"If" is a song by American singer
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreog ...
from her fifth
album
An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...
, ''
Janet'' (1993). Jackson co-wrote and co-produced "If" with
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with
Harvey Fuqua,
John Bristol and
Jackey Beavers receiving songwriting credits for the
sampling of their composition "
Someday We'll Be Together", performed by
Diana Ross & the Supremes. "If" was released as the album's second
single
Single may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
* Single (music), a song release
Songs
* "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004
* "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008
* "Single" (William Wei song), 2016
* "Single", by ...
on July 13, 1993, by
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a record label owned by Universal Music Group. It originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman. It grew to be a worldwid ...
. It fuses various genres, including
rock
Rock most often refers to:
* Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids
* Rock music, a genre of popular music
Rock or Rocks may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...
,
trip hop
Trip hop (sometimes used synonymously with "downtempo") is a musical genre that originated in the early 1990s in the United Kingdom, especially Bristol. It has been described as a psychedelic music, psychedelic fusion of hip hop music, hip hop ...
and
industrial music
Industrial music is a genre of music that draws on harsh, mechanical, transgressive or provocative sounds and themes. AllMusic defines industrial music as the "most abrasive and aggressive fusion of rock and electronic music" that was "initiall ...
, with elements of
new jack swing
New jack swing, new jack, or swingbeat is a fusion genre of the rhythms and production techniques of hip hop and dance-pop, and the urban contemporary sound of R&B. Spearheaded by producers Teddy Riley and Bernard Belle, new jack swing was mos ...
and
hip hop.
"If" received critical acclaim, with most
critics noting Jackson's evolution into a sexual persona from her prior reserved, celibate public image. It received a
BMI Pop Award for Most Played Song and was also ranked among ''
Slant Magazine
''Slant Magazine'' is an American online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York ...
s Best Singles of the 1990s. It peaked at number four on the US
''Billboard'' Hot 100 and was certified gold by the
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/o ...
. It also performed well in Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
The accompanying
music video
A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...
for "If" portrays
voyeurism, sensuality and intense choreography, while depicting technology that was unavailable at the time, such as
touch screens
A touchscreen or touch screen is the assembly of both an input ('touch panel') and output ('display') device. The touch panel is normally layered on the top of an electronic visual display of an information processing system. The display is often ...
and
web camera
A webcam is a video camera which is designed to record or stream to a computer or computer network. They are primarily used in videotelephony, livestreaming and social media, and security. Webcams can be built-in computer hardware or peripheral de ...
s. The video received various accolades, including Best Female Video and Best Dance Video at the
MTV Video Music Awards
The MTV Video Music Awards (commonly abbreviated as the VMAs) is an award show presented by the cable channel MTV to honour the best in the music video medium. Originally conceived as an alternative to the Grammy Awards (in the video category) ...
, and a
''Billboard'' Award for Dance Clip of the Year. It was also voted the second best female video of the decade by
''Idolator''. Jackson performed "If" at the
MTV Video Music Awards
The MTV Video Music Awards (commonly abbreviated as the VMAs) is an award show presented by the cable channel MTV to honour the best in the music video medium. Originally conceived as an alternative to the Grammy Awards (in the video category) ...
in a medley with "
That's the Way Love Goes", in addition to several of her concert tours.
Background
Jackson's role in the film ''
Poetic Justice
Poetic justice, also called poetic irony, is a literary device with which ultimately virtue is rewarded and misdeeds are punished. In modern literature, it is often accompanied by an ironic twist of fate related to the character's own action, henc ...
'' gave her the confidence to attempt edgier themes musically, commenting "I know it would shock people, but I'm not doing it for shock value. And I know there are some people that are going to say, 'No, I will not be able to accept this because this is a little girl that we saw when she was seven years old.'" She continued, "Everybody says, 'Oh, my God, you've changed so much. Is this really you?'," described to laugh before saying, "Of course it's me."
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a record label owned by Universal Music Group. It originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman. It grew to be a worldwid ...
wanted the song to be ''
janet's'' lead single, saying "it could have a great dance video." Jackson disagreed, deciding to release it as the album's second release.
The song was written by Jackson in a conference room during a label meeting.
Describing the process, Jackson said "Once you get into recording, it almost has a life of its own. We really got rolling when we did the song "If". Writing a song can happen any kind of way ...
Jimmy ">amwas watching a ballgame and playing around on the keyboards. I ask him to play the chords he was playing again ... "If" turned out to be funkier, gritter." Speaking about its theme, she stated "the song is about fantasizing. I've had those feelings
xpressed in the song.it's my time to share!"
Jackson added, "
tsabout a girl who goes to a club and fantasizes about this guy: serious fantasies about the things she'd do to him if she was his girl – the positions and things like that. But she's not, so she can't, so she gets pretty frustrated in the second verse – without it being too much. It's still within good taste."
Critical reception
"If" was acclaimed for its innovation and sonic progression, as well as its sexuality and usage of multiple genres. Patrick Corcoran from Albumism called it "a pounding, fuzzed-up, nasty-sounding track that drips with the thrill of lust at first sight." David Nathan of ''B&S Magazine'' remarked that the song pulls no punches. "Listening to it and reading the lyrics Janet wrote in a
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a record label owned by Universal Music Group. It originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman. It grew to be a worldwid ...
conference room, I blush - in itself a rare occurrence."
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It replaced the BBC Third Programme in 1967 and broadcasts classical music and opera, with jazz, world music, Radio drama, drama, High culture, culture and the arts ...
's commended it as an "impressive industrial fury" based on "oral satisfaction". Andrew Hammp from ''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...
'' declared it a "rockin' dance track," with strings that "anchor the climax." The song's theme of avoiding temptation to interfere with
monogamy
Monogamy ( ) is a form of dyadic relationship in which an individual has only one partner during their lifetime. Alternately, only one partner at any one time (serial monogamy) — as compared to the various forms of non-monogamy (e.g., polyga ...
was also noted, adding "Though Jackson lets her mind race with naughty thoughts
.. she ultimately stops herself from going after someone else's man."
Another editor,
Larry Flick
Larry Flick is an American journalist, former dance music columnist, single reviewer, and Senior Talent Editor for ''Billboard'' magazine, where he worked for 14 years. Now he produces and hosts Sirius XM radio shows. Flick started in the music ...
described it as a "moist, seductive teaser, wrapped in an equally sexy pop/hiphop groove." He added, "Her honey-sweet voice bounces off cyborg guitar riffing, taking the rhythm-rock vibe of her ''Rhythm Nation'' hit "Black Cat" to a more intense level. Tucked beneath the pleasingly crowded production is an infectious chorus and a nifty funk bassline."
Greg Kot
Greg Kot (born March 3, 1957) is an American music journalist and author. From 1990 until 2020, Kot was the rock music critic at the ''Chicago Tribune'', where he covered popular music and reported on music-related social, political and busines ...
from ''
Chicago Tribune
The ''Chicago Tribune'' is a daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, owned by Tribune Publishing. Founded in 1847, and formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" (a slogan for which WGN radio and television ar ...
'' wrote, "There's a surprising, fuzzed-up guitar riff lifted from
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and activist. He rose to fame as the original lead singer of the progressive rock band Genesis. After leaving Genesis in 1975, he launched ...
's 'Sledgehammer' that gives 'If' some punch."
David Browne from ''
Entertainment Weekly
''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cul ...
'' exclaimed it "takes Jackson into exciting new terrain," blending her vocals with "a traffic jam in a city of
cyborgs." A writer for ''
Idolator'' called it an "
industrial
Industrial may refer to:
Industry
* Industrial archaeology, the study of the history of the industry
* Industrial engineering, engineering dealing with the optimization of complex industrial processes or systems
* Industrial city, a city dominate ...
dance/sex epic" in addition to "infectious and raunchy," saying "Janet Jackson's unmistakable voice is used to perfection to create an eerily tropical but beautiful track."
"If" was also interpreted as "a swirling epic number", fusing "90s disco with guitar-rock," using a "
Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most ...
-lite guitar" throughout the song. Jackson's vocals were delivered at "break-neck speed, practically rapping about the salacious pleasures of her lover," while its production had "a lot of styles on display," including "distorted synth meets acoustic guitar."
Nicholas Jennings of ''
Maclean's
''Maclean's'', founded in 1905, is a Canadian news magazine reporting on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, and current events. Its founder, publisher John Bayne Maclean, established the magazine to provide a uniquely Canadian perspe ...
'' called the "guitar-driven" song a "standout" for its explicit lines. Alan Jones from ''
Music Week
''Music Week'' is a trade publication for the UK record industry distributed via a website and a monthly print magazine. It is published by Future.
History
Founded in 1959 as '' Record Retailer'', it relaunched on 18 March 1972 as ''Music W ...
'' gave it four out of five, noting it as "certainly unusual, and certainly a hit."
Jon Pareles of ''
The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
'' observed the song to open with a "screaming guitar and a chanted verse, rising to a sweet melody."
A reviewer from ''Popblerd'' said it "starts with guitar feedback" before transitioning into "a sweaty, sexy dance workout", adding it "blew us away."
James Hamilton from the ''
RM'' Dance Update called it "guitar yowled swirling jittery jack swing pop". Dave Ritz from ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...
'' qualified it as both "subtle and bold," with Jackson's "bedroom fantasies" given "a fierce dressing-up — tough jeep beats, hard-rock guitar, and a
Diana Ross & The Supremes sample — and some missed just what she was on about."
Music critic Richard Croft raved "the ''
janet.
''Janet'' (stylized as ''janet.'') is the fifth studio album by American singer Janet Jackson, released on May 18, 1993, by Virgin Records America. Prior to its release, Jackson was at the center of a high-profile bidding war over her recordin ...
'' album was a big sex-fest from beginning to end but nowhere was it hotter than ‘If’," labeling the chorus "infectious, at the same time bitchy and vulnerable, defiant and desperate." The song's sexuality was considered to accomplish "the rare thing of being feminist and feminine at the same time without compromising either," saying the song is "a big pleading love song that put her totally at the whim of the man, and a big fuck-off anthem that said “I’m here, I’m Janet freaking Jackson, but if you’re not gonna notice me then get bent”. Phrased a little differently, of course." Sal Cinquemani of ''
Slant Magazine
''Slant Magazine'' is an American online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York ...
'' said its content was "impending or simply imagined", adding "the very title of which embodies that fact, is essentially about
masturbation
Masturbation is the sexual stimulation of one's own genitals for sexual arousal or other sexual pleasure, usually to the point of orgasm. The stimulation may involve hands, fingers, everyday objects, sex toys such as vibrators, or combinatio ...
, with Janet describing what her lover's "smooth and shiny
ock feels like against her lips while ostensibly rubbing herself off under the covers".
Pete Stanton from ''
Smash Hits
''Smash Hits'' was a British music magazine aimed at young adults, originally published by EMAP. It ran from 1978 to 2006, and, after initially appearing monthly, was issued fortnightly during most of that time. The name survived as a brand fo ...
'' gave "If" four out of five, declaring it "her sauciest and funkiest yet." He added, "Janet's turning into
Prince
A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. Th ...
— and that's not such a bad thing." Craig S. Semon of the ''
Telegram & Gazette
The ''Telegram & Gazette'' (and ''Sunday Telegram'') is the only daily newspaper of Worcester, Massachusetts. The paper, headquartered at 100 Front Street and known locally as ''the Telegram'' or the ''T & G'', offers coverage of all of Worceste ...
'' stated "the naughty seducer" to be one of Jackson's "most exciting tracks."
An anecdote also stated Jackson became "the sex kitten every man dreamed she would be," opposed to formerly known as "a sweet fresh faced girl singing little ditties about
young love." The lyrics "purposely leaves something to the imagination," leaving one to wonder what Jackson is referring to: "Could Janet be talking about the lips, chest, or a man’s procreation stick? For freakiness’ sake, I'd like to go with the last option over everything."
A reviewer from ''
Vibe'' called it "a weird masterpiece".
Chart performance
"If" debuted at number 57 on the
''Billboard'' Hot 100. It peaked at number four and was certified
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from la, aurum) and atomic number 79. This makes it one of the higher atomic number elements that occur naturally. It is a bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile met ...
by the
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/o ...
(RIAA) on September 28, 1993.
It reached number three on the
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by '' Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 ...
chart and peaked atop the
Hot Dance Club Play chart. It placed at number nineteen on the annual year-end chart.
In the US "If" sold 600,000 And sold an extra 212,000 from digital download bringing the song to 812,000 copies sold in the US. In Canada, the song debuted at number ninety-two before peaking at number three in October. It spent a total of nineteen weeks on the chart and was ranked at number twenty-five on Canada's ''RPM'' year-end chart.
In the United Kingdom, "If" debuted on
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
at number twenty-three and peaked at number fourteen the following week. It spent a total of seven weeks on the chart. The song performed moderately in Europe and Oceania. The song peaked in the top ten of Sweden, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, also peaking within the top twenty in Australia.
On April 2, 2011, the song charted at number forty-five on the ''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...
''
Dance/Electronic Digital Songs chart.
Music video
Background
The accompanying
music video
A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...
for "If" was directed by
Dominic Sena and choreographed by
Tina Landon
Tina Landon (born January 6, 1963) is an American choreographer based in Los Angeles who has worked with Prince, Anastacia, Mýa, Pink, Jay-Z, Marc Anthony, Kristi Yamaguchi, Aerosmith, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, Janet Jack ...
and Jackson, with additional choreography by Omar Lopez and Keith Williams. It takes place in an
Asia
Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an area ...
n nightclub, displaying
touch-screen technology and web cameras used to monitor the interactions of patrons. Jackson is the club's main performer, being observed by patrons through screens who are able to enter the function by saying the correct password.
The video's themes of sexual fantasy, desire, and voyeurism were intended as an elaborate metaphor for the song's racy content.
The video was also thought to have a "
Blasian
Afro-Asians, African Asians or simply Black Asians, often referred to as Blasians, are persons of mixed Asian and African ancestry. Historically, Afro-Asian populations have been marginalised as a result of human migration and social conflict ...
" theme, portraying interracial lust in the clip's "body language, the atmosphere and her smoldering off-stage eye contact" with Jackson's male interest, Michael Gregory Gong.
Jackson commented on the video, stating "It's nothing nasty or dirty, but it's very sexy. During taping I kept saying, 'Oh, my god, I'm glad my mother is not here.'" An alternate version of the video known as the "All Dance Version" focuses solely on the video's choreography. This version was shown on many music channels due to the original's suggestive visuals regarded as very explicit at the time. The uncensored video appears on the ''
From janet. to Damita Jo: The Videos'' compilation, while the alternate version is included on the ''
janet.
''Janet'' (stylized as ''janet.'') is the fifth studio album by American singer Janet Jackson, released on May 18, 1993, by Virgin Records America. Prior to its release, Jackson was at the center of a high-profile bidding war over her recordin ...
'' video release and re-release of ''
All for You''.
Synopsis
The video opens with a moonlit scene of a woman wearing a
Kimono
The is a traditional Japanese garment and the national dress of Japan. The kimono is a wrapped-front garment with square sleeves and a rectangular body, and is worn left side wrapped over right, unless the wearer is deceased. The kimono ...
walking towards a building in an Asian village. The woman walks to the door, looks into a hidden camera and says the password, "If". A man operating the door from inside then grants her access to the festivities. The inside of the bordello is then shown as a green light turns on, signaling male dancers to be lowered from the ceiling, who descend upside down on ropes in a winding fashion simulating a
corkscrew. The woman is then shown entering the club. A wider view of the club is then revealed, with club patron watching the stage as female dancers perform. Various scenes of people attending the club are shown through touch-screen monitors and
web camera
A webcam is a video camera which is designed to record or stream to a computer or computer network. They are primarily used in videotelephony, livestreaming and social media, and security. Webcams can be built-in computer hardware or peripheral de ...
s.
Multiple screens are shown, and a man watching some of the other patron on the monitor uses the futuristic
touch-screen to select angles of the performance on the main stage. The doors on the main platform then rapidly open as Janet, who is wearing a black and white top, black pants and a Bohemian choker, descends the stairs and enters the main stage, surrounded by blowing red fabric and a radiant white light. She focuses solely on one man in the audience watching her through the monitor as she and her dancers start performing a sexually suggestive dance routine, three women in high fashion outfits are shown walking through the club and observing the men in attendance through a monitor.
As Jackson continues entertaining the crowd, the woman who was originally shown entering the bordello is again seen walking through the event, quickly paying one of the guards to allow her into the club's private sector. Jackson continues the routine as additional scenes on a monitor are briefly seen. This leads into the video's choreographed breakdown, with Jackson performing the routine as angles switch multiple times. Jackson continues the intricate dance while a woman is shown touching the image of a man's faces on another screen. Another woman is then shown on a webcam, becoming aroused while observing a couple engaging in sexual activity.
The video's final dance sequence begins, with Janet grabbing a male dancer's crotch region and simulating oral sex, before placing him on the floor and bending him over. Janet continues to seductively watch the man in the audience as she performs, kneeling before the male dancer and then lowering him to floor. The video ends with the man in the audience passionately touching an image of Janet on the monitor, as the woman who was shown entering the club is then seen exiting and walking towards the village.
Reception
Described by Jackson as "a female fantasy," David Ritz of ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...
'' analyzed the video to include "tantalizing bodies" and "mock-cunnilingus," along with the "scrambled" reality and rampant voyeurism of Jackson watching herself as she's observed by others through various monitors.
''
Us Weekly
''Us Weekly'' is a weekly celebrity and entertainment magazine based in New York City. ''Us Weekly'' was founded in 1977 by The New York Times Company, who sold it in 1980. It was acquired by Wenner Media in 1986, and sold to American Media Inc ...
'' described the set as an "elaborate, multilevel Chinese restaurant," complete with balconies, stairways and wide-screen monitors. The video's attire is all black, with the concept of "an overheated sexual fantasy," in specific a male dancer being "grabbed, pawed and shoved around" by Jackson as she "drops down, reaches through his legs and grabs his crotch," before she changes positions, "seizes his head and pulls it down to her own crotch." The excerpt concluded, "ignore the demure young woman whose musical message to a would-be lover used to be "
Let's Wait Awhile
"Let's Wait Awhile" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her third studio album, ''Control'' (1986). It was released on January 6, 1987, by A&M Records as the album's fifth single. The song was written and produced by Jackson and Jim ...
." Ladies and gentlemen, cover your crotches: Janet Jackson has grown up."
''
Arena Magazine
''Arena'' was a British monthly men's magazine. The magazine was created in 1986 by Nick Logan, who had founded '' The Face'' in 1980, to focus on trends in fashion and entertainment. British graphic designer Neville Brody, who had designed '' ...
'' described it as a "dramatic" change, remarking "the black uniform ripped off to reveal a slimmed-down, body-conscious Janet. The transformation was dramatic."
''
Jet Magazine'' thought the video displayed "a liberated Janet, who flirted with eroticism but steered clear of moves that would be considered pornographic," also used to "showcase her pelvic thrusts and flashy dance moves." ''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...
'' exclaimed "If" to be a "climax" which is "inseparable from its iconic music video," based on its "head-slapping choreography."
The video's "seductive style of movement" was heralded as an evolution, replacing bulky militant uniforms with "midriff baring tops and chokers," embracing her "womanhood and sexuality."
Slant Magazine
''Slant Magazine'' is an American online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York ...
thought the video fulfilled the purpose of "providing the impetus behind one of the greatest dance-break routines in music video history."
The video was also praised as featuring "some of the most iconic choreography in history," adding "it’s (
sic
The Latin adverb ''sic'' (; "thus", "just as"; in full: , "thus was it written") inserted after a quoted word or passage indicates that the quoted matter has been transcribed or translated exactly as found in the source text, complete with any e ...
) stunning imagery, ground-breaking choreography and Janet’s fierce attitude is what made this a masterpiece."
Legacy and influence
"If" is one of several of Jackson's videos considered to influence a higher degree of sexual freedom among young women. Jean M. Twenge, author of ''Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled—and More Miserable Than Ever Before'' (2007), wrote "in the 1950s, only 3% of the young women had received oral sex from a man. By the mid-1990s, however, 75% of women aged 18-24 had experienced
cunnilingus. Music videos by female artists have contributed to the trend," with Jackson "heavily implying male-on-female oral sex in music videos by pushing down on a man's head until he's in exactly the right position." Similarly, Paula Kamen in ''Her Way: Young Women Remake the Sexual Revolution'' (2000) states that "
the early to mid-1990s, oral sex even reached mainstream music as politically charged demand of truly liberated women," citing Jackson as a prime example of a female artist simulating cunnilingus in her videos, specifically in "If."
The video was innovative for its depiction of
touch-screen technology and
web cams, which were not yet invented at the time of its release. Jackson later said, "I don’t think people really realize what we were showing in that video that wasn’t available with technology then. The video featured futuristic technology, specifically high definition touch screens. I wanted the actors in the video to use these screens to communicate, and relate with each other in the clubs. Similar to what we all do with our smart phones and tablets today. As I look at our lives now, it seems that life is imitating art."
Jackson's balance of masculine ensemble with feminine outfits was also regarded as an immense part of her appeal, saying "Janet was the queen of tomboy looks and a full fledged sex symbol at the same time. She merged the two opposites seamlessly, from baggy jeans and floppy hats to skintight Navajo bra tops in the "If" video."
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is an American singer. Often referred to as the " Princess of Pop", she is credited with influencing the revival of teen pop during the late 1990s and early 2000s. After appearing in stage productio ...
was influenced by "If" for videos such as "
I'm a Slave 4 U", saying "Janet's video for 'If'. I saw that, and I admired it and wanted to be like her," calling Jackson a "powerful role model" with "her own identity". Elements of the "If" choreography has been referenced frequently, including "multiple videos" by
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is an American singer. Often referred to as the " Princess of Pop", she is credited with influencing the revival of teen pop during the late 1990s and early 2000s. After appearing in stage productio ...
,
Beyoncé
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Beyoncé's boundary-pushing artistry and vocals have made her the most influential female musician of the 21st century, according to ...
,
Lady Gaga
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta ( ; born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her image reinventions and musical versatility. Gaga began performing as a teenag ...
,
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Affleck (' Lopez; born July 24, 1969), also known as J.Lo, is an American singer, actress and dancer. In 1991, she began appearing as a Fly Girl dancer on the sketch comedy television series ''In Living Color'', where she rema ...
,
Pink
Pink is the color of a namesake flower that is a pale tint of red. It was first used as a color name in the late 17th century. According to surveys in Europe and the United States, pink is the color most often associated with charm, politeness, ...
,
Ciara
Ciara Princess Wilson ( ; Harris; born October 25, 1985) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, model and entrepreneur. She released her debut studio album, '' Goodies'' in 2004, which spawned four singles: " Goodies" (featuring Petey Pa ...
,
Mýa
Mya Marie Harrison (; born October 10, 1979), (stylized as Mýa), is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress. Born into a musical family, she studied ballet, jazz, and tap dance as a child. Initially, Mýa began her career as a VJ ...
,
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette Elliott (born July 1, 1971), better known as Missy Elliott or Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She embarked on her music career with R&B girl group Sista in the earl ...
, and
N' Sync
NSYNC (, ; also stylized as *NSYNC or 'N Sync) was an American boy band formed by Chris Kirkpatrick in Orlando, Florida, in 1995 and launched in Germany by BMG Ariola Munich. Their self-titled debut album was successfully released to Europe ...
, with specific examples including
Christina Milian
Christine Marie Flores (born September 26, 1981), better known as Christina Milian (), is an American actress and singer. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, but raised in Maryland, she signed a contract with Murder Inc. Records at the age of 19. ...
's "
Dip It Low
"Dip It Low" is a song by American singer Christina Milian from her second studio album, ''It's About Time (Christina Milian album), It's About Time'' (2004). Written by Poli Paul and Teedra Moses and produced by Paul, the track was released as t ...
",
Lil' Kim
Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974), Those giving 1974 include:
*
*
*
*
* better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and reality television personality. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, she lived much of he ...
's "
No Matter What They Say
"No Matter What They Say" is a song by Lil' Kim from her second album ''The Notorious K.I.M.'' (2000). It was released as the lead single from the album on May 30, 2000 by Atlantic Records and Queen Bee Entertainment.
A moderate commercial ...
", and
Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul (born June 19, 1962) is an American singer, dancer, choreographer, actress, and television personality. She began her career as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers at the age of 18 and later became the head choreograph ...
's "
My Love Is for Real
"My Love Is for Real" is a song by American singer and songwriter Paula Abdul with backing vocals from Israeli singer Ofra Haza. It was released on May 30, 1995, as the first single from Abdul's third studio album, '' Head over Heels'' (1995). ...
".
[ ]'N Sync
NSYNC (, ; also stylized as *NSYNC or 'N Sync) was an American boy band formed by Chris Kirkpatrick in Orlando, Florida, in 1995 and launched in Germany by BMG Ariola Munich. Their self-titled debut album was successfully released to European ...
also performed the video's dance breakdown during the opening performance on their debut tour and in their " I Want You Back" video. A critique of the video added, "Women want to be her. The gays want to be like her. Men want to do morally questionable things to her... The current crop of artists, "including Gaga, Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados, Rihanna auditioned for American record producer Evan Rogers who invited her to the ...
, Beyoncé
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Beyoncé's boundary-pushing artistry and vocals have made her the most influential female musician of the 21st century, according to ...
, Britney etc ALL follow her trail-blazing footsteps."
Jackson's videography, the "If" video in particular, helped establish Tina Landon
Tina Landon (born January 6, 1963) is an American choreographer based in Los Angeles who has worked with Prince, Anastacia, Mýa, Pink, Jay-Z, Marc Anthony, Kristi Yamaguchi, Aerosmith, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, Janet Jack ...
's career as a legendary choreographer, with many subsequent female pop artist, including Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is an American singer. Often referred to as the " Princess of Pop", she is credited with influencing the revival of teen pop during the late 1990s and early 2000s. After appearing in stage productio ...
, Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados, Rihanna auditioned for American record producer Evan Rogers who invited her to the ...
, Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Affleck (' Lopez; born July 24, 1969), also known as J.Lo, is an American singer, actress and dancer. In 1991, she began appearing as a Fly Girl dancer on the sketch comedy television series ''In Living Color'', where she rema ...
, Pink
Pink is the color of a namesake flower that is a pale tint of red. It was first used as a color name in the late 17th century. According to surveys in Europe and the United States, pink is the color most often associated with charm, politeness, ...
, Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll ( , ; born 2 February 1977), professionally known by the mononym Shakira, is a Colombian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Barranquilla, she has been referred to as the " Queen of Latin Music" and is ...
, and Christina Aguilera, requesting to work with her for their own music videos and projects.
Live performances
Jackson performed the song as a medley with " That's the Way Love Goes" at the MTV Video Music Awards
The MTV Video Music Awards (commonly abbreviated as the VMAs) is an award show presented by the cable channel MTV to honour the best in the music video medium. Originally conceived as an alternative to the Grammy Awards (in the video category) ...
on September 2, 1993. She wore a leather crop top and jeans for this performance. The performance was introduced by actor Christian Slater, who declared Jackson to have "the sexiest bellybutton I've ever seen" during the announcement. The MTV Video Music Awards performance is often considered one of the most infamous and intricate performances of Jackson's career. '' Complex'' considered the performance among "The 25 Sexiest Moments in VMA History," commenting "when Britney and Christina were busy dealing with midterms and acne, Janet Jackson was the queen of bringing sexy to the VMA stage. Though it'd no doubt be considered tame by today's standards, Janet's exposed stomach and bra made for the hottest performance of the year."
On the 1993-95 janet. World Tour
Janet World Tour (stylized as janet. World Tour and known as Summer Escapade during the summer of 1994) was the second concert tour by American singer, performer, songwriter and dancer Janet Jackson. It was launched in support of her fifth studi ...
, Jackson performed "If" as the opening song. Lenny Stoute of the ''Toronto Star
The ''Toronto Star'' is a Canadian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper. The newspaper is the country's largest daily newspaper by circulation. It is owned by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary of Torstar Corporation and part ...
'' 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." '' Jet Magazine'' wrote, "Janet mesmerzied the crowd by opening with the hit song, 'If'." It has also been performed on all of her following tours, the janet. World Tour
Janet World Tour (stylized as janet. World Tour and known as Summer Escapade during the summer of 1994) was the second concert tour by American singer, performer, songwriter and dancer Janet Jackson. It was launched in support of her fifth studi ...
, The Velvet Rope Tour
The Velvet Rope Tour was the third concert tour by American recording artist Janet Jackson. Launched in support of her sixth studio album ''The Velvet Rope'' (1997), the tour visited Europe, North America, Japan, New Zealand, Africa, and Austral ...
, All for You Tour
The All for You Tour was the fourth concert tour by American recording artist Janet Jackson, in support of her seventh studio album '' All for You'' (2001). The show was designed by Mark Fisher and Jackson. It was originally scheduled to start in ...
, Rock Witchu Tour
Rock Witchu Tour was the fifth concert tour by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson, in support of her tenth studio album '' Discipline'' (2008), and her first in nearly seven years, following a total blacklist of the singer's music, due to ...
, Number Ones, Up Close and Personal
Number Ones, Up Close and Personal World Tour was the sixth concert tour by American recording artist Janet Jackson. It showcased her sophomore compilation album, '' Number Ones'' and visited Asia, North America, Europe, Australia, and Africa. Ja ...
, Unbreakable World Tour, and the State of the World Tour
The State of the World Tour was the eighth concert tour by American singer Janet Jackson. Launched in promotion of her eleventh studio album ''Unbreakable'' (2015), the tour is produced by Live Nation and is under the creative direction of Gil ...
. It is also included in her 2019 Las Vegas Residency Janet Jackson: Metamorphosis.
"If" was also performed at the 2009 American Music Awards
The 37th Annual American Music Awards took place on November 22, 2009 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California. The nominees were announced on October 13, 2009. For the first time in history, there was no host for the year's cerem ...
as promotion for ''Number Ones
A number is a mathematical object used to count, measure, and label. The original examples are the natural numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and so forth. Numbers can be represented in language with number words. More universally, individual numbers can ...
'', during a medley with " Miss You Much", " What Have You Done for Me Lately", " Make Me", and " Together Again". On the 2011 Number Ones, Up Close and Personal
Number Ones, Up Close and Personal World Tour was the sixth concert tour by American recording artist Janet Jackson. It showcased her sophomore compilation album, '' Number Ones'' and visited Asia, North America, Europe, Australia, and Africa. Ja ...
tour, ''The Boston Herald
The ''Boston Herald'' is an American daily newspaper whose primary market is Boston, Massachusetts, and its surrounding area. It was founded in 1846 and is one of the oldest daily newspapers in the United States. It has been awarded eight Pulit ...
'' called the performance "an all-out dance onslaught," praising her ability to still perform "the same stylized dance moves from the classic 1993 video." ''The Seattle Times
''The Seattle Times'' is a daily newspaper serving Seattle, Washington, United States. It was founded in 1891 and has been owned by the Blethen family since 1896. ''The Seattle Times'' has the largest circulation of any newspaper in Washington (s ...
'' exclaimed "As a woman who has never been afraid to strut her sexuality, her oh-no-you-didn't dance moves are always a delight. "If's" crotch grabbing and finger licking were classic Ms. Jackson (if you're nasty)", also saying this "served as reminders that dancing is sometimes as important as the songs themselves." An additional critique declared routine "defined her career and set her apart from contemporaries, including the newer crop of performers," adding "the in-you-face-sexy "If" made it "apparent that Ms. Jackson hasn't lost a step — even at 45."
Legacy
In 2013, '' Esquire Magazine'' placed the song's "hypothetical" situation among their list of "Sexiest Janet Jackson songs," saying "Janet wants you but you're in another relationship and she respects boundaries (but her mind is still dirty)." Rakesh Satwell of ''New York Magazine
''New York'' is an American biweekly magazine concerned with life, culture, politics, and style generally, and with a particular emphasis on New York City. Founded by Milton Glaser and Clay Felker in 1968 as a competitor to ''The New Yorker'', ...
'' praised "If" as "a punch to the eardrum," declaring that it remains "as fresh as it did then" and a departure from radio trends twenty years after its release. Satwell considered the song "overwhelming" in the current mainstream landscape, in comparison to "our David Guetta
Pierre David Guetta ( , ; born 7 November 1967) is a French DJ and music producer. He has over 10 million album and 65 million single sales globally, with more than 10 billion streams. In 2011, 2020 and 2021, Guetta was voted the number one D ...
glut." The song was commended as a "more impressive feat" for sounding "as it if it's from the future," in contrast to hits such as Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines
"Blurred Lines" is a song by American singer Robin Thicke featuring American rappers T.I. and Pharrell Williams from the former's sixth studio album of the same name (2013). Solely produced by Williams, it was released as the album's lead si ...
" and Outkast's " Hey Ya!" which glorified "musical silk of the past." In a similar comparison, its overall tone was considered "ten times more effective" than Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados, Rihanna auditioned for American record producer Evan Rogers who invited her to the ...
's " S&M." Additionally, Satwell considered "If" one of Jackson's defining artistic moments, with the song's "sinister" and erotic tone evoked in future releases by artists such as Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados, Rihanna auditioned for American record producer Evan Rogers who invited her to the ...
and Ke$ha
Kesha Rose Sebert (; born March 1, 1987), formerly stylized as Ke$ha, is an American singer and songwriter. In 2005, at age 18, Kesha was signed to Kemosabe Records. Her first major success came in early 2009 after she was featured on America ...
. Satwell expressed consistently hearing "strains of its DNA" in various songs; its fusion of varied genres was considered to inspire subsequent stylistic songs such as LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem is an American rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2002 by James Murphy, co-founder of DFA Records. The band comprises Murphy (vocals, various instruments), Nancy Whang (synthesizer, keyboards, vocals), Pat Mahoney (dr ...
's " One Touch," Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, actress, and businesswoman. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados, Rihanna auditioned for American record producer Evan Rogers who invited her to the ...
's "Rockstar 101
"Rockstar 101" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her fourth studio album, ''Rated R'' (2009). The song features the British-American guitarist Slash of the rock group Guns N' Roses. It was released on May 18, 2010, as the fifth single fro ...
," and Aaliyah
Aaliyah Dana Haughton (; January 16, 1979 – August 25, 2001) was an American singer and actress. She has been credited for helping to redefine contemporary R&B, pop and hip hop, earning her the nicknames the "Princess of R&B" and " ...
's " What If?." The orchestral sample used twice was regarded as "genius" as an "innocuous but extremely effective garnish," allowing Jackson to "seethe with intensity" over the sound of "multiple drones." Satwell considered Jackson to make a "definitive sexual statement" in a way which was "groundbreaking, indelible, and mesmerizing way," concluding "few people have ever had more rhythm and control than Janet Jackson did in the summer of 1993."
The song was applauded as a "sweaty, sexy dance workout" which "still holds up" twenty years after its premiere. ''Slant Magazine
''Slant Magazine'' is an American online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York ...
'' ranked "If" as the twenty-second best song of the nineties, saying the "dance rock" song "found Miss Jackson asserting her right to have an orgasm the likes of which would dwarf your puny muscular spasms." Over filtered production suggesting "a cybernetic logjam," the song effectively "prowls, marking its prey, staking its claim," likened to Jackson "playing with your mind". The song's peak of "sweet harmonies of the bridge" plunges into "the crunching paradox of the chorus," ultimately decided to be "more metallic than carnal". The track was also heralded as "a BIG-ASS song that made a mark and blazed a trail." The song's theme of "hypothetical sexual fantasies" with undertones of sadness were considered "erotic and defiant", and its production of "wailing guitar chords, insanely catchy hip-hop beats, and some of Janet’s best vocals" determined it as potentially "the most eclectic song of her entire discography." Alicia Jackson of The Redefined said the song's "soft, sing-song nature" melded with "pure raunchiness" were "the gateways to who I am today," in relating the lyrics contrasted with Jackson's shy persona. '' Pitchfork'' ranked the song as the fiftieth best song of the nineties, calling it "the fiercest track from her chart-obliterating ''Janet'' album".
Awards and nominations
Covers and remixes
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born April 24, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter, author, and television personality. She rose to fame after winning the first season of ''American Idol'' in 2002, which earned her a record deal with RCA. Her debu ...
performed "If" on many dates of her All I Ever Wanted Tour. Kwon Yuri of Girls' Generation
Girls' Generation (), also known as SNSD, is a South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment. The group is composed of eight members: Taeyeon, Sunny, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona, and Seohyun. Originally a nine-piece ensembl ...
performed covers of "If" during the 2011 Girls' Generation Tour
''Girls' Generation Tour'' is the second concert tour by South Korean girl group Girls' Generation. The concert tour kicked off in Seoul and continued in Taipei and Singapore. Girls' Generation performed their first ever concert in Hong Kong ...
. A studio version was released the following year. Dance troupe A.S.I.I.D. performed a routine to "If" on an episode of ''America's Best Dance Crew
''America's Best Dance Crew'', often abbreviated as ''ABDC'', was an American competitive dance reality television series that features both national and international dance crews. The show was produced by singer, record producer, and former ''Am ...
'' titled "Janet Jackson Challenge". Charmaine P. Dennis of Cinema Blend commented "Everyone knows the famous hand blade/shuffle move, and the group pulls it off lovely."
Electronic artist EPROM released a remix of "If" in 2011. Okayfuture described it as a "bubbly, reverb infused, deep bass remix", and Hypetrak said "'' Janet'' was one of the most influential pop albums during the early nineties. Thus, it is more than right that its standout single, "If," is still a demanded subject to reinterpretation." Kaytranada
Louis Kevin Celestin (born August 25, 1992), known professionally as Kaytranada (stylized as KAYTRANADA, shortened as KAYTRA), is a Haitian-Canadian record producer and DJ. Celestin rose to prominence after releasing a series of mixtapes, remixes, ...
released a remix of "If" in 2012. ''Okayplayer
Okayplayer is an online hip-hop and alternative music website and community, described by ''Rolling Stone'' as a "tastemaker" and "an antidote to dull promotional Web sites used by most artists".
The community was founded by The Roots' drummer ...
'' gave the remix a positive review, stating "That bumpin’ bassline, the infectious claps and overall bouncin’ nu-disco vibe... had us at hello. Rarely have we ever seen a sample done oh so right."
Track listings
* US CD maxi single
# "If" (Brothers in Rhythm house mix) – 7:07
# "If" (Brothers in Rhythm Swing Yo Pants mix) – 6:20
# "If" (Tee's Freeze mix) – 7:17
# "If" (extended LP mix) – 5:40
# "If" (TNT Bass mix) – 5:36
# "If" (D&D 12-inch Mix/Adult 12-inch) – 5:47
# "If" (short single edit) – 2:59
# "One More Chance" – 5:54
* US 12-inch single
# "If" (Brothers in Rhythm house mix) – 7:07
# "If" (Brothers in Rhythm Swing Yo Pants mix) – 6:20
# "If" (Tee's Freeze mix) – 7:17
# "If" (extended LP mix) – 5:40
* US double 12-inch single
# "If" (Brothers in Rhythm house mix) – 7:07
# "If" (Brothers in Rhythm dub) – 7:00
# "If" (extended LP mix) – 5:40
# "If" (Tee's radio mix) – 4:02
# "If" (D&D 7-inch mix) – 4:23
# "If" (Tee's Freeze mix) – 7:17
# "If" (TNT Bass mix) – 5:36
# "If" (Brothers in Rhythm Swing Yo Pants mix) – 6:20
# "If" (D&D JDD mix) – 5:26
# "If" (Tee's Capella) – 2:09
* UK CD single
* Japanese CD single
# "If" (radio edit) – 3:49
# "If" (Brothers in Rhythm house mix) – 7:07
# "If" (Tee's Freeze mix) – 7:17
# "If" (Brothers in Rhythm Swing Yo Pants mix) – 6:20
# "If" (extended LP mix) – 5:40
# "If" (D&D 12-inch mix) – 5:47
* UK 12-inch single
# "If" (Brothers in Rhythm house mix) – 7:07
# "If" (Brothers in Rhythm dub) – 7:00
# "If" (radio edit) – 3:49
# "If" (extended LP mix) – 5:40
# "If" (Brothers in Rhythm Swing Yo Pants mix) – 6:20
# "If" (D&D 12-inch mix) – 5:47
* French CD single
* Japanese 3-inch CD single
# "If" (radio edit) – 3:49
# "One More Chance" – 5:54
Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from the ''janet.'' liner notes.
* Janet Jackson – lead vocals, backing vocals, producer
* Jimmy Jam – producer
* Terry Lewis – producer
* Steve Hodge – mixing
* Dave Rideau – mixing
* Todd Perry – remixer
* Darryl James – remixer
* David Anthony – remixer
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
Certifications
Release history
References
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:If (Janet Jackson Song)
1993 singles
1993 songs
Industrial rock songs
Janet Jackson songs
MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video
Music videos directed by Dominic Sena
New jack swing songs
Song recordings produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Songs written by Harvey Fuqua
Songs written by Janet Jackson
Songs written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Songs written by Johnny Bristol
Trip hop songs
Virgin Records singles