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.
Diamonds
Janet Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You tell me you care
But when I'm around you
It's like I'm not there
I need a reminder
Something I can see
Something on my finger
Shining so brightly
Don't you know
Diamonds are a girl's best friend?
When you go, they stay with me until the end
Don't you know
Diamonds are a girl's best, best friend?
When you go, they stay with me until the end
Don't want your money
Don't want your key
Diamonds
Love don't come for free
Don't want your money
Don't want your key
Diamonds
Love don't come for free
You sent me some roses
But roses do die
You gave me some candy
It melted, nice try
I'm not that demanding
I have simple taste
I just want a token
That can't go to waste
Diamonds
(Da, da-da-da-da)
(Woo, ha)
(Uh)
(Herbie blow, huh)
(Da, da-da, da-da, da-da)
Don't want your money
Don't want your key
Diamonds
Love don't come for free
Don't want your money
Don't want your key
Diamonds
Love don't come for free
Don't you know
Diamonds are a girl's best friend?
When you go, they stay with me until the end
Don't you know
Diamonds are a girl's best, best friend?
When you go, they stay with me until the end
Don't want your money
Don't want your key
Diamonds
Love don't come for free
Don't want your money
Don't want your key
Diamonds
Love don't come for free
Don't want your money
Don't want your key
Diamonds
Love don't come for free
Don't throw in that towel (that's it)
Wait a minute, let's do the next song, next
The song "Diamonds" by Janet Jackson is a classic love song with a twist, telling the story of a woman who wants her man to prove his love for her by giving her diamonds. The first two lines of the song set the tone of the song, with Jackson singing about how her man says he loves her and cares for her, but when she is with him, it feels like she is invisible to him. She needs a reminder, something that will prove his love for her, and a diamond on her finger is the perfect thing.
The chorus, repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizes the importance of diamonds to a girl, with Jackson singing "Diamonds are a girl's best friend, when you go, they stay with me until the end." She doesn't want his money or his key, she just wants something that shows how much he loves her. Roses and candy are nice, but they don't last forever. A token that can't go to waste is what she desires, and that token is a diamond.
The song is a testament to the value of diamonds in relationships, particularly in romantic relationships. It highlights the importance of a tangible symbol of love and commitment, something that can be seen and touched and admired. In a world where love is often fleeting, diamonds represent something enduring and timeless.
Line by Line Meaning
You tell me you love me
You express your love for me verbally.
You tell me you care
You claim to care about me
But when I'm around you
Despite my presence, you seem indifferent to me
It's like I'm not there
I feel unseen and unimportant
I need a reminder
I require something to jog your memory
Something you can see
An object that is visible as a reminder
Something on my finger
A ring worn on my finger
Shining so brightly
Reflecting light in a luminous manner
Don't you know
Are you unaware
Diamonds are a
Precious stones have significant meaning
Girl's best friend
Close companions to women
When you go, they stay
After you depart, diamonds remain
With me until the end
In my possession until the conclusion of my life
Don't want your money
I am not interested in your money
Don't want your key
I require no access to your home or property
Diamonds
I desire diamond(s) over materialistic gifts
Love don't come for free
Genuine affection is not easily obtained
You sent me some roses
You provided me with a bouquet of roses
But roses do die
Though symbolic, roses are a fleeting gift
You gave me some candy
You provided me with sweets
It melted, nice try
The candy rapidly disintegrated, the effort was appreciated
I'm not that demanding
I don't ask for much
I have simple taste
My preferences are uncomplicated
I just want a token
A small yet meaningful item
That can't go to waste
Something that won't deteriorate or become useless
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: James Harris, Terry Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeromehatcher615
I was six years old when this song came around back in summer time 1987...When family was truly family and the cook outs.. Not just my family everybody family..I miss these times please take me back
@AkachiIsGod
When I think of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis I shed a tear of appreciation. You can here the joy and the gift in their music...
@cisio64123
Herb Alpert is the co- founder of A&M records ( he's the A ) and was at the head of the label when Janet exploded with her Control album and became their top artist . It isn't a shock that he wisely teamed up with his no. 1 artist Janet and her producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on this song. I have to say they did a great job of mixing Janet's sound with Alpert and his band.
@growprogram726
Thank you. Good ol days!
@MrWigwag62
M stands for Moss the other cofounder.
@CoExist64
Didn’t know he was the “A”. Who is the “M”?
@TheGoldeagle99
I was just about to ask who produced this song.
Shout out to jimmy jam & terry lewis!!
@jcjc248
Herb Alpert so fucking cringe on this song..
@ScoutMotto2011
Underrated song. One of the best of the 80s. Brings back memories.
@plainsimple244
This was the best and most memorable song and it captures 1987 perfectly!