La Toya Jackson was the first female sibling of the Jackson family to pursue a solo musical career. Her debut album “La Toya Jackson” was released in 1980 on Polydor Records, comprised by a mix of funk uptempo songs and ballads. The first single off the album, “If You Feel The Funk”, was critically acclaimed and was a chart single in most European countries (#40 on the Billboard R&B Charts, #17 Billboard Dance/Club Play), #42 in Germany, and #18 in Holland), as well as an US moderate R&B hit. The second single, “Night Time Lover”, didn’t do as well as the first single release, although it was co-written and co-produced by her brother Michael Jackson. The album also included a cover version of the Billy Ocean hit “Are You Ready?”.
One year later Jackson released her sophomore album “My Special Love,” which was basically similarly constructed as her debut album. Again, she co-wrote one of the songs with her sister Janet Jackson and she did another cover version of a Billy Ocean hit, this time the song “Stay The Night,” which was also released as the first single off the album. Her brothers, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson and Jackie Jackson also contributed to the album. During that time, La Toya was still managed by her father Joseph Jackson.
In 1983 she signed a new record deal with Private Eye Records, a division of Epic Records (the same label that her brother Michael was signed to at that time). She recorded her most successful album so far: “Heart Don’t Lie,” which was released in 1984. Jackson co-wrote half of the songs herself and worked with the producer team Amir Bayyan. La Toya finally cracked the US Billboard Charts with the hit single “Heart Don’t Lie” (#56) and scored a few other Top 40 hits on the Billboard Dance/Club Play & R&B Charts with singles off the “Heart Don’t Lie” album. While promoting the album, she did a guest appearance on the US TV show “The Unknown Stuntman” with Lee Majors and presented her current single “Hot Potato” on the show.
One of the songs initially meant to be included on Heart Don’t Lie, “Reggae Nights”, did not end up on La Toya’s album (although she co-wrote the song as well). It was given to Jimmy Cliff, who released it as a single in 1985.
Another album, “Imagination,” was released in 1986 without much notice. It received mostly poor reviews.
The albums La Toya Jackson, My Special Love and Heart Don’t Lie were released on CD in Japan only. Official CD copies of this album may fetch up to hundreds of dollars on eBay. A petition has been started on the Church of La Toya fan site to get all 4 albums remastered and re-released on CD with bonus songs and remixes.
In 1987 Jackson left the management company of her father Joseph Jackson and also left the Jackson residence in Encino, USA. At that time she was 31 years old and she decided it was time for her to stand on her own feet. She also decided to let Jack Gordon manage her music career from then on.
In 1987 Jackson signed a record deal with Teldec Records in Germany. They teamed her up with European’s hottest dance producer team during that time: Stock/Aitken/Waterman (who were responsible for all hit singles by Rick Astley, Kylie Minogue, Sinitta, Mandy Smith, Dead Or Alive and a successful album by Donna Summer). They recorded 3 songs for her 1988 album “La Toya.” The first single from the album was “(Ain’t Nobody Loves You) Like I Do”. She recorded the anti-drug campaign song “Just Say No,” which was recorded for Nancy Reagan’s anti-drug campaign for which Jackson was also a spokesperson.
On the cover of Playboy, March 1989
Enlarge
On the cover of Playboy, March 1989
Jackson caused much controversy when she posed for Playboy magazine in March 1989. A few months later she recorded another album, “Bad Girl,” for Teldec Records. The album was never released on the Teldec label but appeared one year later on the Italian Record label Sherman Records. It was later licensed to hundreds of small record labels, thus the album was re-released at least in 50 different editions under various names, such as “Sexual Feeling,” “He’s My Brother” or “Playboy.” Among the songwriters for this album were German producers Klarmann/Weber and Tony Monn.
In 1991 Jackson moved to Europe where she released her 7th studio album No Relations. The album explored European house music and included the single Sexbox which was a minor hit in Holland. (#25) In the album sleeve she slated her parents and called for an end to child abuse. No Relations was never released in the US. She also posed a second time for Playboy magazine this year.
In 1992 La Toya signed up to do a Cabaret Showgirl act at the Moulin Rouge for 1 year, the bulk of her songs were in French, the only English one being a cover of Little Eva’s “The Loco-Motion. After doing the show for only 4 months, La Toya quit and was immediately sued by the Moulin Rouge for breach of contract.
In 1993, she recorded a Country Music album by the name of From Nashville To You, the album has been released 2 more times as “My Country Collection” and “Little Misunderstood” with more dull covers than the first pressing. No singles were released from this album, although La Toya did perform Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” on The Maury Show, the album contains many covers of Country Music classics, such as a cover of Elvis’s “Burnin’ Love”. The album was recorded within 3 days, more or less.
In 1994, La Toya’s husband, who was also the controlling force behind From Nashville To You, forced La Toya into recording an album of Motown classics, it was recorded within about 2 hours. La Toya’s vocals weren’t as polished on this album as they were on the Country album and the rest of her Jack Gordon produced albums. The bulk of the songs were Supremes covers as well as covers by The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and her very own brothers, The Jackson Five. One CD Single of two Supremes covers was released, it was a double A-Side CD Single with 1 track being “Baby Love” and the second track being a slightly shorter version of “I Can’t Help Myself” than on the album. The CD Single failed to top the charts in Holland (where it was released) and even failing to at least dent the charts.
These would be the last 2 albums La Toya recorded under Jack Gordon’s control, before filing for divorce and possibly a restraining order against him.
Bad Girl
La Toya Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never want to loose him so I'm doing all I can
He's my baby, when I'm with you,
I'd really keep my hands off all the nasty things you do!
From time to time you only play it hard
The cruel game is called a broken heart
Your loosing what you got and
Your still the guy
Bad girl, watch ya gonna do
Bad girl shame on you
Bad girl steeling my guy
Bad girl you catch the eye
Think it easy, to lead me on
Think you're invincible, your beauty is too strong
Thought I'm desperate don't get me wrong,
I'm determined I will show fight,
Just to get you home
From time to time you only play it hard
The cruel game is called a broken heart
Your loosing what you got and
Jim here to take away
Your still the guy
Bad girl, watch ya gonna do
Bad girl shame on you
Bad girl steeling my guy
Bad girl you catch the eye
Bad girl, watch ya gonna do
I'd really keep your hands off all the nasty things you do
Bad girl, shame on you, he's my lover, he's my best friend
Bad girl, watch ya gonna do
Bad girl shame on you
Bad girl steeling my guy
Bad girl you catch the eye
In La Toya Jackson’s song “Bad Girl,” she openly talks about dealing with a partner who is being unfaithful. The song begins with her admitting that he is her lover and best friend, and she’s not willing to lose him, so she is doing everything she can to keep him. She then talks about the things he does that she doesn’t approve of, but despite that, she loves him.
She addresses the other woman calling her a “Bad Girl” who is trying to steal her guy. She says the other girl catches his eye because she is playing hard to get, leading him on, and not considering what she’s doing to their relationship. La Toya’s persistence in protecting her relationship is evident in the lyrics where she says, “your beauty may be too strong, but don’t get me wrong, I’m determined, and I will show fight.” Through it all, she remains committed to her man and unafraid to call out those who pose a threat to her relationship.
Overall, the song conveys a clear message about the struggles of relationships and the lengths some people go to hold onto love. It addresses the common situation of a partner cheating while attempting to sway him back to their side. The lyrics are empowering, and La Toya’s vocal delivery adds an extra layer of passion to the song. In the end, the song serves as a declaration that though it might be challenging to hold onto love, it is possible.
Line by Line Meaning
He's my lover, he's my best friend
The guy she's singing about is her romantic partner and also someone she confides in and trusts deeply.
Never want to loose him so I'm doing all I can
She cares for him very much and is putting in a lot of effort to prevent him from leaving or being taken away from her.
He's my baby, when I'm with you, I'd really keep my hands off all the nasty things you do!
Despite the fact that he does things she doesn't approve of, she's still very much attracted to him and wants to resist the temptation to engage in that same behavior.
From time to time you only play it hard, The cruel game is called a broken heart
She's aware that the guy she's with can be manipulative and prone to hurting her, potentially leading to a damaged relationship.
Your loosing what you got and I'm here to take away, Your still the guy
Despite consequences and perceived faults, she's acknowledging that he's still worth it in her eyes, and that she'll be the one to stay at his side.
Bad girl, watch ya gonna do, Bad girl shame on you, Bad girl steeling my guy, Bad girl you catch the eye
She's addressing another woman who's attempting to invade her relationship, calling her out on her behavior and making it clear that she's jealous and not willing to give up easily.
Think it easy, to lead me on, Think you're invincible, your beauty is too strong, Thought I'm desperate don't get me wrong, I'm determined I will show fight, Just to get you home
She's aware that other women may view the guy she's with as desirable and may try to flirt with him, but she's not going down without a fight and is willing to put in effort to keep her partner close to her.
Contributed by Caleb R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
raymond penrose
I think she would had made a hit song if she had the right producer.
Kendrick Campbell
I think you right have been right about that comment Raymond in a alternate reality and dimension
RocStarr913
@Mike Bolton They probably would have felt she would have been a waste on their music, even their second-rate material. Music is a business at the end of the day.
camp Rich
What killed her the most
And the reason why no one has respect for her and no one took her music seriously was. First of.......her evil husband Jack Gordon, most of all, selling her family out nation wide, publicly. Especially Michael Jackson who was loved all over the world in the 7 continents.
TheBrownIsland
She NEEDED producers and a manager who gave her material that matched her Image, style and tone. She is not a great dancer like Janet, doesn't have a strong singing voice or as Talented as Michael, but she would have made it with producers and manager who kept her Original. Her first Albums back in the 80's were successful when she was Original from Image, style to sound; but when her manager/husband tried to turn her into another Michael it went downhill from there.
Kevin Riche
Love Eternity it was indeed a hit in european countries coz this is Where she had a record contract back in the day.... this album had dutch producers...
klassicalmuzik
La Toya in 1989 has more talent than many artists in 2020. If she came out today she’d be a hit maker
DGray78
Agreed! That family really set the standard.
Ocean dalmeida
She can sing , but definitely cant dance
MissWAFFLECaKe
Love this song!