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
Janet Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It actually looks pretty cool and it goes with the music
Five, six, seven, ga-ga-got, uh, got, uh, uh
Ga-ga-ga, ga-ga-ga
Uh, ga (ga-ga)
Oh no that's not it
Okay, well, that's not so bad, I guess (no)
No, but you just gotta get it in you now
I wish I had a lot of stuff in me now
Are you guys recording our conversation?
I get the feeling you are, are you, Jimmy?
(What you talkin' about?)
Just waitin' on you Jimmy
(Okay, here we go)
You can come anytime, Jimmy
Ew, you sound like Fran Drescher
The lyrics to Janet Jackson's song "Intro" may seem puzzling and nonsensical at first glance, but upon further analysis, they can be interpreted as a reflection on the creative process of making music. The initial lines of questioning "Why?" and "For what reason?" suggest a search for inspiration, trying to understand what elements can be added to the music to make it better. The repetition of "gaa" and "ahh" could be seen as a representation of the musical sounds being experimented with in the studio.
The conversation between unnamed individuals in the lyrics also adds to the interpretation of the song as a commentary on the creative process. The phrases "Well, that's not so bad, I guess" and "No, no, this gotta get in, you know" suggest a critical eye towards the music being made, with a desire for excellence. The final line "I wish I had a lot of stuff in me now" could also be seen as a longing for greater creativity and inspiration.
Overall, "Intro" serves as an fitting opening track for Janet Jackson's album, as it sets the tone for the experimentation and creativity that follows.
Line by Line Meaning
Why?
What is the reason or purpose for this?
For what reason?
What is the cause or purpose of this action?
It actually looks pretty cool, and it goes with the music
This action or item appears to be aesthetically pleasing and fits well with the current soundscape.
Five, six, seven, gaa, gaa, gaa
A series of audible noises made, possibly as a way to count or prepare for a performance.
Ahh, gaa, ahh, ahh
A sequence of sounds, possibly expressing excitement or anticipation.
Gaa, gaa, ahh
Another sequence of sounds, again conveying excitement or anticipation.
Gaa, gaa, gaa
More audible sounds suggesting preparation or excitement.
Ohh, no, that's not it
Disappointment or frustration at a previous attempt or action not meeting expectations.
Hee, hee, hee, okay
A sign of reassurance or agreement after a prior unsuccessful attempt.
Well, that's not so bad, I guess
A positive outlook on a situation that may not have been perfect or intended.
No, no, this gotta get in, you know
A strong determination to achieve or include something in a production or performance.
I know, right?
Acknowledgement and agreement with a previous statement or sentiment.
I wish I had a lot of stuff in me now
A desire to have more knowledge, creativity, or inspiration for the current endeavor.
Are you guys recording our conversation?
Inquiry into whether or not there is audio or video being taken of the dialogue.
I get the feeling you are
An intuitive sense that there is indeed a recording being made.
Are you Jimmy?
A question about the identity of another individual involved in the situation.
What're you talkin' about?
Request for further explanation or clarification on a statement made.
Haa, haa, haa
A distinct and repeated laughter sound.
Just waitin' on you, Jimmy
An expression of anticipation or eagerness for the involvement or arrival of the aforementioned individual.
Okay, here I go
An announcement of readiness or willingness to proceed with the next action.
You can come any time, Jimmy
An invitation or encouragement for the other person to join in at any moment.
You sound like Fran Drescher
Commentary on the vocal tone and similarity to a well-known actress.
Haa, aah
Continued laughter or expression of enjoyment.
Haa, aah
Another instance of the previous laughter or enjoyment expression.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, JANET JACKSON DBA BLACK ICE
Written by: James Harris, Janet Jackson, Terry Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Diane Hyman
Janet Jackson vocals are fabulous
She is a carbon copy of her Late
brother Michael Jackson. Jànet has
class, dignity, poise. She had unique
voice. She is beautiful. Whomever
design her clothes they are gorgeous.
Her male dancers are on point. May
God bless her and family in all her
in all her endeavors. I wish peace,
happiness and good health.
Fondly,
Mrs. D. Godette-Hyman
Philadelphia, PA
New song
Love her voice.
J T
Janet is a bona fide legend. She needs a production budget to match her status as a legend. This look so low budget, the slide show looks like it was made on powerpoint. She deserves more.
Peter D.
I agree. I wasn’t feeling it was a good start. And the purple hooded robe didn’t have the star power that I was expecting. Janet IS a legend, maybe they haven’t fine tuned the show yet. ❤
DJ Duh Ghost
Janet is forgoing the extravagantly expensive productions and pocketing her coins. Smart woman.
UPDATE: I attended the Orlando show. Let me tell you, Janet did her thang! She engaged the audience without over doing it...I hate when artists have the audience sing through their entire performance and the artist barely sings. Her stage production, band, dancers, sound engineer(s) excellent! Her vocals were not drowned out by the music. I love her multiple wardrobe changes and new songs! Everything was on point! Pure 🔥🔥🔥 Janet did not disappoint!❤️❤️❤️❤️
Peter D.
@DJ Duh Ghost So Janet puts profit over her performance art? I hope not, but perhaps. Cheers.
Damita Jo Is QUEEN
This tour is an upscale from her previous two tours SOTW & Unbreakable. Y’all act like being an independent artist and funding your own tours is easy. The staging, lighting and production is so much better. Get your eyes checked
Peter D.
@Damita Jo Is QUEEN Chill ! I only saw the short clip of the opening. I have seen her live before, and I’m a huge fan. My eyes are fine and I spoke respectfully regarding Janet. We can express our opinions without being disrespectful. I’m sure Janet would agree. Cheers.
Charlese
Just saw her in Columbia, SC and she was AWESOME!!! A true legend and icon!
B side gurl
Wait what?! In Columbia?! I knew nothing of this!!!!😮😮😒😩😫dang it!!
Regina Simmons
Excellent performances tonight in Hollywood, FL!!! 🎉🎉