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.
Take Care
Janet Jackson Lyrics
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Candlelight
Music made for quiet times
I'm feelin' mellow
I need my
Sweetie pie
Here to lay me out tonight
I want it
But I can't get it
Take good care of me tonight
At home
I'm so alone
I'm wishin' you were here
Baby tonight
My bed is cold
I'm wishin' you were near
Cause I'm in a sexy mood
And only you can fill my needs
I'll lay here
And take care of it
'Til you come home to me
Always sound sensuous
Anytime we pillow talk
Using such few words
I get sensitive when you work
It feels so good when it hurts
Always want more and more
And I know you can't be here
That usually don't faze me
I need you tonight
Boy it's drivin' me crazy
Yearnin' inside
With this burnin' desire
I want it
I want it
But I just can't get it from you
Take good care of me tonight
At home
I'm so alone
I'm wishin' you were here
Baby tonight
My bed is cold
I'm wishin' you were near
Cause I'm in a sexy mood
And only you can fill my needs
I'll lay here
And take care of it
'Til you come home to me
Ah ah
Take care of me
Ah ah
Fulfill my needs
Ah ah,
Take care of me
Take good care
Ah ah
Take care of me
Ah ah
Fulfill my needs
Ah ah
Whatever you can be
Ah ah
I'll take good care of me
Take good care of me tonight
At home
I'm so alone
I'm wishin' you were here
Baby tonight
My bed is cold
I'm wishin' you were near
Cause I'm in a sexy mood
And only you can fill my needs
I'll lay here
And take care of it
'Til you come home to me
[Repeat]
Ah ah
Take care of me
Ah ah
Fulfill my needs
Ah ah
Take care of me
Take good care
Ah ah
Take care of me
Ah ah
Fulfill my needs
Ah ah
Whatever you can be
Ah ah
I'll take care of me
"Take Care" is a classic R&B track by Janet Jackson, featured on her 1989 album "Rhythm Nation 1814." The song is all about longing and desire, and the sense of loneliness that can come with being separated from a lover. The first verse sets the mood with its description of a seductive scene, complete with wine, candlelight, and quiet music. Jackson's lyrics emphasize her yearning for her lover to be with her, to "lay [her] out tonight." But even though she "wants it," she can't have it, and thus she implores her partner to "take good care" of her until they can be reunited.
The rest of the song elaborates on the themes of longing and desire. Jackson describes how she's "wishin'" her lover were with her, and how she's "in a sexy mood" but can't satisfy herself completely without her partner's touch. She also highlights the importance of communication and emotional intimacy in their relationship, as she mentions "pillow talk" and the fact that they "using such few words" to connect. Despite the frustration and yearning that Jackson expresses, the overall tone of the song is sensual and romantic.
Line by Line Meaning
Glass of wine
Janet sets the mood for the night by sipping a glass of wine
Candlelight
She creates ambiance with candles to make the night special
Music made for quiet times
She puts on soothing music to enjoy the quiet moments
I'm feelin' mellow
Janet is ready to unwind and relax
I need my
She craves the presence of her significant other
Sweetie pie
Affectionate name for her loved one
Here to lay me out tonight
Janet wants her loved one to be with her and spend quality time together
I want it
Janet desires physical intimacy with her partner
But I can't get it
Janet is unable to fulfill her desire as her significant other is not present
Take good care of me tonight
Janet pleads her lover to take care of her tonight
At home
Janet is at home, waiting for her lover to join her
I'm so alone
Janet is lonely without her partner
I'm wishin' you were here
Janet craves physical and emotional presence of her lover
Baby tonight
Term of endearment for her lover
My bed is cold
Janet's bed feels unwelcoming and uncomfortable without her lover
Cause I'm in a sexy mood
Janet feels aroused and wants to engage in sexual activity with her partner
And only you can fill my needs
She desires only her partner's presence and love to satisfy her sexual and emotional needs
I'll lay here
Janet waits patiently for her lover to arrive
And take care of it
She tries to satisfy herself by indulging in sexual fantasies and imaginations
'Til you come home to me
Janet eagerly waits for her partner's arrival
Always sound sensuous
Janet finds her partner's voice very sensuous and appealing
Anytime we pillow talk
Janet enjoys intimate conversations with her partner while lying down on the pillow
Using such few words
She marvels at the ability of her partner to convey so much with minimal words
I get sensitive when you work
Her emotions get heightened when her partner is busy working, making her want him more
It feels so good when it hurts
Janet enjoys experiencing pain in the quest for pleasure and intimacy
Always want more and more
Janet craves more intimacy and affection from her partner
And I know you can't be here
Janet is aware that her partner is not physically present with her
That usually don't faze me
Janet is not usually affected by her partner's absence and can handle it well
I need you tonight
Janet feels a strong need to be with her partner tonight
Boy it's drivin' me crazy
Her partner's absence is causing her great emotional distress
Yearnin' inside
Janet's desire for her lover is intense and overwhelming
With this burnin' desire
Janet's desire for her lover is like a fire that cannot be tamed
Ah ah
Sensual moans and groans of desire
Fulfill my needs
Janet wants her partner to fulfill her emotional and sexual needs
Whatever you can be
Janet is willing to accept her partner in any way and form he can be with her
I'll take good care of me
Janet vows to take good care of herself if her partner is unable to be with her
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