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Rating: Many things have been said about this highly sensitive character. I'm not interested in that. I only want to talk about her work: "The velvet rope", probably the pinnacle of this African-American artist, released in 1996, after a long period of depression. The cover, a deep crimson velvet. In art, red represents emotional drama. Janet is with her head down and eyes half-closed.
The result was her most touching and intense album, which received excellent reviews, was hugely successful in Europe but was not understood by Americans, partly due to the sophisticated sound that markedly deviated from the singer's previous productions.
The album can boast 7 successful singles among which stands out for its global and undisputed success "Together Again", a festive and cheerful up-tempo that Jackson dedicates to a friend who died of AIDS. Other hot topics are addressed in the album: domestic violence in "What About" to the fate of young people in "Velvet Rope" and sexual freedom in "Free Xone" (a true gem). The result is an album very well thought out in terms of content. A substantial album with 23 tracks allowing for a thorough analysis and selection to satisfy different listening moments. We're in full R&B, with black and hip-pop veins, funky and rock parentheses, refined and deep sounds, captivating and enveloping rhythms. For example, I find the remix (something of the old piece "Big Yellow Taxi" is hidden) in "Got 'til it's gone", a truly captivating track, rap school, but sophisticated and evening-like.
It's the soft sounds, the harps, the strings, the good orchestration that make the work complete, lively, and reflective. Go from the depth of "Empty" or from the strongly fraternal nature of "What about". The audience enjoyed "Every Time", with its serene softness and the remake of "Tonight is the night" by Stewart. Formidable freshness and introspective analysis in "I Get Lonely", whispered, soulful, and full of suffering. Sad and delicate too, "Anything" ends in a languid lapping: nocturnal. Summery, green, sweet, and resurgent the very elegant "Special".
A succulent album, for those who want to taste a very modern, R&B, soul, black, electronic, and elegant sound. Who cares if it sold 1 or 10,000,000 copies. The content is vast and fulfilling, at times very commercial, at others not at all.
Janet will not repeat herself at this level again.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
11 Together Again (05:01)
There are times when I look above and beyond
There are times when I feel your love around me baby
I'll never forget my baby
I'll never forget you
There are times when I look above and beyond
There are times when I feel your love around me baby
I'll never forget my baby
When I feel that I don't belong
Draw my strength
From the words when you said
Hey it's about you baby
Look deeper inside you baby
(Bridge)
I dream about us together again
When I want us together again baby
I know we'll be together again 'cause
(Chorus)
Everywhere I go
Every smile I see
I know you are there
Smilin' back at me
Dancin' in moonlight
I know you are free
I can see your star
Shinin' down on me
(Together again ooh )
Good times we'll share again
(Together again ooh )
Makes me wanna dance
(Together again ooh)
Say it loud and proud
(Together again ohh)
All my loves for you
Always been a true angel to me
Now above
I can't wait for you to wrap your wings around me baby
Wrap them around me baby
Sometimes hear you whisperin'
No more pain
No worries will you ever see now baby
I'm so happy for my baby
(Bridge)
I dream about us together again
When I want us together again baby
I know we'll be together again 'cause
(Chorus)
Everywhere I go
Every smile I see
I know you are there
Smilin' back at me
Dancin' in moonlight
I know you are free
I can see your star
Shinin' down on me
(Together again ooh )
Good times we'll share again
(Together again ooh )
Makes me wanna dance
(Together again ooh)
Say it loud and proud
(Together again ohh)
All my loves for you
There are times when I look above and beyond
There are times when I feel you smile upon me baby
I'll never forget my baby
What'll I give just to hold you close
As on earth
In heaven we will be together baby
Together again my baby
(Chorus)
Everywhere I go
Every smile I see
I know you are there
Smilin' back at me
Dancin' in moonlight
I know you are free
I can see your star
Shinin' down on me
(Chorus)
Everywhere I go
Every smile I see
I know you are there
Smilin' back at me
Dancin' in moonlight
I know you are free
I can see your star
Shinin' down on me
18 I Get Lonely (05:17)
[CHORUS: (2x)]
I get so lonely
Can't let just anybody hold me
You are the one that lives in me, my dear
Want no one but you
Sittin here with my tears
All alone with my fears
I'm wonderin if I have to do
Withoutcha
But there's no reason why
I feel asleep late last night
Cryin like a newborn child
Holdin myself close
Pretendin my arms are yours
I want no one but you
[CHORUS (2x)]
I still remember to the day
In fact is was a 3rd Monday
You came along to be the one for me
Now I'm alone
Sittin here by the phone
Call and say that you're okay
So that I'll have the chance
To beg you to stay
I want no one but you
[CHORUS (4x)]
Gonna break it down
Break it down, break it down
Gotta break it down
Break it down, break it down
Whoa
You know
That I know
That I get so lonely thinking of you
Oh-hooh
Noowhoahooo. . .
[CHORUS (4x)]
22 Special (07:53)
Hey J
It's been a long time since I've seen you last
A half and twenty-six years
(how time goes fast)
I'm well
Though I've gone through some deep changes in my life
It hasn't been easy
Oh no not for me
It's been difficult at times
Sometimes I sit down and cry
And ask God oh why
(fair... what is?)
[BRIDGE:]
I know how you're feelin
Same thing I did deal with
You're not as alone as you may feel
You see but oh it catches up to us fast
We have to deal with our past
I know it's painful but
There you'll find specialness
Cuz everybody needs to feel real special
[CHORUS:]
We need to
Remember
That love lies deep within ourselves
We have to
Want it so
It starts with us and only us
We must learn
We're all born
With specialness inside of us
I have the need to feel real special too
You see
You can't run away from your pain
Because wherever you run
There you will be
You have to learn
To water your spiritual garden
Then
You will be free
[BRIDGE]
[CHORUS (2x)]
Work in progress
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Other reviews
By Darius
The Velvet Rope comes to light at the end, or almost, of a long battle by Janet against depression, of psychophysical 'breakdown,' a drama that on more than one occasion has not failed to attack and torment great artists.
An unrepeatable work will emerge, a great masterpiece that has been able to disrupt and unsettle any austere and severe music critic.
