If (Janet Jackson song)

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"If"
Single by Janet Jackson
from the album janet.
B-side "One More Chance"
Released July 13, 1993
Format CD single, cassette single,
7" single, 12" single
Recorded 1992; Flyte Tyme Studios
(Edina, Minnesota)
Genre R&B, alternative rock, dance-pop, new jack swing
Length 4:31
Label Virgin
Writer(s) Janet Jackson, James Harris III, Terry Lewis, Harvey Fuqua, John Bristol, Jackey Beavers
Producer Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Janet Jackson singles chronology
"That's the Way Love Goes"
(1993)		 "If"
(1993)		 "Again"
(1993)

"If" is a song by American recording artist Janet Jackson from her fifth studio album, janet. (1993). Written and produced by Jackson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, it was released as the album's second single in July 1993, and became Jackson's second top five hit from the janet. album.

Contents

[edit] Song information

"If" deals with a female narrator's fantasies of being someone's girlfriend. The track contains a sample from Diana Ross & the Supremes' 1969 song "Someday We'll Be Together", and is built on a heavy metal guitar riff heard throughout the song. The combination of heavy hip hop/new jack swing beats with an electric guitar and a trip hop sound was a relative departure in sound for Jackson, and an extension of styles she developed on her previous album, Rhythm Nation 1814.

Jackson performed the song as a medley with "That's the Way Love Goes" at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards; the audio recording of which appears on the limited edition double disc edition of janet. A remix of "If" entitled Brothers in Rhythm House Mix appears on Jackson's 1995 remix album janet. Remixed.

The single contains a B-side called "One More Chance", a cover of a song her brother Randy wrote, produced, and performed for The Jacksons' 1984 Victory album.

Jackson has performed the song on all of her tours since 1993—the janet. Tour, The Velvet Rope Tour, All for You Tour, Rock Witchu Tour, and Number Ones: Up Close and Personal.

[edit] Background and writing

Virgin Records intended for "If" to be the lead single for the album, but Jackson, Jam and Lewis disagreed.[1]

[edit] Composition
"If"
A 29-second sample of the chorus, featuring the sexually explicit lyrics.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

"If" is set in the signature of common time and is written in key of E minor.[2] It has a moderate tempo and a basic chord progression of Em—C/E—D.[2]

[edit] Critical reception

Critics considered "If" as a sultry and sexually explicit song. Nicholas Jennings of Maclean's wrote, "One standout song [from janet.] is the guitar-driven If, with its explicit lines. "You on the rise/as you're touching my thighs".[3] Craig S. Semon of the Telegram & Gazette commented: "One of the most exciting tracks on "janet." is the naughty seducer, 'If'." Jackson is consumed with sexual fantasies of a man who doesn't even know she exists. Wailing guitar chords and hip-hop programming move this punchy, fast-paced dance number as Jackson creates erotic pictures in the mind of her soon-to-be lover to get to his physique".[4] Jon Pareles of The New York Times compared the song with her brother Michael, writing "'If' resembles Michael Jackson's 'Why You Wanna Trip on Me,' starting with screaming guitar and a chanted verse, rising to a sweet melody."[5] Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine considered the song as "the orchestral flourish from Diana Ross & the Supremes' 'Someday We'll Be Together'", writing, "[the song] seems to exist for the sole purpose of providing the impetus behind one of the greatest dance-break routines in music video history."[6] Some critics noted the presence of a riff guitar. Greg Kot from Chicago Tribune wrote, "There's a surprising, fuzzed-up guitar riff lifted from Peter Gabriel's 'Sledgehammer' that gives 'If' some punch."[7]

[edit] Chart performance

"If" was released on July 13, 1993 as the album's second single and debuted at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100.[8] Seven weeks later, it reached its peak position of number four and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on September 28, 1993.[9][10] "If" also reached the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at third position and topped the Hot Dance Club Play chart.[9] It placed at 19 on the year-end chart for 1993.[11] In Canada, the song debuted at number 92 on the RPM issue dated July 24, 1993[12] and reached the third position on October 02, 1993.[13] It spent a total of nineteen weeks on the chart[14] and was placed at 25 on the RPM's year-end chart for 1993.[15] In United Kingdom, "If" debuted on UK Singles Chart at number 23 and peaked at number fourteen the following week.[16] It spent a total of seven weeks on the chart.[16] The song performed moderatly in Europe and Oceania. In The Netherlands and New Zealand, the song peaked at number eight and ten, respectively.[17][18] "If" peaked outside the top ten in most major music markets.[17][19]

[edit] Music video

Jackson's music video for "If" was staged as a futuristic Asian nightclub, with spy cameras monitoring the intimate interactions of patrons within their private boudoirs.[20] The video is an elaborate metaphor for the single's message of sexual fantasy, desire and voyeurism.[20] The video was directed by Dominic Sena, who previously worked with Jackson on music videos for Rhythm Nation 1814.[20] The video was choreographed by Tina Landon, who previously danced for Janet during the Control & Rhythm Nation era. The video won the 1994 MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video. That same year it also won a Billboard Music Award for Dance Clip of the Year.[21] Parts of the video were edited out for general release. The video is featured on Jackson's 2004 video compilation From janet. to Damita Jo: The Videos. A longer alternate version of the video, the "All Dance Version", which focuses on Jackson's dance performance, was exclusively released on the 1994 VHS janet.,[22] but could later be found on YouTube and on the re-release of 2001's All for You.

The shoulder blade section in the music video was actually used again in the 2004 film White Chicks during the dance club scene.

[edit] Live performances

Jackson performed the song as a medley with "That's the Way Love Goes" at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards.[23] Jackson performed the song on all of her tours since the release of janet., Janet World Tour (1993-1995), The Velvet Rope World Tour (1998-1999), All for You Tour (2001-2002), Rock Witchu Tour (2008) and Number Ones: Up Close and Personal (2011). On the Janet World Tour, Jackson performed "If" as the opening song. The performance featured female dancers who kneeled male dancers towards their hips.[24] Commenting on the highly athletic and sexually provocative performance, Lenny Stoute from Toronto Star stated, "This pelvic-thrusting, butt-wiggling, lip-licking high-energy temptress is a long way from the cute 'n' chubby girl next door of her previous Rhythm Nation tour. And she came equipped with the tough dance moves, firm muscles and seven costume changes to emphasize the difference."[25] The song has also been covered live by artists Kelly Clarkson and SNSD's Yuri.

[edit] Track listings

  • UK 7" promo single[26]
  • French CD single[27]
  • Japanese 3" CD single[28]
  1. "If" (radio edit) – 3:49
  2. "One More Chance" – 5:54
  1. "If" (Brothers in Rhythm House Mix) – 7:07
  2. "If" (Brothers in Rhythm Dub) – 7:00
  3. "If" (radio edit) – 3:49
  4. "If" (Extended LP Mix) – 5:40
  5. "If" (Brothers In Rhythm Swing Yo Pants Mix) – 6:20
  6. "If" (D&D 12" Mix) – 5:47
  • UK CD single[30]
  • Japanese CD single[31]
  1. "If" (radio edit) – 3:49
  2. "If" (Brothers in Rhythm House Mix) – 7:07
  3. "If" (Tee's Freeze Mix) – 7:17
  4. "If" (Brothers in Rhythm Swing Yo Pants Mix) – 6:20
  5. "If" (Extended LP Mix) – 5:40
  6. "If" (D&D 12" Mix) – 5:47
  • US double 12" single[32]
  1. "If" (Brothers in Rhythm House Mix) – 7:07
  2. "If" (Brothers in Rhythm Dub) – 7:00
  3. "If" (Extended LP Mix) – 5:40
  4. "If" (Tee's Radio Mix) – 4:02
  5. "If" (D&D 7" Mix) – 4:23
  6. "If" (Tee's Freeze Mix) – 7:17
  7. "If" (TNT Bass Mix) – 5:36
  8. "If" (Brothers in Rhythm Swing Yo Pants Mix) – 6:20
  9. "If" (D&D JDD Mix) – 5:26
  10. "If" (Tee's Capella) – 2:09
  1. "If" (Brothers in Rhythm House Mix) – 7:07
  2. "If" (Brothers in Rhythm Swing Yo Pants Mix) – 6:20
  3. "If" (Tee's Freeze Mix) – 7:17
  4. "If" (Extended LP Mix) – 5:40
  • US promo CD single #1[34]
  1. "If" (radio edit) – 3:49
  2. "If" (Brothers in Rhythm Swing Yo Pants Mix) – 6:20
  3. "If" (Extended LP Mix) – 5:40
  4. "If" (Todd Terry's Radio Mix) – 4:19
  5. "If" (Brothers in Rhythm House Mix) – 7:07
  6. "If" (Short Single Edit) – 2:59
  • US promo CD single #2[35]
  1. "If" (D&D 7" Mix/Adult 7" Radio Mix) – 4:41
  2. "If" (D&D 12" Mix/Adult 12") – 5:47
  3. "If" (D&D JDD Mix/Adult Dub) – 5:26
  • US CD maxi single[36]
  1. "If" (Brothers in Rhythm House Mix) – 7:07
  2. "If" (Brothers in Rhythm Swing Yo Pants Mix) – 6:20
  3. "If" (Tee's Freeze Mix) – 7:17
  4. "If" (Extended LP Mix) – 5:40
  5. "If" (TNT Bass Mix) – 5:36
  6. "If" (D&D 12" Mix/Adult 12") – 5:47
  7. "If" (short single edit) – 2:59
  8. "One More Chance" – 5:54

[edit] Personnel

Credits adapted from the janet. liner notes.[37]

[edit] Charts

[edit] Weekly charts

Chart (1993) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart[17] 18
Canadian Singles Chart[13] 3
Dutch Top 40[18] 10
German Singles Chart[19] 25
New Zealand Singles Chart[17] 8
Swedish Singles Chart[17] 19
Swiss Singles Chart[17] 27
UK Singles Chart[16] 14
US Billboard Hot 100[9] 4
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[9] 3
US Hot Dance Club Play[9] 1

[edit] Certifications

Country Certification
United States Gold[10]

[edit] Year-end charts

Chart (1993) Position
Canadian Singles Chart[15] 25
US Billboard Hot 100[11] 19

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Halstead & Cadman 2003, p. 118
  2. ^ a b "Janet Jackson - If - Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Alfred Publishing. 
  3. ^ Jennings, Nicholas (1993-05-31). "Songs that scorch -- Janet. by Janet Jackson". Maclean's 106 (22): pp. 54. ISSN 00249262 
  4. ^ Semon, Craig S. (1993-08-01). "Janet Jackson is no longer Michael's little sister". Telegram & Gazette: pp. 12. ISSN 10504184 
  5. ^ Pareles, Jon (1993-05-23), "RECORDINGS VIEW - RECORDINGS VIEW - A Sex Object By the Name Of Jackson", The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/23/arts/recordings-view-a-sex-object-by-the-name-of-jackson.html?scp=6&sq=janet+jackson&st=nyt, retrieved 2010-07-14 
  6. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (2008-02-17), "Janet Jackson: janet. | Music Review", Slant Magazine, http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/janet-jackson-janet/1275, retrieved 2011-05-18 
  7. ^ Kot, Greg (1993-05-17). "Be Sure To Call It `Janet.'". Chicago Tribune. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1993-05-17/features/9305170168_1_janet-jackson-whitney-houston/2. Retrieved 2011-05-17. 
  8. ^ "The Billboard Hot 100: Week Ending of July 24, 1993". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/charts/hot-100?chartDate=1993-07-24&order=gainer. Retrieved 2011-05-17. 
  9. ^ a b c d e "janet. > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/janet-r170306/charts-awards/billboard-single. Retrieved 2011-05-11. 
  10. ^ a b "Janet Jackson Search Results". Recording Industry Association of America. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?artist=%22Jackson,+Janet%22. Retrieved 2011-05-11. 
  11. ^ a b "1993 The Year in Music, Special Double Issue". Billboard (Nielsen Business Media, Inc) 105 (52). 1993-12-25. ISSN 0006-2510. 
  12. ^ "Top Singles - Volume 58, No. 2, July 24 1993". RPM. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.2186&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836. Retrieved 2011-05-17. 
  13. ^ a b "Top Singles - Volume 58, No. 12, October 02 1993". RPM. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.2256&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836. Retrieved 2011-05-11. 
  14. ^ "Top Singles - Volume 58, No. 20, November 27 1993". RPM. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.2312&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836. Retrieved 2011-05-17. 
  15. ^ a b "The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1993". RPM. 1993-12-18. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.2339&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=4dp17sl7hp9qmhhj3vmcenr836. Retrieved 2011-05-11. 
  16. ^ a b c "Janet Jackson – If". The Official Charts Company. http://www.chartstats.com/songinfo.php?id=21060. Retrieved 2011-05-11. 
  17. ^ a b c d e f "Janet Jackson - If (song)". Ultratop. Hung Medien. http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Janet+Jackson&titel=If&cat=s. Retrieved 2011-05-11. 
  18. ^ a b "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 34 – 1993" (in Dutch). Radio 538. top40.nl. http://www.top40.nl/index.aspx?week=34&jaar=1993. Retrieved 2011-05-11. 
  19. ^ a b "Chartverfolgung > Janet Jackson > Single" (in German). Media Control. http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/JACKSON,JANET/?type=single. Retrieved 2011-05-11. 
  20. ^ a b c Hilburn, Robert (1994-06-27). "I Think I've Finally Grown Up". Newsday: pp. 10 
  21. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=ZggEAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0_2#PPA48,M1
  22. ^ Amazon.com: Janet: Janet Jackson: Video
  23. ^ "1993 VMA Performances". MTV Network. http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1993/. Retrieved 2011-05-18. 
  24. ^ Pareles, Jon (1993-12-20). "Review/Pop; Wrapped in Song and Spectacle, Janet Jackson Plays the Garden". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/20/arts/review-pop-wrapped-in-song-and-spectacle-janet-jackson-plays-the-garden.html?pagewanted=2&src=pm. Retrieved 2011-05-18. 
  25. ^ Lenny Stoute (1993-11-27), "Sexy Janet Jackson defies family woes in SkyDome smash", Toronto Star: A.2 
  26. ^ (1993) Release notes for "If" by Janet Jackson (UK 7-inch Promo Single liner notes). Virgin Records (VS1474).
  27. ^ (1993) Release notes for "If" by Janet Jackson (French CD Single liner notes). Virgin Records (89206425).
  28. ^ (1993) Release notes for "If" by Janet Jackson (Japanese 3-inch CD Single liner notes). Virgin Records (VJDP-10208).
  29. ^ (1993) Release notes for "If" by Janet Jackson (UK 12-inch CD Single liner notes). Virgin Records (VST 1474).
  30. ^ (1993) Release notes for "If" by Janet Jackson (UK CD Single liner notes). Virgin Records (VSCDT 1474).
  31. ^ (1993) Release notes for "If" by Janet Jackson (Japanese CD Single liner notes). Virgin Records (VJCP-12020).
  32. ^ (1993) Release notes for "If" by Janet Jackson (US Double 12-inch Single liner notes). Virgin Records (SPRO-12809).
  33. ^ (1993) Release notes for "If" by Janet Jackson (US 12-inch Single liner notes). Virgin Records (Y-12675).
  34. ^ (1993) Release notes for "If" by Janet Jackson (US CD Single #1 liner notes). Virgin Records (DPRO-12800).
  35. ^ (1993) Release notes for "If" by Janet Jackson (US CD Single #2 liner notes). Virgin Records (DPRO-12808).
  36. ^ (1993) Release notes for "If" by Janet Jackson (US CD Maxi-Single liner notes). Virgin Records (V25H-12674).
  37. ^ Jackson, Janet (1993). Album notes for janet. (Liner Notes) by Janet Jackson [Compact Disc]. Edina, Minnesota: Virgin Records.

[edit] References

  • Halstead, Craig; Cadman, Chris (2003), Jacksons Number Ones, Authors On Line, ISBN 0755200985 
Preceded by
"Gimme Luv (Eenie Meenie Miny Mo)" by David Morales and the Bad Yard Club		 US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single
September 4, 1993 – September 11, 1993		 Succeeded by
"Love for Love" by Robin S.
Janet Jackson
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Remix albums
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Control - The Videos · Control - The Videos Part II · Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 · The Rhythm Nation Compilation · Janet · Design of a Decade 1986/1996 · The Velvet Rope Tour – Live in Concert · All for You (DVD Edition) · Live in Hawaii · From Janet to Damita Jo: The Videos
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Related articles
Janet Jackson singles
Janet Jackson
Dream Street
Control
Janet Jackson's
Rhythm Nation 1814
janet.
Design of a
Decade 1986/1996
The Velvet Rope
All for You
Damita Jo
20 Y.O.
"Call on Me" · "So Excited" · "Enjoy" · "With U"
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"Feedback" · "Rock with U" · "Luv" · "Can't B Good"
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