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.
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Janet Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These feelings again
Cause I can't pretend like
I don't love you
This ending too sad
it's the only thing we have
I know you know it too
But haven't we been here before
Don't tell me you want more
Janet Jackson’s song Back in 2-3 was released on her 2008 album Discipline. The song follows a classic theme of a past love, and the feelings that come with it. In essence, it speaks to the idea that after time has passed, both parties involved may still hold onto those feelings – even if they don’t act on them. Jackson’s use of the phrase “back in 2-3” alludes to returning to the past, or returning to a time when those feelings were more present. The song’s lyrics suggest that the relationship ended sadly, and that neither party was truly ready for it to end.
Throughout the song, Jackson conveys a sense of longing and uncertainty. The line “I’m giving you back these feelings again” suggests that the singer has been holding onto these feelings, but is unsure if the other person reciprocates them. The subsequent line, “I can’t pretend like I don’t love you,” further drives home that point. It’s as though the singer is trying to bury their feelings, but simply can’t.
Overall, Back in 2-3 serves as an emotional yet relatable song about a love lost.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm giving you back
I am returning the love and affection that you have given me
Whatever I feel like I want to do
I will do what I want without considering the opinions or expectations of others
Hop on it, let's take a ride
Come with me and let's enjoy life's adventures and experiences together
I'm your captain and you can come on board
I am taking the lead in this relationship and inviting you to join me on this journey
We're gonna explore each other until we find
We will take time to learn about each other and discover what makes us happy and fulfilled
The love that we've been searching for
The deep, meaningful connection that we have been seeking in our search for love
So hold on tight and don't let go
Hang on to our love and commitment, even when things get challenging or difficult
Whatever you want, boy, you can have from me
I am willing to give you whatever you need or desire, as long as it is within my power
I'll give you my heart and my destiny
I am entrusting you with my heart and my future, placing my faith in our relationship
I'll be your queen if you'll be my king
We can be each other's partner and equal, ruling our relationship and love with fairness and respect
And everything that I do is dedicated to you
My actions, decisions, and choices are intended to honor our love and strengthen our connection
And I'll be faithful and true
I will remain committed and loyal to you, always being honest and sincere in our relationship
And give you all the love that you are due
I will show you the love and respect that you deserve, recognizing your worth and value in our relationship
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Janet Damita Jo Jackson, Terry Lewis, James Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind