"The Velvet Rope" (1997): JANET JACKSON - Track by Track Review | Diva Discography {Part 1}

Continuing on with our Anniversary Divas series, Angie and Steffi go track by track, discussing & analyzing Janet Jackson’s deeply personal album: “The Velvet Rope” (1997). 

As we do in all of our Diva Discography episodes, part 1 is an in-depth review and discussion on EVERY SINGLE TRACK of the album. We then end our conversation sharing our Top 3 favorite songs from the album, 1 song we’d cut, and the underrated gem. 

Make sure you tune in next week for part 2 when we talk about Janet Jackson’s The Velvet Rope era.

Album Info: The Velvet Rope is the sixth studio album by American singer Janet Jackson. The album was released on October 7, 1997, through Virgin Records. Prior to its release, she renegotiated her contract with Virgin for US$80 million, the largest recording contract in history at that time. Upon experiencing an emotional breakdown, Jackson began facing a long-term case of depression. She in turn developed her new record as a concept album, using introspection as its theme. Its title is a metaphor for emotional boundaries, as well as an allusion to an individual's need to feel special. Its lyrics address subject matter such as depression, self-worth, social networking, and domestic violence. It also encompasses themes of sexuality, including BDSM, sexual orientation and same-sex relationships. Due to its sexually explicit content, the album reinforced Jackson's public image as a sex symbol and as one of the most erotic vocalists of the 1990s. Its incorporation of social issues regarding sexual orientation and combating homophobia also established her reputation as a gay icon and received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music.

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TIME STAMPS:

- Housekeeping (00:59)

- Listener Feedback (02:39)

- Opening Discussions: Album Intro (06:08)

- Opening Discussions: Our First Listening Experience & Initial Impressions (07:40)

Track by Track Review

- Interlude: Twisted Elegance (16:04)

- Velvet Rope (19:51)

- You (25:27)

- Got ‘Til It’s Gone (30:17)

- Interlude: Speaker Phone (33:46)

- My Need (39:09)

- Interlude: Fasten YourSeatbelts (41:44)

- Go Deep (43:46)

- Free Xone (47:21)

- Interlude: Memory (52:48)

- Together Again (53:07)

- Interlude: Online (59:18)

- Empty (59:34)

- Interlude: Full (62:35)

- What About (63:36)

- Every Time (68:01)

- Tonight’s the Night (70:18)

- I Get Lonely (77:18)

- Rope Burn (81:37)

- Anything (85:13)

- Interlude: Sad (88:28)

- Special (89:10)

- Can’t Be Stopped (92:43)

Rapid Fire Round

- Top 3 Fave Songs (95:25)

- 1 Song to Cut (96:50)

- Underrated Gem (97:18)

- Closing Thoughts (97:48)