow, Rotterdam, March 22, 1995
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Whoops now (radio edit)' / 'What'll I do'

Because of love - Janet Jackson

'Because of love' was released as the fourth single from Janet Jackson's 1993 album 'Janet' in January 1994. The track is a rather traditional love song and was produced, like the album, by Jackson, James Harris III and Terry lewis.

The single peaked at number 10 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 19 in the UK singles chart, but it didn't chart in the Netherlands.

My collection: 7" single no. 2080
Found: March 8, 1994
Cost: 6,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Because of love' / 'Because of love (Frankie & David 7")'

Young love - Janet Jackson

Aged sixteen, when her brother Michael was just about to conquer the world with his album 'Thriller', Janet Jackson signed a record deal with A&M Records. Her self-titled debut album was released in 1982, the same year. It was produced by soul singers Angela Winbush, René Moore and Leon F. Sylvers III. Her father Joseph oversaw the entire production.

'Young love' was a single drawn from that debut album. Janet received a lot of criticism for her limited vocal range and being yet another sibling of the Jackson family to start a career in music despite that. Still, the single reached number 64 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, also charting in New Zealand and South Africa. In Europe, the audience remained uninterested until her third album 'Control' (1986).

My collection: 7" single no. 4080
Found: Marktplaats.nl, received September 25, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Young love' / 'The magic is working'

You want this - Janet Jackson

Released in October 1994, 'You want this' was the seventh and final single taken from Janet Jackson's album 'Janet'. While most previous singles were released on the 7" format in the UK, this one wasn't. This is an American pressing meant, as the label states, for jukeboxes only.

The track features samples from the Supremes' 1968 song 'Love child' and Kool & the Gang's 1973 song 'Jungle boogie'. The single reached number 14 in the UK singles chart and number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4058
Found: eBay.com, received September 23, 2009
Cost: $4
Track: 'You want this' / 'New agenda'

Together again - Janet Jackson

'Look out, there's a bonsai tree on your head!', that's what I always think when I see this sleeve. Why some artists choose to look so strange from time to time is beyond me. Besides all that, 'Together again' is actually quite a serious song. It was a tribute from Janet to friends who had recently passed from AIDS, as stated on album booklet of her 1997 album 'The velvet rope'. Originally written as a ballad, the track was re-arranged as a dance song.

Released as the second single from the album, 'Together again' reached number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Dutch Top 40, peaking at number 4 in the UK singles chart. This 7" single was made in the USA, and is as far as I know the only 7" release worldwide.

My collection: 7" single no. 2984
Found: Record fair, Amsterdam, 1998
Cost: 10 guilders
Tracks: 'Together again' / 'Got 'til it's gone (Ummah Jay Dee's Revenge mix)'

Scream - Michael and Janet Jackson

In 1993, the relationship between Michael Jackson and the press soured entirely when he was accused of child abuse. Although never charged with a crime, Jackson was subject to intense media scrutiny while the criminal investigation took place. Jackson commented: 'I will say I am particularly upset by the handling of the matter by the incredible, terrible mass media. At every opportunity, the media has dissected and manipulated these allegations to reach their own conclusions.'

Michael's sister Janet wanted to become involved in the recording of 'Scream' as a show of sibling support. 'Scream' was written, composed and produced by the Jackson siblings, with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. It was the first time Michael Jackson had worked with Jam and Lewis, although Janet had worked with them successfully on numerous occasions. The single went top 10 around the world. In the UK, this limited edition single with a postersleeve was released.

My collection: 7" single no. 2333
Found: HMV, London, June 26, 1995
Cost: 2 pounds
Tracks: 'Scream (Def radio mix)' / 'Scream (single edit)'

Diamonds - Herb Alpert

What kind of a name is Herb? Well, anyway, Herb Alpert and his business partner Jerry Moss were the founders of the A&M label. When they signed Janet Jackson in the early Eighties, they couldn't have known about the level of stardom she would achieve, but when she did, Alpert made good use of it.

The 1987 single 'Diamonds' by Herb Alpert features prominent vocals by Janet Jackson, and it was probably a deciding factor in becoming a hit. The single reached number 27 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 2561
Found: Record fair, November 19, 1995
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Diamonds (edit)' / 'African flame (edit)'

Come back to me - Janet Jackson

'Come back to me' is the fifth single taken from Janet Jackson's highly successful album 'Rhythm nation 1814'. It reached number 20 in the UK singles chart in January 1990.

Part of the success can be attributed to this limited edition 7" box set, which came with a free fold-out poster and an '1814' metal badge. I had a hard time finding a copy of this, but finally managed to do this during a holiday in London in October 1990.

My collection: 7" single no. 1169

Found: Record Exchange, London, October 1990

Cost: 1 pound

Tracks: 'Come back to me (7" I'm beggin' you mix)' / 'Alright (7"R&B mix)'