Empty
Janet Jackson Lyrics


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(One, two, one, two, three, four)
(One, two)

How could it be that you know me?
My deepest fears my fantasies?
Confide in you what no one knows
But it feels so real
(One, two, three, four)

(When I close my eyes)
I can see your face
(When I lick my lips)
I can taste your smile
(When I see your name)
My heart starts to race
(If I can't read your thoughts)
Then I feel empty
(When I close my eyes)
I feel empty
(When I close my eyes)
I feel empty
(When I close my eyes)
Whoa, I feel empty
(When I close my eyes)
(One, two, three, four)

Is this a new way to love
Never face to face, is it enough?
Does it really count or am I a fool?
So tell me please, am I wasting my time? (One, two, three, four)
Your phrases, descriptive
And through the textured words
With beauty, you post it
And use such colored verbs
We've never met, ooh
(One, two, three, four)

(When I close my eyes)
I can see your face
(When I lick my lips)
I can taste your smile
(When I see your name)
My heart starts to race
(If I can't read your thoughts)
Then I feel empty
(When I close my eyes)
I feel empty
(When I close my eyes)
Whoa, I feel empty
(When I close my eyes)
Empty
(When I close my eyes)

I'm rushin' home to turn you on
Sometimes you're there, sometimes you're gone
(One, two, three, four)
Wait for hours for your return
So tell me please, am I wasting my time?
Your phrases, descriptive
And through the textured words
With beauty, you post it (one, two, three, four)
And use such colored verbs
So tell me you think that maybe we've gone insane?
To find a, a lover and through the words of pain (one, two, three, four)
We've never met
(One, two, one, two, three, four) ooh

(When I close my eyes) (fire, fire)
I can see your face (one, two, three four)
(When I lick my lips) (fire, fire)
I can taste your smile (one, two, three four)
(When I see your name) (fire, fire)
My heart starts to race (one, two, three four)
(If I can't read your thoughts) (fire, fire)
Then I feel empty (one, two, three four)

I feel empty
Whoa, I feel empty
So empty
(One, two, three, four) listen

When I lick my lips
(When I close my eyes)
I can taste your smile
(When I close my eyes)
My heart starts to race
(When I close my eyes)
I can taste your smile
(When I close my eyes) (one, two, three four)

Close my eyes
(One, two, three four)
(One, two, three four)

(When I close my eyes)
I can see your face
(When I lick my lips)
I can taste your smile
(When I see your name)
My heart starts to race
(If I can't read your thoughts)
Then I feel empty (one, two, three four)
(When I close my eyes)
I feel empty
(When I close my eyes)
I feel empty

(One, two, three four)
(One, one-one-one)
(Two, two-two-two)
(Three, three-three-three)
(Four) you know
(One, one-one-one) I can taste your smile
(Two, two-two-two)
(Three, three-three-three)
(Four) I can see your mind

(One, two, one, two, three, four)

(When I close my eyes)
(When I close my eyes)
(When I close my eyes)
(When I close my eyes)
(Four, three, two, one)





Damn, disconnected

Overall Meaning

"Empty" by Janet Jackson is a song about the conundrum of online relationships, conveying the intense emotions that come with them. It is a sorrowful ballad in which Janet Jackson confesses her feelings about a virtual lover that she has never met. The lyrics suggest a sense of desperation and futility, as though the relationship is incomplete, yet she keeps coming back for more. The song relays the story of two people who know each other intensely despite never having met. They share their deepest fears and fantasies, rely on one another like a significant other, communicate through online messages, and even rush home to connect. However, there’s a sense of loneliness and emptiness that surrounds them, making her question the authenticity of their connection.


Janet Jackson's "Empty" was released on her 2015 album, "Unbreakable". It is produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and co-written by Tommy McClendon, who also worked on her early albums. The track showcases Jackson's ability to deliver a powerful emotional message while also maintaining the song's strong musical identity.


Line by Line Meaning

How could it be that you know me
Questioning how someone she's never met can truly understand her


My deepest fears my fantasies
Referring to the intimate thoughts she shares with this person


Confide in you what no one knows
Emphasizing trust in the person who understands her best


But it feels so real
Despite never meeting in person, the connection feels genuine


When I close my eyes, I can see your face
Thinking about this person is so vivid, she can see them even without really seeing them


When I lick my lips, I can taste your smile
The thought of this person brings a sense of happiness and pleasure


When I see your name, my heart starts to race
A sense of excitement and anticipation kicks in when this person comes to mind


If I can't read your thoughts, then I feel empty
Not being able to connect with this person on a deeper level brings a sense of emptiness


Whoa I feel empty
Reiterating the sense of loss when this person is not reachable or when feelings can't be reciprocated


Is this a new way to love
Reflecting on the untraditional nature of this relationship


Never face to face is it enough?
Questioning if the digital connection can replace physical interaction


Does it really count or am I a fool?
Wondering if this connection has any value or if it is detrimental to her in some way


So tell me please, am I wasting my time?
Seeking clarity and reassurance on the worth of this relationship


Your phrases descriptive and through the textured words, with beauty, you post it, and use such colored verbs
Appreciating the poetic and eloquent way this person expresses themselves


We've never met
Highlighting the lack of physical and personal interaction in their relationship


I'm rushin home to turn you on, sometimes you're there sometimes you're gone, wait for hours for your return
The desire to connect with this person and the frustration of their inconsistent presence


So tell me you think that maybe we've gone insane? To find a, a lover and through the words of pain
Questioning the sanity of pursuing such a relationship and if the emotional pain is worth it


When I lick my lips, I can taste your smile
Repeating the sense of joy and contentment this person brings to her life


Damn, Disconnected
Expressing the frustration of not being able to connect with this person as truly as she desires




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, JANET JACKSON DBA BLACK ICE, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: James Samuel Harris, Janet Damita Jo Jackson, Terry Steven Lewis

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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