Music Review: Janet Jackson "The Pleasure Principle"
Janet Jackson
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The Pleasure Principle
Album: Control
Year: 1986
Janet Jackson searches for better things in the genial "Pleasure Priniciple."
A chilled synthesizer and drum machine open the single, setting an easygoing tone. She tells her boyfriend that she had some fun with him. However, she needs more She says he was entertaining as they drove the city, waving hello to the people from the limo and making toasts. But they are going in different directions. It's causing tension between them. He's surprised that she no longer wants to be with him.
She explains that her life is moving too fast to waste in a dead-end relationship. She wants to enjoy every minute she has.
He wants a firm commitment and not to take any chances. She tells him to get a taxi and drive until his money runs out. She adds that she doesn't want him to resent her. However, she's only making him worse about himself. She has the freedom he craves. Personality clashes have led her to break up with several guys. He's fighting her decision to leave. He argues that they had planned a future together. She's had enough. She scoffs that they have drifted apart but he can't admit it.
In the bridge, she says that he has been a great friend to her, which she will always remember. But the relationship is over. They are both growing older and changing.
A straightforward synthesizer and drum solo follows.
She says their hopes and dreams will lead to major heartache eventually. He would later regret continuing the relationship. She says she wants to travel, finish school, and do crazy things while she can. She's not ready for the type of commitment he wants.
In the final chorus, she says she won't let him stop her from living her life. They've been through a lot together. However, he refuses to let her go.
"The Pleasure Principle" is a solid, understated single. The driving metaphor is developed fully. The actions of his driving explain their feelings. The use of different cars (taxi and limo) help express Jackson's feeling without actually saying it. The subtle and practical dance beat matches, instead of drowns out, her thin vocals.
It's a surprisingly well-thought out song.
Album: Control
Year: 1986
Janet Jackson searches for better things in the genial "Pleasure Priniciple."
A chilled synthesizer and drum machine open the single, setting an easygoing tone. She tells her boyfriend that she had some fun with him. However, she needs more She says he was entertaining as they drove the city, waving hello to the people from the limo and making toasts. But they are going in different directions. It's causing tension between them. He's surprised that she no longer wants to be with him.
"You might think I'm crazy but I'm serious/It's better you know now/What I thought was happiness was only part time bliss/You can take a bow/It was all just one big night out on the town/Riding in your limousine/We turned right and I said wrong which brings us to a stop/As the light is changing."
She explains that her life is moving too fast to waste in a dead-end relationship. She wants to enjoy every minute she has.
"Oh my meter's running so I got to go now/It's the pleasure principle oh oh oh/It's the principle of pleasure, oh/It's the pleasure principle oh, oh."
He wants a firm commitment and not to take any chances. She tells him to get a taxi and drive until his money runs out. She adds that she doesn't want him to resent her. However, she's only making him worse about himself. She has the freedom he craves. Personality clashes have led her to break up with several guys. He's fighting her decision to leave. He argues that they had planned a future together. She's had enough. She scoffs that they have drifted apart but he can't admit it.
"It's true you want to build your life on guarantees/Hey, take a ride in a big yellow taxi/I wanted you to love me/I'm not here to feed your insecurities/This has become an all too familiar scene/It's not the first time I paid the fare/Where'd you get the idea of material possession?/Thank you for the ride to nowhere."
In the bridge, she says that he has been a great friend to her, which she will always remember. But the relationship is over. They are both growing older and changing.
"I know, what you mean to me/Baby this is nowhere/You know what came in between you and me, human differential/Sa dat dit dit dit baby/It's the principle of pleasure/Oh, oh oh oh ah/It's the pleasure principle, principle/Oh oh oh oh, ah."
A straightforward synthesizer and drum solo follows.
She says their hopes and dreams will lead to major heartache eventually. He would later regret continuing the relationship. She says she wants to travel, finish school, and do crazy things while she can. She's not ready for the type of commitment he wants.
"You might say that I'm no good for you/I wouldn't trust your looks, baby, if I could/I got so many things I wanna do, before I'm through/Hey, da dit da dit dat baby/It's the pleasure principle/It's the pleasure principle/Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey."
In the final chorus, she says she won't let him stop her from living her life. They've been through a lot together. However, he refuses to let her go.
"It's the pleasure principle/Baby you can't hold me down/Baby you can't hold me down/After all the love that we've been through/After all you've put me through/Hey, hey, hey, yeah/Love me, hey yeah, love me, yeah!/Hoo oh oh oh/It's the pleasure principle/Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!/Oh."
"The Pleasure Principle" is a solid, understated single. The driving metaphor is developed fully. The actions of his driving explain their feelings. The use of different cars (taxi and limo) help express Jackson's feeling without actually saying it. The subtle and practical dance beat matches, instead of drowns out, her thin vocals.
It's a surprisingly well-thought out song.