Control
Janet Jackson | Artist Essentials
First released: 1986 (year verified)
Original 1986 studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The spoken opening gives way to sharply marked rhythm and compact vocal hooks.
YouTube opens a title-and-artist search. The selected recording and date are identified below.
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1986 (year verified)
The original recording is documented in the 1986 release history of Control. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.
Recording: Original 1986 studio recording
Credit: Janet Jackson
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original album: Control
Control - original A&M album metadata
The original 1986 nine-track program identifies Control, Nasty, What Have You Done for Me Lately, The Pleasure Principle, When I Think of You and Let's Wait Awhile. Later remasters and remix editions are separate. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
Control - official original release history and program
The artist store explicitly dates the original album to February 1986 and lists its nine original tracks. The current CD sale is not used as a release date. | Reviewed 2026-10-17
In the yearly lists
These are listening-list appearances, separate from the first-release date.
About Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson's recording career took a decisive turn with Control in 1986, made with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Its mixture of funk, synthesizers, dance rhythms and vocal arrangements established a musical identity distinct from her famous family. Rhythm Nation 1814 followed in 1989, combining dance music with social subject matter. Her later albums continued to explore R&B and pop, while choreography and music videos became closely connected parts of her recorded and live work.
Artist background sources
Janet Jackson - Recording Academy Songbook career survey
1986 Control and Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis partnership, funk/synthesizer style, 1989 Rhythm Nation 1814, later R&B direction, choreography and videos. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Profile reviewed: 2026-10-17. Artist background does not establish a song's creative origin or release date.
Continue listening
Recommended positions express one editorial listening sequence. They are not measured quality scores.
Browse by year
1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.