Song of the Day - 1.5

"But... if I was your girl..."

Pop music just never gets this good. Why this doesn't continue to play on "90's Retro Hours" across the country is beyond my comprehension. Janet, previously known for such hits as the respect-demanding "Nasty" and socially conscious "Rhythm Nation," takes on an entirely new and effortlessly confident persona for 1993's janet. .

Jackson's first foray into true musical controversy comes with janet.'s "If," a pop song of mega-proportions. Building on the rhythmic sound of the time, "If" incorporates grinding rock guitars, spoken-word style vocals, and Eastern string instruments. To call it a pop song may actually be insulting, as it sounds light-years beyond the pop music of its time.

With pulsating rhythms and an anthemic chorus, "If" remains one of Janet's best club songs. Aside from the already hyper-danceable tune, "If" possesses one of the best dance-bridges in pop memory. Of course, Janet makes great use of the melody in the captivatingly brilliant music video.

But now to what people really remember about "If"... It is a wonder that this song ever slipped the censors and played on the radio at all. The allowance is probably due to the mumbled nature of the lyrics. Not even recent artists could get away with such musings on the air. The track is Janet's first "fantasy song" for which she has become infamous in later years. Without ever uttering a truly explicit word, Janet masters allusion by informing a possible lover of the benefits of having her for his "girl," then adds the teasing conclusion: "But I'm not. So I can't. And I won't. But... if I was your girl..." The second verse could probably still illicit a bit of shock for its unflinchingly candid proposal.

The music video features Janet and her dance crew in a red-lit Asian club. They perform Jackson's signature intricate choreography, but with a new controversial twist. In case someone missed the point of the song, he/she won't at all after even a casual viewing of the video. Each room in the club is fitted with at least one monitor linking to another room in the club, allowing patrons to view the private rendezvous of other patrons. Taboo activities, at least for the time of its premiere, include lesbianism, cyber erotica, and open relationships. The widely released edited version does not include some of the more suggestive content as it is purely focused on the dancing.

"If" is still in wide circulation and can be found on janet. (digital version available on iTunes). The music video is featured on the DVD From janet. to Damita Jo: The Videos.