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.

truth
Janet Jackson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

How did I get here?
Think I know what I did
Always worked real hard
Maybe I missed something
I'm not into pointing fingers
Showing who's right or wrong
I just wanna keep it real
'Cause maybe I was doin' fine on my own

Listen
I had a career before, now didn't I?
I had lots of friends before, now didn't I?
And I had my fans before, now didn't I?
And I had my family before, now didn't I?

Guess without you
My little life was nothing
But don't sweat it
Let's say we disagree so
Arguing ain't necessary 'cause
We both have our whole lives left to live
We're both consumed ('sumed) with jealousy
But the truth can set you free

Don't act like you don't know the truth
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
'Cause deep down in your heart you do
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) let it go
Ooh, child, things are gonna get easier
Ooh, child, things will be bright 'cause
Truth will set you free

Conversation's deep (yeah)
When you talk to yourself
There's no way to cheat (well, well, well, yeah)
'Cause you know you can't be no one else
Won't trip out on disappointment
'Cause failure is just not me
Still I gotta do my job
'Cause you know my show can't go on without me

Listen
I had a career before, now didn't I? (Didn't I? Didn't I?)
Sold out 'round the world before, now didn't I?
I had a few hits before, now didn't I?
And danced until my feet were sore, now didn't I?

Guess without you
Oh, my little life was nothing
But don't sweat it
Let's say we disagree so
Arguing ain't necessary 'cause
We both have our whole lives left to live
Guess we're consumed ('sumed) with jealousy
Yeah, but the truth can set you free

Don't act like you don't know the truth
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) deep
'Cause deep down in your heart you do
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) let it go
Ooh, child, things are gonna get easier
Ooh, child, things will be bright 'cause
Truth will set you free

It's hard to believe the love between us is over (da-da, da-da)
It's sad to think we couldn't work it out but (da-la)
How much is enough to pay for this mistake?
I hope your love was sincere

Don't act like you don't know the truth (don't)
Act like you don't (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Know the truth, baby (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
'Cause deep down in your heart you do
Deep down in your heart (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Yes, you do, you know you do (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Ooh, child, things are gonna get easier (they'll get easier)
Ooh, child, things will be- (ooh)
The truth will set you free (truth)

Don't act like you don't know the truth
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) no
'Cause deep down in your heart you do
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(It'll set you free, it'll set you free)
Ooh, child, things are gonna get easier
Yeah, yeah, yeah
(Ooh)

Do you know the truth? (Truth)
Feel it (yeah)
Live it (yeah, yeah)
Do you know the truth? (Truth)
Trust it (yeah)
Believe it (yeah, yeah)
Do you know the truth? (Truth)
You want it (yeah)
You need it (yeah, yeah)
Do you know the truth? (Truth)
Find it (yeah)
Embrace it (yeah, yeah)
And never let go

(Yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah)
(Yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah)
(Yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah)
(Yeah-yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) it'll set you free
(Yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah)
(Yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah)
(Yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah) it'll set you free
(Yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah)

(Yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah)
(Yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah) it'll set you free

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Janet Jackson's "Truth" are a playful and provocative exploration of the game "truth or dare," and specifically the "truth" aspect of it. In these particular lyrics, Janet is being asked to share information about her past relationships - specifically, to describe the best ex-boyfriend she's ever had. There's a sense of hesitation in her response; she wants to be truthful, but also wants to make sure she's answering the question in a way that won't cause any trouble. The line "wait, wait, I gotta turn down the radio for this one" suggests that whatever she's about to say is going to be scandalous or controversial.

Overall, this section of the song speaks to themes of honesty and openness in relationships. It's about being willing to share intimate details about oneself, even if it might be uncomfortable or difficult. At the same time, it suggests that there are limits to what one should reveal - Janet is careful to avoid saying anything too incriminating or sensitive, and she relies on her friend to guide her in what to say.

Line by Line Meaning

Truth or dare
Let's play a game where we either have to tell the truth or do something daring.

Are ya'll gonna make me do somethin' crazy
Are you going to challenge me to do something risky or outlandish?

I ain't gonna make you do nothin'
I won't force you to take a dare if you don't want to.

Alright I'll take truth
Okay, I'll choose to answer a question honestly.

Hmm, wait wait i gotta turn down the radio for this one
Hold on, let me lower the volume because I need to focus on this question.

Wait h'm her best friend ill ask her the question
I'll ask this question to her best friend since they may have more insight into her past relationships.

Describe the greatest ex you ever had?
Please give me a detailed account of your most exemplary former partner.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, JANET JACKSON DBA BLACK ICE, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: James Harris Iii, Terry Lewis, Stan Vincent, James Wright, Janet Jackson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS