The tenth and youngest child of the Jackson family, she began her career with the variety television series The Jacksons in 1976 and went on to appear in other television shows throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, including Good Times, Diff'rent Strokes, and Fame. After signing a recording contract with A&M Records in 1982, she became a pop icon following the release of her third and fourth studio albums Control (1986) and Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). Her collaborations with record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis incorporated elements of rhythm and blues, funk, disco, rap, and industrial beats, which led to crossover success in popular music.
In 1991, Jackson signed the first of two record-breaking multimillion-dollar contracts with Virgin Records, establishing her as one of the highest-paid artists in the industry. Prior to her first studio project with Virgin, she appeared in her first of several lead film roles in Poetic Justice (1993). Her two studio albums which followed, Janet (1993) and The Velvet Rope (1997), saw her develop a public image as a sex symbol. These records, along with their promotional music videos and live performances in concert tours, branded Jackson as one of the world's most erotic performers, garnering both criticism and praise. By the end of the 1990s, she was named by Billboard magazine as the second most successful recording artist of the decade after Mariah Carey. The release of her seventh studio album All for You in 2001 coincided with a celebration of her impact on the recording industry as the subject of the inaugural MTV Icon special.
The backlash from the 2004 Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy resulted in an industry blacklisting under the direction of Les Moonves, then-CEO of CBS Corporation. Jackson subsequently experienced reduced radio airplay, televised promotion and sales figures from that point forward. After parting ways with Virgin Records, she released her tenth studio album Discipline (2008), her first and only album with Island Records. In 2015, she partnered with BMG Rights Management to launch her own record label, Rhythm Nation and released her eleventh studio album Unbreakable the same year. Since then she has continued to release music as an independent artist.
Having sold over 100 million records, Jackson is one of the world's best-selling music artists. She has amassed an extensive catalog, with singles such as "Nasty", "Rhythm Nation", "That's the Way Love Goes", "Together Again", and "All for You"; she holds the record for the most consecutive top-ten entries on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with 18. She is also the only artist in the history of the chart to have seven commercial singles from one album (Rhythm Nation 1814) peak within the top five positions. In 2008, Billboard placed her number seven on its list of the Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists, and in 2010 ranked her fifth among the "Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years". In December 2016, the magazine named her the second most successful dance club artist after Madonna. One of the world's most awarded artists, her accolades include five Grammy Awards, eleven Billboard Music Awards, eleven American Music Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and eight Guinness World Records entries. In 2019, she was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jackson has been cited as an inspiration among numerous performers and credited with elevating a standard of sound, showmanship and sex appeal expected of pop stars.
That's the Way Love Goes
Janet Jackson Lyrics
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Burned by the fire
My love is blind
Can't you see my desire
That's the way love goes
(That's the way love)
(That's the way love)
(That's the way love goes)
Like a moth to a flame burned by the fire (that's the way)
My love is blind, can't you see my desire? (That's the way)
Like a moth to a flame, burned by the fire (that's the way)
My love is blind, can't you see my desire?
That's the way love goes
Like a moth to a flame, burned by the fire
(That's the way, that's the way, that's the way love goes)
That's the way love goes
My love is blind, can't you see my desire?
(That's the way, that's the way, that's the way love goes)
Come with me, don't you worry
I'm gonna make you crazy
I'll give you the time of your life
I'm gonna take you places
You've never been before and
You'll be so happy that you came
Ooh, I'm gonna take you there, ooh
That's the way love goes (ooh)
That's the way love goes
(That's the way love goes)
That's the way love goes (desire) (that's the way)
That's the way love goes (desire)
(That's the way, that's the way love goes)
Don't mind if I light candles
I like to watch us play and
Baby, I've got on what you like
Come closer, baby, closer
Reach out and feel my body
I'm gonna give you all my love (that's the way love goes)
Ooh, sugar don't you hurry
You've got me here all night
Just close your eyes and hold on tight
(That's the way, that's the way)
Ooh, baby, don't stop, don't stop
Go deeper, baby, deeper
You feel so good I'm gonna cry
Oh, I'm gonna take you there, ooh
That's the way love goes
That's the way love goes
(That's the way love goes, it goes, it goes)
That's the way love goes
Ooh, that's the way love goes
(That's the way love goes)
That's the way love goes
Oh, that's the way love goes
Don't you know (oh), that's the way
Like a moth to a flame, burned by the fire (yeah)
My love is blind, can't you see my desire?
Like a moth to a flame, burned by the fire
My love is blind, can't you see my desire? (Baby, yeah)
That's the way, that's the way (ooh)
That's the way, that's the way (that's the way love goes)
That's the way, that's the way, that's the way love goes
That's the way love goes
(That's the way, that's the way)
(That's the way, that's the way) that's the way love goes, it goes, it goes
(That's the way, that's the way)
That's the way love goes
That's the way love goes
That's the way love goes, ooh (that's the way love goes)
That's the way love goes (that's the way love goes)
That's the way love, that's the way love, that's the way love
That's the way love, that's the way love, that's the way love
That's the way love goes
The lyrics to Janet Jackson's "That's the Way Love Goes" describe her obsession with someone. She compares herself to a moth to a flame, burned by the fire of her own desire. Her love is blind, as she can't help but follow her passion to be with this person. She sings about taking this person to new heights and giving them the time of their life. She wants to explore and connect with them intimately, even lighting candles to set the mood. The chorus repeats several times, emphasizing the intense nature of her love and desire.
The theme of Janet Jackson's "That's the Way Love Goes" is one of passion and unbridled desire. The lyrics and melody are sensual and sultry, creating a seductive atmosphere. The song was released as the lead single from her fifth studio album in 1993 and was an immediate hit. It stayed on top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts for eight consecutive weeks, making it one of her most successful singles to date. It also won a Grammy award for Best R&B Song in 1994. The song's music video was also well-received, showcasing Janet's sultry dance moves and fashion sense.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a moth to a flame burned by the fire
My attraction to you is so strong, it's like I am drawn to you like a moth to a flame, but I know your love will hurt me just like a moth that is burned by a flame.
My love is blind, can't you see my desire?
I am so deeply in love with you that it's clouding my judgment, and no matter what, all I want is to be with you. Can't you see my intense desire for you?
Come with me, don't you worry
I know you may have doubts, but let go and trust me. I will make sure you have the time of your life.
I'm gonna take you places you've never been before
I will introduce you to new experiences and adventures. Being with me will bring you joy and happiness like you have never felt before.
You feel so good I'm gonna cry
Being intimate with you is so intense, it brings tears to my eyes. Your touch is like nothing I've ever felt before.
That's the way love goes
This is what love feels like. It's not always straightforward or predictable, but this is the way true love goes.
Lyrics © JANET JACKSON DBA BLACK ICE, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles Fred Bobbitt, Fred Wesley, Janet Jackson, James Brown, James Samuel III Harris, John Starks, Terry Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind