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.
Clouds
Janet Jackson Lyrics
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See Janet and me have clouds yes we have our clouds
So many and so many great formations
Who's this song about don't hurt them now
Elosanition clouds in my coffee
Clouds in my coffee you them Carlie
The lyrics of Janet Jackson's song "Clouds" are quite cryptic as she talks about having clouds with someone, possibly referring to the ups and downs in a relationship or personal life. The use of the word "formations" implies that these clouds are not just temporary disruptions, but have solidified into something significant. She mentions that the person she is referring to is someone she shares these clouds with, but doesn't reveal who it is, instead urging Carlie to keep quiet. The reference to "Elosanition clouds in my coffee" adds to the enigmatic nature of the lyrics as it is not immediately clear what is meant by it.
One possible interpretation of the lyrics is that Jackson is talking about a significant other or a close friend with whom she has been through difficult times. These clouds, while often challenging to navigate, have also formed a strong bond between them. The mention of "formations" implies that they may have weathered numerous storms and come out even stronger as a result. The mention of "Elosanition" may suggest a sense of disillusionment or disappointment, perhaps referring to a time when Jackson's faith in the relationship was tested.
Line by Line Meaning
You tell them Carlie
Inform Carlie about what we have been through and how we feel.
See Janet and me have clouds yes we have our clouds
Janet and I have problems and obstacles in our lives.
So many and so many great formations
We have faced a lot of challenges and they have taken different shapes and forms.
Who's this song about don't hurt them now
Let's not reveal who the song is about and avoid damaging their reputation.
Elosanition clouds in my coffee
Reflecting on my problems, like the clouds in my coffee.
Clouds in my coffee you them Carlie
Telling Carlie about the symbolism of clouds in my coffee and how it relates to our struggles.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, JANET JACKSON DBA BLACK ICE, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CARLY E. SIMON, JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, TERRY STEVEN LEWIS, JANET JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind