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.
Love And My Best Friend
Janet Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love and my best friend
Nothin' better can be found
To make the world go 'round
We keep each other's secrets hid
Go on to talk for hours
Never tiring of the closeness
We cross our hearts hoping to die
If fate should separate us
But we have on never change
Nothing can compare to
[Chorus]
You're the special one I turn to
For some help and understanding
When the world gets too demanding
You're always there
To guide me when I'm wrong
Support me when I'm right
For you I'd do the same
Because I care for
[Chorus]
In Janet Jackson's song "Love and My Best Friend," she refers to the strong bond between two friends who share everything and keep each other's secrets. This relationship is described as being more valuable than anything else in the world, including romantic love. The chorus emphasizes this idea, saying that "nothing better can be found to make the world go 'round" than the combination of "Love and my best friend."
The lyrics also suggest a deep level of trust between the two friends. They never tire of each other's company, and they promise to keep each other's secrets no matter what. They cross their hearts and swear to never change, even if fate should separate them. This speaks to the idea that a true friendship can endure anything, even if circumstances change.
Throughout the song, Janet Jackson emphasizes the importance of having someone to turn to when the world gets too demanding. This friend is described as being a source of guidance and support, whether Janet is right or wrong. In turn, she is willing to provide the same level of care and support to her friend.
Overall, "Love and My Best Friend" is a powerful tribute to the value of close friendships. It emphasizes the importance of trust, loyalty, and shared experiences in creating a bond that can last a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
Love and my best friend
The combination of love and a close, trustworthy friend is the best thing in the world that can create happiness.
Nothin' better can be found
Nothing else in life is as fulfilling as having both love and a best friend.
To make the world go 'round
The love and friendship between two people can provide a sense of support and stability in a constantly changing world.
We keep each other's secrets hid
As best friends, we keep each other's secrets private and don't betray one another's trust.
Go on to talk for hours
We have countless conversations and never tire of each other's company.
Never tiring of the closeness
We never get bored or disinterested in being close friends.
Only friends can share
The level of closeness and understanding that comes with friendship can't be replicated in any other type of relationship.
We cross our hearts hoping to die
We swear to each other's loyalty and promise to always be there for one another.
If fate should separate us
Even if we are separated by outside forces, we still hold onto our promise to remain loyal.
But we have on never change
Our love and friendship for each other will never falter or disappear.
Nothing can compare to
There is no other type of relationship or feeling that can match the fulfillment of having both love and a best friend.
You're the special one I turn to
Out of all my friends and loved ones, you are the one I trust and rely on the most.
For some help and understanding
I come to you when I need someone to help me through difficult times or offer me advice with understanding.
When the world gets too demanding
When life gets overwhelming, you are the one I can count on to be a source of comfort and support.
You're always there
No matter what happens or how much time passes, you are still there for me.
To guide me when I'm wrong
You're not afraid to tell me when I'm making a mistake and offer guidance to help me make better decisions.
Support me when I'm right
You stand behind me and support me when I make the right choices or achieve success in life.
For you I'd do the same
Just as you have been there for me, I am always here for you too.
Because I care for
My love and affection for you are true and unwavering.
Lyrics © MUSIC & MEDIA INT'L, INC.
Written by: ANGELA WINBUSH, RENE MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind