History Music / Control

After several years of professional and familial turmoil, two prior albums flopping,[[note]]Both her [[SelfTitledAlbum self-titled]] debut and "Dream Street" failed to sell 500k records worldwide, didn't earn her ''any'' record certifications, and yielded no pop hits.[[/note]] and a recent annulment of her marriage to James Music/DeBarge, Janet finally fired [[StageDad her father Joseph]] as her manager. She conferred with A&M's resident A&R John [=McCain=], who then subsequently linked her with former Music/TheTime members James "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Lewis, also known collectively as Flyte Tyme, best known for their work with Music/{{Prince}}. Their one condition was for Janet to move to their native Minneapolis during production of her next album, mainly to prevent her dad from running interference. After settling into a extended-stay hotel, Janet spent the first week with the producers getting to know them on a personal level, partially so they'd know what songs would fit her best.

After several years of professional and familial turmoil, two prior albums flopping,[[note]]Both her [[SelfTitledAlbum self-titled]] debut and "Dream Street" failed to sell 500k records worldwide, didn't earn her ''any'' record certifications, and yielded no pop hits.[[/note]] and a recent annulment of her marriage to James [[Music/DeBarge DeBarge]], Janet finally fired her father, Joseph, as her manager. She conferred with A&M's resident A&R John [=McCain=], who then subsequently linked her with former Music/TheTime members James "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Lewis, also known collectively as Flyte Tyme. Temporarily relocating to Flyte Tyme's native Minneapolis, mainly to prevent her father [[ExecutiveMeddling from running interference]], Janet spent the first week with the producers getting to know them on a personal level, partially so they'd know what songs would fit her best.

Although most of ''Control'''s material was already previously written for another singer that rejected the songs for being "rambunctious," Janet offered her input on the lyrics and production. As a result, much of the album is heavily autobiographical in nature. For instance, "What Have You Done For Me Lately" was re-written to convey her emotions about her split from James [=DeBarge=], while the title track dealt with Janet's emancipation from her father's overbearing management, and wanting to take control of both her music career, and her life in general. Meanwhile, Flyte Tyme crafted the album's production with their former boss' trademark "Minneapolis Sound," adding in some extra HipHop influence to appeal to the urban community, while also aiming for crossover pop success.

It produced seven singles: "What Have You Done For Me Lately", "Nasty", "When I Think of You", the TitleTrack, "Let's Wait a While", "The Pleasure Principle", and "Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)". The first five were all Top-5 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with "When I Think of You" becoming Janet's first #1 single. Five of them were also hits in the UK, with three going Top 10 there.

''Control'' is the third studio album from American pop singer Music/JanetJackson. It was released by Creator/AAndMRecords on February 4, 1986.

''Control'' is the third studio album from American R&B singer Music/JanetJackson. It was released by Creator/AAndMRecords on February 4, 1986.

After several years of professional and familial turmoil, two prior albums flopping,[[note]]Both her [[SelfTitledAlbum self-titled]] debut and "Dream Street" failed to sell 500k records worldwide, didn't earn her ''any'' record certifications, and yielded no pop hits.[[/note]] and a recent annulment of her marriage to James [[Music/DeBarge DeBarge]], Janet finally fired her father, Joseph, as her manager. She conferred with A&M's resident A&R John [=McCain=], who then subsequently linked her with former [[Music/{{Prince}} The Time]] members [[Music/PrincesAssociates James "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Lewis]], also known collectively as Flyte Tyme. Temporarily relocating to Flyte Tyme's native Minneapolis, mainly to prevent her father [[ExecutiveMeddling from running interference]], Janet spent the first week with the producers getting to know them on a personal level, partially so they'd know what songs would fit her best.

* RecordProducer: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, aka Flyte Tyme, former [[Music/PrincesAssociates Prince underlings]] and founders of The Time, who became hitmakers during the mid-80's before linking with Janet. Fellow former Time cohorts Jellybean Johnson and Monte Moir contributed as well, with Moir's "The Pleasure Principle" being the lone track Jam & Lewis didn't produce themselves. Janet herself has co-production credits on every track except "Start Anew".

-->--'''"The Pleasure Principle"'''

While ''Control'' did not feature on the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time from ''Magazine/RollingStone'' in 2003 or 2012, they did rank it #28 among the Best Albums of TheEighties. It was finally placed at #111 on [[UsefulNotes/RollingStone500GreatestAlbumsOfAllTime2020 the 2020 version of their all-time list]]; both ''Music/RhythmNation1814'' and ''Music/TheVelvetRope'' appeared on all three lists, and ''Control'' placed higher than either of those albums ever did.

* AlbumTitleDrop: "Control" in the TitleTrack.

''My last name is "control"''

* SpokenWordInMusic: "What Have You Done For Me Lately" on the album begins with Janet talking with another woman about the man she's in love with, with the woman asking Janet "what has he done for you lately?"