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.
{Intro} 20
Janet Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you recording?
There's something to be said for not saying anything
I've talked about racism, spousal abuse, empowering women, children
I've talked about a lot of things
What do I talk about this time?
I've covered a lot in my 20 years
And I've uncovered a lot in my 20 years
I don't wanna be serious
I wanna have fun
I know
I don't know
That's what I do know
The opening lyrics to Janet Jackson's song "20 (intro)" can be interpreted as an introspective musing on the artist's own career and creative direction. The line "There's something to be said for not saying anything" suggests a pause or hesitation, perhaps because Janet is unsure of what she wants to communicate next. She then references some heavy topics she has explored in the past, such as racism, spousal abuse, and female empowerment. This acknowledgement of her own activism reminds the listener of Janet's role as a cultural icon and political commentator.
However, as the song continues, Janet expresses a desire to keep things light and fun. She seems torn between the weight of her past work and a desire to simply enjoy making music. The phrase "I don't know, that's what I do know" reflects this ambivalence - Janet is uncertain about the specifics of her new creative direction, but she knows that it should be less serious than her previous projects. The song's title "20" also suggests a sense of reflection and looking back, perhaps on the 20-year span of Janet's career to that point.
Overall, "20 (intro)" offers a glimpse into Janet Jackson's creative process and internal debates. By acknowledging the heavy themes she has tackled in the past, while also expressing a desire to lighten up her music, Janet shows that she is constantly evolving as an artist.
Line by Line Meaning
Well there's something to...
I have something on my mind that I want to talk about.
Are you recording?
Asking if the studio equipment is working properly.
There's something to be said for not saying anything
Sometimes it's better to just keep quiet than to speak up.
I've talked about racism, spousal abuse, empowering women, children
I have addressed serious and important issues in my past music.
I've talked about a lot of things
There's been a variety of subjects I've covered in my music.
What do I talk about this time?
Wondering what topic to address in my current music.
I've covered a lot in my 20 years
Reflecting on the many different things I've talked about in my music career so far.
And I've uncovered a lot in my 20 years
Acknowledging that through my career, I've learned a lot about the industry and myself.
But I wanna keep it light
Desiring to create music that is fun and not too heavy.
I don't wanna be serious
Wanting to avoid addressing heavy or serious topics in this specific instance.
I wanna have fun
Desiring to create music that is enjoyable and positive.
I know
Confident in my decision to create upbeat music.
I don't know
Unsure of what the exact theme or direction of the music will be, but still excited to create it anyways.
That's what I do know
Certain that regardless of what the music ends up being about, it will still be enjoyable and fun for everyone.
Contributed by Aiden S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Daniel Santana
AMAZING Intro.
music4everybody
@_@ I just don't wanted to miss anything on that album.