Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966 in Gary, IN) is an American sing… Read Full Bio ↴Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966 in Gary, IN) is an American singer, songwriter, producer, actress and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreography became a catalyst in the growth of MTV, enabling her to rise to prominence while breaking gender and racial barriers in the process. Lyrical content which focused on social issues set her reputation as a role model for youth.

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.

Looking For Love
Janet Jackson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Na, na, na, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah
Mmm, yeah, yeah, yeah

We're vulnerable
We're sensitive
And we're complicated people too
So many people rolled into one
We contain so much

So much creativity
So much energy
So many contradictions
So much confusion
So much clarity
So many moments of faith and fear

So many different characters live within us
All looking for love

Overall Meaning

Janet Jackson's song "Looking for Love" is a song that explores the complex and multi-dimensional nature of human beings. The lyrics of the song suggest that we all have different aspects to our personalities and emotions that make us vulnerable, sensitive, and complicated. According to the lyrics, we are all a mix of contradictions, creativity, fear, and faith. It is not just one thing, but a combination of different things that make us unique and interesting.

Furthermore, the song suggests that we are all in search of love that is why the different characters in us are all looking for love. This line seems to suggest that even though we are all different and multifaceted, we all share the same need for love and connection. Janet Jackson's song is a celebration of the complexity of our humanness and a reminder that we are all looking for the same thing in life, even though we express it in different ways.

Overall, "Looking for Love" is a song that explores the complexity of human nature, the different aspects of our personalities, and our need for love and connection. It is a powerful reminder that despite our differences, we all share a common humanity and the same quest for love and understanding.

Line by Line Meaning

Na, na, na, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah
An upbeat, carefree exclamation that introduces the introspective message of the song.

Mmm, yeah, yeah, yeah
A continuation of the cheerful tone of the opening that leads into the deeper meaning of the lyrics.

We're vulnerable
Acknowledging that as humans, we have weaknesses and are susceptible to emotional pain.

We're sensitive
Highlighting our capacity for sensitivity, which can be a source of strength or a cause for vulnerability.

And we're complicated people too
Admitting that we are complex individuals with varying emotions, behaviors, and experiences.

So many people rolled into one
Describing the multi-layered nature of the human psyche, where different sides of our personality coexist.

We contain so much
Emphasizing the abundance of thoughts, feelings, and desires that each individual harbors.

So much creativity
Acknowledging the potential for artistic expression and innovation that exists within every person.

So much energy
Highlighting the inherent drive and motivation that propels humans to pursue their goals and dreams.

So many contradictions
Recognizing the inherent paradoxes and inconsistencies that can exist within a person's character and beliefs.

So much confusion
Admitting that we can feel lost and uncertain about our identity, purpose, and place in the world.

So much clarity
Noting that amidst the confusion, we can also have moments of insight and self-awareness that bring greater understanding.

So many moments of faith and fear
Acknowledging the dichotomy of emotions that we experience, from optimism and hope to anxiety and doubt.

So many different characters live within us
Describing the myriad roles and identities that we embody throughout our lives, shaping our experiences and relationships.

All looking for love
Concluding that despite our complexities and contradictions, the common thread that unites us all is the search for love and connection with others.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, JANET JACKSON DBA BLACK ICE
Written by: FABRICE REGIS ROBERT DUMONT, STEPHAN ARMIN HAERI, CHRISTOPHE HETIER, JANET DAMITA JO JACKSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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